Brittany Ferries boss leads ferry blockade bust Brittany Ferries chairman Jean-Marc Roué and a group of 20 or so vegetable farmers claim that they "freed" one of the company's ferries from a union blockade in the French port of Ouistreham on 9 May. The company said in a communiqué that the group had taken control of the car ferry, Mont Saint
UASC takes delivery of world's longest vessel United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) has taken delivery of the 18,800 teu Barzan from South Korea's Hyundai Samho shipyard based in Mokpo. The leviathan vessel now holds the title of world's most environmentally friendly Ultra-Large Container Ship and longest vessel in the world currently in
Report highlights seafarers' health concerns Much still needs to be done in the areas of HIV/AIDS and the general wellbeing of seafarers, a survey by the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) has found. Results were garnered from questioning 34 maritime trade unions and 608 of their members of both sexes. The ITF described the
Scorpio buys newbuilding resales NYSE-listed Scorpio Tankers is deploying cash raised in a recent share offering to purchase four LR2 product tanker newbuilding resales for USD60 million each. The newbuildings are being constructed at Sundong Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering and Daehan Shipbuilding. They are due for delivery
NAT rides rate rise Nordic American Tankers (NAT) has reported much higher profits for its first quarter as spot rates for its Suezmax fleet surged. NYSE-listed NAT reported net income of USD30.3 million in 1Q15 compared with USD4 million in 1Q14. Average time charter equivalent rates in the latest quarter averaged
Portugal told to oversee ENVC aid repayment The European Commission has indicated it expects the Portuguese government to take the necessary steps to ensure bankrupt shipbuilder Estaleiros Navais de Viana do Castelo (ENVC) repays EUR290 million (USD325 million) in state aid. The commission announced last week that direct and indirect
Officer dies in Turkish cargo ship shelling off Libya The third officer aboard a Turkish cargo ship was killed and other crew members were injured after the vessel came under shell fire off the coast of Libya yesterday evening.
Royal IHC launches TSHD for TNPA Royal IHC launched the 5,500 m³ trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) Ilembe at its Kinderdijk yard in the Netherlands on 9 May for South Africa's Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA). The launch and naming ceremony was performed by TNPA corporate affairs general manager, Lunga Ngcobo, and
Scrapping rise gives hope to dry bulk misery Demolition sales of dry bulk carriers have increased sharply this year despite low price of steel, which brings a ray of hope to a struggling dry bulk market in which asset prices remain under downward pressure, shipping analysts said. In the first four months of this year, 52 Capesize vessels with
Golar LNG Partners weighs dollar bond issue in Norway Golar LNG Partners, the long-term contract-based LNG carrier company, said it is considering issuing senior unsecured dollar denominated bonds in an increasingly lively Norwegian bond market. "The bonds will be denominated in US dollars and mature in May 2020," the company said in a statement. The
Recycling of box ships slows The number of container ships being headed for demolition has almost halved year on year as charter rates, especially for Panamaxes, have improved substantially. IHS Maritime's Sea-web.com data shows that year to date, 39 container ships have been recycled, almost half of the 77 container ships
Busan Port eyes intra-Asia trade Busan Port Authority (BPA) recognises the importance of small container ships serving intra-Asia trade in helping Busan Port to be more competitive. At a seminar recently organised by BPA and the Korea Shipowners Association (KSA) in Busan, approximately 100 representatives from shipping companies,
Overcapacity could sink liner rates Larger new container vessels entering US east and west coast container trades could foil attempts by liner operators to raise transportation rates in 2015, according to a container sector analyst. The capacity surge is coming at the same time that the National Retail Federation (NRF), a major US
China's container exports stable, rates down Container exports at major Chinese ports remained stable in the first four months of 2015, but the freight rate index kept falling, according to a report released by Shanghai Shipping Exchange. The economic fluctuations in Europe has dragged the stable growth demand for shipping, and the average
Jan De Nul orders two offshore vessels Belgian dredging and offshore giant Jan De Nul Group (JDN) is investing in two versatile 6,000-tonne subsea rock installation vessels, ordered from the AVIC Weihai shipyard in China and due for delivery in 2017. The vessels will not only be able to install rock at depths of up to about 600 m via a
