Marine Link
Friday, March 29, 2024
SUBSCRIBE

Richards News

02 Oct 2023

Thungela Says Coal Terminal Workers' Strike Not Impacting Exports

Illustration - Credit; Ossewa/Wikimedia Commons - CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED

Thungela Resources, South Africa's largest shipper of thermal coal burned in power stations, said its shipments of the fuel have not been impacted by a workers' strike at the country's key coal export hub. Workers at Richards Bay Coal Terminal, which is owned by coal exporters including Thungela, Exxaro Resources, Glencore, and Seriti, have been on a strike for the past three weeks. A two-week strike at South Africa's state-owned ports and rail company Transnet last year hit coal shipments…

14 Apr 2023

Biden Admin Greenlights LNG Exports from Alaska LNG Project

© Andrey Sharpilo / Adobe Stock

The Biden administration on Thursday approved exports of liquefied natural gas from the Alaska LNG project, a document showed, as the United States competes with Russia to ship natural gas from the Arctic to Asia.The Department of Energy approved Alaska Gasline Development Corp's (AGDC) project to export LNG to countries with which the United States does not have a free trade agreement.Backers of the roughly $39 billion project expect it to be operational by 2030 if it gets all the required permits.

12 Apr 2022

Transnet Suspends Durban Port Operations Due to Floods

© lcswart / Adobe Stock

South Africa's state-owned logistics firm Transnet suspended its Durban port operations from 1930 local time on Monday due to heavy rains that have damaged the roads into the port, a key hub for shipping containers and metals such as copper.In a statement on Tuesday, Transnet said shipping has been suspended until further notice as a result of damage caused by the adverse weather, and vessels on berth are on standby.Customers were requested to "hold back" on bringing their trucks into the port…

31 Mar 2022

Evergreen Declares General Average Following Containership Ever Forward Grounding

(Photo: U.S. Coast Guard)

Evergreen Marine, the owner of a containership stuck aground in the Chesapeake Bay, has declared general average after two failed attempts to refloat the vessel.The Ever Forward has been stuck near the Port of Baltimore since March 13 despite the efforts of dredgers and salvors who have been working for more than a week to dig out and refloat the 1,095-foot vessel. Separate attempts to refloat the ship on Tuesday and Wednesday were unsuccessful, meaning costlier and more complex salvage efforts will be required…

11 Oct 2021

LED Lighting for Ships: Seeing is Believing

The Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Laramie (T-AO 203) conducts a replenishment at sea with the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Michael Duran/Released)

New Lighting Technology offers bright ideas for better interior and exterior lighting that saves money, manpowerThe U.S. Navy is leaving traditional lighting behind for Solid State Lighting (SSL) with very long-life solid-state light-emitting diode (LED) lighting. Technology has illuminated new ways to light ships that are safer, more efficient and more affordable. Taking advantage of the new technology has its challenges, such as finding cost effective lighting that is rugged…

14 Jul 2021

Violence Disrupts Shipping at the Port of Durban

© donvictori0 / Adobe Stock

South Africa's Durban port has suffered major disruption after days of unrest, and operations have also been badly affected at the Richards Bay port and on a national freight rail line, logistics and freight companies said on Wednesday.The violence erupted last week in KwaZulu-Natal province, where Durban is located, after the jailing of former president Jacob Zuma but it has rapidly escalated in widespread looting and destruction in several other provinces.Durban has one of the busiest shipping terminals on the African continent…

24 Jun 2020

Containership Markets Plot Uncertain Course to Recovery -MSI

© eyewave / Adobe Stock

New HORIZON Monthly report shows freight rates remain high, blanked sailings have hit charter markets and coming quarters continue to hold riskContainership markets are exhibiting contradictory signals as the global economy continues its tentative emergence from lockdown. In the first of its new HORIZON Monthly reports, Maritime Strategies International (MSI) analyzes the forces at play in freight and charter markets as well as the impact of global policy on demand.On nearly all trade lanes…

06 Apr 2020

COVID-19 Cuts a Swath Through Containership Charter Earnings -MSI

© Oliver Hoffmann / Adobe Stock

While the implications of COVID-19 for containership demand and freight rates are directionally clear, the time charter market often marches to its own drum.The latest Container Shipping Forecaster from Maritime Strategies International analyzes the impact of the pandemic on time charter markets in the light of reduced demand and falling fright rates.Containership time charter rates have broadly retreated in recent weeks, and since the start of 2020 the majority of benchmarks have seen earnings retreat by 10-15% - hardly a historic correction.

