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THE PROPOSED DIRECTIVE
ON MARKET ACCESS TO PORT SERV1CES AND
CONTAINER TERMINAL. OPERATIONS
IN NORTHERN EUROPE

- a critical review

MAY 2005

 

 

by:
OCEAN SHIPPING CONSULTANTS LTD.

 

 

THE PROPOSED DIRECTIVE
ON MARKET ACCESS TO
PORT SERVICES AND
CONTAINER TERMINAL OPERATIONS
IN NORTHERN EUROPE

 

1: Introduction & Summary

The European Commission's proposed Ports Directive on Market Access to Port Services ('the Ports Directive') will have far-reaching implications for the ports sector and specifically for the container terminal market1. It is far from clear that the proposed approach is either consistent with other recent judgements from the European Commission or, indeed, that there is any lack of competition in this sector. This paper seeks to summarise the position with regard to the structure of competitive pressures in the market and to establish that (contrary to what may be assumed from the Ports Directive) the regional container terminals operate in a highly competitive market.

The approach taken is to initially establish other relevant opinions that have been issued by the European Commission's Competition Directorate in the field of deepsea and transshipment container terminal operations that are seen to be far from consistent with the Ports Directive.

Having established this inconsistency, the paper goes on to look for potential indicators of any lack of competitive pressures in this sector and to establish that, contrary to the Directive, the container terminal business is highly competitive.

This paper makes the points that:

  • The European Commission has already accepted that the correct perspective for consideration of competition in container handling in northern Europe (i.e. the 'market') is between ports and not within ports.
  • North European container terminals are productive in contrast to other world port markets and, further, they have become more productive in recent years. This is the result of effective existing competition in these markets.
  • Typically, and short term changes notwithstanding, nominal container stevedoring prices have declined sharply in the period since the 1990s. When considered in real terms, this decline has been even more pronounced. This is another manifestation of the competitive structure of the market.
  • There are significant scale economies in container shipping. This has resulted in ever higher volumes from major customers in north European ports. Competition for these customers is increasingly between ports and not between terminals in the same port.
  • Stevedoring charges represent a small part of total transport costs and are already low in European ports in comparison with other major markets. It is unlikely that they act as an impediment to shortsea shipping or that there is scope for them to be significantly lowered,
  • Terminal operators have been keen to invest and provide new capacity in most major ports in northern Europe. Difficulties encountered in delivering new capacity have been a function of the planning process (especially with regard to the environmental considerations) and have not been a manifestation of any lack of desire to provide competitive capacity.

1

The dominant mode for the shipping of general cargo between ports is the ISO container, with this system being especially important for the longhaul trades. Comparable data is available for container ports and the Commission itself has looked into these markets. Recent policy decisions are thus comparable.

 

 

2: Definitions of Competition in the Container Port Sector

What is the appropriate definition of competition in the front rank container terminal market?

In the view of OSC, competition between container terminals in the north of Europe and, indeed, also in the Mediterranean, comprises overlaying and intersecting hinterlands. In the case of Belgium and the Netherlands there are immediate and direct competitive pressures between terminals in Zeebrugge, Antwerp and Rotterdam. It is price, capacity and service issues between terminals in these ports that set the competitive position for the market. In addition, these ports are also competing with terminals in Bremerhaven and Hamburg for major parts of the German market, the central and eastern European countries and northern, Italy. In the case of transshipment, UK and French terminals are also competing for the same business2.

It is far from clear that the number of container stevedores within a specific port is the key determinant of the level of competitive pressures in the market. Indeed, to assume this is to completely misunderstand the structure of the container stevedoring business.

It is our view that the focus for large vessels is competition between ports rather than within ports. This view has been accepted by the European Commission. For example (and most recently)3:

"Container terminal services

  1. In line with previous merger decisions, the notifying parties submit that the relevant product markets where Hutchison is active is the market for stevedoring services for deep-sea container ships, broken down by traffic flows to hinterland traffic and transshipment traffic. This market definition was confirmed by the market test."

"Container terminal services to hinterland traffic

  1. According to previous merger decisions, the geographic dimension of stevedoring services for hinterland traffic extends to the UK/Ireland on the one hand, and the Northern Continental ports on the other hand. It was left open whether the catchment area of the Northern Continental ports might be further broken down. The widest realistic range would be Hamburg-Le Havre. This range was supported by most terminal operators in the market test. A narrower range might be Hamburg-Antwerp, This range was suggested by shipping lines in the market test."
  1. "As the ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam are competing with the ports of Biemerhaven and Hamburg for the German hinterland with its high volumes, the conditions for the port range Hamburg-Antwerp are sufficiently homogenous to assume a single geographic market."
  2. "The geographic dimension of stevedoring services for transshipment traffic extends to Northern Europe, i.e. all deep-sea ports in the Le Havre-Gothenburg range including ports in the UK and Ireland. This was confirmed by the market test."

The acceptance that competition is between ports in the same defined geographic region cannot be considered consistent with the implication in the Directive that each individual port represents a separate and discrete market. However, this is the opinion that is manifested in the Ports Directive.

2

There are numerous examples of major lines switching all, or part, of their business between ports. In the past few years Mediterranean Shipping Co. has switched most of its European hub port business from Felixstowe to Antwerp. Maersk Sealand has relocated business from Rotterdam to Bremerhaven, and there has been continuing competition for various services amongst the major alliances between Antwerp and Rotterdam.
3 Case No. COMP/M.3575-ECT/PONL/Euromax 22/12/2004

 

 

3: Productivitv Comparisons Between North Eurooean and World Ports

If the regional container terminal sector were not competitive, then it would be reasonable to assume that productivity levels - as measured in terms of facility utilisation - would be poor and that there would be little evidence to suggest that they were improving.

