Freight Transport

EU authorizes Flemish Financial Support

The European Commission has decided not to raise any objections to the Flemish authorities' plan to provide financial support for the construction of loading and unloading facilities along the Flemish inland waterways in Belgium The Flemish Region in Belgium will put into effect a five year aid scheme aiming at making inland waterways more accessible and developing their use for freight transport. The scheme will provide financial support for the construction of loading and unloading facilities along Flemish inland waterways through Public-Private-Partnerships. The public authority will contribute to the costs related to the infrastructure whereas the private partner will make all other necessary investments and develop new or additional transport tonnage on inland waterways. In no case the public support will be more than 50 percent of the overall construction costs. About 25 projects should receive public grants yearly. The Commission has decided not to raise any objections to the scheme. The envisaged measures are compatible with competition rules and the smooth functioning of the internal market. Inland waterway transport terminals require considerable investments in infrastructure (quays, road connections, dredging etc.). Public co-financing will encourage investment in this segment of the transport market

Izar And Rolls-Royce Plan High Speed Cargo Vessel

Spanish shipbuilder and designer IZAR and Rolls-Royce announced plans for a new European High Speed Cargo Vessel which is intended to be a cost-effective short-sea shipping alternative to road transport in Europe. The monohull EHSCV is powered by two Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbines and Rolls-Royce Kamewa waterjets. The baseline design enables 124 trailers to be carried at a service speed of 37 knots and is intended to be economically competitive with road transport on routes above 300 nautical

Study Evaluates U.S. Maritime Policies

The Maritime Administration has issued a new study that evaluates the adequacy of current U.S. maritime policy to meet the commercial, economic, security and environmental needs of the nation over the next three decades. The report titled, ìAn Evaluation of Maritime Policy in Meeting the Commercial and Security Needs of the United States,î was researched and prepared by IHS Global Insight, Inc., of Lexington, Mass.

Panamax Rates Expected to Improve

Panamax freight rates are expected to improve this week, although the Baltic Panamax Index rose just one point to 1,626 on March 12. Shipbrokers said Panamax freight rate movement for voyage charters has been tentatively positive recently, and while some timecharter rates have been marginally negative compared with previously done levels, the Panamax sector seems to be stabilizing ahead of an upward move. The only cause for concern was the decline in the Capesize sector

Call for Proposals: TEN-T Program

Yesterday, the European Commission launched three Calls for Proposals under the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) multi-annual program, making €180 million (nearly $258 million) available to finance European transport infrastructure projects in the fields of European Rail Traffic Management Systems (ERTMS), Motorways of the Sea (MoS) and River Information Services (RIS). This will help to make travel and transport by rail and water more safe and secure as well as more attractive

French to get EC Funds to Upgrade Fleet

The European Commission authorized a French aid scheme to promote inland waterway transport. The Commission agreed to a French aid scheme for inland waterway transport. This scheme will be in force during the period 2004-2007 with a budget of between €14.5 and €15 million per annum. The aim of this new scheme is to encourage the development of inland waterway transport in France through fleet modernisation and by promoting the occupation of inland waterway carrier

Bisso Marine Heavy Lift Crews Launch Vessel

Bisso Marine heavy lift crews have launched a 150-ft. by 36 ft. by 11 ft. Deck Cargo/RoRo vessel at Mariner Shipyard in Houma, La. The 375 ton vessel, powered by twin CAT 3412’s is can achieve up to 14 knots. The vessel was slung with lifting cables and placed afloat dockside. Entech & Associates designed the custom vessel for use in the Caribbean for inter-island transport of freight and equipment.

Canada Funds Shortsea Shipping Study

Mr. Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans announced, on behalf of Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre, that Transport Canada will provide close to $26,000 in funding for a study on shortsea shipping on the east coast of North America to be conducted by the Faculty of Management of Dalhousie University. Shortsea shipping refers to the movement of cargo and passengers by water along coastlines, to and from nearby islands, or within lakes and river systems, but without crossing an ocean

Greencarrier Freight to Cooperate With Ekol Logistics

Greencarrier Freight Services has signed a cooperation agreement with Turkey’s leading logistics company, Ekol Logistics. The agreement covers Sweden, the Baltic states and Turkey, and will provide a range of services for Greencarrier customers having a need for transportation services between these two regions. According to Peter Nevhagen, the CEO of Greencarrier Freight Services International, Ekol Logistics will become a strong partner with potential for new transport solutions.

Commission Launches Pilot Blue Belt Project

The European Commission launched a pilot project designed to reduce administrative burdens in shipping. Short sea shipping is an environmentally friendly way of transporting freight within the European Union, but complex procedures hamper its full development. These could be overcome by creating a "blue belt" for maritime transport in which ships could operate freely within the internal market, with a minimum of administrative burden