Agriculture, shipping and energy will gain most from the US-China trade agreement

The truce in the US-China trade war should benefit the agriculture and energy sectors, because of China’s commitment to increase related imports from the USA. Shipping companies and port operators will probablym also profit from stronger freight demand and trade ...Read More

Tags: exports, imports, shipping

Nigerian Importers will spend extra N59 Billion On Freight

Nigerian importers and shippers will spend N59 billion in 2017, due to the increase in freight charges on every container coming into the country by foreign shipping lines. The foreign shipping lines, which increased the freight rate with a caption ...Read More

Tags: freight, Freight Shipping

NZ freight shipping suffers from earthquakes

New Zealand's shipping federation say coastal transport is a resilient lifeline during natural disasters such as earthquakes,but that not enough attention has been paid to ensuring ports are equally adaptable. Shipping Federation executive director Annabel Young said that coastal shipping ...Read More

Tags: container, freight, Freight Shipping

Shipping on Rhine in Germany increases as water rises

Freight shipping on all of the river Rhine in Germany has returned to its normal levels, as rain has raised water levels to allow full vessel loading. Levels on the River had been below normal since early September, compelling vessels ...Read More

Tags: exports, Freight Shipping, Germany

China Shipping co negotiates with Greek companies for Athens freight terminal

A Chinese shipping conglomerate is in advanced talks with a Greek real estate developer and logistics provider, about jointly bidding to build and operate a rail freight terminal near Athens, a Greek newspaper reported. Greece has launched a tender for ...Read More

Tags: China, freight, shipping

Freight operator to increase Irish Sea sailings

An Irish Sea freight operator is increasing the frequency of its sailings to and from the Port of Liverpool, due to the new Liverpool2 container terminal. The changes by the Freight company, in response to the creation of Liverpool2 and ...Read More

Tags: cargo, freight, shipping

Container shipping prospects

A recent report suggests that container shipping will continue to suffer from over-capacity and financial difficulties. The forecast for container shipping growth for this year has been reduced to 2.2%. Additional capacity is being added to the fleet this year, ...Read More

Tags: container, Freight Shipping

Shipping container freight rates jump

Shipping freight rates for transporting containers from ports in Asia to Northern Europe jumped by 26 percent to $591 per 20-foot container (TEU) in the week ended on Friday 28 August, data from the Shanghai Shipping Exchange showed. The rise ...Read More

Tags: freight, Seafreight, shipping

Investment pours into freight despite shipping slump

Global trade and shipping figures continue to be disappointing, but investment into the freight sector continues, with logistics providers hoping that better routes to market will help buck the trend. In Asia, a major parcels company has initiated an extension ...Read More

Tags: freight, shipping

Shipping Freight Rates to Stay Low

Shipping freight rates, which have hit record lows this year, are set to remain weak for the rest of the decade or longer. There are too many ships and low fuel prices are capping operating costs, a recent report said. ...Read More

Tags: freight, Freight Shipping, Seafreight, shipping

Panama Canal extension using barge freight

The ongoing Panama Canal expansion project has reached an important milestone in its aim to meet the expected traffic growth and meet with the requirements of the international freight and shipping community. A heavy lift barge has delivered the first ...Read More

Tags: freight, shipping

Suez Canal to Expand Freight Capacity

As part of Egypt’s $8.4 billion plan to increase the freight capacity of the Suez Canal, the country’s Government and the Suez Canal Authority has awarded over $2 billion worth of contracts to two consortia, to dredge the vital shipping ...Read More

Tags: freight, shipping

Freight Companies aid West Africa

Freight and logistics companies are playing their part in shipping vital supplies to West Africa to help fight the Ebola outbreak. One company has airfreighted more than 70 tonnes of urgent supplies to Monrovia, Liberia to help combat the spread ...Read More

Tags: cargo, freight, shipping

Mississipi Freight charges limit Exports

As U.S.A farmers begin the biggest corn and soybean harvests ever, the bins in Illinois remain almost empty because it simply costs too much to send Midwest crops by barge to New Orleans export terminals. Shipping fees along the Mississippi ...Read More

Tags: exports, freight, shipping

Abu Dabi Export and Import Growth

Abu Dhabi Ports Co (ADPC) expects a surge in shipping traffic towards the end of this year, as work on major infrastructure projects in the capital gathers pace, the company’s chief executive said. Container traffic at Khalifa Port is expected ...Read More

Tags: containers, exports, imports, shipping

Rotterdam/Immingham extra freight shipping capacity

Shipping company DFDS is introducing extra sailings on the Immingham to Rotterdam freight route, taking the total to eight freight sailings a week. Customers will be able to take advantage of two extra round trips a week, in addition to ...Read More

Tags: freight, shipping

Shipping Lines face cost increase

As from 1st January 2015, the new EU sulphur directive will come into force, regulating the maximum allowed sulphur content of bunker fuel. The directive means that the sulphur content of the shipping line's bunker fuel must be reduced dramatically from the turn ...Read More

Tags: freight, shipping

Logistics Group Freight Stacking in Containers

A major logistics company has launched an innovative ocean freight shipping service. The system enables double stacking of freight inside shipping containers, through the installation of specialised decks, which are designed to be suspended from the roof of the container. ...Read More

Tags: containers, freight, logistics, shipping

Shipping to cost more

The increased cost of shipping cause by the EU Sulphur Directive, is finally making the headlines. Letters and articles are appearing in national newspapers pointing out that in the absence of any derogation from this directive, which is due to ...Read More

Tags: freight, shipping, Sweden

Shipping Organisation calls for clarity on SECA’s

The European Community Shipowners' Association (ECSA) has issued an open letter requesting a harmonised and realistic approach to the EU Sulphur Directive. The Sulphur Directive comes into force on 1 January 2015; it requires that within Sulphur Emission Control Areas ...Read More

Tags: shipping

Emission Control – Shipping Companies need more time

Shipping companies said that they need more time to comply with the European Sulphur Directive, which requires that from January 2015, ships sailing in the Sulphur Emission Control Areas (SECAs) covering the Baltic Sea, North Sea and Channel must use ...Read More

Tags: freight, Seafreight, shipping

USA Freight Shipping Volumes under strike threat

A contract between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the employers representative group, the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), expired on June 30. From 1 July, all freight passing through the ports responsible for around 35% of all US ...Read More

