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Port of Los Angeles container volumes up 60% in Feb
The Port of Los Angeles handled 781,434 teu in February this year compared to 487,846 teu in February 2023. “Market confidence in our gateway is as strong as it’s ever been,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka at a media briefing. “We’ve...
Wartsila says fuel price parity possible by 2035
In its report – ‘Sustainable fuels for shipping by 2050 – the 3 key elements of success’ – the Helsinki-based company declared that decisive emissions policies such as the inclusion of shipping in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) from January this year, and...
Saudi launches port community system
The President of the General Ports Authority, Omar bin Talal Hariri, explained that the launch of the PCS is part of MAWANI’s effort to channel technology to serve the maritime transport system, raise the efficiency of the operational performance of the Saudi...
Dearth of tonnage drives ship recyclers to chase small vessels
Bangladeshi breakers lead the way, followed closely by recyclers in Pakistan, but they are bidding on low-quality units with components already removed, poor steel, corroded ballast tanks and permanent ballast., according to GMS, the world’s largest cash buyer of...
DP World launches global freight forwarding network
DP World said that with businesses seeking increased control over their supply chains, its expansion comes at a pivotal time for the global logistics and supply chain industry. By expanding its freight forwarding offering, with a focus on air and ocean freight. DP...
World first use of ammonia fuel in trial on Fortescue vessel in Singapore
The dual-fuel ammonia-powered vessel, owned by Australian mining group Fortescue, was loaded with liquid ammonia at Vopak’s terminal on Jurong Island in Singapore for the fuel trial. The Fortescue Green Pioneer was loaded with five cubic metres...
Houthis vow to expand attacks against shipping into the Indian Ocean
The official spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces Commander Abdulmalik Badr al-Din al-Houthi announced on the Houthi’s Telegram channel that the group intends to spread its sphere of operations across a region that covers thousands of square miles. The commander...
Dearth of tonnage drives ship recyclers to chase small vessels
Bangladeshi breakers lead the way, followed closely by recyclers in Pakistan, but they are bidding on low-quality units with components already removed, poor steel, corroded ballast tanks and permanent ballast., according to GMS, the world’s largest cash buyer of...
Empty container availability fears slide as demand wanes.
Growth in empty repositioning since 2019 had seen an increase of 20% in terms of teu moved in 2023 compared to four years ago, but also the growth in full containers has increased globally by 2.5%, with an 8% increase in teu miles, according to one analyst using...
Argentina plans $550 million new port in Rosario
"We're announcing an investment for the construction of a new agro-industrial port in Timbues, on the Parana River," presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni told a news conference, referring to a town some 50 km north of the city of Rosario,” Reuters reported. "The...
ICTSI reports 4% container volume growth in 2023
The company said the increase in consolidated volume was mainly due to the contribution of Manila North Harbour Port, Inc. (MNHPI) in Manila, improvement in trade activities, and new services at certain terminals. But volumes were impacted by the...
Nautilus calls for Red Sea transit halt after True Confidence attack
The appeal comes after three seafarers were killed when bulk carrier True Confidence was struck by a missile in the Red Sea on March 6. “We believe it is time for those shipowners who are continuing to transit through the Red Sea to reassess the necessity...
South Africa Buys Tugboats as Efforts Proceed to Improve Port Efficiency
South Africa’s ports operator Transnet reports it is moving forward with a fleet renewal program as part of an overall effort to tackle the perennial challenges of inefficiencies that have placed the ports at the bottom of international rankings and led to massive...
Heavy Lift Alliance Gets Bigger With Addition of Intermarine
Three years ago, heavy lift operators Jumbo and SAL lifted a page from the liner sector and entered into an alliance agreement. That model has been successful enough that they are now adding a third member, Intermarine, which operates smaller multipurpose vessels in...
Rubymar Sinks in Red Sea 13 Days After Houthi Attack Damaged Bulker
The bulker several damaged in a Houthi attack and abandoned by its crew finally succumbed to its damage reportedly sinking after having drifted since the February 18 attack. The government of Yemen issued a statement reporting the sinking of...
