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14 September 2025 - Year XXIX
Independent journal on economy and transport policy
02:43 GMT+2
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FORUM of Shipping
and Logistics


The Liquefied Petroleum Gas shipping market
in 2005

'Ever higher or already on top?'


SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

As we anticipated at the same time last year, the LPG market has been experiencing a sustained activity over these past twelve months, as well as a broadening of the strong upward trend that began in mid 2004.

All the evidence that allowed us to anticipate a continuation of this tendency has combined to evolve in a predictable manner, fortifying the basis of a revival which was long-awaited by the shipping community. Only the extent of this revival, which all agree was inevitable, remained to be determined.

Let us briefly recapitulate the fundamental factors and recent evolutions, as they will continue to leave their mark on the market in the coming years:

  • 1. Closer commercial contact between owners and operators of ships already involved in the sector had previously been initiated, in the context of a depressed market, in order to optimise operations and to increase their coverage of a given traffic within a specific size segment. These diverse consolidation moves, which had been undertaken some years ago by industry Majors, will probably be modified with the arrival of new players having acquired existing ships or ordered newbuildings, most of which still to be delivered. New investments have been committed by some operators who are taking position in new sectors, trades, or sizes of ships, which will change the configuration within sectors and multiply the supply sources of ships.


  • 2. Newbuilding orders, whose level remained low when the market was depressed, as well as an increase in new investments in this sector since mid 2004, have resulted in few new deliveries over the course of 2005, due to delays brought about by the shipyards. The next two to three years will see a real replenishment of the fleet, starting in 2006 with deliveries of the orders signed in 2004, followed to a far greater extent with 2005 orders, which will bring ships into service during 2007, 2008, and even 2009! Some size categories, notably the small pressurized or semi-pressurized ships of 4,000 to 8,000 cbm, were less affected by the delays in deliveries from the shipyards, and few new ships will be operational as from the end of 2006.


  • 3. Scrapping, which was well-sustai-ned these past two years, has been limited these last twelve months. We have only registered six demolitions, all done in the first half of the year, including four small ships of 4,000-6,000 cbm, one of 20,000 cbm and one of 75,000 cbm, whereas some twenty units were sold for demolition the previous year. The strength of the market has obviously made certain operators hesitating to scrap their vessels, especially those who invest heavily in maintenance costs' The strict application of standards and quality controls, combined with age limitations, should, however, favour demolitions in the coming years, as well as the newbuildings joining the trade.


  • 4. The very strong surge in American imports, principally ammonia whose production is linked to the price of natural gas: the Henry Hub spot price has jumped from $ 7.80/mmbtu in December 2004 to nearly $ 13.75/mmbtu in December 2005, an increase of around 75 %! Trade volumes have practically doubled over the last months. The current nervousness of the energy market in general would suggest that this trend might amplify, even if the growing volumes of natural gas due to be imported into the US should theoretically take off some of the pressure in the long term. One should also note the disruption of import and export to and from the US, caused by the hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Cindy and Denis, which hit the Gulf of Mexico between July and September. They resulted in lower propane production and important distribution problems during the last half of 2005.


  • 5. The logistics of transporting gas between production and consumption zones is changing. The arrival, over the next few years, of important volumes of gas, including LPG, often associated with new LNG production in West Africa, North Africa, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, and Egypt towards the traditional major poles, and new consuming zones of emerging countries, will cause a change in the movements of numerous ships over longer and considerably different routes. The ammonia and chemical gas sectors are also becoming more and more implicated by this global redistribution, making them more vulnerable to international market fluctuations, whereas, up until now, they have only been limited to specific geographical zones. The development of longer voyages will continue to reinforce the ton-miles factor on these markets.


  • 6. The increase of demand within Far Eastern countries and all the emerging countries such as India, based on oil products and other raw materials, has remained very sustained. There has been, however, a certain easing off in the growth of Chinese energy imports as a result of the development of domestic production.


  • 7. Crude oil and oil product prices have continued to increase, directly affecting those of bunkers ' whose level, based on the selling price at Fujairah, has gone from $ 170 per ton in December 2004 to nearly $ 300 per ton in December 2005, an increase of nearly 175 %!


  • * * *


    We could continue to list other factors that have contributed to the revival of the LPG market and which are likely to influence the future, but we have contained ourselves to the principal ones and, more especially, to those whose levels or prices have reached 'peak' or possibly 'ceiling' levels.

    Parallel to the freight market, which has experienced this continuous rise throughout the year, product prices have also increased considerably despite extensive volatility, which has allowed operators to hedge movements between the various continents. For example, the $ 600 per ton mark was broken at the end of the year for butane deliveries C + F into the Far East, whilst that of propane exceeded $ 650 per ton into North Europe!

