Swire Shipping News

Swire Shipping commemorated the opening of its new Japan branch office in Tokyo on February 21,2024 with an event at The Palace Hotel in Tokyo, marking Swire Shipping’s official return to Japan with a physical presence.A highlight of the evening was the Kagami-biraki ceremony – the customary breaking open of a sake barrel – a tradition steeped in respect and appreciation. Esteemed long-serving former employees of Swire, who had served the company with dedication in the past, shared a toast of sake alongside the current Japan team onstage.

Swire Shipping announced that Westwood Shipping Lines, a niche vessel operator it acquired in June 2022, has changed its name to Swire Shipping.According to Sire, the rebrand—which took effect February 1—will help Westwood to leverage synergies and capabilities in containers, networks, and projects across the global Swire Shipping network to better serve customers throughout North America, Japan, South Korea and China.“The integration of Westwood Shipping Lines reflects our continued investment and expansion in the North Pacific.

Swire Projects, the projects and heavy lift shipping arm of Swire Shipping, has officially launched a dedicated semi liner service connecting East Asia with the West Coast of North America.Previously offered on an ad hoc basis, the service will provide enhanced cargo connectivity and support the growing demand for reliable breakbulk and project cargo transportation into the West Coast and a gateway to the interior of the Continent avoiding the need to route cargo via the Panama Canal.Swire Projects' semi liner service connects the base ports of Qingdao and Taicang in China and ports en route…

Angad Banga of The Caravel Group was elected Chairman of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association at the organization’s annual meeting held on November 22, 2023.Banga succeeds Wellington Koo, of Valles Steamship, who stepped down after completing his two-year term as Chairman.Richard Hext of Swire Shipping was elected Deputy Chairman, succeeding Banga. Qian Weizhong of COSCO Shipping (Hong Kong) and Wang Yongxin of China Merchants Energy Shipping Company Limited were re-elected as the Vice Chairmen.Koo…

At an award ceremony in Singapore this week, 60 MaritimeONE Scholarships and seven Tripartite Maritime Scholarships (TMSS) were presented, sponsored by 34 partners from industry, foundations, and unions.The number surpassed last year’s award of 54 scholarships by 27 partners. More companies have come onboard to support MaritimeONE Scholarships in recent years, reflecting the focus on talent development by Maritime Singapore. To date, 584 MaritimeONE Scholarships, with a sponsorship value of $16 million have been awarded since the program started in 2007.Besides maritime-related courses…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has settled with two shipping companies over claims of violations of EPA’s Vessel General Permit issued under the Clean Water Act.Under the terms of the settlements, Swire Shipping Pte. Ltd. will pay $137,000 in penalties and MMS Co. Ltd. will pay $200,000 in penalties for claims of ballast water discharge, inspection, monitoring, and reporting violations.The violations relate to Singapore-based Swire Shipping’s vessels, the Papuan Chief and the New Guinea Chief…

The New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has released its report on the injury of a crew member during ladder operations on the container ship Moana Chief, citing weak safety culture on the part of the vessel’s operator.The incident occurred in the Port of Auckland on December 10, 2021 when the container ship Moana Chief was preparing to leave port. The crew had started to retrieve its telescopic accommodation ladder for stowing. A crew member’s leg was…

Swire Shipping's projects business unit Swire Projects has entered into a long-term agreement with shipowner R. Braren for the charter of three handysize multipurpose (MPP) vessels. These vessels will service customer requirements in bluewater trades, carrying project, breakbulk and unitized cargoes.This follows the deal announced in November 2021 for the long-term charter of six MPP heavy lift vessels with Nordic Project and Finance.Namir Khanbabi, General Manager of Swire Projects, said this latest charter arrangement “fits with the plan to expand our MPP fleet in line with our growth strategy. These workhorse vessels will take Swire Projects’ growing MPP Fleet to 15 vessels by year-end.”The 28…

Pacifica Shipping confirms it is introducing a second vessel onto its New Zealand coastal shipping service, which is expected to be operational mid-September this year.The vessel will add 1,300TEU extra capacity every week and will complement the existing coastal service provided by Pacifica Shipping’s MV Moana Chief, a 1,700TEU ship, which has been operating since August 2019.Country Manager for Pacifica Shipping and Swire Shipping New Zealand Brodie Stevens, said the service…