Ukraine and UK Brokers Extend Affordable War Risk Insurance to All Cargoes
Ukraine has won an agreement with the major insurance brokerage networks in the UK to expand the current war risk insurance program to cover ships carrying all non-military cargo. Previously the program was limited to grain and foodstuffs but will now permit Ukraine...
Fearing Long-Term Problems in Red Sea, Cruise Lines Change Plans
The cruise industry is starting to rethink its plans into 2025 as increasingly they believe the problems in the Red Sea will persist. It is a view shared by the commercial shipping industry, but with travelers making vacation plans cruise lines need to think longer...
Unifeeder adds two more methanol feeder vessels.
The 1,250 teu pair are due for delivery in 2026, one each from German shipowner Elbdeich Reederei and Norwegian shipowner MPC Container Ships (MPCC). The deal builds on charters made in October 2023 for two similar vessels from Elbdeich Reederei. X-Press feeders...
Shipping associations welcome EU Red Sea operation Aspides
The Council of the EU announced that the defensive operation will have an initial one year duration and a mandate to protect commercial vessels against attacks at sea by providing situational awareness and accompanying ships in the region. In its announcement, the EU...
BYD expanding fleet with seven new car carriers by 2025
Chinese automobile manufacturer BYD is planning to put seven new car carriers into operation in the coming two years to meet the growing export demand. Wang Chuanfu, Chairman and President of BYD stated in Guangdong Provincial High-quality Development...
Baltrader cement carrier to be fitted with Norsepower Rotor Sail
The German Government is funding the installation of a Rotor Sail on Baltrader’s new cement carrier CemCommander this summer. The project attracted funding from the German Federal Government’s Directive "Sustainable Modernization of Coastal Vessels" (NaMKü) programmed...
Shenzhen provides subsidies to LNG carrier operators.
The southern Chinese port city of Shenzhen is offering subsidies to LNG operators to boost its development as an LNG trading hub city. According to the notice from Shenzhen Development and Reform Commission, Shenzhen is going to actively explore new LNG trading...
Houthi attacks on shipping in Red Sea continue
A 58,800 dwt Supramax bulker was fired on by Houthis as it transited the Gulf of Aden, some 85 nautical miles southeast of Aden, causing minor damage to the vessel, but there were no crew casualties or injuries according to the latest reports. Lycavitos operated by...
Seafarers can refuse to sail through Red Sea, but a lot of planning needed
With the continued, and worsening threat to shipping while transiting the region from Houthi rebels in Yemen, the IBF Warlike Operations Area Committee (WOAC) has agreed to expand the High Risk Area to include the Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters. Stephen...
No change in Panama Canal restrictions before April
The Deputy Administrator for the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), Ilya Espino de Marotta, says the waterway does not expect changes to current vessel transit restrictions until at least April. The ACP will assess water levels after the dry season before making any...
Container leasing rates reach for the skies
US shippers are diverting east coast cargo, already shifted from the Panama Canal to via Suez, to west coast ports, boosting southern California port volumes and raising box leasing prices through the roof. Online box leasing and trading company Container xChange...
Tanker Optimized for Wind-Assisted Propulsion Achieves Strong Fuel Savings
A partnership between Finland’s naval architects Deltamarine and UK-based BAT Technologies looks to develop new standards in sustainable shipping. The companies held a presentation in London for their new concept, a wind-optimized design for an Aframax/LRII tanker...
Complexities of compliance with the EU Emissions Trading Scheme
The EU ETS first emissions trading system requiring owners, operators and charterers to pay for their ships’ emissions. At a Lloyd’s Register webinar on 7 February, classification society experts ran through the complex regulations and the steps required by owners and...
AD Ports takes over Karachi Port East Wharf operations.