Table 1
North West Europe Container Terminal Productivitv Productivitv 1995-2004

Port / Terminal

1995

2001

2002

2003

2004

TEUs/hectare/annum

12287

14244

15530

16607

18511

TEU/berth metre/annum

621

760

781

874

973

Total for Major North and West European container terminals
Source: Ocean Shipping Consultants Ltd.

The reality is quite different. Table 1 summarises the development of container terminal productivity in terms of two key (and recognised) quantifiers of utilisation:

  • TEUs per terminal per hectare per annum, and
  • TEUs per container quay metre per annum,

When averages are calculated for the major terminals in the North Continent and UK markets, it is apparent that the former indicator has recorded an increase of some 51 per cent between 1995-2004 and the latter has increased by 57 per cent. The position for quay utilisation is further detailed in Figure 1.

 

Table2
Selected Asia and North America Container Terminals/Ports - Productivity

 

2000

2001

2002

2003

TEU per Berth Metre

 

 

 

 

Japan Major Ports

525

434

427

464

Total Selected US Ports

618

636

670

711

Major NW Europe Ports

725

760

781

874

Total Selected Asian Ports

1071

933

974

1049

 

 

 

 

 

TEU per Hectare

 

 

 

 

Japan Major Ports

14605

13077

12709

13595

Total Selected US Ports

9362

9624

10057

9947

Major NW Europe Ports

13850

14244

15530

16607

Total Selected Asian Ports

28328

25810

26812

28668

Source: Ocean Shipping Consultants Ltd.

 It is also relevant to contrast the current level and development of terminal productivity with the situation in broadly comparable regions in the world. Local conditions always make direct comparisons with other port markets complicated. However, Table 2 summarises the position between 2000-2003 for major ports in Japan, typical high volume ports in the US and the overall average noted in Asian ports as a whole. The development is also detailed in Figure 2.

It should be noted that:

  • North European berth productivity is significantly higher than in major US ports. In 2003, the differential was placed at some 23 per cent. The difference with major Japanese ports is even more significant at around 88 per cent. These regions are at broadly similar stages of economic development and containerisation is well established in all three markets.
  • Average utilisation is somewhat lower than in the major Asian ports as a whole. This follows from the different market structure in the region and is not a manifestation of any lack of competition.

In summary, productivity is high and increasing in major northern European container terminals. This is a manifestation of the highly competitive nature of the business, with standards of operation forced upwards by the requirements of the shipping line customers. It cannot be said that productivity in the region is a manifestation of any lack of competitive pressures.

 

 

4: Price Trends in the European Port Market

Another symptom of an anti-competitive situation in a market would be the maintenance of high and increasing prices. Attention is now turned to whether this is the situation manifested in the north European container port market.

Definition of pricing in these markets is highly complex. Published tariffs provide a starting point but there are significant discounts available for high volume and favoured customers. In addition, shifts in exchange rates also complicate the analysis. However, OSC have been analysing this market in some detail since the early 1990s and, although there are a number of sub-regional markets, in terms of pricing in north Europe the position for the centrally important Benelux region is summarised in Table 3. These are the handling prices charged per container for high volume line customers over the period quantified in terms of US dollars per move (in order to eliminate exchange rate issues over the earlier years). A weighted average of rates charged at the major deepwater terminals at the Delta in Rotterdam and on the River Scheldt in Antwerp have been selected as offering a typical 'marker' price for this activity over the period.

Table 3
Handlinag* Charges for North Continent Import/Export Containers 1994/2004

- US dollars per container

 

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004**

Total Built-Up Charges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zeebrugge

90.07

80.77

83.96

83.90

84.45

78.39

68.45

57.00

57.20

58.50

71.92

Antwerp - Inner

90.78

89.15

88.05

81.95

80.57

74.93

67.99

63.15

64.00

66.20

75.34

Antwerp ' Scheldt

110.13

109.45

105.33

104.98

105.07

101.02

94.20

91.20

92.00

94.50

109.20

Rotterdam - Delta

149.72

145.65

137.82

134.00

131.58

122.49

110.87

98.50

98.00

101.00

112.50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average (Weighted) Charges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Antwerp Scheldt & Rotterdam Delta

142.50

139.79

129.98

127.28

126.98

113.71

104.00

95.08

95.31

98.19

111.11

* - from vessel to leaving/arriving at terminal
** - increase primarily due to exchange rate moves

Source: Ocean Shipping Consultants Ltd.

 

In nominal terms this marker price declined by some 33 per cent between 1994-2001 and has since recorded a limited recovery. The greater part of the recovery over 2003-2004 was the result of the decline in the value of the Dollar against the Euro over the period. In real terms, the level of increase has been moderate and has followed from the congestion that has been noted. This congestion has stemmed from very high demand growth and planning delays constraining the addition of further capacity.

The true extent of this decline has actually been more pronounced. The period has witnessed continuing general inflationary pressures and this has further undermined the level of prices in real terms. Figure 3 includes the impact of the CPI deflator on recorded prices and, from this perspective, the decline between 1994-2001 was even more acute - over 44 per cent. Indeed even after the impact of the post 2001 recovery is included shipping lines are currently paying only 61 per cent (in real terms) of the prices they were paying in 1994.

In order to place this in some further perspective, a comparison between prices charged in major north European ports with those in other trading zones has been prepared, and the situation for specific ports is summarised in Table 4. Data has been selected on the basis of relatively high volumes, common-user demand base and actual data availability. The result is a partial but realistic view of the handling prices in the regions under review. A simple average has been derived for the ports in each region.

