AIR INDIA's bail-out, paid as a capital infusion worth INR32 billion (US$616.5 million) was approved on the promise of improved performance and an efficient turnaround, said the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
"We will bail it out, but not indefinitely...[the carrier] has to improve its efficiency," said minister Ajit Singh on the sidelines of the Indian Aviation Show in Hyderabad, on a carrier struggling with debt of INR430 billion.
Boeing has agreed to pay half of Air India's compensation demand at US$500 million for its delayed delivery of 27 Dreamliners on order since 2006 for delivery start of 2008, reports the Press Trust of India. This was part of a larger order of 111 aircraft including those from Airbus worth $13 billion.
The government aims to push for more from the aircraft manufacturer to include discount in services and cash.
It is confident that India can weather a tough market of high jet fuel costs and decline based on a rise in demand for Asia-Pacific carriers. India itself is forecast to grow from a increase of compound annual growth rate (CAGR) 10.9 per cent in last five years, of which two-thirds was international volume.
Its passenger growth is the fastest set to rank in the first three markets of 420 million passengers by 2020 compared to 2010's figures of 140 million.
The state's focus on Public Private Partnership (PPP) in the airport sector has increased the number of Greenfield and modernisation projects is dependent on economic regulatory framework in an Air Cargo Promotion Policy it hopes to attract investment.
Source Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
EMIRATES SkyCargo, the cargo division of Dubai's Emirates airline, is forecasting a challenging 2012 for cargo traffic from India despite an increase in outbound cargo traffic increase representing 11.7 per cent of its total throughput at 1.8 million tonnes.
The freight arm's senior vice-president Pradeep Kumar said "growth is going to be flat or even lesser" but expects improvement in the second half of the year. India contributes up to 30 per cent of Emirates SkyCargo's perishable goods, 20 per cent pharmaceutical products and 11 per cent automotive parts.
India's civil aviation minister Ajit Singh said at the sidelines of the India Aviation Show that it hopes its formulation of an Air Cargo Promotion Policy will bring in international investment through better practices as in Celebi, Cargo Service Centre and Menzies.
Mr Singh is confident of continued strength in annual growth rate, CAGR clocking up 10.9 per cent in the last five years.
Source Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
TAC Industries, a nonprofit organisation, in Springfield has been awarded a US$6.5 million contract to provide the US Air Force with 35,000 air cargo nets during the next year, according the Department of Defence.
The contract calls for TAC to provide more than 13,000 tie down-top nets and nearly 24,000 tie down-side nets to the Support Equipment and Vehicle Division at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. The work is expected to be completed next March, the Dayton Daily News reported.
The work will help subsidise TAC Industries, which was formed to create for people with disabilities.
TAC is the primary supplier of air cargo nets to the USAF, according to the organisation's website. These cargo nets are used by the air force for load management on the 463L pallet used on C-5, C-17 and C-130 cargo aircraft.
Since 1984 TAC has performed a vital defence operational role by repairing damaged air cargo nets to like-new condition and manufacturing new nets to meet all of the demanding airlift requirements of the Air Force, officials said.
Source Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
AIRPORTS in southwestern China's Guangxi Autonomous Region handled 8,430 tonnes of cargo in February, 60 per cent more than in the same month in 2011.
According to Xinhua's report, Nanning airport's throughput surged 68 per cent to 5,440 tonnes. Guilin airport handled 2,145 tonnes, up 40 per cent. Beihai airport handled 292 tonnes, up 57 per cent. Liuzhou airport recorded an increase of 72 per cent to 550 tonnes.
The surge of cargo throughput in February is affected by the Chinese New Year holiday in January, which usually comes in February. After removing this factor, Guangxi's air freight throughput still has a double-digit increase.
From January to February, Guangxi airports' handled 16,800 tonnes of cargo, up 9.4 per cent year on year. Nanning, Beihai and Liuzhou airport all recorded increases of more than 15 per cent during this period.
