News From Lloyd's List DCN

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.

Healthy demand for Asia-Pacific airfreight

Continued growth in China has seen the Asia-Pacific airfreight industry outperform its European and US counterparts.

Fall in lay-ups may be peak season hiccup

Just 18 months ago, the world economy was in deep recession and the container shipping industry was under severe pressure as overcapacity levels increased and freight rates plummeted.

Baltic Dry Index rises but market remains fragile

The Baltic Dry Index rose yesterday with better cargo activity boosting sentiment.

CBFCA sees merit in VTA container park stand

The Victorian Transport Association has found an ally in the debate over empty container parks, with the freight forwarders’ lobby group also calling on shipping lines to minimise congestion.

Agility confirms launch of Bass Strait service

The 516-teu Hafentor is due to arrive in Melbourne tomorrow to begin preparations for the expected start of Agility Shipping’s new Melbourne-Bell Bay service next week.

Maersk to introduce heavy box surcharge

Maersk Line is to apply a ‘heavy-weight’ surcharge on all cargo originating from Europe, the Middle East and India destined for all calls in Australia and the Pacific Islands.

Shipping Australia takes aim at VTA stance on ECPs

Shipping Australia has taken a swipe at the Victorian Transport Association over its stance on the issue of operations at empty container parks.

Heavy equipment imports dip to four-month low

Shipments of heavy machinery to Australia fell to the lowest level in four months as a stall in infrastructure projects weighs on demand for road-making equipment.

National Trust opposes White Bay cruise terminal

The National Trust of Australia (NTA) believes the move to build a permanent cruise passenger terminal at White Bay instead of Barangaroo makes little sense.

Geelong Ring Road to get $71m upgrade

Truck drivers are expected to be major beneficiaries of a $71m upgrade of the Geelong Ring Road, announced this week by federal and Victorian transport ministers Anthony Albanese and Tim Pallas.

Ron Brent named aircraft noise ombudsman

With the Federal election looming, the ban on noisy freight jets flying in and out of Australia’s major airports appears to have taken a step forward with the government this week appointing its first independent aircraft noise ombudsman.

Chinese operators put panamaxes into lay-up

Chinese-controlled panamax bulk carriers are being withdrawn from the spot market and temporarily laid up in Asia as owners hold out for a more significant revival of daily rates.

Melbourne dredging project under budget by $248m

The Port Phillip Bay channel deepening project was completed $248m under budget, according to Victorian premier John Brumby.

Seaspan demands "cheaper, better" newbuildings

Containership owner Seaspan is prepared to place newbuilding orders worth several billion dollars, but only if shipyards slash their prices and produce far more radical designs.

VTA talks tough on empty box park conditions

The Victorian Transport Association has decided to oppose rigid time-slotting at Melbourne’s empty container parks (ECPs), preferring instead to push for longer operating hours.

Minerals lift trade volumes at Darwin Port

Darwin Port enjoyed another year of trade growth as demand for the Northern Territory's bulk minerals lifted total throughput.

Second half surge boosts Melbourne port numbers

Container trade at the Port of Melbourne rose 3.7% to 2.237m teu in the 2009-10 financial year, according to the port’s management reports.