The following important conclusions can be drawn from this data:

  • Although there is a range of container handling prices noted in ports in the UK and the North Continent, there is a clear similarity between prices in, say Southampton.. and Felixstowe, Antwerp and Rotterdam or Bremerhaven and Hamburg. There is clearly a competitive mechanism between ports in these sub-regions.
  • Overall, prices are significantly lower than those charged in North America (by around 50 per cent) and even lower in contrast to the position in the major listed Asian ports - around 53 per cent cheaper.
  • Even the limited upturn in prices noted over 2004 will not have significantly impacted on these differentials.

The overall conclusion must be that the current system for container terminals in European ports has delivered very low container handling prices and that these have demonstrated a period of significant decline over the period since the mid-1990s. Only a restriction on the ability of terminal companies to proceed with their expansion plans (as a result primarily of the environmental restrictions) has had any impact on this situation. When viewed from the perspective of users of the terminals, the current competitive market structure has delivered very low prices.

The situation is further detailed in Figure 4.

 

Table 4
Containers Loaded on Vessels end 2003

- US$ per full container

 

 

Basic Handling Charge

Asia

Hong Kong (Kwai Chung)

243.27

Singapore

93.62

Tokyo

283.70

Kobe

303.63

Nagoya

306.03

Yokohama

304.34

Average

255.77

N.America

Los Angeles/Long Beach

281.00

Seattle

234.50

Vancouver

178.95

New York

253.00

Hampton Roads (Virginia)

244.00

Average

238.29

N. Europe

Felixstowe

123.38

Southampton

127.69

Le Havre

129.50

Antwerp (Scheldt)

94.50

Rotterdam (Delta)

101.00

Bremerhaven

131.20

Hamburg

133.40

Average

120.10

Source: Ocean Shipping Consultants Ltd.

 

 

5: Scale Economies in Container Handling

The Ports Directive calls for the operation of multiple stevedoring companies for each business sector (including container handling) in each port. This is misguided. In order to provide a significant contribution to the North European container port market it is necessary that a major port provide sufficient capacity to attract, adequately service and maintain large volume shipping line customers. The consolidation of the customer base - together with increasing trade volumes - means scale economies are increasingly important.

Any insistence that more than one operator would be a requirement for a single port would effectively - mean that secondary ports would be excluded from the deepsea container handling market.

The rationale for the requirement for a large capacity terminal is summarised from the following perspectives:

  • Market considerations;
  • Commercial considerations;
  • Logistics considerations; .
  • Operational considerations;
  • Environmental Considerations..

Market Considerations

The past few years have seen a process of concentration in ownership of container shipping lines and have also seen the development of relatively long-lasting consortia between some of the major shipping lines. When these trends are considered in conjunction with the steady increase in vessel sizes that has been recorded, it is apparent that the size of stevedoring contracts has increased sharply.

Table 5 presents a summary of the volumes of containers handled at major terminals in Antwerp and Rotterdam in 2002. At Antwerp, the largest customer is currently MSC, which shipped some 1.5m TEU via HNN terminals in that year and has since expanded further. In addition, other major lines include the Grand Alliance members and also CP Ships. In both cases, demand is currently approaching 0.5m TEU per annum and will continue to expand. The same position is noted at Rotterdam, where the Grand Alliance accounted for more than 1m TEU in 2002 and Maersk Sealand shipped more than 0.6m TEU via its own terminal in the port.

The process of concentration that is underway in container port operations is also a very important trend. The market share of major customers in the ports is increasing, so each terminal has to deal with fewer, much larger, customers in a rapidly expanding market. Table 6 illustrates this trend at Felixstowe, with the market share of the port's top rive customers increasing from 40.3 per cent of total demand in 1995 to 65 per cent last year. This is entirely representative of the position in other major regional ports.

It is apparent from this summary that major lines and groupings require capacities of between 0.5 and 1m TEU per annum at front rank regional container ports (and some generate considerably larger demand). It will be vital for a port to provide the capabilities to handle such demand.

The market is also forecast to expand at growth rates of between 5.4-7 per cent per annum in the period to 2010 and then between 4-6 per cent in the following period. Within this total, the deepsea and transshipment sectors will expand at a considerably more rapid pace. This means that not only will significant initial capacity have to be provided but, also, a port must be able to offer capacity to meet rapidly expanding requirements for large customers.

To insist on the availability of more than one stevedore would compromise the position of ports such as Dunkirk, Zeebrugge and Southampton in the market for deepsea containers.

The service level provided by a port is a function of numerous factors - vessel lime in port, container dwell lime, systems and port efficiency, etc. It is far from clear that the insistence of multiple terminals in a port would have any positive effects on these issues. Clearly, a fragmented container port would; more likely, result in additional port stay costs, higher intra-terminal transit traffic, costs from consolidating full barge and rail loads, etc. This would have the effect of decreasing the competitive position of the port.

