Brazil News

Brazil companies mull buying trucks to avoid higher shipping fees

Manufacturers of heavy trucks have been fielding inquiries from Brazilian companies looking into purchasing their own fleets to get around higher mandatory pricing for independent truckers who staged a nationwide strike in May against high fuel costs and low compensation.Volvo AB and the Mercedes-Benz truck unit of Daimler AG have received inquiries from big companies looking into owning and operating their own truck fleets, representatives for the truck makers said.Smaller buyers such as farmers have already begun placing orders…

Shipping: No Progress on Climate Commitment, says T&E

The international shipping community has made little progress to advance the global  commitment made earlier this year to reduce the sector’s greenhouse gas emissions."This is despite impassioned pleas for action by climate scientists to the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) environment committee last month," said Transport & Environment (T&E).The leading NGO campaigning for cleaner transport in Europe said that some IMO delegates soon ‘would not have a country to land…

Peak Pegasus Finally Unloads US Soybeans in China

A vessel carrying U.S. soybeans was unloading its cargo worth at least $23 million at the Chinese port of Dalian on Monday, becoming one of the first shipments to incur hefty new import duties as the trade row deepens between Beijing and Washington.The docking of the vessel after five weeks anchored off China's coast ended long-running speculation over the fate of the cargo, which had captured public attention.China's state grains stockpiler Sinograin confirmed in a fax to Reuters it will pay the additional 25 percent import tariff on its 70,000 tonne cargo of the oilseed.

Port of Rotterdam Authority to Invest in Port of Pecém

Allard Castelein, the CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, and Camilo Santana, Governor of the Brazilian state of Ceará, signed an investment agreement regarding the Port of Rotterdam Authority’s participation in the development of the port of Pecém.The agreement sets out how the Port of Rotterdam Authority will be investing some EUR 75 million in Pecém’s port-industrial complex, constituting a 30% share in this enterprise.In addition, the Port of Rotterdam Authority will gain…

Costa Rica Grants Green Light to Moín Terminal

APM Terminals’ Moín Container Terminal (MCT) in Costa Rica has been granted permission by the National Council of Concessions (CNC) to start commercial operations at its first deep-sea berth. This is a key step for the terminal, which is on schedule to be fully operational in February 2019.The permit, which is subject to meeting all safety and service requirements, will enable the transfer of all commercial container ships currently serviced at Puerto Limón and Puerto Moín to the MCT.

KNOT Concludes TC Contract for Two Shuttle Tankers

Norway-headquartered Knutsen NYK Offshore Tankers (KNOT) has concluded a time-charter contract for two shuttle tankers with Equinor ASA for a maximum 20-year period starting in the second quarter of 2020.KNOT is a NYK Group company, in which NYK has a 50 percent share.The contract aims to use two 152,000 DWT Suezmax tankers equipped with dynamic-positioning systems built by Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. to shuttle crude oil produced in waters off Brazil.Upon commencement of this contract…

BIMCO: Shipping in the Line of Trade War Crossfire

BIMCO, the world’s largest international shipping association, issued a stern warning today as once again, the already long list of tariffed goods has been made even longer.Many more commodities were hit on 23 August, but September is likely to dwarf it all, as the US has proposed tariffs on goods worth USD 200 billion. According to BIMCO, The tariffed goods’ share of global trade is largely underestimating the overall negative impact of this trade war on globalisation and international shipping.BIMCO’s chief shipping analyst Peter Sand remarked…

Port of Hamburg: Railborne transport up 4.3%

In the first nine months of the year, the Port of Hamburg transferred substantially more freight on to rail - Seaborne cargo handling was below the previous year’s level, owing to less bulk cargo and a slight downturn in container handling, while there was an increase for conventional general cargo.In the Port of Hamburg, railborne container transport achieved a distinct advance of 4.3 percent in the first nine months of the year. A total of 1.8 million TEU – 20-ft standard containers – were transported by rail between the port and inland inter-modal terminals.

