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California Will Invest $1.5 Billion in Port Infrastructure Upgrades
California announced plans to invest $1.5 billion in the states ports and supporting infrastructure (file photo) PUBLISHED JUL 6, 2023 5:55 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE California announced plans for a statewide investment program designed to enhance the...
China container ports handle 122 million teu in Jan – May
The ports in China have achieved positive growth both in container and cargo throughput during the first five months of this year. Katherine Si | Jul 03, 2023 From January to May, China’s ports posted a container volume of 122 million teu, an increase of...
Autonomous learners and autonomous ships
Equipping seafarers with better language skills is essential for shipping’s transformation and enables the next generation of maritime leaders, writes Catherine Logie, Director, Direct to Consumer Services, Ocean Technologies Group. Catherine Logie | Jun 30, 2023...
Canadian dockers issue strike notice
Members of the International Longshore Workers Union (ILWU) Canada have issued a 72-hour strike notice that that will see industrial action begin around 0800 hrs on 1 July. Nick Savvides | Jun 29, 2023 Unionised dockers voted overwhelmingly for strike action on 9 and...
How could sooner-than-expected Russian defeat impact shipping?
Speculation grows on post-Ukraine war scenarios for ocean shipping The situation in Russia and Ukraine — and its potential effect on global trade flows — is changing fast. On Friday, the EU released details on its new sanctions package targeting Russia’s crude exports...
World Moves Closer to a Global Plastics Treaty
PUBLISHED JUN 25, 2023 5:05 PM BY CHINA DIALOGUE OCEAN [By Emma Bryce] Each year, an estimated 200 tonnes of plastic drifts down the River Seine through Paris and into the sea. It’s a tiny fraction of the 14 million tonnes that tips into the...
Day of the Seafarer 2023: A Message From Wallem
PUBLISHED JUN 23, 2023 6:39 PM BY JOHN-KAARE AUNE On the Day of the Seafarer 2023, Wallem would like to express its gratitude to the many talented men and women worldwide whose unwavering commitment to their profession helps to keep ships sailing and goods...
Asia-Med container rates settle $1,000 per feu over Asia-Northern Europe
The volatile spread of container rates between Mediterranean and Northern Europe routes from Asia looks to have steadied around the $1,000 per feu mark. Gary Howard | Jun 22, 2023 Analysis from Xeneta showed that operators on the Asia – Med route are paying a premium...
Digital solutions for Smart Bunkering
Short deliveries are a real issue in bunkering and Ascenz Marorka is the first to introduce a digital monitoring solution for mass flow meters. Ascenz Marorka | Jun 19, 2023 Introduction In 2022, an independent study[1] conducted by the consulting company BLUE Insight...
System Demonstrators: Swedish Ports as a Case Study for Innovation
PUBLISHED JUN 18, 2023 8:03 PM BY MIKAEL LIND ET AL. [By Mikael Lind, Wolfgang Lehmacher, Andreas Netz, and Richard T. Watson] A country’s ability to improve its standard of living over time depends almost entirely on its ability to raise its capital...
West Coast port labor deal reached; peak season chaos averted
Tentative agreement on new 6-year contract, subject to ratification Negotiations on the West Coast port labor contract dragged on for months longer than expected, with tempers flaring along the way. Work disruptions began affecting ship schedules and container...
81% drop in first quarter container line EBIT
First quarter container line EBIT dropped by 81% on-year in the first quarter 2023, but still remains above pre-pandemic levels. Gary Howard | Jun 09, 2023 Figures from Sea-Intelligence showed that while revenues decline 35-70% year-on-year in the quarter, EBIT of...
Port of Seattle Suspends Container Operations Due to ILWU Actions
PMA reports Port of Seattle is shut down due to actions by the ILWU (Seattle file photo) PUBLISHED JUN 10, 2023 6:47 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE Container operations at the Port of Seattle, Washington have been suspended since Friday, June 9, and did not resume...
