Tensions in Ukraine could increase Europe's LNG import spend by 20% Increasing shipments would be a costly way to offset a loss of piped Russian gas, say experts
Mitsui OSK Line plans $8.5bn investment in 60 LNG carriers EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Japan shipping giant harnesses stronger tonne-mile demand
Pioneer Marine raises just $75m from Norway IPO Disappointing result for dry bulk specialist that had set itself a $150m-$250m target
Newbuilding orders run a real risk of undermining product tanker sector Fresh data says out-of-hand levels of bookings threaten segment's mid-term prospects
Crimea breakaway could benefit Ukraine grain ports Split could boost exports from Black Sea hubs Odessa, Nikolayev and Kherson
Maersk Line and APM Terminals agreed 2013 dedicated capacity deal Free to read: Skou confirms efficiency-boosting agreement became formal last year at strategic ports
Ukraine latest: shipping risk analysis US LNG exporters benefit from energy security fears over Russian gas, while Ukraine port could secure more grain trade should Sunday's secession vote in Crimea prove successful
STX O&S reports $3.7bn net loss for 2013 Production delays and asset writedowns contribute to shipbuilder's loss
Asia to Europe rates slide again Free to read: But carriers manage to increase transpacfic spot market prices
Get tough on SOx rules enforcement Inaction by member states to deter non-compliance undermines regulatory process
Fredriksen shake-up and APM Terminals' $1bn profit target This week's most-clicked stories on Lloydslist.com
A DIY approach to regulation The P3 Alliance shows why the consortia block exemption has to go
Data Hub: Reefer box update Predictions that market will be stronger and more stable than last year
Yamal LNG could be hit by Ukraine-Russia crisis, says Daishin Securities But other analysts downplay the risk to start-up Arctic gas export project
Teekay subsidiary expands its IPO after positive interest in Oslo Tanker Investment Ltd will raise its offering to $150m-$175m
Georgiopoulos makes $735m offer for seven Scorpio VLCC newbuildings New York owner sees off several rival bids as interest grows in larger tankers
Taming the oceans Smart new designs protect crew and cargo on ever-bigger ships from storms and high seas
Paragon slips into the red for fourth quarter Company remains upbeat on market as it expands and modernises fleet
Tallink's February figures reveal upswing trend Tallink's Finland-Sweden route year on year figures for last month showed losses with passenger, vehicle and cargo transport at -7%, -5% and -20% respectively
Finns re-think sulphur subsidy Finland's shipowners will be able to apply for subsidies to convert their vessels' fuel systems this year with €12.6M ($17.53) set aside in the state budget, in a second round of handouts for 2014
Russian freighters report Ukraine ops as normal The political turmoil in Ukraine has so far not had a measurable impact on commercial cargo movements between Ukraine and Russia
STX O&S capital impaired by half Troubled South Korean shipbuilder STX Offshore & Shipbuilding today confirmed that its capital has been impaired by more than 50% after posting its worst annual results
Indonesia gets tough on crew trafficking One crewing agent is in court and several others face prosecution for alleged human trafficking of Indonesian crew for Taiwanese long-line fishing vessels
Hanjin Shipping in restructure Hanjin Shipping Holdings said today it would spin off the core shipping business, Hanjin Shipping, and merge it with its brand management business
Indonesian shipowners association backs CIF The Indonesian National Shipowner Association (INSA) has reacted positively to the implementation of handling cargoes on a cost, insurance and freight (CIF) basis
Lull seen for chemical tankers Chemical freight rates are expected to go through a quiet season due to an expected slowdown for 2Q14
Changhang Phoenix downsizes Shanghai-listed Changhang Phoenix, the carrier at the edge of delisting, announced yesterday that it will continue to cut down its payroll to less than 1,000 staff in the first half of this year
Ferry hits terminal in Macau Three passengers were hurt when the ferry they were travelling in hit a pier in Macau as it was berthing yesterday
Yinson Holdings poised to be global floater operator Malaysian offshore oilfield service provider Yinson Holdings is in a position to become a global FPSO and FSO player, said AmFraser Securities
Asia proves hotspot for marine loss Asia experienced the highest number of marine losses and continues to be an area of focus, said a report released by insurer Allianz
Vancouver Truckers Review 14-Point Action Plan Union and non-union truck drivers at Port Metro Vancouver today were reviewing the 14-point action plan that was recently developed with assistance from the Canadian federal government and British Columbia provincial government, but the striking truck drivers were showing no indication of returning to work. Truck traffic at Canada's largest port...
Should the US Government Fund Deeper Harbors? There were no real losers among U.S. South Atlantic and Gulf ports that have ambitious expansion plans under the Obama budget released last week. True, the budget does create another delay in the timetable for deepening Georgia's Savannah River to 47 feet because it does not allow the Army Corps of...
Air Express, E-Commerce Lift Deutsche Post DHL DHL Boeing 757The world's largest transportation and logistics company is getting larger as demand for e-commerce, time definite international express delivery and supply chain services drives up revenue and profit at Deutsche Post DHL. The German logistics giant increased revenue 3 percent last year from 2012 to €55.1 billion, or about US$77 billion...
