Israel's Haifa port sets productivity record Israel's Haifa port set a productivity record last week while servicing ZIM Los Angeles, an 8,200 teu fully cellular container vessel. Six STS cranes at Haifa's Carmel Container Terminal handled 318.8 containers per ship hour. The port reported another record during the shift for containers moved
MacGregor drags down Cargotec Q2 results Cargotec has posted an 11% year-on-year (y/y) slide in second-quarter orders after gains at Kalmar and Hiab were outweighed by a slump at its MacGregor business unit. The Finnish cargo-handling equipment maker's Kalmar unit produces port and terminal container handling machinery while Hiab mainly
Self-propelled barge opens up Thames transport London's River Thames will carry increasing quantities of building materials through the launch of an innovative self-propelled work barge and its sister vessel, according to their operator and owner. Scheldemond I & II, now operating on the river to serve central London's civil engineering
DSME CEO pledges to resolve crisis Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) will restructure to resolve financial difficulties highlighted in recent "embarrassing" news stories, according to CEO Jung Sung-Leep. In a statement in Korean on DSME's website he said the shipbuilder will "remove internal diseases to become a
VLGC rates dive as traders relet ships After reaching a 2015 high of USD137.938 per tonne on 15 July, rates to ship LPG on very large gas carriers (VLGCs) have since been falling. On 21 July, rates averaged USD129.375 per tonne, working out to USD132,147 in daily earnings at current bunker prices in Fujairah. An Oslo-based broker told
CANSI: Chinese shipyard new orders to drop 58% y/y Chinese shipyards' new orders are expected to drop at least 58% year on year (y/y) from 60 million dwt in 2014 to 20-25 million dwt in 2015, according to China National Association of Shipbuilding Industry (CANSI). The significant decline in new orders would be due to the persistent overcapacity
VARD posts $6.2m loss in 2Q15 Singapore-listed Norwegian offshore support vessel builder VARD Holdings posted a NOK51 million (USD6.2 million) loss for the second quarter of 2015. The result reversed a NOK105 million profit for the same period in 2014. The loss was due to severance payments as VARD restructured its business in
Ship fined for reef pollution An Australian court has fined the master and owner of the Hong Kong-flagged ANL Kardinia for dumping garbage on the Great Barrier Reef. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) announced on 22 July that it had successfully prosecuted shipowner One Armania Shipping Ltd and its master on 20
BHP announces 13% hike in ore output BHP Billiton's Pilbara iron ore production rose under 15% for fiscal year 2015 (FY15), but enough to send shivers through the Australian stock market and iron ore juniors. The iron ore output of 254 million tonnes for the year, up 13%, according to BHP's operations review for the year ended 30
Keppel wins third FLNG conversion from Golar LNG Singapore's Keppel Shipyard has won a third contract worth USD684 million from Golar LNG to convert an LNG carrier into a floating LNG (FLNG) vessel. The contract, involving the conversion of LNG carrier Gandria, is the exercising of the second of two options, after the first option, involving the
Seoul steps up ferry safety precautions as vacation season nears Seoul will implement countermeasures to ensure ferry safety as thousands of South Koreans are expected to sail to the country's various resort islands for the summer break. From 24 July to 9 August, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will mobilise 156 ferries for a special transportation service
DryShips agrees 11-ship restructuring with charterer Owner waives $16.5m in overdue income while charterer drops purchase options on seven capesizes
Nigeria ban yet to impact West Africa VLCC rates Ban could limit VLCC availability on West Africa to Asia spot trade, pushing up freight rate for owners
Beijing to create whitelist for rig builders Effectiveness of government-led lists in doubt following similar move last year to tackle yard overcapacity in building commercial vessels
Seattle and Tacoma win FMC clearance for port alliance Pacific northwest pair authorised to operate and market marine terminals together
Bharati files for creditor protection and gets a cash infusion Distressed debt financier buys up loans and injects $94m
HPH Trust sees 26% fall in profit attributable to unit holders Singapore-listed unit trust says that shipments to the EU declined more than expected
Southeast Asia piracy incidents climb sharply, says IMB Of the 13 hijackings globally in 2015, 11 were of small tankers in the Southeast Asian region
DP World looks to Kazak hub for route into Iran Aktau has the potential to become a gateway, says Dubai-based operator's chairman
Golar agrees third FLNG conversion The converted vessel will liquefy gas in the waters off Equatorial Guinea by 2019
The new normal? Ultra large containerships and mega alliances appear to be here to stay. But what will this mean for shippers and how will they adapt?
