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Shipping News

Bet is on LNG as a prime emission solution for ships
AS nuclear power, hybrid electric ships and scrubbers all jostle for real estate in the drive to curb emissions in shipping, liquefied natural gas (LNG) might well be at the forefront.
Japan eyes fuel-efficient ships to cut costs
Japanese shipbuilders, leapfrogged by South Korean and Chinese yards in an industry they once dominated, are counting on fuel-saving technology to help them overcome a stronger yen and high wages.
Sugar rises as Thai port jams delay exports
Thailand, the world's second-biggest sugar exporter, is driving up global prices as the worst port congestion in memory restricts shipments.

Strait Talk

Sailing forward or backwards?
THERE has been a lot of discussion recently about how the liner shipping markets work, or should work. Giant carrier Maersk has pledged to improve its service to customers in various ways, the shippers have been complaining about volatility - and in the same breath calling for a complete end to rate-setting shipping 'conferences', while various voices have been extolling the virtues of using freight futures for hedging risks. At the same time, the carriers have been noticeably unsuccessful in pushing up rates.

Shipping Times

Railway Ministry reduces speed of bullet trains in China
China's troubled Railway Ministry on Monday lowered the top operating speed for its flagship Beijing-to- Shanghai bullet train, which is set to open later this month, scaling down what was supposed to be a pinnacle of a transformed rail system that has become one of the country's proudest and most ambitious domestic initiatives.

web site

Shipping News

Bet is on LNG as a prime emission solution for ships
AS nuclear power, hybrid electric ships and scrubbers all jostle for real estate in the drive to curb emissions in shipping, liquefied natural gas (LNG) might well be at the forefront.
Japan eyes fuel-efficient ships to cut costs
Japanese shipbuilders, leapfrogged by South Korean and Chinese yards in an industry they once dominated, are counting on fuel-saving technology to help them overcome a stronger yen and high wages.
Sugar rises as Thai port jams delay exports
Thailand, the world's second-biggest sugar exporter, is driving up global prices as the worst port congestion in memory restricts shipments.

Strait Talk

Sailing forward or backwards?
THERE has been a lot of discussion recently about how the liner shipping markets work, or should work. Giant carrier Maersk has pledged to improve its service to customers in various ways, the shippers have been complaining about volatility - and in the same breath calling for a complete end to rate-setting shipping 'conferences', while various voices have been extolling the virtues of using freight futures for hedging risks. At the same time, the carriers have been noticeably unsuccessful in pushing up rates.

Shipping Times

Railway Ministry reduces speed of bullet trains in China
China's troubled Railway Ministry on Monday lowered the top operating speed for its flagship Beijing-to- Shanghai bullet train, which is set to open later this month, scaling down what was supposed to be a pinnacle of a transformed rail system that has become one of the country's proudest and most ambitious domestic initiatives.

web site

Shipping News

Bet is on LNG as a prime emission solution for ships
AS nuclear power, hybrid electric ships and scrubbers all jostle for real estate in the drive to curb emissions in shipping, liquefied natural gas (LNG) might well be at the forefront.
Japan eyes fuel-efficient ships to cut costs
Japanese shipbuilders, leapfrogged by South Korean and Chinese yards in an industry they once dominated, are counting on fuel-saving technology to help them overcome a stronger yen and high wages.
Sugar rises as Thai port jams delay exports
Thailand, the world's second-biggest sugar exporter, is driving up global prices as the worst port congestion in memory restricts shipments.

Strait Talk

Sailing forward or backwards?
THERE has been a lot of discussion recently about how the liner shipping markets work, or should work. Giant carrier Maersk has pledged to improve its service to customers in various ways, the shippers have been complaining about volatility - and in the same breath calling for a complete end to rate-setting shipping 'conferences', while various voices have been extolling the virtues of using freight futures for hedging risks. At the same time, the carriers have been noticeably unsuccessful in pushing up rates.

Shipping Times

Railway Ministry reduces speed of bullet trains in China
China's troubled Railway Ministry on Monday lowered the top operating speed for its flagship Beijing-to- Shanghai bullet train, which is set to open later this month, scaling down what was supposed to be a pinnacle of a transformed rail system that has become one of the country's proudest and most ambitious domestic initiatives.

