Gulf of Guinea waters open to western armed guards West African states agree to let foreign security teams operate in territorial waters
Is Colombia mortgaging its future? Social unrest and guerrilla activity are barriers to increased crude oil output
What Cyprus' bailout 2.0 means for shipping Most firms have dodged a bullet, but some face problems with disbursements
Should Brussels have let Limassol join the euro? Island state had deep-seated problems before it joined the single currency
Heavy losses leave Cosco with high financial costs Chinese state conglomerate must increase borrowings to stay afloat
VLCCs can look forward to rising spot rates Increase in oil consumption likely by year-end, says International Energy Agency
Is the end of piracy nigh in the Gulf of Aden? Experts predict levels will rise again, but pirates may take a different approach
West Africa poses a fresh challenge to security firms Lessons learned in the Gulf of Aden do not always apply in the Gulf of Benin
Lack of insurance safety net deters private security Local security forces cannot cope with sheer volume of ships
Armed guards not the answer to West Africa piracy Show of force does not deter attacks
Many new PMSCs will not survive the year The market of the future will belong to the large and medium-sized firms
UK holds fire on floating armouries Government reviews licence applications case by case
International regulation goes live as new standard is launched However, confusion remains between anti-piracy requirements on land and at sea
How insurers see new standard for armed guards Industry opinion is divided over the long-awaited move
Industry needs one impartial body to tackle under-reporting of attacks The fight against piracy demands timely and accurate information
Green for go? Moves to allow armed guards to operate out of Cape Verde leave unanswered questions
Intership caught in Cyprus bank collapse Hartmann affiliate had an account with Laiki
Irresponsible ship orders will return in 2016, warns Precious New rush on newbuildings will kill dry bulk recovery
PSAI forecasts 'adrenaline-pumping' year of storm clouds, rough seas and silver linings Container terminal operator sees 10% rise in pre-tax profit in 2012
Evergreen launches intra-Asia and Indian Ocean services Taiwan carrier expands its networks to meet robust growth
Transpacific rates slip as carriers' April 1 increase looms Overcapacity creates a buyers' market as annual contract talks continue
Bomb explodes outside Tsakos house Blast occurs near shipowner's Athens home after anonymous tip-off
Shih Wei books three handysizes at Japanese yards Taiwan-based dry bulk player seizes on low prices to renew its fleet
U-Ming posts 34% drop in net profit Capesize player has been heavily exposed to dry bulk downturn
BLT files for US Chapter 15 protection Move comes after chemtanker giant reached Jakarta creditors' agreement
Fairplay 24 news service BECAUSE of the Easter break, there will not be a news service on Friday or Monday. News will next be updated on Tuesday 2 April 2013
Port of Dakar set to tender The Port of Dakar is striding towards becoming the gateway to West Africa, following a 4% growth in traffic in 2012 bringing it to 12M tonnes
US opens MARPOL probe on Shell OIL major Shell has been targeted by the US for possible MARPOL violations associated with its drill barge Kulluk during the 2012 drilling season, a US Coast Guard official has revealed
Intra-Europe capacity concentrating SHORTSEA and feeder container trades along Europe's Atlantic and Baltic Sea coasts are increasingly dominated by a few major carriers, according to a new survey by Dutch shipping analyst Dynamar
Log imports through Zhangjiagang up 33% CHINA'S Zhangjiagang Port saw a 33% year on year increase in the volume of log imported from African countries in 2012 to total 797,000m³, Chris Mackey from Southern Cross Maritime Services told Fairplay today
Evergreen launches new CPM service in Asia TAIWANESE Evergreen Line is launching its new CPM service linking South China, Philippines and East Malaysia from mid-April 2013, the company told Fairplay yesterday
Emden advances project terminal scheme GERMANY'S North Sea ro-ro and breakbulk port Emden is pushing ahead with plans for a new 24ha heavy-load terminal for offshore wind power cargoes
Fujian operator expanded fleet FUJIAN Guohang, China's bulker operator in Fujian province, increased its fleet by 30% year on year to 2.9M dwt, with 50 vessels added in 2012
Russian slaying treated as assassination RUSSIAN prosecutors told Fairplay today that they are treating the shooting death of a shipping figure as an assassination based on business rivalries
Floating production orders hit record high A REPORT has shown that the order backlog of floating production systems has hit a record 264 units
Zero net growth in Capesize fleet seen in February BREAKING exceeded newbuilding deliveries in February, analysts said, therefore there were no net additions to the Capesize fleet in the month
China-SA yard deal reported SOUTH Africa has reportedly reached a multibillion-dollar deal with China's Chery Holdings to build and repair ships at Richards Bay
Continued pressure seen for multipurpose sector MARKET conditions for multipurpose vessels are likely remain challenging until at least 2015, a shipping consultant has warned
VLCC rally softens CHARTERERS are exploiting the long weekend to force VLCC rates down, and owners are feeling the heat from rising bunker prices
5% US peak season growth seen HOLIDAY imports into the US during this year's peak box season are expected to increase about 5% on last year, a transport economist has predicted
NYK Celebrates Japan's First Environmentally-Friendly Tugboat in Yokohama NYK Group's tugboat Tsubasa.Yesterday, Wing Maritime Service Corporation held a ceremony in Yokohama Port to mark the entry into service of the NYK Group's tugboat "Tsubasa" (Gross Tonnage: 256 tons) featuring a hybrid propulsion system. A preview of the "Tsubasa" was also held on the same day and was attended...
