Freight In
World Container Index (WCI) to launch in September
Drewry Shipping Consultants and The Cleartrade Exchange announced that the World Container Index (WCI), the first Europe-based assessment of container freight rates and index production, is scheduled for launch in September 2011. The index will be designed to provide a new and important facility for the global market to hedge their freight rate risk and see major improvements in forward price discovery through the container derivatives market. Significantly, the new index will be the first of its kind to report weekly freight rates on backhaul as well as headhaul routes and will provide increased efficiencies in hedging strategies for freight users dealing in bulk, commoditised and recovered cargoes. During July and August the index will be made available to a small number of lead organisations for final testing and feedback prior to launch for trading on 1st September, 2011. Contracts will be available with at least one clearing house at or soon after the launch date and subscriptions to the index will be available from 22nd August, 2011. The WCI reports agreed spot container freight rates for major East West trade routes and consists of 11 route-specific indices representing individual shipping routes and a composite index. Route Assessments The WCI has also confirmed that it will collect and publish weekly market assessments for the following routes:
Shipbrokers, Oil Brokerage House Form Freight Forwards
BraemarTankers Ltd., Galbraith's Ltd., E.A.Gibson Shipbrokers Ltd., PVM Oil Associates Ltd. and Seascope Shipping Ltd. have formed Global Freight Forwards Limited. The company has been created initially to broker forward freight swaps for the tanker market segment in key trade routes. Contracts have been devised to meet multi-client needs and in response to Owners' and Charterers' requirements for freight protection without taking physical delivery.
IRS Changes Freight Tax Exemption
The US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued final, temporary and proposed regulations recently that significantly change certain requirements to claim the exemption from freight tax. In addition, the regulations clarify that certain activities will be treated as "incidental" to international shipping operations, meaning that income from these incidental activities can qualify for the exemption from freight tax. (Source: HK
German Yard FSG Launches its Longest RoRo Ferry
Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft launches first of two RoRo freight ferries for the Turkish shipping company Ulusoy Sealines. “At 208 metres, this is the longest and biggest freight ferry ever built at FSG”, declared shipyard Managing Director Peter Sierk. He added that it was a very significant moment for him and the entire shipbuilding team at FSG to see the “Ulusoy 14” slide into the Flensburg Fiord without a problem.
Crowley Merges Jarvis International Freight into Crowley Logistics
Business Unit to Now Offer Project Logistics and Global Freight Management Services to New Industries and more Geographic Locations. Crowley Maritime Corporation announced today that its recently acquired Houston-based, freight forwarding, export packing and logistics company, Jarvis International Freight, Inc., will transition into the company as a new branch of Crowley Logistics, offering project logistics and global freight management services to a wider array of industries and in more
Logistics Confidence Index Again on the Increase
Stifel Nicolaus Logistics Confidence Index suggests the current market remains weak, however the outlook is increasingly positive. The Stifel Nicolaus Logistics Confidence Index increased for the third consecutive month in January 2013, according to the latest industry study undertaken by Transport Intelligence. The overall index, an average of the current and expected situation, increased 0.8 points to 48.8 from 48.0 in the last month of 2012.
FMH Targets Profit Growth
Freight Management Holdings Bhd (FMH) is targeting a double-digit growth in net profit for the financial year ending June 30, 2007. This is due to its new barge business and consistent contribution from its sea freight business. The company had in February acquired a 51% stake in Singapore-based TCH Marine Pte Ltd, paving the way for it to enter the barge and tugboat business. TCH is a provider of barge and tugboats
Freight Rates Are Falling
A lack of enquiry from Far Eastern charterers has caused VLCC freight to fall almost to the same level as the longer haul westbound routes, which usually trade much lower, brokers said Tuesday. "When the East comes back in that will change," said a London tanker analyst, adding "but it's difficult to say when that will be." London's Baltic Exchange closed on Tuesday with its assessment of VLCC freight from the Mideast Gulf to Singapore at W88
Flensburger Newbuilding No. 749
On Friday Dec 19 the naming and launching ceremony of a new 634 ft RoRo freight ferry will take place in Flensburg, Germany. The freight ferry is the thirteenth of fourteen RoRo vessels, which our longstanding Turkish customer U.N. Ro-Ro has ordered with Flensburger. U.N. Ro-Ro is in ownership of the private investor KKR (New York), who took over the shipping company U.N Ro-Ro in 2007. The vessel will be christened Cüneyt Solakoglu. The vessel’s godmother is Mrs
DOJ: Former Liner President Guilty in Price-Fixing Conspiracy
Former Executive Convicted for Role in Price-Fixing Conspiracy Involving Coastal Freight Services Between the Continental United States and Puerto Rico. Following a two-week trial, a federal jury in Puerto Rico today convicted a former executive of a Florida-based coastal water freight transportation company for his participation in a conspiracy to fix rates and surcharges for water transportation of freight between the continental United States and Puerto Rico
Geodis Wilson Honors Innovators
Geodis Wilson honored its employees who have shown particular creative prowess as the company announces the winners of its annual Innovation Masters Award recognizing outstanding internal innovative initiatives throughout the logistic service provider’s global network.
