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Shipping News

Iran's fleet too small to sustain oil flow
Oil exports from Iran, Opec's second-biggest producer, may drop because the nation's tanker fleet is too small to carry all its cargoes as European Union sanctions cause international ship owners to avoid the country.
MSC to boost traffic to Lithuania's Klaipeda port
The world's second biggest container shipping firm, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), has committed more traffic to Lithuania's Klaipeda port in a move expected to divert traffic from Antwerp and Bremerhaven.
Maersk looking for low-grade biofuel to help cut pollution
The world's top ship container carrier Maersk Line is seeking a low-grade biofuel to help curb its seaborne pollution and reduce its dependency on the volatile bunker fuel market, the head of the company's environment division said.
An exhibition growing in strength

Strait Talk

Sustainability: everyone's business
CORPORATE survival rates quite highly on most shipping company executives' list of priorities in the exceptionally difficult markets currently being experienced by most of the global shipping industry. So perhaps the issue of sustainability is being seen as somewhat less important right now.

web site

Shipping News

Iran's fleet too small to sustain oil flow
Oil exports from Iran, Opec's second-biggest producer, may drop because the nation's tanker fleet is too small to carry all its cargoes as European Union sanctions cause international ship owners to avoid the country.
MSC to boost traffic to Lithuania's Klaipeda port
The world's second biggest container shipping firm, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), has committed more traffic to Lithuania's Klaipeda port in a move expected to divert traffic from Antwerp and Bremerhaven.
Maersk looking for low-grade biofuel to help cut pollution
The world's top ship container carrier Maersk Line is seeking a low-grade biofuel to help curb its seaborne pollution and reduce its dependency on the volatile bunker fuel market, the head of the company's environment division said.
An exhibition growing in strength

Strait Talk

Sustainability: everyone's business
CORPORATE survival rates quite highly on most shipping company executives' list of priorities in the exceptionally difficult markets currently being experienced by most of the global shipping industry. So perhaps the issue of sustainability is being seen as somewhat less important right now.

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United Nations' voice of transport labour backs 300 fired Auckland dockers Wrecked Rena took shortcuts to get into Tauranga on time: official probe Cost of price war by ocean carriers could have funded 18 space missions CMA CGM raises rates US$150/TEU and $300/FEU on India-Europe service Shandong province cargo traffic volume increases 6pc in first two months March US retail import box traffic expected to rise 10pc, says Port Tracker Three Gorges Dam and lock repairs to disrupt Yangtze River shipping Maersk starts Fuzhou calls as liner goes from strength to strength High-speed rail segment collapses in heavy rain between Wuhan and Yichang MCC Transport launches mobile website, smart phone shipment tracking Dubai's DP World to invest more in Jebel Ali to boost box handling capacity Logwin profit drops 10pc to US$28.4 million in 2011, revenue off 10pc too Hong Kong's OOCL opens maritime academy in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province India's private port growth trumps public piers in market share battle India's low-cost Spicejet begins cargo flights diamond hub Surat city USAF mobility airmen team up to build cargo loading efficiency Chicago holds Chief Supply Chain Officer (CSCO) forum June 18-20

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Baltic freight index climbs 12 consecutive days Container swap market in budding stage High-cube boxes gaining in popularity ITIC says professional indemnity cover essential in shipping industry Maritime industry key to driving global sustainability agenda Vessels must inform Navy, Coast Guard of armed guards on board: DGS Iraq may become India's 2nd top oil supplier Kandla Port again set to top volume figures in 2011-12 Allcargo CFS, Mundra observes safety week Rail freight handling increases to 875.60 mt during April 2011-February 2012 Railway Minister's assurance of 'friendly' policy measures augurs well for CTOs DGFT proposal could turn into global currency Tight fiscal situation may force govt to deny sops to exporters Waning supply growth helping iron ore extend bull market