    Our usual table shows the evolution of prices for few oil products and gas related products over the last three years:



    SITUATION BY VESSEL SIZE

    VLGC (Very Large Gas Carriers) from 70,000 to 85,000 cbm

    The share of units employed in transporting naphtha diminished, reaching a level of 2-4 ships at the end of the year, given the improvement in LPG freights compared to naphtha rates. There was a high volatility in this market. The spot reference rate MEG/Japan varied from $ 30 to $ 40 per ton in the first quarter, then down to $ 30/t in mid July to peak at over $ 60 in mid September. It dropped to $ 35/t in November, before climbing to nearly $ 50/t at the beginning of 2006! Some exercise for traders who are often confronted with term positions!



    Forecasts for strong increases in LPG production in the coming years continue to promote new orders at higher and higher levels, now reaching over $ 90 million per unit. Some 26 orders were signed in 2005 for a total capacity of 2.15 million cbm, compared to an existing fleet of 104 ships, representing a total of 8 million cbm. For reference, orders in the year 2005 totalled over twice as much as the preceding year, and three times more than that of 2003, whilst building prices have gone up by an average of 35 %!

    Construction costs of over $ 90 million should normally translate into higher freight rates, to the extent that transport demand should remain surplus and we should not see a situation such as the one that exists in the LNG sector with delays in bringing new sites into operation. Some 46 VLGCs remain to be delivered over the next four years.

    In conjunction with the traditional players in the sector such as Berge-sen, Exmar, or A.P. M'ller, several newcomers, owners or trader-owners such as BP, Petredec, Dorian, Latsis, Angelicoussis / Marangas, QGTC, have invested in the VLGC sector.



    There were limited long term charters in the first three quarters of the year, but same became more numerous at the end of the year, at which time the levels awarded were close to a million dollars, more or less 5 % depending on the specifi-cations of the ship and the period concerned.

    Recent term charters have been:

  • 'Joyama' - 82,500 cbm ' t/c 2 years delivery Dec. 05 900,000 $/mth ' Ferrel
  • 'Gas Diana' - 78,000 cbm ' t/c 3 years delivery Dec. 05 950,000 $/mth ' APM
  • 'Gas Energy' - 78,000 cbm ' t/c 18 mths delivery Dec. 05 1,050,000 $/mth ' HMM
  • 'BW Broker' - 80,000 cbm ' t/c 10 years delivery June 07 700,000 $/mth ' BW


  • Also worth noting some secondhand sales structured around medium or long term charters with purchase options:

  • the 'Berge Trader', a new Geogas ship, 78,500 cbm, for delivery in June 2006, fixed for a time charter of 5 years to Bergesen with an option to buy after the first year at $ 92 million, all combined with a COA from Bergesen to Geogas;
  • the 'BW Broker', a new ship from Zodiac, 80,000 cbm, for delivery in June 2007, fixed bareboat to Bergesen with an option to buy at $ 50 million after 10 years.


  • Large Gas Carriers from 52,000 to 60,000 cbm

    We have often remarked that this size category has benefited, and continues to benefit from the domino effect between the VLGCs and the Midsize sector of 30,000 to 40,000 cbm on some very sensitive trades with increased volumes of ammonia on transatlantic routes (Black Sea or Baltic to the US) and on those from the new producers (Australia, Iran, etc.).

    Despite some periods of inactivity, levels have risen appreciably during the last quarter, with spot market rates of ammonia Black Sea/US going from $ 60 to $ 120 for lots of 35,000 tons! The tightness of this market has led some Majors and Traders to take term positions at t/c rates close to a million dollars per month, preferring thus not to be at the mercy of lacking transport capacity at a given moment or not to be confronted with spot rates where the equivalent time charter levels sometimes exceed $ 1.4 million or even $ 1.5 million!

    The end of the year was marked by the order of eight newbuildings with a capacity of 60,000 cbm with Hyundai for deliveries spread over 2008 and 2009, at a price around $81 million each, with three units for Solvang and three for General Ore (Neu Schiffahrt).

    The average age of this fleet (15 years) and some ten units of 25 years or more, which are still trading ammonia but are due to disappear shortly, was largely the reason for such a decision, even at a record construction price of over $80 million!



    Recent transactions:

  • 'Hugo N' - 35,000 t ' NH3Yuzhny/USG Jan 06 ' $ 120/t ' Transammonia
  • 'Havdrott'- 54,000 cbm ' NH3 ' 12 months Dec 05 ' $ 950,000/m ' Harvester


  • Midsize carriers from 24,000 to 43,000 cbm

    Compared to the other sizes, this sector started from a more sustained level at the beginning of 2005, which explains why the variations were not as great. This category is always favoured, with a growing demand both from the ammonia sector as well as LPG, mainly on traditional routes: out of the Caribbean to the US, including the West Coast, and from the Middle East to the Indian Ocean or the Far East.
    Ammonia prices reached their peaks with FOB Black Sea being close to $ 300/t, whereas the CIF US surpassed $ 410/t in the month of November.



