BIMCO seeks action on illegal fishing off Somalia Shipping professionals are seeking action on illegal fishing off Somalia after the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) described the problem as outside the remit of its Operation Atalanta. Violations of Somalia's waters by foreign trawlers continue to aggravate maritime piracy in the region, according to
Strike to close Finland ports Finland's ports are set to shut on Friday 18 September as the country's three big trade union federations protest against the government's labour reform programme. Work is expected to halt from 0800 with day-long demonstrations set to start at 1100. Transport Workers Union (ATK) head Marko
Yokohama port traffic falls in June Port of Yokohama's cargo traffic dropped 5% year on year (y/y) in June to 9.669 million tonnes, with both its foreign and domestic trade down, according to preliminary municipal government figures. Foreign trade slipped 5.5% y/y to 6.245 million tonnes, while domestic trade lost 4.2% y/y to 3.424
Ship detained at Australian grain terminal Pyrsos Shipping bulk carrier MV Apellis is being detained at Western Australia's Esperance wheat port over a suspected breach of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC). The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), which found that food provisions were inadequate and seafarers had not been paid
Ocean Rig delays another drillship delivery George Economou's Ocean Rig has deferred delivery of a third drillship as oil prices continue to show no signs of recovery. Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) said in a Korea Exchange filing that an Oceania-based customer had asked to delay delivery of a drillship from December 2015 to June 2017. IHS
Yang Ming orders five 14,000 teu box ships at Imabari Shipbuilding Taiwanese carrier Yang Ming Marine on 9 September ordered five 14,000 teu box ships at Imabari Shipbuilding. The vessels, priced at USD125 million each, are scheduled for delivery in 2018 and 2019, and will be chartered to Shoei Kisen Kaisha. Yang Ming's 14,000 teu box ship fleet will grow to 20
Teekay tug hits whale at Australian coal port Teekay's tug, Bulgu, hit a humpback-whale calf while towing a BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance-operated bulk carrier out to sea at the Australian coal port of Hay Point on the Great Barrier Reef, on the evening of 8 September. Crew on board the tug were about 2.5-3.0 km offshore when they became
China's coal imports drops 31.3% y/y from January to August China has imported a total of 138.6 million tonnes of coal from January to August this year, 63.2 million tonnes less year on year (y/y), and representing a 31.3% decrease. The total value of the imported coal also dropped 45.28% y/y, standing at USD864.9 million, showed data released by customs.
CSSC (Hong Kong) Shipping to finance Yuanheng Gas CSSC (Hong Kong) Shipping Company, a shipowning subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), has agreed to jointly provide USD10 million in finance for Hong Kong-listed Yuanheng Gas, a LNG supplier and trader. The company will participate in the subscription for USD10 million in
Bizpost Korea and Chinese partners to invest in Incheon's Golden Harbor The South Korean unit of Korean-American iron ore supplier Bizpost and its Chinese partners will invest KRW1 trillion (USD838 million) in Incheon port's Golden Harbor project. The Golden Harbor project is an ocean tourism complex and Incheon Port Authority (IPA) is hoping to attract 3 million
Lawyers say tanker ban 'comfort letters' likely "unenforceable" The president of Nigeria has issued a new directive suggesting tankers banned from lifting in Nigeria may re-enter with a 'letter of comfort', but lawyers from Holman Fenwick Willan LLP says it may be "unenforceable". The letter from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) of 8 September
MCA shake-up is 'blueprint for Germany' VDR president Alfred Hartmann hails UK proposals as way forward for his national flag
Diana Containerships takes delivery of post-panamax vessel The 6,500 teu Rotterdam was delivered on September 10 but is still available for hire
Asia-Europe freight rates in reverse after brief rally Box rates almost double on trades between China and South America
View from the Bridge: Tor Svensen DNV GL group executive vice-president Tor Svensen does some plain speaking when it comes to an industry that has a tendency to close rank
No more sales for now, say DryShips executives Seventeen-ship deal with George Economou spurred by cash needs while founding entrepreneur is said to be bullish about bulkers... in the longer term
Does SCFI contribute to freight rate volatility? NYK's Nixon and SSE's Zhang split on role of leading freight rate index
Evergreen confirms 10-ship order Imabari contracted to build 2,800 teu vessels to serve intra-Asia trades
SSE chairman mounts robust defence of SCFI Zhang Ye dismisses claims that index is damaging container trades
Japan bests China in Bangladesh's deepwater port project JICA says it will provide $3.7bn in financing for power and port complex in Matarbari
IRISL, NITC and NIOC could be removed from sanctions lists in early 2016 Legal firm HFW advises caution and due diligence ahead of possible sanctions easing
British shipping minister slams Jones Act Goodwill critical of Brussels and the US as he pushes for deregulation and private enterprise to support infrastructure development
NYK's Nixon says SCFI fuelling rates volatility Container shipping has become a commoditised industry, where rates are set by supply and demand. But the supply and demand side has lost its equilibrium, leading to volatility and sharp swings in rates
Nigeria tanker ban lifted? The Letter of Comfort requirement still leaves questions unanswered and will not completely assuage the concerns of tanker operators, particularly those whose tankers were banned
Yang Ming adds five more 14,000 teu ships Contract said to include option for another five vessels of same size
View from the East: Song of Singapore Remember the merits of another great maritime centre
Missing Malaysian cargoship found Sah Lian hijacking fears dispelled by report of mechanical failure
SHI wins workers' agreement on pay Union members' vote of approval for 2015 wage rise makes it unlikely they will join next general strike scheduled for September 17
Record August traffic suggests shippers returning to LA The Port of Los Angeles recorded its strongest August container volume since the peak year of 2006, as traffic rose 3.8 percent compared to the same period in 2015. When combined with the record August performance announced Thursday by neighboring Long Beach, this is a good indication that Southern California traffic...
