Chinese coal importers' confidence recovers Chinese coal importers are recovering their confidence, with arriving cargoes having all passed sample tests on coal quality, according to a research report by IHS Energy. Meanwhile, market sources suggest a number of Indonesia's major mining companies have agreed to provide Chinese buyers with
Lower oil prices to hinder drive for fuel efficiency The pursuit of bunker fuel efficiency may be hampered by the continuing fall in oil prices, according to John Kemphas, a market analyst from Reuters. Kemphas reasoned that cheaper oil prices are helping shipowners save costs and encourage more fuel usage, slowing down the rate of future fuel
Taiwanese export orders hit new high in 2014 Taiwanese export orders stood at $472.8Bn for 2014, an increase of 6.7% year on year (y/y) and a new record, according to data released by its Ministry of Economic Affairs yesterday. Electronics exports rose 13.5% from 2013 to $99.99Bn, Taiwan's finance ministry said, while shipments of metals and
Eimskip joint venture marks strategy shift for König Chief executive Mahnke insists König is no longer a KG house but an integrated shipping company
Boxships continue to be upsized on West Africa-Asia trade Average size of ship in use on services from Asia to West Africa increases 38% compared with a year earlier
Scorpio bolsters fleet with five new product tankers Tankers start work on contracts ranging from $14,000-$30,000 per day
Cosco Pacific appoints new chairman and top executive Li Yunpeng resigns as chairman, due to unspecified re-designation of work
VLCC daily spot earnings stay in $80,000s range for ninth straight day Robust earning power enhancing segment's attractiveness for investors
Long Beach volumes rise despite congestion But growth lags behind that of San Pedro Bay rival Los Angeles
Aegean moves into Russian bunkering market Fuel provider's expansion includes hiring 'about 25' ex-OW Bunker staff
DNV GL's Svensen steps up pressure for transparent casualty investigations Class society boss calls for findings to be shared freely in order to reduce fatalities and ship losses
Euronav IPO pricing on high side, says Stavseth Other operators better value, according to influential Arctic Securities analyst
Communication is crucial, says contender for IMO's top post Cyprus candidate Andreas Chrysostomou wants the IMO to be more open to discussion
Crowley ups its Puerto Rican service as Horizon exits island Company also plans to increase capacity on the North Atlantic service by 40%
Costamare acquires German containership No truth to recent reports that Greek owner has ordered six giants at Samsung
Total of 35 ships detained for hours of rest deficiencies in Indian Ocean inspection Panama-flagged vessels have most detentions, at 10
Chevron's sale of LNG from Gorgon plant highlights Australia's growing impact Most of Chevron's LNG from Gorgon is committed to Asian customers
Optimising port capacity key to BHP Billiton growth plans Productivity helping to mitigate falling commodity prices
New ship-to-ship transfer clause for dry bulk cargo from BIMCO Transfers are less of a factor than in the tanker sector; the new clause aims at reducing risk when they do occur
Atlantic gives capes some fizz After a tough start to the year, a handful of positives have emerged
OSG appoints new chief executive The US-based tanker operator looks to a 'full return to the capital markets as a publicly traded company'
Golar LNG completes $390m sale of FSRU to Golar LNG Partners The deal involves Golar LNG retaining the right to use the FSRU
Charleston forecasts slower TEU growth after robust 2014 gains South Carolina Ports Authority CEO Jim Newsome expects the Port of Charleston's 2015 container volume to expand 5 percent to 7 percent after traffic measured similarly jumped 12 percent in 2014 from 2013. Harder year-over-year comparisons and uncertainty in the export market leads Newsome to expect more moderate growth this year,...
Seattle, Tacoma combined annual container volume falls for third straight year Container volumes at the Puget Sound ports of Seattle and Tacoma declined slightly in 2014 for the second consecutive year, highlighting the wisdom of the ports' decision last year to work together as a gateway for the good of the entire region. "The industry is changing and the competition from other...
US West Coast congestion hits new high as ILWU, PMA lay blame on manning Congestion at West Coast ports is the worst it has been since longshoremen began hard-timing employers in early November, and conditions are expected to worsen as terminal operators and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union use manning issues to see how much pain they can inflict on each other. The strategies...
Teamsters lose vote at West Virginia FedEx Freight terminal The Teamsters union suffered a pair of setbacks this week in its drive to organize FedEx Freight, the largest U.S. less-than-truckload carrier. FedEx Freight drivers in Charleston, West Virginia, rejected union representation in a Jan. 15 vote. The Teamsters also withdrew a National Labor Relations Board election petition at the carrier's...