Uncertain post-2015 outlook for Hanjin Shipping Hanjin Shipping is expected to achieve an operating profit of KRW437 billion (USD400.6 million) for 2015, surging 432.3% from 2014, but it is unclear whether the success will last. Hana Daetoo Securities analysts Shin Min-seok and Yoo Jae-seon have forecast an operating profit of
South Korea to build grain terminal in Cambodia South Korea's Ministry Of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) will co-operate with local companies to develop a grain terminal in Cambodia. MOF said in a press statement, "In order to develop a grain terminal in Cambodia, we will begin a feasibility study to determine an appropriate location, proper
Otto Marine issues profit warning for 1Q15 Singapore-listed offshore services provider Otto Marine has issued profit warning for its first quarter that ended on 31 March 2015 in its filing to the Singapore Exchange. The company has attributed its losses for the first quarter mainly to the decrease in vessel utilisation and lower charter
'Hold' for MISC shares An analyst from the Malaysia-headquartered CIMB bank has recommended a 'hold' status for shipping line MISC because of the low revenue from its LNG and chemical tankers segments. Raymond Yap cited that profit from MISC's LNG arm had fallen 22% year on year (y/y) on the back of the expiry of two
Philippines beer-giant to develop Davao port Davao port in the Philippines could be developed and run by the country's beer-maker San Miguel Corporation, sources have confirmed. "San Miguel bought bid documents for the Davao Sasa Port Public-Private Partnership [PPP]," an official with the PPP Center of the Philippines told IHS Maritime on 11
Philippines shipping escapes wrath of Typhoon Noul Typhoon Noul, locally known as Typhoon "Dodong", has had a limited effect on shipping in the Philippines despite being one of the stronger storms to affect the Southeast Asian country this year. The storm touched the top of the northern Philippine island Luzon on 10 May, but by 11 May, it was already
Maersk Line appoints new North Asia CEO Maersk Line announced on 8 May that Robbert Van Trooijen will take the position as regional CEO of Maersk Line North Asia effective from 1 July. Robert will replace Tim Smith who will take on the role as chairman of Maersk China and chief representative of the Maersk Group in North Asia. Smith will
Seafarer killed after Turkish ro-ro shelled off Libya Vessel named as Cook Islands flag Tuna 1
'Ugly surprises' expected on German loans Reederei Buss sale points to new mood among banks, say ship finance sources
US box imports booming as congestion clears Throughput volumes at west coast ports reach a record-high 1.7m teu in March
DSME says giant boxship order in the works South Korean shipbuilder tipped to win Maersk Line's 20,000 teu deal
Scorpio considers its slice of the VLGC pie Will the New York-listed product tanker player boost its share of the gas-carrying market, rather than cut it?
Scorpio Tankers expands fleet with resales Is there no stopping the expansion of this rapacious New York-listed product tanker player?
Mixed picture for schedule reliability as new alliance services bed in If improved schedule reliability is one of the desired benefits of joining an alliance, the jury is still out on whether the latest two alliances have met that goal
ICTSI reports strong profit growth in first quarter Philippine port operator enjoys better margins and higher volume overall despite Portland woes
Maersk Tankers offloads 1990s-built tonnage Fleet renewal comes as global oil products trade has grown on average 5.8% per year over past decade
Reederei Buss up for sale Peter Döhle and MPC named as potential buyers of the struggling shipowner
BW LPG adds another VLGC to its owned fleet BW takes ownership of Berge Summit, a vessel it had chartered-in
Nordic American Tankers soars to $30m profit New York-listed owner lifted by earning power of its large suezmax fleet
Court freezes Sainty Marine bank accounts Whitelisted shipyard books Yuan357.3m overdue bank loans
View from the bridge: Rodolphe Saadé Heir apparent steps to the fore as CMA CGM rides high
Industry viewpoint: Why CO2 is a profitable opportunity It is time to determine both shipping's responsibility and opportunities in the shift towards a low carbon economy, says Carbon War Room president José María Figueres
Delivery postponed European maritime organisations have published a joint letter noting the lack of progress in encouraging the growth of shortsea shipping
Industry viewpoint: Unilateral EU regulation is complicating key IMO debate on CO2 reduction measures Brussels move will have major implications for negotiations on a global data collection system, says Simon Bennett of the ICS
Asia-Europe box volumes slump in March Near 23% drop in March contributes to negative volume growth for first quarter
Higher charter rates keep more container ships from scrapyards Fewer container ships will be moving to the scrapyards this year, analysts say, as charter rates, especially for Panamax ships, continue to rise. The number of vessels headed for demolition has almost halved year over year, according to data from Sea-web.com, a sister product of JOC.com within IHS Maritime & Trade....
