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Port of Rotterdam eyeing green sector in expansion
THE Port of Rotterdam, Europe's busiest, has long been associated with a bustling petrochemical industry - but it will be turning a page towards a greener economy.
Vet armed security personnel well
THE debate on whether shipowners and operators should be able to employ armed security personnel on their vessels has been settled, in favour of the armed response.
S Korea Hyundai, STX win US$1.7b orders
South Korea's major shipbuilders, STX and Hyundai, said yesterday they have won a combined US$1.7 billion orders to build mostly LNG carriers and oil tankers, defying global financial turmoil that has roiled the shipbuilding sector.
Container rates rebound 29%

Strait Talk

Daunting prospects for shipowners
HENEVER shipping people start talking about the prospects for the rest of this year, the word 'difficult' and 'tough' usually pop up in the conversation. There have been a flurry of opinions and reports from shipping experts over the past few weeks.

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Shipping News

Port of Rotterdam eyeing green sector in expansion
THE Port of Rotterdam, Europe's busiest, has long been associated with a bustling petrochemical industry - but it will be turning a page towards a greener economy.
Vet armed security personnel well
THE debate on whether shipowners and operators should be able to employ armed security personnel on their vessels has been settled, in favour of the armed response.
S Korea Hyundai, STX win US$1.7b orders
South Korea's major shipbuilders, STX and Hyundai, said yesterday they have won a combined US$1.7 billion orders to build mostly LNG carriers and oil tankers, defying global financial turmoil that has roiled the shipbuilding sector.
Container rates rebound 29%

Strait Talk

Daunting prospects for shipowners
HENEVER shipping people start talking about the prospects for the rest of this year, the word 'difficult' and 'tough' usually pop up in the conversation. There have been a flurry of opinions and reports from shipping experts over the past few weeks.

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Canada Transpacific Stablisation Agreement to up rates US$400/FEU mid-March Cosco ups rates to Red Sea US$300/TEU, Persian Gulf $500/TEU from March New ISO standard for high security container seals required on March 1 Uncertainty over freight rates brings futures market to record lows Asia-Europe rose 3pc to 14 million TEU, Europe-Asia up 8pc to 6 million TEU China's January imports fall 15.3pc as deepening eurozone debt crisis lingers International Chamber of Shipping calls for state action to fight piracy Diana charters two new 3,750-TEU ships back to the sellers Rival Savannah and Charleston ports win dredging funds in President's Budget Rotterdam sets itself up as king of containerised reefer trade worldwide Reefer men meet at Cool Logistics Africa 2012 April 24-26 in Cape Town Singapore's NOL unit APL to phase out its whole US chassis fleet by 2014 US Cass Freight trucking index rises 3.6pc - best January since 2008 Abu Dhabi readies for wider role in UAE's grand port and railway scheme US Customs finds insect infestation in wood packaging at Detroit air cargo Nigeria government expected to pay US$6 million to cargo airline for Lagos crash Anchorage air cargo rises from downturn, but still 10pc off 2010 volumes

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deugro moves largest indigenously manufactured refinery packages for L&T to IOCL Paradip refinery PDP Projects successfully executes loadout of Essar heavylifts at Mumbai Port TWL to foray into shipbuilding biz Exports of organic food products surges 33 pc India eyes biz opportunity in Iran following sanctions Pak may miss deadline for MFN status to India: Fahim Andhra Pradesh likely to get third Major Port at Nakkapalli CoPT to provide onshore power to berthed ships Vasan inaugurates Gulf of Kachchh VTS

