Trade Infrastructure News

The Canadian government has approved a marine container terminal expansion project in Delta, B.C., following a environmental assessment process that started in 2013.The Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project includes building new land and a new three-berth marine container terminal near existing port terminals at Roberts Bank in Delta, B.C., about 35 kilometers south of Vancouver. The project will incrementally deliver an additional 2.4 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) of capacity…

UNCTAD’s Review of Maritime Transport 2018 identifies seven key trends that are currently redefining the maritime transport landscape and shaping the sector’s outlook.These trends, presented in no particular order, entail challenges and opportunities which require continued monitoring and assessment for effective and sound policymaking.1) ProtectionismOn the demand side, the uncertainty arising from wide-ranging geopolitical, economic, and trade policy risks as well as some structural shifts, constitutes a drag on maritime trade. An immediate concern are the inward-looking policies and rising protectionist sentiment that could undermine global economic growth…

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreed by DP World, Egypt’s Holding Company for Maritime and Land Transport and the Suez Canal Authority is aiming to develop a new Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Egypt’s 6th of October City, a satellite town in the Giza Governorate and part of the urban area of Cairo. The three partners will bid for the government contract for the project later this year. The proposed ICD will increase the flow of cargo between ships and major land transportation networks in the country, creating a central distribution point. Under the MoU, DP World will lead and represent the alliance in the bidding process and become the ICD operator if the tender is won.

Trade infrastructure development to diversify Panama’s economy and DP World’s international experience in over 40 countries were at the centre of discussions held in Dubai yesterday between the global trade enabler’s Group Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem and Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela. As part of his visit, Mr. Varela was taken on a tour of DP World’s flagship Jebel Ali Port and Free Zone, including Terminal 3, which is among the world’s most productive and technologically advanced, employing surveillance drones and remote-controlled quay cranes that are operated from the safety and comfort of a control room. A presentation was also delivered on the role that DP World plays in enabling customers to manage the complexities and cut costs in the global supply chain…

Dubai-based ports operator DP World has inked an agreement with the Suez Canal Authority and the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) to launch the first phase of an integrated industrial and residential zone in Sokhna. The framework agreement, which establishes a clear timetable of actions required to execute the first phase of the project spanning 30 square kilometres, was signed by Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World and Admiral Mohab Mamish, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority and the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone). This follows the signing of a partnership agreement at a ceremony in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt on the sidelines of the World Youth Forum in November last year.

DP World and Indonesian government and port officials signed an agreement to advise on the development of the Kuala Tanjung greenfield port and logistics zone and Belawan port in North Sumatra. As part of a Technical Assistance Contract, DP World will share its expertise and experience in increasing efficiencies, training and development for employees and developing multi-modal transport hubs. The agreement was signed by DP World Group Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Anil Wats and state-owned port operator PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo) I President Director, Bambang Eka Cahyana. The event was also attended by Indonesian Minister of State Owned Enterprises Rini M Soemarno, Indonesian Ambassador to the UAE, Husein Bagis and senior DP World officials.

Global trade enabler DP World and the Summa Group, a diversified business with significant infrastructure investments in Russia, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore investment opportunities in ports, special economic zones and inland logistics facilities in the Russian Federation. According to the MOU, the parties have decided to enter into preliminary discussions to consider the potential of a relationship between them to develop investment opportunities in ports, special economic zones and inland logistics facilities in the far east of the Russian Federation, including in the ports of Vladivostok and Zarubino.

Enormous quay cranes, which arrived at DP World London Gateway on Wednesday morning, will enhance U.K. Two more of the U.K.’s most technically advanced quay cranes were brought up the River Thames on Wednesday, completing the sea voyage from China on vessel Zhen Hua 10 via the Cape of Good Hope to arrive at DP World London Gateway Port, just 25 miles from Central London. The new cranes are for the third Berth at the DP World London Gateway container terminal, providing additional trade infrastructure for the U.K. when the berth opens later this year.

