Transportation Hub News

A 300-acre property along the Mississippi River in Herculaneum, Missouri recently received Port District zoning making way for redevelopment as an intermodal transportation hub and industrial park.Located on the shipping lanes of the Mississippi River, the site has been utilized since the 1700s as a port. With its easy access for barge loading and offloading and the site’s proximity to early lead mines in adjacent Washington County, under early French ownership the port was utilized to ship lead cannonballs and shot to Europe to support Napolean’s army.

President Joe Biden on Wednesday launched an effort to ease supply chain blockages that are threatening to disrupt the U.S. holiday season, relying on expanded port and shipping operations and urging other businesses to speed up operations.The moves were a first step, Biden said, to pushing supply chains in the United States, the world's biggest consumer economy, to operate faster.Biden brought together powerbrokers from ports, unions and big business to hash out how to speedily address a backlog of products that includes 500…

President Joe Biden will host a meeting on Wednesday to hail progress in addressing supply chain problems weighing on the economy and threatening the holiday season, while he asks business and union leaders to do more to ease shipping backlogs.The Port of Los Angeles is going to 24/7 operations to ease the shipping snarl there and at the Port of Long Beach, a senior administration official told reporters ahead of the meeting.In addition, three large carriers of goods - Walmart…

The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, which tracks rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, rallied to its highest in more than 11 years on Friday, fuelled by strong demand across vessel segments.The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax, supramax and handysize shipping vessels, jumped to 3,566, up about 2% or 63 points, at its highest level since mid 2010.The main index also registered a 5.8% gain for the week, its best in eight.The capesize index advanced to a four-month high at 4,766 points, or 3.4%.

Ports and shipping companies are diverting vessels from a container terminal in China's busiest marine transportation hub which was forced to close after a coronavirus case emerged, as the pandemic strains global supply amid rising retail orders.Meidong container terminal in eastern Ningbo suspended operations on Wednesday after a COVID-19 case was detected, while nearby Shanghai also recorded the worst congestion in at least three years.On Friday, 37 vessels were waiting to call at Ningbo and 26 vessels queuing for Shanghai…

Classification society ClassNK said it has opened a Kyushu regional office in Hakata, Fukuoka, Japan on April 1, 2021.Hakata is the transportation hub of Kyusyu, the island located in the southwest part of the Japanese archipelago. On top of five existing survey stations in Kyusyu, ClassNK adds Kyusyu Regional Office overseeing its operation in the region in order to expand the service and further improve customer convenience there, the class society said.

More than $220 million in discretionary grant funding has been awarded to improve U.S. port facilities in 16 states and territories through the Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) Port Infrastructure Development Program, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced Thursday.“This $220 million in federal grants will improve America’s ports with nearly half the projects are located in Opportunity Zones, which were established to revitalize economically distressed communities,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L.

With social media updates and conference agendas addressing the subjects of climate change, emissions reductions and alternative fuels, it’s a wonder we are not climbing the Himalayans in search of the Jedi Master that will provide us with the magic potion. Yoda’s blessing with a calming breath, “You have chosen wisely.”Government emissions intervention started with a move to reduce energy and fuel consumption measured in greenhouse gas (GHG), at a time when the world and our politicians spoke about global warming.

Saudi Arabia’s International Maritime Industries (IMI) has signed a vessel purchase agreement (VPA) with the National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (Bahri) and a subsequent sub-contract agreement with South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) to build one very large crude carrier (VLCC).Hyundai Heavy will transfer architectural designs and related technological know-how for the building of very large crude carriers (VLCCs) to IMI. It will build one 319,000 DWT Class Crude Oil Carrier  with delivery expected in October 2021."This project award further strengthens the business relationship between IMI and its shareholders…

A consortium led by Hill International has won a contract from Thessaloniki Port Authority (THPA) in Greece to support major expansion works at Thessaloniki port.Hill International, a player in managing construction risk, announced that it has signed an agreement with THPA as leader of a consortium including Rogan Associates SA, to provide design and project management services for the planned expansion of the marine works infrastructure of Pier 6.The Port of Thessaloniki is the most important port of Northern Greece and a key transportation hub for Southeast Europe as a part of the Core Network of the Trans-European Transport Network.It occupies a total area of approximately 1.5 million square meters and hosts a variety of activities…

Bahri, the world's largest owner and operator of very large crude carriers, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to build its first very large crude carrier (VLCC) at the International Maritime Industries (IMI) yard in Saudi Arabia.The agreement signed with IMI and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), one of the partners in IMI, sees Bahri committing the new mega-shipyard its first order before the end of July 2019.Following the placing of the order, IMI will engage HHI as a sub-contractor to build the vessel in South Korea. HHI, in turn, will help facilitate the transfer of knowledge enabling IMI to independently build VLCCs to international shipbuilding standards in Saudi Arabia.Abdullah Aldubaikhi…

POTAC (Pin Oak) announced the execution of a ten year exclusive use agreement for Suezmax vessels at Public Oil Dock 14 with the Port of Corpus Christi, including extension options, exercisable by the Company, which could extend the agreement for up to an additional ten years.In addition to Suezmax vessels, Pin Oak will be able to efficiently load / unload Aframax, Panamax, and other smaller vessels and barges. This agreement follows the commencement of construction on Pin Oak's nine pipelines crossing under the Corpus Christi Ship Channel, eight of which will connect to Public Oil Dock 14.The dock is designed to load product at a minimum rate of 40…

French container carrier CMA CGM announced Friday it has acquired from CHINA SHIPPING Ports Development Co. Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of COSCO Group, a 10 percent equity interest in CSP Zeebrugge Terminal NV, through its wholly-owned subsidiary CMA Terminals.CMA CGM is currently the major client of the Belgian container terminal and accounted for one third of CSP Zeebrugge's total throughput in 2017.COSCO SHIPPING Ports completed the acquisition of the remaining 76 percent…

