Hapag-Lloyd Gets Ratings Upgrade from Moody's

The international rating agency Moody’s has upgraded the German cargo container shipping line, Hapag-Lloyd AG's corporate family rating (CFR) to B1 from B2 and its senior unsecured bond rating to B3 from Caa1. The outlook remains stable.According to Moody's release, the improved rating acknowledges Hapag-Lloyd’s progress in integrating United Arab Shipping Company Limited (UASC) while reducing leverage and generating positive free cash flow on the back of tight cost management and increased efficiencies…

Rotterdam Port Achieves TEU Milestone in 2018

Europe's largest port, the Port of Rotterdam ended 2018 with a total container throughput at 469.0 million tonnes (MT) which slightly higher than in 2017,  which was itself a record year (467.4 MT).Container transhipment was the engine of growth again, with a 4.5% increase in tonnage. Measured in TEUs, the standard unit for containers, the increase was 5.7% and the annual total was 14.5 million TEUs – also a record.This strengthens the position of Europe’s largest container port in this strategically important market segment.

Drewry Sees Balanced Supply-Demand in ULCVs

Maritime research consultancy Drewry believes that the industry’s supply-demand balance will benefit from a reduced appetite for Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) among the major carriers, some of which now have their eyes fixed on a bigger prize of becoming global logistics integrators."Aside from feeder ship replenishment, there has been no reaction from other lines to HMM’s mega-ship order and as such we have greatly reduced our projected new orders for 2020 onwards,” said Simon Heaney…

European Ports Hail EMSWe

The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) welcomes the agreement reached on 7 February between the Parliament and the Council on the new regulation establishing a European Maritime Single Window environment (EMSWe).It said that with the new framework, which will repeal the current Reporting Formalities Directive, important steps are made towards reducing administrative burden and increasing the attractiveness of maritime transport. It provides for the creation of a EMSWe dataset…

Schulte Group Acquires Stake in TecHullClean

Schulte Group acquires TecHullClean to expand its range of IMO-compliant underwater inspection, repair and maintenance solutionsSchulte Group, Hamburg, Germany, acquired a majority stake in TecHullClean Limited (THC), a Singapore registered underwater inspection, repair and maintenance (IRM) technology company headquartered in Singapore and Algeciras, Spain and with further subsidiaries in Spain, Gibraltar and Ghana.THC specializes in underwater hull cleaning, inspection and propeller…

Maersk, PBF Logistics in Low Sulfur Fuel Deal

Maersk and PBF Logistics LP announce agreement for production and storage of 0.5% sulphur fuel on the U.S. East CoastPBF Logistics terminal facility in New Jersey to deliver approx. 10% of A.P. Moller – Maersk’s annual fuel demand as Maersk continues preparations for the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2020 global sulfur regulation.A.P. Moller - Maersk and PBF Logistics LP announced an agreement for Maersk to source and PBFX to process crude oil at CPI Operations LLC…

GE to Propel MSC Cruises Fleet

GE’s Marine Solutions has once again been selected by MSC Cruises and Fincantieri to provide the marine electric propulsion technology for two new Seaside EVO ships, further driving the evolution of the Seaside Class next-generation mega cruise ships.This follows the delivery of the first and second ship – MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview – in the Seaside Class by the Fincantieri shipyard of Monfalcone.With a gross tonnage of 169,400 GT and a total guest capacity of 5,632, Seaside EVO ships will be the largest cruise ships ever built by the Fincantieri shipyard.

Eurogate Container Volumes Stable in 2018

Despite the persistently challenging market environment, German terminal operator Eurogate managed to close the 2018 financial year with stable container handling volumes.In 2018, the Bremen-based group managed to handle a total of 14.1 million TEUs at its twelve locations in and around Europe.The volume of intermodal container transports increased by 2.8 per cent to around 1.05 million TEUs.At the Eurogate Group’s five German terminals, the previous year’s handling figures were confirmed.

