TAIWAN's Evergreen Line will launch a Belawan-Malaysia feeder service from April 28 along the Malacca Strait.
Evergreen will deploy a 1,164-TEU vessel to the weekly BMS service, calling at Belawan, Penang, Tanjung Pelepas and back to Belawan, 20 kilometres from Medan (pop 2.1 million), the capital of Indonesia's North Sumatra province.
The carrier said the route serves Indonesia and Malaysia which has a large enough population to drive increased imports. Also, these two countries have rich natural resources that encourage increasing exports of raw materials.
Source Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
NEW YORK-listed Seaspan Corporation, headquartered in Vancouver, but managed from Hong Kong and registered in the Marshall Islands, has announced it has taken delivery of the 13,100-TEU COSCO Hope from Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries.
This is Seaspan's third delivery in 2012 and expands the company's operating fleet to 68 vessels, said the company statement. This is the seventh of eight 13,100-TEU ships and the 17th of a total of 18 vessels to be chartered by Seaspan to Cosco. The COSCO Hope is on a 12-year, fixed-rate time charter.
Seaspan is an independent owner and manager of containerships, which are chartered under long-term fixed-rate time charters to major container lines. Seaspan's contracted fleet of 72 containerships consists of 68 containerships in operation and four containerships scheduled for delivery through 2014.
Source Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
KUWAIT's United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) has taken delivery of its eighth 13,500-TEU containership, the Al Qibla, during a naming ceremony at Korea's Samsung Heavy Industries shipyard.
"The ships are living up to expectations and are providing substantial savings, which, combined with recent freight increases, have resulted in a substantial improvement for UASC," said CEO Jorn Hinge.
Said USAC chairman Othman Ibrahim Al-Issa: "Al Qibla takes her name after a city in my homeland Kuwait, and her name carries a special spiritual meaning as well, in the Arabic language it means the direction towards which we turn for prayer."
This almost completes the US$1.5 billion Samsung order of nine 13,000-TEU ships placed in 2008. Seven have already entered service on routes between the Far East, Arabian Gulf, Red Sea and northern Europe on the AEC8 and AEC2 and AGX1 services.
The naming ceremony was attended by Kuwait's ambassador to South Korea Mr Muteb Al-Mutoteh, Samsung's senior management, several UASC executives and financial partners.
The investment in the 13,000-TEUers is expected to yield important economies of scale, allowing UASC to compete more effectively in key trades, said the company statement. The new bigger ships will reduce UASC's per TEU cost and will place the shipping line in a stronger position vis-a-vis rivals, said UASC, which owns and operates 48 containerships.
Source Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
MALAYSIAN carrier MSC Berhad is making its final moves in withdrawing from the container trade, ending all domestic East Malaysia services after its dramatic decline.
The removal of two 836-TEU containerships the Bunga Mas Sembilan and Bunga Mas Sepuluh will end services from Port Kelang to East Malaysia.
The remaining fleet of nine vessels are as yet unsold with two of its largest capacity 7,943 TEU built in 2006 and 2007 respectively for a reported sale of US$48 million. It has sold two small vessels of 699 TEU as converted escorts to the Malaysian Navy.
The niche operator failed to secure buyers for three containerships built in 1990-1991 in the 1,290-TEU range at a discounted price of US$3.7 million from a initial reserve of $5.5 million in 2010.
The withdrawal from container services will lead to one-time costs of $475 million, the company said when it announced its exit last quarter 2011.
Source Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
SINGAPORE's PSA had its Chennai International Terminals (CIT) rates slashed 12.2 per cent by India's port regulator, the Tariff Authority for Major Ports (TAMP), because it said the terminal operator was making too much money.
"According to our analysis an additional surplus of US$17 million will accrue during he tariff cycle if the existing tariff is allowed to continue to 2014," said TAMP.
This came as a rejection of the terminal operator's application for a 15 per cent rate increase. TAMP's previous attempts to cut terminal handling charges by 35 per cent have been set aside by the courts, one case involving Dubai's DP World.
CIT has been struggling with ongoing congestion problems attributed to difficulties on the main access road since year-end 2011 which has resulted in a backlog. However, it increased its annual throughput to 1.56 million TEU in 2011/2012 from 1.52 million TEU in previous year.
Source Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
CONTAINER volume in the Port of Charleston, South Carolina, increased 12 per cent to 134,857 TEU in March year on year and 13 per cent from February, making it the strongest month since October 2008, declared the South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA).
But for the fiscal year to date (July through March), TEU volume was only up two per cent, while container volume for the quarter (January through March) increased seven per cent year on year, attributed largely to a new European service from APL.