Patrick Keenan Joins TITAN Salvage as Director of Operations Patrick Keenan, TITAN Salveage's new director of operations. POMPANO BEACH, Fla. - Patrick Keenan has joined the TITAN Salvage team as director of operations, bringing more than 20 years of worldwide, hands-on experience in naval architecture, marine engineering, salvage and marine pollution abatement. In his new position, Keenan will report to...
TQL Named One of the Best Places to Work in Tampa, Fla. TAMPA, Fla. - Total Quality Logistics (TQL) has been named a finalist in the 2013 Best Places to Work Awards presented by the Tampa Bay Business Journal. Finalists were chosen based on employee responses to an online survey conducted by an independent, third-party. TQL was evaluated on items such as...
Martek Declares 'ECDIS Leasing Option Essential for Shipowners and Industry to Benefit From Early Adoption' In the depths of a longer-than-expected shipping market downturn and with many shipowners struggling with cash flow, Martek Marine, leading manufacturer of maritime safety equipment, believes that its comprehensive leasing package offers the best option for shipowners to adopt ECDIS early and benefit from increased safety and lower costs. Rock-bottom freight...
ABF, Teamsters Agree to 30-Day Contract Extension Negotiations for a new multiyear contract between ABF Freight System and the Teamsters union will continue under a 30-day contract extension that pushes the talks into late April. The nation's sixth-largest less-than-truckload carrier will resume talks with the Teamsters April 8, the company said in a statement March 28. The current...
Port of Antwerp Wins Prestigious 2013 Environmental World Ports Award ABU DHABI, the United Arab Emirates - During the World Ports and Trade Summit in Abu Dhabi the Port of Antwerp received an award for the second year running, winning the Environmental World Ports Award. In 2012 its CEO Eddy Bruyninckx won the WPTS Award. Antwerp beat Rotterdam, Los Angeles,...
Valley Cartage to Open Facility in Lake Elmo, Minn. Valley Cartage will open its Supply Chain Logistics Service Center in Lake Elmo, Minn., in May. The expansion will increase Valley Cartage's footprint in the Midwest, building on the presence of the transportation and logistics company's established facilities in Hudson and LaCrosse, Wis.; Duluth, Mankato and St. Cloud, Minn.; and Fargo,...
Korean Register of Shipping Elects Chon as Chairman, CEO The Korean Register of Shipping's general assembly has elected Young-kee Chon as its new chairman and CEO. The general assembly oversees the running of the register and comprises 86 voting members. This is the first time in KR's 53-year history that an internal appointment to chairman and CEO has been made. Chon...
NYK Line to Establish NYK Bulk and Projects Carriers NYK Line will establish NYK Bulk and Projects Carriers on Oct. 1, 2013, following the merger of its subsidiaries, NYK-Hinode Line and NYK Global Bulk. The new company will be based in Tokyo. Masamichi Morooka will be the president, Takashi Abe will the executive vice president, and Yasumi Kudo will be...
Houston Port Commission OKs Maintenance Dredging Agreements The Port of Houston Authority's port commission has approved two memoranda of agreement with the U.S Army Corps of Engineers for maintenance dredging at its two container terminals. The agreements include up to $500,000 for maintenance dredging of Barbours Cut Terminal berths and up to $400,000 for maintenance dredging for Bayport...
Steep Drop in Mexican Intermodal Traffic Mexican carload and intermodal volumes through March 23 Full-size image Mexican intermodal rail volume fell sharply both week-to-week and year-over-year last week, according to the Association of American Railroads. In the week ending March 23, combined North American carload volume, including all three North American Free Trade Agreement partners, rose 1 percent from...
