North America East Coast News

Ocean freight rates are surging after a missile attack and attempted hijacking of a Maersk ship this weekend prompted carriers to suspend plans to restart transits through the Red Sea, a key artery to the vital Suez Canal trade route.Yemen-based Houthi militants have been attacking high-value cargo vessels in the Red Sea since November in a show of support for Palestinian Islamist group Hamas fighting Israel in Gaza. It has forced ships to reroute around the southern tip of Africa…

The repositioning of empty containers costs the liner industry an estimated $15-20billion every year according to Boston Consulting Group (BCG), as containers sit idle at a depot or are repositioned to a different loading point while empty. This is time spent not earning revenue, whil incurring additional costs, and is estimated by BCG to account for 5-8% of total operating costs for an average container liner. These expenses can include inland repositioning by rail or road onto a different port or terminal…

German-based cargo container shipping line Hapag-Lloyd AG is launching a new liner service offering a direct connection between Turkey and the US East Coast.The Turkey North America East Coast (TNE) service will operate every nine days between the Turkish seaport of Marmara (Izmit, Istanbul and Gemlik) and the US ports of New York, Norfolk and Savannah, said a press release from the world's fifth largest container carrier in terms of vessel capacity.In addition, the service will also offer an excellent connection between Turkey and the US East Coast and the Egyptian port of Alexandria.The port of Algeciras in southern Spain will serve as the transshipment hub for cargo.

Ocean Network Express East Asia (ONE EA) has celebrated the maiden voyage of the second of a series of seven 14,000 TEU-class magenta containership of the company, ONE MINATO at Yantian International Container Terminals Limited (YICT).Sailed under the flag of Japan,  One Minato is a newly built 14,000 TEU-class containership which was delivered from Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. in Hiroshima, Japan on 24 July 2018.At 365.94 metres length and 51.2 metres width, the vessel deployed on THE Alliance’s Asia to North America East Coast trade (EC4 service), made successful calls at ports of Kaohsiung and Hong Kong before calling at Yantian.She will continue her voyage to Cai Mep, Singapore via the Suez Canal to New York, Norfolk, Savannah and Charleston on the United States East Coast.

Drewry says that recovering demand recovery in the North America-East Coast South America box trades provides encouragement, but local political conditions bear watching. Elsewhere, reports that Maersk and MSC are reviewing their Iran operations underpins broader political uncertainties that could get in the way. North America-East Coast South America box tradesMaritime Research Consultancy Drewry is reporting that the headhaul East Coast South America to North America trade fell by 1% in the first quarter 2018 to 137,000 teu. Brazil owns as much 85% of that market where the slowdown was mostly a function of waning US demand for major commodities. Nevertheless, wood shipments improved sharply to offset lower volumes for other cargoes.

On a trade mission to India, the Montreal Port Authority (MPA) has signed a Cooperative Agreement with Mundra Port, Gujarat State, north of Mumbai. This agreement aims to develop cooperation in marketing and business development while sharing information on marine operations and industry best practices. Mundra Port is India’s largest commercial port. A diversified port, it handles liquid and dry bulk and more than three million TEUs in annual container traffic. It is operated by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ). Vice-President, Growth and Development at the MPA Tony Boemi: “Asia, and especially India, is an emerging market with enormous potential. It and the Port of Montreal are already solidly connected thanks to container services.

APL has unveiled its Aloha Express (AEX) service, a new fortnightly service directly connecting Central China, Korea, Japan to Hawaii. The AEX service promises cargo delivery from Shanghai, Busan and Yokohama to Honolulu in 19, 15 and 12 days respectively. “The AEX service introduces a new sea route in our portfolio to directly serve Asia and Hawaii. Instead of routing via the U.S. mainland, shippers with Hawaiian-bound cargo will find a faster shipping alternative in the AEX service,” said Jesper Stenbak, APL Senior Vice President of Trans-Pacific Trade. “To optimally coincide with market activities in the U.S. The 990 TEU APL-operated vessel the APL Aloha will be fully dedicated the AEX service…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has announced that the company has completed an in-service demonstration test of a wind resistance-reducing windshield for containerships, and determined that the device reduces emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) by an average of 2%. The windshield, co-developed by MOL, was installed on the bow of its operated containership, MOL Marvel, for the demonstration test. Confirmed about 2% average CO2 reduction after installing the windshield on the bow and sailing at 17 knots per hour, compared to operating an identical vessel at the same speed without the device installed. Test Objectives: (1) Accumulate Big Data on operational status during service on Asia-North America East Coast routes…