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China/HK to Australia rate to rise US$250/TEU-$500/FEU from July 15 Asia-to-New Zealand rate to rise US$250/TEU-$500/FEU from July 15 508-TEU Deneb capsizes while loading Maersk containers at Algeciras Emirates joins Cosco's MEX Asia-to-Middle East service Hong Kong shippers fear factory shutdowns, asks Beijing to ease off Greek dockers strike against privatisation of port operations Shut-out Greek unions complain of Cosco Piraeus' poor labour conditions London insurers, safety group devise minimum standards of crane operation Bremen-Bremerhaven April volume up 20pc to record-breaking 512,000 TEU CSAV cuts Asiam Service as overall volumes rise and revenues fall Logwin expands its footprint in Dongguan, Guangzhou and Shenzhen IRISL takes EU to court saying no proof exists to back nuke charges US Cass Freight Index flattens in May, indicating recovery is stalling Rickmers super post-panamax containership delivered to Maersk UK Wincanton sells German road and Dutch logistics operations Qantas cancels flights as Chile's volcanic ash blows in from 7,000 miles Changi grants ground-handling licence to Aircraft Service International Seafood flies from eastern Canada's Fredrickton to Toronto then Europe and Asia United Continental May passenger revenue decreases 0.3pc

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NYK takes delivery of vessel with worlds first hybrid turbocharger One more super feat by Super Freight Extend DEPB till introduction of GST: Fieo High interest rates, rupee fall push steel imports down in April Planning Commission panel set up to boost exports, FDI Electronic ballast water reporting system to be installed at Major Ports New Mangalore Port on box traffic high Indo-Japan JV mooted for rail freight corridor Food inflation rises to 9.01 pc Forex reserves climb $2.68 bn to $312.90 bn IMF, WB to conduct stress test on India's financial sector Indias FY12 growth will slip to 8.2 pc:World Bank Book release on 99 women who inspired India

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JUNE 14, 2011
Deutsche Bahn and Russian Railways to step up cooperation in automotive sector Representives of DB Schenker Rail and TransContainer, a subsidiary of Russian Railways (RZD), reaffirmed the intention of the two companies to cooperate even more closely in future... Germany: railfreight traffic rises by 10.6% A total of 92.2 million t of freight were transported on Germany's railway network in Q1/2011, according to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). The volume was 10.6% higher t... Tognum takeover completed Daimler AG and Rolls-Royce Holdings plc have now acquired 59.87% of the shares in heavy engine manufacturer Tognum AG via their joint venture Engine Holding GmbH. According to a pr... Con-way Truckload reopens driver orientation site in Phoenix Con-way Truckload, a US-based full-truckload carrier and subsidiary of Con-way Inc, has reopened its driver orientation site in Phoenix AZ (USA). Con-way Truckload plans to hire 30... Korean Cargo relaunches RTW service and creates first direct US-Uzbekistan cargolink Korean Air Cargo relaunched its round-the-world service last month. The carrier operates a once per week Boeing B747-400F service that rotates between Seoul Incheon'Anchorage'Miami... APL president Eng Aik Meng resigns, Kenn Glenn takes over Singapore-based NOL Group has announced that Eng Aik Meng will resign as president of its APL shipping business on 1 September to take up a new position outside the trans... Swissport receives handling licences at Brussels airport Swissport International Ltd, a ground handler which provides ground services for around 3.2 million t of cargo a year, has been awarded four handling licences by Brussels Airport. ... Panopa opens new location in Hungary The logistics service provider Panopa is stepping up its activities in Eastern Europe by the addition of a new enterprise in Kecskemét (Hungary). The location, which is 90 km south... Singapore Post acquires 30% stake in Vietnamese logistics company ITL Singapore Post has bought a 30% stake in Vietnam-based Trans Logistics Corporation (ITL) to gain a foothold in the Southeast Asian country. The deal, which is worth USD 180 million... Major DHL facilities in USA now Tapa-certified DHL Express has further enhanced the security of its global shipping network with the recent certification of its Los Angeles and San Francisco gateways by the Transported Asset Pr... Volvo: serial production of methane gas-powered trucks The Swedish commercial vehicle manufacturer Volvo Trucks is starting serial production of its FM methane diesel powered vehicles. The first dual fuel units will be ready for sale i... Record-sized freighter in Le Havre Le Havre recently welcomed the "CSCL Venus", which made its maiden call at the French port. The vessel has a capacity of 14,074 teu and is the third in the series of the ... Port of Bilbao Q1/2011 throughput up 19% The Spanish port of Bilbao reported that its Q1/2011 throughput came to 11.5 million t ' 19% up on the same period last year. The volume of liquid bulk rose by 25%, dry cargo grew ... Cargolux and Qatar Airways combine global air freight strengths Cargolux International Airlines recently announced a strategic equity partnership with Doha-based Qatar Airways. The partnership will include the acquisition of a 35% stake in Carg... Hochtief purchases Beluga Offshore subsidiary The Essen (Germany)-based construction corporation Hochtief wants to acquire all of Beluga Offshore from Oaktree. Hochtief said the acquisition will strengthen its wind power activ...