01 Apr 2020

South African Ports Remain Open Despite Lockdown

© lcswart / Adobe Stock

South Africa's ports remain open to all types of cargo despite a nationwide 21-day lockdown though essential goods should be prioritized, the Department of Transport said in a notice."(The) government has now decided that in the interest of ensuring a functional supply chain across all ports, that all cargoes will be accepted for loading and off-loading," said the notice, which was dated March 31.That reversed instructions sent by port authorities to bulk terminals last week saying…

27 Mar 2020

Transnet to Cut Transport of Non-Essential Cargo During Lockdown

© OscarDiMalva /Adobe Stock

South Africa's logistics firm Transnet said it would reduce transport services and non-essential cargo operations during a nationwide lockdown that began at midnight on Thursday to contain the coronavirus.The state-owned company said shipments of metals and minerals would depend on demand and government approval. It was unclear if these exports would be affected.The transport of coal to state-run utility Eskom's power stations would continue, Transnet said.Transnet operates nearly three quarters of the African rail network…

17 Oct 2019

Port of Cape Town Boosts Tug Fleet

Photo: TNPA

Transnet National Ports Authority has redeployed a new tug to the Port of Cape Town, as Tug UMBILO went into service recently after being redeployed from the Port of Durban.Built in 2017, UMBILO was the sixth of nine new vessels to roll off the production line as part of $95 million tug construction contract being executed by Durban ship builder Southern African Shipyards. The Port of Cape Town also took delivery of tug USIBA last year, originally intended for the Port of Richards…

13 Oct 2019

Hapag-Lloyd Opens New South Europe HQ

German cargo container shipping line, Hapag-Lloyd AG, officially opened its headquarter for the new region.CEO Rolf Habben Jansen presented the keys of the office complex in Genoa (Italy) to the new Senior Managing Director Juan Pablo Richards.During the opening event, Habben Jansen explained the motivation to create a new region: “After our merger with UASC in 2017 the Mediterranean region has gained more importance for us. That's why we are eager to bolster our competitive position in this attractive and growing market and exploit further opportunities.”The new region was created by splitting the former Region Europe into northern and southern parts.

05 Sep 2019

Hapag-Lloyd Splits EU Ops into Two Regions

Hapag-Lloyd CEO Rolf Habben Jansen: developing the organization and ensuring proximity to markets and customers.

(Photo: Hapag-Lloyd)

Cargo container shipping line Hapag-Lloyd has is to split its European operations into northern and southern regions. The company said the move was part of its strategy to remain closely connected with international clients. After the reorganization, Hapag-Lloyd will serve its customers from a total of six regions.The new Region South Europe will be headquartered in Genoa, Italy to reinforce the company’s activities in the Mediterranean region. Juan Pablo Richards, previously manager of the company’s operations in Area Brazil…

03 Sep 2019

Hapag-Lloyd Splits European Services

German-based  cargo container shipping line Hapag-Lloyd AG is splitting its Region Europe into northern and southern parts. In doing so, the world’s fifth-largest liner shipping company will remain close to global markets and serve customers from a total of six regions effective immediately.The new Region South Europe, which will have its headquarters in the Italian port city of Genoa, aims to bolster Hapag-Lloyd’s competitive position in the Mediterranean region. It will include Area Italy, Area Iberia, Area Turkey, Area Egypt and Area Med Agents, which manages the company’s 15 agents in the region.The new head and senior managing director of Region South Europe will be Juan Pablo Richards…

21 Aug 2019

African LNG to Attract $103Bln in 2019

With greenfield investments in Nigeria, Egypt, Mozambique and elsewhere reaching nearly $103 billion this year, it is clear that liquefaction is viewed as the most profitable strategy for realizing Africa’s gas potential, said Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF).Africa is an exciting frontier in the global natural gas sector. The continent holds 7.1 percent of proven global gas reserves and is expected to contribute nearly 10 percent of global production growth through to 2024.Nigeria accounts for over 50 percent of current LNG production capacity on the continent. With October 2019 seeing a final investment decision on the $12 billion…

24 May 2019

Cape Town to Employ Helo Pilotage Transfers

Photo: TNPA

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has taken the decision to introduce a helicopter service at its Port of Cape Town to transfer marine pilots onto and off visiting vessels. This would make the port one of three within the South African port landlord’s complementary port system that offer the service, the others being Durban and Richards Bay.TNPA expects to commission the helicopter in Cape Town in 2021, according to GM: Infrastructure and Port Planning, Hamilton Nxumalo.In…