Hamburg Süd 2012: Better, but Not yet Good Enough
Hamburg Süd’s performance in brief Following the powerful recovery of the world economy in 2010 and a weaker 2011, global growth continued in the past financial year, albeit at a slower pace. Against this backdrop, container shipments increased once again
Global Freight Rates Plunge, Report Finds
Average global freight rates have fallen to a 15-month low, according to Drewry’s new online Container Freight Rate Insight. Drewry’s Global Freight Rate Index fell 12% in April to reach its lowest level since February 2012, when container shipping was still recovering from the last
Second Consecutive Decline for Stifel Logistics Confidence Index
The Stifel Logistics Confidence Index continued its downward trend in May as it fell for the second consecutive month. Compiled by Transport Intelligence, the overall index, which combines the current situation with future expectations, was down 0.8 points from April to 50.7 in May and was 1
Forwarders’ Volumes Continue to Fall
Following five consecutive monthly increases, the overall Stifel Logistics Confidence Index fell 1 index point to 51.5 in April. Despite the decline, the index remained above the significant 50 mark, denoting expansion, for the third consecutive month.
Catamaran Ferry Delivered to Coastal Fast Ferries
Incat Crowther launched Kilimanjaro IV, a 45-meter passenger ferry for the African Operator Coastal Fast Ferries. The vessel capitalizes on the rapid growth in the operator’s passenger numbers, bringing the Coastal Fast Ferries’ fleet to seven Incat Crowther-designed vessels.
CII to Host Important Panama Canal Houston Event
The Containerization & Intermodal Institute (CII) organized seminar focuses on the Panama Canal, the update on U. S. export initiatives and breakbulk shipping. Michael Masserman, Executive Director for Export Policy, Promotion & Strategy, International Trade Administration
TransEuropa Ferries Goes Into Administration
Belgian firm TransEuropa has suspended all sailings between Ramsgate (UK) and Ostend (Belgium) amid fears over its future. TransEuropa had run passenger and freight ferry services between Ramsgate and Ostend for the last 15 years, and was the only passenger service out of the Port of Ramsgate
Big Ship Orders Keep Focus on Carrier Supply Pressures
Attempts by carriers to tackle the capacity overhang are being undone as new orders for Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) continue to make the headlines, according to Drewry’s monthly report Sea & Air Shipper Insight. The news that China Shipping Container Lines will join Maersk
Hong Kong Dock Strike Ends
Hong Kong dockworkers accept Hutchison Port Holdings 9.8% pay offer, end 40-day strike at the container terminal. The workers settled their dispute late Monday by agreeing to the pay offer from four middleman contractors that provide staff to a container terminal operator controlled by Hong Kong
Ports Workshop to Explore Maritime Economic Drivers
The American Association of Port Authorities’ (AAPA) 2013 Maritime Economic Development Workshop in Chicago, June 27-28, will explore the factors driving today’s investments in seaport and related infrastructure. The program's speakers will analyze the risks and rewards for undertaking
Pep Boys Selects NRS for Transload Operation in Savannah
National Retail Systems, Inc. (NRS), a provider of logistics services to U.S. retailers, pharmaceutical companies and consumer goods manufacturers, announced it has been selected by Pep Boys, an automotive aftermarket service and retail chain
APL Recognized as Best Intra-Asia Shipping Line
APL won the Intra-Asia Best Shipping Line accolade at the 27th Asian Freight and Supply Chain Awards (AFSCAs). Based on the highest number of votes received from readers of Cargonews Asia, the award lauds APL’s outstanding performance in schedule integrity, customer service support
POLB Named Best in N. America
The Port of Long Beach earned “Best Seaport in North America” honors at the 2013 Asian Freight and Supply Chain Awards in Beijing. The 2013 Asian Freight and Supply Chain Awards recently hosted in Beijing by the Cargonews Asia shipping trade publication
Globe Express Strengthens Local Market Presence
Market strategy focuses on delivering innovative supply chain solutions that complement Kuwait’s growing reputation as a major logistics hub. Globe Express Services announced that it has intensified its regional growth plans by providing a full array of innovative supply chain solutions