Dry bulk players shun ebola countries Crews reluctant to call in stricken region, says leading Thai rice exporter
UK detentions plunge to lowest recorded level Just one ship held by port state control last month, MCA figures reveal
US exports keep MR product tanker sector busy Oil product exports from US have risen more than 500,000 barrels per day
World Shipholding slashes its stake in Golar LNG Fredriksen firm's share will fall from 36% to around 2%
Modest freight rate rises as GRIs brought in Prices in Latin American trades remain under pressure
Minority reform Why voting yes for Scottish independence will have dire consequences for shipping
CSSC and CSIC post stronger first-half earnings Chinese state shipbuilding giants improve operating profits as newbuild prices recover
MMS faces lawsuit threat from Iraq Update: United Kalavryta operator says any action by Baghdad 'misdirected'
Suezmax fixture highlights war-torn Libya's bid to boost exports Tripoli needs to sell its crude and segment's rate-pressed shipowners need the business
Jens-Peter Schlüter German owner sold the family business but started a new venture within the year
Keppel pays $50 for 10% in Golar-owned LNG unit Deal underscores strategic relationship between Keppel and Golar in FLNG sector
Week on Wall Street | September 5 A dry bulk optimist initiates coverage on Genco, while the Eagle Bulk reorganisation plan looks set to skirt any roadblocks
Fredriksen cashes out of Golar LNG Shipping magnate John Fredriksen is resigning as chairman of Golar LNG Ltd and selling most of his personal stake in the NASDAQ-listed company. On 5 September, Fredriksen-controlled World Shipholding Ltd priced a sale of 27,826,087 common shares of Golar LNG Ltd at $58.50/share. An additional
GLDD to widen Freeport Ship Channel NASDAQ-listed dredging contactor Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD) has won a $30M contract to widen sections of the Freeport Ship Channel on the US Gulf of Mexico. Under the deal, GLDD will widen about 7.2km of channel by 61m to allow larger ships to safely navigate the 183m-wide channel, said GLDD.
LD Lines prepares to halt 'sea motorway' French shipping company LD Lines has confirmed it is preparing to suspend from 18 September its three weekly "motorway of the sea" services between Nantes-Saint Nazaire in France and Gijon in northern Spain. Chief executive Christophe Santini told IHS Maritime that the suspension of the line was
Spain's Navantia returns to civil shipbuilding Spanish naval shipbuilder Navantia said today it was "satisfied" with a European Commission announcement that restrictions on its civil shipbuilding and repair activity will be lifted at year-end. Navantia's non-naval activities have been capped since 2004 at no more than 20% of its revenues. The
Pemex buys nine new Voith Water Tractors Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), Mexico's state-owned petroleum company, is buying nine Voith Water Tractors (VWTs) to safeguard oil tankers entering and clearing debris-affected terminals. PEMEX's Madero, Tuxpan, and Pajaritos oil transhipment terminals in the Gulf of Mexico and Topolobampo on the
BV-classed fleet tops 100M gt Rising transfers of ships into Bureau Veritas (BV) lifted the BV-classed fleet by mid-2014 to more than 100M gt. A BV spokesperson told IHS Maritime: "The increase in transfers-in was from companies that had tried the BV service with some of their vessels and subsequently chose to move more of their
Chile's Puerto Central buys seven Kalmar cranes Puerto Central (PCE) has ordered seven environment-friendly Kalmar E-One2 rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) under a $14M contract with delivery in July 2015. The Chilean terminal has an expansion programme under way to add 450,000teu. "Besides a fast delivery time, it was vital for PCE to have the
Changhang Phoenix raises $38M Changhang Phoenix, a listed bulk carrier operating unit of Sinotrans&CSC, has raised CNY232M ($38M) by selling shares to repay its debts and replenish its working capital. The company's receiver sold about 73M shares to three Chinese individuals at between CNY3.06 and CNY3.58 per share, according to
Trieste signs logistics terminal deal Trieste Port Authority has signed a contract for the construction of a multi-user logistics terminal. The agreement - with a consortium of local shipping company Francesco Parisi, Bologna intermodal port, and Venetian construction company Cosmo Ambiente - covers building a 125,000m2 platform out
Philippines mulls nickel ore export ban The Philippines could be poised to join Indonesia in blocking exports of raw nickel ore. Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino has proposed all minerals be processed before export, mirroring a ban Indonesia imposed in January. Supramax owners and brokers, already hit by Indonesia's embargo, are watching
Algeria aims to buy 27 merchant ships Algeria has announced plans to spend DZD120Bn ($1.48Bn) on revamping its merchant fleet with the purchase of 27 vessels, including six this year. Transport minister Amar Ghoul announced the initiative this week at a ceremony in the Port of Algiers for the arrival of a first acquisition - the
Kalmar wins €40M contract from Melbourne Cargotec subsidiary Kalmar has announced a "significant contract" from Port of Melbourne's new container terminal worth more than EUR40M ($52.3M) and covering 12 automated stacking cranes and 11 automated shuttle carriers. Along with associated automation technology, the equipment will be delivered
China closes over 60,000 maritime disputes Chinese maritime courts have closed 64,747 cases, valuing a total of over CNY80Bn ($13.03Bn), according to China's Maritime Adjudication, a white paper published by China's top court on Tuesday. The white paper summarised the maritime trial records in Chinese maritime over the past 30 years, and
