News From Lloyd's List DCN

Iron ore spot prices rally on India's export ban

Iron ore prices on the spot market have rallied from their 2010 low of US$117.80 per tonne on July 12 to close yesterday at US$144.80, amid fears that export bans in India will constrain supply.

LPG plant closures to depress gas carrier rates

The closure of three liquefied petroleum gas export plants in northwest Europe in the second half of this month will have a “devastating” affect on the gas carrier market in the region, according to European brokers.

Secondhand capesize price falls again

The Baltic Exchange secondhand price of five-year-old capesize vessels has fallen for the eight consecutive week, to US$57.16m.

Europe-Australia: a tale of two trades

It was a tale of two trades with Australia’s container imports from Europe surging 26% in the second quarter while the northbound trade dipped 3%.

New training course for freight forwarders

Australian freight workers now have access to an international freight forwarding course, thanks to a program developed by CBFCA Australia and the International Trade and Logistics Council.

Truckers welcome national regulatory promise

The Australian Trucking Association says it is pleased the Federal Government has re-affirmed its commitment to moving towards a national heavy vehicle regulator by 2013.

Support for fast rail study

Infrastructure Partnerships Australia chairman Mark Birrell has backed the feasibility study into the East Coast High Speed Rail network.

Industry vents fury over release of pirates

The decision to release the Somali pirates captured by naval forces during an attempted hijack of the Norwegian chemical tanker Bow Saga earlier this week and return them to Somalia has aroused fury among shipping industry organisations.

Minerals push June trade surplus for Australia

A massive gain in the value of mineral exports helped Australia post a better than expected trade surplus in June.

ATA welcomes coalition's rest areas promise

The trucking industry has welcomed the coalition’s pledge to build 500 more truck rest areas on Australia’s roads if elected to government.

Albanese to attend re-scheduled ASA lunch

The Australian Shipowners Association mid-winter luncheon in Melbourne, originally set for tomorrow, has been re-scheduled until Friday August 13.

Dry bulk, box sector outlook uncertain: Lloyds Bank

Lloyds Banking Group, the partially state-owned UK bank, has warned that global shipping markets will remain “challenging” in the second half of the year.

Port Botany, Sydney Harbour back in business

Port Botany and Sydney Harbour have reopened after gale force winds forced the temporary suspension of all operations and both stevedores are expecting some delays.

DHL posts 12.6% rise in ocean freight volumes

Deutsche Post DHL, the largest freight forwarder of maritime boxes, recorded a 12.6% rise in containers booked with shipping lines to 1.4m teu for the six months to June.

Rio Tinto's massive investment in Pilbara ports

Mining heavyweight Rio Tinto will spend US$790m to increase the capacity of iron ore at its Pilbara operations by 50% to 330mt a year.

Gales force temporary closure of Port Botany

Gale force winds have temporarily closed operations at Port Botany and Sydney Harbour.

Ex-Qantas executive named Downer CEO

Former Qantas executive, Grant Fenn, has been appointed Downer EDI's new chief executive following the resignation of Geoff Knox.

More new tonnage for Cosco's Sino service

Cosco is continuing its upgrade of the Sino Australia Service (SAS) with the introduction of the just-completed Cosco Kawasaki.

Australia, Brazil lead the fall in port delays

Average day delays due to port congestion continues to slip at most major ports, especially coal and iron ore ports in Australia and Brazil.

NewPac adds Townsville, Pusan to upgraded schedule

The Schoeller Group's New Pacific Line is making the first of regular visits to Australia today after extending its Asia-Pacific service to include direct calls at Townsville.