CMA CGM, a leading worldwide shipping group, launches Saturday April 1st the 40 new maritime services of its new operational alliance OCEAN Alliance. Combining this new offer of maritime services with a global intermodal and logistics offer, CMA CGM Group and its subsidiaries supply its customers with tailored solutions, even more competitive on the routes Asia-Europe, Asia-Mediterranean, Asia-Red Sea, Asia–Middle East, Trans-Pacific, Asia-East Coast of North America trades and Transatlantic. CMA CGM Group is the major player in this operational alliance, as it brings 119 of the 323 ships to OCEAN Alliance. With its 650 offices in more than 160 countries…

As part of the CMA CGM Group, APL will join the league of the world’s largest container shipping lines in the OCEAN Alliance from April 2017. Navigating forward as a member of the world’s third largest container shipping Group, APL is poised to serve a network coverage of 38 loops within the OCEAN Alliance; along with more than 70 other loops beyond the Alliance. APL Chief Executive Officer, Nicolas Sartini said, “APL will be well-placed as a formidable container shipping carrier as we stand amongst the strongest forces behind the Alliance. While the Alliance will be characterized by unparalleled port coverage, frequent sailings and very competitive transit time, APL will continue to make a difference beyond the reliable transportation of cargoes from origin to destination.

Mitsui O.S.K. Tokyo, May 13, 2016 - Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL, President & CEO: Junichiro Ikeda), Nippon Yusen Kaisha, “K” Line, Hanjin, Hapag-Lloyd and Yang Ming have agreed to create a new alliance covering all East-West trade lanes namely, Asia-Europe / Mediterranean, Asia-North America West Coast, Asia-North America East Coast, Transatlantic and Asia-Middle East / Persian Gulf / Red Sea. A binding agreement has been concluded by all partners and “THE Alliance” is scheduled to begin operation in April 2017 subject to approval of all relevant regulatory authorities. The initial term of the cooperation will be five years. The new…

France's CMA CGM and China's COSCO Container Lines are to form a four-way vessel-sharing alliance with Evergreen Line and Orient Overseas Container Line focused on Asia routes, CMA CGM said on Wednesday. Container shipping has seen route-sharing develop in response to a severe downturn in the market, and a rejigging of alliances had been expected in recent months after COSCO merged with China Shipping Group and CMA CGM agreed to acquire Singapore's Neptune Orient Lines (NOL).

Members of the G6 Alliance today announced the Winter Program for Asia – North America services in response to traditional seasonal changes in market demand. The first sailing of the combined service will start with the Week 44 sailing (ETA Xiamen October 29, 2015). The G6 Alliance will temporarily suspend the Central China 2 (CC2) service between Asia and the North America West Coast during the winter period starting from Week 44. The last sailing for CC2 will be on Week 43 E/B (ETA Ningbo October 18, 2015) and Week 45 W/B (ETA Long Beach November 5, 2015). The G6 Alliance continues to offer a variety of services between Asia and North America covering all major port pairs with weekly sailings, and to make service adjustments where necessary.

In response to market demand, members of the G6 Alliance today announced the below enhancement to improve the Asia – North America (East Coast) trade. NYK will continue to make every effort to improve its quality and reliability to respond to the diversifying needs of customers. The AZX (Asia Suez Express) service will be upgraded to include an additional Halifax call. This move is expected to improve transit times from Canada to Asian and Mediterranean ports as well as from Asian and Mediterranean ports to New York. Effective from the following voyage: Budapest Express BUX 029E, ETA Laem Chabang July 6, 2015, ETA Halifax (new) Aug 4, 2015.

Pacific Atlantic 2 service has temporarily stopped calling European ports due to a seasonal change in market demand. The service portfolio between Asia and North America East Coast continues unchanged. Members of the G6 Alliance have adjusted one of its Pacific Atlantic services in response to seasonal changes in market demand. The Pacific Atlantic 2 (PA2) service will temporarily stop calling European ports, and instead turn around on the U.S. East Coast. The service portfolio between Asia and North America East Coast continues unchanged. The G6 Alliance continues to offer a variety of services between North America East Coast and Europe covering all major port pairs with weekly sailings. Additional service adjustments will be made where necessary to meet market demand.

