Training centre for shippers, logistics sector A SLOWDOWN can offer the chance for retraining, and the shippers and logistics sector have readily embraced that ethos.
Tanker glut shrinks to 7-week low A surplus of tankers competing to load two million-barrel cargoes of crude from ports in the Persian Gulf shrank to a seven-week low after bookings of the vessels accelerated to a record.
Key Baltic index slides to lowest in three months The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, which tracks rates to ship dry commodities, slid again on Tuesday, the lowest in around three months due to low fixing activity during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
Grand Alliance and partners upgrading transatlantic service The Grand Alliance members Hapag-Lloyd, NYK and OOCL are collaborating with Hamburg Süd and ZIM to upgrade the tonnage deployed in their transatlantic service between Europe and th...
Downer Rail and Progress Rail USA win Tasmanian contract Downer Rail, in partnership with Progress Rail USA, has been awarded a contract by Tasmania's TasRail to design, build and deliver 17 new PR22L locomotives, modified to suit the Ta...
Demand for electric locomotives rising globally The global market for electric locomotives is set to grow solidly - and strongly in some regions - in the next few years, according to a study published by the German consultancy S...
Willi Betz selling LGI The German forwarding and transport enterprise Willi Betz is selling its logistics subsidiary LGI Logistics Group International to the two companies Kajo Neukirchen and M Cap Finan...
IRU sees OECD countries on brink of double dip recession The IRU's road transport indices, which allow GDP growth, road freight transport volumes and new vehicle registrations for 58 countries to be compared, forecast that OECD and EU co...
Bremerhaven top European automobile hub The BLG AutoTerminal Bremerhaven handled its two millionth car of the year on 27 December 2011. The hub thus equalled the records set in 2007 and 2008 and simultaneously took over ...
Cheng Wai Keung retiring as NOL chairman Cheng Wai Keung is set to retire from the NOL board at the AGM in April 2012. He will be replaced by Kwa Chong Seng, who has been appointed the NOL board's director with effect fro...
Substantial cargo investments planned at Liege airport Belgium's Liege airport has finalised an investment programme as part of its strategy for expansion. More than EUR 11 million will be invested in 2012, targeting the construction o...
Fiege expanding industrial logistics services for Döllken The Fiege Group, a logistics provider from Greven (Germany), took over the in-house logistics for Döllken Kunststoffverarbeitung, a polymer-processor based in Gladbeck (Germany), o...
Ceva signs five-year contract with Eurofred Group in Iberia The logistics and SCM specialist Ceva Logistics has signed a five-year agreement with Eurofred, a leading distributor of equipment for domestic, commercial and industrial air condi...
Lufthansa Cargo names Matthias Eberle as head of communications Matthias Eberle is set to become the head of Lufthansa Cargo's communications unit on 1 April 2012. Eberle, an economics journalist, currently manages the foreign affairs desk of t...
Cargoitalia ceases operations The Italian all-cargo carrier Cargoitalia, founded in 2004, is being wound up. The airline's fleet of three MD-11Fs has been grounded since 21 December.
Ethiopian Airlines now serves Muscat Ethiopian began nonstop flights from Addis Ababa to Muscat, the capital of Oman, on 27 December 2011, the airline's seventh destination in the Middle East and 63rd worldwide. Musca...
Varova managing director to lead Finnish family firms body Pekka Laitinen, the managing director of Varova, an international transport and forwarding company based in Helsinki (Finland), has been appointed as chairman of the Finnish Family...
Manica Group Namibia new WWPC member Manica Logistics, a part of the Manica Group in Namibia, has been appointed as an exclusive member of the Worldwide Project Consortium (WWPC). Manica Logistics has operational cent...
