VW Nutzfahrzeuge sets new record The German vehicle maker Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge sold 550,400 commercial vehicles worldwide in business year 2012, thereby achieving the best result in the company's history. Deli...
Europart Polska: sale of majority shareholding Europart, Europe's market leader for commercial vehicle parts and workshop supplies, is reinforcing its presence in Poland by taking over a majority shareholding in Europart Polska...
Thirteen expansion projects launched in Algeria Algeria's ministry of transport launched thirteen projects over the last two months to expand and upgrade the railway system in several regions across the country. In November seve...
CN to construct new intermodal ramp Canadian National Railway (CN) plans to construct an intermodal ramp at its freight yard in Joliet IL (USA). The full-service intermodal ramp will ease the cross-loading of contain...
Italy sees minimal increase in containers: throughput figures for 2012 Italy's container throughput registered an overall 1% increase in 2012. It is not an exciting figure but neither is it a bad one given the ongoing economic crisis. Among the larges...
AB Transatlantic names interim CFO The Swedish carrier Rederi AB Transatlantic has appointed Erik Hansen as its interim chief financial officer. He has replaced Heléne Malquist who was promoted to CEO of AB Transatl...
Boeing delivers Indian Air Force's 1st C-17 to flight test Boeing delivered the first of ten 10 C-17 Globemaster III airlifters for the Indian Air Force (IAF) on schedule this week (week 4). India's first C-17 will now enter a US Air Force...
PPG appoints new project forwarding members in Asia Project Professionals Group (PPG), an international project forwarding network, has three new members in Asia. PPG's general manager Kevin Stephens said the network's new member fo...
SkyCargo boosts capacity with three new B777Fs SkyCargo, the freight division of Dubai (UAE)-based Emirates, one of the world's fastest growing international airlines, has significantly boosted its total cargo capacity and expa...
Volga Dnepr wants to resurrect AN-124 freighter The Russian cargo airline Volga Dnepr wants to start building the AN-124 "Ruslan" transport aircraft in Leipzig (Germany). The carrier's president, Alexey Isaikin, justified the de...
Singapore Post acquires Famous Holdings The mail service provider Singapore Post (SingPost) has acquired a 62.5% stake in freight forwarding company Famous Holdings (FH) for SGD 60 million (EUR 36.7 million). Both compan...
Why not just pay off the pirates? 'Roving bandits' affect shipping in a similar way to tax authorities, say economists
Offen's boxship sales focus attention on German banking Ship finance problems could have systemic consequences
Shipping to get industry-wide tool to measure existing ship efficiency Index to allow ships to be readily compared prompts fears of a two-tier market
Efficiency schemes are already in use and offer rewards to owners Flag administrations use existing vessel data to determine ships' fiscal benefits
Newbuilding sea trials overhauled to improve accuracy Guidelines on trial conduct and analysis should improve trust in performance data
You've got spam Shipowners' inboxes are besieged with offers, real and fake
'Burgeoning' legislation tests P&I resilience Executives split on whether sector will retain its shape in next 10 years
Dole eyes reefer fleet renewal Fruit specialist hints at reefer newbuilding orders
Walk the walk Brussels discussed fighting piracy this week but empty words are not enough
China Merchants to buy 49% of CMA CGM's Terminal Link - Exclusive Interview UPDATED: Debt restructuring deal is imminent between French line and its banks
Keppel's offshore margins threatened by China and South Korea rivals Division of Singapore-listed giant posts lower annual profit despite surge in revenue
Cosco Pacific buys Yangtze River Delta terminal stake from parent Acquisition of Taicang International Container Terminal will complement its business portfolio
Frontline agrees four capesize orders at STX Dalian Fredriksen's latest shopping spree costs $47m apiece
Clubs defend general increases as claims rise But differences emerge between clubs' policies
Paris tribunal tells SNCF to pay $12.5m to fledgling ro-ro firm Rail group to pay €25,000 per ex-SeaFrance employee hired by My Ferry Link
Clock ticks for China Cosco as it faces Shanghai delisting World's top dry bulk owner warns of 'significant' 2012 loss
OSG Chapter 11 judge issues a slew of orders Several procedural elements in place after omnibus hearing in Delaware
Dangerous gaps in legislation must be filled, says Kallas EU member states told anti-piracy legislation needs updating
Brussels must end piecemeal approach to piracy, say employers Tackling the problem demands 'appropriate mix' of trade, aid, reconstruction and a military presence