Table 5
Container Terminal Volumes for Major Shipping Lines in Antwerp and Rotterdam in 2002

Port

Terminal/Operator

Customer

Million TEUs

 

 

 

 

Antwerp

HNN

MSC

1.551

 

CP Ships

0.374

 

Maersk-Sealand

0.130

 

Delmas OT Africa

0.139

 

Hapag Lloyd

0.128

 

OOCL

0.118

 

P&O Nedlloyd

0.118

 

Evergreen

0.107

 

United Arab

0.090

 

Others

1.151

 

Total

3.906

 

P&O Ports

P&O Nedlloyd

0.204

 

CMA-CGM

0.155

 

Hamburg Sud

0.065

 

K-Line

0.055

 

Hyundai MM

0.031

 

Others

0.205

 

Total

0.715

 

Others

 

0.156

 

Port Total

 

4.777

 

 

 

 

Rotterdam

ECT Delta

Grand Alliance

1.010

 

New World Alliance

0.403

 

Hapag-Lloyd

0.201

 

Hanjin

0.246

 

CMA-CGM

0.129

 

Others

0.659

 

Total

2.447

 

Maersk Delta

Maersk-Sealand

0.604

 

Safmarine

0.085

 

New World Alliance

0.150

 

Others

0.147

 

Total

0:986

 

ECT Home

Evergreen

0.205

 

Cosco

0.111

 

Others

0.737

 

Total

1.053

 

Hanno/Uniport

Yangming

0.135

 

K-Line

0.095

 

Hanjin

0.085

 

China Shipping

0.080

 

Zim Israel

0.055

 

Others

0.075

 

Total

0.525

 

Others

 

1.504

 

Port Total

 

6.515

Source: Ocean Shipping Consultants Ltd.

 

Table 6
Customer Concentration in a Maior North EuroDean Container Terminal 1995.2004

- '000 TEUs

 

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

Top Five Customers

760.1

838.8

977.2

1323.3

1544.6

1791.6

1861.0

1825.0

1563.1

1769.9

Total Demand

1884.7

2013.9

2251.4

2461.8

2696.7

2793.2

2732.5

2712.9

2479.2

2722.1

% Share

40.3

41.7

43.4

53.8

57.3

64.1

68.1

67.3

63.0

65.0

Source: Port of Felixstowe

Commercial Considerations

The costs of developing a container terminal decline on a unit of capacity basis as the facilities increase in size. That is to say, costs are heavily loaded towards the initial quay construction, together with marine works and associated infrastructure investment. The subsequent introduction of further phases of capacity will involve considerably lower costs than the initial phase. In terms of scale economies it is very important to maximise the capacity of the individual terminals. It is, therefore, very important not to unduly restrict the capacity of a particular port by splitting stevedore operations.

Logistical Considerations

Investment in supporting logistics is much easier to justify if the level of container demand is high. If capacity of an individual terminal were to be constrained by splitting operations between stevedores, then it would be difficult to justify large scale supporting logistics investments and significantly higher volumes of containers could be forced to rely on the road network.

Similar considerations also apply with regard to transshipment. A significant 'critical mass' is required if this business is to be maximised. Once again, any reduction in the size of the terminal would limit potential in this business sector. In both cases, large-scale capacity with frequent daily rail, barge and feeder links will be necessary to provide a competitive terminal.

Operational Considerations

It is al so important to maximise capacity of the terminal when the position is viewed from the priorities of operational issues - that is to say, from the perspective of terminal operation. It high capacity equipment is to be installed for ship to shore handling and in the container yard then it will be necessary to ensure high volume handling. Without such levels of demand it will not be possible to benefit from scale economies.

Environmental Considerations

The more individual container terminals there are in a port, then the greater total area must be made available for additional links - e.g. rail terminals, intra-port roads, intra-port rail tacks, internal roads etc. This will have the overall effect of reducing the annual throughput per hectare of a port.

It is obvious that the objective of increasing port market share and facilitating economic growth would be hampered if the Ports Directive were to oblige sub-optimal use of land. This would also have the effect of creating additional noise, pollution, dust generation for a given throughput of containers. This would clearly be inconsistent with other directives of the European Commission with regard to environmental protection.

 

 

6: Overall European Distribution Costs

It has been suggested that a lack of competitive pressures in the container stevedore market may be adversely impacting on the development of shortsea shipping. This is not the case. The overall importance of stevedoring in the total containerised transport cast chain has been analysed and the results are detailed in Table 7.

 

Table 7
Stevedoring Costs in the Transport Chain 2004

- Euro per 40' container

 

Shipping
Costs

Port
Dues

Stevedore

Inland

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shanghai to Milan

 

 

 

 

 

via Rotterdam

722.25

21.65

113.45

745.00

1602.35

via Antwerp

722.52

15.72

92.46

721.00

1551.70

via Hamburg

736.04

26.08

115.16

775.00

1652.28

via Gioia Tauro

599.25

12.25

102.45

835.00

1548.95

Average

%

43.7

1.2

6.7

48.4

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shanghai to Munìch

 

 

 

 

 

via Rotterdam

722.25

21.65

113.45

704.00

1561.35

via Antwerp

722.52

15.72

92.46

68500

1515.70

via Hamburg

736.04

26.08

15.16

680.00

1557.28

via Gioia Tauro

599.25

12.25

02.45

928.00

1641.95

Average

%

44.3

1.2

6.7

47.8

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shanghai to Vienna

 

 

 

 

 

via Rotterdam

722.25

21.65

113.45

815.00

1672.35

via Antwerp

722.52

15.72

92.46

792.00

1622.70

via Hamburg

736.04

26.08

115.16

685.00

1562.28

via Gioia Tauro

599.25

12.25

102.45

1015.00

1728.95

Average

%

42.2

1.1

6.4

50.2

100.0

Source: Ocean Shipping Consultants Ltd.

This analysis summarises the costs of transporting (for example) a container from Shanghai to delivery at several representative major inland European destinations. Costs are summarised for deepsea shipping, stevedoring (at the European end of the chain only), port dues and typical inland delivery costs.

It is apparent that, for the shipment of containers to Milan and Munich, stevedoring charges represent just 6.7 per cent of the total costs of container delivery. For the more easterly markets (in this case represented by Vienna) the importance falls to just 6.4 per cent.

Clearly, the price level for container stevedoring (which has already been demonstrated to be competitive) does not distort the container market.

