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Putin Threatens to Pull Out of Ukrainian Grain Shipping Agreement
The UN-chartered bulker Ikaria Angel departed Odesa on Friday, bound for Africa (Ukrainian Ministry of Infrastructure) PUBLISHED SEP 18, 2022 8:00 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE About 3.7 million tonnes of grain have been shipped out of Ukraine via the Black Sea...
A Second Strike Coming at Felixstowe Port Over Pay Dispute
Posted in Ports by Raghib Raza on Sep 16, 2022 at 02:18. Workers of the Unite Union have scheduled a second strike at Felixstowe, the largest container port in the UK. This strike is the result of a pay dispute between the port operator and the Unite Union that...
New Singapore offshore wind vessel owner targets $1bn fleet
A new offshore wind vessel owning company in Singapore – Cyan Renewables – aims to own and operate a $1bn fleet within five years. Marcus Hand | Sep 19, 2022 Founded by Seraya Partners the energy transition investment platform Cyan is touted as the world's first pure...
Suez Canal to hike transit tolls in 2023
Tolls for vessels using the Suez Canal are set to rise by 15% next year with the exception of dry cargo and cruise ships which will increase by 10%. Marcus Hand | Sep 19, 2022 The transit toll increases from January 2023 were announced at the weekend by Adm....
Key spot container freight index rate falls 10% in a week
The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) plunged 10% week-on-week and is down nearly 19% over the last 14 days. Marcus Hand | Sep 09, 2022 The bell weather SCFI as of 9 September stands at 2,562.12 points down 285.5 points on the level published on 2 September,...
Empty Containers Will Overwhelm Ports in 2023 Warns Sea-Intelligence
Sea-Intelligence forecasts there will be 4.5 million excess containers at the start of 2023 PUBLISHED SEP 8, 2022 6:48 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE Ports around the world have been complaining for nearly a year about the build-up of empty containers blaming the...
Retailers Lower Imports Forecast Citing Inflation and Interest Rates
Retailers now see monthly declines in imports for the remainder of 2022 and into 2023 (Los Angeles file photo) PUBLISHED SEP 7, 2022 4:53 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE The National Retail Federation is revising downward its forecast for retail imports during the...
SMM 2022
Shipping can no longer remain on the sidelines, says ICS The shipping industry must co-operate with other sectors to influence decisions that will fundamentally affect shipping, according to ICS. Gary Howard | Sep 07, 2022 In his keynote address at the opening of SMM...
Container spot rates continue their downward march
Spot rates on most major container trades have fallen significantly on-year, but a few routes bucked the overall trend. Gary Howard | Sep 02, 2022 Most recently, Drewry’s composite analysis of box spot rates on September 1 showed a 5% decrease for the week, the...
Environmental NGOs and shipping industry to share the stage at SMM
The shipping industry and environmental NGOs are set to share a stage at SMM next week to discuss the industry’s decarbonisation challenge and its record so far. Gary Howard | Sep 02, 2022 The NGO debate will be the closing session of gmec, the global maritime...
Singapore officially opens Tuas Port
Singapore officially opened Tuas Port on Thursday as the Republic moves to consolidate all its container terminals into a single location over the next 20 years. Marcus Hand | Sep 01, 2022 Two berths are currently operational in the first phase of Tuas Port which is...
Rystad: Russian Oil Exports Will Decline by the End of the Year
PUBLISHED AUG 26, 2022 9:45 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE Consultancy Rystad Energy expects a drop-off ahead for Russian oil production and exports as the cutoff date for the planned EU oil embargo approaches. At the end of this year, the European Union will not...
Seafarers Get Time for Shore Leave During Felixstowe Strike
PUBLISHED AUG 26, 2022 9:23 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE The strike at the Port of Felixstowe is creating challenges for UK importers and exporters, and it has also delayed several vessels within the port complex. For at least one crew, this meant an opportunity...
Ukrainian seamen are free to leave country and work abroad, by Government decree
Posted in General by Mikhail Voytenko on Aug 27, 2022 at 16:57. Ukrainian seamen are allowed to leave the country by a special governmental decree during Aug 27 government meeting, said Ukrainian premier Nickolay Shmygal. By this decree, effectively, Ukrainian sea...