Bunker costs stay stubbornly high Brokers urge hedging as alternative protection against rising fuel costs
No sign of near-term improvement for capesize rates Australia cyclone dampens trading but China's iron ore stocks point to February lift
TEN sheds two laid-up VLCCs La Prudencia and La Madrina expected to do storage duty for Far Eastern buyers
Cargo receivers must be accountable, say Cinsnet box lines Firms that place orders and issue shipment instructions are responsible for safety too
Hong Kong on track to mandate sulphur content of bunker fuel Government makes positive response to industry calls
A day in court A UN tribunal is as good a place as any for China to make its case to the Philippines, and the world, for ownership of a tiny island
NewLead seeks to rebuild its fleet Restructured firm talks to backers about tonnage for commodities contracts
Wärtsilä forecasts slow and steady growth Engine maker 'cautiously optimistic' for 2013 as offshore sales dominate
Wärtsilä profits from Hamworthy acquisition THE OUTLOOK for the ship power sector remains cautious but better than 2012's, according to Wärtsilä, which today reported a rise in profits
OSG runs winning streak A DELAWARE bankruptcy judge has sided with OSG on a range of contested issues during an omnibus hearing
SFI raises offering to $350M SHIP Finance International said today it has increased the public offering of its convertible senior notes due 2018 by $100M, to a total $350M
Indonesia scraps export ban for low-grade coal INDONESIA has scrapped a plan to bar lower-grade coal exports, which had sparked fear that it would have harm mining activity
VLCC rates plunge VLCC RATES on the benchmark Ras Tanura/Chiba route have dropped into negative territory, as the tonnage overhang continues to weigh on earnings
Sweden runs tonnage tax up the mast again SWEDEN is again considering a tonnage tax, the Swedish Shipowners' Association warned, as a government minister today visited the Gothenburg maritime cluster
China's crude cap leaves growth room BEIJING'S raised cap on crude imports will still allow 8% growth of inbound cargoes this year, an Oslo shipping analyst has predicted
CMA CGM sells 49% of Terminal Link CMA CGM said today it has agreed to sell a 49% stake in its terminal operating subsidiary, Terminal Link
COSCO Pacific issues $300M in notes HONG KONG-listed COSCO Pacific said it has issued $300M in 4.375% guaranteed notes
Behind Yangzijiang's lower price YANGZIJIANG Shipbuilding told Fairplay today it had to give Seaspan a 10% discount to entice the Canadian shipowner to exercise options for four 10,000teu ships
2012 China newbuilding orders fell 43.6% CHINA'S newbuilding orders dropped 43.6% year on year in 2012, trade data showed today
Bulker stall seen hurting Singapore yard CREDIT Suisse said today Cosco Corp (Singapore) might be in for a "more difficult" year, during which bulker sector improvements are "unlikely"
Canadian iron ore exports to China hit record CANADIAN iron ore shipments to China have set a monthly record
Maersk Line Reaches 2020 CO2 Target COPENHAGEN, Denmark - Maersk Line, the world's largest container shipping company, has reached its 2020 target of reducing CO2 emissions by 25% from its benchmark 2007 levels. "We are proud to hit this mark 8 years ahead of schedule. It is confirmation we're on the right track. And to...
Industry Innovation Celebrated in London Milton Keynes, U.K. - CargoWise®, a global leader in technology solutions for logistics service providers (LSPs), is delighted to have been part of the British International Freight Association (BIFA) Freight Service Awards 2012, held this week at The Brewery in London. Now in its 24th year, the award ceremony celebrates professionalism...
Hapag-Lloyd Increases Far East-Europe Rates Hapag-Lloyd will increase rates on its Far East westbound trade, effective March 15. The rate hike will be $750 per 20-foot container, and it will apply to all shipments from East Asia to North Europe and the Mediterranean. Separately, the German ocean carrier announced it is revising service fees in Canada, effective...
Volume Climbs at Malaysian Ports Malaysian ports boosted throughput by 2.8 percent last year. Total throughput reached 20.8 million 20-foot-equivalent units, up from 20.2 million TEUs a year earlier, with rising intra-Asia traffic cited as a major driver of trade by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha. Port Klang was Malaysia's leading port last year, as...
New Container Terminal Opens in Cambodia Cambodia has opened a new container terminal near the capital Phnom Penh. The Phnom Penh Autonomous Port is located along the Mekong River in Kean Svay district, about 30 kilometers east of Phnom Penh, and offers 120,000 20-foot-equivalent units of capacity per annum. Cambodia's low land and labor costs are increasingly proving...