Bank lenders object to legal fees in Marco Polo Chapter 11 case Debtors' counsel stand by their bills, describe them as reasonable and necessary
Box line 2011 losses forecast to top $5bn Fight for market share slashed spot rates by 50% on key routes
China draws the veil over Valemaxes VLOC's Dalian debut signals a changing political mood
From leader to Lone Ranger No longer the biggest gunslinger on the Asia-Europe trades, Maersk still packs a punch
Frontline faces a fresh start in 2012 Deal to pump some assets and all debt into a new Fredriksen-backed company frees tanker giant to fight another day
Survival strategies for 2012 How to stay ahead in a tough market
How long until tanker companies have to write-down vessel values? Few can afford to follow Frontline's lead
Fresh insolvencies likely as ship values set to fall further An ill wind blows through shipping finance, with fresh insolvencies likely
Volume hike brings false hope The new year has started well for container lines but there is little to suggest the industry about to enjoy a repeat of 2010
Box industry needs new year resolution to slim down Box lines must shed excess tonnage
Vintage vessels set to lose most from Iran's threat to close Hormuz If Iran follows through on threat, 1990s-built vessels will struggle to find any work
Shipping industry in Bahrain still on alert Hopes of a peaceful compromise with protesters have been raised by the launching of an independent inquiry, but three issues now complicate decision making in 2012
UK officer cadets set to pay for training MNTB exploring possibility of financial contribution
Telling lies about cargo can cost lives Liquefaction of hazardous cargo has claimed four ships in a year
Slow going for VLCCs Fourth quarter saw speeds average 13.1 kts
SK Energy boosts Iranian oil imports Move by South Korean refiner comes amid rising tension in the Strait of Hormuz
Catlin upgrades kidnap and ransom offering Insurer unveils new venture with Drum Cussac and Compass Risk Management
Frontline secures 20% up-front reduction on DHT Holdings VLCC charter hire John Fredriksen company to pay difference next year, but deal expected to further squeeze DHT cash flow in 2012
Capesizes see post-Christmas plunge Charter rates plunge 20% as weak fixing activity erodes prices
Greek VLCC owner pulls in hefty premium for North Sea to China voyage Very large crude carrier to make first UK shipment to China in a year
Boxship charters fall to standard $7,000 per day across size sectors Maersk Line shocks market with an even lower daily rate of just $5,300
Sekimizu shakes it up The new IMO secretary-general has made intelligent choices for what promises to be a demanding year for the UN agency
US shipowners to suffer from Deepwater Horizon fallout Litigation arising from upcoming BP trial to put further pressure on employers
Capacity squeeze drives box rates up Cargo left on quaysides following sharp surge in volume
CMA CGM takes DP World stake in Marseilles container terminal French carrier now has full control of MET
End-game at Port of Auckland as Fonterra threatens to quit Bosses make 'best and final offer' to strikers
Cancellations will hit 7% of the South Korean orderbook in 2012 Analyst predicts fall will stem from orders placed before the 2008 collapse
TORM faces delisting DANISH product tanker specialist TORM confirmed today it has been warned by NASDAQ on a potential delisting of its American Depository Shares
BIMCO sees more glut BIMCO has predicted that despite a tonnage glut now plaguing markets, the global drybulk fleet will grow by at least 12% this year
Puntland hails EU pirate attack proposal OFFICIALS in Somalia's Puntland region have reportedly welcomed an EU scheme to attack onshore pirate redoubts
VLCC momentum holding BROKERS told Fairplay today VLCC owners can expect continued rate momentum as the New Year unfolds
Oz owners back lockout AUSTRALIA'S shipowners' grouping has supported DPW's lockout of workers at Port Adelaide
Maersk snaps back AMONG liners that raised capacity last year, Maersk recorded the biggest fleet growth, adding 392,000teu, an 18% rise year on year, a sector report said today
Shortsea sector hungover SHORTSEA bulk and breakbulk trades in Europe remain sluggish this week, with brokers quoting a huge overhang in spot and prompt tonnage
Galveston approves coal export scheme GALVESTON port officials have approved plans for a $700M coal export facility on nearby Pelican Island
Seoul vehicle exports rise STRONG overseas demand was behind a year-on-year rise in vehicles exported by South Korea's five automakers, IHS Automotive reported today
Seoul LNG imports drop 35% SOUTH Korea imported 35% less LNG y/y in November, as a moderate winter cut the world's second-biggest LNG importer's heating demand
'K' Line switches to defense 'K' LINE plans a defensive strategy to deal with shipping's oversupply and slowing economic growth
Chinese Airlines Won't Pay EU Carbon Tax China's airlines won't pay any charges under the European Union's new carbon trading scheme, while other Asian airlines, including Cathay...