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MARCH 13, 2012
Downer in Australia awarded rail contracts The Australia-based company Downer has been awarded a rolling stock contract for the supply of Downer electro-motive diesel (EMD) SD70ACe/LCi locomotives to BHP Billiton Iron Ore i... Fewer registrations of new commercial vehicles in the EU Demand for new commercial vehicles in the EU decreased by 141,120 units or 4.7% in January, compared to the same month in 2011. Germany was the only major market to post growth (+... First conventional railway line in Belgium equipped with ETCS Infrabel and SNCB carried out the first European train control system (ETCS) journey on the Brussels - Leuven line in Belgium. Making ETCS operational on this pilot line is in keep... CMA CGM reports 2011 results and is positive for 2012 The French shipping giant CMA CGM Group reported revenue of USD 14.87 billion in 2011, a 4% increase on 2010. Volumes carried increased by 11%, outperforming the market's 6.5% inc... South America: first commercial flight with biofuel The South American carrier LAN Airlines and Air BP Copec have made the first commercial flight in South America using second generation biofuels, there... Klaeser wants to cut costs with CarCube The German forwarding company Klaeser is equipping 200 trucks with CarCube onboard computers from Trimble Transport & Logistics. The move is designed to enhance the efficiency ... Tigers in Hong Kong appoints staff in USA Hong Kong-based Tigers Ltd has chosen Todd Crabtree to be the firm's regional general manager for the USA's Midwest. Crabtree joins Tigers from Phoenix International where he was t... SAS outsources ULD supply and logistics management to CHEP Aerospace Solutions The North European airline group SAS has appointed Chep Aerospace Solutions (CAS) to supply and manage its ULD requirements under a five-year contract. CAS is to provide SAS with c... Airbus urges European governments to stop ETS trade conflict The European aircraft manufacturer Airbus, Air Berlin, Air France, British Airways, Iberia, Lufthansa, MTU Aero Engines, Safran and Virgin Atlantic have sent joint letters calling ... CFR Freight in South Africa appoints director airfreight The South Africa-based neutral consolidator CFR Freight has appointed Dave Graham as director airfreight. Graham joined CFR in 2009 as part of the company's strategy to further dev... Groupe Heppner saw turnover grow in 2011 The French transport and logistics enterprise Groupe Heppner posted a turnover of EUR 549 million in business year 2011. This equates to a 5.4% increase compared to the preceding y... DB Schenker Logistics wins five-year contract with Intersport The German service provider DB Schenker Logistics has signed a five-year agreement with Intersport, a Swedish sports retailing chain. The contract covers the storage of Intersport'... Agility Slovakia receives ISO 14001:2008 certification The global logistics service provider Agility recently acquired ISO 9001:2008 certification in Slovakia. Agility was awarded the certification for its commitment to customer servic... Barcelona celebrates arrival of four new quay cranes at Tercat Terminal Catalunya (Tercat), a member of the Hutchison Port Holdings Group, has taken delivery of four super post-panamax quay cranes at its Muelle Prat terminal in the port of Bar...

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MARCH 13, 2012
American Cruise Lines orders another riverboat at Chesapeake Shipbuilding MSC cruises takes over cruise ship newbuild ordered by Libya's GNMTC

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MARCH 13, 2012
Alaska Airlines eyes Portland for flights to Reagan Airport Coast Guard teams nab go-fast boat carrying $43,254,000 worth or Cocaine CSX makes list of military-friendly firms Crowley Logistics expanding St. Maarten service offering Hutton's taps Greenwood as new general manager