CSX to Build $100 Million Intermodal Terminal in Quebec CSX will build a new 89-acre, $100 million intermodal rail terminal in the Perron Industrial Park in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec, to connect the region with CSX Transportation's rail network in the U.S. Michael J. Ward, CSX's chairman, president and CEO, annnounced the project at a press conference today with Quebec's Transport Minister...
Asia's Growth Comes From Within That Wan Hai Lines attributed its third quarter profit turnaround to its decision to shift resources from the destitute Asia-Europe market to growing intra-Asia trades is testament to the strong fundamentals underpinning Asia's regional trade. Asia's regional container business, which includes more than 3,500 port pairs, has always been complex. For...
SCFI: Spot Rates Stable Container rates edged downward but overall were stable this week, showing that gains earlier in the month based on scheduled rate increases are holding, but tenuously. West Coast rates dipped by $23, or less than 1 percent, per 40-foot container to $2,497 according to the Friday release of the Shanghai Containerized...
Canadian Government to Contribute to Port Metro Vancouver Infrastructure Work The government of Canada has allocated a maximum of C$19.9 million (approximately US$19.8 million), through its Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative, to a C$45-million overpass on the Deltaport Causeway in British Columbia, part of Port Metro Vancouver's Deltaport Terminal, Road and Rail Improvement Project, according to Kerry-Lynne Findlay, parliament member...
TSD Logistics Names Muir CEO, President Robert Muir, TSD Logistics' new CEO and president. Transportation company TSD Logistics, which specializes in the tire and rubber industry, has named Robert Muir as CEO and president. Muir is responsible for the overall management of TSD operations, including the accounting, human resources and safety departments. He will also be supervising TSD's...
Alabama State Port Authority Advances Plans for Intermodal Facility The Alabama State Port Authority's board of directors has approved two measures that advance the development of the port's new intermodal container transfer facility. The board authorized $11.5 million for the construction, inspection and testing of a rail access bridge into the intermodal rail facility. The ICTF will service import and...
TPM Asia Conference Now in its seventh year, TPM Asia attracts close to 600 attendees including top importers and exporters, carriers, 3PLs, ports and terminals. TPM Asia presents a series of in-depth sessions with top-level speakers focusing on container trade and logistics in the Europe-Asia, Trans-Pacific, and Intra-Asia markets, from an Asian perspective. This conference...
TransForce Buys Stake in Vitran North American trucking company TransForce has acquired about 1.8 million common shares of less-than-truckload operator Vitran Corp., representing 10.75 percent of the issued and outstanding common shares of Vitran. TransForce acquired the shares during the period from Dec. 17, 2012, to Jan. 24, through the facilities of the Toronto Stock Exchange...
Annual Review & Outlook 2013: Halifax Port Authority The economic volatility of 2012 continues to affect cargo business around the world. Undoubtedly, this uncertainty will place added pressure on our carrier partners and all logistics operators including terminal, truck, rail, forwarders and integrators. We will need to work collaboratively together to generate better performance and network optimization. The immediate...
Annual Review & Outlook 2013: Georgia Ports Authority This year, U.S. East Coast ports will be focused on making the infrastructure investments necessary to remain competitive in an evolving international marketplace, especially in light of the expansion of the Panama Canal. Additional terminal capacity and improved transportation via road and rail are critical, as well as the maintenance and...
Annual Review & Outlook 2013: Galborg USA The oversupply of dry bulk vessels weakened charter hire rates weakened considerably during 2012, and this extended into the market for multipurpose vessels used to carry breakbulk cargoes. Expectations are that this will continue until end-2013 when pundits predict demand will slowly catch up to supply. The oversupply of vessels...
Q&A: Obama and the Birthers: Are New Laws Valid? Q: There have been a lot of changes in the laws and regulations affecting transportation in the last four years, and presumably there'll be many more in the next four. I'm talking about taxes, motor carrier hours of service, road-building, airport and seaport security, on and on. I suppose we all...
Annual Review & Outlook 2013: Evergreen Shipping Agency (America) While we wish there were only two challenges ahead, we prefer to separate the challenges in three silos: capacity supply side, cargo demand and operating cost. These will be our industry's primary concerns. On the capacity supply side, overtonnaging remains a huge challenge for the container shipping industry. This problem...
ILWU Files Lawsuit Against Seattle Over Arena Sports enthusiasts in Seattle let out a hearty cheer this week when the National Basketball Association gave tentative approval to a plan that would bring professional basketball back to the city, but a proposed downtown arena to house the team could be a loser for the Port of Seattle. The site...