Maersk to omit calls at strike hit Felixstowe port
Maersk is omitting three calls at the Port of Felixstowe, UK, next week due to strike action. Marcus Hand | Aug 19, 2022 The UK’s largest port is set to grind to a halt from 21 – 29 August as port workers go on strike over pay. The Danish shipping line said in a...
Falling Rates are Likely to Continue Due to Low Vessel Utilization
PUBLISHED AUG 18, 2022 4:53 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE Container prices and spot shipping rates have fallen significantly year over year despite the fact the industry is entering what is traditionally peak season. While declines in demand versus the surge in...
Trans-Pacific rates still sinking. Trans-Atlantic rates still peaking
FBX: Asia-West Coast rates -70% year on year. Europe-East Coast rates +44% It’s a tale of two oceans: The price to ship containers of cargo eastbound from Asia to the U.S. across the Pacific continues to recede from record levels. In contrast, the price to ship...
DP World Sees Profits Soar With Rising Demand for Container Storage
PUBLISHED AUG 21, 2022 10:02 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE In the last few weeks, shipping and logistics companies have mesmerized the world with record first-half profits. DP World, one of the largest port operators worldwide, is the latest addition to the list....
Auckland ports commissions Sparky, first all-electric tug from Damen
Damen’s first all-electric harbour tug has been named Sparky and received her Maori name, Tiaki, on delivery to the Ports of Auckland last week. Paul Bartlett | Aug 12, 2022 The RSD-E Tug 2513 has a bollard pull of 70 tonnes and is capable of assisting the largest...
FMC Considers Invoking Emergency Powers to Alleviate Port Congestion
While West Coast congestion has declined it has increased in ports such as Savannah and Charleston (GPA file photo) PUBLISHED AUG 14, 2022 8:49 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE The Federal Maritime Commission is considering invoking its newly granted emergency powers...
Lines Prepare for Felixstowe Strike After UK Port Labor Talks Stall
Unions are planning an 8-day strike for the port later this month (Felixstowe file photo) PUBLISHED AUG 14, 2022 3:40 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE Felixstowe, the UK’s largest container port, is heading for a crippling 8-day strike after mediation talks with...
Container volume at major Chinese ports up 6.1% in mid-July
According to statistics released by China Ports and Harbors Association, container volume at eight major Chinese ports increased 6.1% year-on-year in mid-July Katherine Si | Aug 05, 2022 The rate of growth was fairly consistent with the 5.9% volumes increase seen in...
The impact on shipping of China military exercises off Taiwan
In further disruption to the supply chain vessels face being forced to divert from the Taiwan Strait as China launches large-scale, live firing military exercises in the key waterway. Marcus Hand | Aug 04, 2022 China began live firing exercises at 12 noon, local time,...
Bulk carrier with grain grounding at Napoli Port, Italy
Bulk carrier IRVINE BAY ran aground in Napoli Port area while approaching berth, on arrival from Santana Brazil with cargo of grain, at around 1200 UTC Aug 4. She was refloated with high tide at around 0230 UTC Aug 5 with tugs assistance, and berthed. No damages, no...
War effect on crude trade: Long-lasting and just beginning
Euronav and Teekay execs see post-invasion trade patterns sticking Is the shift in global crude flows due to the Ukraine-Russia war a fleeting event or the start of a new era? At first, many market watchers and investors viewed it as short-lived. It now seems like...
What’s Causing So Many Port Strikes? It May be the Profits
Ocean carriers and some terminal operators have had a run of exceptional earnings, and dockers want a share. PUBLISHED JUL 29, 2022 9:29 PM BY BRIAN GICHERU KINYUA Besides congestion, strikes at major ports in Europe, Asia and North America have become another...
Container rates may have peaked – 280% above pre-pandemic levels
Long-term contracted ocean freight rates in the container market may have peaked, but remain 112% up on-year and 280% up on July 2019. Gary Howard | Jul 28, 2022 Data from container market intelligence outfit Xeneta showed a deceleration in the price rise of long-term...
51-Day Strike Ends as Questions of DSME’s Financial Stability Mount
PUBLISHED JUL 22, 2022 7:44 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. and the union representing subcontractors reached an agreement at the end of the day on Friday ending a 51-day strike that threatened the financial stability...
What Does the Black Sea Grain Agreement Mean for Africa?
