Global Insight News

In the medium term, demand for container shipping services should continue to rise in tandem with expected ongoing growth in global trading volume, says Hapag-Lloyd. As a result, the container shipping industry’s medium-term growth prospects remain intact, says the company in its investor outlook for 2017. In its latest economic outlook (April 2017), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects global economic growth to reach 3.5% in the current year. This forecast means that the global economy is set to grow at a slightly faster rate in 2017 than in the previous year (+3.1%). According to the IMF, the volume of global trade, which is key to the demand for container shipping services, will increase by 3.8% in the current year (2016: +2.2%).

The price of U.S. gasoline could fall if Washington were to allow crude oil exports, an independent government report on Tuesday concluded, adding political firepower for those who want to change the law to expand such trade. Exports would put more crude on global markets and push down prices for international Brent oil "which in turn results in lower petroleum product prices for U.S. consumers," according to the report by the Energy Information Administration, entitled "Effects of Removing Restrictions on U.S. Crude Oil Exports. The United States has severely limited oil exports since the early 1970s in the wake of the Arab oil embargo. The Obama administration has taken steps to increase exports of minimally-processed light oil called condensate and allow crude swaps with Mexico.

With its black hull rumbling against a field of broken ice, the Warren Jr. slowly eased away from a dock in the Boston suburb of Hingham on Tuesday, aiming to clear a path for some of the four ferries that carry commuters from here into the city each day. But in a sign of how long Massachusetts has been gripped by freezing temperatures, no other vessels followed, as the tide narrowed the channel behind the oceangoing supply boat pressed into service as an icebreaker. It was the…

Energy demand in South East Asia is expected to grow at twice the rate of the rest of the world. DNV GL has appointed Arve Johan Kalleklev regional manager for Oil & Gas in South East Asia just as the company is establishing a dedicated LNG and Gas Consulting unit in Singapore. The unit will support the extensive development plans for a safe, secure and reliable gas and LNG infrastructure in Asia. It is estimated that USD 460 billion will need to be invested in South East Asia’s gas and LNG infrastructure by 2035 to meet energy demand. “This will secure robust growth in LNG supply. The Pacific Basin has some of the largest exporters of LNG, but also some of the oldest plants - many more than 20 years old,” says Mr Kalleklev.

TerraMar Networks and Energy Perspectives join forces to offer ground-breaking LNG analytics services. Global GPS asset tracking provider, TerraMar Networks Limited has announced  that it has entered into an agreement with Energy Perspectives, expert consultancy in natural gas based in Norway, to collaborate on an innovative global analytics services for the LNG (liquefied natural gas) market. iGIS/LNG is the first, combined real time tracking and business application for natural gas producers…

Hapag-Lloyd improved its result and transport volume in the previous financial year despite persistently tough competition. EBITDA increased year-on-year by €54.6 million to €389.1 million. The operating result also saw a significant improvement, climbing by €41 million to €67.2 million, meaning that Hapag-Lloyd performed well in comparison to its competitors. Thanks to its global liner network with almost 100 services, Hapag-Lloyd was able to take full advantage of growth opportunities in a difficult market. Transport volume rose by a total of 4.6% to approx.

Industry consortium wants to utilize McMoRan’s Main Pass Energy Hub™ (MPEH™) as a potential deepwater port facility. United LNG, LP, and Freeport-McMoRan Energy LLC (FME), a subsidiary of McMoRan Exploration Co, are engaged in efforts to utilize McMoRan’s Main Pass Energy Hub™ (MPEH™) as a potential Deepwater Port facility to receive, store, condition, and liquefy domestic natural gas for export as liquefied natural gas (LNG). Natural gas would be received by pipeline at MPEH™, processed, and then transferred to on-site floating vessels for liquefaction and offloading to LNG transport vessels for export to foreign locations. On January 4…

Freight rate up 3.2% on last year / Transport volume increases by 1.1%. Revenue rises by 12.1% to EUR 6.84 billion / Absence of peak season and persistently high energy costs weigh on business / Positive operating result of EUR 26 million / EBITDA of EUR 335 million. Hapag-Lloyd was able to increase the freight rate, transport volume and revenue in the past financial year. Despite the challenging economic environment, Hapag-Lloyd achieved an EBITDA of EUR 335 million and an EBIT of EUR 26 million in 2012, allowing it to once again do well compared with its industry peers. The average freight rate in 2012 saw a year-on-year increase of 3.2% to USD 1,581/TEU. Transport volume rose by 1.1% to approximately 5.3 million TEU.