The agreement will see a joint venture between AD Ports and Kaheel Terminals, Karachi Gateway Terminal Multipurpose Limited (KGTML), develop, operate and manage berths 11-17 at the East wharf of Karachi. The new concession grants 1.5 km of quay wall to KGTML for...
ICTSI to develop Iloilo port complex in central Philippines.
ICTSI will rename it the port complex as Visayas Container Terminal. “We recognise the port’s pivotal role in driving Iloilo's economic and social growth. Our comprehensive proposal outlines significant investments in infrastructure...
Piraeus port inaugurates expanding car terminal.
Greek Shipping and Island Policy Minister Christos Stylianides pointed out at an inauguration ceremony 6 February for the new car facilities, the Ministry's goal is to promote sustainable urban development, the use of sustainable transportation methods and advanced...
QatarEnergy announces next phase of record fleet growth programme
The vessels will enter into timecharters with affiliates of QatarEnergy and Nakilat, the company said in a statement. It is the first award in the second phase of long-term time charters in the largest-ever LNG fleet expansion programmed. Qatar Energy’s LNG Fleet...
ILWU and Portland Terminal Settle Long Dispute Which Bankrupted the Union
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union and International Container Terminal Services settled a more than decade’s long dispute involving the operation of Portland, Oregon’s sole container terminal which forced the ILWU to file for bankruptcy in September...
US Indicts Iranian Oil Network, Individuals, Tankers, and Seeks Oil Cargo
The U.S. Justice Department revealed on Friday three sweeping legal cases launched in U.S. federal courts in New York and the District of Columbia aimed at interrupting the Iranian oil trade. They revealed a widespread network launched by Iran starting in 2018 to...
ICS Proposes $40 Carbon Levy With No Automatic Increases
The International Chamber of Shipping has formulated a revised proposal for an IMO carbon emissions fund. As with earlier proposals, it would see two-way financial flows going in and out of one fund - carbon-emitting shipowners would pay money in, while...
Vietnam’s Ports Benefit From Geopolitics and Trade Wars
Vietnam’s main ports have shot up the world rankings in terms of volumes of container-based traffic as manufacturers increasingly pull out of China in the wake of the tariff-based trade war with America. As the latest data on Vietnam’s growing “connectivity” –...
European Ethanol Producers File Challenge to FuelEU Maritime Regulation
An industry group representing European ethanol producers launched a legal challenge they announced yesterday seeking to at least partially annul the FuelEU Maritime Regulation saying that it improperly addresses sustainable biofuels such as renewable ethanol. In a...
The Law and Practice of Container Shipping
The evolution of container shipping has played a crucial role in transforming international trade and shipping, making it more efficient, cost-effective, and interconnected. Today, container shipping is ubiquitous and efficient. The most recent ULCV, the MSC...
Red Sea Tanker Fire Extinguished
The fire aboard the Marshall Islands registered tanker Marlin Luanda is reported to be out and the vessel is proceeding to an unspecified safe harbor. Trafigura, which chartered the vessel, provided the update confirming that the crew of 23, including...
EU Launches Effort with Shipping Lines and Ports to Fight Drug Smuggling
The European Commission announced the launch of a new public-private partnership, the European Ports Alliance as the latest step to increase the fight against drug trafficking through Europe’s ports. It comes as Europe has seen a dramatic increase in drug smuggling...
Shipping fallout from Red Sea crisis spreads to product tankers
With no end in sight for the Red Sea crisis, detours around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope are soaking up even more vessel capacity and pushing up spot rates across multiple shipping segments. Freight fallout began with container ships. It is now significantly impacting...
Gas and Heat and RINA to Cooperate on Ammonia Fuelled Bunker Vessel
Gas and Heat, the Italian company leader in the design and construction of cargo handling systems, and RINA, the Inspection, Certification and Engineering consultancy multinational, have signed an agreement for the development of a cargo and fuel gas system for...
Supply chain executives pin hopes on technology as diverse challenges escalate
Trade in Transition, a research project by the Economist Impact and DP World, surveyed 3,500 executives around the world for their views on topics related to global trade. Over 34% of respondents listed new technologies as a source of optimism over the next two...