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FEBRUARY 14, 2012
Norbert Dentressangle takes delivery of first euro VI truck The French logistics and transport service provider Norbert Dentressangle has taken delivery of the very first road tractor to meet the euro VI standards, two years before the new ... Kapsch to implement digital train radio system for Irish Rail GSM The Irish railway operator Iarnród Éireann - Irish Rail (IÉ) recently awarded the implementation of a digital train radio system for the DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) region to ... Safmarine names second new owned MPV The "Safmarine Sahara" - Safmarine's second newly-built, owned multi-purpose vessel (MPV) - was officially named on 10 February in Savannah GA (USA). The vessel, built at... Iata urges policy-makers to use aviation as a strategic asset The International Air Transport Association (Iata) urged policy-makers to use aviation as a strategic asset. "Policies that support aviation's competitiveness deliver wide-ran... World Airways helps Tampa Cargo deliver fresh flowers for Valentine's Day World Airways is supporting the heavy Valentine's Day demand for fresh roses from Latin America by providing a Boeing B747 freighter to Tampa Cargo just in time for the celebration... Australia's Kempsey bypass: Crescent Head Road overpass open The newly built Crescent Head Road overpass in New South Wales (Australia) has opened to traffic. It represents another milestone in the delivery of the new, fully-federally funded... New marketing and communication manager at Schiphol Cargo Schiphol Cargo, the cargo unit of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, has appointed Berend-Jan Rietveld as marketing and communication manager. Rietveld has spent twelve years in marketing... US port of Vancouver celebrating 100th centenary The port of Vancouver, located on the Pacific coast in Washington (USA), will be celebrating its 100th birthday with a new website, amongst other things (www.portvanusa.com/centenn... India: new railfreight corridor likely to open in 2014 A 66-km stretch of Indian Railways' ambitious dedicated freight corridor project may be opened to traffic as early as 2014, according to several Indian newspapers. The new track, w... Saudi Airlines Cargo introduces economic solution for non-critical shipments Saudi Airlines Cargo is to launch "BellyFlex", a low-end belly product with longer transit times at hubs for attractive rates. Based on the belly capacity of the aircraft... Prologis leases 41,500 sqm in Munich to MAN Group Prologis Inc, a leading global owner, operator and developer of logistics properties, has agreed to lease around 41,500 sqm of space in the Prologis Park Munich-Neufahrn to the MAN... Dachser building massive new branch office in the Netherlands One of the largest Dachser branch offices in Europe is currently being built in Zevenaar (Netherlands). The new, EUR 22 million complex is due to go into service in summer. In the ... BAE Systems selects Kuehne + Nagel for Miami hub BAE Systems Regional Aircraft intends to open a support and services hub by placing a quantity of BAe 146/Avro RJ and Jetstream 41 consumable and rotable spares into an existing Mi...

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FEBRUARY 14, 2012
More Costa Concordia passengers join law suit filed in Miami AAPA has kisses and hisses for FY 2013 Budget proposal Braemar to market new LNG containment system developed by GD NASSCO TUI moves ahead with plans to sell remaining Hapag-Lloyd stake Korean shipbuilders win big LNG vessel orders

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FEBRUARY 14, 2012
Demolition project continues at Port of Bellingham location West returning to Port of Tacoma as chief human resources officer Crowley taps Roger King as corporate safety director Sound Wood Products Inc. moving to Port of Chehalis President nominates pair for Federal Maritime Commission posts