CN Obtains Injunction Against Striking Vancouver Truckers Containers at Port Metro VancouverCanadian National Railway today obtained an injunction against striking union and non-union truck groups that will prevent their drivers from blocking access to the railroad's intermodal terminal serving Port Metro Vancouver. British Columbia Supreme Court Judge George Macintosh granted the injunction prohibiting United Truckers Association and Unifor-Vancouver...
Mexico Rail: Major Overhaul or Moderate Reform? Kansas City Southern de MéxicoChange is coming to the Mexican freight rail industry, but it's too soon to determine whether the push for reform will lead to a major overhaul or something much more moderate. Shippers will get a better idea in the coming weeks as the Mexican Senate is expected...
Truck Driver Turnover Rate Drops, But Not Much Truckload carriers kept more of their drivers on payroll in the fourth quarter, but driver turnover at large truckload carriers remains high, according to the American Trucking Associations. The ATA quarterly driver turnover rate for large truckload carriers dropped to 91 percent in the fourth from 97 percent in the previous...
Snow Storms Hit Port of Virginia's Container Volume Port of VirginiaThe Port of Virginia said repeated snow storms and the subsequent congestion and lost work days in February resulted in continued operating losses and affected container traffic, even though TEU volume was still up 6 percent year-over-year. Port drayage operators have intensified complaints in recent months about congestion at the Port...
SCFI: Asia-US Rates Jump as Asia-Europe Rates Continue to Erode Shanghai Containerized Freight Index, U.S. West Coast, week ending Mar. 14, 2014. Full-size image Spot container freight rates from Shanghai to U.S. ports saw some implementation of the upcoming general rate increase in the week of March 14. Both East and West Coast lanes saw increases of more than $100 per FEU. Member...
Officials Announce Plan to End Vancouver Truck Strike Trucks at Port Metro VancouverThe Canadian federal government, the provincial government of British Columbia and Port Metro Vancouver have announced a 14-point action plan that authorities believe will end the two-week strike by harbor truck drivers that has reduced truck traffic to 15 to 25 percent of normal levels. Implementation of...
Nicaraguan Official Discusses Possible Canal Routes Lake NicaraguaManuel Coronel Kautz, the president of the Nicaraguan Canal Commission, is deep into planning a proposed new canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. He recently announced, for example, that the long-proposed canal route up the San Juan River, along the Costa Rican border, is the unlikely option of...
India's Exports Unlikely to Meet Annual Target India's exports shrank for the first time in eight months in February on a year-over-year basis, but the ongoing deceleration in imports of goods pulled the country's trade deficit down to its lowest level since last March. Year-over-year changes in the value of India's imports and exports in the last 12...
CMA survival guide In just two days dozens of shipping's brightest stars will convene in Stamford for the Connecticut Maritime Association's (CMA's) annual conference and exhibition at the Hilton hotel.
Two ships torn free Two cement carriers broke their moorings in a storm at Kjopsvik in Norway.
Hat trick for Vard Norwegian offshore vessel builder Vard has landed its third newbuilding order in the space of a week and a first with a new customer.
Peter's precedent Peter Georgiopoulos' swoop for seven VLCC resales from Scorpio Tankers marks the first time in almost three years that a VL has been sold for a nine figure fee.
Samudera slims down Samudera Shipping has sold off one of its older tankers.
Bugbee explains VL sale Scorpio Tankers is selling its VLCCs newbuildings to return to a pure-play products carrier focus, and not because it -- or others -- have lost faith in recovery of the crude market.
NewLead seals bulk buy NewLead Holdings of Greece has signed on the dotted line for pair of handysize bulkers.
Green cash for owners Finland's government has allocated EUR 12.6m ($17.5) to shipowners for eco-improvements to their fleets.
Rand converting tanker Rand Logistics of the US is buying a chemical tanker to convert into a self-unloading bulker for its Great Lakes fleet.
$50m for STNG Scorpio Tankers has recorded a $50m profit on the sale of its VLCC newbuildings it bought only a few months ago.
Fuels of the future We take a look at what was said in the market over the past week.
Steel in the soul Scroll back just 12 months to the spring of 2013, and opportunities for owners of big crude tankers were less than zero.
Island piles it high Norwegian owner Island Offshore has racked up a series charter contracts for its newbuildings worth a total of NOK 1bn ($167.3m).
AMSC eyes tanker quartet American Shipping Company (AMSC) could take on contracts for four products tankers being planned speculatively by Aker Philadelphia Shipyard.
Pac Basin execs bank more Pacific Basin's top executives saw their pay packets improve last year as the company returned to profitability.
OLB provisions double German lender Oldenburgische Landesbank (OLB) has posted a 78% drop in 2013 profit due to the shipping crisis.
Top two tussle TradeWinds digests the digits making the headlines this week.