Jury acquits ex-Crowley executive on antitrust charge Thomas Farmer, a former executive at Crowley Maritime, has been acquitted on a charge he conspired with competitors to fix prices in the U.S. mainland-Puerto Rico trade. A U.S. District Court jury in San Juan returned a "not guilty" verdict Friday afternoon after four hours of deliberations. Farmer was a former vice...
Strong US chemicals growth fuels $800 million offer for Quality Distribution Call it good chemistry: Low energy prices and rising U.S. chemical output made Quality Distribution a very attractive acquisition target for Apax Partners. The $37-billion private equity firm last week said it will pay $800 million, including the assumption of debt, for the $992-million bulk trucking and logistics company. Quality Distribution and...
More truck delays reported at Nhava Sheva Terminals Logistics providers in India's Nhava Sheva Port complex reported a "system outage" temporarily disrupted truck traffic at Jawaharlal Nehru Container Terminal Sunday late afternoon, adding to inland infrastructure woes that had already been building there in the past year.In a latest trade advisory, the Container Freight Stations' Association of India...
Crowley to build $48.5 million pier at San Juan Crowley Maritime Corp. has contracted for construction of a $48.5 million new pier at its San Juan, Puerto Rico, terminal and signed a 30-year lease extension for the property with the Puerto Rico Ports Authority. The pier contract includes development of a 900-foot-long, 114-foot-wide concrete pier and dredging to accommodate the...
FMC's reaction to congestion is too little, too late The Federal Maritime Commission in early April issued a report entitled "Rules, Rates and Practices Related to Detention, Demurrage and Free Time for Containerized Imports and Exports Moving Through Selected United States Ports" that summarized the results of a series of listening sessions the FMC conducted during recent port congestion...
CSX unveils new Quebec intermodal terminal CSX Transportation unveiled a new intermodal terminal just outside of Montreal Monday, giving the Jackonsville, Fla.-based railway easy access to the Eastern Canadian market. The $100 million, 89-acre facility in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec will be able to handle 100,000 containers annually and will connect the region to CSX's 21,000-mile rail network in...
New Volvo plant to boost Charleston's automotive cargo Volvo Car Corp.'s plan for a $500 million factory in Berkeley County, South Carolina, is likely to generate additional automotive cargo for the Port of Charleston, which already is the primary port for BMW's plant in the state. The Volvo plant, announced Monday, will initially produce about 100,000 cars a year...
Annual US trucking revenue tops $700 billion for first time U.S. trucking companies of all types generated a combined $700.4 billion in revenue last year, fueled by economic growth that led to higher freight demand and higher rates. As an industry, trucking broke past the $700 billion revenue mark in the U.S. for the first time, the American Trucking Associations said...
Transportation Marketing & Sales Association Announces 2015 Compass Awards Recipients The Transportation Marketing & Sales Association (TMSA) recently announced the recipients of the 2015 TMSA Compass Awards Program. In its 63rd year of existence, this awards program recognizes marketing and sales best practices by transportation and logistics companies that ultimately demonstrate effective execution and measurable business results. "The Compass Awards Program...
CMA CGM to christen new ship at Port of Le Havre Being the third world containership operator, CMA CGM has chosen HAROPA - Port of Le Havre to christen its new sea giant vessel, the Kerguelen. A choice which proves the confidence that the major world ship-owners have placed in the professionalism of HAROPA, the leading container port for the external...
New Asia-South America service key to Zim's comeback strategy Zim Integrated Shipping Services has launched a new service between Asia and South America, soon to be followed by its debut on the Asia-U.S. East Coast route via Suez, as the financially revamped Israeli carrier seeks to expand its cargo base on core trades. The carrier is upgrading its weekly Asia-South...
German rail freight network hobbled after after drivers strike London - The German rail freight network is struggling to return to normal as train drivers return to work after a near one week strike that severely disrupted industrial supply chains in Europe's largest economy. While passenger trains are largely running to schedule, rail freight will feel the effects of the...
Indian Railways targets refrigerated transport expansion Indian Railways is beefing up its cold chain portfolio by building a network of temperature-controlled warehouse and distribution facilities across the country.The public enterprise has entrusted its logistics arms - Container Corporation of India, Central Warehousing Corporation and Central Railside Warehouse Company - with the start-up and management of new...