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FEBRUARY 14, 2012
Tui reaches agreement to sell Hapag-Lloyd stake Tui to reduce its interest in Hapag-Lloyd from just over 38% to around 22% by the end of June Huge oversupply keeps aframax markets stagnant Mediterranean winds and Baltic ice are unable to move charter rates Never apologise and never explain The case of QBE v Dymoke highlights the dark side of demutualisation Hilmar Reksten: crook, genius or both? However colourful some of today's shipowners may seem, they are not a patch on the stoker's son who died $158m in debt Textainer reports 39% surge in revenues Company added 448,000 teu to its container fleet last year Grimaldi and Minoan take the fight to Anek Move likely to inflame bad relations with old rival's boss Ioannis Vardinoyannis and test Greek competition principles Fredriksen enters MR market with $35m per vessel STX confirms Tilbury eyes Northern Expansion programme Tilbury and London Gateway will complement each other, says Forth Ports Project Next promises 1,100 new Tilbury jobs Logistics project will deliver new growth on the Thames Owners look to cash in on competitive ship prices Countercyclical ordering works only when the few stand alone and exposed Q&A: the American P&I Club's John Poulson Mr Poulson has rejoined the club as vice-president, principal surveyor and head of the survey and technical department International Group receives a stable outlook from S&P Ratings agency raises concern over pressure on capital British Marine: the phoenix from the ashes Firm says it is largely unaffected by Lodestar turmoil Panamax period charters stall Contract volumes in January and February are at half last year's levels Matson profits drop a third as transpacific trades weaken Hawaii volumes starting to recover Monthly Brazilian iron ore exports halved in January Iron ore exports fall almost 50% from December to just 18.2m tonnes Indonesia to ban export of minerals in 2014 Exports could increase in the run-up to implementation of new law Zim secures $100m from Israel Corp Cash injection from parent company as line reaffirms plans to split in two CSAV posts $1.3bn loss for 2011 But fourth-quarter shortfall much smaller as restructuring efforts take effect Standstill at Sokhna as dockers strike Cruiseships divert to Port Tawfiq Golar LNG confirms fleet expansion Golar now has total of nine vessels and a pair of FSRUs on order and is eyeing more Congestion at Antwerp after pilots join strike Protest over government plans to raise the national age of retirement to 65 Bottiglieri Challenger stranded in Mobile after magic pipe trouble Eight crew members detained as new drama unfolds in Alabama Dockwise posts full-year loss after yacht transport disposal Company says fourth quarter 'successful' despite falling into red European Commission seeks views on state aid rules Deadline of May 14 for stakeholders' replies on whether to revise EU guidelines Spiralling labour costs see SCI post $15m net loss State-owned player blames raised bunker charges and port fees Blowing its own trumpet International Group of P&I clubs publishes first annual review India must invest $20bn in ports APM Terminals' Fejfer says infrastructure lags behind economic growth Gas still needs care While Golar and others build up their fleets, ship managers need to be building up their own orderbooks by ensuring competent engineers, cargo officers and crew are available TCC wins legal round against former customers Judge rejects shippers' bid to transfer case to FMC

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FEBRUARY 14, 2012
Would Iran just slow down Hormuz ships? IRAN MIGHT combat Europe's trade sanctions simply by slowing ships down in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a Standard & Poor's report STX OSV's profits rocket NORWEGIAN offshore support vessel builder STX OSV posted 50% higher net profits today when it revealed 2011 results Strikers shut Belgian ports BELGIAN ports were shut down today by striking tug and traffic operators Judge sides with TCC IN A RULING that could have broader implications, a bankruptcy judge has ruled that the Federal Maritime Commission does not have exclusive jurisdiction over US container service contract disputes NCL curbs losses NCL CUT losses significantly in 2011's fourth quarter, primarily by reducing its costs Sihanoukville revenues rise 33% CARGO revenues at Sihanoukville Autonomous Deep Sea Port increased by one-third January from levels of the same month last year, the port told Fairplay US ports want separate security funding US PORT advocates are disappointed that President Obama's budget proposal continues to lump money for port security with domestic emergency response funds Drybulk demolitions seen staying high DRYBULK demolition sales should remain at a historically high level but drop slightly from last year, BIMCO senior analyst Peter Sand predicted today EC opens aid consultation THE EC has opened a public consultation on EU guidelines on government aid to the maritime sector Argentine transport union to boycott UK ships ARGENTINA'S transport workers' union has decided to boycott ships flying the British flag because of the Falkland Islands dispute, IHS Global Insight reported today Star Reefers plummets STAR REEFERS said today significant impairment losses combined with a depressed freight market to cause deep quarterly losses Breaking prices plunging HEAVY tonnage buying has finally taken its toll on the ship recycling market, with scrap prices plummeting by up to $20 per ldt 11 pirates arrested in Puntland POLICE from Somalia's semi-autonomous region of Puntland have reportedly arrested 11 suspected pirates during operations in Nugaal region Canada's trade focus shifts away from US CANADA'S exports, long dominated by truck and rail movement into the US, are shifting to overseas markets and ocean carriers, a study has shown Hijacked bulker reaches Somali coast GREEK-owned bulker Free Goddess, which was hijacked by Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea, has reportedly arrived in the vicinity of Garacad, in the Mudug region of Somalia