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JUNE 14, 2011
Conrad Industries copes with flooding threat LoBiondo calls for maintenance and improvement of MTS Seaway 2011 shipping season off to a strong start EC eyes extension of security measures to non-ISPS vessels Fincantieri names new Marinette Marine President and CEO

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JUNE 14, 2011
Port of Everett Executive Director speaking before Congress today American Airlines marks 30 years of serving Portland International Airport World Trade Center Tacoma seeking Globe Award nominations Washington Governor plans trade mission to Europe Crowley vessels earn Jones F. Devlin Awards

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JUNE 14, 2011
Top box lines boost market share Of the world's top 25 container lines, only APL lost market share over the past 12 months Oil trade threatened as pirates target Strait of Hormuz While pirates shift their areas of focus, the tactics remain the same Aframax dip as Med sees earnings of below zero Aframx were yesterday flat or worse everywhere, with the Mediterranean taking a particular pounding as earnings fell below zero in some cases, with television pictures of unrest in Syria seeming to put some owners off the prospect of going for forthcoming cargoes in the country Panamax rates rise on Pacific coal cargoes while capesizes slide The Baltic Dry Index fell 12 points to 1,400 yesterday after capesizes saw rate declines across all trading routes due to the glut of tonnage intensifying competition for cargoes Handful of strong P&I clubs pull ahead As performance gap widens, most successful clubs are expected to retain surpluses as buffers against growing market volatility The jumbo world: who dares follow Maersk? As container shipping goes supersized and Vale takes bulkers in the same direction, new entrants risk being sidelined Brokers offer mixed response to capital questions Risk managers from across Europe were in Bournemouth for the annual Airmic Conference Ensuring a contract is a contract Is an agreement valid when a fixed recap wrongly identifies the time charterer owner? Stand up for self-defence A recent statement on piracy gave only tepid support for armed guards but it is high time for the IMO to act boldly Efficient shipping needs free markets, not protectionism Nautilus union leader Mark Dickinson is wrong to promote US-style protectionism for Europe New dry dock boosts Oman's ambition First step in building up city of Duqm to be followed by development of a commercial port and free trade zone Rates relief for port businesses UK government publishes plans to cancel unpopular backdated bills China says US NVOCCs should pay more to operate in box trades Depreciation of dollar versus yuan means bond guarantee should rise from $21,000 to $47,000, says Beijing transport ministry Navios South American Logistics clinches 15-year Petrobras tanker deal Angeliki Frangou says cabotage trade move fits with 'tremendous growth opportunity' offered by South America Grimaldi raises capacity on Europe to West Africa service Newbuilding deployed as southbound trade increases 25% Brussels eyes extension of ISPS Code Consultants assess impact if smaller vessels below 500gt were brought under maritime security measures Opportunities being missed in smaller product tankers Gotland Tankers picks up 39,000 dwt newbuild and says handysize could soon be in demand as fleet shows its age Euromar swoops for seventh boxship Acquisition of the 2,788 teu Mate brings containership spending by Euroseas' joint venture to $100m Norwegian Car Carriers inks improved charter as market picks up Japanese recovery quicker than anticipated as car markets face six-month replenishment surge Singapore signs up to Maritime Labour Convention First Asian country to put to set minimum standards in seafarers' working conditions Glencore earnings report leaves out logistics and freight Commodities giant posts $1.3bn net profit but raises concerns that it has not shed the secretive style of private company days Brussels set to bin Basel scrap ban Move to change ship recycling requirements welcomed by maritime industry Indonesian coal cargo warning P&I club issues safety checklist after rise in incidents of spontaneous combustion Frustration over India berth closures Shippers angry over lack of notice by JNPT as overloaded port loses 20% of boxship capacity Busan traffic growing but north Asia competition fierce South Korean port expects to handle more than 15m teu in 2011, a rise of at least 6% compared to 2010 TTA renegotiates Vinashin contract Newbuildings order reshuffled at Vietnam yard faced with financial difficulties Long Beach sees box volumes rise US west coast hub achieves five-month throughput of 2.4m teu, up 6.1% on 2010 Essar aims to build Mozambique iron ore terminal Memorandum of understanding covers developing a facility at Beira to handle surplus volumes from Zimbabwe Mundra Port to expand coal imports by 40% this year Adani and Tata Power projects to absorb dramatic increase to 70m tonnes