3D Mobile Laser Scanner for ABP Humber

ABP Humber continues to increase their technology for Hydrographic surveying in their ports and harbors with the purchase of a new Carlson Merlin Lidar Scanner supplied by Swathe Services.The Merlin is a vessel-based 3D mobile laser scanner system developed specifically for coastal, offshore and inland waterway surveying. ABP Humber intends to use the system for quay wall inspections and surveying offshore structures.The Merlin is designed to integrate with existing hydrographic…

Indian Survey on Women in Maritime Begins

A new initiative in light of the International Maritime Organization’s 2019 World Maritime Day theme, ‘Empowering Women in the Maritime Community' is launched in India.Sanjam Sahi Gupta of Sitara Shipping Ltd said that the company has launched three surveys to gather data from employers/owners, women seafarers and women in shore-based positions.Currently, no data is available on women in maritime in India and the shipping industry is missing out on 50% of the potential talent…

Wilhelmsen, Hitachi Deliver XRF Analyzers

Signing a supply agreement with Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science (Hitachi High-Tech), Wilhelmsen will supply Hitachi High-Tech’s industry-leading handheld XRF analyzers to the maritime market, enabling vessel crews to accurately and efficiently test the sulphur content of their fuel, on the spot.With the International Maritime Organization’s 0.50% global sulphur cap on marine fuels set to come into force on January 1, 2020 and discussions on enforcement strategies and potential penalties for non-compliance gathering pace…

Boskalis Sells Stake in SAAM SMIT Towage

Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. (Boskalis) has signed an agreement with SAAM S.A. (SAAM) relating to the sale and purchase of the equity stake held by Boskalis in SAAM SMIT Towage. Under the terms of the agreement, the total (100%) enterprise value of SAAM SMIT Towage is valued at $560 million. Boskalis expects to receive $201 million in cash for its equity stake in the joint venture.The towage joint venture between Boskalis and SAAM was formed in 2014 which at the time covered the respective towage activities in Brazil, Panama, Mexico and Canada.

EU Cuts Red Tape for Ships

The last Trilogue negotiation between the Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament on the “European Maritime Single Window environment”, (EMSWe) took place in Brussels.The EU is streamlining its ship reporting systems by creating a EMSWe, which will bring together all reporting formalities associated with a port call.The final text contains a compromise that provides security for Port Community Systems in relation to the public National Single Windows that…

ITF Exposes Wage Theft on BlueScope Ship

Wage theft aboard a BlueScope chartered foreign-flagged ship in Port Kembla has been exposed after intervention from the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).Inspections by ITF inspectors in Western Port and Port Kembla of the Panamanian registered vessel KEN EI, in January, led to $38,384 in coastal wages being paid immediately in cash to the 20 Filipino seafarers crewing the ship.“Upon arriving in Western Port, the crew on the KEN EI immediately asked our inspector…

HHLA Revenue, Profit Rise

German port operator Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) increased its Group revenue by 3 percent to EUR 1.29 billion in the 2018 financial year (previous year: EUR 1.25 billion). The Group’s operating result (EBIT) of EUR 204 million (previous year: EUR 173 million) represents an increase of 18 percent.In total, 7.3 million standard containers (TEU) were handled at HHLA’s container terminals in the 2018 financial year. Compared to 7.2 million TEU in the previous year, this…

EU Defends Publishing Emissions Data to Drive CO2 Cuts

Publishing data about the emissions of all ships calling at EU ports, as proposed by the European Commission, will incentivize shipping companies to cut their CO2 while also better informing regulations to reduce emissions, green NGO Transport & Environment (T&E) has said.The EU, under pressure from industry and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to harmonize its monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) system with the IMO’s system, should still require ships registered outside the EU to report their data…

SAL Heavy Lift Bridges Beitstadsundbrua

The heavy lift sea transport provider SAL Heavy Lift has delivered 12 bridge sections for the Beitstadsundbrua bridge from China to Norway.The final bridge is part of the largest road construction project in northern Trøndelag, will measure 580 m in length and will connect the municipalities of Steinkjer and Malm, crossing the Beitstadfjorden.The bridge will make travelling between northern parts of Trøndelag county considerably safer, as well as reduce travelling time significantly.In a mountainous country like Norway…

