Freight Ship
Pirates Seize German Ship off Kenya
According to a report from Xinhua, a German freight ship was seized on the morning of Oct. 24 by pirates off the coast of Kenya, a spokesman for the German army said. The spokesman said pirates attacked and captured the ship about 1,930 km east of the Kenyan city of Mombasa. The ship belongs to German shipping company Beluga-Reederei, but it was not immediately known how many people were on board, said German media reports. (Source: Xinhua)
SHINEC Builds Interiors for RAON
The Shipbuilding Joint Stock Company (SHINEC) has won a $200,000 contract to build the interiors for five ships owned by the RAON group of the Czech Republic. The work, covering wooden wall and floor planks, furniture, cupboards and lounge bars, is expected to last through the end of the year. The conversion of five ships owned by RAON into luxurious “floating hotels” is part of the largest-ever ship engineering project by the Republic of Czech
Coast Guard Forces Begin Journey Home
United States Coast Guard forces assigned to the Mediterranean region departed Rota, Spain Thursday on their trans-Atlantic journey home following their efforts as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. The 378-ft. Coast Guard Cutter Dallas, homeported in Charleston, S.C., and four patrol boats; the CGCs Pea Island and Knight Island homeported in St. Petersburg, Fla.; the CGC Bainbridge Island homeported in Sandy Hook, N.J. and the CGC Grand Isle from Gloucester, Mass
USCG Detains Foreign Freight Vessel Again
USCG inspectors in Dutch Harbor detained 281-ft. freight ship Jacha for the third time since Aug. 1998 due to Safety of Life At Sea violations (SOLAS). Inspectors found seven discrepancies aboard 14-year-old Jacha, including fire doors that didn't close properly, an incompetent fire drill and water leaks on the vessel's main engine. Due to Jacha's history of safety discrepancies, this time, it is not permitted to conduct any cargo operations
Ports of Indiana Announces New Strategic Initiatives
The Ports of Indiana today announced new key initiatives to expand its economic development role. After a year-long strategic planning process involving in-depth research and interviews with industry stakeholders, the organization made the decision to expand its current role and aggressively grow its core business. The Ports of Indiana's new initiatives include spearheading the evaluation of an inland intermodal rail port in Indiana and pursuing increased development financing authority.
Shipping Execs Agree to Plead Guilty
The U.S. Department of Justice announced that four individuals have agreed to plead guilty for their involvement in a conspiracy to eliminate competition and raise prices for moving freight between the Continental U.S. and . A fifth shipping executive has agreed to plead guilty to destroying evidence of the shipping conspiracy. The five executives charged work for large companies that provide freight shipping services to customers transporting goods between the continental and
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
Coast Guard Should Rethink Salvage and Firefighting Proposal, AWO Says
The Coast Guard's May 10 proposal to add costly and prescriptive salvage and firefighting provisions to its tank vessel response plan regulations should be overhauled in favor of a simpler and more practical approach, AWO testified at a July 17 public meeting in Philadelphia, Pa. Jennifer Carpenter, AWO Senior Vice President-Government Affairs and Policy Analysis, summarized AWO's major concerns regarding the proposal:
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.
Dubai Maritime City Authority Supports Environmental Efforts
The United Arabs Emirates Shipping Association, a representative body for UAE-based commercial shipping, is supporting the efforts of the UN, IMO, and UAE Ministry of Environment and Water and DMCA in advocating for a global and open verifiable emissions trading program. One of the challenges that face the marine industry is reconciling their global reach with local expectations. As of the last IMO Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting there is no globally accepted or
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