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Freight rates set to fall after rally
The rebound that more than doubled commodity freight costs in two weeks is peaking as idled ships haul anchor and compete for cargoes of iron ore and coal.
Tanker rates seen rising on strong demand
Rates for oil product tankers on key Asian freight routes are expected to be mixed this week as Japanese demand for diesel and jet rises after the devastating earthquake, while naphtha needs fall sharply.
Dubai World unit nears US$2.2b loan deal
Drydocks World (DDW), a unit of debt-ridden Dubai World, expects to complete the restructuring of a US$2.2 billion loan by April 30 and does not require government support, its chairman said yesterday.
Rig makers poised for robust year

Strait Talk

Japan will rebound from worst disaster since 1945
AS THIS column is being written, the true extent of the disaster that has hit Japan isÂ starting to become apparent. It is a catastrophe that came from the sea but its worst effects were largely felt on land.

web site

Shipping News

Freight rates set to fall after rally
The rebound that more than doubled commodity freight costs in two weeks is peaking as idled ships haul anchor and compete for cargoes of iron ore and coal.
Tanker rates seen rising on strong demand
Rates for oil product tankers on key Asian freight routes are expected to be mixed this week as Japanese demand for diesel and jet rises after the devastating earthquake, while naphtha needs fall sharply.
Dubai World unit nears US$2.2b loan deal
Drydocks World (DDW), a unit of debt-ridden Dubai World, expects to complete the restructuring of a US$2.2 billion loan by April 30 and does not require government support, its chairman said yesterday.
Rig makers poised for robust year

Strait Talk

Japan will rebound from worst disaster since 1945
AS THIS column is being written, the true extent of the disaster that has hit Japan isÂ starting to become apparent. It is a catastrophe that came from the sea but its worst effects were largely felt on land.

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Seaspan, Carlyle, Tiger tie up in US$5 billion ship buying deal Southern Japanese ports resume operations, factories still shut SITC shows how intra-Asia pays off as 2010 profits soar 248pc Xiamen-Taiwan trade value at US$3.9 million in January Qinzhou port boxes up 55pc, tonnage beats record in January Waterway freight volume in Fujian up 6pc in January NY-NJ records 16pc increase in container volume in 2010 Le Havre unveils express rail link to Ludwigshafen, Germany MENA region beats eastern Europe for sourcing: GSLI report Shipowners brace for greenie attack over sulphur fuel content Lunar New Year shrinks HK air cargo, but boosts passenger volume Cathay cargo numbers drop in February on capacity hikes China's air cargo sector expected to consolidate in coming years

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CMA CGM Group launches eco-calculator Japan disaster leaves impact on shipping MoS' Consultative Committee discusses SCI performance Shipping cargo volumes to rise by 8-9 pc this fiscal Tata's Nano may be exported to Malaysia US calls for opening up insurance, retail to FDI A packed programme, top speakers had the trade captivated Container, liquid cargo operations at Karaikal port soon DP World Chennai welcomes Maersk Line's ICON service AILBIEA announces SPLASH 2011 SE Rly to transport more of non-iron ore items Exports zoom by 50 pc to $23.6 billion in Feb. 11