Panama Canal takes water saving measures in face of ‘unprecedented drought’
With draught restrictions already in place the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is implementing water saving procedures as it battles one of the worst droughts the waterway has seen. Michele Labrut | Jun 07, 2023 The arrival of the “El Nino’ phenomenon could worsen the...
Container export dwell time at Chinese ports falls 62%
Dwell times for export containers at China's ports have fallen to under five days while import dwell times have risen in recent weeks. Gary Howard | Jun 05, 2023 According to data from FourKites, ocean dwell times – the difference between gate times and vessel...
Shippers Calls for Biden to Intervene to Reopen West Coast Ports
Port of Los Angeles highlights that it is open with no vessels backed up while the current labor dispute continues (Port of Los Angeles) PUBLISHED JUN 5, 2023 4:27 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE With uncertainty over how long and how wide the disruptions will be in...
Trans-Pacific spot container shipping rates are inching up
Shipping lines’ latest round of general rate increases partially successful Shipping lines have pulled Asia-U.S. spot rates off the floor, but it’s a slog: two steps up, one step back, another two steps up, a slide back again. The general rate increase (GRI) on...
Ship financing in uncertain times
A long-term perspective is essential for financing maritime portfolios in a period of extraordinary market volatility. Michael de Visser | May 26, 2023 Discussing ship finance, one of the key themes at Europort 2023, Michael de Visser, Managing Director of...
Protecting Ports for a Secure Global Supply Chain
A recent Wall Street Journal article highlighted the importance of defending against port cyber attacks. The article outlines upcoming regulations which will encourage more action to prevent attacks. Ports are a significant point within the maritime supply...
Study: Melting Antarctic Ice Could Slow Vital Ocean Currents
A new study has found that melting Antarctic ice is slowing one of the world’s significant deep ocean currents, which could have a wide-reaching impact on marine ecosystems. Antarctica is a unique landscape and its environment has a huge impact on the rest of the...
Hamburg Container Throughput Declines Due to Loss of Russia Trade
Hamburg cited the loss of Russian trade contributing to a soft first quarter 2023 (file photo) PUBLISHED MAY 19, 2023 5:42 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE Leading ports in Europe continue to be impacted by the loss of Russia-related business due to sanctions. The...
Container freight market normalisation is ‘not really normal’
Article-Container freight market normalisation is ‘not really normal’ There’s been a lot of talk of normalisation of container shipping markets, but Xeneta analyst Peter Sand doesn’t believe it is normal at all. Barry Parker | May 18, 2023 “Then again, it’s not really...
Houston’s Export Levels Grow as Port Rises in U.S. Rankings
Houston rose to 5th in the U.S. rankings based on the strength of its 2022 volumes PUBLISHED MAY 16, 2023 7:10 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE The Port of Houston, Texas continues to outpace the industry showing strong volumes than many other U.S. ports due in part...
Ammonia-Fueled Bulkers Could Start Australia’s Green Corridor by 2028
Pilbara Ports handled 279 vessels and has the potential to be a first mover in ammonia-fueled vessels (pilbara Ports Authority) PUBLISHED MAY 15, 2023 7:33 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE A feasibility study on the potential for the Australia-East Asia Iron Ore...
Recession, geopolitics and costs top supply chain fears
A recession in the US, geopolitical tensions and rising operating costs were the top concerns among supply chain professionals, according to a recent survey. Gary Howard | May 10, 2023 Container xChange surveyed 1200 supply chain professionals, asking what disruptions...
Container line schedule reliability returning to pre-Covid levels
Container line schedule reliability is continuing to improve returning to pre-pandemic levels according to analysts Sea-Intelligence. Marcus Hand | May 09, 2023 After a dramatic 7.7 percentage points increase in reliability between January and February this year...
Lifeboats on Cargo Ships Need to Be Redesigned to Improve Crew Safety
While there have been significant advancements in developing lifesaving equipment, the Container Ship Safety Forum says there are far too many injuries to crewmembers aboard cargo ships while launching lifeboats. The industry association, which has a goal to improve...
