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Shipping News

Call for sustainable shipping rates
OVERSUPPLY of container vessels have kept a lid on freight rates, which this week grazed multi-year lows.
Consolidation among shipping lines seen
THE Asia Pacific CEO of the world's largest container shipping line, Maersk Line, expects consolidation within the container ship industry, with large carriers driving scale economies that will make it hard for smaller carriers to compete.
Rio Tinto, BHP lining up record profits
Rio Tinto Group and BHP Billiton Ltd will report record profits this year as Australia ships more iron ore than ever and still fails to meet Chinese demand that has risen sevenfold in a decade.

Strait Talk

Proving the obvious, for more safety
SOMETIMES, it seems, it is necessary to prove the blindingly obvious. Last week, I had an inside view of an experiment designed to do just that.

web site

Shipping News

Call for sustainable shipping rates
OVERSUPPLY of container vessels have kept a lid on freight rates, which this week grazed multi-year lows.
Consolidation among shipping lines seen
THE Asia Pacific CEO of the world's largest container shipping line, Maersk Line, expects consolidation within the container ship industry, with large carriers driving scale economies that will make it hard for smaller carriers to compete.
Rio Tinto, BHP lining up record profits
Rio Tinto Group and BHP Billiton Ltd will report record profits this year as Australia ships more iron ore than ever and still fails to meet Chinese demand that has risen sevenfold in a decade.

Strait Talk

Proving the obvious, for more safety
SOMETIMES, it seems, it is necessary to prove the blindingly obvious. Last week, I had an inside view of an experiment designed to do just that.

	web site

Port Tracker expects April US container traffic to rise 9pc Zim revamps Pacific leg of ZCS service to focus on north east Asia Vessel capacity growth to outstrip demand in 2011: Drewry Moody's upgrades DP World after re-rating CMA CGM as stable Ningbo handles most cross-strait ECFA imports in China US says IRISL uses deception to evade sanctions Singapore Maritime Week focuses on development strategies RCL, Grand China Shipping enhance Thai, Viet, China Japan loop Cargotec delivers first zero emission RTGs in Asia to Vietnam SITC extends Japan, China, Vietnam loop to Thailand under VTX name TNT's profit hit by volatility ahead of demerger of express and mail First Jamaican green coffee beans bound for China UK freight lobby proposes standard container shipping contract US Senate, House bills poised to increase truck weights Hong Kong's No 2 ground handler, AAT, increases March tonnage 12pc Australia fines Japan Airlines US$5.8 million for price fixing Lufthansa Cargo quarterly volume up 19.9pc to 469,000 tonnes

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APRIL 12, 2011
Beluga Group being restructured Somali piracy-A grave threat to global trade & shipping Warburg Pincus takes minority stake in Continental Warehousing Corporation Garment exporters want cotton yarn export cap at 720 mkg ICTT achieves best-ever 33.46 mph GCR DEPB scheme to remain in force only till June 30: DGFT Food Ministry in no hurry to issue export licence Further policy rate hike may impact growth, feels industry Karnataka to contest SC order revoking ban on iron ore exports Millers lament sugar export notification delay Nagpur SEZ land to be de-notified for real estate development Oil payment dispute with India resolved: Iran Minister Council of EU Chambers organising business trip to Central Europe in May