"There is no turning back on the big ship trend, and we're seeing how harbour depth and access can influence carriers' service decisions," said Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the SCPA, referring to Charleston's deep shipping channels and post-45 [foot] harbour deepening currently underway.
The SCPA's non-container cargo increased 53 per cent to 111,236 tons in March year on year. BMW export vehicles and other ro-ro cargo movement had their best month since March 2008.
Source Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
INDIA's Visakha Container Terminal (VCTPL), a joint venture of DP World and United Liner Agencies on the east coast of the subcontinent, has declared 2011 as a record year, hitting an all-time high volume of 234,733 TEU.
"We are very optimistic of reaching 350,000 TEU first and later achieving 500,00 TEU a year in a phased manner. Kolkata-Haldia transhipment cargo and local movement from hinterland have led to deployment of larger ships," Ravi Chander said in an interview with the Hindu daily of Chennai.
The drop in freight rates has made using containers for bulk cargo and for bringing cargo earmarked for other ports to Visakhapatnam viable, said Capt Chander with Kolkata-Haldia traffic, diverted to Visakhapatnam, adding to growth.
To meet future requirements, VCTPL is making an effort to develop an additional berth with a length of 350 metres to handle 350,000 TEU a year, said the report.
The length will subsequently go up to 500 metres in the next phase. A quay length of 350 metres with 16.5 metres alongside will enable handling two big ships simultaneously.
Source Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
The current suspension of the Portuguese sardine fishery MSC certificate will remain in place after independent certifier, Intertek Moody Marine, accepted an action plan to address the current sardine stock issue. The successful development of an action plan means the fishery will not have its certificate withdrawn at this time. However, the suspension will stay in place until there is evidence of stock recovery.
A Successful first step to overcome the suspension
The Sardine Fishery Management Plan 2012-2015 proposed by the fishery, aims to promote the recovery of the sardine stock and to establish harvesting rules to be adopted over 2012-2015.
The principal conclusions and harvest control rules agreed in the action plan include:
- Current Biomass is 15% below Blim (307.000 tonnes). Blim is the minimal biomass needed to ensure the sustainable reproduction of the stock.
- The last benchmark carried out in February 2012 (where a new assessment model was used) shows more optimistic results regarding the status of the stock. However, in spite of these results and the fact that fishing mortality (F) was found not to be the only cause of stock depletion, the action plan focuses mainly on the reduction of fishing activities.
- Due to the change in the assessment model, the ICES recommendation made in July 2011 has been amended and the recommended TAC of 36,000 tonnes has been increased to 51,000 tonnes for the entire stock.
- In order to follow the new recommendations, the main harvest control rule established in the action plan is the fixation of a total quota of 35,700 tonnes for 2012 for the Portuguese fleet, distributed with 9,000 tonnes already approved for the period January-May and a further 27,000 tonnes for the period June-December. This represents a reduction of 35 % from 2011 estimated captures [2].
Other harvest control rule measures already approved and implemented by the Portuguese fisheries administration are included in the action plan:
- A compulsory 45 days fishing ban was imposed during the period 01Jan/31Apr 2012.
- A limit of 9,000 tons for total landings was imposed for the period 01Jan/31May 2012.
- The 48 hour ban on fishing at weekends is maintained.
- Daily catch limits for non-associates are maintained.
- Increased frequency of monitoring and control by the Fishery Management Group (monthly reports).
The need for coordination with Spanish fisheries authorities is identified as a key issue to achieve the expected results of the management action plan.
The action plan is accompanied by a technical report written by the Portuguese research body to explain the changes in the recommendations following the results of the new assessment model and simulations of a range of scenarios run to guarantee that the recommendations may help to increase the biomass level above Blim before 2015 and therefore overcome the suspension.
The action plan, the technical report and the approval letter from IMM are enclosed. You can also download these documents here.
Timelines for the suspension
In order for the suspension to be lifted, there are two requirements that must be met:
- Firstly, a strong corrective action plan is to be presented before 12 April 2012 - COMPLETED
- Secondly, stock status must show that the decline has been reversed
If Anopcerco considers that sufficient progress has been made to justify reinstatement of the certificate, it can ask IMM to perform an audit and verify that the reason for suspension (i.e. the poor status of the stock, with biomass below Blim) has been addressed.
Reinstatement
Certification will be reinstated as soon as the certification body has evidence of recovery of the stock. This evidence may be provided by the ICES assessment to be conducted in July 2012 or by a further analysis scheduled for July 2013. Otherwise, the suspension may be maintained until expiry of the certification in January 2015.
