European Shipowners on US Steel, Aluminium Tariffs
European shipowners disagree with the US President Trump's decision to impose additional duties on imports of certain steel and aluminium products into the United States. “This protectionist decision of imposing 25% import duties on steel and 10% on aluminium will obviously have a negative impact on transatlantic relations and on global markets”, said Martin Dorsman, ECSA’s Secretary General. “The European Shipping Community is concerned with this development and the potential of full-scale trade war. It is clear that the tariffs might leverage to other products as we have already heard from the EU leaders’ responses. A full scale trade war will benefit nobody”, he added.
Abu Dhabi Ports Shift Far More Breakbulk Cargo
Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ABPC) says that general cargo moving through Abu Dhabi’s commercial Ports has increased by 37% this year. ADPC’s commercial ports (Musaffah, Khalifa and Zayed Ports) have handled 6.4 million FT (freight tonnes) of general cargo, compared to 4.7 million FT in the first half of 2014, which is an increase of 1.74 million FT (freight tonnes) compared with the same period in 2013. “These figures show a strong first half of 2014 and indicate a promising six months ahead”, said Capt. Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO, ADPC. He adds: “The volume of cargo moving through our ports is on the up. While Abu Dhabi’s ongoing economic growth explains some of the increased volumes…
ADPC Ink Long-term EMAL Export Agreement
Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) has signed a ten year agreement with Emirates Aluminium (EMAL), to handle the export logistics of finished aluminium products from EMAL’s production site. The volume of exported metal will grow gradually from 600,000 metric tonnes in 2014 to 750,000 in 2015 onwards. The signed agreement covers all of the handling operations and transport logistics for the finished products from EMAL’s site to the container freight station and export terminal at Khalifa Port.
Kalmar Lands St. Petersburg Order
Kalmar Industries has received an order from JSC Sea Port St Petersburg, Russia, for 24 machines for delivery from May to September this year. The order comprises 12 forklift trucks with lifting capacities ranging from 10 to 32 tonnes, eight TRX182 terminal tractors, three reachstackers and one empty container handler. JSC Sea Port St Petersburg handled 11.8 million tons of cargoes in 2006, comprising metals, coal, chemical, timber and containers. The terminal operator has worked with Kalmar for more than 30 years. At present, it relies on more than 80 Kalmar machines to perform day-to-day handling duties. These include forklift trucks with handling capacities of up to 42 tonnes, reachstackers and terminal tractors.