New tugs and harbour to support BHPB export drive With iron ore throughput in the Pilbara seemingly set to increase, more tug boats are required to handle the extra volume
Data Hub: Asia-Mediterranean trades Carriers cut capacity as widening supply and demand gulf sends freight rates crashing
Kenco increases investment in supply chain innovation with Kenco Innovation Labs CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Kenco-a leading provider of integrated logistics solutions, real estate services, and material handling equipment-has established a department focused on researching and developing innovative approaches to supply chain management challenges. Kenco Innovation Labs and its dedicated team of innovation specialists will collaborate with customers to identify, research, and protot
Mexico - inland haulage/weight restrictions 2015 Hapag-Lloyd informs about the weight restrictions in Mexico. The Mexican Ministry of Transport has published in the Official Gazette the new "Gross Weight and Dimensions Regulation" (NOM-012-SCT-2-2014), applicable as of January 15, 2015. This regulation establishes the co-responsibility of the user/customer contracting transport services for damages arising as result of non...
Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. purchases of three ATR 72 aircraft HONOLULU - Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., parent of Hawaiian Airlines, today announced plans to acquire three ATR 72 turboprop aircraft in an all-cargo configuration to expand its interisland shipping services. The new operation will launch in the first half of 2016, starting with flights between Honolulu International Airport (HNL) and Kona...
Linda Styrk leaving Seattle ports for position with pilots association Linda Styrk, managing director of the Port of Seattle's maritime division, is leaving the port to take the position of executive director for the Puget Sound Pilots. Styrk holds a U.S. Coast Guard Third Mate's License, and she is married to a pilot who guides ships through the Northwest Passage...
FedEx Express seeks density, rebalances capacity with 767s The massive freighter order FedEx filed with Boeing this week will do more than replace aging planes. The addition of as many as 100 Boeing 767-300 freighters over the next few years will mark a major shift in how FedEx Express manages capacity and yield in its global network. A month...
Employer attorney warns port labor bills could backfire SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Congressional proposals to clamp down on longshore unions in reaction to West Coast port slowdowns could backfire, warned the chief attorney for waterfront employers on the East and Gulf coasts. "Congress should be guided by that old adage that states, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it,'"...
FMC gives green light to Seattle-Tacoma port alliance A new era of cooperation between Seattle and Tacoma will dawn Thursday when the Northwest Seaport Alliance becomes effective following approval of the agreement by the Federal Maritime Commission. The FMC Tuesday unanimously allowed the alliance to become effective, opening the door for joint marketing, planning and infrastructure development in the...
Improving US intermodal rail service propels Hub Group turnaround Hub Group said the intermodal rail service of its two major partners, Union Pacific Railroad and Norfolk Southern Railway, is improving, albeit not fully recovered, delivering a better financial performance than the prior quarter. The company said it expects intermodal volumes to grow 4 to 7 percent this year after volume...
Seven new services bring 1 million additional TEUs to Busan The first half of 2015 brought seven new services to Busan's youngest terminal and an additional 1 million 20-foot-equivalent unit containers through South Korea's largest marine gateway, port officials said Wednesday. Since the start of the year, officials at the aptly named Busan New Container Terminal have welcomed five Ocean Three...
