Iran Threatens Hormuz Shipping Again
War with Iran is the mother of all wars, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday in a speech broadcast live on state TV, warning once again that shipping might not be safe in the Strait of Hormuz oil waterway.Tensions have risen between Iran and the West since last year when the United States pulled out of an international agreement which curbed the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program in return for an easing of economic sanctions on Iran."Peace with Iran is the mother of all peace, war with Iran is the mother of all wars," Rouhani said at the Foreign Ministry in a speech which also praised Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif after the United States imposed sanctions on him on July 31.If the United States wants to have negotiations with Iran then it must lift all sanctions…
UK joins U.S. in Gulf Maritime Security Mission
Britain on Monday joined the United States in a maritime security mission in the Gulf to protect merchant vessels travelling through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran seized a British-flagged vessel.British officials stressed that there was no change to London's policy on Iran but joining the United States is the most significant non-Brexit foreign policy move to date of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's 12-day-old government.Just two weeks ago, Britain was calling for a European-led naval mission. Now, it has joined what it said was a U.S.-led "international maritime security mission".
Zarif: Iran to Act Over 'maritime offences'
Iran will no longer turn a blind eye to "maritime offences" in the Gulf, its foreign minister said on Monday, a day after it seized an Iraqi oil tanker there that it accused of smuggling fuel.Revolutionary Guards seized the tanker and its seven crew near Iran's Farsi Island north of the Strait of Hormuz, state media reported, in show of power amid heightened tension with the West that minister Mohammad Javad Zarif blamed U.S. authorities for fomenting."Iran used to forgo some maritime offences in ... (the) Gulf but will never close (its) eyes anymore," Zarif told a news conference.He criticized U.S. sanctions imposed on him on Wednesday, saying Washington had closed the door to diplomacy over Iran's 2015 nuclear deal, which U.S.
Marseille Fos Unveils Multimillion Growth Strategy
The Marseille Fos port authority has set out a vision for growth over the four years to 2018 in a strategic plan that puts developments costing $560 million at the heart of measures to offer clients a dynamic Euro-Mediterranean logistics and industrial cluster. The developments - including new projects and those already in the pipeline – target areas of activity with the greatest potential for strong growth and gaining market share. A key aim is to position the port as a viable European Gateway alternative to ports in the northern range.
Texas Barge Collision Halts Oil Traffic
According to a report from Reuters, two barge tows collided in the Intracoastal Waterway between Port Arthur and Galveston, Texas, halting oil industry and other traffic for more than 12 hours, All traffic was halted between mile markers 310 and 315 east of High Island after the accident just before midnight on August 11 at mile marker 312. One-way traffic resumed early August 11 afternoon, and the waterway fully reopened at mid-afternoon, a Coast Guard spokeswoman said. (Source: Reuters)
Italy To Ban Single Skin Tankers From 7 Ports
Italy plans to ban single hull tankers from seven port areas from April 23 to reduce risks of environmental damage, said an anonymous Environment Ministry official said. The official confirmed remarks by Environment Minister Willer Bordon in Genoa earlier this week that the government was preparing a directive aimed at improving safety standards. "This directive represents a notable leap in safety," Bordon said on the sidelines of a seminar on maritime oil traffic organized by local environmental groups. The ban will apply to the following seven port areas: a sea mammal sanctuary stretching from the upper Tyrrhenian Sea to the Ligurian Sea…
Fos Posts 7% First-Half Volume Rise
First-half east-west volumes through Fos container terminal rose by 7% compared with the first six months last year, helping total box throughput at the Port of Marseilles to a 3.5% increase on 488,000 teu. Container tonnage improved by 6.6% to almost five million tonnes, leaving general cargo 5.7% better at 8.7MT. The balance was split between ro-ro (2.1MT/+7.5%) and conventional trades (1.6MT/+0.8%). The overall cargo total of 47.8MT for January-June was down 2.4% on last year due to lower oil and dry bulk volumes. Contrasting demand saw oil traffic slip 2% to 30.2MT. Crude oil imports for local refineries rose 17% to 16.4MT but pipeline deliveries to Swiss and German refineries fell 15% to 5MT. Refined products/LPG ended 25% worse on 6.7MT whereas LNG gained 3% to 2.1MT.
Fos Box Traffic on Growth Trend
Marseilles-Fos container throughput of 397,000 teu from January to May marked a 3 percent increase on the first five months last year. The total included an 8 percent rise to 284,000 teu on east-west trades via Fos. Container tonnage of four million tonnes was up 4 percent for the period and helped general cargo to a similar percentage rise on 7.1MT. A 10% boost in RoRo traffic added 1.8MT to the total. The port’s overall January-May cargo total of 39.7MT was 2.5% down on last year. Oil traffic continued to rally after a slow start to the year, ending the period 1.1 percent down on 25.3MT, but dry bulks suffered from reduced steel industry activity to finish 16.1% worse on 5.9MT. Liquid bulks remained buoyant with 10 percent growth to 1.4MT.