This year, Guangxi is aiming to develop Nanning into the largest trade and distribution centre for fruit aqua product in China and even Asia and develop Guilin into a logistics hub for cargo flows between southwest China and Pearl River Delta and Yangtze River Delta.
Source Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
2012-03-16
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called on India to develop a common vision for Indian aviation expressed in a National Aviation Policy with a strong implementation plan.
“Indian aviation has tremendous potential to drive economic growth in the sub-Continent. But to realize this, India needs a common vision for aviation—expressed in a National Aviation Policy strongly linked to an implementation plan. Such a policy would need to re-build competitiveness by addressing the difficult issues of tax, cost, investment and infrastructure,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO in a keynote address at the India Aviation 2012 conference, noting considerable ground work already done by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA) in consultation with industry stakeholders.
Aviation is responsible for 0.5% of India’s GDP and supports 1.7 million jobs. And people on average in India make 0.1 trip per year, or one trip by air every 10 years, compared to 1.8 times per year in the US. “Aviation’s contribution to the India economy could be much more. If India’s 1.17 billion people traveled at the same frequency as in the US, a market of 2.1 billion travelers would be created. Even one-third of that would be an air travel market of about 700 million, rivaling that of the US,” said Tyler.
Tyler suggested a four pillar agenda to build competitiveness:
Taxes: Tyler highlighted the damaging effects of jet fuel taxes in India. All fuel is subject to an 8.24% excise duty and domestic flights face state fuel taxes of up to 30%. As a result, fuel represents an average of 45% of operating costs for India’s airlines, compared to a global average of 32%. “The high cost of jet fuel has been hijacking the competitiveness of the Indian air transport industry for over a decade. It is now clearly recognized by all that fuel taxes are sucking the life blood from the Indian aviation sector. The industry is now in crisis and we need a coordinated effort among all Ministries—at national and state levels—to restore competitiveness,” said Tyler. Tyler also urged the removal of Service Tax on both tickets and on services that airlines purchase, to align with international principles and boost competitiveness.
Infrastructure: Tyler highlighted the need for capacity expansion in Mumbai. “Mumbai is bursting at the seams. The first phase was meant to open in 2014 but construction has not even begun. Land acquisition is not yet complete. We need a coordinated effort across all government ministries to facilitate success without further delay—as was achieved for the opening of Delhi’s new terminal,” said Tyler.
Cost: Tyler urged MOCA to intervene in the discussion of proposed charges increases at Delhi International Airport. “The new terminal and third runway have been a much needed boost. But if the 340% increase in charges over the next two years is implemented, it will make Delhi the most expensive airport in the world—and destroy its competitiveness,” said Tyler.
“Given the broad economic implications that this would have it is important that the government takes immediate action. First, 340% is unacceptable. It would be a shock to the system that would ripple throughout the economy. The Ministry cannot stand by and let this happen. It must intervene with a broader context. This should take into consideration the long-term development of Indian aviation at its hubs. And if need be, the concession contracts, which at Delhi channel 46% of revenues to the Airports Authority of India, need to be re-thought with the aim of offsetting aeronautical charges. The solutions are readily available and there is no reason why the 340%, or any increase of this magnitude, should be allowed to go through,” said Tyler.
Tyler also urged that (1) any legitimate revenue claw-back under the current regulatory structure be spread across a number of years, not crammed into the next two, (2) an urgent review should look at the structure of charging for international versus domestic and (3) there should be a review of the allocation of aeronautical and non-aeronautical assets to be more in line with other major international airports.
Investment policies: Tyler urged the positive consideration of MOCA proposals to allow up to 49% direct investment by foreign carriers in Indian airlines. “This would allow strategic tie-ups with foreign airlines similar to arrangements that have successfully strengthened airline groups in other parts of the world. What is the public policy imperative of denying this possibility to Indian carriers?” questioned Tyler.