Annual Review & Outlook 2013: DP World Our experience since 2009 shows clearly that an economic downturn can affect the whole world, including our industry. It has also shown the world is becoming smaller and more competitive than ever before. Meanwhile, the world's population is also growing. This takes us to a new era of sustainability and efficiency,...
CMA CGM sells 49% of Terminal Link to China Merchants
OPDR Felixstowe - Casablanca express Hamburg based Oldenburg-Portugiesische Dampfschiffs-Rhederei (OPDR) is now offering its customers a seven-day transit direct container service to Casablanca from ...
Maersk improves Belfast feeder coverage Maersk Line has announced improvements to its feeder coverage for Belfast, saying the services had 'become irregular and unpredictable as a result of continuous ...
Portonave leads the way in Santa Catarina The Brazil, Itajai-based Terminais Portuarios de Navegantes - better known as Portonave - processed 620,026 teu in 2012, 13.7% ahead of the previous year. Since ...
Boxship owners praying for market uptick According to the latest report compiled by Lloyd's List Intelligence [LLI] there are currently 333 containerships idled, representing 6.6% of the global cellular ...
CI LinkedIn site tops 4,500 Containerisation International's LinkedIn site has topped 4,500 members less than 18-months after its launch.With 200,000,000 million members worldwide [a growth ...
Hapag-Lloyd targets hefty Asia-Europe rate hike Hapag-Lloyd has taken the lead with plans to levy a hefty Asia to Europe rate increase in March, just as it did 12 months ago.The German line has notified customers ...
Hope on the horizon? Wartsila believes the shipbuilding market will improve in 2013 but isn't counting its eggs before they hatch.
Safe strikes again Sale-and-purchase brokers have linked Safe Bulkers of Greece to the acquisition of another kamsarmax bulker.
Unipec turns to Nordic Nordic American Tankers appears to have cashed in on Unipec's insatiable appetite for tonnage.
Ship Finance ups the ante Ship Finance International's (SFI's) decision to beef up its convertible bond offering bodes well for a fundraiser that could top $350m, according to RS Platou Markets.
Second look proves costly The early termination of two time charter contracts will have a deeper impact on the bottom line of Mercator Lines Singapore than previously forecast, the Asian bulker operator warned investors Friday.
QGOG closes in QGOG Constellation (QGOG) has set the stage for its debut on the New York Stock Exchange with an initial public offering (IPO) that could top $550m.
Opportunity knocked Private equity investors have already missed the biggest opportunity this shipping generation will ever experience, according to Aristides Pittas.
EU piracy action urged European Union (EU) countries have been urged to come up with a unified strategy to combat the scourge of piracy.
Latvian execs appeal fails Three former senior executives of the Latvian Shipping Co accused of conspiracy, deceit and fraudulent misrepresentation over newbuilding consultancy agreements have failed in a bid to challenge the jurisdiction of the English courts.
Danske downs GOGL Danske Bank has cut John Fredriksen's Golden Ocean to sell at the start of what promises to be a difficult year for the dry sector.
Saade seals ports deal China Merchants (CMHI) is paying EUR 400m ($538.5m) for a 49% stake in CMA CGM's terminals operating company.
Nigeria cries foul A Nigerian government committee has warned Chevron over alleged bias against domestic shipowners.
Eco or bust Performance benefits offered by eco-ships mean owning the latest breed of vessels will become a matter of survival rather than choice, JP Morgan says.
Not quite Orlova yet A derelict Russian cruiseship has broken free of its tow off Canada.
Sweden eyes tonnage tax The Swedish government has pledged a new investigation into introducing a tonnage tax - but owners will have to wait.
SFL in creative issue Ship Finance International is looking to bag $250m from a notes issue aimed at clearing debt.
No surprises at Steamship A couple of words missing from a report in today's edition of TradeWinds may have caused confusion about the outlook for the Steamship Mutual protection and indemnity club.
Ofer empire dividing TradeWinds digests the digits making the headlines this week.
Keppel O&M to improve Keppel Offshore & Marine should see better results next year with margins expected to creep up from current levels, an analyst has said.
OPDR goes direct German short-sea line OPDR is launching a new container service to Morocco from the UK.
Maersk makes the cut Maersk Line says it has reached its 2020 emissions-reduction target nearly eight years early.
Aponte buys ro-pax Gianluigi Aponte's SNAV has snapped up a Stena Line ro-pax for an Italy to Croatia run.
Big John backs tankers
Cosco Pac to raise $300m Cosco Pacific has launched its expected fundraiser to expand its terminal and container leasing businesses.