As seen in the August edition of MarineNews, Susan Buchanan updates readers on the GOM oil production situation. BP's gushing well was capped more than a year ago but life is hardly back to normal in the U.S. Gulf--where rigs and vessels remain underutilized. At least ten rigs have moved overseas since last summer. Gulf oil production is below pre-spill levels and won't recover anytime soon, analysts say. Issuance of drilling permits picked up this spring as operators agreed to use oil-containment systems but permitting lags earlier rates.

Asian economies are leading the recovery of international container trade volumes, but strong growth across the region could see pre-recession pressure on freight infrastructure re-emerge, a senior executive of container shipping line APL told a conference in Ho Chi Minh City on May 20. “Intra-Asia is already the world’s single largest container trade,” Jason Wong, Vice President of APL’s Intra Asia trade, told the 8th ASEAN Ports & Shipping Conference. By 2015, Intra Asia will contribute 32% of global containerised trade, with the Asia-U.S. and Asia-Europe trades 17% and 18% respectively, according to analyst Global Insight. Wong said that along with China and India…

Cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports will be up in March over February as traffic begins its annual climb toward peak season, but volume for the first half of 2009 is still expected to remain well below last year’s levels, according to the monthly Port Tracker report released March 6 by the National Retail Federation and IHS Global Insight. “February is traditionally the slowest month of the year, so we’re now at the point where we’ll see a gradual increase in volume as retailers bring in spring and summer merchandise and build up toward the holiday season,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said.

After ending 2008 down 7.9 percent, cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to drop at an even faster pace during the first half of 2009 as the economic recession continues, according to the monthly Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and IHS Global Insight. Final data for 2008 showed volume for the year at 15.2 million Twenty-Foot-Equivalent Units, compared with 16.5 million TEU in 2007, a decline of 7.9 percent and the lowest total since 2004, when 14 million TEU moved through the ports. One TEU is one 20-foot container or its equivalent. Volume for the first six months of 2009 is forecast at 6.6 million TEU, down 11.8 percent from the 7.5 million TEU seen during the same period in 2008.

The Maritime Administration has issued a new study that evaluates the adequacy of current U.S. maritime policy to meet the commercial, economic, security and environmental needs of the nation over the next three decades. The report titled, ìAn Evaluation of Maritime Policy in Meeting the Commercial and Security Needs of the United States,î was researched and prepared by IHS Global Insight, Inc., of Lexington, Mass. The 72-page report finds that current U.S. maritime policy only supports Americaís domestic maritime trades and is not supportive of U.S. participation in the international trades. However, the study also advises that possible reforms in national policy may lend more support to the U.S. maritime industry. Maritime Administrator Sean T.

Cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports fell again in October, and 2008 is now expected to be the slowest year since 2004 as the downturn in the nation’s economy continues, according to the monthly Port Tracker report released on Nov. 7 by the National Retail Federation and IHS Global Insight. Volume is projected to total 15.3 million Twenty-Foot-Equivalent Units for the year, compared with 16.5 million TEU in 2007. That would be a decline of 7.1 percent and the lowest total since 2004, when 14 million TEU moved through the ports. The estimate is down from the 15.43 million projected a month ago, which would have been a 6.5 percent decline from 2007 and the lowest number since 2005’s 15.4 million TEU. One TEU is one 20-foot container or its equivalent.

Hapag-Lloyd is starting along with a partner shipping line a direct service with weekly departures from Europe to at the end of November 2008. Twelve modern vessels with adequate reefer capacity will be deployed in this service offering short transit times to ensure an enhanced coverage of the Australian market. Subject to regulatory approvals, this will be the only direct service from Europe to via . It will replace the previous ANS service. Northbound the service will continue to call at and . Ports in , and will be added to the rotation. The vessels to be deployed in this service will be capable of carrying 2,800 standard containers each on this route with a round voyage time of 84 days.

Malaysia for the first time. Adrion, wife of Adolf Adrion, member of the executive board of Hapag-Lloyd AG. “Chicago Express”, which entered service in February 2006. among the largest vessels of their type worldwide. and two trainers on board. multimedia training room. A training workshop is also provided in the engine room. watch. Hapag-Lloyd is thus underlining its traditionally strong commitment in the training area. offered. in 2007, and the figure will be up to 75 this year. given close on 300 young persons training opportunities on board. including traineeships on land (commercial and industrial occupations) is more than 560. commented Hapag-Lloyd executive board member Adolf Adrion. corresponding to annual average growth of 6.8%. worldwide in 2007.

