Malaysia News

Demand for Box Shipping of Soybeans to Asia Grows

Countries in Asia, led by Indonesia, are increasingly relying on shipping containers to transport their purchases of U.S. soybeans, according to an analysis of federal data released by the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA).The number of soybeans shipped in containers to Asian countries has grown 40 percent since the 2014-2015 crop marketing year, from 2 million metric tons to 2.8 million metric tons. Indonesia is the top buyer of container shipments of soybeans at about 1.4 million metric tons…

Malaysia Ratifies FAL Convention

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) treaty enhancing communication between ships and ports to help shipments move more quickly, more easily and more efficiently has been ratified by Malaysia.According to the UN body, this brings the number of contracting States to the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL Convention) to 123.Captain Haji Samad, Alternate Permanent Representative of Malaysia to IMO, met IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim at IMO Headquarters…

World’s Largest STS Transfer Hub Comes in Malaysia

KA Petra, a Malaysian ship-to-ship (STS) transfer specialist, has signed a Heads of Agreement (HOA) with Hutchison Port Holdings to jointly develop the world’s largest STS transfer hub in the country.Under the terms of the HOA, KA Petra will have 70% interest in the project, whilst Hutchison Ports will take a strategic 30% stake.Based on preliminary studies, construction of the STS Hub is estimated to cost USD150 million to USD180 million, and will be funded by a combination of internally generated funds and debt financing.

Rhenus Acquires World Net Logistics

European logistics provider Rhenus Group has acquired South African freight forwarding and logistics specialist World Net Logistics (WNL).The takeover of the Johannesburg-headquartered firm WNL is still subject to approval by the relevant cartel authorities.In addition to having a dense network of business sites in South Africa, WNL also has several branches and partners in Asia and Germany.The acquisition by Germany’s Rhenus Group is the latest in a string of purchases around the world in the last few months alone…

Wan Hai Lines Enhances Japan Services

Taiwanese shipping company Wan Hai Lines announced the enhancement of its Japan service coverage.With effect from early April 2019, the company shall upgrade its existing New Super 1 service and also extend one of its existing Japan Kanto service to cover Malaysia, the provider of full-containerized shipping service said in a press note.Upgrade existing New Super 1 service(NS1) to Panamax vessel size: The service will maintain 4 vessel deployment with WHL deploying 2 x 4250Teu vessels, while IAL and OOCL deploys 1 vessel each.

ReCAAP Asia Piracy, Sea Robbery Report

Piracy and Sea Robbery Situation in Asia in February 2019A total of three incidents of armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia in February 2019There was no report of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern SabahThere was no report of hijacking of ships for theft of oil cargoHowever, the abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah remains a serious concernOf the three incidents reported in February 2019, one incident occurred on board ship anchored at Caofeidian anchorage in China, one incident on board ship anchored at

APL: New Asia Australia Express 2

APL launched a new weekly Asia Australia Express 2 (AAX2) service that will connect the key Southeast Asian ports of Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia to the two major eastern Australian cities of Brisbane and Sydney.The AAX2 service is poised to be the only service in the market with a direct call from Ho Chi Minh to Australia. Promising the industry’s fastest transit time, an AAX2 shipment from Ho Chi Minh to Brisbane and Sydney will take just 16 days and 18 days respectively.

INTERCARGO Advisory on Cargo Liquefaction Dangers

Cargo liquefaction continues to be a major risk for dry bulk shipping.INTERCARGO welcomes the latest amendment to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC 04-17) which entered into force on 1st January 2019 and includes important updates related to cargoes that may liquefy. Pertinent updates include: changes to section 4.5 of the Code which stipulates the shippers’ responsibility to ensure that the testing and sampling for Transportable Moisture Limit (TML) and moisture content is carried out at the correct intervals…

Yang Ming Announces New Intra-Asia Service

Taiwanese ocean shipping company Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation announced a new Intra-Asia service KVM(Korea–Vietnam–Malaysia Service) jointly operated by YM and APL Co. Pte Ltd through its CNC brand with effect on February 21st, 2019.The service will be operated with three 1,800-TEU container vessels, one by YM and two by APL Co. Ptd Ltd via its CNC brand.The full port rotation will be Kwangyang, Pusan, Kaohsiung, Ho Chi Minh, Port Kelang, Singapore, Haiphong, Kaohsiung, Kwangyang.