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MARCH 15, 2011
UK: RFG calls for clear policies to reduce C02 emissions The UK's Rail Freight Group (RFG) has written to the secretary of state for transport, Philip Hammond, clearly outlining the vital role that railfreight has in helping the governme... INTTRA celebrates 10th anniversary The New Jersey (USA)-based company INTTRA is celebrating its tenth anniversary as the leading e-commerce platform for the ocean freight industry. As the largest multi-carrier ... New sales strategist on board at Beluga The core business of Beluga is the perfect completion of bespoke logistics challenges in the project and heavy lift segment worldwide. The objective of the Bremen (Germany)-based f... USA: RWI Transportation opens a new terminal in Dallas The US service provider RWI Transportation has opened a new terminal in the Dallas-Fort Worth market (Texas). The new terminal is close to the centre of Dallas, giving it easy acce... Iata publishing DGR in Russian The International Air Transport Association (Iata) is publishing a Russian language version of the latest edition of the Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) this month (March 2011). ... Zurich airport - GPS approach system installed Zurich Airport became the first Swiss airport to use a satellite-based approach system. The modern approach procedure, which was phased in on 10 March, uses GPS technology to direc... New EUR 100 million cargo terminal at Madrid-Barajas airport Iberia and Spain's national airport and traffic control authority Aena agreed to build a new, 39,000 sqm Iberia cargo terminal at the Madrid-Barajas airport. Commissioned for ... Daimler and Rolls-Royce plan to scoop up Tognum Daimler and the Rolls-Royce Group are joining forces to launch a public tender offer for a 100% takeover of Tognum AG. The bid will come from a joint venture that will be equally o... Ekol Logistics to be Turkish representative of TecDis The Turkish logistics service provider Ekol Logistics has become a member of the international network of TecDis (The European Technical Distribution Network) and its sole represen... Hoyer to handle intralogistics for Carbon Black The international transport and logistics company Hoyer, based in Hamburg (Germany), has won a comprehensive on-site logistics contract from the German enterprise Evonik Carbon Bla... Ceva to distribute spare parts for Mercedes-Benz and Smart in Italy The global logistics and supply chain management company Ceva Logistics has signed a three-year agreement for the distribution of spare parts for Mercedes-Benz and Smart cars throu... Japan earthquake impacts aviation Japan Airlines cancelled 297 domestic and 34 international flights between 11 and 13 March following the disastrous earthquake and tsunami on 11 March. The tsunami flooded the... Drewry: carriers at crossroads What makes freight rates tick, why investors consider the industry a risky bet and why predicting carrier profitability from one year to the next is almost impossible, are all care... Veolia Transport and Transdev merger completed Veolia Environnement and the Caisse des D'p'ts recently announced the creation of Veolia Transdev, which evolved from the merger of their respective subsidiaries, Veolia Transport ... OOCL reports return to profit Hong Kong-based Oriental Overseas International Ltd (OOIL) and its subsidiaries reported that its 2010 profit attributable to shareholders amounted to USD 1.867 billion, compa...

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MARCH 15, 2011
Construction of new sternwheeler is ahead of schedule Israel intercepts weapons shipment Northrop Grumman board approves spin-off of shipbuilding business Japan Drilling Company places $210 million jack-up order at Keppel FELS Sanko and Hellespont form offshore service vessel JV

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MARCH 15, 2011
Port of Anacortes project in line for federal funding Marcon acting as broker for integrated tug/barge Helen Delich Bentley to receive maritime honor Federal Maritime Commission announces compromise deals Hanjin Shipping to partner in new Japan/Indonesia service

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MARCH 15, 2011
VLCC earnings to bottom in 2011 on fleet oversupply Market faces unbalance until 2012 boost by longhaul Asian imports from Latin America Japan crisis, Libya and Baltic ice keep aframaxes volatile It does not feature in the Baltic Dirty Tanker Index basket, so the so-called 'Indo up' route from Indonesia and Malaysia to northwest Asia does not always get much attention. But with last week's tragedy in Japan, that may be about to change Nuclear plant blasts spark owners' fear for crews Bulk carrier owners are looking into writing new clauses into charterparty contracts in relation to radiation exposure of crews travelling to or close to Japan Lack of tonnage lifts Pacific panamaxes Pacific round voyage rates for panamax bulk carriers have topped $17,000 per day, exceeding the price for transatlantic trips for the first time in four months TBS covenant threat could be harbinger of dry bulk crisis Fresh negotiations with lenders unavoidable unless BDI and freight rates rebound Sharing cost of PierPass It is ridiculous that PierPass' charges have not increased since 2006, when the cost of virtually everything else has gone up Decisive action Politicians in Europe and the US would do well to ponder authorising their counterpiracy deployments to act in a more decisive manner Dole income hit by soaring bunker prices Posts full-year loss of $30m Long Beach box imports surge 12% US box hub sees 11% rise in February container volumes Brussels warns Cyprus over lack of green strategies Cyprus at risk of punitive action for failing to meet environmental obligations as a European member state Israeli commandos seize CMA CGM chartered boxship Vessel alleged to be carrying arms bound for terrorists in Gaza Owners urged to act as ballast water deadline looms UK P&I Club says time running out to adopt operational and documentary procedures Saudi crude shipments to Europe start from Yanbu to replace Libyan shortfall Libyan oil production 'off the market for many months' says International Energy Agency report HCI terminates Beluga charters Decision made to secure the continued operation of the 20 ships Malta sees upturn as Misurata remains shut Libyan port of Misurata closed but has not been damaged CDB firms up links with Greece's XRTC Contract is for provision of financial advisory services to CDB Diana inks new boxship charter deal with Maersk New deal for Sagitta will see Diana earning significant increase on rate Sanko and Hellespont in offshore tie-up Joint venture to provide ship and crew management services for two companies' fleets of offshore vessels ABP pushes ahead with Green Port Hull project Proceeding with environmental statements to support proposed '100m development Transnet mulls new Durban box hub Plans $14.2bn project to develop second port with 6m teu capacity Ship delays reported at Khalifa Bin Salman Box port operations continuing with some delays Elefsis yard files for creditor protection Facing liquidity problems and in arrears on $54.2m of debts Indonesian cabotage exemption gets cautious welcome Country's shipowners urge government to enforce cabotage rules whenever possible First Ship Lease seeks to expand investment scope Shipping trust plans to look at time charters and offshore sector James Fisher upbeat on coastal tanker outlook Sector an important generator of cash for marine services group Danes offer alternative ro-ro energy calculation Hamburg Hafen Technical University finds EEDI does not work for ro-ro vessels Analysis: IMO's trio of tools IMO keen to show it has the ability to act and formulate a reduction in shipping's CO2 emissions