ConGlobal, CakeBoxx Technologies Join in Venture ConGlobal Industries has teamed up with CakeBoxx Technologies to provide a range of depot, container yard and transportation services for CakeBoxx Technologies throughout the U.S. and Mexico. The deal will allow CakeBoxx Technologies, developer of the CakeBoxx doorless intermodal shipping containers, to offer shippers and carriers access to local warehouses, ports...
Gov. Jindal Appoints Members to Louisiana Board of International Commerce Louisiana's Gov. Bobby Jindal has appointed members to the newly formed 23-member Louisiana Board of International Commerce: John Fay, former chairman of the Port of New Orleans' board of commissioners, nominated by the New Orleans Board of Trade. Greg Rusovich, current secretary-treasurer of the Port of New Orleans' board of commissioners, nominated...
WCI: Trans-Pacific Backhaul Rate Jumps 3.9 Percent World Container Index rates to Shanghai Full-size image After two stagnant weeks, trans-Pacific westbound rates rose in the week of March 28 while Europe-Asia lanes remained unchanged, according to the latest release of the World Container Index. The Trans-Pacific westbound rate from Los Angeles to Shanghai jumped 3.9 percent or $37 over last...
Nippon Express to Gain Stake in Panasonic Logistics Nippon Express and Panasonic have signed a memorandum of understanding in which Panasonic agreed to transfer a part of its shares in its subsidiary Panasonic Logistics to Nippon Express. According to the agreement, Panasonic will transfer about 2.4 million shares, or 66.6 percent, of Panasonic Logistics' 3.6 million total shares. The...
Cyprus Says Crisis Won't Impact Key Shipping Sector Cyprus sought to play down fears that its financial crisis would hit the Mediterranean island's large shipping registry and the ship-management industry. The transport ministry said it was business as usual for shipping as banks reopened today after a two-week closure during negotiations with the European Union and the International Monetary...
Celadon Plans to Build Driver Training School Celadon Group and its subsidiary Celadon Trucking Services have graduated their first class of driver training school candidates and now plan to build a $5.7 million, 61,000 square foot training facility near the company's Indianapolis headquarters. The Quality Drivers school expects to train about 400 to 500 new drivers in the first...
The Quest for Reasonable Liner Pricing 2012's container shipping rally produced rising freight rates that brought liner operators back to profitability. But with the market at another ebb, liner companies collectively must keep a cool head and resist the temptation to engage in a price war that would jeopardize a sustainable recovery. Container shipping demand, of course,...
Navios tied to MR deal Navios Maritime is said to have struck a $46.5m deal to purchase two medium-range products carriers owned by Italy's PB Tankers.
Sirius towed after problems Spanish coast guard takes Ukrainian controlled bulker to Vigo.
Adnatco here to stay Abu Dhabi owner Adnatco says it remains committed to maintaining a strong presence in shipping despite tough global tanker markets.
CSAV chairman dies Guillermo Luksic Craig, the Chilean businessman who oversaw the turnaround of Compania Sud Americana de Vapores, has died at age 57.
Wintermar on the up Indonesia's Wintermar Offshore Marine has posted an improved set of full year earnings on stronger sales.
STX seeks cash? STX Offshore & Shipbuilding is rumoured to be preparing a fundraiser after suffering a bad year.
Danio refloated A German cargoship has been refloated after spending nearly two weeks on the rocks in north-eastern England.
"Business as usual" Cyprus transport minister Tasos Mitsopoulos has said domestic shipping operations are running as normal despite the financial crisis gripping the country.
Taizhou targets bonds China's Taizhou Sanfu Ship Engineering is selling CNY 700m ($112.63m) worth of bonds.
Greece in crew crisis A Greek union has claimed between 900 and 1,000 ferry workers have not been paid for at least two months - and some as long as seven months.
Steady flow for PSA Singaporean container terminal operator PSA Group has posted a better bottom line in 2012 as volumes grew.
GSD mulls bank sale Turkish shipping and finance group GSD Holding is eyeing a sale of its banking subsidiary Tekstilbank.
NYK christens union Nippon Yusen Kaisha has put a name to the merger of two of its key shipping companies.
U-Ming profit slashed Taiwan's U-Ming has seen profit fall back in 2012 as overall revenue dropped.
Boxship hits pier An Evergreen containership has suffered minor damage after hitting the side at Piraeus in Greece.
Badger bounces back A veteran US car ferry can keep on dumping coal ash into Lake Michigan for another two years.
Nam Cheong set to soar Nam Cheong's latest order is a further sign that the offshore vessel builder is in for a bumper year, an analyst has said.