“But allowing foreign airlines to invest in Indian aviation is not a panacea. Without addressing the other three pillars—costs, taxes and infrastructure—it may only be a theoretical exercise. Under current conditions, the odds are stacked against any investor making a positive return on investment in the Indian aviation sector. And no one is likely to come forward unless they see themselves making a profit,” said Tyler.
Tyler expressed optimism that India has a promising aviation future if these issues can be addressed. “I am passionate about aviation. And I am an India optimist. IATA will be fully engaged in the team effort to turn Indian aviation into the great success story that it has the potential to become. India should not settle for a bronze medal in the world of aviation. It has pure gold potential,” said Tyler.
Source IATA
Safety, Security, Sustainability and Competitiveness Top the Agenda
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) advocated strong partnerships across the air cargo value chain to address an industry agenda to enhance safety, security, sustainability and competitiveness.
“Air cargo is critical to the global economy. By value, over 35% of goods traded internationally are handled by air. But this accounts for just 0.5% of global volumes traded. Air cargo provides the connectivity that is at the core of modern businesses serving global markets. The growth potential is enormous. The challenge is to propel that growth sustainably, with quality products, efficiently delivered by a well-coordinated value chain,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO in a keynote address to the World Cargo Symposium which is meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Safety: The 2011 hull loss rate for western-built jet aircraft stood at the historic low of 0.37 hull losses per million flights (one hull loss for every 2.7 million flights). However,managing shipments of dangerous goods is an increasingly complex challenge for air cargo as the number of shippers proliferates, particularly with the growth of e-commerce opportunities for individual entrepreneurs, who lack awareness of dangerous goods regulations. “The concern over shipping lithium batteries is a good example of where the supply chain needs to cooperate to raise awareness levels,” said Tyler.
Security:Tyler urged the industry to work together and in cooperation with governments on industry solutions for cargo security, or risk the imposition of regulatory solutions that may not fully understand the operational realities of global air cargo. “The challenge is two-fold. We must continuously improve security to meet evolving threats. And we need to achieve this while maintaining the speed necessary to support global commerce,” said Tyler. He highlighted three areas for a particular focus:
- Data to Support Risk Management:Tyler encouraged regulators to harmonize risk-assessment measures in compliance through the World Customs Organization SAFE standards. At the same time he urged the air cargo value chain to redouble its efforts to improve the quality of data provided by making the Message Improvement Program a priority for 2012. “Ensuring quality data will gain the confidence of regulators and customs authorities that is necessary to motivate them towards efficient paper-free processes,” said Tyler.
- Securing the Supply Chain: The IATA Secure Freight pilot program was launched in Malaysia in 2010 with the goal of securing the supply chain by ensuring that air cargo has come from either a known consignor or regulated agent and has been kept sterile until it is loaded onto the aircraft. The success of the Malaysian pilot project has encouraged Kenya, Mexico, Chile, South Africa, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates to start their own programs.
- Technology:Tyler noted progress with regulators on addressing the constraints on current technology in screening air cargo. “It is clear that a robust risk-assessment needs both physical and data screening programs that are harmonized. The worst thing for both industry and states would be to have these programs competing with each other across airline networks,” said Tyler.
Competitiveness: “Alongside a license to grow based on safety, security and environmental responsibility, to be successful the air cargo value chain must meet customer expectations with efficient and quality products and processes,” said Tyler, highlighting e-freight and the industry’s need to adopt Cargo 2000 as a global standard.
- E-freight: E-freight penetration stood at 11% at the end of 2011, ahead of the 10% target set by the IATA Board of Governors. “I see three components to achieving 100% by 2015. First, we need to understand e-freight is a supply chain initiative driven forward by the Global Air Cargo Advisory Group (GACAG). Second airlines must drive forward the implementation of the e-air waybill (e-AWB). Cathay Pacific and Emirates have led the way with mandating 100% e-AWB in their home markets. And finally we must ensure that the rapidly developing BRICS countries are on board,” said Tyler. Current e-AWB penetration is 4.6%. IATA is targeting 15% e-AWB penetration by the end of 2012 and 100% by 2014.