Solstad Farstad Bags Contract with Fairfield Industries

Solstad Farstad ASA (SOFF) has entered into a contract with Fairfield Industries Inc. for the CSV “Normand Tonjer”. The contract will commence in 3Q 2018 and has a duration of one year firm plus two yearly options.Fairfield will use the vessel to support their innovative worldwide ocean bottom seismic survey using node-based technology.Solstad Farstad has updated other contracts too. The key contracts in the subsea construction segment include Far Saga contract extension with Petrobras until 2Q’20…

Container Overbooking Causing Delays for Brazil Exports -Maersk

Brazilian exporters are facing delays shipping goods transported in containers, including coffee and cotton, due to overbooking, the world's largest container shipping company, A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S, said on Monday.In a report on its operations in Brazil, Maersk said exports fell for the second quarter in a row, citing the practice of some exporters reserving more space in ships than they need, leaving other companies failing to find room for their cargo."Exporters are hurting each other when they book space they end up not using…

Brazil Freight Policy Signed into Law

Brazil's President Michel Temer signed into law a bill authorizing the government to set minimum truck freight prices, drawing criticism from farm groups who said the measures would drive up costs for food.According to a decision published in the official gazette on Thursday, Temer only vetoed one provision that would have pardoned truckers from paying fines for their role in staging an 11-day strike in May. The stoppage crippled Brazil's roads, hampering deliveries of everything from fuel to grains.The new law requires truck freight prices to be equal to…

Russia's Novatek Ships First LNG Cargo to Brazil

Russian natural gas producer Novatek has shipped its first LNG cargo to the Brazilian market with LNG produced from the Yamal LNG project.A statement from PAO Novatek said that its wholly owned subsidiary, Novatek Gas and Power Asia Pte. Ltd. has shipped its first LNG cargo to the Brazilian market with LNG produced from the Yamal LNG project. The cargo was delivered to the Bahia Regasification Terminal owned by Petrobras.“Our LNG marketing strategy aims to diversify our supply geography and customer base,” noted Leonid Mikhelson, Novatek’s Chairman of the Management Board.

Port of Rotterdam Pact for Brazil's Pecém Port

As shareholders in the Port of Rotterdam Authority, the Municipality of Rotterdam and the Ministry of Finance have approved the participation in the Port of Pecém, a rapidly growing port in Northeast Brazil.The participation involves an investment of some 75 million euros and, in addition to holding 30% of the shares, the Port of Rotterdam Authority will have joint control of strategic decisions and positions at Executive Board, Supervisory Board and management level.The Port of Rotterdam Authority and Ceará State are expected to sign the decision next month…

Brazil Transport Agency to Revise Govt-set Freight Prices

National transport agency ANTT will revise Brazil's minimum truck freight prices, the regulator said in a statement late on Saturday, without providing details or a time-frame for an announcement of new government-set values.ANTT said on its website it would "promote the necessary adjustments" after "variations in the price of diesel fuel."On Friday, state-run oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA lifted diesel prices by 13 percent at the refinery gate after oil regulator ANP disclosed…

Port Management and Efficiency Training in France

High-level officials and decision-makers from maritime and port authorities around the world are undergoing intense training in port management and operational efficiency at the annual Advanced Course on Port Operations and Management based in Le Havre, France (10 September to 12 October).The opening of the course coincided with Le Havre's celebration of World Maritime Day and its theme: International Maritime Organization (IMO) 70 Our heritage – better shipping for a better future.IMO's Chris Trelawny delivered the opening address and lectured on the role of IMO…

AET and Shell Sign DPST Contract

Shuttle tanker owner AET, a wholly-owned subsidiary of  Malaysia's MISC Group, has won its first contract with Shell in Brazil to time charter one new-build dynamic positioning shuttle tanker (DPST).AET earlier this year sealed a long-term charter for two newbuild LNG-fuelled Aframax tankers with Shell that is set to begin in the fourth quarter of this year.AET President & CEO Capt. Rajalingam Subramaniam said: “Shell has chosen to use our shipping services for many years and…

LNG Report: Floating Liquefaction & Regasification

International Maritime Associates has completed a 12-month study of the global market for floating gas liquefaction plants and floating LNG regasification terminals. The 150+ page study, published by World Energy Reports, is the most detailed analysis yet made of this growing business sector. Project Success EvaluationThe IMA study is the first professional effort to systematically look at the universe of FLNG and FSRU projects in the planning stage – and categorize the likelihood of each making the development investment hurdle.