 

 

7: The Availabilitv of Capacitv

Over most of the period since the early 1990s there has been an oversupply of capacity for container handling in northern Europe. Despite this, the major stevedoring companies have invested very heavily in both new capacity and in improving the productivity of existing facilities. The recent congestion at major terminals has been the result of factors that are outside the contral of either Port Authorities or terminal operating companies - principally the environmental framework for project authorisation.

The terminal operating companies have brought forward massive capacity to meet anticipated demand growth. The delivery of this capability has only been obstructed by environmental opposition. To date, the current mechanism for the market has been very successful in delivering required capacity in a rapidly expanding business.

Application of the Ports Directive would severely undermine the system that has provided efficient and modern capacity in line with demand. There are two key threats here:

  • The period of the concessions that have been proposed would not be sufficient to allow the adequate amortisation of container terminals and sophisticated container handling systems. It would be very difficult to attract the level of investment necessary for a smooth functioning of the container terminal sector under such conditions.
  • The requirement to offer more than one concession would severely undermine the attraction of investment in a new terminal.

There is a clear and immediate danger that the application of the Ports Directive in its current form would undermine the commercial structure of Europe's container terminals. The existing system has been very successful in meeting strategic requirements. If this were to be radically changed, there is a clear threat to the provision of required future capacity.

Given the sheer scale of investment by the private sector that has been undertaken in the past few years - and will be needed to provide required capacity in the future - this could have a seriously negative effect.

 

 

 

8: Conclusion

The North European container port market is highly competitive and free operation of the current system of regulation has delivered a productive and competitive sector that well meets the requirements of European shippers. The major container terminals are productive and offer a low cost service to enable the functioning of the European economy and the Internal Market.

The system has also facilitated the mix of public and private funding that has been required to modernise and expand the port sector. The Ports Directive as currently configured would prejudice this achievement.

The container terminal system is effective and - as has been recognised by the Commission - there is significant competition between ports for this business. The Ports Directive is not appropriate to the efficient functioning of the container terminal sector.

Although this Report has focussed on the container port market, as comparable indicators are readily available, there is no reason to believe the competitive situation differs in other market sectors.