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Labor, terminal issues send volume down at LA-Long Beach Terminal gridlock and persistent labor issues caught up with the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in December as the container volume at the busiest U.S. port complex declined 1 percent compared to December 2013. Total container volume includes both loaded and empty containers. Loaded import containers, which outnumber loaded...
Expanding capacity, bigger ships to test European ports this year The world's first fully automated container terminal in Rotterdam on the Maasvlakte 2 site.Europe's ports face a rocky ride in 2015, dominated by a potential glut of container-handling capacity in the north that will only be partially offset by steadily rising transshipment traffic in the Mediterranean. The leading hubs, mainly in...
Alitalia to boost cargo operations as it targets return to profit in 2017 Alitalia unveiled plans to increase its cargo operations as part of a strategy to return to profitability in 2017 following years of losses, billions of dollars of state subsidies and a narrow escape from bankruptcy. The Italian flag carrier said it will expand Milan Malpensa airport into a major freight hub,...
Amsterdam Schiphol airport blames cargo slowdown on US West Coast port congestion Amsterdam Schiphol airport said cargo traffic got off to a slow start this year because increased trans-Pacific shipper demand for air cargo services due to U.S. West Coast port congestion is diverting freighters from Asia-Europe routes to the Pacific. U.S. port problems were also partly to blame for the decline in...
Economists predict 'solid' US growth, higher truck rates ATLANTA - More "solid" and steady U.S. economic growth will increase freight demand and boost shipping costs and domestic transportation rates in 2015, economists and analysts said at the SMC3 JumpStart 2015 conference here Jan. 20. After a year of sharp price increases in 2014, shippers at the three-day logistics conference...
AMPT: We're working to restore Nhava Sheva operations after truck protests APM Terminals management at India's Port of Nhava Sheva (Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust) on Wednesday said it is making all efforts to restore "complete" normalcy in the terminal operation and bring "vessel calls back on schedule." Container-handling at the private terminal, also known as Gateway Terminals India (GTI), has been affected in...
Divided we stand When the International Longshore and Warehouse Union on Jan. 5 joined waterfront employers in requesting federal mediation in labor talks that had stalled after more than eight months, hopes spiked throughout the container shipping industry. It was the first step, industry interests said, toward resolving increasingly tense negotiations that coincided with...
US, Europe growth buoy Asia's shipping and trade forecasts China's Qingdao port truck gatesRising foreign trade that drove up throughput at China's container ports in 2014 is expected to continue this year on the back of strengthening demand from the U.S. and Europe, and despite a slowdown in the mainland economy. The International Monetary Fund projects growth in advanced economies...
Obama's free trade push more plausible than infrastructure vision President Obama once again called for dramatically improving U.S. infrastructure and receiving expanded powers to finalize two major trade pacts during last night's State of the Union address. Obama's chances of getting the latter before he leaves office in less than two years are far better than passing an infrastructure...
Cheaper oil will buoy NOL bottom line, DBS says APL Gwangyang at Port of SingaporeHONG KONG - It will be "better luck" this year for loss-making Neptune Orient Lines as plummeting bunker fuel prices give a huge boost to the company's cost savings drive, according to investment bankers DBS Vickers. In a note to customers, the bank said the price...
Aussie goods gain duty free access to Japan as FTA takes effect HONG KONG - A free trade agreement (FTA) between Australia and Japan came into effect on Jan. 15, granting virtually all Australian exports preferential or duty free access to the giant Japanese market. It was seven years in the making and the two countries finally signed the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement...
China ports grow on back of robust US trade Shanghai, China portHONG KONG - Total container throughput at China's top 20 ports reached 175 million TEUs in 2014, an increase of 5.3 percent over the previous year as solid exports to the U.S. helped drive up the cargo numbers. Shanghai remains at the top of the China port table, its...
Rival rail networks to link Mombasa port and Nairobi HONG KONG - The China-financed Mombasa-Nairobi rail link that is under construction is facing competition from Africa's largest private equity firm that has invested $70 million in a competing rail connection that will also link the two cities. Egypt Exchange listed Qalaa Holdings is the majority shareholder of Rift Valley Railways...
Vigor takes the lead A US shipyard appears to be closing in on a contract to equip two Totem Ocean Express (Totem Ocean) ro-ros with dual-fuel power systems.
Totem targets Title XI Another Jones Act operator has entered the race to line up loan guarantees backed by the US Maritime Administration (MarAd).
Scorpio Tankers guides for less Scorpio Tankers has toned down market expectations for its fourth quarter performance.
STNG scores upgrade An equity analyst at Canaccord Genuity has upgraded shares of Scorpio Tankers in response to renewed optimism about the future of the product tanker market.
Demand dilemma Bimco has warned that shipping faces continued challenges after the IMF downgraded the global economic outlook for 2015 and 2016.