PUBLISHED JUL 24, 2022 7:23 PM BY WANDILE SIHLOBO If Russia keeps to the deal it has signed with Ukraine allowing for the resumption of grain exports, much needed relief will be provided to importing countries, including many in Africa. The relief would be...
US exports of crude oil and diesel are climbing even higher
More diesel flows to Latin America, more crude to Europe At-the-pump prices for gasoline and diesel may be down from all-time peaks but they remain exceptionally high. Meanwhile, as domestic energy resources flow to the highest bidder, more U.S.-produced crude is...
Congestion shifts to US East Coast ports
Port congestion in the US has shifted eastwards with more vessels now waiting at New York and Houston ports than Los Angeles and Long Beach. Marcus Hand | Jul 19, 2022 Congestion at US West Coast ports hit the headlines last year as it reached record levels with...
Stark warning on European energy crunch
Oslo-based analyst, Rystad Energy, has warned that energy turmoil, caused largely by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and sanctions that followed, may cause ‘vast demand destruction across industries and consumers’ in Europe. Paul Bartlett | Jul 19, 2022 Despite support...
Biden Heads Off Rail Strike With 60-Day Cooling Off Period
PUBLISHED JUL 18, 2022 10:49 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE To head off the supply-chain impact of a railway strike, U.S. President Joe Biden has established a presidential emergency board to help resolve a labor dispute between Class I rail carriers and their...
Clearance of Snake Island Opens Route to Ukraine’s Danube River Ports
The Reni port complex on the Ukrainian side of the Danube. Reni, Izmail and Kiliya now have improved access to the Black Sea (USPA file image) PUBLISHED JUL 11, 2022 2:48 AM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE Ukraine is working to revive long-idled inland ports along the...
Post-Covid container demand boom coming to an end
The post-Covid demand surge for container shipping appears to have run its course according to Drewry’s port throughput indices. Marcus Hand | Jul 11, 2022 The Drewry Global Port Throughput Index stood at 141.1 points in April 2022 some 1.5% lower than April 2021,...
Long Beach container backlog crosses red line as delays mount
Long-dwelling containers in the Port of Long Beach now up 9% vs. Oct. 28 he number of container ships waiting off Los Angeles and Long Beach is well off its highs, but the pileup of import containers waiting on Southern California terminal yards is rapidly...
Offshore ship sunk by typhoon off Hong Kong, 27 people missing UPDATE
Jul 2 1500 UTC UPDATE: The ship is identified, it’s offshore construction ship FU JING 001. SAR is under way in extremely challenging weather conditions, 3 SAR ships in the area. So far, 3 people were rescued, 27 remain missing. Offshore construction ship, not yet...
New Maersk feeder servie cuts Asia – Italy transit times
Maersk has launched a new feeder service between Port Said, at the northern end of the Suez Canal and Vado Gateway at the Port of Genoa, which will reduce transit times. Michele Labrut | Jul 01, 2022 The first 3,000-teu feeder of this new service will depart from SCCT...
US outbound container volume drops for 12th month straight
While inbound container volumes continued to rise in the US, export volumes fell for the twelfth straight month in May. Gary Howard | Jun 29, 2022 According to the McCown Report, East Coast and Gulf Coast imports helped inbound volumes rise 2.9% in May across the top...
Containers lost at sea increased 400% in 2020 – 2021
There was a four-fold increase in the number of containers lost overboard during the 2020 – 2021 compared to the previous two-year. Marcus Hand | Jun 22, 2022 According to figures from the World Shipping Council (WSC) 3,133 containers were lost overboard in the 2020 –...
Analysis: The next COVID-19 booster shots will likely be updated for Omicron
NEW YORK: COVID-19 vaccines this fall are likely to be based on the Omicron variant of the coronavirus rather than the original strain, although some experts suggest they may only offer significant benefits for older and immunocompromised people. Moderna, Pfizer and...
UN Ocean Conference is a Key Step to Restoring Ocean Health
PUBLISHED JUN 26, 2022 3:50 PM BY CHINA DIALOGUE OCEAN [By Peter Thomson] With every breath we take, we are connected to the ocean. The planet-defining blue covers more than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface, providing half of its oxygen, stabilising our...
US and Norway Launch Green Shipping Challenge to Build Decarbonization
The U.S. and Norway are challenging the shipping industry to develop decarbonization plans ahead of COP 27 PUBLISHED JUN 17, 2022 7:58 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE Speaking with world leaders at the third virtual Major Economies Forum President Joe Biden...