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The merchant fleet for energy products controlled by the Italian shipping industry interested in these traffics amounts to approximately 80 units.
Cargo traffic in China's seaports grew by +3.7% last month
Cargo traffic in China's seaports grew by +3.7% last month
Beijing
Containers amounted to 26.7 million TEU (+6.1%)
In 2024, 576 containers were lost at sea out of over 250 million transported by ships
Washington
About 200 have fallen from container ships in the Cape of Good Hope region
FMC questions deal exempting World Shipping Council companies from US antitrust rules
Washington
Meanwhile, Sola, appointed by Trump on January 20 to the presidency of the federal agency, is leaving his post today.
The European maritime-port sector nitpicks the reform of the Community customs rules
Brussels
Note from CLECAT, ECASBA, European Shipowners, ESPO, Feport and WSC
EU Council agrees on reform of the Union Customs Code
Brussels
CLECAT is concerned about the persistence of the concept of "Single Liable Person" in the text
In the first three months of 2025, freight traffic in the port of Civitavecchia grew by +2.4%
Civitavecchia
Increase of +9.9% in Gaeta and decrease of -17.1% in Fiumicino
Le Aziende informanoSponsored Article
Accelleron consolida le partnership con Somas e Geislinger per sostenere l'efficienza e la sostenibilità del settore marittimo
Japanese shipbuilding company Imabari Shipbuilding acquires control of fellow Japanese JMU
Imabari/Tokyo
Ownership share increased from 30% to 60%
WTO: New tariffs have given a boost to trade that is unlikely to last
Geneva
Recovery driven by importers who brought forward purchases in view of expected tariff increases
Terminal Investments Limited of the MSC Group acquires 50% of the capital of Barcelona Europe South Terminal
Barcelona
The transaction was authorized by the Port Authority of Barcelona
There are no implementing decrees for the SalvaMare law and Italian citizens are paying for the management of fished waste that is not carried out
Rome
The Marevivo Foundation and the Federation of the Sea report it
In five and a half years, 1,244 tons of drugs have been seized in EU ports
In five and a half years, 1,244 tons of drugs have been seized in EU ports
Lisbon
The largest quantities pass through ports in Belgium, Spain, Holland, Italy and Germany
The International Convention on Ship Recycling will enter into force tomorrow
Copenhagen
BIMCO urges EU to include Indian shipyards in EU list of ship recycling facilities
Assologistica presents the "Cruscotto" project to ensure transparency and legality in the logistics sector
Milan
Ruggerone: it is an infrastructure of trust between clients and operators
Federagenti, cruises cannot and must not become the target of an indiscriminate hate campaign
Federagenti, cruises cannot and must not become the target of an indiscriminate hate campaign
Rome
A "Pact for the Sea" proposed with solutions to tackle overtourism for which passenger ships are not to blame
New step forward for the construction of the underground freight transport system in Switzerland
New step forward for the construction of the underground freight transport system in Switzerland
Bern
Cargo sous terrain plans to build a 500-kilometer system by mid-century
Carnival posts record earnings for March-May period
Carnival posts record earnings for March-May period
Miami
The number of cruise passengers embarked also peaked this quarter
Federlogistica, it is reckless to activate railway construction sites without a concerted plan
Genoa
Falteri: Isolating the port of Genoa from the railway network for three weeks means putting the whole of Northern Italy in difficulty
Multipurpose terminals privatized in eight Saudi ports
Multipurpose terminals privatized in eight Saudi ports
Riyadh
Four will be operated by Saudi Global Ports and four by Red Sea Gateway Terminal
Public debate launched on the project for Pier VIII in the port of Trieste
Public debate launched on the project for Pier VIII in the port of Trieste
Trieste
A total investment of 315.8 million euros is expected
South Korea's HD Hyundai partners with US Edison Chouest Offshore to build containerships in US
South Korea's HD Hyundai partners with US Edison Chouest Offshore to build containerships in US
Seoul
The possibility of building other types of ships and constructing port cranes is foreseen
Rixi: with the Omnibus decree, Phase B of the new Genoa breakwater is guaranteed
Rome
Expenditure of 50 million euros authorised for 2026 and 92.8 million for 2027
Israel-Iran conflict prompts Maersk to suspend calls at Haifa port
Copenhagen
Those at the port of Ashdod will continue instead.
Northern European Nations Commitment to Counter Russian Shadow Fleet
Warsaw
If the vessels do not fly a valid flag in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea - they specify - we will take appropriate measures in compliance with international law.
Freight traffic in French ports stable in the first quarter of 2025
Freight traffic in French ports stable in the first quarter of 2025
The Defense
Containers and liquid bulk on the rise. Increase in unloading loads and decrease in loading loads
Cognolato (Assiterminal): Today more than ever we need a coherent port policy
Rome
All the critical issues highlighted in recent years still remain open - he highlighted.
Alessandro Pitto confirmed as president of Fedespedi
Milan
The Board of Directors, the Board of Arbiters and the Board of Auditors have been renewed
A protest action by Greek seafarers is heated, with the PENEN and PNO unions launching very serious accusations, including mutual ones
Piraeus
The strike, declared illegal by the courts, blocks some ships of the Attica group in the port of Patras
Saipem awarded contract for a phosphate mining project in Algeria that includes the upgrading of the port of Annaba
Milan
The construction of railway lines is also planned
Suez Canal celebrates return of large-capacity containership transits
Suez Canal celebrates return of large-capacity containership transits
Ismailia
Today it was crossed by the vessel "CMA CGM Osiris" which can carry 15,536 teu
IMO, ILO, ICS and ITF urge protection of seafarers' rights against unjust criminalisation
London
The "Guidelines on the Fair Treatment of Seafarers Detained in Relation to Alleged Offences" were adopted in April
Trump's new tariffs also hit container traffic at the Port of Long Beach
Long Beach
In the first five months of 2025, an increase of +17.2% was recorded
Transfer of the port of Carrara from the Ligurian to the Tuscan AdSP not without a discussion with the operators
Milan
Dario Perioli, FHP, Grendi and Tarros ask for it
Up to $768 billion in investments needed to adapt world ports to rising sea levels
New York
Port of Los Angeles Feels Impact of New Tariffs on Container Traffic
Los Angeles
A decrease of -4.8% was recorded in May
Assagenti proposes a task force to solve port, logistics and industrial problems
Genoa
A "problem solver" consultative body composed, in addition to the categories of the maritime cluster, of the manufacturing industries of the North-West quadrant
Cargo traffic at the port of Singapore fell by -4.6% in May
Singapore
New crane overturned for delivery in new Tuas port area