Hapag-Lloyd ordered two 8,600 TEU containerships from the South Korean shipyard Hyundai Heavy Industries for delivery in spring and autumn 2007. The newbuildings will have a length of 335m, width of 43m and draught of 14.50m and be able to carry 8,600 standard containers (TEU). They will have a speed of 25 knots. It is planned to deploy the vessels between Europe and the Far East. Hapag-Lloyd released no details on the construction costs. In its forecast published in January 2004, the international market research institute Global Insight expects global container transport to continue to increase in the next few years. "Our fleet expansion programme shows that we intend to take advantage of the market opportunities resulting from the expected growth in world container transport.

annual TOC Americas conference. all-water services via the Canal to the US East Coast. network. services into the US East Coast. Panama Canal Authority on the latest status of plans to widen the Canal. and prospective hubs in the Caribbean. port community. Canal. network of container terminals. Americas conference. Principal Sponsor of TOC2003 Americas. trade routes. customers through Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) links. American Trade'. lines, importers and exporters. the latest products and services that the industry has to offer. Technology.

Hapag-Lloyd is naming the containership Bremen Express in Bremerhaven. The patron of the 335m long mega containership capable of carrying 8,749 standard containers is Hilde Herwig, wife of Thomas W. Herwig, managing partner of the long-established Bremen logistics company Röhlig. With its Bremen Express, Hapag-Lloyd has expanded its fleet to 142 containerships with a total capacity of over 514,000 TEU. It has ordered another 15 identical vessels from the South Korean Hyundai Heavy Industries for delivery up the end of 2011. Hapag-Lloyd, which is one of the top five container lines worldwide, is thus preparing to share in the long-term growth in international container transport.

Starting end of April, Hapag-Lloyd will operate their own independent service from Northern Europe via Suez direct to Australia/New Zealand that it used to provide with a partner. “We will be introducing two additional units and continuing to operate the service with twelve ships. With this direct service, we offer the best transit times on this route,” states Anthony Firmin, Managing Director Ship and Container Management of Hapag-Lloyd AG. Vessels with a capacity of 2,500 TEU, including 300 reefer plugs, are deployed for the weekly service provided on fixed weekdays. The transit time from Rotterdam to Melbourne is only 28 days. The following port sequence is planned: Tilbury…

Federation and Global Insight. container traffic, breaking last October’s record of 1.51 million, while September is forecast at 1.49 million. October, traditionally the busiest month of the year as retailers bring in merchandise for the holiday sales season, is forecast at 1.54 million this year. “The holiday season is the most important part of the year for our industry, so it’s essential that we starting looking at these numbers and watching for any problems as early as possible. NRF Vice President and International Trade Counsel Erik Autor said. Nationwide, the ports surveyed handled 1.3 million TEU of container traffic in April, the most recent month for which actual numbers are available. That was down 5.8 percent from April 2006 but up 2 percent from this March.

The world’s largest container shipping line — the Maersk Line — pressed into service the largest container ship Emma Maersk in September 2006. At 1,58,000 DWT, a length of 397 m, width of 56.4 m and loaded capacity of 11,000 TEU, this was one of the eight ships ordered at one stroke. Eyebrows were raised at that time in container shipping circles whether this venture would prove to be a successful one or not. But the critics have been proved wrong. Emma Maersk has been operating in the Europe-Asia trades for the last one year to almost 100 per cent of its capacity, giving the Maersk Line considerable economies of scale that other lines will not be able to achieve at least for some years.

The Hanover Express, which is capable of carrying 8,750 containers, is one of the world’s largest containerships. The newbuilding was recently named in Hamburg. The patron was Gabriele Frenzel, wife of TUI’s CEO and chairman of the supervisory board of Hapag-Lloyd, Dr. Michael Frenzel. Naming ceremonies for large containerships are still something special even in Hamburg, and nearly 300 guests from business and politics – including the Mayor of Hamburg Ole von Beust and the Mayor of Hanover Bernd Strauch – attended the event at Container Terminal Altenwerder, at the quays of which the Hanover Express had berthed. Hapag-Lloyd’s latest newbuilding was named by Gabriele Frenzel. The new ship sailing under German flag can carry 8,750 standard containers.