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APRIL 12, 2011
Turkish Cargo launches freight services to Iraq Turkish Cargo is launching a cargo service to Erbil (Iraq) today (12 April). The freight is carried twice per week on passenger flights. Yesterday (11 May), the Turkish carrier beg... AA Cargo offers direct uplift between Hungary and the USA American Airlines Cargo has launched direct services to the Hungarian capital Budapest from New York (USA). The daily, non-stop B767-300 service allows AA Cargo's custome... Fuel consumption reduced by up to 7% Transics International, a pan-European fleet management solutions provider, has launched a joint fuel-saving initiative with the tyre manufacturer Michelin and the training institu... Single cargo business for British Airways and Iberia Following the merger of British Airways and Iberia, the airlines' cargo operations will be run as a single business unit reporting to the International Airlines Group (IAG), the ho... Revenues rising at Greenbrier companies The Greenbrier Companies, headquartered in Lake Oswego OR (USA), reported results for its fiscal second quarter ended 28 February 2011. Revenues amounted to USD 286.3 million, up f... CFL Multimodal launches a new Luxembourg-Germany intermodal service CFL Multimodal is launching a new intermodal service linking the terminal of Bettembourg (Luxembourg) to the Skandinavia Quay at the port of Lübeck (Germany). The trains will carry... Transfracht/Albatros adding extra intermodal trains Transfracht is introducing additional intermodal connections. The company will now offer new links from southern and western Germany, Austria and Switzerland to the German seaports... MAN Rental expanding its international commercial vehicle rental business The truck rental company Euro-Leasing will be taken over by MAN Truck & Bus AG. Since the end of 2009, MAN has held a majority stake of 50.1% in Euro-Leasing, which is one of G... Germany: more trucks sold Germany's Federal Motor Vehicle Office has compiled statistics showing that more than 63,000 trucks (+27.7%) and almost 9,000 heavy vehicles (+78.2%) were sold in Q1/2011. Gro... DHL: new logistics contract with Bristol-Myers Squibb in USA The global biopharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb has chosen DHL's supply chain unit in North America as the third-party logistics provider to handle its US distribution. A... TNT announces provisional figures for Q1/2011 The Dutch postal and logistics company TNT earned less in its express business domain in Q1/2011, compared to the same period a year ago, due to an unexpectedly uncertain busi... Hub Group acquires Exel Transportation Services The US-based transport and logistics service provider Hub Group has bought Exel Transportation Services (ETS) for USD 83 million. ETS, which operates independently under the name M... CKYH restructuring Asia-North America east coast services CKYH - the Green Alliance (Coscon, K Line, Yang Ming and Hanjin Shipping) wants to restructure its AWE loops (liner services between Asia and the North American east coas... Evergreen, Coscon, PIL and Wan Hai to jointly launch a new WSA service Evergreen Line, Cosco Container Lines (Coscon), Pacific International Lines (PIL) and Wan Hai Lines (WHL) will jointly launch a new service linking the Far East and the west coast ... Indian ports' capacity to be increased India's port capacity, including major and non-major ports, exceeded 1 billion t during 2010-11, according to Rakesh Srivastava, joint secretary (Ports) at the Indian Ministry of S...

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APRIL 12, 2011
Stanships agrees to $1 million penalty and banning from U.S. waters OT&BE releases details of AT/B ordered by Kirby at Signal International ABS fleet hits new record level SBM Offshore orders DSCV at Keppel Singmarine ABB reports turbocharger technology milestones Wärtsilä and Deltamarin unveil IMC ferry designs

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APRIL 12, 2011
Portland Port Board holding public budget meeting Commerce Secretary releases latest international trade report Trucking fatality rate drops to lowest level Port Tracker report predicts rise in import cargo volumes Hanjin takes delivery of two new container ships