CCM surveys buyback Clarksons Capital Markets has supported a share buyback programme at Avance Gas but suggested it lacks the scale to be a major driver of the owner's stock price.
Bahri brought lower Saudi VLCC owner Bahri has blamed lower profit from its holding in LPG carrier company Petredec for a fall in fourth quarter profit.
Nordic replaces steel Nordic Bulk Carriers will use hatches made of plastic instead of steel on one of its cargo vessels.
FPSO to be evacuated More than 50 workers were due to be taken off Shell's Curlew FPSO off Scotland on Wednesday after an apparent gas leak.
Bigger the better Anybody questioning the merits of consolidation in the VLCC market may find some insight in Euronav's IPO prospectus.
CSDC scrapping 10 China Shipping Development Co (CSDC) is lining up the demolition of elderly bulkers worth CNY 590m ($95m).
Four yard workers killed Firefighters said the operator's cabin broke away at Geochung Shipbuilding, according to the Yonhap news agency.
Shreyas claims Indian first Shreyas Shipping and Logistics (SSL) says it has become the first Indian owner to call at every Indian port, thanks to its new containership.
Wartsila wins LNG deal A consortium of four owners has chosen Wartsila for the provision of plant and gas handling systems on four newbuildings.
Van Oord orders duo Shipbuilder Damen of the Netherlands has won a deal to build a new dredger and crew vessel for compatriot owner Van Oord.
Taiwan boosts volumes Cargo and passenger transport increased between Taiwan and China in 2014 after continued easing of shipping restrictions.
Aegean goes to Russia Greece's Aegean Marine Petroleum Network has snapped up ex-OW Bunker staff to launch operations in Russia.
BGC ups price again Nasdaq-listed brokerage BGC Partners has added $65m to its offer for derivatives group GFI to beat a rival bid, valuing the company at $787m.
Vietnam tanker arrested A Vietnamese-owned chemical and products tanker has been arrested in Singapore over an unresolved chartering dispute.
NPD trims E&P estimates The Norwegian Petroleum Directive (NPD) expects oil investments in the country to fall by more than a fifth over the next three years.
BHP sets new ore record BHP Billiton, the world's largest mining company, has produced a record amount of iron ore in the second half of the year.
Osaka move delayed The Hoegh Osaka will remain in its present location for now, according to the UK's Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
US ports in record year Los Angeles and Long Beach have both reported one of their busiest years on record in figures just released.
Steel prices plunge A forecaster who tracks the dry-bulk market is growing increasingly concerned about the recent decline in Chinese steel prices.
Curoil expands fuel trading team Hires fuel trader Garrick Stomp.
Construction of BC Ferries' LNG vessel underway Polish shipyard held a steel cutting ceremony on January 16.
Dense fog disrupts operations at US Gulf ports Ports in the region have been closed since Tuesday evening.
Oil executive warns that crude could climb to $200 Low prices now could mean sharp rise in four to five years' time, says Eni CEO.
Proposal to update BDN text scrapped by IMO sub-committee Working group agrees that current supplier's declaration is fine even for vessels using alternative sulphur compliance methods.
Timely softening of MGO prices a boon to shipowners Lower bunkers will offset higher ECA fuel.
Hong Kong: Sulphur rules could drive ships away 'Some vessels may decide to switch to Shenzhen or Guangzhou.'
Total Lubmarine wins backing for its 'Bioneptan' range 'Kemel has approved the range for use with all types of Kemel seals.'
EMMF adds MGO barge deliveries at French port Move to meet ECA-related demand for distillates.
Distillate sales surged in December Tighter ECA regulations see Rotterdam's MGO sales more than double.
Cross-industry project to create new 'eco' ship design Singapore and Scottish organisations to develop bunker-saving hull designs.
Maersk: 'We are not considering speeding up our vessels' But some players see lower bunker prices as an opportunity to show flexibility with slow steaming.
LNG bunker tanker project developed in UK But is at design stage.
Smit Amandla in bunkering move Added bunkering along with other services.
Continued resistance to regulating black carbon Industry and some countries unconvinced that shipping's contribution warrants action.
Russian refinery reports boost in bunker output Total production volumes increased 60% over the year.
Lube system offers 'new playground' for engine designers One-fits-all cylinder lubricant solutions a thing of the past, says Lukoil spokesman.
Antwerp-based player to start LNG bunkering ops Firm has already started LNG tank station for trucks in 2014.
Aegean reaches into Russian market Operations supported by five former OW staff.
ICS welcomes EPA's decision to penalise ECA violators 'We welcome that the level of US penalties will take account of the nature of the violation.'
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