Green Light to Stena, Hyundai Glovis JV

The European Commission has approved the creation of a joint venture by Swedish Stena Rederi, part of Stena AB, and German Glovis Europe, which is controlled by South Korean Hyundai Glovis.Earlier, the companies have filed a merger application with the European Commission’s competition authorities for the unnamed joint venture.Created through the purchase of shares, the new unit would mainly operate short-sea transport services on pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) vessels in Europe."The European Commission has approved…

Container Market Grows at 8.6%

The Global International Orginization for Standardization (ISO) Shipping Container Market is growing at a CAGR of 8.6% during 2017-2026, said a report.According to Stratistics MRC, growth of seaborne trade, growing demand for commodities and rising industrial expansion in China are the key driving factors for the market growth.However, factors such as the effect on the environment and fluctuating raw material prices are hindering the market growth, the market research report said.ISO container is any type of shipping container which is designed…

Safe Mooring Rule Getting Ready

International Maritime Organization (IMO) work to preventing accidents when ships are being moored at their berth in a port continues this week.According to the UN body,  a draft SOLAS regulation aimed at better protecting seafarers and shore-based mooring personnel from injuries during mooring operations is set to be finalized by the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC 6).The meeting (4-8 February) also aims to complete draft guidelines on the design of mooring arrangements…

Arctia’s Vessels Get PC3 Notation

Finnish state-owned company Arctia Oy said that its vessels MSV Fennica and MSV Nordica have now both received certificates of compliance with the IMO Polar Code. Both vessels now have a Polar Class 3 (PC3) class notation.According to the owner and operator of Finnish icebreaker fleet, they are among the very few in the world to have this high ice class notation.Arctia Offshore Ltd. is one of the first commercial operators to commit to stricter manning and training requirements…

GIA Propels Just-In-Time Shipping

International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s  Global Industry Alliance to Support Low Carbon Shipping (GIA) brought together a wide range of industry stakeholders to discuss how to operationally make “Just-In-Time” (JIT) a global reality.Convening at IMO Headquarters in London (31 January), representatives from shipping companies, port authorities, terminal operators, service providers (including ship agents, bunker providers and tug operators) and other maritime organizations…

Product Tanker Market Looks Up

The product tanker market registered a robust recovery in the fourth quarter of 2018, partially reversing the downward trend observed in the first nine months of the year, said Capital Product Partners.The Marshall Islands' tanker company said in a stock exchange annoucement that the beginning of the quarter was weak in line with the previous quarters, as rates hovered close to historically low levels, but the market gained momentum from early November onwards.In the West, the…

Denmark Strengthens Ship Security

The Danish Maritime Authority (DMA) has taken steps to strengthen the safety and navigation of ships with new regulation on cyber security in the Danish maritime sector.As was underlined in the Danish governments’ recently released Cyber and Information Security Strategy for the Maritime Sector, Danish ships must be protected from cyber attacks."This is also the principal purpose of the Danish Maritime Authority’s new Order on security in network and information systems of importance to safety and navigation of ships…

744 Ships Scrapped in 2018

744 large ocean-going commercial vessels were sold to the scrap yards in 2018, out of which 518 were broken down on South Asia beaches, accounting for a record-breaking 90.4% of the gross tonnage dismantled globally.According to new data released by the NGO Shipbreaking Platform,  at least 34 workers lost their lives when breaking apart the global fleet. The Platform documented at least 14 workers that died in Alang, making 2018 one of one of the worse years for Indian yards in…

First Hybrid Straddle Carriers at Hamburg Port

The port of Hamburg has for the first time introduced two straddle carriers with environmentally friendly hybrid engines.The first two energy saving, low emissions straddle carriers with hybrid engines are being used to transport containers between the ship, the yard, the rail terminal and the truck gate at the HHLA Container Terminal Tollerort (CTT).According to a press release frm the company, the two prototypes are expected to use at least 15 percent less diesel than their predecessors.