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APRIL 12, 2011
Libyan oil dries up as Gadaffi attacks rebel-held fields International Energy Agency report dashes hope of fresh exports Hopes fade for rates push in second quarter No rally in sight as panamax fleet grows Aframax rates drop as overcapacity woes continue The TD17 route on the Baltic Exchange Dirty Tanker Index has declined over 10 days, as the onset of warmer weather allows more vessels to join an oversubscribed tonnage list High oil prices could hurt global economy, warns IEA The International Energy Agency maintained its outlook for global oil demand in 2011, while warning that prices above $100 per barrel are starting to hurt the global economy Japan demand pushes up Indonesia LNG exports Indonesia's exports of liquefied natural gas to Japan in March rose 7.7% above the monthly average Golar confirms four-vessel order and eyes further ships Golar LNG has ordered four liquefied natural gas carriers worth around $800m from South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries Why we must clip our black swan's wings Focusing on the human element is key to mitigating future oil spill risk APL boss sees hope for Asia-Europe recovery Slow steaming, lay-ups and strong peak demand will breathe life into troubled trade Cleaning up slowly Non-compliance on the low sulphur rules is likely to be only a blip on shipping's horizons Box lines downplay Asia-Europe fears Recovery on the cards on back of stronger demand and equipment shortages Ivory Coast hope The fact that ports in the Ivory Coast are open and exports can resume is reason for hope Port backlog fears as Ivory Coast ban ends Box lines planning to resume calls but unsure when operations at ports will retrun to normal Political unrest fails to dampen Suez Canal traffic Waterway records $413.5m revenue in March 2011, up 9% from same month in 2010 Global Ports box volumes surpass pre-crisis levels Terminal operator's first quarter 2011 figures surge 68% MSC launches intra-Europe service Service connects UK and Ireland with line's hub port of Antwerp Icebreaker escort fees key to viable Siberian arctic transits Strong interest in making route an alternative but shipowners say transit fees too high Safe Bulkers raises $42m from secondary share offering Proceeds to be used for vessel acquisitions, capital expenditures and other purposes, including repayment of debt, says Greece based owner Class societies pull together to develop first CSR package Joint venture between ABS and Lloyd's Register could provide impetus for other class societies to collaborate on common structural rules software development Soaring fuel price spurs interest in ship design optimisation Interest in ship design optimisation rises in line with bunker prices says Germanischer Lloyd Japanese oil tank coating testing regime wins approval by ClassNK New rules on cargo tank coating demand new testing systems for coating makers Knowing everything is all part of the job The skilful shipbroker gives his or her advice more by suggesting than otherwise Will the IMO adopt the EEDI in spite of its many criticisms? When the EEDI does come into force, it will need to be refined, adapted and most importantly verified NewLead seeks $120m from Norway bond issue Proceeds aimed at funding fleet growth UASC takes delivery of its first 13,000 teu ship The Umm Salal is one of nine ships ordered at peak of box sector market US retail box volumes set to rise 9% in April Forecast suggests recovery in US consumer spending to continue despite oil price worries Singapore's green shipping drive gets $80m boost MPA to offer 20% rebate on annual tonnage tax for qualifying Singapore-flagged vessels APL switches to cleaner fuel in Singapore Move will slash SOx emissions from its ships by 90% Vibrant Germany fails to spark KG sector into life Ship finance industry continues its fight for survival as high-profile shipping insolvencies dent investor confidence New funds hit 20-year nadir In 2010 KG investors provided the meagre sum of '750m ($1.1bn) for new shipping funds Costamare unveils steady dividend payout To pay out $0.25 per share for first quarter 2011, same amount as for fourth quarter 2010

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APRIL 12, 2011
Washington port gets US rail aid IMPROVED rail access to Washington state's port of Vancouver is the object of $10M in US aid Windfall inflates Barca's port profits BARCELONA'S APB port authority today told Fairplay net profits that would normally have been 23% in 2010 ended up swelling by 159% TransContainer box volumes jump 24% RUSSIA'S TransContainer has posted a 24% year-on-year rise in box volumes to 313,000teu for the first quarter Box ship rate pause seen BOX SHIP timecharter rates should level off in coming months, Credit Suisse analyst Gregory Lewis cautioned today Tankers chartered to Japan jump 59% TANKER bookings into Japan surged 59% in the three weeks after its quake crisis, Hong Kong brokerage Sanford C Bernstein said in a research update 'More demolitions' urged in drybulk sector IN YET another bleak outlook for drybulk shipping, an analyst told the Sea Asia conference in Singapore today that shipowners must resist the temptation to order new ships US trade pacts gain steam PANAMA is close to resolving outstanding issues in a pending trade deal with the US, which might clear the way for congressional approval of similar accords with Colombia and South Korea, IHS Global Insight reported today NOL leads on green fuel SINGAPORE'S flagship carrier NOL said today it will use cleaner, low-sulphur fuel, making it the first group to do so in the city-state NewLead goes for bonds NASDAQ-listed NewLead Holdings hopes to raise $120M through a high-yield bond offering, the company said before markets opened today Japan's vehicle carriers cross their fingers JAPANESE groups told Fairplay today they still hope to avoid idling their vehicle carriers because of last month's quake crisis Pakistan exports of rice rise 14% PAKISTAN'S rice exports rose 14% in the first nine months of the current fiscal year over totals in that period of the previous year, market sources told Fairplay today IEA sees jump in floating products storage TODAY'S monthly IEA forecast offered no solace to the crude sector, but cited rising positives for product carriers 'Vigilante' pirate approach is criticised BEWARE the vigilante response to piracy, ANL Container Line CEO John Lines warned the Sea Asia conference in Singapore today Flex seals FLNG deals NORWAY'S Flex LNG has announced that it has signed an agreement with several companies to build and operate a floating LNG project off Papua New Guinea Maersk sees more consolidation MAERSK'S Asia-Pacific CEO told a Singapore conference today that consolidation should be expected in the box sector as the larger carriers continue to grow