Tags: freight, shipping

Singapore wins at Asian Freight and Supply ChainAwards

Singapore companies snapped up seven of the 39 awards presented at the 28th Asian Freight and Supply Chain Awards ceremony in Shanghai. Several hundred top transport, logistics and supply chain executives from around the region gathered at The Peninsula to ...Read More

Tags: freight, shipping

New freight opportunities for Limerick-Shannon

Stakeholders from Ireland’s freight, logistics and transport sector gathered in the Castletroy Park Hotel in Limerick on Wednesday 28 May, to discuss how the Limerick-Shannon region could become a strategic freight logistics hub with direct connections to some of the ...Read More

Tags: freight, logisitics, shipping

Shipping Industry ‘Invisible’

A cross-section of executives from shipping and associated professions and commentators who attended the sixth annual Grand Debate organised by WISTA-UK concluded that the commercial world is largely oblivious to the essential nature of shipping.  WISTA UK is  a leading ...Read More

Tags: shipping

Revolution in Shipping Containers?

Carbon fibre composites could transform the shipping container, by making it lighter and more easily scanned.  The steel container currently used is cheaper to produce; it costs about $3000 as opposed to $8000 for the carbon fibre,  but because the ...Read More

Tags: container, containers, shipping

New Freight Service from Container Shipping Groups

A new fixed-day weekly service between the Red Sea and Asia will commence May 8, 2014. The new routing will be provided by three Shipping Lines in co-operation, and is in answer to the growing demand and customer requirements in ...Read More

Tags: freight, shipping

East-West Freight Rates Remain Low after Chinese New Year

After three consecutive months of price rises, freight rates on the East-West trades declined in February, according to Drewry’s online Container Freight Rate Insight. Rates came under most pressure on the Asia-Europe shipping route, which weakened following a meteoric rise ...Read More

Tags: containers, freight, shipping

Shipping Line Fined Again

A South American shipping lines has had to reach another costly agreement with the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) a week after paying a substantial fine for collusion on freight rates. The company was accused of violating the Shipping Act by ...Read More

Tags: freight, shipping

Shipping Container washed ashore

A shipping container holding 14 tonnes of cigarettes was discovered washed up at Seaton on the East Devon coast on Sunday 23 February. The 40ft-long freight container was found at Seaton, on the Lyme Bay coast, and is believed to ...Read More

Tags: containers, freight forwarding, shipping

Shipping Industry Awaits Increased Freight capacity as Panama Canal work re-starts

Work resumed on the much awaited Panama Canal expansion at the end of last month. The recent stoppages were caused by a dispute over cost overruns. Major logistics groups have continued to expand operations in the region whilst for the ...Read More

Tags: container, containers, freight, shipping

Shipping Container Stuffed with drugs

Early in February, an estimated $180 million worth of crystal methamphetamine was discovered in a shipping container in Sydney. The drugs were found in kayaks which were being transported inside the shipping container from China. Customs officials x-rayed the 27 ...Read More

Tags: China, containers, shipping

Felixstowe to charge container hauliers

From next month the port of Felixastowe will make a mandatory charge to all hauliers wishing to collect and/or deliver shipping containers at the Port of Felixstowe. The £1.50 charge per booking is designed to reduce the effect of the ...Read More

Tags: containers, shipping

Foldable Shipping Container Tests

The shipping industry may be set to undergo a revolution if a new folding shipping container proves its worth. The containers were tested out at the end of last year between Hong Kong and Rotterdam, where they were unloaded from ...Read More

Tags: containers, freight, shipping

Increase in freight rates good news for shipping firms

The end of 2013 and the beginning of the New Year have encouraged shipping companies in India, with freight rates touching a three-year high, mostly on the back of increased demand for movement of oil and iron ore. Shipping companies ...Read More

Tags: freight, Seafreight, shipping

U.S.A Bill would fund freight projects via new shipping fee

A Bill has been introduced to the USA Senate proposing funding for freight project. The Act, if passed, would provide for competitive grants for projects designed to increase the efficiency and capacity of the national freight mobility network in America. ...Read More

Tags: freight, Seafreight, shipping

Freeze Hits Road and Air Freight Services in USA

In early January freight movement in some parts of America slowed to a standstill as the effect of the so called ‘Polar Vortex’ has been felt in areas unused to such extreme conditions. Thousands of flights were cancelled and roads ...Read More

Tags: freight, Seafreight, shipping

Tasmania wants Air freight subsidy

TASMANIA's biggest airport says that air freight should be subsidised by the Commonwealth. The Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme covered sea freight but not air freight reduced freight market competition, Hobart Airport argued in a submission to the Productivity Commission's inquiry ...Read More

Tags: air freight, freight, Seafreight, shipping

Shenzhen luring container shipping from Hong Kong

Port authorities in Shenzhen are working aggressively to persuade foreign carriers to omit Hong Kong as a transit hub and do business directly with them. Shenzhen is well-placed to surpass Hong Kong as the world's third busiest container port this ...Read More

Tags: China, container, containers, shipping

Increased Freight Rates for container shipping lines

Container shipping lines hope for a better year as freight rates are increasing. They are expecting overcapacity to ease during the year. Surplus supply, which has been a major problem for shipping lines since 2008, should narrow to 1.5 per ...Read More

Tags: container, freight, Seafreight, shipping

New Container Shipping Service to Fiji

The first ever direct ocean Less than Container Load shipping service between northern Europe and Fiji has been announced.The new service, operating on weekly sailings from Rotterdam to Suva, will slash transit times from 55-60 days to just 36, while ...Read More

Tags: container, freight, Seafreight, shipping

Freight Rate Increase for December

Freight rates from Asia to Europe suddenly jumped during the last week in December. This are expected to last longer than usual as carriers refuse cargo which has not been pre-booked. The latest figures from the Shanghai Containerised Freight Index ...Read More

Tags: freight, shipping

New Freight route links UK with Spain

From 5 January, 2014, there will be a new weekly freight service between Poole and Gijón. The Poole-Gijón service will leave the Dorset port on Tuesdays with the return leg departing from Spain on Fridays. The same shipping line will ...Read More

Tags: shipping

New Adriatic Shipping Route

An Italian shipping line has increased its presence on ferry routes between Italy and Greece with the launch of a new round-trip service linking the ports of Ravenna, Igoumenitsa and Patras later this week in December. The new ’motorway of ...Read More