LOC Appoints Group Director for Hull, Machinery, Due Diligence Services

London Offshore Consultants (LOC) Group announced the appointment of Nikos Benetis as Group Director of Hull & Machinery and Due Diligence Services.Nikos has been with LOC since 2017, previously in the role of Director of Financial Institution Advisory Services, and takes on his new role as part of the Group’s ongoing initiative to structure its shipping division to reflect the changes in the industry and client’s needs.According to a press release from the marine and engineering consultancy to the world’s shipping and offshore energy industries…

Container Rates Alert: XSI Contracts Update

The global XSI  fell 1.6% in Jan-19 to 106.58 points, continuing the downward trend recorded since Aug-18. During this six-month period, the index has lost 5.3% of its value, having shed 5.92 points and now stands at a similar level to that recorded in May-17.Year-on-year the global benchmark is 2.1% lower than Jan-18. However, if the index reports similar changes to those witnessed during the first few months of 2018, then we may only see minimal changes in the next few months.XSI  - Europe Imports / ExportsIn Jan-19 European imports on the XSI  fell 1.3% month-on-month to 108.01.

No Lost Time Incidents during 2017 and 2018: ABS

ABS has recorded zero lost time work-related incidents for the second year in a row. The Lost Time Incident Rate (LTIR) has remained at 0.00 throughout 2017 and 2018, underscoring ABS’ industry-leading safety performance.“Safety is the foundation of all we do and our record of two consecutive years without a lost-time injury stands as a remarkable achievement,” said ABS Chairman, President and CEO, Christopher J. Wiernicki. “Our safety record has been compiled on countless ships, offshore facilities, shipyards and industrial sites globally, all with varying safety regimes in place.

Roxtec Fire Lab Opens

Roxtec reports that it has more than doubled its fire resistance testing capacity, opening in Sweden a new laboratory that creates conditions for continuous development of safety products.The fire lab is located at the Roxtec headquarters in Karlskrona, Sweden, and it will play a key role in the product development and pre-certification process for the sealing solutions. With the lab Roxtec engineers and technicians can prepare tests with exactness. Every test object must be tested as an entire system in a realistic environment.

Shipbuilding; Irish Ferries to Build Two Vessels

The European Investment Bank is providing EUR 155 million to finance two new passenger and vehicle ships for the Irish Continental Group (ICG) subsidiary Irish Ferries.The two ferries will increase passenger and cargo capacity on routes to Ireland, replace older and smaller vessels and significantly reduce emissions from the Irish Ferries fleet.The new ferries are expected to be used on both the Dublin-Holyhead and Dublin-Cherbourg routes to reflect demand for a greater choice of services from Ireland to Britain and direct to continental Europe.The announcement was made as the W.B.

Wärtsilä Bags New Orders for Aquarius UV BWMS

Finnish technology giant in the marine and energy markets Wärtsilä Oyj announced that it has recently been awarded a number of contracts to supply its Aquarius UV Ballast Water Management System (BWMS) to global shipping operators.According to the provider of smart technologies and complete lifecycle solutions, the systems will enable the vessels to be compliant with the Ballast Water Management Convention regulations that entered into force in September 2017 for all new build vessels.The contracts cover in total 13 systems…

Technology: New FiFi Simulator from Kongsberg Digital

Kongsberg Digital unveiled an innovative new simulator solution for training officers and crew in advanced firefighting. K-Sim Safety offers high fidelity simulation covering all aspects of fire safety. K-Sim Safety contributes to reducing the impact of fire on board as well as planning strategies and tactics to control fire in various parts of the ship, enabling a safer and more effective response to incidents when they occur.K-Sim Safety delivers practical exercises simulated in a realistic environment and meets the STCW regulation VI/3…

Shipbuilding: OSC Orders VLCC Pair

Oman Shipping Company (OSC) is expanding courtesy of an order for a pair of newbuild Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC ) with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME).According to Michael Jorgensen, OSC's CFO and acting CEO,  said the VLCCs are expected to be deployed in the spot market, as the company plots further fleet expansion in the bulk and container market.Today OSC’s fleet includes 49 vessels including 16 VLCCs, 17 product tankers and 4 chemical carriers.The two latest additions will be constructed at DSME’s Okpo shipyard measuring 336m in length…