Eastbound trans-Pacific spot rates fall despite rising demand Eastbound trans-Pacific spot freight rates softened a bit this week even as volume rose, sending an ominous signal to carriers hoping to cash in on holiday season merchandise imports. This is the time of the year when ships usually fill up, cargo is rolled to subsequent voyages and carriers register impressive...
Effort to increase San Francisco bar pilot pay pushed back a year A motion to increase the pay for San Francisco Bar Pilots has been shelved, meaning shipowners whose ships transit San Francisco Bay won't face the risk of having to pay more in pilotage fees for at least another year. The pilots had been seeking an 11 percent rate hike that would...
Arrests made, some silver recovered after Port of Montreal heist Police have made several arrests and recovered roughly a third of the silver valued at $10 million that was stolen in a daring container heist from the Port of Montreal last week, according to reports. Police have found some of the total loot of 500 bars in various locations including inside...
Baltimore cargo rises on strong dollar, East Coast diversions The Port of Baltimore's full container volume in 20-foot-equivalent units rose 6 percent year-over-year during the first seven months of this year, as a strong dollar and diversions from congested East Coast ports fueled a surge in import traffic. Through July, the port handled 356,697 TEUs of full containers, Maryland Port Administration...
Emirates Shipping adds Laem Chabang to Africa service Port of Laem Chabang, ThailandEmirates Shipping Line has added a direct port call at Laem Chabang, Thailand to its Asia-Tanzania Express, or ATX, service, as the Middle East carrier seeks to capitalize on growing trade volumes to East Africa. The upgraded service will now have the following rotation: Laem Chabang, Thailand;...
Yang Ming opts for five 14,000 TEUs vessels instead of mega-ships Yang Ming Marine Wednesday ordered five 14,000 twenty-foot-equivalent unit ships at Imabari Shipbuilding, reflecting the Taiwanese carrier and fellow CKYHE Alliance members' reluctance to jump into the frenzy of ordering ships with capacities greater than 18,000 TEUs. The vessels, priced at $125 million each, are scheduled for delivery in 2018 and...
Union protests to close Finland's ports next week Port cranes Vuosaari, Finland.Finland ports, already suffering from container traffic declines, are set to get hit with another blow when they shut down Sept. 18 as part of a protest by the country's three big trade union federations against the government's labor reform program. Work is expected to halt beginning at...
Consultant note: German ports grapple for market share Port of BremerhavenPort productivity and the ability to handle mega-ships are key drivers for shipping lines in selecting routes and ports of call and German ports must adapt to this new reality if they are to remain competitive. Hamburg has always kept Germany high in container port performance rankings and the...
Evergreen double order for 2,800-TEU ships Evergreen Group has ordered 10 ships with capacities of 2,800 twenty-foot-equivalent units, building on the carrier's August order of 10 similar ships. The first of the new vessels to be deployed in the intra-Asia trade has a planned delivery during the first half of 2018. The rest are due by the...
California's green push to ripple through supply chains If California is to see long-term success in its continued push to be a global environmental leader, the state and its regulatory agencies must also look at how to keep California positioned as a global economic leader. At issue is California Gov. Jerry Brown's recent executive order that directs a number...
Auckland container traffic rise dwarfed by growth at rival Tauranga Ports of AucklandContainer volume through the ports of Auckland inched up 0.4 percent in its fiscal year ending June 30, while its rival Tauranga grew its traffic 12 percent, helping it close the gap between it and New Zealand's largest container gateway. Auckland said it expected a year-over-year decline after Maersk...
DP World Cochin cuts free time for imports to relieve congestion Vallarpadam International Container Terminal, Port of Cochin, India.DP World-operated Vallarpadam International Container Terminal at India's Port of Cochin received long-awaited regulatory approval to reduce the number of free days allotted to laden import containers in an effort to ease congestion and improve terminal productivity. Port regulator Tariff Authority for Major Ports...
Two weeks of rate gains on Asia-Europe come crashing to an end TAIPEI - Spot rates on the Asia to Europe and the Mediterranean crashed this week, giving back most of the gains made since the September 1 general rate increase, according to the latest reading of the Shanghai Containerised Freight Index.Asia-Mediterranean rates lost a third of their value, shedding $252 in the...