Surge in Boxship Orders Could Create Capacity Surplus as Early as 2023
Many of the next generation of boxships will be dual-fuel, like this CMA CGM LNG-powered container ship (CSSC Hudong Zhonghua / CMA CGM) PUBLISHED JUN 17, 2022 7:47 PM BY BRIAN GICHERU KINYUA Although trade volumes are cooling, the appetite by major ocean...
Freight data wars on the horizon
When it comes to anything related to supply chains, uncertainty pervades. Barry Parker | Jun 15, 2022 An early June report from the Freightwaves platform, with the headline, "US import demand is dropping of a cliff”, received a great deal of traction, and caused...
Livestock carrier with 16,000 cattle capsized in Red sea
Posted in Accidents by Mikhail Voytenko on Jun 12, 2022 at 04:10. Livestock carrier AL BADRI 1 capsized and sank along pier at Suakin Port, Sudan, Red sea, in the evening Jun 11, while about to leave port. The ship with some 16,000 cattle on board is resting starboard...
Mission to Seafarers re-opens Singapore drop-in centre
The Mission to Seafarers has officially re-opened its drop-in centre at Jurong Port after a two-year closure due to Covid restrictions. Marcus Hand | Jun 10, 2022 “It’s great to be back!” declared the Mission to Seafarers Singapore (MtSS) Chairman, Capt. Rob Walker,...
Retailer inventories could drag US-China box rates lower
Falling demand and high retailer inventories could bring US-China container rates even lower, according to a supply chain analyst. Gary Howard | Jun 06, 2022 Shifl said that US retailers are sitting with excess inventory and in many cases still awaiting orders which...
Ports get ‘much needed respite’ as container-ship traffic jam eases
Ship queues down off Southern California, Virginia and Charleston It could be the relative calm before the peak-season, post-Shanghai-lockdown storm. Or it could be the final unwinding of COVID-era congestion as inflation takes hold. What happens next is still highly...
Shanghai’s Port is Nearing Normal Operations After Two-Month Lockdown
PUBLISHED JUN 6, 2022 2:34 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE As China continues to roll back restrictions on most parts of Shanghai, port operations appear to be approaching normal levels. It, however, remains to be seen how quickly throughput can be restored at the...
Local News
Domestic trade minister: Govt plans to retarget diesel subsidies by June this year
Domestic trade minister: Govt plans to retarget diesel subsidies by June this year. Rererence: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/02/01/domestic-trade-minister-govt-plans-to-retarget-diesel-subsidies-by-june-this-year/115771
Malaysia to participate in military exercise in Thailand
BANGKOK: Malaysia will join the 43rd Cobra Gold, the world's longest-running and largest multinational military exercise in South-east Asia, alongside troops from 30 nations in Thailand from February 27 to March 10.Co-hosted by the Royal Thai Armed Forces and the...
2024 will be another year of transition for M’sian economy -Economists
KUALA LUMPUR: Economic growth for 2023 will be below 4% as we forecast this time last year. This is positive but slower than in the past because of the transition to a new era of lower underlying growth due to the damage of Covid-19 policies. We see slower growth...
DTDC WIDENS ITS PRESENCE BY LAUNCHING OPERATIONS IN MALAYSIA, SETS SIGHTS ON SOUTHEAST ASIAN EXPANSION
DTDC in India covers approximately 96% of the population through 16,000+ physical customer access points and has a global reach of 220+ destinations. DTDC has expanded its presence in SEA with its new Malaysia office apart from its existing...
Singapore’s Just In Time Planning and Coordination Platform
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore is implementing a scheme titled “Just-in-Time” for vessels arriving at its terminals and berths in Singapore. Our correspondent Spica reports that the purpose of this scheme is three-fold. Firstly to match vessels with...
Groundbreaking ceremony of Kuala Linggi International Port
Scheduled for completion in 42 months, KLIP’s vision is to transform Kuala Sungai Linggi into a Green Global Industrial Hub for Energy Source, Port and Maritime Services. The development plan includes the construction of tank storage, shipyard, heavy...
