NCL doubles up NASDAQ-listed Norwegian Cruise Line today confirmed it has exercised its option for a second 'Breakaway Plus' newbuilding at Germany's Meyer Werft
DNV-GL combination cleared THE EC today gave its unreserved approval to combining the European classification societies Germanisher Lloyd and Det Norske Veritas
LA box exports slide CONTAINER exports from Los Angeles fell 15% year on year in June to 148,204teu, as the largest US box port struggled with stagnant overseas demand
Greeks hold 369 in migrant smugglings GREEK officials are holding 369 people in the last week's cases of migrant smuggling
Box Ships plots preferred sale SHIPOWNER interest in perpetual preferred equity continues to build, with Michael Bodouroglou's Box Ships announcing an offering today
Spain's yards issue final plea SPANISH yards have called for a final push by Madrid to prevent the annihilation by the EC of Spain's private-sector shipbuilding
Crude tanker investors seen as overoptimistic EVERCORE analyst Jon Chappell has again cut his tanker rate outlook and warned that buoyed crude sentiment is not supported by fundamentals
USCG faults Carnival Splendor crew THE US COAST Guard today confirmed that human error, in addition to equipment malfunction, played a pivotal role in the November 2010 fire and propulsion loss aboard the Carnival Splendor
Drill ship orders reflect bullish offshore market RECENT orders for drill ships at Samsung HI and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering suggest that shipowners remain bullish on the offshore market, a sector analyst said today
VLGC rates keep sliding A LACK of trading interest in LPG is causing VLGC rates to keep falling
China to require reports of shipping rates CHINA'S transport office reportedly plans to require shipping companies to report their rates to the Shanghai Shipping Exchange
VLCC fixed to load jet fuel IN A FIXTURE surprising the market, the VLCC Maran Callisto has been booked to load jet fuel in the Persian Gulf
Bulker S&P defies summer lull THE RALLY in the Baltic Dry Index is continuing to support bulker resales, defying expectations of a usual quiet summer
China's ship exports fall CHINA's vessel exports fell 27.8% year on year to $12.1Bn in the first five months in 2013, according to customs statistics
Simatech Orders Container Ships for First Time in Eight Years Simatech Shipping has ordered up to four 4,350 20-foot-equivalent unit, wide-beam container ships from Taizhou Kouan Shipbuilding, a privately-owned Chinese yard, for $150 million. The deal is Simatech's first container ship order in eight years and marks a shift into a larger size of vessel for the carrier. It includes two...
CEVA Logistics to Expand in Virginia EVA Logistics will expand to a new location in Richmond, Va., later this summer. Located at the Richmond Airport Distribution Center, the new facility is a multi-use site that will manage the logistics needs of several global brands, with room to expand. Additionally, the new facility triples of the number of...
Port of Hueneme Names Demers Chief Operations Officer The Port of Hueneme has hired John Demers as chief operations officer, according to Kristen Decas, the California port's CEO and director. Demers, who is retiring from the Navy, will begin his new post on July 23. "John comes to us with a strong background in operations and logistics in his over...
Port of Charleston's Container Traffic Rises 9 Percent The Port of Charleston's container traffic in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, totaled 1.56 million 20-foot-equivalent units, increasing 9 percent over the previous year. "The shipping industry trend toward mega-consortia will ultimately be an advantage for deep water harbors, like Charleston," said Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the...
CSX's Profit Rose 4.5 Percent in Second Quarter CSX today reported its profit rose 4.5 percent in the second quarter, from $512 million in 2012 to $535 million in 2013. The year-over-year gain was supported by overall revenue growth; service and efficiency results; and a few additional items, such as tax and real estate, which benefitted the quarter, according...
Duff Brothers Capital to Acquire Frozen Food Express Industries Duff Brothers Capital has agreed to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Frozen Food Express Industries, a temperature-controlled truckload and less-than-truckload carrier in the U.S., for $38.2 million. The transaction, which values FFE at about $38.2 million in equity value, was unanimously approved by the FFE board...