Swire Projects, a Swire Shipping division formed last year to provide specialist shipping services to the energy, renewable, and infrastructure sectors, has agreed to charter six multipurpose heavy-lift vessels.The company said Thursday it had signed an agreement with Nordic Project & Finance for the long-term charter of the six vessels.lift vessels. "The terms of the charter remain confidential," Swire Projects said.The long-term charters include 4 x 12700dwt and 2 x 19600dwt MPP  vessels built between 2007 and 2011.

Swire Shipping deployed its first 2,750TEU newbuild, MV Lae Chief, on its upgraded North Asia Express (NAX) service. Launching the new fixed-day fortnightly service with her maiden voyage, the vessel made her first port call in Shanghai on November 5, 2020.The new 2,750-TEU vessel is fitted with three 45mt cranes capable of dual lifts enabling it to carry all cargo types, including breakbulk, out of gauge and reefers. With strengthened tank tops to 20 t/m², MV Lae Chief is capable of carrying breakbulk such as steel and forest products…

As COVID-19 coverage dominates the world’s news cycle, it’s a pleasure to report on a new ship delivery, Swire Shipping’s first 2400TEU newbuild vessel, MV Changsha. The vessel was built at CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., in China, and will be deployed on Swire Shipping’s South East Asia to Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands service.MV Changsha is part of a wider order book of eight feeder container vessels (four 2,400 TEU vessels and four 2,750 TEU vessels) scheduled for delivery in 2020…

Swire Shipping, trading division of China Navigation Company, announced it will be entering a new vessel sharing partnership from New Zealand to Tonga, Samoa (Apia), Cook Islands and Fiji. This market leading service will depart every 10 days from Auckland.“Swire Shipping has built up a strong reputation for itself as a market leader connecting the Pacific Islands to the world. Today’s launch will enable us to offer expanded global coverage into the Pacific Islands, as well as specifically providing New Zealand customers with a new direct service alternative. Our aim is to offer best in class and reliable services from all key trading countries and regions importing and exporting to the Pacific Islands…

The University of the South Pacific (USP) and The China Navigation Company (CNCo), parent of Swire Shipping and Swire Bulk, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to conduct feasibility studies for the design costs and plan for new generation ships for the Pacific region which is committed to low carbon sea transport.Under the MOU signed on 10 November 2018, Project Cerulean aims to eventually develop a new class of small cargo freighter, which, once proven to be commercially viable to operate, can be scaled up in numbers to provide a cost-effective solution for currently marginalised communities in the Pacific Island Communities and Territories (PICT).In the immediate term…

Swire Group’s shipping arm China Navigation Company establishes presence in Shanghai where it was founded 147 years ago!The China Navigation Company (CNCo) opened its China headquarters officially in Shanghai on 05 November 2018, marking a significant return to its birthplace 147 years ago, and a significant milestone in its history, said a press release from the company.CNCo started operations on the Yangtze River in 1872, operating a modest fleet of Mississippi-style paddle steamers.CNCo is a major global player in the shipping scene today, with operations spanning Australia, China, PNG, Fiji, India, New Zealand and the US. Headquartered in Singapore…

China Navigation Company (CNCo), part of the Swire Group, has expanded its presence in North America by establishing a branch office in Vancouver, Canada.The opening ceremony was graced by Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trade & Technology, British Columbia, who unveiled a plaque in the CNCo office located at W Hastings Street.Minister Bruce Ralston said, “The Province recognises the significant contribution that The China Navigation Company makes to the shipping industry worldwide. We look forward to this new regional North American office in Vancouver contributing to increased trade between B.C. and the Asia Pacific. A strong shipping industry will create good jobs for people and increase opportunities for B.C.