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MARCH 13, 2012
Is Iraq's plan for growth the answer to oil capacity fears? As Iranian sanctions pose a threat to global crude supply, Iraq could provide the answer Maersk and BNSF boost California rail freight Non-stop service targets Asia-Europe traffic Port labour relations 'at the highest point for years' But ILWU pledges support for ILA during contract negotiations West coast ports clear the air Anti-pollution drives offer a breath of fresh air at Long Beach and Los Angeles Dim sum, anyone? Hong Kong's offshore yuan-denominated bond market is maturing Q&A: Howard Potter, CNA cargo director CNA European cargo director shares the secret of good underwriting Swiss Re expands marine footprint in Europe IUMI Facts and Figures chair to lead the project Whose cargo is it anyway? Amended Dutch Civil Code could bring commodity trade interests under national law Cross-Mediterranean aframax rates at highest since start of the year Lack of ships tightens market and prolonged bad weather could push prices even further Torm denies MR tanker sales Company counters broker reports of newbuilding sell-off Indian iron-ore bulker fixtures rise after rail freight price cuts Lower costs free more raw material for export Is the fairytale over for dry bulk? Hard times loom for segment once considered shipping's Cinderella story Sanko Steamship's troubles send shockwaves through bulk sector Cash-strapped Japanese shipowner seeks restructuring deal with creditors China set to import record 56m tonnes of soyabeans February's figures signal possible upward trend South Australia reveals plan for deepwater dry bulk port First Australian port that can handle capesize vessels aims to initially export 2.5m tonnes of grain and iron ore Maersk reflags six ships to Singapore French second register and Danish flag tonnage shifts to Far East Nord/LB backs second jack-up vessel Vidar will build offshore windfarms for Hochtief Coalbed methane conundrum BG Group said to be selling stake in Australian LNG project A sadder but wiser Sanko? Sanko Steamship might have learned a lesson or two from previous strictures Sinotrans Shipping profit falls 28% on flat revenues for 2011 Hong Kong-listed dry bulk company reports 21% rise in operating costs STX Offshore & Shipbuilding posts fiscal-year loss South Korea's fourth-largest builder will delay European deliveries Qingdao still wants to float shares despite past failures Chairman says groups' tangle of differing assets remains biggest obstacle Allied Maritime faces another US lawsuit Oceana Shipping seeks recompense for incidental damages from 2009 voyage charter Berlian Laju Tanker subsidiaries win three-month stay of legal action Troubled Indonesian chemical tanker giant says move had support of largest creditors Sembcorp wins order for specialised semi-submersible rig Singapore's Jurong Shipyard will build $385m vessel for Helix Energy MOL heads for Myanmar Feeder service with RCL will connect Singapore with Yangon Safe Bulkers eyes follow-on offering Owner could put proceeds towards acquisitions or other uses NewLead sells fifth ship to reduce debt US-listed owner restructures its business

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MARCH 13, 2012
Thousands of cattle die on stranded ship ANIMAL rights group Compassion in World Farming today called for urgent action after thousands of cattle died aboard a livestock carrier in the Red Sea Stolt-Nielsen raises $175M THE LONDON-based parcel tanker and tank terminals group Stolt-Nielsen said today it has raised 1Bn krone ($175M) through two placements of bonds Phoenicia becomes Preziosa MSC CRUISES has officially taken over the order for a 1,751-cabin cruise ship originally placed by Libya's General National Maritime Transport Pilots take harder line on Mississippi rules LOWER Mississippi River pilots are taking a harder line on draught restrictions after an overloaded vessel incident Disappointment greets flat dues THE BRITISH Chamber of Shipping is "disappointed" that light dues will stay at current levels for the next year Safe prices follow-on AMIDST a dwindling cash position, Safe Bulkers priced a follow-on offering today at a 9% discount to yesterday's close US box outlook brightens US BOX imports should start gaining steam as stores begin restocking shelves, according to the National Retail Federation MSC takes Rickmers ship MSC SAID today it has chartered in a Panamax from Singapore's Rickmers Maritime Trust Seven sought after fatal Ningbo sinking DIVERS are searching today for seven people missing from a general cargo ship's sinking today east of Ningbo, China Panamaxes ballast to Atlantic BROKERS told Fairplay today more Panamax bulker owners are ballasting ships from the Pacific to ride on the South American grain season KG bankruptcies rising THE SLUMP in charter and freight earnings for small container and multipurpose vessels is causing a spike in insolvencies of KG fund vessels Chinese oil imports set record CHINESE customs said crude imports surged to 5.99M barrels per day in February, a record Product tankers get breather SOME product tankers have been cleared out over the past few weeks, after long languishing in the Persian Gulf because of growing tonnage list Dozens missing in capsizing RESCUERS are today searching for survivors of a Bangladeshi river ferry capsizing that reportedly left 30 confirmed dead and dozens more missing Court stalls BLT creditors SINGAPORE'S High Court has approved BLT's application to prevent creditors from acting against it for three months

