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Container spot rate decline accelerates again in past week
A Maersk branded container being moved by a crane. Spot container shipping freight rates fell sharply again over the last week dropping a further 9% driven down by the Asia – Europe trade. Marcus Hand | Nov 11, 2022 The rate of decline of average spot rates had...
Alliance carriers winning back Transpacific market share
The market share of carriers outside of the main alliances on the transpacific is falling back after rising in recent years, according to one analysis. Gary Howard | Nov 04, 2022 Sea-Intelligence noted in a recent analysis that non-alliance carriers accounted for...
In Latin America, Resistance to Deep-Sea Mining is Growing
PUBLISHED NOV 6, 2022 6:47 PM BY CHINA DIALOGUE OCEAN [By Jack Lo Lau] Almost a year ago, Sandor Mulsow told China Dialogue Ocean that the body charged with both protecting the international seabed and developing rules to govern its exploitation,...
US Fines Shipping Company for Caribbean Air Pollution Violations
PUBLISHED NOV 4, 2022 2:43 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE The United States concluded a multi-year investigation and prosecution of shipping companies operating in the Caribbean with the sentencing of New York-based Ionian Management for violations dating back to...
China – LA container spot rates slump to pre-pandemic peak season levels
Container spot freight rates between China and Los Angeles have dropped to pre-pandemic peak season levels, but the rate of decline is seen as slowing. Marcus Hand | Oct 26, 2022 Shifl’s forwarder drive container spot freight index Shifex for forty-foot boxes from...
Should We Alter the Ocean to Fight Climate Change?
Phytoplankton can grow explosively over a few days or weeks. Ocean fertilization is designed to supercharge that process to capture carbon dioxide, but it can have harmful affects for other marine life. Robert Simmon and Jesse Allen/NOAA/MODIS PUBLISHED OCT 30,...
World’s First Hydrogen-Powered Tug Arrives in Belgium for Final Tests
Hydrotug 1 is completing outfitting and trials before deployment in 2023 (Port of Ostend) PUBLISHED OCT 28, 2022 7:28 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE The world’s first hydrogen-powered tugboat arrived in Belgium on October 27 after completing construction in Spain....
Liverpool port pay talks ‘end in chaos’
Workers at the Port of Liverpool’s container operation have begun another two-week strike after pay discussions broke down. Gary Howard | Oct 24, 2022 Peel Ports, owner of Port of Liverpool, claimed that Unite the union had rejected an 11% pay offer, the highest...
Drop in US inbound container volumes accelerates
September inbound container volumes across the top 10 US box ports dropped by their fastest level in 27 months. Gary Howard | Oct 20, 2022 According to the latest McCown report, inbound volumes dropped by 5.5% in September, a level not seen since the early stages of...
Government of India Approves Construction of Two New Terminals Worth $720 MN at Kandla
The Government of India has approved the construction of two new terminals in Deendayal Port, Kandla. One of the terminals is a multipurpose berth and the other is a container terminal. The two terminals will equip Deendayal port for handling Next...
Ukraine’s Grain Ship Backlog Exceeds 150 Vessels
PUBLISHED OCT 24, 2022 5:02 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE The UN Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) for the Black Sea Grain Initiative says that the vessel backlog that affected the program is back, and more challenging than ever. Though the program is operating...
Lines stick to blanking strategy as spot rates continue to slide
Carriers continue their attempts at managing service capacity to support freight rates as volumes fall and congestion eases. Gary Howard | Oct 14, 2022 Drewry noted 64 cancelled sailings across the transpacific, transatlantic and Asia-North Europe & Med trades for...
Port of Rotterdam and Cespa Sign MoU for a Green Hydrogen Corridor
Posted in Ports by Raghib Raza on Oct 13, 2022 at 04:57. The Port of Rotterdam and Spanish oil group Cespa have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the first green hydrogen corridor between Southern and Northern Europe. The trade lane is expected...
Third Strike Set for Liverpool as UK Ports Labor Disputes Continue
The second strike at Liverpool is still running while a third strike was scheduled to start October 24 (Unite) PUBLISHED OCT 14, 2022 4:15 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE The labor disputes at two of the UK’s largest ports show no signs of progress as fears continue...
Container shipping set for ‘short, sharp, hard landing’
The container sector is heading for a short, sharp, hard landing as the supply chain normalises and large amounts of new tonnage hits the water, Maritime Strategies International’s (MSI) Adam Kent says in our latest podcast episode. Marcus Hand | Oct 06, 2022 From...