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APRIL 12, 2011
Va. Freight Study Maps Infrastructure Projects The Virginia Department of Transportation on Monday announced completion of an intermodal freight transportation study and investment strategy for future... US Court of Appeals Hears ABF-YRC-Teamsters Lawsuit A three-judge appellate court panel heard arguments April 12 in an ABF Freight System lawsuit against the Teamsters union and... UCLA-Ceridian Trucking Index Rises 2.7 Percent Stronger freight demand in March pushed the Ceridian-UCLA Pulse of Commerce Index up 2.7 percent month-to-month, reversing declines in January... Frankfurt Cargo Declined in March Frankfurt airport cargo volume dropped in March for the first time in 18 months as the earthquake and tsunami in... RailAmerica Buys Three Alabama Short Lines Short line operator RailAmerica is buying the assets of three small freight railroads in Alabama for a total price of... Australia Fines JAL Over Cargo Cartel A Federal Court in Melbourne, Australia, ordered Japan Airlines to pay a fine worth $5.8 million in U.S. funds for... Budget Deal Cuts Into Unused Transport Money Pending budget cuts from last week's deal to avert a government shutdown will take a deeper bite out of transportation... Heathrow Cargo Slips 1.9 Percent Cargo volume at London Heathrow Airport slipped 1.9 percent in March, the second year-over-year decline at the gateway in the... Russia's TransContainer Rail Box Traffic Up 23.5 Percent TransContainer, Russia's largest rail container operator, increased first quarter traffic by 23.5 percent from a year ago with international shipments... APL Ships to Burn Low-Sulfur Fuel in Singapore The NOL Group is extending its low-sulfur emissions program to the Port of Singapore, where it is based. All... Hanjin Receives Last Two Ships in 8,600-TEU Series Hanjin Shipping is taking delivery this month of the last two in a series of five containerships, each with capacities... Lufthansa Cargo Jumps 17.8 Percent in March Lufthansa Cargo boosted freight volume 17.8 percent in March from a year ago as sharply higher German exports and strong... Troubled Horizon Says Customers Haven't Left Horizon Lines says most of its customers are sticking with the financially ailing container line despite an accountant's note that...

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APRIL 12, 2011
CSAV control changes EU withdraws sanctions on Cote d'Ivoire Doha Round: failure is not an option Moody's issues DP World upgrade US-bound tanker freed by pirates after 'record' payout

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APRIL 12, 2011
Schulte ship held in US German operator in hot water as containership lands on USCG's latest list of port inspections. Buyers hunt Malyasian tugs Secretive Central American owners splash cash to scoop tugs as two-day spending spree tops $30m. Vale seals bank boost Brazilian mining giant clinches $3bn credit facility in the weeks following delivery of its first VLOC. Seadrill lands double John Fredriksen-owned company continues busy week with two new deals. Seacor seals Bunge union Oivind Lorentzen holds the helm at NYSE-listed owner as river wing joins agricultural giant in US grain terminal project. Salvaging suspended A marooned North Korean vessel has suffered a fresh spill in Philippine waters. Fund grabs Saga stake An Aker-controlled hedge fund has emerged as the third largest shareholder in Arne Blystad-led VLCC specialist. Box cruise for US MSC Lausanne offering six guest spots for 63-day voyage from Europe to west coast of US. Platou cuts cape forecast Analysts at Norwegian outfit drop capesize rate view to just $16,000 daily this year amid fears demand will disappoint. Safe in NYSE assault Polys Hajioannou prepares for battle as Greek bulker owner storms NYSE with $48m public offering. KfW roars back German shipping financier puts the disappointment of 2009 firmly behind it with profits boost. Grand Bahama bemoans shortage Caribbean repair yard looking overseas for more than 200 workers due to lack of domestic training. Costamare pays out New York-listed boxship owner wheels out second payday for shareholders six months after its IPO. Deep Sea fixes John Fredriksen company extends Melittah Gas anchor-handler contract for nine months. GNV takes Tunisians Italian ferry Excelsior repatriating 800 people after riots in immigration facility on Lampedusa. SBM orders DSCV Keppel Singmarine lands contract to build vessel for Dutch FPSO specialist. Wilhelmsen in share swap Oslo-listed shipowner trades shares in Kaplan Investments for a stake in its quoted parent Qube. No foul play Capesize crew quizzed but Korean captain presumed to have drowned off Australia. NewLead in bond sale The Greek bulker and products tanker owner wants to raise cash to build fleet and refinance debt.