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MARCH 13, 2012
US Takes China Earth Metal Dispute to WTO The U.S., European Union and Japan are taking a complaint to the World Trade Organization that China is restricting exports... CN to Build Train Connection to Edmonton Canadian National Railway will expand its service to the growing Port of Prince Rupert by adding a container train connection... Steel Import Shipment a Record at Mobile The Port of Mobile this week handled its largest import shipment of steel, as ThyssenKrupp's four nearby mills drive cargo... Columbia Coastal Expands Container-Barge Service Columbia Coastal has added a weekly container-on-barge service linking Philadelphia with Norfolk and Baltimore and increased the frequency of its... Ceridian-UCLA Commerce Index Rises 0.7 Percent The fuel-based Ceridian-UCLA Pulse of Commerce Index rose 0.7 percent in February after falling 1.7 percent in January from December,... XPO Logistics Plans Public Stock Offering XPO Logistics, a third-party logistics company with plans to expand by acquisition, will sell 6 million shares of common stock... New AirBridgeCargo Freighter Service Takes Off Russia-based AirBridgeCargo Airlines has launched a new link between Germany and China via Moscow. With Kuehne + Nagel its... Air France-KLM, Martinair Expand Services Air France-KLM Cargo and Martinair Cargo will jointly roll out a raft of new services from Europe to China, the... US Retail Sales Up 1.1 Percent in February Mild winter weather and pent-up demand for autos helped U.S. retail sales rise 1.1 percent from the previous month and... Rate Hikes Fail to Ease Pressure on Asia-Europe Carriers Recent sharp increases in spot freight rates have done little to alleviate pressure on ocean carrier margins in the Asia-Europe... Rickmers Trust Charters Ship to MSC Rickmers Trust said Tuesday it chartered the Kaethe C. Rickmers to Mediterranean Shipping Co. for an initial period of... Myanmar Draws Twice-Weekly MOL Service MOL will offer a twice-weekly container service with RCL between the Port of Yangon (formerly Rangoon) and Singapore using three... Frankfurt Airport Cargo Volume Tumbles 9.1 Percent Frankfurt airport handled 9.1 percent less cargo in February than a year ago as a night flight ban mostly affecting... India's Exports Grew 4.3 Percent in February India's exports in February grew 4.3 percent to $24.6 billion year-over-year, the lowest growth rate in three months. Exports... US Imports to Climb in March, Port Tracker Projects Retailers are "carefully stocking up," which indicates that containerized imports should continue to increase into mid-year, according to the monthly...

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MARCH 13, 2012
Why ships are still accidents waiting to happen Human error is by far the biggest contributing cause of maritime accidents, accounting for some 96% of casualties at sea, and with 90% of the world's trade moving ... CMA CGM rating downgraded Standard & Poor's (S&P) has downgraded CMA CGM's corporate credit rating from B+ to B-, and the rating on its existing debt from B- to CCC. This ... Durban 'Dug-out Port' will happen A new port featuring additional container-handling facilities, vehicles terminal, automotive supplier centre and petrochemicals hub, will be built at the old airport ... Doraleh box capacity to be doubled The Djibouti Port and Free Zone Authority is to seek construction tenders later this year for a series of new port development and cargo-handling facilities' modernisation ... Quijano to replace Zubeita at PCA Jorge Luis Quijano, who has been supervising the Panama Canal's expansion programme is to become the authority's new administrator. He will take up his position ... China posts largest deficit in a decade The slowdown in global economic momentum - especially in its largest market, Europe - hit China's bottom line last month with the world's second-biggest economy ... Port Metro Vancouver moves closer to new terminal vision Canada's Port Metro Vancouver (PMV) is getting closer to realising its goal of building a new two million TEU terminal in order to cater for an expected boom in ... US and India in chicken war The US has dragged India to the World Trade Organization [WTO] over New Delhi's ban on imports of certain American farm products - including poultry meat, and chicken ... Boxship owners look for the uptick The embattled owners of containerships are hoping that the tide has finally turned for them as general rate increases secured in liner trades begin to filter through ...