Newcastle Port Becomes First EcoPort in Australasia

Port of Newcastle has become the first port in Australia or New Zealand to commit to meeting global environmental and sustainability standards as set by EcoPorts.The port was this month granted membership of the International EcoPorts network, having completed rigorous assessments to benchmark its environmental and sustainability practices against 120 major ports across Europe, Asia, North America and South America.Developed in 1997, EcoPorts remains the only Environmental Management…

Deltamarin Wins Design of Titanic II Project

Passenger and cargo shipping company Blue Star Line has contracted Deltamarin to continue with the design of Titanic II. The contract covers activities and tasks for the design process, consultancy and project management services.Deltamarin will provide Blue Star Line with outline design services including finalizing and modifying the existing design to comply with the latest rules and regulations. These include the SOLAS 2020 requirements and the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI).Deltamarin will also further develop the design together with the selected yard and Blue Star Line…

Russia Launches First-ever Arctic Satellite

The first Russian satellite for weather forecasting and monitoring climate and environment in the Arctic region, Arktika-M, is planned to be sent to near-earth orbit in June 2019.Sputnik quoted Russian space industry source saying: "The launch of the Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle from the Baikonur cosmodrome with Fregat booster and the first hydrometeorological satellite Arktika-M is scheduled for June 2019."According to sources, the equipment installed on Arktika-M satellite will…

India Fines Dutch Vessel Owner for Beaching Ship

Dutch ship owner Holland Maas Scheepvaart Beheer II BV has been fined 780.000 EUR and paid a settlement of 2.2 million EUR - totaling to a price tag of almost 3 million EUR - for having beached a ship for scrapping in India.According to a press release from NGO Shipbreaking Platform, in 2013, Holland Maas Scheepvaart Beheer II BV, a subsidiary of WEC Lines BV, sold the HMS Laurence to a cash buyer, a company specialised in the trade of end-of-life vessels to beaching yards.The vessel ended up in Alang…

IMO 2020: Oil Refining Capacity to Grow at Record Pace

Global oil refining capacity is set to increase at its fastest pace on record this year, possibly boosting stocks of products such as diesel, gasoline and marine fuel, the International Energy Agency said.Oil refining capacity will rise by 2.6 million barrels per day (bpd) and demand for refined products by around 1.1 million bpd, the IEA said in a monthly report.It was not clear yet what that meant for margins, which slumped as the price of crude rose last year, said the Paris-based IEA…

Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Shipping Sets 2019 Priorities

Chamber of Marine Commerce President Bruce Burrows has unveiled a 2019 wish list for legislative and policymakers designed to make Great Lakes-St. Lawrence and coastal shipping more competitive and build on the remarkable growth of the 2018 season.St. Lawrence Seaway cargo volumes increased almost 7 per cent in 2018, reaching 40.9 million metric tons for the first time since 2007.“Despite an unpredictable business environment of tariff wars and trade negotiations, many of our Canadian and U.S.

CMA CGM Unifies Containerships and MacAndrews Brands

CMA CGM will retain the only Containerships brand for its intra-European operations, giving up MacAndrews, which had already erased OPDR."Containerships: from April 1st, 2019 a single brand resulting from the union of two experts of intra-European transport CMA CGM reinforces its strategy aimed at densifying its regional coverage to the benefit of its clients," said a press release from MacAndrews.According to the French container transportation and shipping company, by joining the forces of two recognized experts of intra-European multimodal transport…

Verifavia Shipping Leads in EU MRV and IMO DCS IT System Certification

Verifavia Shipping claimed success in the independent certification of IT systems and solutions designed to support compliance with the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Data Collection System (DCS) regulation and European Union (EU) Monitoring Reporting and Verification (MRV).With both regulations now in force, increasing numbers of IT systems are available to assist ship owners and operators in collating and reporting emissions data, all of which need to strictly adhere…

IMO Emphasizes Seafarer Training

The  International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Kitack Lim has highlighted the need to consider seafarer training and standards as shipping evolves, with increasing levels of technology and automation.Speaking at IMO Headquarters (15 January) at the launch of a new report “Transport 2040: Automation, Technology and Employment - the Future of Work”, Secretary-General Lim set out key questions that will require focus from all stakeholders:  “How will the seafarer…