Senate inquiry stops dredge dumping on reef An Australian Senate inquiry yesterday called for a ban on the dumping of any dredging sediment in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, until further studies. The enquiry also called for a freeze on any further funding cuts to government agencies in charge of protecting the reef, since the $2.8M cuts
China to increase local fleet cargo volume China is looking to increase the percentage of cargo-transport volume of its locally owned fleet in the country's foreign trade to 40%, according to a senior transport official. Approximately 40% of cargo volumes in China's foreign trade will be shipped by fleets owned by Chinese companies, stated
Keppel to acquire shares in Golar Hilli Singapore-listed offshore services provider, Keppel Corporation, announced that KSI Production (KSI), its indirect wholly owned subsidiary, has entered into a sales and purchase agreement to acquire 10% shareholding interests of Golar Hilli Corporation. Keppel believes that the investment will
China-Japan rate drop may affect SITC earnings Hong Kong-listed SITC International, an intra-Asia box carrier, could see its 2H earnings affected by the sharp drop in China-Japan spot freight rates since May 2014, a research note of CIMB Securities said. The 40% drop in China-Japan spot rates started in April, quickened paces from May and
Twenty one Chinese yards left to be standardised A total of 21 Chinese shipyards have yet to enter the first batch of shipbuilders meeting the standardised requirements set by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, according to the ministry. The first batch of the shipyards approved by the ministry comprises 51 Chinese shipyards,
Rising LPG exports to support VLGC rates Expanding LPG exports, especially out of the US Gulf, would support freight rates for very large gas carriers at over $100/tonne, said IHS Waterborne Energy. As of yesterday, the Baltic Exchange assessed freight rates for the benchmark Gulf-East Asia route at $104.857/tonne, up about 29 cents from
Capesize owners seek period hires Some owners are seeking to charter out Capesizes for period hires, amid uncertainty that freight rates would see the usual rally towards year-end. This week, the commodities trading arm of Brazilian investment bank BTG Pactual fixed Cosco's Tian Lu Hai for $23,000/day for four to six months. In
One dead, another missing in vessel sinking A Cambodian-registered general cargo vessel sank in the Sea of Japan yesterday, with one crew dead and another missing. The 1981-bulit Poline was loaded with timber en route from Russia's port of Plastun in the Primorsky Territory to China when it encountered a heavy storm and overturned. The 3,085
ILWU diversions help push Canadian intermodal volume to record high Intermodal volume on U.S. railroads is up 5.7 percent year-over-year in the first 35 weeks of 2014. Full-size chart The scope of U.S. shippers' diversion of cargo through western Canadian ports can be seen in August intermodal statistics, showing Canadian intermodal traffic last week outpacing U.S. traffic gains and hitting an all-time...
SCFI: Rates rise more than 6 percent worldwide The SCFI rate from Asia to North Europe was up 4.2 percent from last week to $1,129 per 20-foot container. Full-size chart Spot rates on major trade lanes worldwide increased this week, with peak shipping season to Europe and North America in full swing. Spot rates from Shanghai to northern Europe, the Mediterranean...
CP, BNSF push back against potential STB 'overreach' Canadian Pacific Railway and BNSF Railway said Thursday that requiring them to add railcars or allow other railroads to operate on their lines - as some officials and shippers have asked the U.S. Surface Transportation Board to require them to do - would hamper needed rail service improvements. The two railroads...
Teamsters, LA trucker clash over alleged firings A Teamsters-affiliated organization accused a Southern California drayage company of firing at least 33 drivers who filed wage and hour claims against the carrier, an accusation the company said is not truthful. Justice for Port Drivers, which is affiliated with the Teamsters, said Total Transportation Services Inc. fired the drivers on...
Port of Los Angeles receives grant to reduce emissions from equipment The Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners has approved a $469,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to retrofit 14 pieces of cargo-handling equipment with Level 3 diesel particulate filters. Los Angeles is receiving the grant on behalf of two of its terminals: SA Recycling and APM Terminals. The port...
Nine Santos terminals get new lease on life Nine marine terminals at Santos earmarked for a new concession process that would eliminate them may soon be given an official stay of execution following moves by Codesp, the local port authority. Abel Rodrigues Zillig, manager of the Deicmar multipurpose terminal in Santos, said the news was "very welcome" as the...
EU reportedly set to allow Hapag-Lloyd, CSAV merger Hapag-Lloyd and Compania Sud Americana de Vapores are one step closer to creating the world's fourth-largest ocean container line, with the European Union reportedly set to allow the merger. Two people familiar with the matter told Reuters that the merger will win conditional approval from European regulators. The European Commission is...
Environmentalists renew criticism of Miami dredging Environmental groups remain unhappy with a channel deepening project that the Port of Miami is counting on to attract larger ships and expand the port's distribution reach. Several environmental groups, including Biscayne Bay Waterkeeper and the Tropical Audubon Society, have filed a required 60-day notice of a potential lawsuit against the...