SHI edges FPSO job Samsung Heavy Industries is said to have beaten compatriot Hyundai Heavy Industries to the contract to build a $3.3bn floating production storage and offloading unit.
Exim Bank opens vaults Export-Import Bank of China is pumping another $3bn into ship finance this year.
Frontline clinches capes John Fredriksen's Frontline 2012 has sealed its move into bulkers with a deal for up to eight ships.
Japan LNG imports jump Japan's LNG imports reached a record high in 2012 increasing 11.2% year-on-year to 87.3mt, government data shows.
Howling at the moon We take a look at what was said in the market over the past week.
Jebsen confirms trio Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Skipsrederi has confirmed to TradeWinds that it has ordered a trio of kamsarmax bulkers in Japan.
Tsakos ties-up Propontis Tsakos Energy Navigation has tied-up a two-year charter of a modern product tanker that takes its secured revenues to $1bn.
Heidmar solicits supporters Heidmar appears to be picking up the pace of a campaign aimed at expanding its tanker pools by courting new members.
Mermaid seals China job Mermaid Maritime, the offshore arm of Thoresen Thai Agencies, has won repeat business in China potentially worth up to $40m.
ITC says Korean, Mexican washers hurt U.S. industry
FMC reviews 13 OTI license applications
NEWSFLASH: CMA CGM sells stake in terminals to China Merchants The liner carrier CMA CGM has sold a 49 percent stake in its terminal operating subsidiary Terminal Link to China Merchants Holdings, the largest public port operator in China, for 400 million euros ($538 million).
CN offers new services to leverage intermodal network The Canadian railroad has been an industry leader in making intermodal comparable to a truck service to attract shippers that demand fast and reliable freight transportation - and continues to hone its products.
Emirates cargo head to retire In an email to close associates, Ram Menen wrote that he's taking early retirement from his 27-year Emirates SkyCargo career to spend more time with family and friends and continue to travel the world.
Tampa sees benefit from Latin American growth The port director of the Tampa Port Authority said robust growth in Latin America presents potentially significant opportunities to ports at the intersection of major East-West and North-South trade lanes.
After record year, Alabama port expands
Maersk meets internal 2020 emissions goals "It is confirmation we're on the right track. And to keep that momentum we're raising the target to a 40 percent reduction in CO2 by 2020," said Morten Engelstoft, chief operating officer for Maersk Line.
Swift sets records, looks to 2013
COSCO Pacific buys Taicang terminal stake from parent
Panama wants canal to be more than a transit point
Weekly global market update A weekly price round up of bunkering hubs from around the world.
Americas bunker prices end week firmer Demand was average on the US Gulf, players confirmed.
Greek illegal fuel trade turnover remains high Study by Merchant Marine Ministry confirmed market estimates regarding a shift in illegal fuel trade from heating oil to fuel for ships.
Defueling of standed US Navy vessel almost complete As of Friday afternoon, the defueling of the USS Guardian was already 70% complete.
Maersk Line reaches CO2 target eight years ahead of schedule 'We are proud to hit this mark 8 years ahead of schedule. It is confirmation we're on the right track.'
Tallinn picks company for LNG feasibility study Research part of LNG in Baltic Sea Ports programme.
Tight avails in Fujairah 180 cSt prices up nearly $10 per metric tonne.
Prices move upward in Rotterdam Congestion easing in port, according to reports.
Owners need to hedge, says broker The rising bunker price is a forceful argument for hedging.
Brightoil wins reassurance from lenders Lenders have 'agreed in principle' to give waivers for breaches of the company's financial covenant.
Fuel-efficient ships 'matter of survival' 'Widening gap' between eco-ships and older tonnage, says industry analyst.
Growing anger at delays in de-bunkering stricken ship US Ambassador promises to work closely with Philippine authorities over 'environmental concerns'.
German bunker company appoints new staff member New recruit comes from tanker background.
Chinese shipping giant warns of 'huge loss' Cosco blames weak container market and high fuel costs.
Wartsila sees growth ahead Company's strong position in 'dual-fuel market will support steady profits'.
Asian bunker prices end week higher IFO and MGO prices recorded gains in key Asian ports.
Singapore to invest millions into fourth LNG tank Tank will significantly boost terminal's capacity.
Scandlines to develop zero-emissions ship Ship will use electricity generated from unused wind farms' night-time power.
Fredriksen upbeat on oil, fuel tanker market Shipping magnate says industry would recover over the next 15-20 months.
EC eyes LNG bunkering as credible alternative Up to 139 ports could offer LNG bunkering.
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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