INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING INDUSTRY
UK hydrographic office works with Seychelles govt to help tackle piracy in the Indian ocean
The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) has presented Security of Navigation, Stabilisation Advice and Training (SONSAT) to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Seychelles on behalf of the UK Government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
Funded by the UK Government’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF), the bespoke training is designed to strengthen maritime security and safety of navigation in the Indian Ocean by helping Seychelles to share vital maritime safety information with ships and partners in the region.
Piracy at sea can threaten the security of trade routes, costing the international economy an estimated US $7 to $12 billion annually. And with some of the world’s busiest trade routes passing through their waters, the threat of piracy is of huge concern to both the Seychelles and its neighbours. In tackling these issues, it is vital that authorities understand their responsibilities when broadcasting maritime safety information, so they can notify ships in the area of issues that could threaten their safety.
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Kottayam to kochi barge services receive encouraging responses
India‘s large inland waterways network has immense potential to be an alternative means of transportation. The recently launched container barge service between Kottayam Port, ICD and Cochin Port through national waterways is getting encouraging responses from stakeholders.
The terminal operator DP World Cochin said that the commencement of the barge service is an important step towards de-congestion of roads and providing an alternate and efficient mode of transport for the Exim and domestic trade in Kerala. The container terminal at Vallarpadam now has the distinction of road, rail and waterway connectivity by barge.
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Long beach starts development of ‘green’ features to clean air
The Port of Long Beach is preparing for more growth despite the US-China trade row through heavy investment in reducing its environmental footprint, after having its busiest year on record in 2018 when throughput totalled eight million TEU.
Port leaders say that the tensions between Donald Trump’s administration and Beijing were partly responsible for the boost: American importers front-loaded shipments from China in order to bring goods into the country early, ahead of an expected round of tariffs, reported Fort Lauderdale’s Maritime Executive.
However, the trajectory of the port’s growth suggests that its performance isn’t primarily about short-term geopolitical factors.
Its volumes have been growing steadily since 2010 when the economy began to recover from the recession and its most recent cargo forecast suggests that total TEU numbers at LA and Long Beach will double within two decades, from 17.5 million TEU to 41 million TEU.
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How Iran fuel oil exports beat US sanctions in tanker odyssey to Asia
At least two tankers have ferried Iranian fuel oil to Asia in recent months despite US sanctions against such shipments, according to ship-tracking data and port information, as well as interviews with brokers and traders.
The shipments were loaded onto tankers with documents showing the fuel oil was Iraqi. But three Iraqi oil industry sources and Prakash Vakkayil, a manager at United Arab Emirates (UAE) shipping services firm Yacht International Co, said the papers were forged.
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More Chinese ports delaying Australian thermal coal imports
An increasing number of Chinese ports are holding up Australian coal shipments, with long delays now being reported at Fuzhou port in the southeastern Fujian province, Rizhao in Qingdao and Yingkou in Dalian, according to traders and end-users in China.
The delays indicate that Chinese imports of Australian coal remain constrained, forcing Chinese buyers to increasingly withdraw from Australian thermal coal purchases in the market amid uncertainties.
The price of FOB Newcastle 5,500 kcal/kg NAR with maximum 23 percent ash product had risen to a high of $63.50/mt in January but has since slumped nearly 12 percent to be assessed Tuesday at $56/mt amid the China import uncertainties, S&P Global Platts data showed.
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Ship owners worry about clean fuel bill as ports ban ‘scrubbers’
More ports around the world are banning ships from using a fuel cleaning system that pumps waste water into the sea, one of the cheapest options for meeting new environmental shipping rules.
The growing number of destinations imposing stricter regulations than those set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) are expected to be a costly headache for cruise and shipping firms as they face tough market conditions and slowing world trade. They might have to pay for new equipment and extra types of fuel and adjust their routes.
Singapore, China and Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates have already banned the use of the cleaning systems, called open loop scrubbers, from the start of next year when the new IMO rules come into force.
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Shipping activity at Port Qasim
Four ships including MOL Globe, Giants Causeway, NCC Sofa and Pike carrying Containers, Coal, Palm oil and Mogas were allotted berths at Qasim International Container Terminal, Pakistan International Bulk Terminal, Multi-Purpose Terminal and FOTCO Oil Terminal respectively on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, LNG carrier Argon also arrived at outer anchorage of the Port Qasim on Thursday.
A total of nine ships berthed at PQA to load/offload Containers, Rice, Coal, Palm oil and Mogas respectively.
Out of them three ships named Maersk Hartford, MOL Globe and SBI Tethys sailed out to sea on Thursday morning and Container vessel ER Tokyo is expected to sail on the same day in the afternoon.
A cargo volume of 109,509 tonnes comprising 61,740 tonnes imports cargo and 47,830 tonnes export cargo inclusive of containerized cargo carried in 3,015 Containers (TEUs) (845 TEUs imports and 2,170 TEUs exports) was handled at the Port during last 24 hours.