11 Apr 2019

CSA 2020 Welcomes Samsa Decision on EGCS

South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has decided to allow the use of exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) in its territorial waters and ports ahead of the IMO 2020 regulation.The Clean Shipping Alliance 2020 (CSA 2020) has welcomed the decision by SAMSA to accept all types of approved exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) for use in its territorial waters.In an IMO 2020 advisory notice issued in March to shipowners, operators, master mariners and bunker suppliers, SAMSA says the use of open-loop, closed-loop or hybrid systems are accepted until further notice “as an equivalent arrangement under Regulation 4 of MARPOL Annex VI…

07 Jan 2019

Gulftainer Names Fred Castonguay New Group CEO

UAE-based privately-owned port operator Gulftainer has appointed Fred Castonguay its new group chief operating officer to strengthen its growing ports and logistics portfolio globally.Castonguay previously served as the vice president of Operations at Ports America Group and as president and COO for Ports America Outer Harbour in Oakland, California.Peter Richards, Group Chief Executive Officer at Gulftainer, said: “We are pleased to welcome Fred Castonguay on board as Group Chief Operating Officer of Gulftainer. His expertise and strengths in terminal operations and leadership will continue to reinforce our global reputation. A seasoned industry veteran with a keen focus on operational excellence…

14 Oct 2018

Alliance Marine Group Acquires 3SI

France-based Alliance Marine Group has acquired Safety and Survival Systems International (3Si Group).Europe’s leading supplier and manufacturer of marine equipment for the leisure and commercial sectors acquisition includes 3Si Group's well-known brands such as Ocean Safety, Typhoon International, ISP and Revere.The consolidation with AMG will help accelerate its international growth strategy and increase its geographical footprint and product portfolio to achieve greater exposure into new and existing markets.A statement said that Alliance’s growth strategy is based on organic and external growth from acquisitions.Andrew Richards, former CEO of 3Si and newly appointed MD of Alliance Marine UK Holdings Ltd…

19 Sep 2018

Gulftainer Signs 50-year Lease for Port of Wilmington

Gulftainer, the world’s largest privately-owned independent port operator and logistics company based in the United Arab Emirates, finalized a 50-year concession agreement with the state of Delaware to operate and develop the Port of Wilmington, significantly expanding the company’s global footprint and reach.The agreement, signed by Gulftainer’s subsidiary GT USA, will see an expected investment of up to $600 million in the port to upgrade and expand the terminal and to turn it into one of the largest facilities of its kind on the Eastern Seaboard.The port deal represents the largest operation ever run by a UAE company in the United States, as well as the largest investment ever by a private UAE company in the country.At a public signing ceremony held in Wilmington, Gov.

08 Aug 2018

Peak Season Promises Better Box Freight Rates -MSI

© VanderWolf Images / Adobe Stock

After a pattern of divergence at the start of the year, July saw a modest realignment between charter and freight markets as liner operators react to cost pressures and the wider industry awaits the impact of the potential trade war between the U.S. and China, according to the latest Container Shipping Forecaster from MSI.Following an impressive run since the end of 2017, timecharter earnings have leveled off in recent weeks, a slowdown that began with smaller feeder vessels and has now spread to larger units.

30 Jul 2018

Gulftainer Wins RoSPA Awards 2018 for Occupational Health and Safety

Gulftainer, the world’s largest privately owned independent port operator and logistics company based in the UAE, has been handed the 2018 prestigious Gold Award by the UK-based RoSPA Award Scheme.Gulftainer has been recognised for its commitment to employee health and safety standards at its flagship gateway terminal, Sharjah Container Terminal (SCT), in Port Khalid.Recognising significant milestones in health and safety management systems including best practices in leadership and workforce involvement, the RoSPA Awards scheme receives submissions from organisations around the world. Gold medals, President’s awards, Orders of Distinction and the Patron’s Award are presented to organisations sustaining the highest standards.Speaking on the achievement…

27 Jun 2018

TNPA Focuses on Ship Repair

Preston Khomo (Photo: TNPA)

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) appointed Preston Khomo, previously Richards Bay Port Manager, as Executive Manager: Ship Repair, to manage and administer the organization’s ship repair resources nationally.Thamsanqa (Thami) Sithole has been appointed as the new Port Manager for Richards Bay. Both appointments are effective July 1.Khomo joined TNPA in 2004 as Head of Infrastructure Development: Port Operations and Consulting at Portcon (the then international arm of Transnet)…