MSC
2012-04-20
New systems enhances ROV handling capabilities
Kongsberg Evotec, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kongsberg Maritime, has been selected to supply its sophisticated new Launch and Recovery System (E-LARS) for Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV), for installation on a new Forland Shipping AS subsea vessel currently under construction at Havyard Leirvik, Norway.
The Kongsberg Evotec’s E-LARS installation for Forland Shipping’s new 110 meters long, 22 meters wide subsea vessel, which is due for delivery in 2013, consists of both an ‘overboard’ system and a ‘moon pool’ system. The system is designed to handle work class ROVs with or without a Tether Management System (TMS) to depths below 4000m.
Kongsberg Evotec designed E-LARS in close cooperation with end users, umbilical manufacturers and ship designers in order to provide improved ROV handling capabilities, with emphasis on operational environment and safety for both operator and equipment. Based on this, the innovative design and application of technology results in better personnel safety and optimal ROV uptime, in addition to simplified system maintenance and longer service intervals.
Technical highlights of the new system include the use of Permanent Magnet Motor (PM) technology and an innovative control system designed to achieve significant operational benefits by providing the operator with continuous real-time information about capacity, and umbilical status and history. E-LARS also features Kongsberg Evotec developed Active Heave Compensation that operates on minimal power consumption.
“The market expects an increase in Subsea activity ahead, and so far we have experienced very positive feedback to the solutions presented. Kongsberg Evotec is confident in the potential of E-LARS in this expanding market and we are delighted that Forland Shipping has chosen our solution based on the many benefits it offers,” says Jon Olav Kopperstad, VP Offshore Supply & Subsea.
Kongsberg Evotec AS was acquired by Kongsberg Maritime in October 2011 and is an established supplier of marine handling systems. In addition to E-LARS Kongsberg Evotec also offers a sophisticated Bulk Hose Securing Unit and other handling systems, and designs cranes, complete with handling systems including winches, power units, bulk handling and control systems.
Forland Shipping is a privately owned shipping company with a history dating back to 1973. It owns and operates some of the market’s most advanced offshore and seismic vessels in Norwegian and foreign waters. The company, headquartered in Bergen, has a high level of technical expertise and a strong focus on health, safety and the environment.
Saltwater
Marlink has announced, at this year’s Sea Japan tradeshow, the appointment of Shinobu Suzuki as its new Japan Country Manager. Suzuki will be based in Marlink’s Tokyo office and will have core responsibility for further strengthening the company’s position in the Japanese and Korean markets, as well as supporting its existing customer base in the region.
Having worked in the maritime communications field for 26 years, Suzuki brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her new role. Her extensive career includes positions with several of the industry’s major players including SAIT Communications, which later became part of Marlink.
Suzuki’s strong management skills and maritime experience will further develop the Marlink Tokyo office value proposition meeting the rapidly growing demand for flexible and reliable satellite communications solutions. Marlink provides a total satellite communications solution to suit operator’s applications and as the world’s largest provider of maritime satellite communications has significant expertise and experience in VSAT.
Commenting on the new appointment, Gunnar Valle, Marlink’s Sales Director for Asia said: “Shinobu Suzuki has a very strong background in the maritime satellite communication industry and we are delighted to welcome her back to the Marlink team. With a great understanding of the local market, we are confident that Suzuki-san will be able to provide exceptional managerial support and regional focus, enabling us to further expand our Japanese and Korean customer base.”
As a well-established provider of satellite communications to the global maritime market, Marlink has a long history of supplying a wide range of solutions to the Japanese shipping industry. Further information about Marlink can be gained during this year’s Sea Japan where the company will exhibit on stand P20.
Saltwater
AIR FRANCE has launched an 11-hour service from central China's city of Wuhan to Paris Charles de Gaulle, Xinhua reports.
The service offers three flights a week using Boeing 777-200ER aircraft from Wuhan's Tianhe International Airport.
Wuhan has accelerated its development as the air hub for the country's fourth city for air passengers after Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. The upgrading facilities and capacity has also attracted carriers from home and abroad.
Air China started a service from Wuhan to Tokyo last year, starting a race among carriers providing international services from Wuhan. China Southern Airlines has announced plans to start new routes to Singapore, Seoul, Bangkok and Kaohsiung this year. China Eastern Airlines has launched the Wuhan to Singapore line on April 19 and will start a service to Japan's Shizuoka in June. Singapore-based SilkAir will also launch a service to Singapore on April 24.
Sun Jianhua, a manager from China Southern's Hubei branch office, said the carriers launched chartered service from Wuhan to Osaka and Shizuoka in March and plans to turn them into scheduled services. The carrier is also preparing to launch flights to Danang in Vietnam and recommence services to Korea's Jeju and Thailand's Phuket Island this year.