Imports Continue Slow Climb Despite Cuts in 2023 Forecast
Retail import levels are continuing a slow but steady rise from the three-year lows experienced at the beginning of 2023. The National Retail Federation however continues to lower its forecasts cutting its projections for the second quarter and for the first half of...
As oil tumbles, marine fuel gets cheaper — and so do tanker stocks
VLSFO-HSFO marine fuel spread sinks below $100 threshold Russia — one of the world’s top energy providers — is mired in war. The OPEC cartel is cutting production. And yet, oil prices continue to tumble, weighed by global recession fears and concerns on Chinese...
AD Ports Group expands dry bulk fleet, moves into tankers
AD Ports Group is expanding its shipping fleet with the acquisition of five bulk carriers and three crude oil tankers. “The five bulk carriers, to be purchased for $125 million, form part of the long-term agreement with Saif Powertec, signed in April 2022, for the...
California to Start Phase Out All Diesel Trucks at Ports Next Year
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved on April 28 a first-of-its-kind rule that requires a phased transition toward zero-emission medium-and-heavy duty vehicles. Known as Advanced Clean Fleets, the new rule expands on California’s efforts to fully...
Trans-Atlantic shipping rates keep sinking as imports from Europe fall
Building material imports, which previously supported freight rates, are down The trans-Atlantic westbound trade has been a star performer for container lines over the past year, a bright spot amid a global slide. Europe-to-U.S. rates have been an outlier, staying far...
Spot container freight rates on the rise
Spot container rates would seem to be turning a corner with key indexes starting to rise after the collapse seen over the previous year. Both Drewry’s World Container Index (WCI) and the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) posted rises this week. SCFI rose...
Singapore, Los Angeles, and Long Beach Agree to Green Corridor
The ports of Singapore, Los Angeles, and Long Beach became the latest to join the growing list of port authorities committing to the formation of green corridors in the support of the UN initiative and the efforts to achieve global decarbonization. The latest...
As Asia-US shipping rates rise, so does skepticism on staying power
Linerlytica says May 1 rate hikes delayed due to weak demand Container lines have used general rate increases (GRIs) to forcibly push up Asia-U.S. spot rates, yet there’s widespread skepticism on rates’ staying power given the gravitational pull of weak demand....
Starlink making waves in maritime – fast growing interest from major shipping companies
Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite communications service is attracting a growing list leading names in the maritime world. This week saw announcements by Columbia Ship Management (CSM) and Costamare as the latest companies to trial the service provided provided by a...
Reshaping the Future of Logistics: An Outlook on Warehousing Automation Trends
Despite an expected slowing pace of automation in 2023, the forecast is for stronger growth through 2027. According to Interact Analysis’ Warehouse Automation – 2022 report, between 2024 and 2027, the market is forecast to grow at a 19% CAGR, driven by improving...
Los Angeles and Long Beach Port Shutdown Sparks Fears of Retailer Exodus
The port of LOS ANGELES and LONG BEACH shut down for 24 hours from April 6th to 7th due to a mass absence of the majority of workers. The Labor Union and their employers at these ports had been involved in strained negotiations for months. On the...
China-Russia vs. US-EU: How global shipping is slowly splitting in two
Taiwan tensions are latest flash point; geopolitics is reshaping trade Another meeting between a House speaker and Taiwan’s president, another spike in tensions in the Taiwan Strait. Last summer’s meeting between Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and Nancy...
Union Workers Skip Shifts Closing Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles
Crane operators and drivers of cargo-handling equipment failed to show up for work starting with Thursday, April 6, evening shift effectively bringing the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to a standstill. Neither the Pacific Maritime Association, which represents...
$34.7bn container line profits mark second straight quarterly decline
The major container lines recorded profits of $34.7bn in the fourth quarter 2022 and are on track for an 80% drop in 2023 profits. Consolidating the results of the sector, Blue Alpha Capital’s John McCown saw a 33.9% drop in profits compared to the year-ago quarter,...