More ships diverted from Rotterdam to Antwerp due to congestion Indicating that congestion problems are continuing at the Port of Rotterdam, Hapag-Lloyd announced on Friday that three additional ships on an Asia-Europe string would bypass the port and call at Antwerp instead. It said three consecutive weekly arrivals on its Asia Loop 4 service would call at the PSA Antwerp Deurganck...
Air France-KLM plans reduction in freighter fleet to cut losses Air France-KLM announced a major downsizing of its freighter fleet in the latest bid to return its cargo operation to profitability amid sagging global demand and increased competition from fast-growing Arab Gulf airlines. But Europe's largest cargo airline by revenue pulled back from selling Martinair Cargo, its Amsterdam-based freighter subsidiary. The Franco-Dutch...
Ocean carrier rate revision roundup for Sept. 5 Multiple container lines have planned general rate increases in numerous trade lanes in September and October, although any gains achieved could be temporary as overcapacity and sluggish global demand continue. Ocean carriers' operating margins in the first half of the year veered widely from top-ranked Maersk Line's positive 7.3 percent to...
Air to ocean shift may be slowing as economy improves A long-term shift from air to ocean freight by shippers looking to cut transport costs and willing to tolerate longer transit times may be slowing as economic conditions improve, according to recent comments from transportation executives. "I think we saw the bulk of the movement in the past several years when...
New leader for Fesco Konstantin Sokolov has been appointed as president of Russia's Far Eastern Shipping (Fesco), following Ruslan Alikhanov's pre-agreed resignation.
Check your charters Law firm Hill Dickinson has warned owners and charterers they may have to draft additional clauses for charters that see ships calling in ebola-affected countries.
GE keeps promise India's Great Eastern (GE) Shipping has signed a contract to buy a 52,500-dwt supramax (built 2006) only a few days after announcing investment plans.
Veteran Laker grounds An American Steamship bulker has grounded near Mackinac Island in the US.
NAO ties up two New York-listed Nordic American Offshore (NAO) has fixed a pair of modern supply ships to a UK major for up to two years.
Swiss ship detained Safety issues contributed to the detention of a Malta-flagged vessel in the port of Grimsby, UK.
NEL Lines under fire Greece's Maritime Company of Lesvos (NEL Lines) has been blamed by traders on the small Greek island of Limnos for their suffering businesses.
Fredriksen to slash Golar LNG stake John Fredriksen has signalled his intention to almost completely sell his stake in LNG carrier company Golar LNG in a $1.9bn secondary share offering.
BV marks milestone Following a strong growth in the number of ships being transferred, French classification society Bureau Veritas (BV) has seen its fleet surpass the 100m gt mark.
MMS: no lawsuit Greek shipowner Marine Management Services (MMS) has said it is unaware of the Iraqi government taking legal action against the company over allegedly illegal exports of Kurdish crude.
Stena adds third Sweden's Stena Line is deploying a third freight ro-ro to build capacity between the UK and the Netherlands.
Bulker runs aground A Turkish-flagged bulk carrier has run aground off Astypalaia, Greece, with 22 crew members.
China opening up China is a step closer to allowing foreign shipowners to set up companies in Shanghai's free trade zone (FTZ).
New boss for Horizon US owner Horizon Lines has named Steve Rubin as its new president and chief executive officer (CEO) after two months in the role on an interim basis.
Furneaux quits Australian authorities are seeking an alternative after Furneaux Shipping said it was stopping its freight run to Flinders Island.
SCI must shape up India has told state owner Shipping Corp of India (SCI) to cut losses 10% or forfeit its financial autonomy.
One dead, one missing in sinking One man has died and another was missing after a Russian cargoship capsized and sank in the Sea of Japan.
MPA pulls bunker licences Northwest Resources has had its bunker supplier and bunker craft operator licences cancelled by Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority (MPA).
Turbine prang costs master The master of a wind farm support boat has been fined in a UK court after colliding with a wind turbine off the Norfolk cost in 2012.
Keppel ties up number two Singapore's Keppel Corp is in the process of finalising contracts with Golar LNG for a second FLNG conversion.
ABS classes Japan ship A leading classification society's campaign to break into new markets appears to be bearing fruit.
White House gathers business input on trade policies At a roundtable discussion at the White House, business leaders encouraged the pursuit of two multilateral free trade agreements with Pacific Rim and European partners to help reduce the cost and complexity of doing business in those markets.
BNSF confronts ag capacity issues BNSF officials expect a grain volume increase of between 10 percent and 15 percent during this year's agriculture peak season, but said it is "offering more capacity for the movement of grain than ever before."
Latin America needs more port investment Economic and population growth rate projections for Latin America have not been matched by infrastructure investment needed to accommodate increased logistics and trade demands, according to an APM Terminals official.
Panalpina streamlines energy logistics services
Horizon Lines names permanent CEO
St. Lawrence Seaway cargo shipments up 3%
Weekly GRI roundup
BIS seeks comments on ag export licensing for Cuba The U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security on Thursday published a notice requesting comments on the effectiveness of its licensing procedures for agricultural commodity exports to Cuba.
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