    Freights were frequently tight, which, during the second half of 2005, resulted in a multitude of transactions on term business, concluded by some Majors and Traders who sought cover for three, five, even ten years, to benefit from more attractive rates than those on the spot market which remained limited in this size category, not much from a lack of cargoes but rather from a lack of available ships!

    With demand being firmer, the programmed arrival of new tonnage, starting from the year 2006 and particularly in 2007 and 2008, has not affected the trend. However, the increase in the number of operators means that the control of ships and market coverage will probably be more and more diverse.

    The average rise in time charter rates since the beginning of 2005 is between 30 and 40 %, depending on sizes and specifications of the ships concerned, which, in fact, for a 35,000 cbm represents a monthly rate of $ 1.15 million for a 12 year period, with some rebate for longer term contracts from 3 to 10 years.

    Freight rates of ships ranging between 24,000 and 28,000 cbm rose to levels above $ 900,000 before the winter season, thus leaving one to predict possible future tightness should the coming months be harsh.

    Operators who are due to take delivery of their new 35,000 cbm ships in 2006 are looking to place them on time charters at rates of around $ 900,000 to $ 950,000 per month with 3 to 5 year charters. The few spot transactions, given the limited number of ships operating in this sector, are being negotiated at equivalent time charters above $ 1.2 million for a standard ship of 35,000 cbm.

    Seven ships changed hands in 2005, with notably the sale of three units of Bibby to Exmar and Bergesen, as well as the four 35,000 cbm of A.P. Moller to the Indian owner Varun.

    Sixteen new orders will be delivered in the next three years, of which 6 in 2006, 8 in 2007 and 2 in 2008 for a volume of 578,000 cbm, which signifies that 2007 should be a swing year, given the number of new ships due to enter the market. Some analysts are trying to claim that these new units will be quickly absorbed in the market due to the scrapping of older units in the fleet and the increase in the demand of transport from the emerging countries and inter-continental movements.

    The current fleet consists of 40 units with a volume of around 1.3 million cbm.

    Some recent transactions:

  • 'Camberley' - 35,000 cbm ' t/c 3 years del. March 06 ' $975,000/mth Bakri/Sabic
  • 'Herakles' - 30,455 cbm ' t/c 3 years del. Jan. 06 ' $975,000/mth Keytrade


  • Handysize gas carriers from 12,000 to 22,000 cbm

    The gradual resumption of chemical gas movements, principally long haul trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific, combined with sustained demand from the LPG and ammonia sectors has also helped to contribute to price increases throughout 2005.

    Ships of 20,000 to 22,000 cbm, which began the year with rates in the range of $ 650,000/700,000 per month, reached during the course of the year more than $ 850,000, on the basis of one year time charter, while the equivalent t/c rate for spot voyages for chemical gas was established at levels above a million dollars (always on the basis of a round trip, one voyage, without counting eventual waiting time).

    The last quarter saw rates strengthen further to reach levels above $ 900,000 on the basis of a one year time charter and more than $1.4 million for the equivalent t/c on spot voyages for chemical gas or LPG!



    Rates in this size category will probably remain very firm over the next few years, due to very few newbuildings (eight units of 16,000 to 22,000 cbm, of which six ethylene carriers). World demand, coming from the LPG, chemical gas, and ammonia sectors, is continuously growing and this size of ship is used in all three product sectors on intra-regional or coastal traffics.

    We saw an interesting order of four ethylene carriers of 17,000 cbm by the Norwegian owner Solvang, placed at the German shipyard Meyer, at a record price close to $ 50 million euros per unit! An interesting commitment for a most probable promising project!

    Three semi-refrigerated ships of 22,500 cbm were reported ordered by Navigator and associates (ex Hyundai) for delivery in 2008, but this does not seem to have been confirmed yet, meaning perhaps that the slots will be allocated to others on different ship sizes.

    Amongst last year's sales, that of Naftomar's 'Queen Zenobia' to the German owner Harpain, 22,500 cbm semi-ref built in 2002, for a record price of $ 61.5 million, was outstanding in that this was nearly $ 15 million more than the previous ship of this type, and nearly $ 30 million more than the price Naftomar paid when ordering in 2000! This type of transaction is typical of the confidence that some operators are giving to this segment size for the future. The Gaschem Hamburg pool, of which Harpain is a partner, will take commercial management of the ship, which should be delivered at the end of March 2006. It will be the most important unit in the pool, which up until now has had smaller sizes. A new player in this size category.