The Piraeus Port Authority (PPA) has presented its proposals for the master plan for the development of Greece's largest port of Piraeus under “Master Plan of the Port of Piraeus". The compilation of the Master Plan for the development and operation of the Piraeus Port was made according to:  (i) all the Laws and regulations of general implementation, together with all the existing applicable regulatory rules, (ii) the methodology and specifications quoted in the “Specifications of Master Plan” document, (iii) regulations and guidelines for the establishment of Program Design as listed in ANNEX 6.2 of the Concession Agreement 2016. The…

Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has published a proposal for modifications to its current tolls structure, signaling the beginning of a 30-day formal consultation period for industry feedback, allowing the waterway to continue providing a competitive service to its customers. During the past few months, Panama Canal Administrator Jorge L. Quijano and executives met with Canal customers and industry representatives in Europe, Asia and North America, demonstrating the Canal's commitment to being responsive to its customers. "These meetings with customers in Asia, Europe and North America have been extremely valuable in providing us with a deeper understanding of the industry today…

Caterpillar Inc. announced today it will locate a limited group of senior executives and support functions in the Chicago area later this year and reaffirmed the ongoing importance of its presence in Peoria and Central Illinois. “Caterpillar’s Board of Directors has been discussing the benefits of a more accessible, strategic location for some time,” said Caterpillar CEO Jim Umpleby. “Since 2012, about two-thirds of Caterpillar’s sales and revenues have come from outside the United States. “We value our deep roots in Central Illinois, and Peoria will continue to be our hometown. The vast majority of our people will remain in this important region where we have many essential facilities and functions,” added Umpleby.

The world is closely watching several contentious flash points that have potential to ignite. The behavior and rhetoric of China and Russia regarding vital shipping lanes in international waters have been alarming. Disputed sovereignty claims and efforts to enforce them have the maritime world on edge. China’s nine-dash line claims about owning the entire East and South China Sea have created a dilemma for themselves and the other nations in the region. The Philippines v. China case with the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague commenced on Jan.

Today Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Inc. (MHIA), a Group company overseeing the business of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) in North America, commenced full-scale operations at its newly relocated Head Office in Houston, Texas, following a move from its previous base in New York. MHIA held a reception at Rice University today to mark the occasion in the presence of guests including The Honorable Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas. Present at the reception, MHI President & CEO Shunichi Miyanaga offered the following remarks: "I am delighted that we have been able to set up a new base in Houston to better serve our customers and oversee our Group operations in North America.

The terminal is also expanding in response to Egypt’s growing population and economy, and role as a global transportation hub. East Port Said, Egypt – Completed within just three months, the new 8.5 km (5.2 mile) access channel directly links the East Port Said port complex to the Mediterranean Sea, eliminating the need for vessels heading to the Suez Canal Container Terminal (SCCT) to wait 6-8 hours for a time window between vessel convoys transiting the canal. This means that the channel, dredged to a depth of 18.5 meters (61 feet), can provide 24-hour access to East Port Said, and SCCT, to the Ultra-Large Container Ships (ULCS) of 18,000 TEU capacity and above now deployed in the Far East/Europe trade lanes, and using the canal in increasing numbers.

Florida-based transportation giant CSX Corp. is planning a $272 million intermodal rail terminal in North Carolina serving the Raleigh region that it envisions as a major transportation hub to make the state’s ports more competitive. The major freight rail infrastructure project in the Triangle project will spur economic development and help position the region as a major transportation logistics hub, says the company. Wilmington could reap significant benefits if the intermodal freight rail hub is built in Johnston County, state transportation officials said Thursday. The railroad operator is committed to spending $150 million for the project, which will be located in Johnston County and depends on receiving $100 million state transportation funds.

Canadian oil storage and transport company Gibson Energy Inc said on Monday it is building 900,000 barrels of crude oil storage at its terminal in Hardisty, Alberta, after receiving sufficient support from shippers. The company will build a 500,000 barrel tank backed by a long-term contract with Teck Resources Ltd, a partner in the Fort Hills oil sands project and a new customer for Gibson Energy, and another 400,000 tank. The new storage is expected to be in service by mid-2017. RBC Capital Markets strategist Robert Kwan said against the backdrop of weak benchmark crude prices, Gibson Energy's ability to sign long-term contracts with customers to underpin of new storage should be viewed as a positive.

French maritime transporter CMA CGM has opened a logistics complex, between the port and city of Douala, Cameroon, and set up a new firm to handle inland transportation in West African markets. Christened 3CTC (CMA CGM Cameroon Container Terminal), the terminal covers a surface area of 2 hectares. Douala port is Cameroon's largest port. Located between the ring road of Douala and the port area, this "dry port" will enable CMA CGM customers to store containers, empty or full, in a secure area of 1200 m2. The new logistics platform also serves as a transportation hub for goods by land, Cameroon and to Chad and the Central African Republic. 3CTC was given to CMA CGM as a part of a 25-year deal. "3CTC opening demonstrates our commitment to strengthen our presence in Africa.

Jamaica’s readiness for Mass Rescue Operations (MRO) in its maritime space will be boosted July 22-24, 2014 with the assistance of a subject matter expert from the U.S. Coast Guard, who will conduct a comprehensive training workshop for representatives with the relevant ministries, departments and agencies within the Government of Jamaica. The island is a key destination for cruise ships and a major air transportation hub. Therefore the country’s ability and readiness to respond to an incident which would entail a mass response within our shared maritime domain…