Tags: shipping

Shipping bosses face death sentence

The former chairman of Vietnam’s state-owned shipping conglomerate, Vinalines, Duong Chi Dung and former CEO, Mai Van Phuc, were yesterday sentenced to death for embezzlement. The government of Vietnam is stepping up its crackdown on corporate corruption. Dung went on ...Read More

Tags: shipping

More US cars Shipping to China

Exports of cars from the USA to Saudi Arabia and China are increasing revenue for shipping vessel operators. The U.S.A exported a record 1.8 million cars and light trucks last year. Exports rose another 8.9 percent in the first 10 ...Read More

Tags: exports, freight, imports, Seafreight, shipping

Grangemouth freight terminal news

THE heart of Scotland’s rail freight industry lies in hub railheads along the Mossend-Coatbridge-Grangemouth axis. This is the north end of the West Coast Main Line  which is the busiest trunk route for freight in Britain., where millions of tonnes ...Read More

Tags: freight, Seafreight

Import from Oslo of famous tree

The world's most famous Christmas tree was exported from Norway via Immingham to London. Shipping free of charge on DFDS, the tree arrived on Saturday 30 November and is on forwarded by lorry. It is decorated in traditional Norwegian style, ...Read More

Container Lines Investigation

Several container line shipping companies are being investigated by the European Commission to investigate whether they have breached anti-trust rules. The Commission thinks that the companies - who have not been named - may have violated anti-trust rules prohibiting restrictive ...Read More

Shipping Industry concerns

The Global Shippers' Forum, which represents shipping industry worldwide, is concerned that a proposed alliance between three major shipping lines will lead to price fixing and lack of competition in the market.  The GSF says it may affect commerce of ...Read More

Shipping at Risk from Iceberg

An emergency grant has been awarded to UK researchers to track a vast iceberg in Antarctica.  It is feared that the iceberg, which broke away from the Pine Island Glacier in July, could enter shipping lanes.  If the iceberg goes ...Read More

Lisbon Container Port Strikes

Strikes at Lisbon ports have been underway since 6 November, and will continue for four hours every day until 27 November.  There will also be strikes at Lisbon Liscont Container Terminal for 24 hours on 15 November and 18 November, ...Read More

Shipping Line donates aid

A shipping line with many Filipino employees plans to make a donation of US$ 30 000 to help people affected by the typhoon.  The company has a strong relationship with the Phillipines, as many Filipino seafarers serve aboard their vessels, ...Read More

Competition Fears in Chinese Shipping

The China Shipowners' Association has expressed worries to the government about a planned alliance of three major shipping lines. The alliance is planned to begin operating in the second quarter of 2014, but other owners fear that shipping rates may ...Read More

Barley Exports

This year Britain has a much larger barley crop than usual, due to a we autumn in 2012. In October, one cargo of 50 000 tonnes of barley was loaded for shipping to the world's top importer of the grain, ...Read More

Support for London Gateway

More than 60 importers and exporters from the International Meat Trade Association have given their support to the new London port. The perishable goods sector is a growing one for shipping lines, and the port is well placed to handle ...Read More

Shipping Intermediaries beware forgeries

A Belgian ship agent has been held liable for releasing six containers of castor oil against a forged bill of lading. The shipper claimed that it had not been paid for the cargo, and was still holding the original bills. ...Read More

Containers for Commonwealth Games

Shipping containers are being used to pack and store equipment purchased from the London Olympics, for use in Glasgow in 2014. The containers are being securely stored, and nearer the times will be transported from Grangemouth to the Games venue. ...Read More

Deep Water Container Terminal at Liverpool

The port of Liverpool will be able to welcome the world's largest freight shipping when its new container terminal is completed.  Over the years Liverpool has lost freight volume to southern container ports, as its lock system only allowed  access ...Read More

Le Havre Container Development

A new deep water container terminal, sufficiently deep to accommodate the biggest ships in service today, has begun its final phase of development. The current 10 berths are operated by three different shipping lines, and the port has issued a ...Read More

Export Growth for Vietnam

Vietnam exports billions of dollars' worth of cargo to the USA and Europe, and is expecting to increase this as Vietnam becomes more dominant as a world trade hub. Labour costs are a third of those in China, which has ...Read More

New call at Helsingborg, Sweden

Helsingborg is one of the new ports of call on the Scan-Baltic shipping service which links Teesport, Thamesport, Helsinborg and Gdynia to Iberia.  The freight from Scandinavia and the Baltic trans-ships at Thamesport for delivery to Lisbon and Leixoes, Portugal. ...Read More

Shipping Container crushes car

Last month a woman in China escaped virtually unharmed when her car was crushed by a shipping container.  She was driving alongside a lorry in Jiangsu Province, eastern China, when the weight of the container on the lorry forced the ...Read More

Refrigerated Shipping Uncertainty

Shipping of refrigerated perishable goods increased by about 3.6% per year between 2002 and 2012 but the future is uncertain. Specialised refrigerated fleets are reducing in number due to the cost of maintaining them, although refrigerated exports and imports are ...Read More

Shipping Costs set to fall

At the moment Container Shipping costs are rising, but the trend has not been uniform across all trades.  Commentators expect that freight rates may fall during the final months of the year.  The Global Freight Rate Index published by Drewry's ...Read More

Shortsea Shipping in Crisis

The Chief Executive of a major Dutch shipping line told the German Ship conference in Hamburg that the short sea shipping sector is experiencing the worst crisis in a generation.  Consumer demand is still subdued, and fuel costs remain high. ...Read More

Illegal Freight on fire

Last week the crew of a cargo ship carrying 20 tonnes of cannabis set fire to the vessel. The ship was seen by a French Customs aircraft in international waters near Algeria.  This is the third cargo ship carrying a ...Read More

Boris backs Shipping

Earlier this month the Mayor of London told the chairman of the steering group for London Shipping Week how enthusiastically he supported London as a maritime hub.  He would like the event to be held at least once a year. ...Read More

Shanghai Port requests relaxation of charges

Shanghai International Port is asking the government of China to relax regulations on port charges and allow individual ports to set their own prices.  They argue that the current pricing regulation lags behind the development of the port and shipping ...Read More

New Shipping Routes for North Sea

On 1 August the routing system for shipping in the Dutch part of North Sea changed extensively.  A new Traffic Separation Scheme has been introduced for the approaches to Amsterdam.  This was needed to ensure the future safety of shipping, ...Read More