    Recent transactions:

  • 'Annapurna' - 22,000 cbm ' 1990 ' 12 mths Jan. 06 ' $900,000/mth HPCL
  • 'Navigator Nep' - 22,000 cbm ' 2001 ' 12 mths ext Jan. 06 ' $885,000/mth Geogas
  • 'Vidzeme' - 20,700 cbm ' 1997 '12 mths Dec. 05 ' $880,000/mth Naftomar
  • 'Sussex'-'Surrey' - 15,000 cbm ' 1981/82 12/12 mths Dec. 05 ' $685,000/mth Transammonia


  • Small gas carriers from 3,500 to 12,000 cbm

    The year was marked particularly by moves of fleet concentrations and new acquisitions, lead by certain owners which were absent up till now or only present in a marginal manner in the gas sector, such as Stealth, Eitzen, Magnus, Samos, etc.. We have seen the important show of strength of Stealth, which has moved from a fleet of 10 units at the end of 2004 to a fleet of 27 units at the end of 2005 (all ships in the size range of 1,300 to 7,500 cbm, pressure or semi-pressure/refrigerated).



    On the other hand, Exmar has relinquished its fleet of small pressurized coasters (9 ships of 3,500 cbm) to partners/owners in the Unigas pool, who have elected to leave the commercial management of their ships to the former pool with Lauritzen Kosan.

    More recently, the Italian owner Montanari also decided to leave this sector, having ensured a good price for the sale of its fleet of ten ships of 4,000 to 9,000 cbm to other Italian interests. The latter, new entrants in this sector, will, however, leave the management of their ships to the Gasmare/Gaschem pool.



    Freight rates for these small pressurized ships of 3,500 to 4,000 cbm have scaled new 'peaks', surpassing the $ 300,000 per month mark mid year, but fell back to levels 25 % lower to these records at the end of the year. The coastal market has remained firm and was very active throughout 2005, also helped by the hike in bunker prices, which increased by more than 175 % during the same period.

    The more sustained activity of the ethylene market allowed all ethylene carriers to be employed on international trades, thus reducing their availability for other markets and products, despite some periods of inactivity.

    The market of small semi-refs did not take off indefinitely, as some people were expecting at the end of last year. Rates remained firm, however, despite a certain lack of molecules (propylene and VCM) which increased waiting times between voyages.

    New ethylene production capacities coming into service over the course of the next few years will be substantial, and it has motivated several players to order ethylene carriers. In total more than twenty ships of this type, of different sizes ranging from 5,600 to 10,000 cbm, have been ordered by seven different owners, at price levels varying between $ 25 to $ 40 million each, depending on size and specifications. These orders are spread between European shipyards for the smaller sizes, and the Korean or Chinese shipyards for the larger sizes. Confidence is therefore strong, comforted by some impressive figures on production forecasts out of the Middle East and the growing demand in Asia.

    Apart from ethylene carriers, the sector of newbuildings has been dominated by the pressurized ships, with some 42 units of 3,500 to 11,000 cbm ordered mainly with the small Japanese shipyards offering deliveries as from 2007, based on standard conditions of medium term charters with purchase options. Have past lessons already been forgotten?

    Most of these ships were ordered at price levels 40 % above those of 18 months ago! With such price levels, operating these ships will have to be sharp!

    Recent transactions:

  • 'Kempton'- 6,400 cbm ' 2000 ' prs ' 6/9 mths Nov. 05 ' $440,000/mth ' Aygas
  • 'Norgas Challenger' - 6,300 cbm ' 1984 ' ethy ' 12 mths ext Jan. 06 ' $450,000/mth ' Mitsui
  • 'Newmarket' - 6,250 cbm ' 1999 ' sr ' 12 mths Jan. 06 ' $430,000/mth ' A. Veder
  • 'Gaschem Atrice' - 7,650 cbm ' 1984 ' vcm ' 12 mths Jan. 06 ' $485,000/mth ' Primex
  • 'Riogas' - 7,300 cbm ' 1986 ' sr ' 2 mths Dec. 05 ' $550,000/mth ' Primex




  • CONCLUSION

    2005 was strongly marked by the confirmation of the revival of the various liquefied gas markets, whose main product prices and freight rates attained new heights. Will these soon be considered as 'ceiling' levels?

    Some operators in well defined sizes seem to think of this as the case, judging by some of the 'departures' seen during the course of the second half, or do they consider that other investments will be less risky or more favourable in the coming years?

    Others have taken the inverse position by entering into this market through the acquisition of secondhand ships, or by placing new orders at record prices!

    The FOB Saudi-Arabia contract prices of butane and propane were $ 585 and $ 575 respectively at the end of the year, whereas they were only $ 372 and $ 365 a year before, being an increase of 57 %!

    CIF prices have followed the same direction, with sometimes even greater increases, whereas those of freights have, on average, been less pronounced, being in a bracket of 25 to 50 % depending on the sizes and the types of ship being considered.

