Singapore and Japan Agree Green Shipping Corridor
The Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Singapore (MOT) and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan (MLIT) have signed a memorandum of cooperation to establish the Singapore – Japan Green and Digital Shipping Corridor.Japan is one of Singapore’s top 10 trading partners, and the trade volume between the two countries totaled S$65 billion in 2022.Under the collaboration, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will work together with six Japanese ports – the Port of Tokyo…
Tokyo Port to Waive Entry Fee for Ships Powered by LNG, Hydrogen
Japan’s port of Tokyo will waive an entry fee from next month for ships powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and hydrogen, as well as LNG bunkering ships, in a bid to promote the use of cleaner marine fuels, authorities said on Friday.The exemption runs for five years from April 1, and an official of the Tokyo metropolitan government said the neighboring ports of Yokohama and Kawasaki would also apply it to LNG-powered and LNG bunkering ships.“The waiver is aimed at contributing to global efforts to boost use of cleaner fuels and support faster development of hydrogen-powered ships,” the off
Tokyo International Container Terminal Marks 20 Million TEUs Handled
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced that the MOL-operated Tokyo International Container Terminal (TICT) reached a major milestone on August 21—a cumulative total of 20 million TEUs handled.The terminal started operations in November 1971, and in December of that year, the full containership Kamakura Maru, serving the Asia-Europe route, was the first vessel to call at TICT. After 47 years of successful operations, TICT becomes the first terminal in the Port of Tokyo to handle 20 million TEUs.A ceremony to celebrate the occasion drew distinguished guests from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Port and Harbor and Tokyo Port Terminal Co.…
HMM Acquires Four Terminals From Bankrupted Hanjin
Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) announced that it has entered into a contract with Hanjin Shipping and Marine Terminals Investment Limited (MTIL) to acquire Hanjin Pacific Corporation’s 100% stake in terminals in Tokyo and Kaohsiung. Hanjin Pacific Corporation (HPC) which is owned by Hanjin Shipping (60%) and Marine Terminals Investment Limited (40%) operates terminals at ports in Japan (Tokyo) and Taiwan (Kaohsiung). Total acquisition price is about KRW 15 billion ($13.15 million) including a purchase and security deposit on the lease of the Tokyo port. With this acquisition, HMM will secure four Hanjin’s terminals: TTI Long Beach (20%), Algeciras (100%), Tokyo (100%) and Kaohsiung (100%).
Tensions Mount as Survey Ships Depart
Tensions are escalating between Korea and Japan after the Japanese Coast Guard launched two maritime survey ships toward the East Sea on the afternoon of April 19. The hydrographical survey ships had been anchored at Sakaiminato Port in Tottori Prefecture, Japan. The Korean government held a meeting presided by President Roh Moo-hyun with the presence of related ministers and announced that it will take a firm stand against the Japanese move in violation of Korea’s national sovereignty. According to Donga, the Korean government decided to be fully prepared to respond to any situation if Japan goes ahead with the exploration in the Korean side of the Exclusive Economic Zone. The two Japanese ships left Tokyo Port on night of April 18.