- Quality: In the last year Cargo 2000 made its Master Operating Plan an open source platform. “This effectively makes Cargo 2000 the industry benchmark for performance and quality. They will also be introducing a membership grading system to further identify the highest-quality participants. These are positive steps that will help us to provide quality products to our customers,” said Tyler. Tyler reiterated that managing quality requires a harmonized approach across the value chain, noting the industry agreement to mandate the “Time and Temperature Sensitive” label as an important example of improvements that can be achieved when the industry works with a common purpose.
Industry Cooperation: Air transport is a team effort. And that is particularly true of air cargo. I am also making it a priority for IATA to work even more closely with our industry partners. For example we are working to modernize the cargo agency program in close collaboration with the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA). I am also fully supportive of the GACAG. This group is unique in the air cargo industry and we must all support the efforts of this coalition. All its members won’t always have the same view of the world. But our fates are linked as we are in the same business. By focusing on our common interests, I am confident that much can be achieved,” said Tyler.
Outlook
In its latest forecast (issued December 2011), IATA expects air cargo to generate about 11% of total revenues or $66 billion. This is only slightly behind the average 14% contribution of business class to industry revenues. Growth in both volumes and yields is expected to be flat in 2012 as a result of economic uncertainty primarily centered on Europe. IATA will issue a revised forecast on 20 March.
Source IATA
2012-03-15
Minister Heidi Hautala, responsible for Ownership Steering in the Prime Minister’s Office, has assigned Senior Financial Counsellor Jarmo Väisänen to convene the Shareholders' Nomination Committee of Finnair as soon as possible, and to prepare a new proposal concerning the composition of Finnair's Board of Directors at the company's Annual General Meeting to be held on 28 March 2011. Minister Hautala believes that Board members who in autumn 2009 participated in decision-making concerning management’s special retention bonuses will not be able to credibly serve as Finnair Board members in the future.
The Shareholders' Nomination Committee comprises, based on their ownership in Finnair as of 1 November 2011, representatives of the Finnish State, Local Government Pensions Institution and Skagen Global Verdipapirfond, i.e. Jarmo Väisänen, Robin Backman and Michael Gobitschek respectively.
Finnair will disclose the Nomination Committee's new proposal on Board members as soon as the Committee has submitted its proposal to Finnair's Board.
Source Nasdaqomx
Latvian airline airBaltic carried 180,476 passengers in February 2012, representing 1% increase comparing with the same month in 2011, when airBaltic transported 178 809 passengers.
During the two months of 2012, airBaltic transported a total of 371,442 passengers, or 1% more than during the same period in 2011, when the total number of passengers was 366,045.
In February, airBaltic operated 3,338 flights, or 10% less than in February 2011 when airBaltic operated 3,694 flights.
The airline’s load factor, which represents the number of passengers as a proportion of the number of available seats, in February 2012 was at a level of 69% - or 7 percentage points more than in February 2011.
The 15-minute flight punctuality indicator for airBaltic was at a level of 88.4% in February 2012. This means that 88 of every 100 airBaltic flights in February departed at the planned time or with a delay of no more than 15 minutes.
Source A/S Air Baltic Corporation
Shetland’s inshore shellfish industry was congratulated today (14 March 2012) by Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead for their ‘outstanding achievement’ as three of their main fisheries - King Scallop, Velvet Crab and Brown Crab became the first of their kind globally to achieve the prestigious Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification as sustainable and well-managed fisheries.
This is a significant development for an industry which is currently worth at least £7 million to the Shetland economy.
The certificate was presented by Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead at seafood restaurant Ondine in Edinburgh. Guests enjoyed a luxury Shetland shellfish lunch, specially prepared by chef and owner Roy Brett, who is renowned for his commitment to sourcing MSC seafood.
Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “The clear, pristine waters surrounding Shetland produce some of the highest quality and most delicious seafood anywhere in the world. Therefore I’m delighted that the Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation has been able to achieve Marine Stewardship Council certification for their King Scallops and Brown and Velvet Crab – a world first.
“MSC certification illustrates that Shetland King Scallops and Brown and Velvet Crab meet the ultimate sustainability standards and it is an outstanding achievement for Shetland. Scotland now has eight MSC certified fisheries and a further six in the full assessment process – covering more than 50 per cent of the value of our landings. This demonstrates our strong and ongoing commitment to supplying consumers with premium and sustainable seafood options.”
Roy Brett added: “This proves we are at a very important moment in Scotland in terms of safeguarding the sea for future generations. I’m just back from Abu Dhabi where I also saw change underway in terms of protecting fish and shellfish. Here – and there, fishermen, their families and their communities are working together with Government, environmentalists and scientists, to give our seas a real chance to recover. We all have a part to play.”
The independent assessment process took 15 months to complete and was co-ordinated by the Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation (SSMO) in partnership with NAFC Marine Centre UHI. Financial assistance for progressing the certification was provided by The Co-operative’s £200,000 Sustainable Fishing Fund that is supporting fisheries across the UK through MSC assessments, as well as the Resource Legacy Fund.
Jennifer Mouat from SSMO explained: “We are delighted to have achieved this certification which recognises that Shetland shellfish has something unique to offer consumers. We are proud to be the only fishery in the world to have the MSC label for Brown and Velvet Crab and King Scallops.
“It has taken over a year to get here and it has been a rigorous process – but the results are fantastic and well-deserved. The certification marks an independent measure of success and demonstrates our long-term commitment to the sustainability of the species and the stocks in Shetland’s inshore waters.
“In Shetland we have a regulating order allowing us to self-manage out to the six-mile limit and have amassed 12 years worth of data, which is very unusual for inshore fisheries. Working in partnership with the NAFC Marine Centre UHI has been integral to our success as we were able to collect a comprehensive data set on the main species within Shetland’s waters. As a result this meant that we could push for three species to be assessed together.”
The assessment was carried out by independent certifier FCI International. The report identified the comprehensive management as a crucial factor in the successful assessment. The process has also enabled SSMO to further develop management within the MSC framework.
Claire Pescod, the MSC’s Fisheries Outreach Manager for the UK & Ireland said: “I’d like to congratulate the Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation on this great achievement – three world firsts. The certification of the three Shetland fisheries demonstrates a real commitment to sustainability and rewards the hard work of the fishermen and all those involved in contributing to Shetland’s sustainable and well managed inshore scallop, brown and velvet crab fisheries. MSC certified Shetland scallops, brown and velvet crabs are eagerly awaited by the UK foodservice sector to help meet the growing consumer demand for sustainably sourced seafood and I look forward to seeing them on menus soon.”
Head of Marine Science and Technology at NAFC Marine Centre, Dr Martin Robinson, said:
“This is an excellent model for what can be achieved when science and industry work closely together in practical and highly applied terms. The result has required consideration of stock, environment, interactions and the communities that exploit them, providing an example of a more realistic, holistic, ‘ecosystem’ type approach to management.”
John Atkinson, environment adviser for The Co-operative said: “As a leading retailer of sustainable seafood, we have committed substantial funds to improve the sustainability of the UK fishing industry. We are delighted that the three fisheries have attained the MSC standard, providing an increased choice for consumers of sustainable seafood.”
Source Shetland Shellfish Management
Regional report from WSS prior to Asia Pacific Maritime in Singapore.Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) has reported year-on-year growth in South East Asia - despite what WSS Area Director Niall Denholm describes as a ‘stressed market’ for the shipping industry. “Our products and services portfolio is expanding and we see that our business within the region has continued to grow, largely due to the investment we have made across Asia Pac in terms of capability, network offices and staffing”, he says.