Exporters’ Shipping Choices

A recent study carried out by a freight rate comparison website suggests that the majority of exporters find shipping companies on line.  36% of respondents research freight companies on line, while 27% admitted to asking other companies for advice to ...Read More

China inaugurates new shipping route

A Chinese freight ship has made the first ever voyage through the Northeast Passage. The Arctic Ocean shipping route north of Russia has been opened up by Arctic ice melting and reduces the journey from China to Europe by thousands ...Read More

Most Exporters choose sea freight

A new study about attitudes towards shipping goods overseas, shows that the majority of respondents claim to use sea freight.  41% of the company representatives taking part claimed to have used sea freight, whilst air freight was the second most ...Read More

Shipping Conference

London International Shipping Week will take place from 9 - 13 September and is advertised as a high level networking opportunity for leaders in all sectors of the international shipping industry. This is the first event of its kind, and ...Read More

Timber exports support China housing

In the first half of 2013, house building activities in China increased so much that imports of timber have grown significantly.  The biggest exporters of timber are Russia and Canada, while New Zealand is the biggest exporter of logs. Timber ...Read More

Shipping Companies Query VAT in China

Freight charges payable in China are now subject to a 6 percent VAT rate, but shipping companies are asking for clarification before accepting the change.  Several shipping firms have issued guidance, and the British International Freight Association announced on 2 ...Read More

Green Shipping Project

As the use of fuel for cargo ships becomes more costly, developments are under way to introduce hybrid ships which will use wind assistance to reduce the cost and emissions of shipping. The prototype ship will measure 330 feet and ...Read More

Deep Sea Container Service for Liverpool

Feeder shipping services to Liverpool have been double, to enable more deep sea containers from the Far East to be forwarded to Ireland. The service from Le Havre will call at Liverpool twice a week and then call at Dublin, ...Read More

New Shipping Service for Tilbury

The opening port of call for a new dirt Panama shipping service will be Tilbury.  The direct weekly service will start on 18 September and will begin and end at Tilbury, which is well placed for forwarding freight shipments to ...Read More

Chamber of Shipping Recruiting

As the current Director General of the UK Chamber of Shipping prepares to step down from the role at the end of this year, the organisation is recruiting for a role which combines Chief Executive and Director General.

Fuel Savings from Freight Switching

The Haven Gateway Partnership estimates that switching 90 freight containers from road to rail or coastal shipping would save £12000 in fuel costs.  According to the Low Carbon Freight Dividend project, this would also help ease road congestion, although ultimately ...Read More

Low Carbon Freight Dividend Extended

The LCFD, which was originally used to encourage companies to move freight from containers to rail, has now been extended to include coastal and short sea shipping.  The European Regional Development Fund has provided funding to offer incentives to shippers ...Read More

Brazil Changes Import Procedures

Customs Procedures for imports into Brazil were changed in May 2013, amending regulations which had been in place since 2006. It is no longer a requirement to present the original bill of lading or freight bill of lading, in order ...Read More

New Rail Freight Terminal

The Port of Felixstowe has opened a new rail freight terminal, which will double capacity at the container port.  Felixstowe is the busiest container port in the UK, with over 40% of the country's containerised traffic. Around 33 shipping lines ...Read More

New Container Ship Orders

Shipping lines are still ordering new containers ships, in spite of the fact that big world economies are only just climbing out of recession.  Freight capacity will therefore still outstrip demand, but carriers are ordering bigger ships which burn less ...Read More

Denmark Extends Freight Port

The port of Esbjerg in Denmark increased in size last week, enabling it to host specialist shipping of wind-turbines in addition to ro-ro and container operators.  The port has made strenuous efforts to adapt from a fishing-only enterprise to a ...Read More

Controversial Shipping route

The Russian Prime Minister was promoting a controversial shipping route at the Barents summit in Kirkenes, Norway, earlier this month. The shipping route along Russia's northern border between Europe and Asia.Dmitry Medvedev said that freight turnover along the North Sea ...Read More

India Shipping Strength

In April a delegation from Norway visited India to participate in a joint working group; after a day of talks 25 business representatives visited yards, owners and ports in Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi and Gujarat. Indian shipping is set to boom ...Read More

Nor Shipping Event

The Nor Shipping Event opened its doors in Oslo on 3 June, to welcome top shipping executives from all over the world. As a new departure, the event is encouraging young people into the shipping industry by holding an Ocean ...Read More

China Orders New Ships

The second largest shipping company in China has ordered what will be the world's larges container ships from Korea. The order consists of five container vessels, and delivery is expected to start in 2014. The new vessels should reduce the ...Read More

Rail Freight Shortens Transit times

The new express freight train from Chengdu in China to Lodz in Poland is more expensive than ocean freight but offers far shorter transit times than the 30 - 49 days by ship.  Rates are cheaper than air freight.  The ...Read More

Investment in Water borne Freight

The Visakhapatnam-Rajahmundry-Vijayawada region of India is the focus of entrepreneurs who wish to re-vitalise this more efficient means of freight transport.  The area used to build thousands of freight vessels, and experts in the shipping industry think that reviving the industry ...Read More

China – UK Freight Trade Increase

Trade between China and the UK increased by 7.5% last year, compared with the previous year.  Two of China's major shipping lines use Felixstowe as their port of call in the UK, and Felixstowe is developing its infrastructure to accommodate ...Read More

Shipping Lines Squeezed out

Smaller shipping lines are abandoning east-west trade routes as they are finding themselves unable to compete in a market dominated by big ships. According to a recent report, no carrier outside the top 20 container lines operates on this route ...Read More

Shipping workers end strike

Hundreds of workers at the port of Hong Kong accepted a pay increase to end the biggest industrial action there in decades. Container traffic has been disrupted by the strike, which reduced the daily handling rate from 33650 tonnes to ...Read More

Chinese Shipping optimism

China Shipping Group is forecasting higher volumes of freight this year, but is not certain whether it can deliver higher profits.  They foresee more uncertainty over freight rates, and think that revenue may fluctuate accordingly.  The carrier is adjusting its ...Read More

New Sea Highway from Spain

Two European ro-ro operators are co-operating to offer a sea highway for freight moving between Spain and the UK.  They are hoping to attract viable volumes of unaccompanied trailer, driver-accompanied trucks and containers. The service is based on twice weekly ...Read More

Idle Container Ships Increasing

The percentage of container ships in the world shipping fleet has increased to more than 4.3%. The last time that the idle shipping fleet exceeded this was in March 2012.  Last year, the idle fleet decreased during the shipping peak ...Read More

Intra Asia Shipping Service

A new shipping link between South China, the Philippines and east Malaysia will expand intra-Asia transport; the International Monetary Fund's forecast suggest that ASEAN economies will expand by 5.5% in 2013 and 5.7 % next year.