'No leak' on con-ro Canadian experts are due to test an ACL con-ro after a container of nuclear material was dropped six metres on board.
GMS seals London IPO Gulf Marine Services (GMS) has raised $111m from its IPO on the London Stock Exchange (LSE).
STX Offshore in $3.7bn loss STX Offshore & Shipbuilding has revealed a near fivefold rise in its full year loss to a staggering $3.7bn.
Cecon fixes newbuild Norway's Cecon has found work for the first of its three new offshore support ships.
Page two, twice Due to a printing error page two of this week's newspaper is the same as last week's edition.
'No risk' from hull hole A New Zealand master endangered no lives as he crossed the Cook Strait with a gash in the side of his vessel, a court has heard.
Golden goes alone John Fredriksen's Golden Ocean has bought out Glencore's slice of a capesize bulker the partners purchased together last year.
Bourgas back up for sale Bulgaria's Bourgas Shipyards is being sold off in auction lots totalling BGN 47.5m ($33.9m).
Nigeria's ports plan Nigeria is plotting seven new deep-sea ports to ease congestion in the country.
Varun plots way forward Indian owner Varun Shipping says it surrendered its licence to operate domestically-flagged ships as it eyes a new group structure.
TIL boosts offering Strong investor demand has prompted Tanker Investments Ltd (TIL) to increase the range of its offering in Oslo by up to 75%.
Bulkers win Japan backing Berge Bulk has secured export credit financing for six handysize bulkers ordered at Japan's Namura Shipbuilding.
Georgiopoulos pounces Peter Georgiopoulos has pulled off a surprise buy of the seven-ship Scorpio Tankers VLCC fleet in a cash deal worth some $735m, market sources tell TradeWinds.
Ezion raises more cash Ezion Holdings has raised SGD 55m ($44m) from a bond issue to fund its extensive expansion program.
Morning Glory loses flag North Korea claims it has severed ties to a tanker that broke through a naval blockade off Libya earlier this week after loading stolen crude at a rebel-held port.
Paragon posts loss Greek bulker owner Paragon Shipping posted a fourth-quarter loss Thursday but the deficit does not appear to have disrupted its appetite for expansion.
DHT pays for early delivery DHT Holdings is to pay more for two VLCC newbuildings in return for having them delivered earlier than originally planned.
Global Ship Lease shifts gears Global Ship Lease (GSL) appears to be gearing up for a campaign to expand its fleet of containerships under a broader bid to secure new sources of revenue.
Shanghai Index jump reflects in transpacific rate hike The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index rose on Friday, reflecting a general rate increase suggested by the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement for March 15. TSA is recommending another increase May 1 for its 15 members.
Cleveland port OKs maintenance dredging
Toy industry cautioned about West Coast longshore talks Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. That's the kind of advice shippers are getting about the West Coast longshore labor situation, and it was mirrored in two notes sent to toy companies this month.
Crude rail transport up 74 percent in 2013 Domestic Class I railroads carried 407,642 carloads of crude oil during 2013, a 74-percent increase over 2012's result, according to the Association of American Railroads.
FMCSA publishes on-board recorder rule The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has published a proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register that would require commercial truckers to install electronic logging devices to monitor the number of hours in each driver's shift.
WorldWide Alliance adds 9 countries
Thune supports EU delay of emissions scheme
U.S.-flag carriers diversify cargo base with Ex-Im Bank commercial freight
Fuel prices drop in the Americas Tight avails reported in Houston.
Weekly Global Market Report A weekly price roundup from bunkering hubs around the world.
Panama Canal expansion dispute over Construction consortium signs deal to complete work on expansion project.
Port Metro Vancouver annouces plan to end strike Will 'ensure fair pay for truck drivers', says port authority.
First LNG-fuelled cargo vessel starts test voyage in China Ship due for delivery to owner in June.
Prices ended week soft in Europe Congestion reported at Rotterdam.
Prices stable in Fujairah Good avails in Durban.
Port authority to assess inland fleet for LNG Sees opportunities for local shipyards.
Society promoting LNG holds first working meeting Agenda includes safety guidelines for LNG bunkers.
Japan's bunker sales fell in January Month-on-month the January sales were 11.8% down.
Crimea tensions could hit bunker prices If Russia's role as global supplier of fuel oil is compromised.
Search for missing airliner 'reveals extent of marine pollution' 'One of the few facts we've learned for certain is that the South China Sea is very, very polluted.'
Asian bunker market softens Tight avails reported by some players in Busan and Tokyo Bay.
Engine failure grounds ferry Bubbles in ship's fuel lines said to be cause of trouble.
Middle East bunker premiums to rise: Sources Lower fuel oil export volumes expected as Iranian refinery closes for maintenance.
New maritime bills to support Nigeria bunkering sector Country working towards the revival of its bunkering sector.
Fuel saving software for ferry operator System covers dynamic trim optimisation and hull condition monitoring.
South China fuel oil imports to fall in March Brightoil to be month's major fuel oil importer.
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