Heavy-Haul Operator Buys Flatbed Trucker Trucking and logistics operator Walden Smokey Point is expanding flatbed operations by acquiring E.W. Wylie Trucking of West Fargo, N.D....
Clarion, DHL to Develop Brazilian Logistics Facilities Real estate firm Clarion Partners and the real estate arm of DHL Supply Chain, with an unnamed client as partner,...
Canadian Ports Say US-Bound Traffic Has Fallen Four Canadian ports said Wednesday their share of U.S.-bound containerized cargo has dropped in the last decade, contrary to the...
Patriot Rail Restructures Management Team Short line and regional freight railroad holding company Patriot Rail Corp. has announced a restructuring of its operations management team,...
Jade Cargo Temporarily Suspends Service Jade Cargo International, a joint venture between Lufthansa Cargo and Shenzhen Airlines, is temporarily grounding its fleet of six 747-400s...
Analyst Downgrades UP Despite High Earnings Outlook Stifel Nicolaus downgraded the stock of Union Pacific from "buy" to "hold" Tuesday despite the investment research firm forecasting higher...
Former Port of Long Beach Chief McJunkin Dies James H. McJunkin, who directed the Port of Long Beach from 1977 to 1988, a period of rapid growth, died...
GE Transportation Buys Rail Software Firm GE Transportation acquired rail industry software developer RMI from The Carlyle Group, expanding its transportation software and optimization business. ...
US Containerized Imports Rose 5 Percent in November U.S. containerized imports rose 5 percent in November, led by a spurt in furniture shipments, in their fastest year-over-year increase...
FTR Says HOS Changes Make Truck Shortage 'Less Likely' Limited changes in truck driver hours of service regulations make a severe trucking capacity shortage "much less likely" in 2012,...
Drewry Says Container Lines Lost $5.2 Billion in 2011 Container shipping lines could lose as much as $5.2 billion in 2011 despite a projected growth in global demand of...
Japanese Lines Warn of Tough Year Ahead Japan's top three ocean carriers are girding for a difficult 2012 amid vessel overcapacity and sluggish European and U.S. economies,...
Maersk to Pay US $31.9 Million to Settle Suit Maersk Line Ltd. will pay the U.S. government $31.9 million to settle allegations that the U.S.-flag subsidiary of the world's...
China Production Advantage Erodes as US, Mexico Gain The cost advantage of manufacturing products in low-cost manufacturing locations in Asia will erode in comparison to the U.S. and...
Growing US-Iran Tensions Threaten Global Shipping A freight transportation analyst is warning escalating tensions between Iran and the United States over the Strait of Hormuz could...
APM Terminals Takes Over Top Scandinavian Gateway APM Terminals took over operations Wednesday of Scandinavia's largest container terminal at Sweden's Port of Gothenburg. The facility handles...
Trans-Pacific Spot Rate Jumps 27.6 Percent Average trans-Pacific spot rates jumped in the first week of the New Year as the carrier members of the Trans-Pacific...
MSC Shifts Some Cargo Out of Freeport, Bahamas Mediterranean Shipping is shifting some containerized cargo the carrier normally transships at its Bahamian hub of Freeport to other ports...