Global Liner Shipping Conference

The annual shipping conference will take place this month from 18 - 19 April in London. The conference will discuss the outlook for freight rates, collaboration between shippers and carriers, and predictions for world vessel capacity. The event will help ...Read More

Targets to force freight back to roads

A report commissioned by the UK Chamber of Shipping suggests that new emission targets could force freight back on to the roads from the sea. From the year 2015 shipping companies within the North Sea, English Channel and Baltic Sea ...Read More

Shipping unprepared for sulphur limits

According to the UK Chamber of Shipping, the UK industry is ill prepared for the introduction of sulphur limits. A report commissioned by the Chamber says that targets for shipping companies to reduce their sulphur emissions could cause adverse environmental ...Read More

Finland State aid for Shipping

Finland is the only EU country which has pledged funding to the shipping industry, to help them achieve a reduction in fuel emissions. Retrofitting the technology to 'scrub' CO2 is too costly for most shipping lines, and Brussels has advised ...Read More

New President for Shipping Association

The new President of the UK Chamber of Shipping said that he would be demanding closer co-operation between the shipping industry and government.  He emphasised that the government should use shipping as a conduit for economic growth. The shipping industry ...Read More

Freight ro-ro and lo-lo report

According to a freight industry report recently published, the shipping capacity serving the UK's short sea trailer and container freight demand was sufficient at the end of 2012.  Capacity is growing on the short easter Channel routes to and from ...Read More

Calais Freight Reduction

Last year Calais suffered a double-digit reduction in freight tonnage compared with the year before.  A French shipping line cancelled sailings through the port, which meant less freight even though some new services came on stream.

Prison for illegal waste shipping

A waste disposal company has been prosecuted for illegally shipping waste to South America. The company dispatched 89 shipping containers of rubbish collected from London and Lincolnshire, breaching strict export rules by mixing ordinary waste with legitimate recycling. The directors ...Read More

Freight Rates squeezed in Europe

Road freight rates in Europe were pushed down last year because of growing capacity in the market.  In the last quarter of 2012, the European road freight price index declined by 1.8%. In relation to the extreme freight rate fluctuations ...Read More

Logistics Fair Asia

Next month the TOC Container Supply chain event takes place in Hong Kong next month. From 12 - 14 March, stakeholders in transport and logistics will be able to take part in the conference and exhibition.  Key themes are container ...Read More

Norway Shipping Protection

The parliament of Norway has approved a new bill introducing permanent rules to enable cargo shipping to employ armed guards.  Ships will be able to use armed guards when sailing in high risk areas; the government will also provide naval ...Read More

Seafood exporters criticize freight increases

The shipping services sector pays little attention to the scale of port handling rates set by the Indian Tariff authority, and the port of Kochi has recently increased handling rates tot he detriment of seafood exporters.  Handling rates compare unfavourable ...Read More

Shipping Line up for sale

The former state-controlled Danish/German shipping company, Scandlines, will be offered for sale in January.  The owners have been encouraged to sell by the talks between Denmark and Germany to build an under-sea tunnel link between the two countries within the ...Read More

Congestion Charge for USA Freight

Now that the clerical workers strike in Los Angeles has ceased, some shipping lines have started to charge a US$20 per container congestion charge.  More than thirty ships were waiting to be unloaded at the end of the last week, ...Read More

Freight Ships Collide

Last Thursday two freight ships collided in the North Sea, with one of them sinking with loss of life.  The sinking ship was a car carrier from Zeebrugge  going to Kotka in Finland.  It collided with a container ship from ...Read More

Asia – North Europe Freight Rates

Shipping lines attempted to increase westbound freight rates to North Europe at the beginning of this month without success, according to a shipping analyst.  This was apparently triggered by one of the major shipping lines failing to implement an increase ...Read More

London Gateway visits China

Representatives of the new London port on the Thames have been visiting Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Taipei and Seoul.  Officials are keen to attract shipping to the new port, with the message that freight arriving there will be closer to two-thirds ...Read More

Shipping Services Cut

From November to Mid January an alliance of shipping lines has announced that it will cancel seven sailings from Asia to the Mediterranean. Demand for freight from Europe is falling, and is expected to be even lower in the winter ...Read More

Freight returns to New York

Shipping companies and air freight carriers are gradually returning to New York in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.  Ship arrivals are expected today, while air freight began to move again last week. Electricity cuts and petrol shortages are still effecting ...Read More

Shipping Over-supply

Analysts are concerned about short-term prospects for the container shipping sector, where there is still too much capacity but carriers want to increase freight rates in November.  Demand needs to match supply in order to return to sustainable freight rates.

Shipping Association Appoints Filipino

The international shipping industry's trade association - Intermanager - has selected a Filipino executive to be its new President.  He is the first Asian to hold this position; Asia now supplies more than half the work's seafarers, and nearly half ...Read More

Asia – Europe Freight rates fall

Although one of the largest shipping lines is reducing capacity on the Asia Europe route, some experts feel that this is unlikely to shore up rates as expected. Other shipping lines are still bringing more capacity on stream, even though ...Read More

Shipping Line Cancels Iran

One of the world's biggest shipping lines has stopped all port calls to Iran as the West puts increasing pressure on the country.  The shipping company feels that to continue calling at Iranian ports will endanger its business with parts ...Read More

India shipping to begin recovery

India's biggest shipping firm predicts that the shipping industries will begin recovering in the middle of next year.  The mis-match of demand and supply of vessels will end.  According to the company's chief executive, tanker and container freight will recover ...Read More

EU and USA stimulate shipping

The European Union and USA government are both taking measures to stimulate the global economy and increase global trade. Some financial bodies are predicting a demand-led recovery for container shipping and encouraging investors to buy shares in shipping companies.