Combined service will replace NYE and SCE temporarily / Due to seasonal changes in market demand. Members of the G6 Alliance have announced the Winter Program for Asia – U.S. East Coast sailings in response to seasonal changes in market demand. The first sailing of the combined service will start with Hyundai Glory 064E (ETA Xiamen 30 October 2014). The G6 Alliance continues to offer a variety of services between Asia and North America East Coast covering all major port pairs with weekly sailings, and to make service adjustments where necessary.

Members of the G6 Alliance  released details on port rotations for the proposed service expansion to the Asia-North America West Coast and Trans-Atlantic trade lanes, announced in early December last year. Subject to the completion of regulatory review process, the 17 services are scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2014. “The G6 Alliance monitors market developments closely and is continuously seeking opportunities to improve our service offerings,” member carriers said in a statement. “With the introduction of the Asia – North America West Coast and Trans-Atlantic services, the G6 Alliance will further strengthen its position to meet shippers’ demand for more comprehensive, seamless and efficient services with competitive transit times.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. Transferred sales and vessel operations of the dry bulker fleet (over 130 vessels) to Singapore to advance business expansion. ¥101.5 billion was allocated as cost of BSR during the fourth quarter of FY2012. Set forth the target of absolutely achieving profitability in FY2013 in the single-year management plan “RISE 2013”, and carried forward business model reforms (accumulating stable profits, scaling down free fleet). Participated in deepwater FPSO chartering project for T.E.N.

After agreeing to expand the successful G6 Alliance to the transpacific trade earlier this year, the six member lines announced the port rotations of their new comprehensive and competitive service portfolio. The new expanded cooperation will start in May with six coordinated services in the Asia-to-North America East Coast trade. It will deploy more than 50 efficient vessels with capacities between 4,500 and 8,000 TEU to connect about 30 ports in Asia, United States and Canada East Coast…

The members of the G6 Alliance have decided to modify their network between the Far East and the Black Sea effective from week 36. The last sailing for the ABX service will be “MOL Performance” (ETA Ningbo on August 30). All port coverage will be maintained by a new dedicated feeder service with a connection via Port Said that will be added to the Loop 4 of the G6 Alliance. The G6 Alliance’s Mediterranean service, EUM, will also provide a connection to the newly deployed Black Sea feeder through the existing Port Said call. The rotation of the feeder service will be: Port Said – Ashdod – Istanbul – Constanza – Odessa – Istanbul – Ashdod – Port Said. The weekly service will provide a seamless coverage of the Black Sea with two vessels of approximately 3,000 TEU.

In collaboration with Hamburg Süd and ZIM, Grand Alliance members Hapag-Lloyd, NYK and OOCL have decided to upgrade their tonnage deployed in the Transatlantic Service between Europe and North America East Coast. From March 2012 instead  of four 3,700 TEU vessels, four 5,400 TEU ships are then to come into operation. As hitherto, Hamburg Süd and ZIM will each provide one vessel and Grand Alliance two. The weekly fixed-day service continues to have the port rotation: Rotterdam – Hamburg – Le Havre – Southampton – New York – Norfolk – Charleston – Rotterdam

Ithaca, N.Y. – Mariners along the U.S. east coast can now download a new iPad and iPhone application which warns them when they enter areas of high risk of collision with critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. The free Whale Alert app provides one source for information about right whale management measures and the latest data about right whale detections, all overlaid on NOAA digital charts. “Whale Alert represents an innovative collaboration to protect this critically endangered species,” said David Wiley, NOAA’s Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary research coordinator and project lead. A key feature of Whale Alert is a display linking near real-time acoustic buoys…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL, President: Koichi Muto) , a Member of the G6 Alliance has announced plans to expand their cooperation to the Asia-North America West Coast and Trans-Atlantic trade lanes. The G6 Alliance said the expanded cooperation will provide customers with more service choices and increased sailing frequency. For example, on the Asia-North America West Coast trade, each G6 Alliance member will be able to offer almost twice as many sailings, compared to what is currently offered separately by The New World Alliance and the Grand Alliance. “The proposed expansion will complement our existing services in the Asia-North America East Coast and Asia-Europe trades…