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JUNE 14, 2011
Navios seals Petrobras Panamax deal NYSE-listed Navios Holdings today announced a long-term charter programme with Petrobras that will spur Brazilian yard contracts for six Panamax product tanker newbuildings US petcoke terminal sold TERMINAL operator Kinder Morgan has acquired a Texas petroleum coke terminal from bulk terminal developer TGS Development for $67M Iron ore terminal planned in Mozambique ESSAR Global of India reportedly plans to build an iron ore export terminal in Beira's port in Mozambique Westwood Shipping sold JAPANESE warehousing and logistics company Sumitomo Warehouse has bought US carrier Westwood Shipping Lines for $53M as part of an international expansion Glencore profits jump 47% COMMODITY trader and producer Glencore today reported a 47% year-on-year rise in net income for the first quarter, less than a month after its IPO Strike's week 2 snarls Cochin DELAYS and backlogs are building at Cochin Shipyard, where a strike today reached its second week UAE contracts more cargoes of gasoline TOTAL IS to tranport 100,000 tonnes of gasoline by tankers to the UAE before October, IHS World Markets Energy reported today Shell's Nigeria tanker loadings disrupted SHELL has declared force majeure on its Bonny Light tanker loadings for this month and July, IHS World Markets Energy reported today CSAV pulls trans-Pac plug EMBATTLED Chilean liner CSAV has suspended its ASIAM Asia/US service, citing weak rate Strike hits Oz coal mines PRODUCTION at BHP Billiton-Mitsubishi Alliance coking coal mines in Queensland is being disrupted today Saudis deal VLCC sector a strong hand BROKERS told Fairplay today higher Saudi Arabian crude output has given VLCC owners a trump card even though rates deteriorated after Japan's quake crisis First India/Lanka ferry docks in 30 years THE FIRST passenger ferry to arrive in Sri Lanka from India in 30 years docked today in Colombo Carnival cruises at bourses CARNIVAL shrugged off its profit warning with minor injuries today at stock exchanges China coal imports steady, exports drop RISING demand for steam coal to meet air conditioning demand in China has ensured the country's imports have remained strong, but exports have dropped, according to official data Drybulk burst hinted A BURST of drybulk activity suggested today that freight rates could inch higher, according to analysts and brokers

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JUNE 14, 2011
Seaway Season Opens With Traffic Boost The St. Lawrence Seaway opened this spring with volume up 3.7 percent in the first two months of the season... Pirates Pay $2.1 Million to Release Hostages Six Indian sailors, held captive by Somali pirates for more than 10 months, were freed Monday after a reported $2.1 million... Port of NY-NJ Approves Restructured PNCT Lease The board of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Tuesday approved a restructured lease with the Port... Air Canada Employees Strike Air Canada's 3,800 sales and service agents officially struck at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, marking the national airline's first major strike... Qatar Airways Eyes 2011 IPO Qatar Airways, the Gulf Arab airline aiming to become one of the world's top air freighters, said it could bring... UPS Freight Speeds Vancouver-US Shipments UPS Freight is cutting transit times between Western Canada and U.S. markets by at least one day, speeding cross-border shipments... Retail Sales Dip for First Time in 11 Months Overall retail sales fell in May for the first time in 11 months but the decline was less than expected... Japan Upgrades Economic Assessment The Bank of Japan upgraded its assessment of the domestic economy for the first time in three months, as the... ECRI Sees 'Pronounced, Pervasive' Downturn The U.S. economy is taking a cyclical turn toward a "pronounced, pervasive and persistent" downturn that has already hit industrial... OECD Sees Slower Growth in Major Economies Most major economies are showing signs of "a mild loss of growth momentum" in the next few months, the Organization... MSC Hikes Portugal-to-US Freight Rates Mediterranean Shipping Co. is raising its freight rates on all export containers shipped from Portugal to the U.S. as of... BIMCO Elects Khatau President The Baltic and International Maritime Council, the world's largest private shipping organization, elected Yudhishthir Khatau of India as its new... Laid Up Box Fleet Shrinks to Three Year Low The laid-up container ship fleet fell to its lowest level since August 2008 and is still shrinking as ocean carriers... PierPass Says 'Bunching' Plagues Terminal Gates The head of PierPass gate operation at the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports says the only pressure on capacity...