    We should again underline the very strong surge in bunker prices (nearly 175 % in a year), which somewhat modifies the actual increase in rates, but contributes even so to the escalation in freight levels.

    This evolution is certainly not likely to slow down, judging the continuous rise in oil prices and associated products. We evaluate the impact of the bunker price increases on freight rates to be about $ 6.50/ton on the round trip reference voyage MEG/Japan for a VLGC, and about $ 4/ton for an inter Med voyage for a 20,000 to 28,000 cbm vessel.

    It is interesting to note that the freight rates for sizes ranging from 20,000 to 85,000 cbm are all situated around a million dollars, more or less 15 %!

    Forecasts for the next two to three years remain optimistic, given the need to renew the fleet, the delays being experienced in deliveries of newbuildings, with shipyards full up until the end of 2009, and in face of the strong demand for energy and fertilisers, coming especially from the Indian Ocean and Asia, as well as the possible increase of LPG used as a feedstock for chemical gas.

    Given the heights already attained, any extension in the price increases and freight rates should, however, become less pronounced over the coming years.

    Several owners have made their entry or consolidated their presence in the gas market, attracted by higher returns and the prospects of an expanding sector. The specialisation by segment size and specific trades, however, remains important.

    In any case, the freight, newbuilding and the second-hand markets have definitely entered into a new cycle, characterised by higher prices, which, in return, will require the fundamentals to operate these ships commercially to remain available.

