Global News

Bleak times ahead for container shipping: analysts

Bleak times ahead for container shipping: analysts

A series of analyst reports over the last week from Xeneta, HSBC Global Research, and Sea-Intelligence present a downbeat picture ahead for container shipping with overcapacity leaving carriers subsidising shippers on key routes. Despite a spell of super-profits as...

How Middle East war could impact global LNG, LPG shipping

How Middle East war could impact global LNG, LPG shipping

War in the Middle East changes the geopolitical calculus for ocean shipping, compounding existing threats from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Two of the top energy cargoes at risk in the Middle East are liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) — propane and butane — and liquefied...

The Panama Canal is ‘climate dependent’

The Panama Canal is ‘climate dependent’

The Panama Canal has reduced its maximum draught to 44 feet and is cutting the number of daily transits to 31 compared to 36 – 38 normally as it battles an extended dry season. Explaining the decision for an additional reduction in the daily transit maximum to 31 from...

Container lines set out EU ETS surcharges

Container lines set out EU ETS surcharges

Indications of charges to be levied by Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, and CMA CGM to cover the costs of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) have been released this week, with estimates ranging from €7 to €105 per teu. Nick Savvides | Oct 13, 2023 From January the EU...

Panama Canal cuts again daily transits as drought continues

Panama Canal cuts again daily transits as drought continues

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced it will reduce daily transits to 31 from 32 as a severe drought continues and may last until next year. To avoid delays and ship backlogs, the ACP will also offer a new schedule for the Neopanamax locks and the Panamax...

Cartagena is the largest transhipment hub in the Caribbean

Cartagena is the largest transhipment hub in the Caribbean

The Port of Cartagena Group (SPRC) is Colombia’s main export port, connecting over 840 ports in 140 countries making it the largest hub and most connected port in Latin America and the Caribbean. Michele Labrut | Oct 06, 2023 SPRC operates 3 port facilities...

Panama Canal adjusts freshwater charge

Panama Canal adjusts freshwater charge

The Panama Canal has announced that it will modify the variable component of the Fresh Water Charge (FWC) which will take effect on 1st October. As part of the Canal's efforts to manage the maximum draught available for transit through the Canal, The Panama...

Container freight rates to hit 2016 levels

Container freight rates to hit 2016 levels

Overcapacity and stalling demand are driving container shipping rates to new lows, according to the latest Market Pulse report from consultant Linerlytica. Nick Savvides | Sep 27, 2023 Asia to Europe rates are already below 2019 levels and there is a real risk...

New fuels, new risks

New fuels, new risks

New fuels, new risks The rise of alternative fuels both for vessel propulsion and as part of cargo such as electric vehicles is resulting in new risks for marine insurers. Marcus Hand | Sep 20, 2023 The emerging risks come against the backdrop of a generally positive...

Container shipping market back in 2019

Container shipping market back in 2019

Alan Murphy, CEO and founder of Copenhagen supply chain analyst Sea Intelligence, has warned of widespread service cancellations on major trade lanes across the Pacific Ocean and between Asia and Europe between now and the end of the year. Paul Bartlett | Sep 22, 2023...

Container line blank sailings surge for Golden Week period

Container line blank sailings surge for Golden Week period

The number of blank sailings by container lines during China’s Golden Week has surged sharply according to analysts Sea-Intelligence. Despite concerns that shipping lines were failing to act ahead of the seasonal lull around the week-long Chinese Golden Week holidays...

Critical years ahead for container shipping

Critical years ahead for container shipping

Increasing congestion at container depots and the end of the 2M alliance in January 2025 could see further supply chain disruption and another shake-up in carrier collaboration and operations. MSC and Maersk announced the break up of their alliance earlier this year,...

ESG Index for shipping launched at LISW

ESG Index for shipping launched at LISW

As shipping companies face mounting pressure to introduce or strengthen their environmental, social, governance (ESG) strategies, a new framework has been developed to assist in this process. Speaking at The Time for Change is Now, a joint WISTA UK and Seatrade...

Containerships largely unaffected by Panama Canal delays

Containerships largely unaffected by Panama Canal delays

The number of vessels waiting to transit the Panama Canal has grown, however, containerships with reservations have seen minimal impact in terms of waiting times. Marcus Hand | Aug 31, 2023 The restrictions on transit numbers and draught put in place by the Panama...

Panama Canal Restrictions Likely to Last for the Next Year

Panama Canal Restrictions Likely to Last for the Next Year

The backlog at the Panama Canal has eased slightly but the drought is likely to mean the restrictions continue for at least the next 10 months (file photo) PUBLISHED AUG 25, 2023 3:44 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE Restrictions on the draft of vessels and the...

Transporting people & cargo through space may start in Maine

Transporting people & cargo through space may start in Maine

Green 4 Maine is negotiating with HyperSpace Propulsion to make the former Loring Air Force Base their headquarters for their future SPACESTAR spaceplanes. There must be an easier way to space!” — Richard Lugg, FounderPORTLAND, MAINE, UNITED STATES, August 16,...

Govt decision makers need to value shipping’s key role: UGS

Govt decision makers need to value shipping’s key role: UGS

Be it war, pandemics or other global disruptions, it is shipping that links the world, allowing for the smooth flow of vital goods, and the link that keeps the global economy ticking, declared Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) President Melina Travlou. David Glass | Aug...

Panama Canal to reduce daily vessel transits due to drought

Panama Canal to reduce daily vessel transits due to drought

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced it will reduce daily vessel transits due to an ongoing drought and help conserve water. Michele Labrut | Jul 27, 2023 Starting from 30 July 2023, the daily transit capacity of the Panama Canal will be adjusted to an...

Dry bulk shipping market outlook H2 2023

Dry bulk shipping market outlook H2 2023

Any hopes that the dry bulk shipping market would improve in the first half of 2023 have failed to materialise as a bounce back in Chinese demand did not happen as expected. So, what does the second half of the year hold in store? Marcus Hand | Jul 21, 2023 In the...

Armed robbery on the rise in Singapore Strait

Armed robbery on the rise in Singapore Strait

SINGAPORE (ANN/THE STRAITS TIMES) – An Asia sea crime watch group has reported seeing a rise in armed robbery in the Singapore Strait for the first half of 2023, amid a worsened socio-economic situation in the region. There had been 38 incidents in one of the world’s...