Aker Solutions Wins Services Contract with Petrobras

Petrobras has awarded Aker Solutions a contract to provide maintenance and modifications services for nine platforms at oil and gas fields in the Campos Basin offshore Brazil.The Campos Basin extends approximately 100,000 square kilometers. The three-year contract is valued at more than BRL 250 million and includes an option for a two-year extension.Aker Solutions will be renovating, repairing and upgrading offshore production units for Petrobras' Campos Basin Operational Unit (UO-BC).

Brazil Minimum Freight Rates Hurt Port Cargos -Association Chief

Brazil's policy of setting minimum freight rates is reducing the volume of cargo at Brazilian ports as farmers and agricultural exporters have difficulty arranging transportation at higher cost, according to the head of a Brazilian ports association.The country instituted minimum rates for freight above the previous market rate as part of a deal to end a truckers' strike over high diesel prices in May. The strike paralyzed the country's roadways, preventing agriculture exports…

Stena Bulk Charters Out MR Tanker Pair to Petrobras

Stena Bulk said it has signed a contract with Brazil's state-owned oil company to charter out a pair of MR product tankers for transporting refined products along the Brazilian coast. The two-year deal includes the option to extend the charters for another 11 months.The 47,000 dwt tankers, Stena Conqueror and Stena Conquest, were built in 2003 and 2004 respectively.“We have a long-standing, highly-valued relationship with Petrobras when it comes to both Suezmax and MR tankers and we are committed to continue to provide them with safe and efficient deliveries.

Port of Hamburg Throughput Dips

The Port of Hamburg achieved total throughput of 66.5 million tons in the first half of 2018, representing a moderate downturn of 4.9 percent, with the downward trend slowing in the second quarter.General cargo throughput at 45.5 million tons (down 2.2 percent) and bulk cargo throughput at 21.1 million tons (down 10.4 percent) contributed to the total in Hamburg. Bulk cargo represents one-third of the total. This segment caused 71 percent of the total downturn, with reductions in suction and liquid cargoes being market-driven.

Chinese Steel Mills Chase Iron Ore Contracts with Brazil's Vale

Chinese steel mills and traders are rushing to secure long-term contracts for high-quality iron ore ahead of winter steel output cuts, a boon for the main supplier of such grades of the commodity, Brazilian mining giant Vale.China, the world's biggest consumer of the steelmaking ingredient, needs higher-quality, less polluting grades of iron ore as it battles to clear its notoriously smoggy skies.That demand highlights how China's prolonged war on pollution is shaking global markets for iron ore…

From Desert to Delaware

Gulftainer strives for top six in terminals.Sharjah is a glimmering city-state carved from the desert, the third largest emirate in the United Arab Emirates and the only one to have land on both the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. And soon, within weeks, a company based in Sharjah could control one of the most strategically located marine ports in the United States. Gulftainer through its subsidiary GT USA, Wilmington has inked a deal with the State of Delaware, USA, which would grant GT USA…

Klaveness Combination Carriers Seeks Fund for CLEANBU Vessels

Norwegian shipping company Klaveness Combination Carriers AS holds several attractive growth options and is now launching a contemplated private placement of shares with total gross proceeds of approximately USD 45-70 million.The owner and operator of modern combination carriers said that current investors, management and previous CABU investors will subscribe for USD 25 million.Klaveness Combination Carriers AS (KCC), with its nine CABU vessels in operation and five CLEANBU vessels on order, is the leading owner and operator of modern combination carriers.

Bulk Sector Prospects Perking Up

The bulk sector is navigating its way out of the doldrums but market correction has come at a price, delegates attending Bulk Terminals 2018 learned last week.Speaking in Hamburg at the annual conference of the Association of Bulk Terminal Operators, Frachtcontor Director Frank Grone said that while the bulk segment is slowly but steadily working its way out of the doldrums with a positive cash flow, he reminded delegates that 60mdwt was scrapped in 2015 and 2016 at “ridiculous prices”…

CMA CGM Completes Containerships Acquisition

The CMA CGM Group has completed the acquisition of Containerships, a container-transportation and logistics company.The European Commission authorized this transaction on October 22nd. Containerships, which specializes in the intra-European market, will complement CMA CGM’s service offering.Containerships, a European door-to-door specialistFounded in 1966, Containerships is a Finnish company specialized in Intra-European containerized trade with 690 employees. Containerships offers its clients a complete range of high-quality services…