    Shipping and Shipbuilding Markets in 2005

    I N D E X

    ›››File
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    In the container segment, an increase of +27.9% was recorded
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    South Korea's HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. and HD Hyundai Mipo Co. to merge
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    Filt Cgil, priority should be given to valorizing AdSP workers rather than assigning positions
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    The union denounces the failure to comply with the National Collective Labour Agreement
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    Venice
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    COSCO Shipping International's revenues increased by 10.3% in the first half of the year.
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    Net profit was HK$494.6 million (+26.0%)
    G20 nations' merchandise trade showed modest growth in the second quarter
    Geneva
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    South Korea's HD Hyundai announces multibillion-dollar investment program to revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding industry.
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    Norway's Xeneta has bought Denmark's eeSea
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    Hapag-Lloyd reports second quarter increases of +2.0% in revenues and +12.4% in containers transported by the fleet
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    South Korean company HMM's revenues fell by 1.5% in the second quarter.
    Seoul
    Trump announces rejection of IMO's shipping decarbonization program
    Washington
    The proposed framework - it is denounced - is in effect a global carbon tax that affects Americans and is imposed by an irresponsible United Nations organization.
    Taiwanese companies Yang Ming and Wan Hai Lines reported negative results in the second quarter.
    Taiwanese companies Yang Ming and Wan Hai Lines reported negative results in the second quarter.
    Keelung/Taipei
    In the period April-June, revenues decreased by -26.5% and -8.7% respectively
    Cruise traffic at Global Ports Holding terminals grew by 6.0% in the second quarter
    Istanbul
    In the first six months of 2025, an increase of +16.7% was recorded
    In the period April-June, cargo traffic in Croatian ports decreased by -4.0%
    Zagreb
    Cruise passengers grow by +5.4%
    Container traffic at US ports is expected to plummet in the second half of this year.
    Washington/Long Beach
    In July, the Port of Long Beach handled 944,000 TEUs (+7.0%)
    ThyssenKrupp shareholders approve spin-off of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems
    Eat
    The company will be listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange
    WTO: Measured responses have cushioned the impact of tariffs in 2025, but risks remain high for 2026.
    WTO: Measured responses have cushioned the impact of tariffs in 2025, but risks remain high for 2026.
    Geneva
    Global trade in goods is expected to grow by 0.9% this year
    Hupac will increase the number of weekly rotations between Busto Arsizio and Basel from five to eight
    Noise
    Increase in attendance from September 1st
    From January 1st, new bunkering regulations will apply in the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp.
    Rotterdam
    The barges must be equipped with flow meters
    Maersk reports higher quarterly revenue, lower earnings
    Maersk reports higher quarterly revenue, lower earnings
    Copenhagen
    Terminals and logistics have made a positive contribution. Container shipping benefits from demurrage revenues.
    The CIPESS has approved the final project for the bridge over the Strait of Messina.
    Rome
    Construction will begin this year and the project will be completed in 2032.
    DHL Group revenues fell by 3.9% in the second quarter
    DHL Group revenues fell by 3.9% in the second quarter
    Bonn
    Significant reduction in shipments from China and Hong Kong to the US due to Trump's abolition of the de minimis regime
    The Grendi group has acquired 70% of Dario Perioli Spa
    The Grendi group has acquired 70% of Dario Perioli Spa
    Milan
    The remaining 30% will remain with Fingiro, owned by Michele Giromini, the company's CEO.
    BigLift Shipping and CY Shipping order two additional heavy lift vessels
    Amsterdam
    Order placed at Chinese shipyard Jing Jiang Nanyang Shipbuilding Co.
    The Charthage ferry was placed under administrative detention in the port of Genoa
    Genoa
    A Coast Guard inspection found numerous deficiencies
    Disney Cruise Line's largest ship's debut delayed by three months
    Lake Buena Vista
    Construction delays force the maiden voyage to be postponed until March 10th.
    Shell to supply liquefied biomethane to Hapag-Lloyd containerships
    Hamburg
    Agreement effective immediately
    Andrea Zoratti has been appointed general manager of Hub Telematica
    Genoa
    The company is controlled by Assagenti and Spediporto
    Jotun and Messina sign agreement to improve the environmental and commercial performance of ships.
    Genoa
    The "Jolly Rosa" vessel will use the Hull Skating Solutions solution
    PSA Genova Pra' announces the hiring of 25 people dedicated to container handling.
    Genoa
    Ferrari: International markets have changed profoundly
    CMA CGM will not apply surcharges for new US taxes on Chinese vessels and Chinese services
    Marseille
    The rates announced by the USTR in April will apply from October 14th.
    South Korean HJ Shipbuilding wins orders for four 8,850 TEU containerships
    Busan
    Orders with a total value of approximately 461 million dollars
    Conference: "Waiting and Delays in Road Transport: Logistics in Check"
    Genoa
    Organized by Trasportounito, it will be held on September 26th in Genoa
    GNV has inaugurated a new office in Barcelona
    Barcelona
    The company currently has 52 employees throughout Spain.
    Port of Trieste: EU funding for two new projects
    Trieste
    Resources with a total value of 1.7 million euros
    Filt Cgil, the Flotilla incident is serious. Dockworkers are ready to mobilize.
    Rome
    Union announces action if aid is not allowed to reach Gaza
    SAILING LIST
    Visual Sailing List
    Departure ports
    Arrival ports by:
    - alphabetical order
    - country
    - geographical areas