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APRIL 12, 2011
COSCO changes China/Mideast documentation fee COSCO Container Lines said Monday it is changing its documentation fee on shipments between China and the Middle East. From May 1, the fee, per bill of lading, will be: $45 per between mainland Chinese ports and Red Sea, Persian Gulf and Indian Sub... Hanjin receives two 8,600-TEU ships Hanjin Shipping has received the last two vessels of a series of five 8,600-TEU containerships ordered from Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, the carrier said Tuesday. The two ships, theHanjin RotterdamandHanjin Seattle,will be deployed at the end o... Asian lines to add Far East/WCSA loop Evergreen Line, COSCO Container Lines, PIL and Wan Hai will start a service linking the Far East and the West Coast of South America April 30, the carriers said Monday. The new weekly service will have a rotation of Kaohsiung, Yantian, Hong Kong, N... Maersk to raise East Coast-to-Far East rates Maersk said it will raise U.S.-to-Far East Asia rates by $90 for 20-foot containers, $100 for 40-foot and 45-foot containers, effectiveMay 15. The general rate increase is for cargo from Newark, Norfolk, Savannah, Miami and Mobile.... Horizon reports support from customers Horizon Lines said in astatement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissionthat it "has begun conducting meetings with customers, vendors and others to discuss the company's daily operations and its commitment to customer service excell... MOL in cash-raising endeavors Japanese ocean carrier MOL has agreed to a three-year 30 billion yen (roughly $354 million) loan agreement with a consortium of banks headed by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., according to a report Monday byBloomberg.Separately, the line late last ... UASC joins big ship leagues Liner carrier United Arab Shipping Co. said Tuesday it has received its first 13,500-TEU vessel, part of an order of nine so-called A13 vessels from South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries. TheUASC Umm Salalis named after an area of Qata... Long-term contracts in the spotlight Industry discussion about the concept of long-term rate agreements within ocean freight service contracts is heating up. In the last month, speakers at two of the world's biggest liner shipping conferences have suggested that carriers and their sh... Interest heating up? American Shipper benchmark study American Shipperbenchmark studyAmerican Shipperbenchmark study...

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APRIL 12, 2011
Neptune Orient Lines to switch to cleaner fuel in Singapore Move expected to cut sulphur oxides by almost 90 percent. Fujairah prices soften Deliveries were available for supply up to and including April 26 in Cape Town. Rotterdam market falls Demand weak as buyers hold out, hoping falling crude prices will force suppliers to follow. Container freight rates to rebound Firming bunker prices will help push rates higher. 'Dynamic change' driving move toward less residual fuel bunkers Professor James Corbett tells IBC that market forces, in particular demand for better fuels and increased complexity in refining, will lead to 'move away from byproducts'. Shipping companies 'failing to pass on' bunker savings Slow steaming under attack from shipping industry customers. New physical supplier in Black sea Port Island Petroleum Limited delivering in Constantza. Asian bunker prices mostly down Demand 'mixed' at Asia's key bunker hubs, traders say. Global Vision Bunkers moves to new Singapore office In line with the company's growth in the region, says managing director. ExxonMobil sells high viscosity cargo at lower discount Scheduled turnarounds in the Middle East expected to tighten supplies. Bunker trader to leave Hong Kong-based supplier New trader Larry Fu to replace Jack Chan. Scrapped vessels get up to 70% premium for bunkers on board Bunkers help prop up value of vessels send for scrap.