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JUNE 14, 2011
NZ's Lyttelton quake-stricken for third time HSBC: DP World assets 'attractive' Wincanton retreats K+N names replacements CSAV cuts transpac service due to 'negative' market

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JUNE 14, 2011
Excel ties up twins Gabriel Panayiotides-led owner fixes out Coal Hunter and Santa Barbara in deals based on BDI. Westwood sold Forest products powerhouse inches closer to sale of conbulker unit to J-WesCo of Japan. LDA ropax beef reignites Louis Dreyfus Armateurs races to claw back $52m in damages tied to trashed ST Marine order. Sevan shifts ranks Oslo-listed drilling contractor crowns successor following Jan Erik Tveteraas departure and Sevan Marine shocker. EU Navfor 2 - Pirates 0 Mothership flees to safety after German warship downs empty pirate skiffs. Navios in cash crusade Navios South American Logistics digs for cash in bid to build six product tankers in Brazil. Scrap shake-up in Brussels European Commission admits that ban on export of scrap ships to sub-standard facilities has failed and new approach is needed. Wells lifts DryShips George Economou-led owner receives a shot in the arm as analyst slaps shares with top rating. Euroseas bags boxship Aristides Pittas-led Greek owner's new joint venture takes containership fleet to seven with latest buy. Mosvold to walk away? Norwegian offshore company could be close to washing its hands of Singapore-based shipbuilder following delays. Pilots want more pay San Francisco navigators feeling the pinch as annual wages drop to $393,000. Bibby boasts better profit UK tanker and bulker owner boosted by financial services division in 2010 as shipping suffered. BMW launches lifeboat Anti-theft tracking device on car parked on P&O ferry sends coastguards searching for what they believed was sinking ship. NOCC nabs time charter Lars Solbakken-led company said rate reflects bounce-back in car carrier market since Japanese earthquake in March.

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JUNE 14, 2011
UPS adds exchange option for high-value returns Integrated logistics provider UPS said Monday it will launch a reverse logistics service in the fall aimed at helping businesses with high-value products save money and improve customer service when handling returns or exchanges. The service, call... Hapag-Lloyd PAX loop swaps German calls The Grand Alliance is switching German port calls on its pendulum PAX service between Europe, North America and Asia, according to a note from alliance member Hapag-Lloyd. The service, operated with 13 Hapag-Lloyd vessels, has a rotation of Thamesp... Zim raises Asia/South America rates Liner carrier Zim said Monday it will raise rates on shipments from Asia to South America beginning July 1. The increase is $500 per 20-foot container and $1,000 per 40-foot container. 'The rate increase is necessary in view of market conditions a... CSAV to halt India transpacific loop Chilean liner carrier CSAV said Monday it will suspend its loop connecting the Indian Subcontinent and Far East with the U.S. West Coast due to "prevailing negative market conditions on the transpacific trade." The line's ASIAM service, operated b... Descartes acquires Telargo Descartes Systems Group, a Waterloo, Ontario-based logistics technology company, has acquired privately held Telargo Inc. Telargo provides software-as-a-service to companies to monitor and manage mobile assets such as vehicles, workforce, equipmen... Aimed at high-value products

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JUNE 14, 2011
Bunker prices mixed across region Fujairah prices slip further while South African ports hold firm. LNG supplier wins two-year contract The company believes the environmental benefits of LNG means prospects are good for further growth. Glencore profits up but analysts remain cautious Commodity trader will struggle to meet earnings forecast. MEPC 62 special: The source of the problem A mandatory phase out period for heavy bunker fuel would provide an opportunity to develop LNG facilities. 'Record stem' at Indian container terminal 'BPCL steadily increasing its volumes at JNPT port.' Japan's bunker volumes down by more than 40% April's total was lowest monthly total for more than six years. Bunker spill threatens island chain's economy 'Worst-case is a total shutdown'. Price of IFO largely down at major Asian ports Demand for bunkers 'good' at Busan. Yujin swings to black in 2010 'Despite rising fuel costs and oversupply of vessels,' company said it was able to manoeuvre in the niche market. Managing director resigns from lube oil business Due to 'serious health problems.' Bunker levy to curb shipping emissions 'needs thought' Carbon Positive calls for a regulation 'to do more than collect money.' Singapore bunker company apologises to Malaysian player Announces public apology, together with an undisclosed out-of-court settlement. Japanese shipbuilders to focus on fuel efficient vessels In line with efforts to remain competitive against South Korean and Chinese shipyards.