    In the first eight months of 2025, container traffic in the port of Gioia Tauro grew by +10.6%
    Gioia Tauro
    2,912,943 TEUs were handled
    Stena Line to buy Latvian port operator Terrabalt
    Gothenburg
    It handles rolling stock, bulk cargo, and general cargo traffic in the port of Liepaja.
    Meyer Turku begins construction of Royal Caribbean's fourth "Icon"-class cruise ship
    Miami/Turku
    It will be delivered in 2027
    More than one in ten maritime shipments has shortages
    Washington
    This is what a report by the World Shipping Council has revealed, highlighting the safety risks
    Last July, traffic in the port of Ravenna increased by +3.8%
    Ravenna
    In the first seven months of 2025, growth was +5.4%
    In the first quarter of 2025, freight traffic in Belgian ports fell by -3.2%.
    Brussels
    Landings down 1.3% and embarkations down 5.4%
    Product tanker High Fidelity rescues 38 migrants on a drifting dinghy
    Rome
    Intervention in the south of the island of Crete
    GES and RINA sign agreement to develop a prototype of a new hydrogen battery
    Rovereto/Genoa
    PSA's second phase of container terminal at Mumbai Port inaugurated
    Singapore
    Annual traffic capacity will increase to 4.8 million TEUs
    The conference "EU ETS - Perspectives and Opportunities for Decarbonization in the Maritime Sector" will be held in Palermo.
    Rome
    It will be held on September 18th and 19th
    Fincantieri and PGZ sign an agreement to support the modernization of the Polish Navy
    Trieste
    The third LSS section for Chantiers de l'Atlantique was launched in Castellammare di Stabia.
    In the US, funding for wind energy development projects in ports is being cut.
    Washington
    Resources worth $679 million will be reallocated for port infrastructure upgrades
    From January 1st, Kombiverkehr will operate the PKV intermodal terminal in the port of Duisburg.
    Frankfurt am Main
    It has a traffic capacity of approximately 200 thousand intermodal units per year.
    Wallenius Marine and ABB form Overseas joint venture
    Stockholm
    The aim is to accelerate the launch of the platform of the same name for improving fleet performance.
    DHL eCommerce has acquired a minority stake in Saudi Arabia's AJEX Logistics Services.
    Bonn/Riyadh
    The Middle Eastern company has two thousand employees
    The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has asked the Region to agree on the appointment of Bagalà as president of the Sardinian Port Authority.
    Rome
    He is currently the extraordinary commissioner of the same body
    CMPort's port terminals handled record container traffic in the second quarter
    Hong Kong
    In the first six months of 2025 the total was 78.8 million TEUs (+4.3%)
    Confitarma approves the decree on advanced training for tanker seafarers.
    Rome
    Applause to the General Command of the Port Authority Corps
    Quarterly freight traffic in Moroccan ports increases
    Tangier/Casablanca
    In Tanger Med the growth was +17%
    The board of directors of the Genoa-based Ente Bacini has been renewed.
    Genoa
    President Alessandro Arvigo and CEO Maurizio Anselmo
    In the second quarter, sales of dry containers produced by CIMC fell by -33%.
    Hong Kong
    Reefer boats increase by 57%
    The Grimaldi Group has taken delivery of the Grande Shanghai
    Naples
    It will be used for the transport of vehicles between East Asia and Northern Europe
    The ART urges to verify that the investment plan and the related amortization period are consistent with the duration of the port concessions.
    Turin
    Chinese automaker FAW ships components to Europe by train
    Changchun
    Transit time reduced to 18 days compared to 45 days for maritime transport
    The assets and fleet of the Spanish Armas Trasmediterránea will be sold to Baleària and DFDS
    Las Palmas/Dénia/Copenhagen
    Two agreements worth €215 million and €40 million respectively have been signed.
    Italian State Railways (FS), investing €70 million to install the ERTMS system.
    Rome
    Work has been completed on 382 Trenitalia trains, while the retrofitting of 60 locomotives from Mercitalia Rail, an FS Logistix company, is underway.
    MPC Container Ships' quarterly revenue returns to growth
    The second quarter of 2025 was closed with a net profit of 78.1 million dollars (+20.5%)
    Plans to build two container customs areas north and south of the Suez Canal
    Cairo
    Fourteen of the 48 abandoned shipwrecks in Catania port have been removed.
    Catania
    The activity will be replicated in the port of Augusta
    The Regional Administrative Court (TAR) has confirmed the validity of the tender for the new Ravano Terminal in the port of La Spezia.
    La Spezia
    DP World's port terminals handled record quarterly container traffic
    Dubai
    Revenues grew by 22.2% in the first half of 2025
    In the quarter April-June the volume of rolling stock transported by Höegh Autoliners increased by +9.0%
    Oslo
    Sharp increase (+46.6%) of vehicles from Asia
    South Korea's HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering acquires Vietnam's Doosan Enerbility
    Seongnam
    It manages an industrial area with its own port facility
    Container traffic in the port of Algeciras grew by 6.6% in July
    Algeciras
    In the first seven months of 2025, a decrease of -2.9% was recorded
    In July, the port of Valencia handled 488,000 containers (+6.7%)
    Valencia
    Increase driven by growth in empty containers
    Salvini has appointed Annalisa Tardino as extraordinary commissioner of the Western Sicilian Sea Port Authority.
    Rome/Palermo
    The President of the Sicilian Region announces the appeal against the provision
    The materials dredged in the ports of La Spezia and Carrara will be used for the construction of the new breakwater in Genoa.
    Genoa/La Spezia
    Agreement between the two Ligurian Port System Authorities
    X-Press Feeders denounces authorities' failure to acknowledge responsibility in the X-Press Pearl accident
    Singapore
    According to the company, the Supreme Court ruling ignores international maritime law
    Container traffic in the port of Hong Kong decreased by -6.5% in July
    Hong Kong
    A decline of -3.7% was recorded in the first seven months of 2025
    Cargo traffic in Russian ports remained stable in July
    St. Petersburg
    In the first seven months of 2025, loads decreased by -4.6%
    In July, the Port of Singapore set a new all-time record for monthly container traffic with 3.9 million TEUs.