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FEBRUARY 14, 2012
Galveston Appoints Mierzwa Port Director The Port of Galveston named Capt. Michael J Mierzwa as its new port director, effective Feb. 16. Mierzwa, who... TUI May Float Remaining Hapag-Lloyd Stake German travel company TUI said it may try again to float its stake in Hapag-Lloyd as part of its bid... Red Arrow CEO Participates in Afghan Trade Mission (Podcast) In this podcast, Red Arrow Logistics CEO Liz Lasater is interviewed from Kabul, Afghanistan, where she is traveling as part of... Zim Gets $100 Million 'Security Net' Israel Corp, parent of Zim Integrated Shipping Services, said Tuesday it would provide the struggling carrier with $50 million as... Retail Sales Rose 0.3 Percent in January Retail sales rose less than expected in January largely because of discounting in the auto sector. The Commerce Department... ATA Takes Anti-Fatigue Driver Work Rule to Court The American Trucking Associations will file a petition challenging new final truck driver work rules in federal court, the trucking... Houston Appoints Waterworth Interim Port Director The Port of Houston Authority appointed Leonard D. Waterworth as the interim executive director of the port authority. Waterworth... ANA, JAL Cargo Traffic Rose in December Japan's All Nippon Airways Co. saw international cargo volume rise for the first time in three months in December... FedEx Upgrades Asia-Middle East Service FedEx Express is expanding its freighter service between Asia and the Middle East through India, speeding up shipment transit times... Frankfurt Air Cargo Traffic Plunges 16.8 Percent Frankfurt airport handled 16.8 percent less freight in January than a year ago as uncertainty over the global economy and... Pantos Logistics Opens Thailand Distribution Center Pantos Logistics recently opened a 32,808-square-foot logistics center near the port of Laem Cabang, Thailand, as the third-party logistics provider... Cathay Pacific Cargo Traffic Falls 17.6 Percent Cargo transported by Cathay Pacific and sister carrier Dragonair in January plunged 17.6 percent year-over-year and 26 percent from December.... Matson Profit Tumbles 55 Percent Matson Navigation's fourth quarter operating profit fell 55 percent to $13 million as slumping trans-Pacific rates offset improved volume to...

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FEBRUARY 14, 2012
Shipping demands a piracy game-changer 'He who would go to sea for pleasure, would go to hell for a pastime': an 19th Century English proverb attributed to a scurvy-afflicted press-ganged seafarer of ... US Budget boosts port dredging and landside transport infrastructure The US President's fiscal year 2013 budget has increased funding for ports' deep draught maintenance and boosted investment in landside infrastructure programmes. ... EU lists more Iranian businesses The European Union (EU) has added further companies and individuals to its 'restrictive measures against Iran' list that was first drawn up in 2010 and is targeted ... Zim gets confirmation of extra funding Israel Corporation has confirmed today that it has paid the first half of its USD100 million loan to financially troubled Zim Line, and that the second half will ... German ports on a high Hamburg and Bremerhaven achieved impressive container traffic growth last year compared to the Benelux rivals. Hamburg's traffic grew by 14.2%, up to nine million ... Asia/Europe rates still holding up Freight rate levels quoted for spot cargo from Shanghai to Europe held up again for the sixth week running last week. According to the Shanghai Shipping Exchange, ... Obama re-nominates FMC's Lidinsky Washington DC-based Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)'s Chairman Richard Lidinsky has been re-nominated by President Barack Obama to remain in the post until June ... Fatalities in latest West African ship attack A captain and chief engineer of a cargo ship, believed to be a bulk carrier, have lost their lives as a result of an attack on the vessel off of the coast of Nigeria ... Diageo targets emerging markets The Guinness, Smirnoff vodka and Johnnie Walker whisky drinks group, Diageo, boosted its marketing spend by 10% in the last six months in targeting the expanding ... US trade deficit with China hits record high America's trading deficit with China, soared to a record high of USD296 billion last year, piling more pressure on the world's second-biggest economy to revalue ... Mexico's ports post box record in 2011 Last year saw ports in Mexico achieve a record performance when it came to container handling activity with 35 million tonnes of cargo processed. This was up 18% ...