Container Shipping lying idle

It is estimated that about 41% of the world's idle container fleet is laid up in China, South Korea and Russia while 27% is laid up off Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. A record number of ships are lying idle ...Read More

Xiamen, China to build shipping hub

Xiamen, a special economic zone in East China, is preparing to develop a global shipping hub. The centre's core framework and services will be in place by 2020. By then, the shipping hub will be able to deal with a variety of businesses, such as international transit,purchase, allocation and distribution, ship leasing, customs clearance, and offshore outsourcing. As the city is located on the western side of the Taiwan Straits, the shipping hub will also strengthen ties with port cities in Taiwan, such as Kaohsiung, Taichung and Keelong.

Increasing Freight Rates for Asia-USA

Freight rates for shipping routes between the Far East and USA are climbing, as consumer demand for goods from China increases in spite of the poor performance of the USA economy. Ships which transport containers to the USA are operating ...Read More

New Tax for Sweden’s Shipping?

The Ministry of Finance in Sweden is considering placing a new tonnage levy on shipping.  It would be calculated agains ship capacity and cargo departing Swedish ports.  The shipowners' association in Sweden has been lobbying the government for tax reform ...Read More

Finnish government to help shipping

The government in Finland is proposing measures to help compensate shipping and road transport companies with additional costs.  The EU marine fuels sulphur reduces sulphur emissions in vessels operating in sensitive areas.  Shipping lines will have to fit sulphuric oxide scrubbers, ...Read More

Freight Policy Council for USA

The government of the USA has instituted a Freight Policy council to develop a national intermodal plan for improving the efficient of freight movement.  It will work with the different states to develop their freight networks. By increasing efficiency in ...Read More

China Shipping goes slow

Shipping lines carrying cargo from China are likely to increase slow steaming to save fuel in preparation for Golden Week.  The first week in October is a national holiday, during which about 20 Far East sailings will be omitted. Slow ...Read More

Deadly snake in shipping container

A saw-scaled viper, known as the world's deadliest snake, was found curled in the corner of a shipping container in Tilbury last month.  The snake, which had travelled from India in the container, can cause fatal internal bleeding in its ...Read More

Shipping Lines to Reduce Sailings

Cargo carrying shipping lines are planning to reduce capacity on the Asia to Europe routes. September onwards should be the busiest time of year, but with volumes still falling carriers have so far been unable to increase freight rates as ...Read More

Volatile Freight Rates alarm businesses

The volatility of freight rates from Asia to the West have been intimidating businesses as they try to predict how much their import shipping will cost.  This has been causing difficulties in the relationships between freight forwarders and importers, some ...Read More

Freight Rates Falling

Although shipping lines have been attempting to increase freight rates from Asia to Europe from 1 August, it seems that their attempts have failed.  The Shanghai Shipping Exchange has a panel of  Chinese freight forwarders, who reported that the average ...Read More

Guaranteed Exports through London Gateway

A major UK paper exporter has committed to using the new London Gateway port for a significant proportion of its freight.  The Nottingham based paper company, which exports through deep-sea shipping to Asia,  will use the port when it opens ...Read More

Freight Privatisation in Australia

The New South Wales Government is planning to raise private investment in infrastructure throughout the state; with this in mind, it is intending to privatise the bulk and container freight handling terminals at Port Kembla and Port Botany.  There have ...Read More

Freight Awards Deadline

The British International Freight Association is once again calling for entries to its annual competition for companies and individuals in the freight, shipping and logistics industries.  Entries are open to probationary and full members of BIFA, and can be entered ...Read More

Environment v shipping in Sri Lanka

Environmentalists in Sri Lanka are petitioning for the main shipping route to be moved further out into the Indian Ocean to protect the dwindling stocks of Blue Whales which inhabit the region off Sri Lanka’s Southern Province. The Minister for Shipping ...Read More

Saudi Shipping Companies to merge

Two merchant shipping companies in Saudi Arabia are to combine, to make the fourth largest owner of VLCCs globally. It is hoped that the company will serve as a national champion that will promote the development of a thriving national shipping industry ...Read More

Unusual Freight from China

Earlier this month a three month old kitten was found  in a shipping container having survived three weeks without food and water. The kitten was discovered by workers at a business in Compton, Los Angeles after being inadvertently shipped the six ...Read More

Freight by Water

The Freight Transport Association is organising a free one day conference to illustrate the many opportunities available to shipping and forwarding interests particularly in the north east of England and the North Sea. The Conference takes place on 7th September 2012 ...Read More

Jeddah unable to handle freight volumes

Jeddah Port is unable to handle current freight volumes, because of  a 31 percent increase in the tonnage of imports. The number of shipping containers and freight vehicles arriving at the port during the current season jumped 22 percent and ...Read More

Freight Trains for Gateway

It is planned to run four freight trains per day from the new Thames Gateway deep water port which will open at the end of next year. London Gateway will include a 227 ha logistics park, as well as 176 ha ...Read More

New Freight Container Terminal for London

The new Thames Gateway freight container terminal and logistics park is due to open in the fourth quarter of 2013.  This will be a great advantage for logistics companies based in the London area, who will be able to reduce ...Read More

New Shipping route China-Brazil

A new direct container shipping groupage service is now available from Shanghai to Santos.  It can also be used for LCL consignments from Ningbo; they can be transported daily from Ningbo to Shanghai and then loaded directly into the consolidated containers. ...Read More

Container Shipping Freight Rates Falling

Shipping lines are being forced to reduce freight rates, even though they made an agreement at the beginning of this year to impose increases. The first quarter of this year was particularly difficult for the maritime container shipping industry. The ...Read More

New Shipping Service to Cork

The port of Cork in Ireland has invested heavily in new equipment, enabling it to welcome the first direct shipping service from South America.  Weekly services will carry mainly exports of bananas, which have not been shipped direct to Ireland ...Read More

Shipping lines to maintain rates

Shipping lines are determined to try and maintain higher rates so that the freight market does not develop the perception that freight rates are constantly falling. But the recent fall in spot rates for containerised freight on the Asia-Europe trade lane ...Read More

Global Freight Awards

Freight, logistics and shipping companies are invited to enter for the industry awards recently re-named Global Freight Awards.  The deadline for entries is 29 July 2012, Categories cover such areas as Employer of the Year, Large Freight Forwarder of the Year ...Read More

Container shipping delays

Container shipping lines have a poor record for punctuality. Researchers claim that  forty per cent of shippers are given a bill of lading within three days of submitting shipping instructions. However, results ranged from 0% to 93% across the five-month measurement ...Read More

