Sea Carrier News

European Commission’s competition regulators has approved CMA CGM acquisition of Container Finance, the holding company that controls regional container operator Containerships.CMA CGM, the world’s fourth largest carrier by capacity, agreed in June to acquire Finland-based Containerships and its logistics operations."A combination agreement between Container Finance Ltd Oy and CMA CGM, signed on 20th June 2018, has been accepted unconditionally by all relevant competition authorities meaning CMA CGM is free to take over short sea carrier Containerships," said a statement from Containerships.Upon closing the agreement, Container Finance’s entire container logistics operations including Containerships plc…

As part of the government's large-scale rescue plan for shipping sector, the Export-Import Bank of Korea  (Korea Eximbank) sets a figure for loans and guarantees to the country's shipping sector. According to Yonhap, Korea Eximbank will funnel more than 800 billion won ($749.3 million) in shipping finance as a part of the state-sponsored program to revive the shipping industry following the collapse of Korea’s flag sea carrier Hanjin Shipping. The five-year plan for rehabilitating the maritime sector involves the building of more than 200 ships, including 140 bulk carriers and 60 container ships. The report quoted Eun Sung-soo, Korea Eximbank chairman and president saying that the fund will be given in the forms of loans and guarantees that the shippers can use to purchase new vessels…

South Korean shipowners Heung-A Shipping and Sinokor Merchant Marine have confirmed that they are in talks to merge their container businesses, reports Pulse News. According to various media reports, the South Korean liner companies have decided to merge their container shipping services by the end of the year before joining forces with Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM). HMM had already agreed to become a strategic partner to Sinokor and Heung-A by creating an HMM+K2 consortium. The two companies would sign the deal on April 3, according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Korea Shipowners’ Association. It said that Korea Shipping Partnership (KSP)…

South Korea’s leading sea carrier Hyundai Merchant Marine Co. (HMM) has signed a financial contract with Korea Shipping and Maritime Transportation to build five 300,000-ton very large crude carriers (VLCCs), said a report in Business Korea. HMM has secured $420 million (470 billion won) through a state shipbuilding subsidy funding program, it said. The order has already been placed with local shipyard Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) September last year. The financial support program consists of 60 percent of unsubordinated investment and 40 percent of subordinated investment. HMM participated in subordinated investment with 47 billion won (US$43.56 million), 10 percent of the total shipbuilding contracted price.

Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, including Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 1's Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108), and aircraft from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, began routine operations in the South China Sea, Feb. 18. Prior to their operations in the South China Sea, ships and aircraft from within the strike group conducted training off the islands of Hawaii and Guam to maintain and improve their readiness and develop cohesion as a strike group. The strike group recently enjoyed a port visit to Guam and after departing the Marianas, conducted operations in the Philippine Sea.

South Korea's largest deep sea carrier Hyundai Merchant Marine expects to post losses through the first half of next year due to poor market conditions, reports Bloomberg quoting its CEO Yoo Chang-keun. “This year will be the year to strengthen our financials,” Yoo told Bloomberg. “We are targeting to make an operating profit in the third quarter of next year. By early next year, we expect much of the overcapacity in the market will be resolved. Yoo says that HMM is also making investments in overseas port operations, like TTI / MSC's facilities in Long Beach and a container terminal in Algeciras, Spain (Both terminals are former Hanjin assets), so as to offset the underperformance of its core shipping business.

The CMA CGM Group announced that the European Commission has approved its acquisition of OPDR. In order to finalize the acquisition, which was announced on November 25, 2014 by Jacques R. Saadé, founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the CMA CGM Group, the approval of Moroccan and European Union competition authorities was necessary. On June 29, the European Commission finalized the process by giving its approval without any conditions. OPDR is a sea carrier that was part of the Bernhard Schulte Group. It is specialized in short sea maritime services and door to door logistics solutions between North Europe, the Canary Islands, the Iberian Peninsula and Morocco. The company employs 200 persons in different agencies. North Europe and Morocco.

The United States effectively treats foreign seafarers more harshly than any other group that enters the country without breaking the law. The general rule is that all persons who are not U.S. nationals or permanent residents must have a visa to enter the United States. Persons desiring to become U.S. citizens or permanent residents must obtain an immigrant visa. Most other persons desiring to enter the United States for a limited period of time must obtain a nonimmigrant visa. To obtain a nonimmigrant visa, one must have a valid passport and complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 and submit it and a photograph (head shot) to the relevant U.S. embassy or consulate.

At least 10,000 people are feared dead after Typhoon Haiyan bombarded the Philippines last Friday, November 8, with death toll figures expected to continue rising. The storm, recorded as one of the most powerful in history to hit land, produced wind gusts of more than 200 miles per hour, 15-meter waves and seven-meter storm surges, and has destroyed roughly 70-80% of structures in its path, according to estimations by the United Nations. Philippines president Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III has declared the nation in a state of national calamity.

