Weekly edition 27 October

Picket lines are back

PICKET lines have made a return to the Australian waterfront.

Criminalisation – casualty to laws of human nature

The Rena oil spill off New Zealand has highlighted where blame will be apportioned, writes JOHN AC CARTNER*

The government view

I RISE to sum up the Maritime Legislation Amendment Bill 2011.

Innovation needed for bulk exports

EXPORT of bulk product is becoming increasingly difficult in the wake of strict environmental regulations and resources being mined to the point of scarcity.

ASA celebrates first quarter century at dinner

A MILESTONE was reached this year by the Australian Shipowners Association, which has recently celebrated 25 years in the industry. A gala dinner was attended by the senior industry and government representatives.

World’s agents and brokers compare notes in Sydney

INTERNATIONALLY-focused shipbrokers and ship agents from all over the world met in Sydney from October 10 to October 14 for the annual Federation of National Associations of Ship Brokers and Agents (FONASBA).

Thoresen Thai pares costs and eyes new vessel acquisitions

NOT EVERY company has the gall to make a fresh start but Thoresen Thai Agency’s (TTA) dry bulk unit, now based in Singapore, is amid a complete overhaul of its operations in a bid to fight the market’s tough outlook and reverse the fortunes of the unit, which has put a drag on diversified TTA’s earnings in recent years.

China and Vietnam to cooperate on disputes

FOLLOWING increasing political tension between the two countries, China and Vietnam have agreed to a set of principles intended to ease maritime conflicts between the two countries.

Deal a sign that Jones Act is opening up

A FLEETWIDE refinancing of “US$100m-plus” for Settoon Towing that was led and arranged by Key Equipment Finance, the leasing subsidiary of KeyBank, is being described as a sign that the Jones Act ship lending and finance market is opening up for business at attractive terms for suitable borrowers.

Turkish interest blocked CMA CGM’s 20-ship order

A PROPOSED order by CMA CGM for up to 20 containerships of 10,000 teu was vetoed by Turkish businessman Robert Yildirim, who exerted his group’s voting rights on the French group’s board.

Shale gas set to boost American coal exports

COAL production in the US has remained relatively stable over the past two decades, averaging 980m tonnes per year.

Markets this week 27 October 2011

Dry market roll may slow as China congestion builds

Coal at top of the heap but look out for cruise ships

NEWCASTLE Port Corporation (NPC) chief executive Gary Webb described 2011 as a “fantastic” year and the New South Wales port is on track to deliver new trade records.

Seeds of expanded grain trade now sown on Newcastle’s Carrington site

NEWCASTLE Agri Terminal has lodged a proposal to build an agricultural export terminal at Newcastle port’s Carrington site.

One year on and this port is moving on

WHAT a difference a year makes. This time last year Port Kembla’s future lay in the hands of government.

Set up for future growth prior to its privatisation

SYDNEY Ports Corporation (SPC) has had a lot on its plate this year but chief executive Grant Gilfillan is not complaining.

E-navigation has long way to go

PROJECT managers and developers of potential e-navigation systems are keen to reassure shipowners that the costs associated with evermore technical bridge equipment will not be restrictive.

Weak bulk market fuelling KG ship fund insolvencies

A SERIES of bulk carriers financed by funds issued by Leer-based KG house GHF have filed for insolvency, GHF’s managing director Lübbe Stecker has confirmed.

Lack of federal funding threatens US east coast boom after canal opens

US EAST coast ports might not be ready to take in post-panamax boxships in 2014 when the widened Panama Canal will open for business, potentially threatening the US container industry market boom expected after 2014.

First seismic vessel in northern sea transit

THE seismic vessel Polarcus Alima has become the first 3D seismic vessel to transit the northern sea route.

China Shipping Container Lines announces first half profit loss

CHINA Shipping Container Lines posted a loss of Yuan611m (US$95m) for the first half of 2011 compared to profits of Yuan1.7bn in the previous year’s period.

Maersk to employ armed guards

AP MOLLER-Maersk will make more regular use of armed guards on tankers passing through the Gulf of Aden, the company has confirmed.

Casualty briefs 27 October 2011

Maritime

Owners call for coordinated piracy approach

SHIPPING executives met European parliament members this month to propose that the European Union takes the lead in tackling Somali piracy, as European shipowners push Brussels to do far more in the battle against piracy.

Attacks expected to rise as Indian Ocean monsoon season ends

A CHEMICAL tanker was approached by a pirate skiff around 500 miles east of Socotra in late September.

Shipbuilder secures a mega-loan from CDB

RONGSHENG Heavy Industries has added to its highly successful mop up of bank credit by securing a credit line of Yuan35bn (US$5.5bn) from the China Development Bank.

Small ships top market

HANDYSIZE and handymax charter rates will remain stable at their current level until the end of the year, supported by a strong global grains trade and have been called in fresh analysis as the only dry bulk carriers still making money.

Real shipping crisis began this year, conference told

BANK financing of shipping is facing “an interesting cocktail of challenges”, DnB NOR senior vice-president shipping, offshore and logistics Kjartan Bru told the Informa Maritime Events Ship Management Business conference in Copenhagen.

Jobs at German yards continue to decline

EMPLOYMENT at German shipyards has continued its downward trend over the past 12 months, new figures reveal.

Shipowner groups in plea to government

TWO prominent shipowner groups have launched a campaign to persuade governments to sign up to a number of maritime conventions, some of which have yet to come into force despite being agreed years ago.

Bulker’s final voyage to Dampier after 24 years

AFTER weathering typhoons and cyclones and delivering her crew and iron ore cargo for over 24 years between Japan and the Pilbara, the Shinzan Maru has made its final voyage to the port of Dampier. Its final destination mirrored its maiden voyage in April 1987.

Hapag-Lloyd celebrates 125 years of east Asia/Australia trade

SHIPPING company Hapag-Lloyd is celebrating this year the 125th anniversary of the first German liner services to east Asia and Australia. In 1886, the up-and-coming German economy needed regular liner services connecting it with the new growth markets, in addition to efficient postal services around the world.

Pilotage standards were also in the spotlight fifteen years ago

BRISBANE pilot Steve Pelecanos headed to Sweden, 15 years ago, where he had been asked to address two annual conferences for pilots and tugmasters.

Intra-Asia fuels world growth

China’s share of growth may have peaked, but South-east Asia is stepping in, reports TOM LEANDER

Container sector will need US$57bn to pay for the ships already on order

Alphaliner warns that capital commitments will place an extra strain on balance sheets already beset by losses, reports STEVE MATTHEWS

Time for coordinated response to piracy

A message from the International Maritime Organization secretary general on World Maritime Day, EFTHIMIOS MITROPOULOS*

Oiling the wheels of African transport at last

Mozambique gets first new road traffic code since 1954 which includes insurance rules, writes SAM IGNARSKI

Gateway box terminal ‘open 2013’

DP WORLD has given the green light to its delayed London Gateway container terminal to open in the fourth quarter of 2013, with an initial annual capacity of 1.6m teu, the Dubai-based ports multinational announced this month.