New Supply Chain Solutions Needed? A continuing capacity shortage, rising freight rates, and stricter government regulations exacerbate transportation challenges faced by shippers. Outsourcing transportation can be a solution - and for many companies is the most important strategic decision it makes. This whitepaper provides practical tips on how to outsource transportation effectively, and covers the...
FedEx Express to add more than 100 Boeing 767s to fleet A month after taking delivery of the 100th 767-300 freighter built by Boeing, FedEx has ordered 50 more 767s and has the option to purchase another 50 of the cargo planes as it upgrades and "rationalizes" its global fleet of more than 640 package and freight-carrying aircraft. The express division of...
Costamare, York Capital extend joint venture investment period LONDON - Greek shipowner Costamare and U.S. hedge fund York Capital Management have extended the investment period of a joint venture that has spent $1.1 billion on new and secondhand container ships since it was established two years ago. The joint venture, formed in May 2013, will continue to invest in...
Idle container ship fleet expands for second straight month LONDON - The number of idle container ships of more than 500-TEU capacity increased in July for the second consecutive month, totaling 112 units of 342,900 TEUs on July 13, according to Alphaliner. Unemployment has risen across all size segments, with the 2,000- to 3,000-TEU sector posting the sharpest increase because...
Pactl volumes hit record first half HONG KONG - China's busiest air cargo terminal in Shanghai continued its record-breaking run this year, posting the strongest first-half result in the company's history.Shanghai Pudong International Airport Cargo Terminal Co. Ltd. (Pact) grew its cargo tonnage by almost 11 percent year-over-year, handling 762,104 tons of air freight during the...
Environmental objections threaten Santos port deepening Despite the naming of EEL Infraestruturas Ltd.'s lowest bid of $110 million as a winner for a new dredging tender for the Port of Santos, shippers using Brazil's leading gateway have started to get nervous about if and when work needed to handle larger vessels will be completed. This is because...
Poor first half as weak Europe hits Hutchison volumes HONG KONG - Hutchison Port Holdings Trust recorded a 26 percent fall in net profit in the first half as revenue remained virtually flat and container volumes at its South China terminals rose just 2 percent compared to the first six months of last year.The Singapore-listed HPHT is the operator...
Indian container terminal converted to ro-ro as development lags After months of saying it was nearing completion of a new, dedicated container facility, Mumbai Port earlier this week opened its first privately-developed offshore container terminal for an unexpected purpose - roll-on, roll-off operations. The $300 million offshore project, on which construction began in 2009, is already years behind schedule and instead...
GLP leads investors in $7 billion China logistics property fund There is huge demand in China for modern warehouses capable of handling the rapid rise in e-commerce shipments.HONG KONG - Logistics property developer GLP and a consortium of investors have established a $7 billion China-focused logistics infrastructure fund aimed at developing modern warehouse facilities across the mainland.GLP China will manage...
Mediator Cohen praised by ILA, USMX SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - George Cohen, retired director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, took a curtain call at this week's International Longshoremen's Association convention. Credited by the ILA and United States Maritime Alliance with helping them avoid an East and Gulf coast strike in 2012-13, Cohen was invited back to...
Marad close to releasing maritime strategy draft SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - The U.S. Maritime Administration expects by late summer or early fall to seek public comments for its proposed national maritime strategy, which has been a top goal of Marad Administrator Paul "Chip" Jaenichen. "We want stakeholder input, we want stakeholder guidance," Jaenichen told the International Longshoremen's Association...
USMX's Adam tells ILA: Contract needs 'tweaks,' not rewrite SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - The chief negotiator for East and Gulf waterfront employers told International Longshoremen's Association officials that any long-term contract extension would involve "tweaks," not a total rewrite of the current six-year agreement. "When I'm describing it to people, I explain it as an extension with tweaks, because...
US Senate highway bill hits a speedbump WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate Tuesday failed to move forward with legislation that would have authorized funding for American roads and infrastructure for another six years, after Democrats said they hadn't had enough time to review the bill. In a 42-56 vote, lawmakers voted against proceeding with a bill that would...