ILWU Slams Proposed Safety Zones for Grain Ships The U.S. Coast Guard has proposed establishment of temporary safety zones around all inbound and outbound grain shipment and grain shipment assist vessels involved in commerce with Mitsui, Marubeni and Louis Dreyfus facilities on the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest. The proposed rule follows an ongoing worker lockout by Mitsui-owned...
UTi Worldwide Anticipates Significant Cost Savings UTi Worldwide believes its targeted cost savings of $75 million to $95 million are "highly achievable," as it can control them regardless of freight market activity, according to Stifel Transportation & Logistics Research Group, which hosted the non-asset-based supply chain management company's senior-level team in a series of investor meetings. Stifel said...
ILA Exits AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department The International Longshoremen's Association disaffiliated with the AFL-CIO's Maritime Trades Department, citing dissatisfaction with the labor federation's response to jurisdictional disputes involving dockworkers. The union remains a member of the AFL-CIO. The ILA and five other maritime unions last year formed a new group, the Maritime Labor Alliance. Two of the...
Cathay Pacific Cargo Goes Live with JDA Cargo Revenue Management Solution COTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--JDA® Software Group, Inc., The Supply Chain Company®, today announced that Cathay Pacific Cargo, the world's leading cargo airline, is using JDA solutions to help optimize profitability through improved capacity forecasting accuracy and optimized allotment planning activities across its network. Cathay Pacific Cargo went live with JDA® Cargo Revenue Optimizer, JDA® Reporting and JDA® Enterprise Architecturein the...
American Worldwide Agencies Brings an Aussie Style to U.S. Forwarding LONG BEACH, California - July 15, 2013 -- American Worldwide Agencies, a connected, global network of freight forwarders and agents dedicated to providing U.S. international shippers with the right transportation at the right rate, announced today that it has grown by 260% since launching its service in 2012. CEO Andrew Scott...
Port of Long Beach TEU Volume Rose 1.8 Percent in June The Port of Long Beach reported its June container volume totaled 565,476 20-foot-equivalent units, up 1.8 percent compared with the same month last year. Monthly exports, which inched up by 0.1 percent year-over-year, were 133,800 TEUs, while imports in June rose 3.5 percent to 290,448 TEUs. The volume of empty containers was basically...
Truckload Rates Rise as Intermodal Rates Fall, Cass Says North American truckload pricing in June increased 1.5 percent year-over-year and 1.0 percent month-over-month, according to the Cass Truckload Linehaul Index. The truckload rate index, which uses January 2005 as its based, rose to 113.3 in June, compared with 112.1 in May, which was the lowest point for the year for...
Norbert Dentressangle to Acquire Daher Group's Freight Forwarding Unit Norbert Dentressangle has agreed to acquire the freight forwarding activities of the Daher Group, which has eight agencies in France and three in Russia. The transaction is expected to be completed during the third quarter of 2013, following approval by the French competition authorities. The Daher Group's freight forwarding operations achieved a...
Shanghai Freight Forward Market Volumes Slump to All-Time Low Trading in container freight contracts on Shanghai's Shipping Freight Exchange has collapsed to the lowest level since the platform was launched just over two years ago, as extreme volatility on the spot market has forced traders to shun futures, industry analyst Alphaliner said. Transactions have slumped to just 3,500 20-foot equivalents...
Will Retailers Reduce Bangladesh Sourcing Following Accidents? U.S. apparel importers are weighing whether the threat of bad publicity that could come from factory disasters in Bangladesh offsets savings gained by sourcing in the South Asian country. Sourcing decisions are hard, even without the ethical dilemma. But importers will increasingly have to balance consumers' demand for low prices and...