Mr. Denholm, who has responsibility for WSS South East Asia says that he and his team observed record numbers of port calls and product sales in 2011 despite harsh economic conditions: “Freight rates are struggling as an over-capacity of tonnage is further hit by global recession. The trend we are seeing is procurement departments purchasing essential ‘must have’ consumables, which has had a knock-on effect on the profile of fast and slow moving stock in our warehouse and logistics operations”.
Speaking ahead of Asia Pacific Maritime event which takes place in Singapore, Mr Denholm also commented on the cruise industry: “The general cruise sector in Asia is picking up and we now get more calls across the area. We expect this will increase when Singapore’s new International Cruise Terminal at Marina Bay Sands is operational and more and larger vessels calling in at this port”.
Mr Denholm continued: “The offshore business is already strong in Singapore and we expect to see additional opportunities for Vietnam and Thailand. So, the outlook for Asia Pacific is looking generally positive. However; with bunker prices currently at approx $750/t and the drive to cut fuel costs already in progress, we should expect slow steaming in the dry and wet trade sectors. In addition, a number of operators are looking at regular hull cleaning in attempts to reduce fuel consumption”.
So what for WSS throughout the region in 2012? Mr Denholm suspects that growth will be sustained, although perhaps not at the same rate as 2011. “In general, the Port of Singapore remains a busy international hub, with around 1,000 vessels within port boundaries at any one time, and a ship movement in or out of port every 2-3 minutes. Although prospects for SE Asia are good, it is expected that at some stage, further tonnage will need to be taken off line (recycled or laid up). Asian economies are growing, and more European-based companies are moving into this region, not just due to cost pressures, but also to increase their presence in this region”. Mr Denholm concludes that WSS is no exception to this, with expansion likely to continue over the next few years across Asia Pacific and extensions of offerings within WSS’s core activities of Ships Agency services, Marine Chemicals, Safety and Marine Products and Logistics.
Asia Pacific Maritime takes place at the Marina Bay Sands Expo Centre from 14-16 March. Senior executives and product experts from Wilhelmsen Ships Service will be available to talk to customers, answer questions and share ideas and plans for the region moving into 2013.
Source Wilhelmsen
This week Dutch retailer Albert Heijn has launched its third in-store campaign promoting MSC-labelled, sustainably sourced seafood under its private label AH pure&honest (puur&eerlijk) in stores throughout the Netherlands. Point-of-sale materials such as shelf signs and on-pack booklets will raise shopper awareness and help consumers make a sustainable choice when buying seafood. The campaign is supported by a sustainable seafood recipe contest for shoppers and employees, a consumer event on March 17th at an Albert Heijn XL store in Muiden (near Amsterdam) and online communications.
Albert Heijn and MSC join forces to help consumers get involved
For the third time, the campaign brings together AH puur&eerlijk, leading retailer Albert Heijn’s umbrella brand for sustainable products and the Marine Stewardship Council [3]. The campaign aims to increase sales of MSC labelled seafood. More than 800 Albert Heijn shops nationwide will take part in this campaign with a wide range of MSC labelled products on display. As part of the in-store promotions, consumers are also informed about the impact their choice of sustainably-caught seafood can have upon the future of the oceans and global fish stocks.
MSC certified sustainable seafood at Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn launched its very first MSC labelled products in 2009. It has since then widened its range and is now offering 28 MSC labelled products in its refrigerated and fresh section under the category AH puur&eerlijk sustainable fish. Albert Heijn offers the largest volume of MSC labelled retailers' private label products in The Netherlands. "At Albert Heijn we are committed to supporting sustainable fisheries. By continuously expanding our AH puur&eerlijk sustainable fish range we offer our customers a wide choice in MSC certified seafood. We also see that customer interest in sustainable fish is growing”, explains Sanne Zwinkels, Brand Manager AH puur&eerlijk. “To boost their customer appeal still further we are offering a 25 per cent discount on AH puur&eerlijk sustainable fish products this week. AH customers can also send in their favourite sustainable fish recipe online via www.ah.nl/vis to have a shot at winning a dinner for two in a MSC certified restaurant. The winning recipe will be placed on our website."