In the first quarter of 2025, freight traffic on the Swiss rail network fell by -6.4%
Neuchatel
Service performance at 2.35 billion tonne-km, down -8.2%
ANGOPI fears that new measures to ensure maritime continuity will penalise mooring services
ANGOPI fears that new measures to ensure maritime continuity will penalise mooring services
Ischia
Power: it is necessary to remove them from a perverse mechanism
Dutch HES International to operate bulk terminal in Marseille-Fos port
Marseille
The concession contract will have a minimum duration of 30 years
Ibiza government opposes Trasmed's overnight stay on board ferry program
Ibiza/Valencia
It is considered a "clandestine hotel", while the company defines it as a cruise service
Bruno Pisano appointed extraordinary commissioner of the AdSP of the Eastern Ligurian Sea
Rome
He will take up his post next Monday
Federlogistica proposes a comparison between operators on the congestion fee while waiting for a solution from the government
Genoa
In the first five months of 2025, container traffic in the port of Gioia Tauro grew by +10.3%
Joy Taurus
1,813,071 TEUs were handled
Trasportounito, truck waiting times in ports must be paid
Genoa
Tagnochetti: The Port Fee aims to redistribute the costs of all disruptions more equitably
Commissioners of the AdSPs of the Northern Tyrrhenian, Ionian and Western Liguria appointed
Rome/Genoa
Trade unions concerned about the future of Genoa Port Terminal workers
Political instability and green transition are the main problems that shipping faces
London
This is highlighted in the "ICS Maritime Barometer Report 2024-2025"
The new container terminal of the port of Termini Imerese presented
Palermo
Transfer of traffic handled by Portitalia to the port of Palermo
Stable freight traffic in the ports of Genoa and Savona-Vado Ligure in May
Genoa
A decrease of -2.4% was recorded in the Ligurian capital's airport; a rise of +7.2% was recorded in the Savona airport
Consilium Safety Group Expands Presence in Türkiye and Maritime Market
Gothenburg
Ares Marine acquired
The first InnoWay freight railcars have left the Bagnoli della Rosandra plant
Fincantieri has opened a new Innovation Antenna in South Korea
Seoul
It is located in the heart of Seoul's technology district.
The commissioners of various AdSPs also assume the powers attributed to the Management Committees
Rome
Provisions for the port authorities of the Ionian Sea, the Central-Northern Adriatic Sea, the Eastern Ligurian Sea and the Northern Tyrrhenian Sea
Ferrara-based INCICO acquires Italiana Sistemi and focuses on transport engineering
Ferrara/Naples
It specializes in infrastructure and plant engineering in the railway and road sectors
Hupac announces expansion of Duisburg-Singen shuttle with connections to Italy
Noise
Daily departures will be made
The transfer of 80% of Louis-Dreyfus Armateurs' capital to InfraVia has been implemented
Suresnes/Paris
The Louis-Dreyfus family retains the remaining 20%
Port of Genoa, green light for extension of concession to Spinelli until September 30
Genoa
Ok also to the extension to the Campostano group
The National Maritime Fund has started the recognition of scholarships
Genoa
They are granted for basic training and security familiarization courses.
RFI and MIT sign the update to the program contract for approximately 2.1 billion
Rome
Around 500 million euros expected for the management of the railway network
San Giorgio del Porto delivers a vessel for the bunkering of liquefied natural gas
Genoa
It was built for Genova Trasporti Marittimi
Pisano (AdSP Liguria Orientale): the ports of La Spezia and Carrara have integrated almost perfectly
La Spezia/Bari
Extraordinary Commissioner of the Southern Adriatic Sea Port Authority appointed
Raffaele Latrofa appointed president of the AdSP of the Central-Northern Tyrrhenian Sea
Rome
He is the deputy mayor of Pisa
India's Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Acquires Control of Sri Lanka's Colombo Dockyard
Mumbai
Investment of approximately 53 million dollars
The Commissioner of the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority has been granted the powers and prerogatives of the Management Committee
Genoa
The measure pending the restoration of the ordinary top management bodies
The Three-Year Operational Plan 2025-2027 of the Central Adriatic Port Authority has been approved
Ancona
Favorable opinion of the Sea Resource Partnership Body
The public meeting of the International Containers Studies Center will be held in Genoa on July 2nd
Genoa
It will deal with the physical transformations of the container and the digitalization of processes
Andrea Ormesani is the new president of Assosped Venezia
Venice
The board of directors has been renewed. Paolo Salvaro remains general secretary
Witte (ISU): In 2024, the ship salvage sector stabilized from the low of two years ago
London
Finnish Elomatic to Install Tunnel Thrusters on 11 Carnival Cruise Ships
Turku
The works will begin next autumn and will end in 2028
The Assarmatori assembly will be held in Rome on July 1st
Rome
"Mediterranean against the current" the theme of the meeting
Fincantieri has delivered the new cruise ship Viking Vesta to the American Viking
Trieste/Los Angeles
It was built in the Ancona shipyard
The Genoa Coast Guard has placed the container ship PL Germany under administrative detention
Genoa
Italian Navy orders two new Multipurpose Combat Ships from Fincantieri
Trieste
The order to the shipbuilding company is worth 700 million euros
MSC Group to manage cruise services in the ports of Bari and Brindisi
Bari
Ten-year concession with possibility of extension
German Kombiverkehr Returns to Profit in 2024
Frankfurt am Main
The level of revenues remained unchanged at 434.6 million euros.
Deltamarin to design the six new ro-pax vessels ordered by Grimaldi for the Mediterranean routes
Turku
SAILING LIST
Visual Sailing List
Departure ports
Arrival ports by:
- alphabetical order
- country
- geographical areas
The practice of subcontracting in European logistics is creating a parallel labour market where rights are not enforced
Brussels
"Sorry, We Subcontracted You" Report Presented
Tomorrow Grendi will launch the group's fourth ship on routes to and from Sardinia
Milan
"Grendi Star", with a load capacity of 2,800 linear meters, will connect Marina di Carrara and Cagliari
FREMM frigates operational support contract signed between Orizzonte Sistemi Navali and OCCAR
Taranto
The agreement has a total value of approximately 764 million euros
Call to reform the entire driver training system in the transport sector
Rome
Seven proposals presented
In the port of Gioia Tauro, the Guardia di Finanza soldiers seized 228 kilos of cocaine
Reggio Calabria
Two dockers arrested
Port of Livorno, new observatory to find solutions to the problem of port congestion
Leghorn
Marilli: We will seek solutions to reach the possible revocation of the port fee
Lockton PL Ferrari closed the last fiscal year with gross revenues of 34 million dollars
Genoa
Insurance premium volume rose to 350 million
Polish Trans Polonia Group acquires Dutch Nijman/Zeetank Holding
Tczew
It specializes in the transportation and logistics of liquid and gaseous products
d'Amico Tankers Sells Two 2011-Built Tankers for $36.2 Million