Brazilian port concession program moves forward After more than 18 months of delays, the much heralded first phase of Brazil's more than Reais 10 billion ($3.36 billion) port concession program received the go-ahead to proceed from the Tribunal de Contas da Uniao. The first phase alone will see around Reais4.7 billion invested in new port concessions in Santos,...
Central American terminals lift ICTSI in first quarter HONG KONG - International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) reported increasing volumes and revenue in the first quarter, with net income largely driven by better margins at its facilities in Mexico and Honduras.The Manila-based terminal operator posted revenue from port operations in the first quarter of $296.1 million, a year-over-year...
DryShips loss misses forecasts George Economou-led DryShips swelled its net loss in the first quarter as it delivered a result that saw better operational performance but that slightly missed analyst predictions.
Crowley strikes pier deal Crowley Maritime has forged a $48.5m construction contract to build a new pier at its terminal in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Lauritzen lowers forecast J Lauritzen has deepened its full year loss expectations after the worst dry cargo market in 30 years left it in the red for the first three months of 2015.
ADSB turns positive Abu Dhabi Shipbuilding (ADSB) has returned to profit in the first quarter as revenue rose.
BKM edges up profit Singapore's Beng Kuang Marine (BKM) has ridden its higher first quarter revenue to a marginal profit.
TRF adds to Navig8 pool Navig8 has added another Wilbur Ross-owned tanker to its pool system.
Top of the joy division? A new happiness index for seafarers has shown they rate their job satisfaction at nearly 6.5 out of 10, but concerns remain.
FSL bolsters board First Ship Lease Trust (FSL Trust) has hired a veteran accountant to join its board of directors as an independent member.
STNG in $240m strike Scorpio Tankers has snapped up a quartet of LR2 products tankers.
Navig8 sales 'profitable' Navig8 Product Tankers today confirmed the sale of a trio of LR2 newbuildings.
Cargoship shelled off Libya One crewman has died and others were injured after a Turkish-owned general cargoship was attacked off Libya.
Safety culture criticised Safety records had been falsified on a Japanese reefer on which a crewman was injured in a lifeboat accident.
Cape scrap record in sight Capesize scrapping continues to close in on record levels with 2015 figures now more than double the number seen last year.
Naikai back in black Japanese shipbuilder Naikai Zosen has beaten its forecast for the full year to post higher profit and revenue.
DMER fears ULC 'frenzy' A rush of orders for the latest giant boxships has raised eyebrows at Drewry Maritime Equity Research given the vessels' potential impact on a market revival.
Seaboard back in black Miami containership company Seaboard has turned around an operating loss in the three months to 4 April.
Vallianz holds steady Vallianz Holdings has maintained its profit level for the first quarter in a tough market for offshore owners.
DSME confirms ULC talks DSME has confirmed it is closing in on an order for what will be the largest boxships ever constructed for Maersk Line.
Sado Steamship cuts loss Japan's Sado Steamship has reduced its loss in the first quarter despite falling revenue.
ICTSI makes more Philippines port operator ICTSI has pushed up its net income for the first quarter thanks to higher activity in key terminals.
Golar joins bond rush Golar LNG Partners (GMLP) is planning to tap the increasingly popular Norwegian bond market for new funds.
NAT sees cash flow in Nordic American Tankers has recorded a strong first quarter performance in a recovering suezmax market.
Capesize price blues Solomon Savings Bank subsidiary Golden Bridge is said to have finally concluded the sale of one of its capesize bulkers in the latest deal to deliver negative indicators for asset values in the sector.
Red Funnel stronger UK ferry operator beats rivals as car and passenger numbers rise in first quarter.
Orbis backtracks An investment fund that notified Oslo-listed Subsea 7 it had built a shareholding above 5% has said it did so in error.
SBM axes 300 more Dutch FPSO group SBM Offshore is to make another 300 workers redundant in "challenging" market conditions.
Mermaid eyes fresh funds Thailand's Mermaid Maritime is looking to raise fresh capital to fund the next stage of its expansion.
China coal imports slump China's coal imports fell 26% last month the second consecutive month of double digit declines, customs data shows.
Dry orders hit new low The spectacular run of dry bulk investment which kicked off in 2003 has finally ended, according to Dr Martin Stopford.
Lusitania remembered Cunard has marked the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the liner Lusitania in a ceremony off the coast of Ireland.
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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