Ecodelta Christened in Rotterdam

A new trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) Ecodelta, powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG),  was christened last Friday (January 11) in the Dutch port of Rotterdam.The dredging vessel, built at the Dutch yard Barkmeijer for shipping company Van der Kamp, is a key component of the new contract entered into by Bagger & Aannemingsmaatschappij Van der Kamp and the Port of Rotterdam Authority.In 2015, the project Ecodelta was initiated by Van der Kamp, a Zwolle-based dredging company…

MICT Gets Eco-Friendly RTGs

International Container Terminal Services, Inc.'s (ICTSI) flagship Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) has received four of 16 new hybrid rubber-tired gantries (RTG) as part of the Company’s long-term investment in capacity enhancement and environmental efficiency."A first in Philippines and Manufactured by Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. (MES) of Japan, the Mitsui Li-ion Hybrid RTG is equipped with a 200kVA Li-ion battery and a smaller diesel engine that dramatically improves the carbon footprint of the terminal…

Drewry Predicts Better Freight Rates and Profits

The shipping industry’s supply-demand balance will benefit from a reduced appetite for Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) among the major carriers, some of which now have their eyes fixed on a bigger prize of becoming global logistics integrators, said Drewry.Simon Heaney, senior manager, container research at Drewry and editor of the Container Forecaster said: "Aside from feeder ship replenishment, there has been no reaction from other lines to Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM)’s…

Supply Chain Battle to Aide Container Supply-Demand Balance

“We believe that the industry’s supply-demand balance will benefit from a reduced appetite for Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) among the major carriers, some of which now have their eyes fixed on a bigger prize of becoming global logistics integrators. Aside from feeder ship replenishment, there has been no reaction from other lines to HMM’s mega-ship order and as such we have greatly reduced our projected new orders for 2020 onwards,” said Simon Heaney, senior manager, container research at Drewry and editor of the Container Forecaster.

Bahri CEO Appointed to Board of ITOPF

Saudi Arabian shipping company Bahri said that its CEO Abdullah Aldubaikhi has been appointed to the board of directors of ITOPF, the world’s largest ship owner organization providing objective advice on effective response to spills of oil, chemicals and other substances in the marine environment.With the organization’s Board including 23 CEOs of major global tanker owners and operators, ITOPF’s efforts are aimed at improving the preparedness and response to spills of cargo and/or fuel from ships around the world.Effective November 8…

Hapag-Lloyd on Ship Recycling Transparency Initiative

Ships are often disassembled on beaches by people who don’t wear any protective clothing or take any other safety precautions. One reason for this is that there still aren’t any globally agreed standards that shipping companies must adhere to, said a report by Hapag-Lloyd.In 2017, 835 ships of the global fleet of 50,000 vessels were recycled – but in very different ways. In December 2018, the Ship Recycling Transparency Initiative (SRTI) launched an online platform to draw attention to these practices and…

Phoenix Petroleum to Build Philippines First LNG Terminal

Philippines fuel retailing firm Phoenix Petroleum said it won government approval to build the country’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal in partnership with China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC).The Department of Energy (DOE) has granted notice to proceed (NTP) to their joint venture firm Tanglawan Philippines LNG Inc. to build an LNG terminal in Batangas.Phoenix Petroleum said in a stock exchange annoucement that it plans to break ground on the facility within the year.

Crowley’s LNG-Fueled ConRo Completes Maiden Voyage

The second of Crowley Maritime Corp.’s new combination container/roll-on roll-off “ConRo” ships - MV Taíno, one of the first of its kind to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) - completed its maiden voyage to Puerto Rico on Friday morning, Jan. 11. MV Taíno, which departed Jan. 8 from its mainland homeport of Jacksonville, Fla. (JAXPORT), is the second of two ConRo vessels constructed for Crowley. Sister ship MV El Coquí began its first-in-class service in July 2018.The ships…

Sea States: Documentary on the Shipping Industry to debut in Spring 2019

Sea States, a new documentary film on the importance of the shipping industry is currently under production by Third Wave Films. Endorsed by the Connecticut Maritime Association, and the Marine Industry Foundation, the film is being funded by key stakeholders in the maritime community.Sea States will show how shipping is the life blood of our global economy. Despite the fact 90% of all consumables arrive by ship, the public remains unaware of the value of this hidden, yet massive industry.