Wuhan has been operating 11 international flights to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau flights from the beginning of the year and another eight to 10 international services will be added this year.
By 2015, Wuhan will offer another 10 international services covering Asia, Europe and America, raising the total to 20 and increasing to more than 40 by 2030.
Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
SINGAPORE Airlines Cargo is to add more destinations to its network through an agreement with Scoot, a new medium and long haul budget airline to manage its bellyhold capacity.
Singapore-based Scoot will begin commercial flights in June 2012, operating daily services between Singapore and Sydney, and five-times-weekly services between Singapore and the Gold Coast in Australia. In the second half of 2012, the new airline will launch four-times-weekly services to Tianjin in China.
An airline statement said Scoot will deploy the Boeing 777-200 aircraft with a bellyhold capacity of 10 tonnes on these routes.
"Singapore Airlines Cargo is excited by the opportunity of this partnership with Scoot. The addition of Scoot's bellyhold capacity and network will provide our customers with the benefits of a wider network, and more choices in terms of frequency and capacity," said SIA Cargo president Tan Kai Ping.
Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
THE US and Brazil have launched an "Aviation Partnership" that is described as being a public-private partnership aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation in areas such as airport expansion, airspace management, safety and security.
"These programmes will support Brazil's aviation infrastructure development priorities, while connecting US companies to the growing business opportunities in the sector," said a statement from the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA).
It said that initially six companies will participate in the Aviation Partnership, alongside supporting US and Brazilian government agencies.
"Brazil and the United States have a long history of cooperation in the aviation sector, and the Aviation Partnership will open more opportunities to work together," said USTDA director Leocadia Zak. "We are excited to work together to support the growth of Brazil's dynamic aviation sector and deepen our commercial engagement with Brazil."
The launching of the Aviation Partnership during Brazil President Dilma Rousseff's visit to the United States is timed to better coordinate US engagement with Brazil in the aviation sector. "As a result of rapidly increasing air traffic because of Brazil's growing economy and the upcoming World Cup and Olympic Games, Brazil is facing an urgent need to increase its investments in aviation infrastructure in order to accommodate the expected growth. US companies are eager to connect to the export opportunities created by these investments," the official statement said.
The first official activities under the Aviation Partnership will commence in June when USTDA will host a delegation of Brazilian aviation officials on a reverse trade mission to the United States to familiarise themselves with US technologies, best practices, and regulatory approaches for airports modernization.
In October, USTDA will host a Latin American Aviation Summit in Miami, Florida, to introduce hundreds of US aviation company representatives to aviation officials from countries across Latin America, including Brazil.
Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
GLOBAL cargo transportation provider and airline Amerijet International is to launch a thrice weekly air cargo service between Miami and the capital of Nicaragua, Managua effective immediately.
The Miami-based Boeing 767-200 and B727-200 freighter operator is to extend its coverage to Central America which currently operates to and from El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico and Belize.
On top of the thrice weekly scheduled flights, it is to include a Sunday flight to support local importers wishing to receive and clear freight as early as 8am on Mondays at Managua's Aeropuerto Internacional Augusto C Sandino (MGA).
Its new facility can support perishable goods, hazardous materials and dry shipments for the local maquila (manufacturing operations in a free trade zone) industry, said its regional director of Central America, Alejandro Diaz-Vega. The new facility is open from 8am to 4pm on Mondays through Fridays and from 8am to noon on Saturdays.
At Amerijet's primary hub of Miami International Airport, it has a 19,500-square-metre export and 9,290-square-metres import air-cargo-handling facilities, as well as a 4,645-square-metre ocean cargo facility.
A custom-built 956 square-metre (21,127-cubic-metre) cooling facility was specially designed offering refrigerated and chilled storage space sub-divided into four climate-controlled chambers.
Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
The Government of Kazakhstan approved a list of subsurface sites and deposits of strategic importance. Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Masimov signed the Government Resolution, PM Karim Masimov's website reported.
The list includes 361 deposits including 45 raw hydrocarbon, oil, gas and condensate deposits. These are Kashagan, Karachaganak, Karazhanbas, Kalamkas, Kumkol, Tengiz, Uzen, Satpayev deposits and fields in the Caspian Sea - Zhemchuzhina, Tyub-Karagan, Makhambet, Bobek, Zhambyl, etc.
Besides, 54 uranium deposits including Glubinnoye, Akdala, Inkai, Kyzylkol, Mynkuduk, Southern Karamurun, Shokpak, etc. were included into the list as well as the deposits of diamonds, bauxite, iron, wo0lframite, gold, copper, nickel, and other raw materials.
Besides, about 200 sources of fresh groundwater in different regions of the country were included into the list.
Central Asian News Service, en.ca-news.org
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