Hike in drug prices expected soon
PETALING JAYA: Amid reports of pharmaceutical drug prices rising in the United States, the same may apply to Malaysia soon. Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS) president Prof Amrahi Buang said if drugmakers moved to raise prices in the United States, the prices of...
Will new rail link push more Singaporeans to opt for life in Johor Bahru as cost of living, rent in city state soars?
Despite a strong Singapore dollar and weak Malaysian ringgit, Singaporeans are not eyeing large properties in JB and are prioritising connectivity instead Changing work cultures and the flexibility of remote working post-pandemic are making it increasingly easier for...
Malaysia committed to transparent medicine pricing
ANN/THE STAR – The Malaysian government is dedicated to promoting transparency in medicine pricing. The commitment aims to empower consumers by providing them with the necessary information to make informed choices and compare prices. The ministry is actively...
Recovery in logistics industry to spur AGX
PETALING JAYA: ACE Market-bound AGX Group Bhd is poised for a better year in 2024, following an improvement in its working capital and operational efficiency amid a recovery in the logistics industry, says executive director and chief executive officer Datuk...
Transport minister says no alarms sounding over Red Sea crisis yet
KLANG, Jan 19 — Transport Minister Anthony Loke today said his ministry has not received feedback from importers warning about the potential impact of the Red Sea Crisis on Malaysia. He said the ministry was aware of the need to proactively mitigate supply disruptions...
International News: Malaysian manufacturers warn of tripled freight rates due to Red Sea shipping crisis
Ву Ноrасе Раlасіо: Тhе Fеdеrаtіоn оf Маlауѕіаn Маnufасturеrѕ (FММ) hаѕ іѕѕuеd а wаrnіng tо Маlауѕіаn ехроrtеrѕ аnd іmроrtеrѕ аbоut а ѕіgnіfісаnt hіkе іn frеіght rаtеѕ, ехресtеd tо trірlе іn 2024 соmраrеd tо thе рrеvіоuѕ уеаr. Тhіѕ еѕсаlаtіоn іѕ аttrіbutеd tо thе...
REVOLUTIONISING MANUFACTURING AND LOGISTICS IN THE IoT ERA
FOR industries dominated by the interconnected fabric of the Internet of Things (IoT), the prospect of streamlining the production and distribution of goods takes centre stage. Imagine the seamless interplay between devices, systems and data – optimising every aspect...
Malaysia’s economic reforms set to eat into budgets of middle, high-income households
KUALA LUMPUR – Rising costs of living are expected to hit Malaysia’s middle- and high-income households the hardest in 2024, as the government shifts to targeted subsidies for fuel and electricity, and imposes tax hikes as part of its economic reforms. Household...
Prime Minister Confident Ptp Will Drive Development of Malaysia’s Logistics And Ports Sector
Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas Sdn Bhd (PTP), a member of MMC Group is expected to continue driving the development of the logistics and port sector in Malaysia. This is in line with the Group’s commitment to invest nearly RM26 billion over the next five (5) years to build...
Malaysia wants to make Johor ‘new engine of growth’
Economy minister hopes special economic zone with Singapore boosts tech, renewables KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysia hopes the southern state of Johor will become a "new engine of growth," as the country works to develop the border area with neighbor Singapore, its economy...
Malaysia and Indonesia Are Links in Iran’s Drone Supply Chain
Companies based in the two countries are part of an “illicit procurement network” that has been targeted by U.S. sanctions. In the early hours of December 16, 2023, a swarm of drones headed toward the USS Carney, a warship patrolling the southern Red Sea. Crew...
Onion prices skyrocket, MEP increased to $1200/tonne
If there is one vegetable that is religiously added to all cuisines across south Asia, it is onions. The staple vegetable holds an extremely important place in the common man’s life. Onions are grown on around 136,000 hectares of land, with the 2020 figures...
Johor state govt proposes Iskandar Malaysia be designated special economic zone with Singapore
KUALA LUMPUR - Johor’s state government has proposed that its business hub Iskandar Malaysia be designated as the special economic zone being planned between Singapore and Malaysia, The Straits Times has learnt. It is not known, though, if Malaysia’s federal...
Amid inflation, Malaysians worry about plan to drop food subsidies for all
The Malaysian government’s plan to remove subsidies this year on food and other basic necessities for all and target them only for needy citizens has many in the low and lower-middle income groups worried. That’s because food prices have been high since the Ukraine...