Dubai's general commerce trade surges Dubai's non-oil total trade, which includes direct trade, free zone trade, and customs warehouse trade, exceeded AED814(USD221.6) billion by the end of Q3 11, up ...
Transpac rate rise dismissed as 'short term phenomenon' Transpacific spot rates have continued their week-by-week rises - a trend that began just before Christmas and which has been put down to a combination ...
Maersk fined USD31.9 million in US Maersk Line has agreed to pay an out of court settlement of USD31.9 million to the US Government to resolve allegations that it submitted false claims for inflated ...
DP World Vancouver signs deal with Nanaimo DP World Vancouver and the Nanaimo Port Authority (NPA), which owns cargo-handling facilities and a cruise terminal on Vancouver Island have entered into a three ...
Japanese carrier presidents highlight oversupply as major challenge for 2012 An increased focus on emerging markets and better quality customer service are some main points to come out of the New Year messages of Japan's three ...
Rena in danger of breaking up
Ngqura CT expansion could be delayed South Africa's Transnet SOS has indicated that expansion work at its Ngqura Container Terminal (NCT) could be delayed as a consequence of the capsizing ...
CSAV nears MSC pact Capacity modification may be in the cards for Black Sea service as liner giants prepare to seal strategic partnership.
Drewry smells blood in the water Liner market analyst says small fish may 'disappear' this year amid fears that collective 2011 losses could top $5.2bn.
Dahlman lifts Frontline John Fredriksen-controlled tanker firm waves farewell to sell tag following $500m restructuring.
Intercargo hits out Loss of Vinalines Queen shows shipowners did not heed warnings, drybulk association says.
DHT redraws FRO charter Svein Moxnes Harfjeld at the helm as US-listed tanker owner signs off on VLCC rate reduction and payment plan.
Libya boost for tankers Aframax rates could start to rise again as 1m barrels of crude lined up to lift from Waha Oil's Es Sider terminal.
Clarksons to top City Andi Case-led broker will beat full-year profit tips thanks in part to a strong December for its sale and purchase desk.
Meadway supramax escapes Greek bulker with armed guards survives a clash with pirates in the Gulf of Aden.
Viking passenger numbers dip But Finnish ro-pax operator sees cargo volumes rise 3% in 2011.
Ezra appoints from within Singapore-listed offshore outfit promotes two top executives as it eyes global charge.
Maersk pulls away at the top World's largest containership operator extends its lead over MSC as its fleet increases by almost one fifth in 2011.
Fuel-saving upgrade gets underway Three cross-channel vessels expected to cut their bunker consumption by around 10%.
Strong gains in Fujairah hub Prices for 380 cSt product jump by $26.
Bunker prices jump across European markets Crude oil prices showing losses in early trading.
Shipping association warns against regional regulations BIMCO says 'global perspective' must prevail.
Study to examine conversion of steamships to LNG Great Lakes project to look at feasibility of converting old steamships to run on LNG, and explore supply chain.
Trader reports 'problems' meeting low sulphur regulations Pakistan State Oil buys fuel oil at 'higher premiums'.
Ferry operator highlights fuel costs Viking Line warns that bunker costs are likely to pull down earnings year-on-year.
Asian bunker prices show double-digit hikes in mid-week Supplies tight in Singapore, Hong Kong and Busan.
'Light at the end of the tunnel' in 2013 Slow steaming should become the global standard, says President of MOL.
Tight IFO supplies easing in Colombo Replenishment cargoes have arrived.
Buckeye's BORCO offshore jetty goes operational Offshore jetty is BORCO's second facility which can accommodate VLCC vessels.
Hong Kong 380 cSt supplies 'extremely' tight Delays in replenishment cargoes means avails are expected to remain tight.
Titan Petrochemicals appoints new CEO Cai Jian Jun Henry will become Titan's CEO with effect from January 3, 2012.
The Suez Canal Authority has announced that it will introduce surcharges on transit tariffs through the Egyptian canal for most major cargo vessels, effective July 15.
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