Time for governments to tackle lithium battery issue, IATA says IATA head of cargo Glyn Hughes.TAIPEI - Airlines and rechargeable battery makers are preparing to launch a joint campaign aimed at lobbying governments to clamp down on the counterfeit battery business that is posing a growing threat to aviation safety.The International Air Transport Association has teamed up with the Portable...
DryShips' reset button DryShips' deal to sell 17 bulkers to George Economou and its plans to eventually offload the remainder acts as a recapitalisation of the US-listed shipowner into a public company with money to spend, an analyst told TradeWinds today.
Bears lead in New York Most US-listed shipping stocks were slipping Friday even as broader markets remained calm.
All change in India? Indian ship financing could be shaken up if new proposals by the Export-Import Bank of India (India Exim Bank) come to fruition.
BDI at two-month low The Baltic Dry Shipping Index has declined to its lowest level since 6 July.
Lonely at Lloyd's We take a look at what was said in the market over the past week.
10 more for Evergreen Taiwan's Evergreen Group has added to its summer newbuilding splurge with a deal for 10 containerships at Imabari in Japan.
Ensco's order price rises The cost of a delayed drillship being built at Samsung Heavy Industries has increased again.
Fugro finds wind work Dutch owner Fugro has clinched a deal to install cables in the North Sea.
Car carrier detained A pure car carrier has been detained by the US Coast Guard (USCG) due to safety deficiencies in the port of Tacoma, Seattle.
Yang Ming firms up five Taiwan's Yang Ming has sealed an order for five big boxships at Imabari in Japan.
Pipavav: operations normal India's Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering says it is business as usual despite a protest being held at its gates by suppliers demanding payment of invoices.
Arctic shipments ramp up Shipments from Canada to Europe are set to continue with two more Nordic Bulk Carriers vessels waiting to load their cargo at Milne Inlet.
Damen's Russian coup Dutch yard group to build icebreakers and offshore construction ships for Rosneft.
Hard to enforce London law firm Holman Fenwick Willan (HFW) believes the lifting of the ban on 113 overseas tankers operating in Nigeria has just created more uncertainty, not least under the country's law.
MHI's nine-month delay Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) said it will deliver the first of two cruiseships to Aida Cruises in December this year, some nine months later than contracted.
Chowgule offloads handy India's Chowgule Steamship is close to selling a veteran bulker as it considers fleet renewal.
Ship 'robberies' up 18%. The first eight months of 2015 have seen incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia jump by 18% compared to a year ago.
Malaysian ship found A Malaysian-flagged general cargo vessel feared to have been hijacked has been found a week after going missing.
Namibia charcoal warning Shipowners have been warned to be wary of carrying containerized cargoes of charcoal out of Namibia following a recent ship fire.
Shell slashes emissions Shipping VP Grahaeme Henderson wants the industry to become the place to work.
Algoma books bulker trio Algoma Central has placed orders for three self-unloading bulkers at Croatia's Uljanik shipyard and the company says it is in discussions for more.
Forecast for 2016 sees crude at $45 per barrel Goldman Sachs cites over-supply and concerns over the Chinese economy.
OW bankruptcy administrators collect millions Could instigate 'wave of lawsuits' as they check if payments to some 400 creditors could be annulled.
Fuel oil stocks stay high Ample product in Singapore and ARA.
Ship held at Singapore Reasons behind arrest unclear.
'Off-spec' fuel incidents fall sharply in 2015 Attributed to removal of 1.00% sulphur fuel oil blends from the market following new ECA limit.
$400 premium possible with 2020 global sulphur cap Lack of suitable supply could widen premium between compliant/non-compliant fuels, says SSA president.
Evergreen doubles its newbuild order Liner group expecting to benefit from impact of free trade deal.
Test agency urges wider use of latest ISO 8217 specification Buying against 2005 specification offers no protection from potential distillate fuel problems.
Forecast for 2016 sees crude at $45 a barrel Goldman Sachs cites over-supply and concerns over the Chinese economy.
Gulf Petrochem: Expanded Fujairah terminal open by 2017 Phase one due for 2016 opening.
Bunker industry leaders join ministers' breakfast Event hosted by Gibraltar during London International Shipping Week 2015.
Ferry operator buys biodiesel-fuelled newbuild Vessel designed to be hybrid-electric-ready.
Bunker hose failure causes oil spill in Malta Shipping traffic in temporarily suspended.
Gulf Petrochem: Expanded Fujairah terminal to open by 2017 Phase one due for 2016 opening.
Russian bunker market shrinks after 2014 peak New ECA sulphur limit and reduced price advantages sees H1 2015 fuel oil sales drop by a third overall.
Crude advances despite gains in US stockpiles US crude supplies rose 2.57 million barrels to 458 million last week.
Firm launches new 'fuel-saving' speed optimisation system 'On average, operators can expect savings between 2 to 6%,' says Eniram Ltd.
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