Healthy future of the oceans
Recent independent surveys show that Dutch consumers are very well aware of the MSC ecolabel and are increasingly motivated to choose sustainably sourced products. “In-store marketing is an important driver for consumer awareness and changing shopper behavior”, Nathalie Steins, MSC Manager Benelux points out. “Market leaders such as Albert Heijn are among businesses helping grow the global market for sustainable seafood. This campaign will encourage consumers to look out for sustainably-sourced seafood products. The more people choose MSC labelled seafood, the more fisheries are encouraged to transform their business to a sustainable basis and this, in turn, will help to protect fish stocks worldwide. ”
Source MSC
Regional report from WSS prior to Asia Pacific Maritime in Singapore.
Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) has reported year-on-year growth in South East Asia - despite what WSS Area Director Niall Denholm describes as a ‘stressed market’ for the shipping industry. “Our products and services portfolio is expanding and we see that our business within the region has continued to grow, largely due to the investment we have made across Asia Pac in terms of capability, network offices and staffing”, he says.
Mr. Denholm, who has responsibility for WSS South East Asia says that he and his team observed record numbers of port calls and product sales in 2011 despite harsh economic conditions: “Freight rates are struggling as an over-capacity of tonnage is further hit by global recession. The trend we are seeing is procurement departments purchasing essential ‘must have’ consumables, which has had a knock-on effect on the profile of fast and slow moving stock in our warehouse and logistics operations”.
Speaking ahead of Asia Pacific Maritime event which takes place in Singapore, Mr Denholm also commented on the cruise industry: “The general cruise sector in Asia is picking up and we now get more calls across the area. We expect this will increase when Singapore’s new International Cruise Terminal at Marina Bay Sands is operational and more and larger vessels calling in at this port”.
Mr Denholm continued: “We are also seeing an increase in coal and mineral liftings excluding SE Asia. The offshore business is already strong in Singapore and we expect to see additional opportunities for Vietnam and Thailand. So, the outlook for Asia Pacific is looking generally positive. However; with bunker prices currently at approx $750/t and the drive to cut fuel costs already in progress, we should expect slow steaming in the dry and wet trade sectors. In addition, a number of operators are looking at regular hull cleaning in attempts to reduce fuel consumption”.
So what for WSS throughout the region in 2012? Mr Denholm suspects that growth will be sustained, although perhaps not at the same rate as 2011. “In general, the Port of Singapore remains a busy international hub, with around 1,000 vessels within port boundaries at any one time, and a ship movement in or out of port every 2-3 minutes. Although prospects for SE Asia are good, it is expected that at some stage, further tonnage will need to be taken off line (recycled or laid up). Asian economies are growing, and more European-based companies are moving into this region, not just due to cost pressures, but also to increase their presence in this region”. Mr Denholm concludes that WSS is no exception to this, with expansion likely to continue over the next few years across Asia Pacific and extensions of offerings within WSS’s core activities of Ships Agency services, Marine Chemicals, Safety and Marine Products and Logistics.
Asia Pacific Maritime takes place at the Marina Bay Sands Expo Centre from 14-16 March. Senior executives and product experts from Wilhelmsen Ships Service will be available to talk to customers, answer questions and share ideas and plans for the region moving into 2013.
Source Wilhelmsen Ships Service
Kuehne + Nagel has established a central hub in Vienna for groupage overland operations to and from Eastern Europe. The hub is another important step in Kuehne + Nagel’s strategy to continuously expand its European roadfreight network.