Today in U.S. Naval History - October 24 1944 - In air-sea battle in the Sibuyan Sea, carrier aircraft attack Japanese Center Force. 1958 - USS Kleinsmith (APD-134) evacuates U.S. nationals from Nicaro, Cuba. 1962 - Atlantic Fleet begins quarantine operations to force Soviet Union to agree to remove ballistic missiles and long range bombers from Cuba. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.

Admiral Jerry Johnson has been elected to the Board of Directors of Wärtsilä-Lips, Inc. as the Vice President, Business Development, and member of the Government Security Committee. Wärtsilä-Lips with offices in Chesapeake, VA and Poulsbo, Wash., is a leading manufacturer and supplier of propulsion equipment to the U.S. Navy. A Texas native, Admiral Johnson attended Texas A & M University before entering the Naval Aviation Cadet Program. Commissioned and designated a Naval Aviator in 1956, he served on active duty for 38 years. At sea he commanded Attack Squadron Twenty-seven (VA-27), the combat stores ship USS San Jose, the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea, Carrier Group Four, the U.S. Second Fleet, and NATO’s Striking Fleet Atlantic.

Founded in March 2004 and based in Antwerp, Belgium, Delphis NV is a new company that will be active on the intra-European transport market. Delphis is targeting customers in need of European transport solutions : direct shippers, forwarders, deep sea lines and tank/bulk container operators. Delphis' first service is a new short sea container shipping connection between Gdansk (Poland) and Hull (UK). The 370 TEU mv "Smaragden" will be deployed on a weekly basis between these two ports, aimed at transporting door-to-door, feeder and third party equipment. The first sailing from Gdansk will be on Friday 7th of May 2004. In addition to a direct link and short transit time between Poland and the UK…

The M/T Pearlmar, operated by Stelmar Tankers was inspected by US customs authorities on June 9, 2004 after arriving from Esmeraldas, Ecuador. Between 70 and 100 pounds of cocaine were found in the transom space above the rudder, which is located below the water line outside the hull of the ship. Following the inspection, the vessel was not detained and no arrests were made. Pearlmar is discharging its cargo as planned and authorities have not advised us of any delays. Stelmar is a signatory to the voluntary U.S. Customs Sea Carrier Initiative Agreement and are cooperating fully in the ongoing investigation.

Moody's Investors Services downgraded Millenium Seacarriers, Inc.'s $100 million 12% First Priority Ship Mortgage Notes due 2005 to Ca from Caa2. The senior implied rating was similarly lowered to Ca from Caa2 and the issuer rating was lowered to C from Caa3. The rating outlook remains negative. The rating downgrade reflects the company's track record of continued losses, weak cash flow and the current decreased market value of the fleet securing the Notes. Market conditions and charter rates for the drybulk shipping sector have deteriorated over the last several quarters, and are not expected to improve near term. A net loss of…

Crowley Liner Services has received word that its C-TPAT application, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been approved by U.S. Customs. This approval makes Crowley one of the first ocean carriers to be enrolled in the U.S. Customs Service’s new program, Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT). The program, established as a result of the attack on the United States on Sept. 11, is designed to develop a more secure border environment by improving the security for the transportation of passengers, crew conveyances and cargo throughout the commercial process. To get to this point of acceptance, Crowley has completed the MOU and submitted the "Sea Carrier Security Profile Questionnaire" which outlines Crowley's full security plan to U.S. Customs.

(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.

October 24, 1944 - In air-sea battle in the Sibuyan Sea, carrier aircraft attack Japanese Center Force. 1958 - USS Kleinsmith (APD-134) evacuates U.S. nationals from Nicaro, Cuba. 1962 - Atlantic Fleet begins quarantine operations to force Soviet Union to agree to remove ballistic missiles and long range bombers from Cuba. [Source: www.history.navy.mil]

BIMCO announced that it has arranged for meetings to take place this week with high ranking officials from the U.S. Customs Service, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), the State Department Visa Office, the U.S. Senate Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Sub-Committee, the U.S. House Coast Guard and Merchant Marine Sub-Committee, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Maritime Administration, and the Department of Transportation. a number of very important security issues currently under consideration in the U.S. which will have a direct impact on shipping and on trading with North America”. Everard continued, “Because BIMCO represents more than 65% of the world’s merchant fleet”…

effective security programs. President, Environmental, Safety and Quality Assurance. company's Port Everglades, Fla., terminal. Security. Narcotic compliance with the U.S. Partnership Against Terrorism program (C-TPAT). said Nalen. Crowley a leader in the industry. Alford is a graduate of the U.S. U.S. to joining Crowley. Crowley's representative on the Maritime Security Council.