Freight shipping of Re-cyclables

A shipping company has succeeded in obtaining permission to ship recyclables from Guernsey to France.  The Guernsey based shipping company began the operation earlier this month; this is a first for Guernsey. The company is using a former Royal Navy ...Read More

Logistics Terminal for Sydney Australia

An agreement has been signed to begin the development of an intermodal logistics and  freight terminal in the Sydney area. Over the past five years, the Government says that Port Botany has had around 7% annual growth in freight volumes. A ...Read More

New Shipping route via Suez Canal

Two container shipping companies have announced that they will begin services from South China and Vietnam to the East Coast of the USA via the Suez Canal.  Beginning in June, the service is designed to answer customer's requirements for improved ...Read More

Shipping slows in pirate waters

Against advice, shipping companies are opting to steam at slower speeds in waters known to be threatened by Somali pirates.  The reason is that the reduction in fuel costs more than pays for armed guards for the whole journey.  The ...Read More

Container Freight rates rise

Last week container freight rates on the Asia to Europe shipping routes rose by 19%, but carriers were unable to increase rates on the eastbound transpacific trade.  Commentators expect rates on Asia - Europe to ease as volumes shipped are ...Read More

Container Shipping Conference

The Annual Global Liner Shipping Conference took place in London on 17 April. The main themes of the conference were consolidation and globalisation. Shipping lines frequently merge and take over other companies, as ships get bigger and more expensive to ...Read More

Asia link for Gothenburg

A new shipping service between the Far East and Europe has added a call at Gothnburg, Sweden to its route. This is the second weekly service linking Gothenburg with Asia, and will provide links to the China - at the ...Read More

Freight ship carve up

The freight cargo ship Carrier, which went aground off the Welsh coast on 4 April, will be cut up on site.  All the fuel has been successfully removed, and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency says that fuel oil, oily water ...Read More

Threats to Shipping Industry

Shipping lines are refusing to lay up ships in spite of over-capacity in the market.  They have implemented freight increases, but there is no guarantee that customers will continue to accept this, and forecasts for the year ahead are not ...Read More

Fine for Shipping Line

The shipping line which owns the freight ship Rena, which foundered near New Zealand in October, has been charged with the discharge of harmful substance from ships. The stern of the Rena sank in high seas this week, and further debris on the ...Read More

Container Shipping Course

Lloyds of London Maritime Academy is offering a new distance learning course covering all aspects of container shipping. The course examines the commercial, technical and operational aspects of the liner shipping industry and is ideal for people working for shipping ...Read More

Shipping ports battle

While the new Thames Gateway port is hoping to attract freight from Asia, the port of Felixstowe, currently the UK's largest container port, is emphasising its own advantages. A spokesman for Felixstowe said that its proximity to major shipping lines ...Read More

Danube Shipping suspended

The Danube, one of the main rivers in Europe used for freight shipping, is not being used by at least four countries. Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Serbia decided this after up to 90 per cent of the river's surface became covered ...Read More

Shipping freeze

Shipping traffic in the Black Sea is being severely disrupted by freezing seas and excessively cold temperatures. Port authorities are working hard to keep shipping lanes open but vessels heading to Eastern Black Sea ports in Russia and Ukraine are ...Read More

Shipping Organisation protest

The main shipping organisation in Holland is criticising current rate increases on the Asia trade.  Freight rates from Asia to Europe have been increased, but the organisation says that this is illogical because there is over-capacity in both vessels and ...Read More

Chinese Shipping Companies squeezed

The downturn in world trade and increased fuel costs are affecting profits and cash flow in Chinese shipping companies. One major shipping line has handed back two chartered vessels to their owners, whilst another company halted payments on some long-term ...Read More

Shipping delays in Belgium

Shipping services suffered delays on Monday when public sector workers went on strike in protest against austerity measures.  The management of the Port of Antwerp said that they regretted that a strike which has nothing to do with the port ...Read More

Shipping will suffer from low sulphur directive

Shipping lines based in France, represented by Armateurs de France (AdF), says the EU directive on reducing sulphur emissions to 0.1% would seriously threaten French shipping companies.  The directive affects the SOx Emission Control Areas (SECAs) of the Baltic Sea, North ...Read More

Shipping Prospects

Shippping lines are facing a difficult year this year but many are surprisingly optimistic.  Over capacity remains a problem, but planning for the future is dangerous as economic prospects remain unpredictable. Financing and operating costs are expected to increase, and ...Read More

New Service between China and Taiwan

A new container shipping service between Taiwan and Northern China will take advantage of increased volumes of freight between the two countries. Two 1,200teu vessels will operate on a 14-day loop, calling at Tianjin, Qingdao, Lianyungang, Keelung, Taichung, Kaohsiung, Taipei ...Read More

Gales disrupt shipping

Container freight shipping has been seriously disrupted today by gales affecting the coastal ports.  The UK's biggest port by volume of freight, Felixstowe, is completely closed as the high winds make it too dangerous to use the ship to shore ...Read More

Amsterdam Welcomes Cocoa Shipping

Although export handling problems with Ghana have been reported in the trade press, three shipping groups are set to continue collecting from there and use Amsterdam as their hub. Ghana is the world's second largest producer of cocoa after the ...Read More

Rhine Shipping threatened

During one of the driest Novembers in record in Europe, shipping on the Rhine was forced to carry reduced volumes of freight, with consequent increases in freight rates. Rain has finally fallen in Germany and Austria, which has allowed ships ...Read More

Irish Shipping still declining

The latest statistics from the Irish Maritime Development Office show that only one of the five principal freight segments showed any growth over the same period last year. Exports  grew by 4% in Q3 and by 6% for the first nine ...Read More

Fruity Freight on Barges

Imports of fruit will now move within the Rotterdam port area on barges instead of freight lorries. Research showed that inland barges would deliver fruit to the distribution warehouses as quickly as lorries, and at lower or equal cost. Importers ...Read More

Tough times for shipping

Industry leaders are warning that 2012 will be a difficult year for freight and shipping. The chairman of one of Hong Kong’s best-known logistics and transport service companies,said that decreasing rates for Asia to USA containers suggest tough times for ...Read More

Shipping Industry aids Thailand

As well as giving substantial donations to help people affected by the floods, a major shipping line operating in Asia will provide free transprot of relief supplies. They have also supplied shipping containers to act as a flood barrier. Another ...Read More