Yang Ming Launches New China-Malaysia Direct Service

Taiwanese ocean shipping company Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp. (YM) has announced the launch of CMS service (China-Malaysia service) with effect on February 23rd, 2019 (estimated time of berth from Qingdao).The service is jointly operated by Yang Ming, Gold Star Line Ltd.(GSL), T.S. Lines Co., Ltd (TSL) and CNC, a brand of APL Co. Pte Ltd. Each carrier will deploy a container vessel of nominal 4,250 TEU capacity, said a statement from the marine transportation company.The ports of call are Qingdao…

Global Piracy Up in 2018, Gulf of Guinea Leads

Piracy increased on the world’s seas in 2018, with a marked rise in attacks against ships and crews around West Africa, the International Chamber of Commerce’s International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) latest annual piracy report reveals.Worldwide, the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) recorded 201 incidents of maritime piracy and armed robbery in 2018, up from 180 in 2017.The Gulf of Guinea remains increasingly dangerous for seafarers. Reports of attacks in waters between the Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of Congo more than doubled in 2018…

Kalmar to Deliver 41 Terminal Tractors to Malaysia

Kalmar, part of Cargotec, has signed a contract with SPT Services Sdn Bhd, for an order of 41 units of Kalmar TL2 Terminal Tractors. The order was booked into Cargotec's 2018 fourth quarter order intake and scheduled for delivery in December of 2018.SPT Services Sdn Bhd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Johor Port Berhad. The 41 units of TL2 terminal tractors will be delivered to the Solid Product Jetty (SPJ) located in Pengerang Johor, Malaysia. The semi-trailers will move containers…

Petronas Wants Malaysia to be Regional LNG Bunkering Hub

Malaysian oil and gas company Petronas plans to introduce liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering operations at the country from the second half of 2019.“As a major player in the LNG business, PETRONAS is well-positioned to support the strategic intent for Malaysia to become the regional LNG bunkering hub,” it said in the Petronas Activity Outlook 2019-2021 report."Efforts are now being put in place towards advocating LNG as the preferred marine fuel of choice. In close collaboration with industry associations like MOSVA…

Nitin Gadkari Flags Off First Container Vessel at Tuticorin

Indian Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari Wednesday flagged off the maiden container mainline vessel at VoC Port (Tuticorin Port), opening direct shipping route to eastern countries.Calling the step a "gamechanger in container traffic of South India", Gadkari said that Tuticorin has the potential to become a "major industrial hub".At present containers from Tuticorin to Far East countries viz Malaysia, Singapore, China and Hong Kong are transited by the feeder vessels to Colombo where they are further connected to the mother vessel .With Mainline call being done directly at Tuticorin…

Shell Hires Velesto Energy for Malaysia Drilling

Velesto Energy was awarded a RM 101 million (USD 25 million) contract from Sarawak Shell Bhd (SSB) and Sabah Shell Petroleum Company Ltd (SSPC) for the provision of jack up drilling rig services.Velesto Energy was formerly known as UMW Oil & Gas Corp  and a wholly owned subsidiary Velesto Drilling Sdn Bhd (VED). SSB/SSPC are subsidiaries of Royal Dutch Shell Plc.Velesto said it would deploy the Naga 7 jack-up rig for the contract, with the start date to be between August 1, 2018, and  September 30, 2018.The Naga 7, designed by Gusto MSC, was built in China in 2015.

Mumbai Maersk Loads World Record 19,038 TEU

With 19,038 TEU loaded on board, the Mumbai Maersk has set a world record for the largest-ever containership cargo.The second-generation Triple-E containership left the dock of Malaysia’s Tanjung Pelepas Port over the past weekend and is now sailing into Europe. The ship is scheduled to make its first stop at Rotterdam on September 5.Mumbai Maersk, the newest to enter Maersk Line’s Triple-E fleet in May 2018, has a nominal capacity of 20,568 TEU and is deployed on the Asia-to-Europe service (AE5).The 19…

Singapore Hosts ASEAN Ports Association Meeting

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has hosted the 44th ASEAN Ports Association (APA) Meeting on 27 and 28 November 2018. The annual meeting was officially opened by the Chairman of MPA, Niam Chiang Meng, at the Conrad Centennial Hotel.About 100 key port executives and decision-makers from the nine member nations of the APA  attended the event, which serves as a platform for ASEAN ports to cooperate in areas such as port development, operations and management.The nine member nations of the APA are Brunei Darussalam…