Chinese automobile exports surge 58% in 2023
China’s automobile export market reached 4.91 million units in 2023, increasing some 57.9 year-on-year. With sharp rise in exports China is expected to become the world’s largest automobile exporter. During in 2023, automobile production and sales volume of...
Red Sea crisis drives inflationary trading costs.
Carriers have told shippers and forwarders that rates will rise substantially as shipping heads around the Cape of Good Hope, soaking up excess capacity, and redressing the supply and demand imbalance. One forwarder has been told to expect European rates out of Asia...
More interaction needed between government and private sector
The logistics sector in Panama, the mainstay of the maritime industry, is finally taking off and increasingly using Panama as a dispatch centre for global or Latin American markets. Panama provides logistics services such as warehousing, distribution,...
Port of Corpus Christi handles record cargo tonnage in 2023
The 203 million tonnes moved through the port last year represented an 8.1% increase over 2022. The new record primarily can be attributed to a jump in crude oil exports to 126.1 million tonnes in 2023, a 12.5% increase compared to 2022. Related: New leadership...
Ethiopia’s Port Deal with Somaliland Could Endanger Regional Stability
The Horn of Africa ushered in the new year with news of a deal that would ensure that diplomatic relations in the region got off to a bumpy start in 2024. Ethiopia, it was announced on Jan. 1, had signed a memorandum of understanding with the breakaway...
Work Stoppages Grow at DP Australia Terminals as MUA Pay Dispute Escalates
Work at the terminals operated by DP World in Australia’s four largest ports ground to a halt on Friday, January 12, with the expectation that the dispute is likely to further escalate in the coming weeks. The Maritime Union of Australia, which has been without a...
Cruise Ship Silver Moon Reverses Course to Avoid Southern Red Sea
The luxury cruise ship Silver Moon (40,700 gross tons) has become the latest ship to divert away from the southern Red Sea, altering the itinerary for its current cruise and canceling at least one upcoming cruise. The cruise ship operated by Silversea...
Local News
Singapore to gain six Asia-North Europe calls in alliance reshuffle
Singapore, the world’s largest transhipment hub, has emerged as one of the clear winners in the forthcoming alliance reshuffle, new analysis from Alphaliner today shows. With the February deadline for the new alliance structure to begin – with the three main groupings...
Singapore port congestion may persist until year-end
Ships have had to wait for one to two days to berth amidst the Red Sea attacks. Congestion at Singapore’s container port, which is at its worst since the COVID-19 pandemic, is expected to persist until year-end due to ship rerouting to avoid Houthi attacks in the Red...
Tensions Rise As Chinese Naval Frigate Spotted Near Malaysian Oil Rig In South China Sea
The presence of a Chinese Type 053H3 Jiangwei II Class frigate near Malaysia’s Velesto NAGA 4 oil rig in Sarawak’s waters has raised concerns over China’s ambitions in the South China Sea. A Chinese Type 053H3 Jiangwei II class light frigate has been observed near...
Behind the headlines: Engagement is vital
THE South China Sea is a bustling waterway with growing freight and naval passages, combining widespread commercial and military interests. More than 80% of world trade exceeding US$5 trillion (RM21.67 trillion) in value traverses these much-contested waters each...
Pahang, Perak ready for Chinese halal industry investments, which will spur state economies
SHANGHAI: The Pahang and Perak state governments are ready for large investments from China in the halal industry by preparing and developing the infrastructure in the respective states’ halal hubs. This includes providing sites to build factories and farms,...
Johor-Singapore SEZ: International firms call for reduced red tape, improved infrastructure for zone to be a success
JOHOR BAHRU: Dutch tank storage company Vopak has long straddled its business on both sides of the Johor Strait. Over the last 30 years, it has based oil and gas operations in both Singapore and Pengerang in the southern part of the Malaysian state. Now, with...