UK’s logistics sector positive on Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal
The UK’s freight and logistics sector has welcomed news that the UK has joined the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trade deal although they say it won’t be a “game changer”. The CPTPP covers 500m people across Australia,...
Supply Chain Trends in 2023
After three years of crisis, the data show that supply chain conditions are improving. That will allow supply chain leaders in 2023 to resurrect initiatives that may have been sidelined — including data and digitalization programs and sustainability efforts. ...
Container cranes lag container ships by a generation
Shoreside infrastructure continues to suffer diseconomies of scale as container ships grow, adding a column per generation. Speaking at CMA Shipping 2023 last week, Shmuel Yahalom, Ph.D., Distinguished Service Professor of Economics and Transportation at SUNY Maritime...
Contract box rates likely to dip as US negotiation season approaches
Oslo-based analyst, Xeneta, expects shippers to hold the whip hand when this year’s long-term container contract negotiations gather pace through April and May. Latest figures from Xeneta show that global long-term ocean rates have fallen by 24% since their August...
Port of Montreal to Implement AI System to Reduce Vessels’ Carbon Footprint
Montreal Port Authority and Global Spatial Technology Solutions (GSTS) have announced a new project aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of vessels. The project, named the "digital corridor", uses artificial intelligence (AI) and is based on the OCIANATM modular...
Massive Strike in Germany Forces Closure of Hamburg Port
A strike organized by public employees has forced the Port of HAMBURG to close down for more than 48 hours. As the port is the second busiest in Europe, port officials have started to limit vessel movement on the Elbe and have closed the port for all...
Study: Maritime Chokepoints Could Contribute to CO2 Reduction
As shipping examines multiple scenarios to limit its GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions, vessel speed reduction is a low hanging fruit in shipping’s decarbonization journey. This is based on the observation that inefficiencies caused by some key choke points in...
What Do You Do if a Hacker Takes Control of Your Ship?
You stand on the bridge and the course is seen digitally. Still, why does the ship continue to turn west? On the computer screens in the dark wheelhouse, everything looks normal - but outside the window, the land comes dangerously close! What is happening? Down in the...
Top bunkering markets – Singapore over three times larger than nearest rival
Singapore tops the rankings for bunker volumes sold with over a third of the global market among the world’s top 17 bunkering destinations last year. Total bunker output last year for the top 17 supply countries and regions was just under 141 million tonnes (mt),...
Local News
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...
Malaysia-China JV wins RM209mil Miri Port job
KUCHING: A joint venture (JV) between Malaysian and Chinese companies has been awarded a RM208.9mil contract to dredge the access shipping channel to Miri Port terminal and construct training bunds in the Batang Baram Delta. Rimbun Prima Sdn Bhd and China...
Malaysia welcomes US firms, not sanctions, amid chips push. ‘We have an edge’: Anwar
Let the US impose all the unilateral sanctions it wants in its tech war with China, ‘we are free to do what we like’, Malaysia’s PM says Malaysia will not abide by US tech sanctions on China if it involves companies that do not come under Washington’s...
3 factors causing prolonged congestion at Singapore’s port
Global congestion raised container prices in Singapore by 26% since October. Congestion at the Port of Singapore will persist through June and possibly beyond due to three key factors, including the country’s increased container throughput. Data from Germany-based...
Malaysia to build port near Kuala Lumpur amid supply chain shift
KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysia will build a new container port along the western coast of the Malay Peninsula facing the Malacca Strait, one of the world's busiest sea lanes, as the country prepares to capture logistics demand created by global supply chain shifts. The...
Malaysia’s diesel subsidy removal fuels inflation fears
The government will save billions of ringgit every year. But what about worried restaurants, tour bus operators and others? Fears are mounting in Malaysia that everything from eating out to domestic holidays will become more expensive as the cost of an...
Malaysia moving to join BRICS PM
Kuala Lumpur has made its decision, Anwar Ibrahim has said Malaysia has decided to apply for BRICS membership and will start filing the official paperwork soon, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has said. The 77-year-old leader of the Southeast Asian nation mentioned the...