High Capacity Inland freight barge

This week sees the first trips by the largest ever barge/tug combination which can carry inland shipping.  The inland terminals of Oss and Venlo in the Netherlands will be using the combination to carry freight to Rotterdam port.  The barge will ...Read More

Freight Rates on the rise

Freight rates for containers between the USA West Coast and China are rising, according to the Shanghai Containerised Freight Index. This could be a reaction to reduced capacity on the route, as shipping lines remove vessels in response to lower ...Read More

Container Shipping Prospects

Prospects for the freight industry remain uncertain, but different carriers have adopted different strategies for dealing with this.  The largest container line in the world has ordered the largest ships yet, which are being tested now but will not be ...Read More

Natural disasters affect Global Shipping

Flooding in Queensland, Australia has had a huge impact on exports; up to 30 million tonnes of iron ore were unable to be dug out, processed and shipped to China and elsewhere after the mines were flooded. Exports dropped by ...Read More

Direct freight shipping Asia to Rotterdam

In September a new weekly LCL shipping service began between Rotterdam and Asia.  The new services which are guaranteed to operate, will improve the supply chain between Asia and Europe, reducing transit times by two to four days and carbon ...Read More

Cost of piracy to shipping industry

India ship owners day that piracy is costing the global shipping trade more than $9 billion a year. On Monday 3 October, the shipowners demanded that the U.N. set up a maritime force to stop pirates from operating off the Somalian ...Read More

‘On time’ shipping

One of the world's major shipping lines has announced a new service from Asia to Europe which will 'guarantee' a sailing every day at the same time, with a guaranteed arrival time.   From next month, the service will operate ...Read More

Logistics and Shipping Conference

Intermodal Europe will take place in Hamburg, Germany from 29 November to 1 December 2011.  Focussed on Logistics and Container Shipping by road, air and sea, you can either visit the Fair free of charge, or take a stand in ...Read More

Carbon tax for shipping?

Two major charities have published a joint report which claims that international shipping accounts for 3% of global emissions and that shipping companies should therefore pay a carbon tax of $25 per tonne.  Oxfam and the World Wide Fund for ...Read More

Rail Freight Sale for Russia

There will be an open auction in Russia next month, to sell 75% of the freight subsidiary of Russian Railways.  There seem to be three main contenders to purchase the business, funds from which will help Russian Railways to finance ...Read More

New Logistics Hub near Munich

A new base in Parsdorf near Munich will forward containers arriving by train from Hamburg for delivery of the cargo by road in the Munich area.  The new base forms part of the strategy to organise regional forwarding of shipping ...Read More

Logistics Event

Totally Logistics North will take place at Doncaster Racecourse on 28 and 29 September.  As well as an exhibition hall, featuring stands with handling companies, computer suppliers, freight forwarders, specialist software and shipping companies, there will be a schedule of ...Read More

Shipping Volumes in decline

A report issued jointly by a shipping consultancy and the Bremen Institue of Shipping Economics and Logistics, warns that freight rates will remain low next year unless carriers reduce the amount of capacity available. The report suggests that shipping volumes ...Read More

Shipping container shortage

The World Shipping Council warned earlier this year that there would be a shortage of shipping containers in the second half of 2011.  An industry analyst has said that the predicted shortage has not materialised, and that container availability is ...Read More

New Freight Container Ports for India

The Indian Ministry of Shipping unveiled plans to triple its exports of merchandise by March 2017.  Part of the plan is to create seven new ports, as so far export growth has been limited by inadequate investment in infrastructure. Freight ...Read More

Logistics Challenge in Iraq

Logistics managers for the military services in Iraq are planning the transport of eight years of war materiel within months.  It is uncertain whether US bases will remain in Iraq next year, and logistics staff estimate that they will have ...Read More

Shipping rates under pressure

One of the world's major shipping lines has announced that profitability is suffering as higher volumes were offset by increased fuel costs and competition. Container shipping rates are under pressure because there are now more ships sailing the seas and ...Read More

Shipping peak surcharge

The world wide economic climate resulting in lacking consumer confidence has meant that orders for consumer goods are falling below expectations, and ships are sailing below capacity.  Carriers on the Asia-US container lines usually introduce surcharges around mid-June.  But this ...Read More

Container port expansion

The port of Tilbury has submitted plans for an extension of about 26 hectares.  The port was built in the 1880's by the East and West India dock company, and has continued to adapt to changing shipping methods.  It is ...Read More

Gothenburg receives award

The Port of Gothenburg in Sweden received an environmental award in London last month.  The Sustainable Shipping Award for Environmental Protection, was given for the port's environmental and climate initiatives. Together with shipping companies and environmental organisations, the port has ...Read More

Lost Containers?

The World Shipping Council claims that its members operate 90% of global container ship capacity.  The Council has just published research, showing that previous estimates of 10 000 freight containers lost per year were grossly exaggerated. The shipping inndustry has ...Read More

Freight Rates rise

Freight rates on shipping lines operating services from Asia to Europe seem to be on the rise, in spite of the fact that ships have been operating below full capacity.  Spot market prices from Shanghai increased by $17 per tonne ...Read More

Container future uncertain

The balance between the supply of ships and demand for space has become more and more unstable since 2009, according to a specialist shipping analyst.  They expect this volatility to remain in force for about the next four years. There ...Read More

Mumbai Congestion

Container shipping lines are imposing surcharges on shippers, to recoup the extra costs caused by drastic congestion at Mumbai, the busiest port in India.  The port has been suffering equipment failure, work to replace cranes and monsoon delays. The Western ...Read More

Shipping between Murmansk and China

A gas tanker followed by three ice breakers left Murmansk on Saturday carrying gas condensate for China.  The journey will take two weeks, and the crew will collect data on ice conditions in the area. This is the first time ...Read More

Greek transport network in chaos

Freight and shipping to and from Greece has been severely disrupted by the 48 hour general strike which began on Tuesday.  Thousands of protesters took part in the strike, including port staff, air traffic controllers, rail workers, hauliers and seafarers. ...Read More

China drought affects shipping

Although rain is now giving relief from China's six month drought, navigation for cargo shipping is still restricted on the Yangtze river - the longest river in Asia - as conditions vary from drought to flood. The drought suspended cargo ...Read More