Port of Riga Set to Double Number of Cruise Ships

Over almost half a century, the cruise industry has experienced dynamic growth, initially driven by the demand for cruise travels in North America and the recent demand in Europe and rest of the world, especially China and Australia.The demand for cruise ships in regions of the world has increased from 23.34 million passengers in 2014 to 26.76 million passengers in 2017. Market trends suggest that the number of cruise passengers world-wide may increase by another third by 2030…

Polskie LNG Commences Bid for Terminal

Polskie LNG, the owner and operator of the Swinoujscie, Poland LNG terminal has published the contract notice that officially commences the tender procedure with the view to select the contractor for the terminal expansion.Polskie LNG officially informed about launching the tender procedure to select the contractor of the fourth project under the LNG Terminal Expansion Program, i.e. the construction of an additional jetty.The project is implemented in cooperation with the Szczecin and Świnoujście Seaports Authority.

Rotterdam Port Reports Fewer Accidents

The largest port in Europe, the Port of Rotterdam29,475 sea-going vessels arrived at the port in 2018, which is 200 fewer than last year (29,646) and as many as in 2013 (29,436).The number of accidents fell from 129 to 118 on approximately a million shipping movements (maritime and inland shipping). Among them were 14 accidents involving pleasure craft.“Quite a lot for such a small group of waterway users. We want to do something about that this year,” says Harbour Master René…

EU Shipping Industry Urges to Adot Clune Report

The European Parliament Transport Committee will vote on Deirdre Clune’s report on the draft regulation for a European Maritime Single Window Environment, today (January 10).The World Shipping Council (WSC) and the European Community Shipowners Associations (ECSA), which represent shipowners and maritime carriers that are the principal parties affected by this legislation, strongly support the Commission proposal and the rapporteur’s recommendations.Currently the shipping industry…

Prince Rupert Port Authority Invests in Skeena River Salmon

Canada's  Prince Rupert Port Authority announced an initiative to support salmon enhancement in the Skeena River watershed.The Skeena River Salmon Enhancement Program dedicates $1 million from PRPA’s Community Investment Fund specifically to partner with local organizations on projects that increase salmon stock productivity and the maintenance and rehabilitation of critical habitat in the Skeena River watershed.The fund will also seek to support innovative pilot projects that will achieve these objectives and support the health…

Container Terminal Operators Forms Hong Kong Seaport Alliance

Hongkong International Terminals Limited, Modern Terminals Limited, COSCO-HIT Terminals (Hong Kong) Limited, and Asia Container Terminals Limited jointly announced the formation of the Hong Kong Seaport Alliance (The Seaport Alliance).The joint operating agreement designed to deliver more efficient service offerings to carriers that call Hong Kong, while enhancing the overall competitiveness of the Port of Hong Kong across the region.The Seaport Alliance will offer a total of…

TEN WIns Three Year Charter for Two Product Tankers

Greek shipping company Tsakos Energy Navigation (TEN) announced 36-month long charters with min/max provisions for two product tankers to a major oil concern.At a minimum, these two fixtures combined are expected to generate $33.0 million of gross revenues, the provider of seaborne crude oil and petroleum product transportation services worldwide said.“With 2018 finishing on an upbeat note for all tanker segments, these two fixtures further signify a strong market for this year which the Company’s employment strategy is designed to take advantage of…

APM Terminals Inland Services Gets Clearance in India

APM Terminals Inland Services' integrated Inland Container Depot (ICD) and supply chain solutions facility at Chakan, Pune has achieved a significant first after being awarded an environmental clearance certificate by the Indian government.The certification authorises the facility to store, handle, transport, and deliver hazardous chemicals in any form – a critical requirement for all industries dealing with chemicals in domestic and international trade and a key safeguard for…