DropShip Commerce Names Scott Lemon Vice President of Technology SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DropShip Commerce, a leading provider of distributed supply chain management solutions, today announced the appointment of Scott Lemon as vice president of technology. In this capacity, Lemon will oversee DropShip Commerce's Software as a Service-based (SaaS), on-demand platform to help retailers and manufacturers use the virtual supply...
Slowing Exports to Stunt Asian Growth With import demand in Europe and the U.S. eroding, countries in East, South and Southeast Asia, except for Vietnam, face little prospect of export growth for the second half of 2013. As a result GDP growth for 14 countries in the region will likely slow to 4 percent this year from...
Yusen Logistics Adds Hong Kong-Netherlands LCL Service Yusen Logistics has enhanced its less-than-containerload portfolio with a new direct service from Hong Kong to Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The service sails from Hong Kong every Sunday and arrives at Rotterdam 26 days later. It is also supported by a domestic distribution network to major inland destinations. "The addition of our own...
Panama Seizes Weapons From North Korean Ship Panama has detained a North Korea-flag ship coming from Cuba as it approached the Panama Canal with undeclared weapons, according to Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli, Reuters reports. The weapons were hidden in containers of brown sugar and were detected after Panamanian authorities stopped the ship, suspecting it was carrying drugs. The...
Excel aims for November Excel Maritime Carriers has asked a US Bankruptcy Court to set in motion a schedule that could see bulker owner's bankruptcy plan confirmed in early November.
Golar snags $500m John Fredriksen's Golar LNG has signed up for $500m in financing from South Korean government banks.
'Critical error' in fire A long-awaited report on the 2010 fire and power failure aboard the cruiseship Carnival Splendor has pointed to a crew member's error as a contributor to the blaze's spread.
Euronav in the red Euronav has kicked off the 2013 second quarter results season on a sour note after reporting a deeper than feared reversal.
Fincantieri wins again Fincantieri has bagged its second cruiseship order in the space of a week.
Box Ships selling again New York-listed Box Ships is refinancing its debt with a new share issue.
Solvang splits JV Deadlock over strategy has seen Solvang and Evergas pull the plug on a joint venture.
Panama halts arms ship The captain of a North Korean cargoship tried to kill himself after his vessel was arrested trying to transport unregistered weapons through the Panama Canal.
Career opportunities The shipping industry often bemoans the reluctance of youngsters to commit to a life at sea.
NCL adds second US-based Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has ordered another huge cruiseship at Meyer Werft in Germany.
Tankerska confirms sale Croatia's Tankerska Plovidba has sold a handysize bulker, cutting its dry fleet to seven vessels.
Cosco chief bows out Wei Jiafu's much-hyped departure from the top of Chinese giant China Cosco Holdings has been confirmed publicly by the shipowner.
No plan for pay talks Pay deals offered to Greek seafarers will not be on the agenda when shipowners sit down with the Prime Minister in a delayed meeting on Thursday.
More freedom for crew The crew from a Greek bulker held in the US in a pollution case have been issued new shore passes after two months.
Geden tanker grabbed Pirates have hijacked a Geden Lines tanker in what could mark a game changer for piracy off West Africa.
Crunch time for yards Financial woes at Rongsheng Heavy Industries are a sign that Chinese shipyards moved too quickly into the offshore space in a desperate bid to make up for plummeting ship orders, according to analysts.
Evergreen ship held An Evergreen containership was detained in Hong Kong in June over safety issues.
Iran eyes tanker buys The National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) is to spend $60m on acquiring three products tankers.
Rio hits ore record Rio Tinto has recorded record first half iron ore shipments despite weather and equipment problems during the period.
"Mob" takes delivery A payment dispute between an Indonesian yard and a shipowner has led to a tug and barge being taken by force.
Iino aims for more Iino Kaiun Kaisha is targeting a larger cash haul than first planned from the sale of new treasury shares in Tokyo.
OSG red again Overseas Shipholding Group continued to burn cash in May to extend a run of losses at the tanker owner.