Maersk Group says it is committed to a long-term partnership with Ghana, and will boost its investments in the country. Accroding to local media report, the Maersk Group Chief Executive Officer, Nils S. Andersen, revealed that Maersk is interested in playing an active role in Ghana’s growth through investments in trade, infrastructure and energy. “Together with our partners, we have committed $1.5billion to the expansion of the port in Tema which would create probably the largest and most modern terminal in sub Saharan Africa. This will enable Ghana’s trade for the coming decades, and support more efficient flows of exports as well as imports” Andersen said. Nils S.

China is building its first international undersea cable that will carry information and data flow between the country and the ASEAN nations, says Xinhuanet. Its also setting up Information Harbor for the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. The government run China Unicom, one of the main telecommunications providers in the country, is cooperating with Myanmar's telecommunications operators to build the underwater cable, said Jiang Zhengxin, vice general manager of China United Telecommunications Corp, parent of China Unicom. China first proposed the Information Harbor initiative in September 2014. The initiative will include five cooperative platforms to benefit China and ASEAN members…

A two-day international seminar on beefing up maritime trade infrastructure in Asia opened on Wednesday in southeast China's Quanzhou City in Fujian Province. Since Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road in his speech in the Indonesian parliament in October 2013, the initiative has drawn the attention of the international community. Over 280 academics and experts from 30 countries have been invited to discuss proposals to build a "21st Century Maritime Silk Road". The event is themed "collectively building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and creating a community of common destiny". It will involve three round table meetings covering the topics of "the values and significance of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative"…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) president Koichi Muto hosted an appreciation cocktail party for government leaders, customers, partners and MOL employees on March 5 at Park Royal Hotel, Yangon. It was well attended by 110 guests including Ichiro Maruyama, Minister-Counsellor/Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan, reaffirming MOL’s expansion plan in the containership business in Myanmar and its commitment in furthering the country’s economic development. "It is my honor to visit Myanmar and I am deeply grateful to the Myanmar government…

Sri Lanka's new pounds Sterling 226 million deep sea port at Magampura harbor, Hambantota, on the south coast of the island has been officially opened with the ceremonial docking of the first vessel to use the port facilities. In a ceremony presided over by President Mahinda Rajapaksa as part of the week-long festivities surrounding his official inauguration for his second term in office, a traditional sailing yacht, Pradeepa 2, dropped anchor in Hambantota's Magampura harbor. She received a traditionally warm and colorful Sri Lankan welcome from the huge crowds gathered on the waterfront and quaysides. Pradeepa 2 was chosen in recognition of Sri Lanka's age old role as a key stopping point on the ancient east-west silk trading route.

Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta delivered a Speech to the U.S. Conference of Mayors in which he discussed homeland security in general and maritime security in particular. He noted that maritime commerce is the most dominant component of the U.S. international trade infrastructure. He discussed the numerous security zones established by the Coast Guard, the Sea Marshal program, the 96-hour notice of arrival requirement, and efforts to enhance container security. Source: HK Law

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced its participation in the Ad-Hoc Working Group on Security for the Maritime Transportation Committee (MTC) at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris. Government and industry leaders will be open and encourage an international dialogue on this important matter. “We must participate in these international forums because port security problems require international solutions. It is vital that we work with other countries and international agencies worldwide, as well as with all the modes within the Department of Transportation and other agencies in the U.S.

(C-TPAT) Program. validation audit, which can provide a host of benefits for customers. transfer of cargo from point of origin loading to delivery destination. Customs targeting and inspection of their shipments upon arrival in U.S. Ports. move to the head of the line for inspection scheduling. preference in restarting trade operations. Commissioner Robert Bonner. sector partnership program between U.S. worldwide supply chain. program's inception. threat awareness and personnel background clearances and identification. years," said Ed Alford, Crowley's Director of Security. security standards in the industry. manufacturers. validated. years. recognized by Customs. international operation areas. security regulations.