‘Potential feeder containership shortage’ in Mediterranean
The higher average age of the Mediterranean feeder fleet could lead to a shortage when new environmental regulations come into force, according to Maritime Strategies International. Gary Howard | Oct 10, 2022 MSI said that newbuilding contracting by owners who operate...
Port of Long Beach Joins Partnership to Develop a Hydrogen Market in California
Posted in Ports by Raghib Raza on Oct 10, 2022 at 05:44. The port of Long Beach joined the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES). ARCHES is a public-private partnership formed to procure newly available funding from a federal US...
Crimean Bridge explosion, collapse. Warning to shipping.
Crimean Bridge across Kerch Strait suffered explosion and fire early in the morning Oct 8, two spans of motorway bridge collapsed and fell into water, railway bridge above motorway with cargo train including railway car tanks with fuel, is on fire. Details sketchy and...
Container spot freight rate decline bleeds into contracts
The Shanghai Containerised Freight Index (SCFI) took another plunge this week, its fifth consecutive week of decline. Gary Howard | Sep 30, 2022 The SCFI recorded 1922.95 on 30 September, down from 2072.04 on 23 September and well down on its all time high of 5,051 in...
If supply chain crunch is finally easing, why is inflation so high?
Fed supply chain pressure index headed in opposite direction of inflation Remember back in 2021 when inflation was “transitory” and surging consumer prices were blamed on the supply chain crisis? The Fed and macro investors became intensely interested in chaos at the...
How many containers will we lose this year?
As we once again make our way towards winter in the North Pacific, should we be bracing ourselves for another season of container losses or have we, as an industry, started to learn some lessons? Tom Bebbington, Maritime Innvoation | Sep 29, 2022 There are many...
Port of New York and New Jersey Becomes America’s Busiest Box Port
For at least one month, the East Coast's busiest container port became the busiest container port in the U.S. PUBLISHED SEP 25, 2022 9:05 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE Last month, volumes at the Port of Los Angeles fell below both Port of Long Beach and the Port...
SIPG splashing out $7.3bn to develop new Yangshan container terminal
Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG) has announced it is to invest up to RMB51.3bn ($7.3bn) in constructing container terminal and supporting projects at Xiaoyangshan. Katherine Si | Sep 23, 2022 The investment in the new area through its subsidiary Shanghai...
Container spot rates plunge 58% since January
Container spot rates have fallen by 10% for the fourth week running as increasingly looks like the sector could be in for a hard landing. Marcus Hand | Sep 23, 2022 he bell weather Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) has lost another 10.4% over the last week...
Lines seize Golden Week opportunity for blank sailings
Container capacities on the main trade routes out of China are set to plummet in the weeks following Golden Week as lines blank sailings to maintain rates. Gary Howard | Sep 22, 2022 China’s Golden Week of public holidays runs 1-7 October and comes at an odd time for...
Imports to Los Angeles, America’s largest port, plunged 17% in August
LA lost cargo to East, Gulf Coast ports — and Long Beach next door The Port of Los Angeles, the highest-volume container gateway in America, is diverging from the nationwide trend. U.S. container imports remain close to record highs, yet imports to LA are falling...
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...
Local News
Sabah Ports holds industry dialogue to address congestion
KOTA KINABALU (July 17): Sabah Ports Sdn Bhd (SPSB) affirmed its commitment to improve productivity, particularly container handling rate and will reestablish its window berthing system to better manage vessel arrivals. SPSB will further implement effective planning...
Malaysia’s top F&B event highlights food tech trends and sustainability
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian International Food and Beverage Trade Fair (MIFB) 2024 kicks off on Wednesday, marking the start of a transformative three-day event set to redefine the future of the food and beverage industry. This year’s theme, “Elevating the F&B...
Private-sector needs to shape policies on Johor-S’pore SEZ as talks continue, say panellists
SINGAPORE - A deal between Singapore and Malaysia to develop South-east Asia’s first cross-border economic zone in Johor will be shaped by private-sector needs from both sides of the Causeway, trade officials and businesses said at a July 11 forum. This will increase...
Cargo connects, Asean express success
PETALING JAYA (ANN/THE STAR) – The Asean Express, a cargo train connecting Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, and China, has returned to Malaysia after a 14-day journey to Chongqing, China. The train was greeted at its final stop, the Kontena Nasional Inland Clearance Depot...