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MARCH 15, 2011
India debates ship guards INDIA reportedly might allow armed guards on its merchant ships to protect them from pirates LA, LB expect quake effects LONG Beach is accelerating $4Bn worth of expansion chemes as it comes off a record year of box growth Tonnage demand seen rising DEMAND for tonnage should rise in parallel with healthier economies this year, an Oslo conference was told today Bolloré wins Conakry concession FRANCE'S Bolloré will invest €500M ($697M) in Gonakry after being awarded a 25-year concession for operation of the Guinean port's box terminal Russia yard spree reported RUSSIA'S United Shipbuilding reportedly aims to buy several domestic yards this year Calling all cable ships TELECOM groups are scrambling today to assess how much repair by cable ships will be needed on seafloor cables damaged by Japan's huge tremor, IHS Global Insight reported today Suez revenues drop again EGYPT'S Suez Canal Authority said revenues from the waterway dropped for the second straight month in February Reports predict spike in Japan coal imports JAPAN'S demand for thermal coal shipments will be spiking because of its quake crisis, according to two research reports TBS covenants in jeopardy NASDAQ-listed TBS International, fresh off a major debt restructuring, admitted today that it could breach revised covenants within three months Oil boon boosts Russian imports SOARING oil earnings have contributed to a 41% surge in Russia's imports in January CMA CGM offers aid CMA CGM has offered free use of its containers to transport humanitarian aid to earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan Huge LNG diversion warned UP TO 12Bn m' of LNG supplies are likely to be diverted away from Europe to bolster power generation in Japan, Deutsche Bank said today SE Asia holds LNG potential ABOUT 60 small LNG carriers supplying more than 100 new gas-burning power plants could be needed in SE Asia by 2020, a study has suggested Liners sort out quake aid JAPAN'S three biggest shipping groups are organising help for quake victims, Fairplay was told today Tokyo fuel switching seen THE IEA today predicted that short-term fuel switching in the power sector is likely to be significant as Japan recovers from its quake crisis