Johor Port registers record container throughput of 102,324 TEUs in August
KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Port Bhd, a member of MMC Group, registered a record monthly throughput of 102,324 TEUs in August 2024, surpassing the previous record of 99,039 TEUs in July 2019. Over the first eight months of 2024, the port recorded a throughput of 698,914 TEUs,...
Renewed MOU with China will benefit local exporters, says Matrade chairman
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) has renewed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the China Construction Bank Malaysia Berhad (CCBM) to benefit businesses in both countries. Matrade chairman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican...
With Mahathir as adviser, Malaysia’s four opposition states join forces to beef up lagging economies
KUALA LUMPUR - Four Malaysian states controlled by federal opposition alliance Perikatan Nasional (PN) have closed ranks to jointly beef up their economies, as their leaders move to strengthen their grip on the Malay-belt states. With Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as their...
Loke urges Port Klang authority to enter top 10 busiest port list
KLANG: Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook has urged the Port Klang Authority to be more proactive in increasing port productivity to ensure it is listed among the world’s top 10 busiest this year. “I am confident that this target is achievable because, among...
Critical minerals boom will have major impact on Malaysia’s real estate market: Juwai IQI
PETALING JAYA: Without the materials called “rare earths” and “critical minerals,” electric cars will not run, laptop computers will not boot up, solar panels and wind turbines will not generate power and mobile phones will not make a single call. The shift to green...
Young NSP ambassadors tour Malaysia, Thailand
Two groups of 12 young Taiwanese agricultural ambassadors are touring Malaysia and Thailand as part of a New Southbound Policy exchange program. Accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the two groups left...
“India, Singapore and Malaysia steady markets for South African top fruit”
India, Singapore, Malaysia as well as Bangladesh remain important markets for South African apples and pears. Eon Smit, commercial director of Fruitworks, based in Paarl says, "Asia Fruit Logistica is a space where we as the three companies come together to spend...
Malaysia’s MITEC hosts 11,000 finance leaders
The Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) recently hosted The 15th Worldwide Chinese Life Insurance Congress & 2024 IDA Annual Conference, which brought together 11,000 global financial insurance elites for a mega convention across four days....
Malaysia begins exporting fresh durians to China
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia has started exporting fresh durian to China, with 40 metric tons of the popular tropical fruit to be sent in three phases starting Saturday, according to Agriculture and Food Security Deputy Minister Arthur Joseph Kurup. The...
Malaysia targets emerging markets with new Matrade office in Karachi, says Tengku Zafrul
NEW DELHI, Aug 25 — The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) will open an office in Karachi, Pakistan, as part of Malaysia’s growing focus on emerging markets. In key growth areas, Malaysia is looking at boosting trade with South Africa, Libya,...
Government Must Pay For Patients To Get Insulin From University Hospitals, Private Facilities Amid MOH Shortage: Lawmakers
Umno Youth leader Dr Akmal Saleh and Kuala Langat MP Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi urge the government to pay for diabetes patients to get insulin from university hospitals or private facilities, amid a severe shortage in MOH. Dr Akmal suggests the use of vouchers. KUALA...
EcoCeres prepares for expansion in Malaysia with new storage agreement
Johor, Malaysia, 12 August, 2024 – EcoCeres Limited (“EcoCeres” or the “Company”), asubsidiary of EcoCeres Inc., agreed to lease 100,000 m3in Dialog Terminals Langsat (3)Sdn. Bhd. (“DTL3”)’s expanded storage facilities in Tanjung Langsat, Johor Darul...
Malaysia can play role in global supply chain between US-China stand-off – Tengku Zafrul
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia, as a middle power, can play its role in global supply chain security between the US-China stand-off, particularly via its electrical and electronics (E&E) and renewable energy (RE) sectors. Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku...
Malaysia’s economy grows 5.9%
Malaysia’s economy grew 5.9% in the second quarter from a year earlier, surpassing market expectations, the government and central bank said on Friday. The growth in the April-to-June period compared with annual growth of 4.2% in the first quarter. Shipping containers...