Port Klang ready to handle backlog diverted from Singapore
KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 — Port Klang is fully capable and ready to handle the influx of containers and liners redirected to Malaysia to avoid longer wait times in Singapore due to the maritime logjam in the island republic, which includes berth congestion and delays....
Issuance of diesel subsidy fleet cards to be expedited, says Armizan
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali says there were delays in issuing fleet cards under the Subsidised Diesel Control System 2.0 (SKDS 2.0), but gave his assurance in the Dewan Rakyat that the process will be expedited. The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister...
Global Shipping Costs, Container Prices Continue to Surge
Container xChange released its mid-year container market forecaster, which delves into container price developments in H1 and offers a market outlook for H2. "As we move into July, we're seeing a continued rise in freight rates, container prices, and leasing rates,...
Transport Ministry has finalised bus driver card regulations, says Loke
PUTRAJAYA: The Transport Ministry is finalising regulations regarding the issuance of bus driver cards, says Minister Anthony Loke (pic). "In fact, this issue was raised to us a month ago, and we have approved the issuance of the bus driver cards subject to some...
KK Port congestion surcharge increased
KOTA KINABALU (July 5): The sudden imposition of port congestion surcharge by shipping companies for containers imported into Kota Kinabalu has incurred the displeasure of the business community. A shipping company has announced an increase of the Kota Kinabalu Port...
Loke Announces National Shipping Policy Proposal to Boost Local Industry
PUTRAJAYA: A national shipping policy will be introduced to guide the local shipping sector in exports and imports, and create new job opportunities, announced Transport Minister Anthony Loke. He said that the proposal for this policy was raised during the meeting of...
Govt stands firm against Isreali companies’ investment, activities in Malaysia – Amir Hamzah
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has never prevented any company from investing in the country but remains firm in its stance not to allow Israeli-owned companies to conduct their activities here, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said. In fact, the firm stance...
Singapore Endures More Port Delays as 90% of Container Ships Arrive Late
Congestion at the Port of Singapore has gotten so bad that 90 percent of container ships are arriving at the site later than scheduled, Singapore’s transport minister Chee Hong Tat told the country’s parliament on Tuesday. According to Chee, 77 percent...
SKDS Subsidised Diesel Control System 2.0 – subsidy refund applications open July 1, says finance ministry
The Malaysian government will begin accepting applications for subsidy refunds for recipients of the subsidised diesel control system 2.0 (SKDS 2.0) from July 1, the ministry of finance has announced. The SKDS 2.0 subsidy facility is offered exclusively...
Transport minister announces RM10m allocation to boost seafarer skills and knowledge
GEORGE TOWN, June 29 — The government, through the Skill Development Fund Corporation (PTPK), is allocating RM10 million this year for seafarers to improve their knowledge and skills, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook. He said this reflected the...
JOHOR-SINGAPORE CAUSEWAY AT 100: MOMENTOUS YET MUNDANE
he land connection that links Singapore to Johor is now one hundred years old. The Causeway has had an eventful century, as it witnessed the passing of the steamship era, survived the travails of World War II, and accompanied both Malaysia and Singapore to...
Malaysia seizes 106 illegal e-waste containers
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has seized 106 containers of dangerous electronic waste over the last three months and busted an illegal waste import syndicate after a tip-off from a watchdog group, a minister said. Tens of millions of tons of e-waste are produced globally...
Malaysia’s Johor starts coastal clean-up following reported spread from Singapore oil spill
INGAPORE: Johor has started coastal clean-ups and activated coastal patrols and monitoring activities in Kota Tinggi district following an oil spill in Singapore last week that released around 400 tones of fuel into the sea. Clean-ups began on Friday (Jun 21) morning...
Anthony Loke says robust maritime industry will boost Malaysia’s economic growth, security
KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 — A robust maritime industry not only bolsters economic growth but will ensure Malaysia’s ability to protect its interests and respond effectively to emergencies, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke. He said that emphasising and expanding the...
Malaysia lacks professionals in quantum computing
KUALA LUMPUR: Challenges such as high costs, specialised maintenance requirements, limited local infrastructure, and a shortage of skilled professionals in quantum computing are holding Malaysia back. Nanotechnologist and Asia Pacific University of Technology and...
Malaysia To Construct Its First AI-Driven Container Port on West Coast
Malaysia is set to construct a state-of-the-art container port along the west coast of the Malay Peninsula, facing the busy Strait of Malacca. Valued at an estimated $425 million, this new port will incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance operational...