Luxembourg
They will be delivered to buyers by the end of July and on December 21st.
The Italian Merchant Marine Academy plans 13 new free courses
Genoa
Over 300 positions available
A delegation of Wista Italy visits the ports of Catania and Augusta
Catania/August
The association is made up of women who hold positions of responsibility in the maritime, logistics and trade sectors.
In the first five months of 2025, the port of Algeciras handled 1.9 million containers (-6.3%)
Algeciras
Empty containers decreased by -5.5% and full ones by -6.4%
Reway Group enters the port railway infrastructure maintenance sector
Licciana Nardi
Two contracts awarded by the AdSP of the Eastern Ligurian Sea
Delcomar and Ensamar take over maritime services with the smaller Sardinian islands
Cagliari
The tender for the six-year concession of the connections has been awarded
Port of Trieste, the newly appointed Gurrieri torpedoes the newly appointed Torbianelli
Trieste
Russo (Pd): it's a squalid power game
Singapore's SeaLead expands its maritime shipping offering to connect Turkey and Italy
Singapore
Route connected to services transiting the Suez Canal
The US Container Security Initiative program has been extended to Morocco
Rabat
Amrani: Let's consolidate Tanger Med's role as a safe and world-class maritime hub
Very positive first quarter for Greek Euroseas
Athens
Pittas: the positive momentum continued in the second quarter
Assonat and SACE present a plan for Italian tourist ports
Rome
Kuehne+Nagel has opened a new branch in Naples
Milan
The aim is to support the operational growth of the group in Southern Italy
RINA has acquired the entire capital of Finnish Foreship
Helsinki
The Helsinki-based company specializes in consulting in the field of marine and mechanical engineering.
Container traffic down at Barcelona and Valencia ports in May
Barcelona/Valencia
Resumption of containers in transit at the Catalan port
Annual cargo traffic in Greek ports stable in 2024
Piraeus
Domestic volumes are growing, while foreign trade is decreasing
Perplexity of freight forwarders, customs agents and maritime agents of La Spezia at the transfer of the port of Carrara to the Tuscan AdSP
The Spice
Timidly, they "hope for consideration for the progress made so far"
Francesco Mastro appointed extraordinary commissioner of the Southern Adriatic Sea Port Authority
Rome
He will take up office on June 30th.
John Denholm to be new president of the International Chamber of Shipping
Athens
He will take over from Emanuele Grimaldi in a year
Extraordinary commissioners of the two Ligurian Port System Authorities have been installed
Genoa/La Spezia
Matteo Paroli and Bruno Pisano at the helm of the institutions
Container traffic at Hong Kong port drops sharply in May
Hong Kong
1.05 million TEUs were handled (-12.7%)
Assogasliquidi-Federchimica shows the way to accelerate the decarbonization of road and maritime transport
Rome
Amadei: Our sector is ready and the time has come for courageous industrial choices
Eagle S tanker command blamed for cutting submarine cables in Gulf of Finland
Advantages
The accident was caused by the ship's anchor
Online platform to report critical issues that put transport workers at risk
Genoa
It was prepared by Fit Cisl Liguria
GNV to create a direct summer connection between Civitavecchia and Tunis
Genoa
It will run alongside the historic route via Palermo
The unification of Grimaldi's concessions in the port of Barcelona has been completed
Madrid/Barcelona
The contract expires on September 20, 2035.
In the first five months of 2025, cargo traffic in Russian ports fell by -4.9%
St. Petersburg
A decrease of approximately -12% was recorded in May
Raben Logistics Group Creates Subsidiary in Türkiye
Milan
It will have 20 employees and a 2,000 square meter cross-dock warehouse
Alberto Dellepiane confirmed as president of Assorimorchiatori
Rome
The composition of the entire association leadership remains unchanged
Agreement between Fincantieri and Indonesian PMM to develop solutions to face new unconventional underwater challenges
PORTS
Italian Ports:
Ancona Genoa Ravenna
Augusta Gioia Tauro Salerno
Bari La Spezia Savona
Brindisi Leghorn Taranto
Cagliari Naples Trapani
Carrara Palermo Trieste
Civitavecchia Piombino Venice
Italian Interports: list World Ports: map
DATABASE
ShipownersShipbuilding and Shiprepairing Yards
ForwardersShip Suppliers
Shipping AgentsTruckers
MEETINGS
The Assarmatori assembly will be held in Rome on July 1st
Rome
"Mediterranean against the current" the theme of the meeting
The public meeting of the International Containers Studies Center will be held in Genoa on July 2nd
Genoa
››› Meetings File
PRESS REVIEW
US has its eye on Greek ports
(Kathimerini)
Proposed 30% increase for port tariffs to be in phases, says Loke
(Free Malaysia Today)
››› Press Review File
FORUM of Shipping
and Logistics
Intervento del presidente Tomaso Cognolato
Roma, 19 giugno 2025
››› File
Structural adaptation works on dock 23 of the port of Ancona awarded
Ancona
Intervention worth over 11.8 million euros
Conference on the role of LNG and bioLNG for the decarbonisation of transport and industry
Rome
The Federchimica-Assogasliquidi event will take place on Monday in Rome
Dutch Bolidt increases presence in cruise ship sector with acquisition of American Boteka
Hendrik Ido Ambacht
Contship Italia has acquired the Genoese customs services company STS
Melzo
The Ligurian company was founded in 1985
Francesco Benevolo has been appointed extraordinary commissioner of the AdSP of the Central-Northern Adriatic Sea
Rome
He is the operations director of RAM - Logistics, Infrastructure and Transport
Montaresi resigns as commissioner of the Eastern Ligurian Port Authority
The Spice
In the eight months of administration - he underlines - we have not lost even a second
Gurrieri has been appointed extraordinary commissioner of the AdSP of the Eastern Adriatic Sea
Trieste
Pending the completion of the formal process for the designation of the president
The commissioners of the AdSP of Western Liguria have handed over their mandate to Minister Salvini
Genoa
The decision is part of the process of designation and nomination of the new leaders
Confetra criticizes the provisions of the decree-law Infrastructure for road transport
Rome
The Confederation urges the blocking of the process of appointing the presidents of the port authorities
Taiwanese Evergreen, Yang Ming and WHL saw revenue decline in May
Keelung/Taipei
The decline is accentuated for the two main companies
South Korea's KSOE wins order to build eight 15,900 TEU containerships
Seongnam
The unit value of each vessel is approximately $221 million.
First port terminal for car traffic of Greek Neptune Lines
Piraeus
It will be inaugurated next year in the French port of Port-La Nouvelle
The assembly of the association of Genoese maritime agents and brokers will be held on June 16th
Genoa
Round Table on Genoa, the hub of the North West and the Mediterranean
BN di Navigazione Board of Directors Renewed
Genoa
BluNavy aims to reach one million passengers by 2025
Viking Line designs world's largest all-electric ro-pax vessel
Viking Line designs world's largest all-electric ro-pax vessel
Åland
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