Following the naming of its new cement carrier, MV Aotearoa Chief, in New Zealand yesterday, The China Navigation Company (CNCo) christened its last newbuild, MV Tunsin, on 16 November at the Imabari Shipyard in Japan. Tunsin is the 241st CNCo newbuilding and the 86th vessel in this series. CNCo ordered four handysize bulk carriers (Imbari38 loggers) from Imabari Shipbuilding in 2014. Deliveries of the first three vessels, MV Taiyuan, MV Tientsin and MV Tsingtao took place between July and October this year. The names chosen for the vessels reflect CNCo’s long history in the Asia Pacific region since its first ships sailed on the Yangtze River in 1872. MV Tunsin was named by lady sponsor, Sara Cutler, wife of Robert Cutler, Staff Director of John Swire & Sons Ltd.

The China Navigation Company (CNCo) christened its last newbuild bulk carriers, MV Tunsin, on 16 November at the Imabari Shipyard in Japan. Tunsin is the 241st CNCo newbuilding and the 86th vessel in this series. CNCo ordered four handysize bulk carriers (Imbari38 loggers) from Imabari Shipbuilding in 2014. Deliveries of the first three vessels, MV Taiyuan, MV Tientsin and MV Tsingtao took place between July and October this year. The names chosen for the vessels reflect CNCo’s long history in the Asia Pacific region since its first ships sailed on the Yangtze River in 1872. MV Tunsin was named by lady sponsor, Sara Cutler, wife of Robert Cutler, Staff Director of John Swire & Sons Ltd.

Singapore-based liner trade division of The China Navigation Company (CNC) Swire Shipping has upgraded its multipurpose liner service coverage in the Asia Pacific region. The company’s dedicated Trans-Tasman service operating between New Zealand and Australia will be enhanced to provide a 15-day frequency. Swire will also start providing 12 additional Brisbane calls by a direct service from New Zealand. Swire Shipping’s weekly liner service from Brisbane to Lae, Papua New Guinea (PNG) will be further improved with two additional sailings per month with four-day transit times. The upgraded service will provide six direct sailings per month. A regular service connecting Brisbane to ports in Southeast Asia will be reintroduced to Swire Shipping’s network coverage.

Connecting more than 12 ports, monthly multipurpose service with lifting capacity of up to 120 metric tons. Swire Shipping and Rickmers-Linie has announced the launch of a connecting carrier partnership. Under this partnership, Swire Shipping will be able to connect its breakbulk and project cargoes in India and the Middle East, through Rickmers-Linie’s Middle East and India Service, to its network in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, via Singapore. The first voyage is scheduled to depart Mumbai already on 9 June 2015, the first voyage from Jebel Ali being on 28 June 2015. The load ports are Jebel Ali, Mumbai, Chennai, Dammam, Kolkata (other ports on inducement).

The China Navigation Company (CNCo), the deep sea shipping arm of the multinational Swire Group, has signed a conditional sale and purchase agreement to acquire Pacifica Shipping (Pacifica) from the Skeggs Group of companies in New Zealand. CNCo has been a long term participant in the New Zealand’s maritime and transport industry. The first Swire vessel called to New Zealand 130 years ago. Today Swire explains that it has extensive interests in agencies, stevedoring, logistics and multipurpose liner shipping services. Swire Shipping, CNCo’s liner shipping arm, currently operates five independent multi-purpose liner services from New Zealand to Asia, Australia, North America and the Pacific Islands.

As ship owners scrupulously search for means to cut costs by saving energy, Colfax offers the CM-1000 Series, a smart technology which helps to monitor and control sea water cooling system pumps. It can help to save more money than you think. Colfax introduced earlier this year the CM-1000 Series, a smart technology designed to help monitor and control sea water cooling system pumps in a manner that senses water temperature and speed to optimize the pump use. Savings for the shipowner come not only via fuel used to power the pumps (in some cases…

China Navigation Co (“CNCo”), the deep sea shipping arm of the Swire group, having held a minority shareholding of 13% in Polynesia Line Ltd (“PLL”) since 1979, has purchased all the remaining shares in the line. CNCo has been an active and committed shareholder in PLL for the last 34 years and is fully committed to ensuring that the Line continues to serve the needs of its strong and loyal customer base in the South Pacific. “We have tremendous confidence in PLL’s position as…