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MARCH 13, 2012
Polarcus hunts bankroll Oslo-listed seismic specialist readies share sale to fund data projects and equipment upgrades. NNC in magic pipe replay National Navigation Company bulker accused of illegal dumping for second time in less than five years. Bangladesh breakthrough Environmental campaigner says dicey legal battle has benefited thousands of Bangladesh ship scrapping workers. Thompson in capitol coup Washington, DC firm poaches Jonathan Benner from Reed Smith's fledgling US transportation practice. Scrapping the record book Broker with hundreds of demolition sales under his belt predicts doubled-digit recycling in 2012, says Bart Lawrence. Salvors inspect Gelso M Smit and Augustea consider how to pump fuel from grounded Italian tanker as weather eases off Sicily. Rotten outcome for JFC Fruit trader and top execs hit with contempt of court charges after flouting a freezing order. The basis for beach breaking Nikos Mikelis, the IMO's "Mr Ship Recycling", defends Hong Kong convention for not prohibiting beaching method. Safe eyes dry newbuilds New York-listed bulker owner poised to capitalise on plummeting asset prices after pricing Wall Street fundraiser. Officer changes tune Ship's master arrested as contradictions emerge in accounts given by the second mate of Tolani-owned bulker suspected of fatal collision. GK Offshore plots SGX listing New kid on the block has ambitious plans to float in just three years. Sanko cashes in bulker Embattled Japanese owner continues tonnage sell-off with $21m deal.

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MARCH 13, 2012
USDA seeks changes to beef import rules U.S. hails WTO Boeing dispute outcome Inchcape plans Canadian expansion U.S.-flag ship fire extinguished off Piraeus Columbia Coastal adds Philly call, increases frequency MSC hiking Europe export rates Hamburg Süd raises U.S. Gulf-ECSA export rates Metro Ports names Gouger general manager XPO Logistics makes stock offering Air Canada operates amid labor unrest

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MARCH 13, 2012
Knutsen to carry LNG via the Northern Sea Route We estimate that the passage from northern Europe to Japan will take half the time it takes to sail through the Suez Canal Bunker costs plays role in carrier rate discussions Bunker prices have exceeded $700 per metric tonne since the beginning of the year as US west coast prices in approaching record levels last seen in 2008. Tanker market challenged by bunker costs and supply glut Brokers state that bunker fuel costs are eating into earnings. Bunker markets firm in northern Europe Some tightness for LS product reported in Rotterdam. IFO prices firming in Fujairah God demand and avails in Middle East hub. Rotterdam sees drop in throughput of biofuels Following a two-year decline, the throughput of biodiesel increased. LNG bunkering in Asian hub by 2020 Shell CEO says energy giant is looking for LNG bunker supplies in Singapore and Rotterdam. Maersk Line ready to 'scale up' biofuel procurement Volatile bunker prices and emissions control regulations mean Maersk must 'look for alternatives'. Poll: Counterparty risk expected to get worse in 2012 Bunker prices near all-time highs, weak freight rates and overcapacity cause majority of poll respondents to predict worsening credit risk. Biofuels could cut US Navy's bunker costs Navy Secretary says the rising cost of conventional fuels has pushed the service $1 billion over budget. Bunker prices up in Singapore and Hong Kong Demand for marine fuel 'generally low'. Berlian Laju gets court order to prevent ship arrests Three-month stay order will temporarily halt legal proceedings brought by creditors against BLT companies, it says. Singapore February bunker sales at two-year low Sales volume hit by steep bunker prices and a decline in 'bunkers-only calls', traders say. Engine, propeller adjustments can cut fuel costs for newbuilds High bunker prices make payback time for changes 'very short'. MHI to provide technical support for fuel-efficient bulk carrier To support the construction of Sinopacific's 82,000 dwt 'Crown' series. Rotterdam-based supplier offers 'Green' MGO 'Green' MGO with 0.05% sulphur content is 'unique for the maritime industry,' says Trefoil Trading. Danish firm sells tankers to USTC Sale of tankers forms part of Erria's business restructuring efforts.