The new Eastern Hub will connect all major countries of Eastern Europe via direct lines and with over 300 weekly departures. The centralised groupage platform enables better capacity utilization, reduced transit times and an increased number of lanes with daily departures within Europe. Fixed transportation times and scheduled departures guarantee customers a transparent and continuous cargo flow.
“The hub in Vienna complements our strategic approach to establish a highly efficient groupage network and to offer our customers reliable leadtimes across our region and all of Europe. Being the gateway to the Western and Eastern industry centres, Vienna has been the obvious choice as the best suited location,” states Jörg Herwig, Senior Vice President Road & Rail Eastern Europe.
Source Kuehne + Nagel
Eastern Europe AG
NEW ZEALAND's Ports of Auckland's [PoA] sacking its 300 dockers and contracting private stevedores to replace them has sparked protests from the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) which sits on United Nations councils as the global voice of transport labour.
The London-based ITF is a global transport union federation representing labour at the UN's International Labour Organisation (ILO), the UN's International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the UN's International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
"There's huge international support," said Ray Familathe, visiting Los Angeles delegate and vice president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, reports London's Containerisation International.
"But this has gone beyond reason. Management seems to be on a destructive path here, which just seems to have no common sense about achieving some balance in the collective agreement between management and labour," said Mr Familathe.
Other unions in the New Zealand capital Wellington have refused to handle cargo from a Maersk Line ship that unloaded containers in Auckland last week with replacement non-union dockers.
Many expect a court injunction to force the Maritime Union of New Zealand's [MUNZ] members to work the ship as the strike moves into its fourth week.
Meanwhile, the Ports of Auckland has called in the police to protect staff and visitors to the port from alleged harassment by striking dockers on picket lines.
Ports of Auckland recently signed a deal with two independent stevedoring companies to replace the striking dockers. "These are partnerships that will contribute to innovation and the development of Ports of Auckland as a customer focussed, aspirational port, which delivers for Auckland," said port CEO Tony Gibson, according to New Zealand's Voxy News.
Source Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
THE 3,036-TEU Rena, now a wreck aground on the Astrolabe reef off New Zealand's Port of Tauranga had been taking a shortcut to make the harbour on time, an investigation shows.
New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) released an interim report and said the vessel was equipped with a navigation system with the use of its autopilot, GPS positions and charts, which was sailing "on a direct track for Astrolabe Reef" at 1:50am October 5.
The report said the captain and navigating officer had not followed the designated route several times so as to reach the port before the 3am deadline. It found the Rena's actual course was about two degrees south of the heading on the vessel's gyrocompass.
"At about 0205 (2:05am) the master noticed an intermittent echo on the radar. The echo was about 2.6 nautical miles (4.8 kilometres) dead ahead of the Rena. The master showed the echo on the radar to the watch-keeping able-bodied seaman and they used binoculars to look through the windows of the bridge for the cause of the echo. They could not see anything, so they moved to the bridge wing to look from there. When again nothing could be seen, the master said he decided to plot the Rena's position on the chart, so began to walk through the wheelhouse to the chartroom," the report said.
"At the time of 0214 (2:14am) as the master made his way to the chartroom the Rena struck Astrolabe Reef while travelling at a speed of 17 knots (31.5 kilometres per hour)."
The interim report concludes by saying that the TAIC "is continuing to collate and verify information directly related to the grounding and is also pursuing several lines of inquiry of a wider systemic nature".
The interim report does not contain analysis of why events happened as they did or say what could change to help prevent a recurrence. These matters will be covered in the TAIC's final inquiry report, said a agency's statement.
Last month, both the Filipino captain and navigating officer admitted 10 of the 11 charges relating to mishandling the vessel and altering ship documents after the incident. Sentencing of both men is set on May 25.
Owned by Greece-based Costamare, Liberian-flagged Rena was chartered by Geneva-based MSC.
Source Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
The magazine SEA has been published since 1935
International business magazine JŪRA MOPE SEA has been published since 1999
The first magazine in Eurasia in the four languages: English, Chinese, Russian and Lithuanian
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