"The time is right" National Bank of Fujairah (NBF) is targeting an increase in its shipping activity this year.
Heisco earnings weaker Kuwaiti Heavy Engineering Industries & Shipbuilding (Heisco) has seen 2012 profit fall by more than half.
Johnston's $1m bonus New OSG chief executive Captain Robert Johnston is in line for a bumper payout if everything goes to plan.
Asian P&I bid stalls A bid to establish an Asian protection-and-indemnity (P&I) club appears to have sailed into a squall.
Officers held after clash Two German officers were arrested in India after their multipurpose cargoship was allegedly involved in a fatal collision with a fishing boat.
Traf signs Sudan deal Commodities giant Trafigura has said it has signed a crude oil supply deal with the government of South Sudan.
CSSC profit plunges State shipbuilder China CSSC Holdings has posted a near 100% drop in 2012 profit.
Zamakona wins newbuild Spanish shipbuilder confirms new well boat order for Oslo-listed company Solvtrans.
Mermaid seals charter Mermaid Maritime, the Thoresen Thai Agencies offshore spin-off, has secured a two year charter for one of its tender rigs.
Keppel bags four Keppel has won an order for four jack-up drilling rigs worth $820m from Mexican drilling company Grupo R.
Multilateral e-air waybill adopted IATA's cargo head, Des Vertannes, said this agreement gives momentum to the goal of creating a paperless cargo infrastructure. He also called it the most significant cargo standard passed in the last 20 years.
TAGG to open facility at St. Louis airport
TNT unloads China domestic arm TNT has not abandoned China and will instead focus on international express service from the country. The company will still staff 36 depots across the country and three hubs with about 3,000 employees.
Transportation Payment Benchmark Study: Making Dollars and Sense American Shipper surveyed more than 250 shippers and third party logistics providers on their transportation payment and auditing practices and technologies. This year's report delves into new areas, including the interaction between shippers' logistics operations and finance departments, and whether shippers and 3PLs are using their payment data in the broader procure-to-pay process.
Rep. Hahn seeks HMT equity for SoCal ports
CSAV chairman Luksic dies at age 57 News reports said Guillermo Luksic Craig died of lung cancer. Through its 83 percent stake in Quiñenco, one of Chile's largest conglomerates, the Luksic family acquired a stake in CSAV in 2011.
Analyst: Truck sales to ramp up in 2014 According to a BB&T Capital Markets Analysis, truck production will grow from a high end of 263,000 in 2013 to more than 300,000 units in 2014. Truck production for 2012 stood at 278,000 vehicles.
PSA's profit grows in 2012
TTI Long Beach to use Kalmar "SmartPort" process
Report details intra-Northern Europe container trade
HFO on Rena expected to 'leach out over time' It is believed there is still approximately one to two metric tonnes of oil onboard Rena's sunken stern.
South Korean shipping firms in danger of going under But a fresh approach could turn things around, says US-based advisor.
Prices mainly firm in Fujairah Bunker prices on the rise in South African ports.
Bunker prices show gains across Europe Tight avails reported in Rotterdam.
Oil consumption could 'top out' by end of decade Report's projections are break from mainstream view across global market stating demand will rise steadily as emerging markets ramp up consumption of energy.
Salvaged bunker fuel down in 2012 But marine fuels biggest oil commodity salved.
Rudder appoints group credit risk manager Experienced analyst will be based at company's HQ at Monaco.
Cypriot banks reopen leaving despositors exposed Shipmanagement companies with Cypriot bank accounts could forfeit assets.
Piracy major factor in Aegean's Ghana departure Company had a ship taken by pirates in 2012 and saw costs escalate.
Fuel oil stocks at Singapore fall to seven-month low Malaysian demand up but general demand is down.
Major ports in Asia see bunker prices rise Supplies were generally fine at key Asian ports on Thursday.
Japan's first environmentally-friendly tugboat launched The Tsubasa has a hybrid propulsion system developed and made in Japan.
Planned North Dakota refinery includes bunkers in portfolio Refinery received an air quality permit in early 2012.
Majority shareholder increases control of Brightoil Brightoil's chairman and CEO is 'fully confident' of firm.
China fuel oil stocks up on week Volumes up by 82,000mt to 2.96 million mt on Wednesday.
Cosco encounters loss on 'very tough year' in 2012 Firm takes major losses from its dry bulk business, which saw revenues down 31.4% year-on-year.
Uptake rate of LNG fuelled vessels 'quite exaggerated' Quality and safety issues of using LNG as a bunker fuel raised by Quality Manager at World Fuel Services.
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