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MARCH 15, 2011
Transport Operators Mobilize Japan Relief Japan's Mitsui OSK Lines and Taiwan's EVA Air began bringing rescue workers into areas of Japan devastated by the earthquake... Coast Guard Seeks Comment on TWIC Reader Use The Coast Guard is seeking comment on a proposal for the voluntary use of equipment to read Transportation Worker Identification... Spot Market Truck Index Hits Historic High Spot market truckload freight volume rose 38 percent in February from the previous month and 65 percent from a year... Kerry Introduces Infrastructure Bank Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., will file legislation in the next two days to create the American Infrastructure Financing Authority with... Larkin Rejoins Crowley Maritime Frank Larkin rejoined Crowley Maritime as vice president of sales and customer care for the company's liner services and logistics... Hutchison IPO to Raise $5.5 Billion Hutchison Port Holdings, the world's largest port operator, said it priced an initial public offering for its South China region's... FMC Reaches Compromises in Shipping Act Cases The Federal Maritime Commission announced Tuesday that it had reached compromise agreements with four non-vessel-operating common carriers after investigations of... Wisconsin Unveils Grants, Loans for Freight Rail Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker unveiled over $20 million in state grants and about $5 million in loans to short line... Israeli Commandos Seize CMA CGM Ship in Arms Probe Israeli commandos March 15 boarded a CMA CGM chartered container ship bound for Egypt allegedly carrying weapons for militant groups... Trinity, GATX Set 5-Year Railcar Deal Railcar manufacturer Trinity Industries and equipment leasing firm GATX agreed on terms for Trinity to supply GATX with 12,500 railroad... UPS' Crabbe on Supply Chain Challenges (Video) Jimmy Crabbe, vice president of Global Ocean Freight for UPS, discusses the company's continuing efforts to intercept security threats at... LA-Long Beach Container Volume Edges Up Container volume at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach increased modestly in February compared to last year, with... Ship Lines Suspend Service at Three Japanese Ports Shipping lines suspended service to three Japanese ports that were hit by Friday's tsunami but continue to serve six other... Index Shows Truckload Demand Moderating A key measure of truckload demand dropped 5.3 percent this week after rising sharply in recent weeks, remaining at its... Mica Aims for T&I to Complete Transport Bill in May The chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee plans to complete the panel's work on the next long-term transportation... Frankfurt Freight Breaks February Record Frankfurt airport boosted freight traffic 4.3 percent in February from a year ago to an all time high for the... Maersk Line's White on Container Availability, Panama Canal (Video) Michael White, president of Maersk Line North America, discusses the state of container availability and his thoughts on the Panama... Toll's Coutts on Capacity, Logistics Forecast (Video) Paul Coutts, global director of marketing and sales for Toll, discusses capacity forecasts, the possible effects of the new HOS... Modern Terminals' Levesque on China Trade, Logistics (Video) Peter Levesque, chief commercial officer of Modern Terminals and author of "The Shipping Point," discusses the main points of his... NY Manufacturers Expand Business in March Manufacturers in New York expanded their business activity in March at a modest pace, according to a government survey. ... India Container Traffic Grows 11 Percent The volume of containers handled by major ports in India grew 11 percent year-over-year in the April-February period, the Indian... Pension Plans Could Push YRC Into Bankruptcy Teamster multi-employer pension plans are seeking a higher interest rate on deferred pension obligations owed by YRC Worldwide, throwing up...

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MARCH 15, 2011
OOCL on top UANI puts pressure on CMA CGM Tokyo 'at risk' from nuclear fall-out SITC's profit spirals Wang 'the broker' to front Seaspan J-V

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MARCH 15, 2011
TEN 'top' at FBR Tsakos Energy Navigation replaces Overseas Shipholding Group on US investment bank's list of top stock picks. Shutdowns trouble tankers Refinery closures after Japanese disaster to "lead to drop in oil demand" but some markets may rebound. Rand sets the stage Great Lakes bulker owner plots acquisitions with $25m shelf registration filed with securities regulators. Achilleas shows clean heels Armed guards prevent pirates from finding Greek bulker's weak spots in second 'attack' on ship this year. TBS shares under fire Threat of covenant breaches and fourth-quarter loss spooks investors as shares of Joseph Royce-led owner slip by 10%. Mols-Linien replaces boss Preben Wolff steps down at Danish ferry owner after big losses, as shareholder Clipper brings in DFDS man. Drydocks nears debt deal Dubai-based Shipyard may hammer out restructuring of $2.2bn loan by the end of April, chairman says. HCI chops Beluga charters Peter Dohle takes control of German KG giant's heavy-lift fleet as embattled operator fights to stay afloat. Diana wins more work Greek owner extends charter for containership Sagitta for another two years at higher rate. CMA CGM in arms drama Israeli forces storm containership chartered to Jacques Saade-led company amid claims it is carrying arms to Gaza terrorists. Japan holds 21 Neda Maritime bulker features on February detention list due to oily water separator deficiency. CDB in fresh Greek deal China Development Bank signs up XRTC as it looks to strengthen ties with Greek owners. Sanko and Hellespont team-up Japanese owner and Papachristidis family firm set up offshore shipmanagement venture.