Green shoots, red ink Crude tankers will continue to lose money for the next year and a half despite short term spikes in spot rates, a leading analyst says.
Dongjin adds feeder Korean owner Dongjin Shipping has returned to compatriot shipyard Daesun for another containership.
Cargotec buys Hatlapa Cargotec has agreed to acquire the German deck machinery specialist Hatlapa Group for EUR160m ($210m).
Anhui Wuhu files China's Anhui Wuhu Shihui Jianghai Shipping has filed for bankruptcy.
Zanzibar orders ferry Daewoo International of Korea has won a deal to build a new passengership for Zanzibar.
Stronger imports forecast US container ports are expected to see an uptick in import volumes later this year, a trade body has predicted.
Maersk jack-up extended Petronas, the Malaysian state-owned oil company, has agreed to extend the charter of a Maersk Drilling jack-up for another year.
Trio eye intra-Asia APL, ANL and Hanjin team up on weekly service covering Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
Algeciras bound Aegean Marine Petroleum Network is to expand its global marine fuel supply network by establishing operations in Algeciras.
Greek tanker targeted A Greek-owned tanker has been boarded by armed robbers whilst engaged in ship to ship (STS) operations in Indonesia.
INTTRA adds South American consolidator to network
West Africa supersedes Somalia as pirate hotspot
Port of Oakland nearing settlement with SSA The Oakland Tribune said the deal would end maritime operations at Howard Terminal near Jack London Square, which is used by Matson, and where a new baseball stadum for the Oakland Athletics could be built.
Long Beach gains share on LA again The Southern California port's terminals moved 565,476 TEUs in June, up 1.8 percent from the same month last year. Imports increased 3.5 percent to 290,448 TEUs and exports were up 0.1 percent to 133,800 TEUs.
J.B.Hunt solid in 2Q
Norbert Dentressangle to buy Daher Group
CEVA grows in Virginia
Zepol: U.S. import value down, export value up in 1Q The report, U.S. Import Export Product Report, 2013 (Q1), showed the value of imported goods fell 3.1 percent year-on-year, to $536 billion, mostly due to a near 20 percent drop in oil imports as domestic production increased.
Cowen survey shows rail prices weaker than expected "We believe the slight drop is partly attributable to tempered expectations by coal shippers, who represented a minority of our survey participants, but provided especially negative feedback on pricing outlook," the analyst wrote.
Washington Notebook: FAA tightens qualifications for co-pilots
Shipco offers NY-to-Rio de Janeiro/Itajai LCL services
APL, ANL, and Hanjin to partner on Australasia service
IAG Cargo breaks ground on climate-controlled facility
ARA region source of most MARPOL sulphur objections Notes of protest received by six countries reveal discrepancies between BDNs and tested sulphur content.
Hybrid power system promises efficiency gains for tugs Fuel saving of up to 25%, claims engine maker.
No clear direction in Fujairah Cape Town bunker prices were down by around $5 pmt.
Prices lose direction across Europe Strike in Pireaus had limited impact on bunker market.
Strike threat hangs over Indian port Workers at Chennai seeking 23% rise in wages.
Fuel buying at state-owned energy company criticised Audit office issues damning report of company's fuel buying practices.
IFO prices move marginally in Asia Singapore traders report mixed demand.
MD of Bomin Singapore quits Departure date 'depends on the succession plan', says Bomin Group.
Chinese order for 30 dual-fuel engines MAN 51/60DF dual-fuel engines feature fuel sharing mode, says firm.
Bunker operations restart at Shanghai, says report Barge schedules remain unaffected as weak demand persists.
Weak fuel oil futures' market prompts storage rethink Lack of domestic demand sees Chinese company invest in gasoil operations.
Cruise ship shows interest in new fuel scrubber system Suitability of DSOX-15 system will be assessed.
Monthly fuel oil imports to East China up Volume of fuel oil imports to hover between 450,000 to 500,000 mt in July.
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