Maersk Begins Port Operations at Ennore, Tamil Nadu

Maersk begins its port operations at Ennore (Kamarajar port), Tamil Nadu offering connectivity between the Far-East Asian ports of Tanjung Pelepas (Malaysia), Busan (South Korea) and Xingang (China) and the Indian ports of Chennai, Krishnapatnam & Visakhapatnam. The company also celebrated the first maiden call for its existing ‘Chennai Express’ service at the new container terminal in Ennore Port which is about 15 miles north of Chennai.“The rising global trade from and to India is leading to congestion and moving to new ports that offer quicker turnaround and better services is crucial.

Twill Replaces Damco with Maersk

Twill, a digital freight forwarder designed to make shipping simple, has announced a change in its brand affiliation from Damco to Maersk.Launched in April 2017, Twill was created as a ‘Damco innovation’ and operated as a partner with the freight forwarder and supply chain management company, which is part of A.P. Moller - Maersk.The realigning of the brand will make it possible to offer Twill to all Maersk customers, in line with the A.P. Moller - Maersk strategy to become a…

Port Klang Authority Hikes Container Tariffs

Port Klang Authority (PKA) announced that the 2nd phase of the increase in Port Klang’s container tariff which was due to be implemented on 1st September 2018, will be deferred to 1st March 2019.The tariff review was approved in 2015 whereby an increase of 30% was to be carried out in two phases. The increase was gazetted via PKA Scales of Rates, Dues and Charges Bylaws 2015 and was notified to all port users and industry players through Port Klang Authority General Manager’s…

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…

Sapura Energy Wins Contracts in Mexico, Malaysia

Malaysia-based integrated oil and gas services Sapura Energy Berhad has strengthened its presence in Mexico and Malaysia with new contract wins valued at approximately RM1.75 billion (USD 410 mln).The new contracts have lifted the company’s orderbook to RM18 billion and total contract wins to-date for this financial year to RM7 billion (USD 1.68 bln).Sapura Energy has built capabilities and expertise that are critical to support its clients in their quest to meet global energy demand and as a result…

MOL Invests in PKT Logistics

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced that it completed the acquisition of 14.27% shares in PKT Logistics Group, a Malaysian logistics company. MOL's stake will rise from the current 20.86% to 35.13%.PKT provides end-to-end logistics solutions comprising freight forwarding, customs brokerage, contract logistics, haulage, distribution and others, to its customers from diverse market sectors.PKT owns and operates warehouses hub in Shah Alam, Selangor, offering over 55,000m2 of warehouse space in total.

NZ Harbour Welcomes its Largest Container Ship

The largest Port in the South Island of New Zealand, Lyttelton Port, has welcomed its largest ever container ship.The Singapore–flagged Rio de Janeiro, which can carry nearly 6000 containers and is the length of about three rugby fields, arrived early Saturday.Lyttelton Port Company (LPC) Chief Executive, Peter Davie said, “The Rio de Janeiro is a new class of ship to call at Lyttelton. She can carry 5,905 twenty-foot equivalent containers (TEUs), while the largest container vessels currently visiting Lyttelton commonly carry 4…

World’s Biggest Container Ship on Maiden Call at Westports

The world’s biggest container ship, OOCL United Kingdom, made her maiden call at Malaysia's Westports in Port Klang on her way to China.The OOCL United Kingdom, with a carrying capacity of 21,413 TEUs, is one of the carrier’s six ‘G Class’ vessels and they are currently the world’s largest container ship.The vessel berthed at Container Terminal 8, Westports new container wharf that was completed in 2017.Westports has earmarked nine high-performance ship-to-shore cranes to handle OOCL United Kingdom’s containers.

Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipyard Delivers World's First iVLOC

The world’s first intelligent very large ore carrier (iVLOC), the DNV GL-classed Pacific Vision, was delivered by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipyard to China Merchants Energy Shipping Company.Norway-headquartered international accredited registrar and classification society said in a statement that the vessel is the world’s first VLOC to implement DNV GL’s SmartShip descriptive notation.To qualify for the notation, Pacific Vision has been outfitted with an integration platform, a smart navigation decision support system…