East and Southeast Asian Ports Dominate 2023 Global Container Port Performance Index
The latest edition of the Global Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) shows East and Southeast Asian ports leading the pack in 2023, with 13 out of the top 20 spots. The fourth iteration of the CPPI, developed by the World Bank and S&P Global Market...
Anthony Loke to lead delegation to China for 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations
KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 — Transport Minister Anthony Loke is leading a delegation to visit Hong Kong and China from June 6 to 9 in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China. He will attend the Official 50th...
Malaysia aims to showcase 40 5G private network use cases
The government of Malaysia said there are currently 12 enterprise projects involving 5G trials across various sectors Malaysia plans to present at least 40 5G private network use cases in sectors such as manufacturing, oil and gas, logistics and healthcare, ahead of...
Malaysia cuts diesel subsidies, with hopes that handouts will cushion inflation impact
KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia will cut diesel subsidies and float retail prices to the market rate of RM3.35 per litre, an increase of about 55 per cent from RM2.15, starting from June 10. The move, however, will not have much impact on the country’s inflation rate –...
As shipping supply chains are interrupted by wars, how is Southeast Asia faring?
D isruptions to shipping supply chains are being felt globally due to the conflict in Gaza and related attacks on ships by Houthi militias, as well as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but they are not the only tension points stressing global sea lanes. Southeast Asian...
Transport Ministry: Cable-laying ships exempted from cabotage policy starting June 1
UALA LUMPUR, May 30 ― Starting June 1, all cable-laying ships engaged in the installation, maintenance and repair of submarine telecommunication cables landed at any submarine cable landing centre in Malaysian waters are exempt from the cabotage policy. The Transport...
Johor-Singapore SEZ: Pengerang’s potential as hub for ‘spillover’ business renews optimism for area’s development
KOTA TINGGI, Johor: Tucked away in the southeastern tip of peninsular Malaysia is a large swathe of land with rows upon rows of oil storage tanks and cooling towers with dark smoke billowing from above. The Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex (PIPC) - which...
Diesel subsidy rationalisation due to 10-fold increase in cost to Malaysian government: finance minister II
The decision to rationalise diesel fuel subsidy in Malaysia was due to the cost to the government, which had increased by 10 times in just five years, The Star reported. The Malaysian government had paid RM14.3 billion in diesel subsidy last year,...
Malaysia finally reinstates cabotage exemption for undersea cable repair ships
Malaysia has finally reinstated the cabotage policy exemption for foreign ships to conduct laying, maintenance and repairs of submarine telecommunication cables in Malaysian waters effective 1st June 2024. This comes after Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced in...
Sarawak says exploring proposal to establish state transport authority
KUCHING, May 25 — Sarawak’s Ministry of Transport is exploring a proposal to establish a Sarawak Transport Authority to manage and operate the entire transportation sector in the state, its minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said today. He said this holistic approach...
Port of Tanjung Pelepas inks deals for 11 ULCV capacity quay cranes
Port of Tanjung Pelepas SdnBhd (PTP), a joint venture between the MMC Group and APM Terminals in Malaysia, has signed an agreement with Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co Ltd (ZPMC) for the purchase of five ultra large container vessel (ULCV) Quay Cranes. This...
Sudden container crunch sends ocean freight rates soaring, setting off global trade alarm bells
A perfect storm in global trade is creating a shipping container capacity crunch, fueling a sudden and surprise spike in ocean freight rates. The beginning of peak shipping season, coupled with the longer transits to avoid the Red Sea, and bad weather in...
Northport receives the largest ever container vessel to berth at its terminal
Northport (Malaysia) Bhd (“Northport”), a member of MMC Group, celebrated a historic milestone as it welcomed MV OOCL Japan on 20 May 2024, the largest ever container vessel to berth at its facilities. Owned by Orient Overseas Container Line (“OOCL”) Limited, MV OOCL...