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MARCH 15, 2011
Wallenius Wilhelmsen opens Galveston facility Roll-on/roll-off shipping and logistics company Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics has opened a heavy equipment processing facility at the Port of Galveston. This is one of 11 high and heavy processing facilities WWL operates, serving manufacturers an... Sendai not key transpacific container port The massive earthquake and tsunami that hit northern Japan last week shouldn't significantly impact transpacific container shipments. According to American Shipper affiliate ComPair Data, only one service connects any ports significantly affected b... Garza gets regional CBP field command Gene Garza has been promoted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to director of field operations for the Laredo region in Texas, the agency said. Garza, the long-time port director of the Laredo port of entry, has served as interim regional dire... Senators raise FTA pressure on White House A group of 44 Republican senators on Monday said they would block any commerce secretary nomination and other trade-related nominees unless the White House submitted all three pending U.S. free trade agreements to Congress for ratification. The Ob... Gutmann to lead UPS sales team UPS has promoted Kate Gutmann to president of worldwide sales, effective April 1. She will succeed Wayne Herring, who is retiring after 38 years with the company, the past five as head of worldwide sales. Gutmann is president of enterprise sales fo... Cathay volume down in February Cathay Pacific said its February air freight volume dropped 2.3 percent due to weak demand around the Lunar New Year. The airline, and sister airline Dragonair, carried 116,998 tons during the month while their load factor receded 9.5 percent to 67... PO Shipping-TS Lines to expand TP network Two small Asia-based carriers that last year entered the transpacific trade have plans to significantly augment their capacity between Asia and North America ahead of peak season, according to a note this week in the maritime news serviceAlphaliner... DeMint introduces water resource funds bill DeMint Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., on Monday introduced a bill that he said would reform the way harbor dredging and other water resources projects are funded. DeMint said the Army Corps of Engineers Reform Act of 2011 would achieve reform by "elimina... Threaten to block Commerce nomination

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MARCH 15, 2011
Cargotec to deliver anchor-handling systems Cargotec has signed an agreement to deliver two sets of MacGregor anchor-handling systems for two ATHS/oil recovery vessels under construction at a Chinese Shipyard for a Singaporean owner French frigate helps released bulk carrier The French frigate Niv'se has relieved the newly released Bangladesh-flagged bulk carrier Jahan Moni by bringing fresh water, food and medical assistance. The vessel has a crew of 26 Strömma buys Helsinki and Copenhagen owners The Stockholm-based Strömma Turism & Sjöfart AB has bought the Danish tourist sailing company DFDS Canal Tours for SEK 132 million. The company is running a fleet of 16 passenger Somali pirates handed life sentences Five Somali men convicted of piracy has been sentenced to life in prison by a US court in Norfolk. The men were found guilty at the end of last year Stena Chiron arrives to China today The Swedish tanker operator Stena Bulk's crude oil tanker Stena Chiron, 72,825 DWT, that was moored at Yokohama when the tsunami hit Japan on Friday last week will arrive to

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MARCH 15, 2011
IFO prices firm in Fujairah Inadequate products in Durban, according to reports. Rotterdam market mixed 'High demand and insufficient avails' in Rotterdam push up LSFO prices. LSFO premium widens Bunker player says price gap is 'out of this world' Energy tax worries bunker players Senegal tax will push up bunker prices. Tallinn outperforms its Baltic rivals Estonian port posts record profits. Bunker demand 'to remain depressed' Slow growth will see bunker sales concentrate 'in larger, more efficient centres', says report. Asian bunker prices firming Mixed demand in Asia's key bunkering hubs on Tuesday, says traders. 'Large potential' for LNG bunkering in Singapore Singapore the 'regionally preferred site' for LNG bunkering, says DNV. Industry veteran joins Integra Fuel Simon Neo joins Integra Fuel as regional manager for Asia. Nanoparticle technology targets shipping industry 'Increases fuel efficiency and cuts greenhouse gas emissions by 7-10%', says US firm. Bunker costs 'could rise further' amid persisting unrest in Middle East Signs point to costs moving 'onwards and upwards'. OOCL cuts bunker consumption in 2010 Even as capacity increased 23% and total box liftings increased 15% during the year. Hong Kong 380 cSt bunker supplies 'tightening' Delays in bunker fuel cargo replenishments.