China has switched from driving global demand for major commodities to being a drag on growth, with July's customs data confirming the weakening trend for imports of crude oil, iron ore and copper.The exception to the trend was coal, but the sharp gain in July's imports of the polluting fuel are more a result of China having to go the seaborne market because of domestic policies that curbed local output…
Despite Rome's scepticism, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said cooperation with Italy under the Beijing-led Belt and Road initiative had been fruitful, with high-quality Italian products having entered 'thousands of households' in China.'The…
During his recent visit to the UK, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced May 31 as the date of entry into force of the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (A-UKFTA).With its entry into force, there will be no tariffs on over 99% of Australian goods exported to the UK…
The Port of London Authority (PLA) has acquired Masthouse Terrace Pier on the Isle of Dogs in East London in an effort to increase light freight on the river.Port of London officials view the project as a step up for London's working river and maritime commerce industry…
Peter Sand, the chief analyst of Xeneta discuss recent trends in the container shipping market, from plunging spot rates to blank sailings.The container shipping market has enjoyed a prolonged historic, and somewhat unexpected bull run, as COVID…
The Valencia Containerized Freight Index (VCFI) exceeds 2,000 points with a growth in April of 17.39%The Valencia Containerized Freight Index (VCFI) continues its upward trend, reaching 2,314.89 points in April, an increase of 17.39% over the previous month…
India's steel exports more than doubled between April and July to hit their highest level in at least six years, boosted by a surge of Chinese buying in defiance of tensions between Beijing and New Delhi.Traders said reduced prices had driven…
Even before the effects of the coronavirus, the ‘Phase One’ agreement between China and the US failed to boost volumes of the implicated goods in January. In fact, exports of the manufactured, agricultural and energy goods included in the deal were down 26% from January 2017…
The COVID-19 epidemic, which was first called the novel Coronavirus and then the 2019-nCoV, is spreading fast around the world. It is more contagious than the 2002 SARS outbreak, its cousin, but not as lethal. Unfortunately, its impact on…
The global ocean transport operator AAL Shipping has launched a new Europe-Middle East/India-Asia Monthly Liner Service to serve the market’s multipurpose vessels (MPPs) and project heavy lift cargo transport requirements.The new service, which connects main ports between Europe…
San Francisco Bay-based container ship facility Port of Oakland said its containerized import volume jumped 7.3 percent last month over January 2019 totals.Exports were up, too, the Port said, lifting hopes for recovery from a U.S.-China trade war…
Australia has become the largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter in the world. The record figure knocked Qatar out of the top spot.'Australia is set to become the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter this year, overtaking Qatar…
Anglo-Eastern has announced the confirmation of Chief Executive Officer, Capt. Bjorn Hojgaard, as Chairman of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association (HKSOA). His appointment follows a two-year tenure as the association’s Deputy Chairman, and is…
In the 2019 first half, 106,000 TEU - 20-ft standard containers - were handled in Hamburg on direct services with Indian ports, a gain of 17 percent. This brought India up into tenth place in Hamburg’s ranking of its trading partners for container transport…
French shipping line CMA CGM has launched Shipfin Trade Finance (STF) , its new range of financing services dedicated to importing and exporting, in partnership with invoice finance platform Incomlend.The STF portfolio of products is, according to the carrier…