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FEBRUARY 14, 2012
Cosco buying DRYS? Market pundits puzzled by Wall Street rally as rumors and mainstream media mentions trump grim freight forecasts. TUI pulls the trigger IPO on the horizon for Hapag-Lloyd as German travel group strikes EUR 700m deal to sell shares to Albert Ballin. Star loses sparkle Oslo-listed operator sees more pain on the horizon as container lines muscle in on reefer business despite dire rates. GLDD cashes in on LNG Great Lakes Dredge & Dock inks $180m dredging contract as Chevron readies LNG facility off Australia. ABG profit dips Indian shipbuilder sees nine-month earnings reduced by rising expenses. Investors braced for bonuses Rerun of fourth quarter bonanza for founders will prove a drag for Jinhui shares, analyst says. CSAV eyes recovery Chilean liner giant sees the light at the end of the tunnel despite $1.25bn full year loss. B+V wins FPSO job German repair yard to upgrade EnQuest's new acquisition ready for more North Sea work. Allianz ups Scorpio interest Investor enters the big-league of tanker owner's shareholders for the first time. Japan to help Alang K Line and MOL to use government funds to improve safety at Alang-Sosiya shipbreaking yards. Economou bags $120m loan Greek owner reportedly strikes deal with China Development Bank to finance VLOCs being built in Shanghai. Still nuts for newbuilds John Fredriksen's Golar close to penning more new vessels hot on the heels of HHI swoop.

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FEBRUARY 14, 2012
DHS tightens belt under Obama budget Hoyer expands in Russia, Ukraine Obama nominates union staffer to FMC TUI looks to Hapag-Lloyd divestment this week APMT chief urges India to expand ports CSAV Norasia's ABS folds into MSC's Tiger ESC bemoans 'shocking' piracy levels Flash Europe buys British logistics firm Maersk slows AE9, adds Rotterdam Budget increase sought for DOT, Army Corps

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FEBRUARY 14, 2012
Braemer to market LNG tank system Approval in principle for the system has been obtained from both the American Bureau of Shipping and Lloyd's Register. NGOs call for Arctic HFO ban, speed limits Arguments for regulating speed and fuel use presented by Professor James Corbett to IMO sub-committee. Prices falling in Rotterdam 'Soft' market in Piraeus. SkySails cuts it work force Market conditions mean shipowners are 'reluctant to invest in innovative technology.' Prices mixed in Fujairah Good avails in Durban. Chemoil reports 'decisive turnaround' 2011 generates profits of $67.7 million after the losses of 2010. Call for transparent standard for measuring hull and propeller performance Deterioration in hull and propeller performance is now estimated to result in a 15 to 20% loss in vessel efficiency. Japan's bunker sales continue to decline Annual volumes show 29% fall over a five-year period. Order placed for 'fuel-efficient' dry bulk carriers U-Ming says Chinese yard has offered 'very competitive' prices. Indian shiping firm posts 26% drop in quarterly profits Steady fleet growth and high bunker costs will 'suppress' any improvement in earnings, says GE Shipping. Bunker prices falling across major Asian hubs Demand average in major Asian bunkering hubs on Tuesday. Ship management software offers 'fuel efficient' voyage planning Software features include port forecasts and slow steaming calculator. Bunkers 'main component' of CSAV's costs Reports over $1 billion loss for full year 2011 partly due to 'significant increase' in bunker prices. Russian authorities boost bunker quality checks Quality checks may cause 'delays' in bunkering operations, traders say. Buckeye acquires Chevron's marine terminal in New York Plans to transform terminal to multi-product storage, blending, and throughput facility. Off-spec bunker claims rising in the Netherlands Dutch authorities yet to release 'clear guidelines' as to when an off-spec bunker fuel is considered as 'waste.' Unregulated fuel metres producing 'worrisome inaccuracies' Marine fuel metre in Alaska 'found to be giving away' fuel in favour of buyers by 4.7%, says NCWM. Taxation 'biggest hurdle' for India's bunker industry Indian supplier suggests a joint committee to address bunker sector's concerns.