    Singapore
    In terms of weight, containerized cargo decreased by -3.6%
    Compensation to be paid by the Civitavecchia Port Authority in the Fincosit case has been set at €1.5 million.
    Civitavecchia
    Latrofa: The ruling allows the release of set-aside sums that have frozen the budget for years.
    Germany's HHLA posts record quarterly revenue
    Hamburg
    In the second quarter, the group's port terminals handled 3.2 million containers (+7.9%)
    In the first half of 2025, CK Hutchison's port terminals handled 44 million containers (+4.0%)
    Hong Kong
    In the quarter April-June the Wallenius Wilhelmsen fleet transported 14.8 million cubic meters of rolling stock (-0.5%)
    Lysaker
    Revenues down by -0.7%
    In the second quarter, Montenegro's ports handled 670 thousand tons of goods (+0.6%)
    Podgorica
    Volumes with Italy amounted to 154 thousand tons (+53.1%)
    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
    Conference: "Waiting and Delays in Road Transport: Logistics in Check"
    Genoa
    Organized by Trasportounito, it will be held on September 26th in Genoa
    The conference "EU ETS - Perspectives and Opportunities for Decarbonization in the Maritime Sector" will be held in Palermo.
    Rome
    It will be held on September 18th and 19th
    ››› Meetings File
    PRESS REVIEW
    Korean Firms Reassess U.S. Investments After Mass Immigration Raid
    (The Korea Bizwire)
    Russia's infrastructure development plan aims to build 17 marine terminals by 2036
    (Interfax)
    ››› Press Review File
    FORUM of Shipping
    and Logistics
    Intervento del presidente Tomaso Cognolato
    Roma, 19 giugno 2025
    ››› File
    With the arrival of the first container ship, the testing of operational procedures at the Rijeka Gateway begins.
    The Hague
    The first commercial ship is expected on September 12th
    A proposal to bring the port of Taranto back onto global container routes? Start a discussion table.
    Taranto
    Meeting on the status of freight traffic
    Port of Ancona: Tender for demolition of fire-damaged Tubimar warehouses
    Ancona
    The expected duration of the works is four and a half months
    Merger of the German MACS and Hugo Stinnes, both active in the MPP vessel segment
    Hamburg/Rostock
    Stinnes headquarters in Rostock to close by December 31
    In the second quarter, freight traffic in Albanian ports grew by +2.9%
    Tirana
    There were 331 thousand passengers (+13.6%)
    A.SPE.DO, operationalizing the Smart Terminal to increase the competitiveness of the port of La Spezia.
    La Spezia
    ING loans to Premuda for over 100 million dollars
    Milan
    Funds for the management buyout and the purchase of two product tankers
    Sallaum Lines has taken delivery of the first of six Ocean-class dual-fuel PCTCs
    Rotterdam
    The ship was completed four months ahead of schedule
    First meeting of the new Management Committee of the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority
    Genoa
    Several measures approved, including those for CULMV and CULP staff
    Euroports to operate a new liquid bulk terminal in the French port of Port-La Nouvelle
    Beveren-Kruibeke-Zwijndrecht
    It is expected to become operational in 2026
    In the second quarter, freight traffic in the port of Ravenna increased by +2.6%
    Ravenna
    Growth of 0.6% was recorded in June. An increase of 4.8% is expected in July.
    OsserMare presents five reports on the marine economy
    Rome
    They focus on a specific sector supply chain or aspect of it
    Port of Naples: Road haulage operations resume
    Naples
    Resolution meeting between institutions, operators and trade associations
    ICTSI again reports record quarterly financial and operating results
    Manila
    Global Ship Lease Reports Record Quarterly Revenue
    Athens
    In the April-June period, net profit was 95.4 million dollars (+8.4%)
    Vard receives new order from North Star for two hybrid SOVs
    Trieste
    Contract worth between 100 and 200 million euros
    The Panama Shipping Registry will no longer accept the registration of oil tankers and bulk carriers over 15 years old.
    Panama
    Measure to counter the use of the shadow fleet
    Danaos Corporation reports record quarterly revenue
    Athens
    The April-June period closed with a net profit of 130.9 million (-7.3%)
    New customs fast corridor between the port of La Spezia and Interporto Padova
    Padua
    It adds to the other three already active on the same route
    ICTSI to operate Indonesia's Batu Ampar Container Terminal
    Manila
    It is located on Batam Island
    Pino Musolino has been appointed CEO of the Alilauro shipping company.
    Naples
    He replaces the resigning Eliseo Cuccaro
    In the second quarter, DIS' time charter revenues fell by -37.1%.
    Luxembourg
    Net income was $19.6 million (-70.5%)
    Wista Italy denounces the exclusion of women from the nominations of port authority presidents.
    Milan
    Musso: The glass ceiling that prevents women from accessing leadership roles remains.
    Austrian Rail Cargo Group is focusing on the development of the Sommacampagna-Sona intermodal terminal.
    Vienna
    Ten-year agreement
    In the second quarter, maritime traffic in the Bosphorus Strait decreased by -6.0%
    Ankara
    18.1% decline in ships over 200 metres in length
    Fifty kilos of cocaine seized at the port of Civitavecchia
    Rome
    They were hidden inside a reefer container arriving from Ecuador
    Trump has eliminated tariff exemptions for low-cost goods for all nations.
    Washington
    Goods with a value of less than $800 will also be subject to the tax.
    Viking Mira was launched at Fincantieri's Ancona shipyard
    Trieste
    The multi-role frigate "Emilio Bianchi" was delivered to the Muggiano shipyard
    The Port Authority of the Central-Northern Adriatic Sea has obtained EMAS registration
    Ravenna
    Certifies commitment to environmental management and sustainability
    MSC Cruises reduces emissions with the support of an energy transition plan
    Geneva
    The 2024 Sustainability Report has been presented
    DSV reports strong growth in financial and operating results thanks to the acquisition of Schenker
    Hedehusene
    Quarterly record in air and ocean shipment volumes
    In 2024, the Fratelli Cosulich group's revenues increased by +12.8%
    Genoa
    Operating result down by -31.7%
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