Intertanko protests ban Intertanko has issued a strong protest against Nigeria's decision to ban 113 tankers from its coast.
Ezra raises $150m Ezra raised SGD 200m ($150m) in gross proceeds from a rights issue that is aimed at strengthening the offshore vessel owner's balance sheet.
Fire on Royal cruiseship Royal Caribbean Cruises confirmed that a fire broke out on a cruiseship calling at Jamaica.
DryShips in charter overhaul George Economou says deal with major charterer is a prudent way to take advantage of market volatility.
Yards seek cash Bangladesh's shipbuilding industry is pressing for state help to compete with Asian rivals.
Winter warmer for VLCCs Fearnley Securities has initiated coverage of newly floated Gener8 Maritime with a buy rating on the company amid the belief VLCC rates could pass through $100,000 per day this year.
DHT turns up dividend tap US-listed crude tanker specialist DHT Holdings has revealed a more aggressive dividend policy in light of the hot market.
One missing after sinking A seafarer is feared dead after his cargoship sank off Istanbul following a collision in the early hours of Wednesday.
Owner fined for dumping A shipowner has been penalised for dumping food waste on to the Great Barrier Reef.
Who took the money? Atlantic Navigation says more than $0.7m was removed from bank account without permission.
Cuban momentum builds Two more companies have confirmed cruises to Cuba as the US opens up its relations with the Caribbean island.
Lamnalco exits The impossibility of open competition has led tug owner Smit Lamnalco to pull out of Australian ports.
Japan eyes Caspian port Japan and Turkmenistan are in talks over potential investment in the latter's new Caspian Sea port.
Artemis moves for Ponant The Pinault family's Artemis holding company is in talks to buy French cruise line Ponant.
Costamare extends York deal Costamare revealed it had extended its partnership with private equity giant York Capital as it reported a strong second quarter performance today.
Attacks keep coming ICC report shows pirates raiding small coastal tankers every two weeks off southeast Asia.
Fincantieri profit halved Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has seen its first-half earnings chopped in half as financial costs rose.
Bharati's cash boost A reconstruction specialist company is to pump INR 6bn ($94.41m) into India's struggling Bharati Shipyard after it filed for creditor protection on Tuesday.
Vinalines turns a profit Restructuring Vietnamese state owner Vinalines has made a profit in the first half of 2015 as debt talks continue.
Second nickel-ore casualty A second bulker is reported to have experienced cargo liquefaction problems after loading nickel-ore in the Philippines.
Golar's GoFLNG hat-trick Golar LNG is to convert a third LNG carrier into a Golar floating liquefaction facility (GoFLNG) it has been confirmed.
Pakistan sees STS first Excelerate FSRU receives 130,000-cbm of LNG using the double-banked transfer system.
Vard trims losses in Q2 Vard Holdings has managed to stem its losses in the second quarter after the heavy losses reported at the start of the year.
Report: Coastal tankers in SouthEast Asia attacked bi-weekly Five small tankers were hijacked in South East Asian waters during Q2, International Maritime Bureau says.
Fiji urged to ratify IMO's Bunker Oil Pollution Convention In order to be fully compensated in the event of a fuel oil spill.
Cosco Xiamen orders 'fuel efficient' fast ferry Ship will achieve 'fuel savings of 10%' compared to ferries of a similar capacity.
LNG for bunker barge nearing completion LNG push barge due for delivery early next year.
Box ship arrest in Singapore Vessel controlled by Indian interests.
South Korean supplies tighten Typhoon disupted supplies.
Sri Lanka prepares to expand Colombo operations Port Authority chairman backs Hambantota.
Australia: Commercial shipping under attack for emissions Other Sydney residents target ship pollution.
Bunker prices likely to remain soft Crude oil prices have touched their lowest level since April.
Shanghai: LNG bunkering JV Project includes R&D into LNG-fuelled ships.
New bunker monitoring system to enter Nigerian market System set for launch by next month.
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