US retailers unlikely to accept further rise in freight rates EFFORTS by container lines to push transpacific freight rates higher next year will be hindered by the continuing US West Coast port congestion, say analysts, who warn that major US retailers are unlikely to 'roll-over' and accept further rate hikes.
Narrowing demand- supply gap may rule out rate hikes A rapidly narrowing gap between demand and supply growth next year, along with global leading economic indicators pointing to a slow-down, will mean limited opportunities for further rate hikes, according to analysts.
Tanker rates seen stable ahead of Dec cargoes OIL tanker freight rates from the Persian Gulf may change little this week as bookings slow after refiners matched November cargoes with transport and await their December programme, which is due in coming days.
Wilh Wilhelmsen's 9-mth profit doubles
Port Shots
PORT SHOTS TURKEY's Bosphorus and Dardanelles Straits reopened to tanker traffic at midday yesterday after heavy fog forced their closure overnight, maritime officials said.
US retailers unlikely to accept further rise in freight rates EFFORTS by container lines to push transpacific freight rates higher next year will be hindered by the continuing US West Coast port congestion, say analysts, who warn that major US retailers are unlikely to 'roll-over' and accept further rate hikes.
Narrowing demand- supply gap may rule out rate hikes A rapidly narrowing gap between demand and supply growth next year, along with global leading economic indicators pointing to a slow-down, will mean limited opportunities for further rate hikes, according to analysts.
Tanker rates seen stable ahead of Dec cargoes OIL tanker freight rates from the Persian Gulf may change little this week as bookings slow after refiners matched November cargoes with transport and await their December programme, which is due in coming days.
Wilh Wilhelmsen's 9-mth profit doubles
Port Shots
PORT SHOTS TURKEY's Bosphorus and Dardanelles Straits reopened to tanker traffic at midday yesterday after heavy fog forced their closure overnight, maritime officials said.
Japan: Major supplier resumes domestic bunker sales International sales still off the menu due to limited stocks of bunker fuels.
Chimbusco on track for record international sales Chimbusco's international bunker sales reached record high during the first nine months of 2004, but domestic sales volumes remain much higher.
Short term tightness returns to Suez Demand once again outstripping supply in Egyptian market
Long-serving employee returns to O.W. Bunker
Rotterdam seen firming with congestion persisting
Vopak's new Rotterdam fuel oil jetty begins operations New dedicated fuel oil jetty operational this weekend as Vopak responds to Rotterdam's growing market for bunkering, export and transshipment of fuel oil.
Singapore's Asian oil hub status safe "for next five years" Despite attempts by rivals such as China and Thailand to set up oil trading hubs of their own, industry experts say Singapore will retain its status for at least five years.
BP awarded Indonesian oil products retail licence BP becomes the latest company to be granted an Indonesian oil products retail licence.
Singapore: September bunker sales break 2 million mt Singapore sees another record breaking month as September bunker sales hit two million metric tonnes.
Norden and Interorient in pool splash Danish bulk shipping group Norden is teaming up with Interorient Navigation in an ambitious new product tanker pool.
Eastbound Pacific demand set to outgrow capacity as ports jam up CARGO demand on the eastbound transpacific trades is expected to grow faster than available supply of tonnage over the coming year or two as vessels are delayed by port logjams.
LNG's good safety record 'faces threat' THE first-class safety record of liquefied natural gas shipping could be at risk if increased competition encourages operators to cut costs, a leading owner warns, writes Tony Gray.
Green joy over ship scrap clamp ENVIRONMENTALISTS have claimed a major victory on ship dismantling, after a Basel Convention conference on Friday urged the International Maritime Organization to press on and develop mandatory shipbreaking rules, writes Hugh O'Mahony.
IACS extends deadline for construction rules FOLLOWING a flood of responses from shipowners and shipbuilders who wished to comment on proposals for common construction rules for tankers and bulk carriers, the Council of the International Association of Classification Societies has agreed to extend its deadline for comments on the rules from September 30 to December 31.
Numast warns Blair on threat to seafarers NUMAST leader Brian Orrell has written to Prime Minister Tony Blair, to warn of the threat posed to UK seafarers by the latest job losses at P&O Ferries and Global Marine, writes David Osler.
Manson dips toe in Asian box trades A SMALL tanker owner is exploring new pastures ' Manson Shipping of Taiwan has entered the world of container feedering, launching three intra-Asia services that connect the island with the Philippines and Vietnam, writes Sam Chambers in Hong Kong.
Norden, Interorient pool tankers DANISH operator DS Norden and Cyprus-based Interorient Navigation are to pool their tankers to create a fleet of 14 Handysize and Medium Range product tankers of 25,000-55,000dwt capacity
US Shipping Partners trading begins TRADING of US Shipping Partners began in New York on Friday, with pricing initially set at $22.25 per unit
Scotland simplifies port planning A change introduced into the newly published Scottish Transport Bill 2004 will simplify and expedite the port planning process
Irish storm ships still in dock TWO vessels damaged during the fierce storms that hit Irish waters last week remain out of action
FEFC reports on trade imbalance THE Far Eastern Freight Conference has reported that the increase in westbound trade is continuing to surge ahead of the increase in eastbound trade
LA backpedals on 'green' terminal P&O Nedlloyd and environmental groups are trying to make sense of the decision by port managers at Los Angeles to become less 'green'
Beijing hunts oil opportunists China's State Development and Reform Commission (SDRC) reported that a nationwide investigation has been carried out to deal with those who spread rumours on oil price rises.
Capacity cuts aimed at forcing rates up says conference Member carriers of the Korea Nearsea Freight Conference (KNFC) have decided to reduce services between Korea and Japan's Hanshin from December 1 to restore freight rates.
AustralAsia Railway users threaten boycott
China set to sign free trade area pact with ASEAN
Concor raises loaded box rates
Gloves off in Botany third terminal tussle
Indian exporters face losses through US congestion
Vopak and Cosco Logistics create chemical transport company
Gamcheon Logistics Complex expected to increase Busan's volume
Fjord Line choses Faroe Island flag Fjord Line prefers Faroe Island flag for its ferries when the Norwegian net wage arrangement expires at the end of ...
Jebsen increases Chinese order Kristian Jebsens Rederi in Bergen has increased its order at the Chinese yard Jiangdu Yahai by another two 33,500 DWT ...
North Sea strike avoided US company BJ Services and Norwegian Federation of Offshore Workers' Unions (OFS) Saturday agreed new terms and conditions and a ...
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