Weekly Edition 4th February 2010

Cargoship refused help before running aground — by Bryan Reyes — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:28 AM

MAROONED: The 4,041 gt Rhea, which ran aground in bad weather near Algeciras. An investigation is under way.

Judge throws out Hebei Spirit claim — by Keith Wallis, Hong Kong — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

AROUND 7,500 fishermen and residents in the area affected by South Korea’s worst oil spill two years ago have failed in their attempt to increase the amount of compensation paid by Samsung Heavy Industries.

Trawler master in Philippines tragedy used fake licence — by Keith Wallis, Hong Kong — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

THE MASTER of a trawler that collided with the wooden ferry Catalyn B in the Philippines on Christmas Eve, killing at least 25 passengers, was using a fake licence, the head of a marine accident inquiry probing the tragedy said.

Texas ports closed after three-ship collision — by Rajesh Joshi, New York — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

CRUNCH TIME: Four ports in Texas were closed after a three-ship collision in the Sabine River at Port Arthur resulted in a spill of an estimated 1.75m litres of crude oil from AET Tankers’ Eagle Otome.

Family of Bourbon Dolphin crew to sue vessel’s owner — by Craig Eason, Oslo — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

THE PARENTS of one of the dead crew members of the the ill-fated Bourbon Dolphin has begun legal action against the vessel’s owner.

Only Tongan ferry sails against advice — by stephb — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

Ferry Pulupaki (built 1950), the only remaining inter-island ferry in Tonga, has been sent to sea by her owner – despite being surveyed as "unsafe" and "unseaworthy".

Casualty Briefs - 4th February 2010 — by stephb — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

 

Economy of scale — by Sam Collyer — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

SYDNEY Ports Corporation has defended the economic rationale for choosing Hutchison Port Holdings as the operator of Port Botany’s third container terminal amid claims from a rival proponent that the decision conflicted with the port corporation’s own stated aims.

Logistics go online to expedite Queensland coal supply chain — by Sineva Toevai — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

INTEGRATED Logistics Company (ILC) has said it is on track to improving efficiency in Queensland’s Goonyella coal supply chain.

Coal burns bright for 2010 — by Sineva Toevai — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

THE COAL industry is poised for a positive year thanks to a rise in both power consumption and steel output, according to Braemer Seascope Research.

Asia-Pacific shows airfreight way — by Jim Wilson — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

 

DP World remains silent as rumours continue to float — by Rob McKay — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

DP WORLD has so far refused to be drawn on a report that its Dubai parent company was looking at a $1bn float of its Australian operation.

Flinders Island vessels shaping up for sale — by Rob McKay — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

THE SALES program for Southern Shipping’s vessels was imminent, PKF Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers said on Friday.

Industry leaders recognised on honours day — by Rob McKay — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

SEVERAL prominent members of industries included in the Lloyd’s List DCN constituency gained national recognition in the latest Australia Day honours. Highest in profile of those was Toll managing director Paul Little.

Botany process lacked transparency: Setchell — by SAM COLLYER — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

An industry veteran says the Australian way of awarding rights to stevedoring terminals is out of step with international practice, reports

New player hesitant on Webb Dock opportunity — by Sam Collyer — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services Inc could abandon plans to establish a container terminal on Australia’s east coast in the wake of the selection of Hutchison Port Holdings as Port Botany’s third operator.

Asciano’s assets still have a golden glow: Setchell — by Sam Collyer — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

INVESTMENT groups missed a “golden opportunity” to buy Asciano’s port and rail assets when the company’s financial troubles almost sank it in 2008, according to container terminal veteran Captain Richard Setchell.

Offshore disputes near to closure — by Rob McKay — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

INDUSTRIAL strife in the offshore energy support sector appears to be nearing an end.

Victorian container parks fees wrangle still a continuing controversy — by Rob McKay — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

THE VICTORIAN Transport Association has continued to stir container lines through their representative body, Shipping Australia (SAL).

Albanese to tighten MSIC provisions — by Rob McKay — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

THE FEDERAL Government has moved to toughen up rules for holders and issuers of security passes at Australian ports and oil and gas facilities.

Maersk re-jigs New Zealand service — by Dale Crisp — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

MAERSK Line is introducing a modest re-work of its weekly trans-Tasman/NZ coastal feeder service, Southern Star Express.

Trend shift in truck crash data concern — by Rob McKay — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

THE FRAUGHT interface between the road-haulage industry and the public should be partially ameliorated by the latest Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics heavy vehicle fatality statistics.

Europeans to investigate BHP-Rio iron ore tie-up — by Richard Meade — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

BRUSSELS competition authorities opened an antitrust investigation last week into the $129bn Pilbara iron ore production joint venture between BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto.

IMO considers financial incentives to cut carbon output from vessels — by solerm — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

MEPC will consider several market-based schemes in wake of the Copenhagen confusion, reports Craig Eason

Now US shines light on reducing emissions — by Craig Eason — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

MORE details of the US idea for a market-based instrument to reduce emissions from shipping have emerged.

How long will banks stay on hold? — by Steve Matthews — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

An undercurrent of opinion suggests plugs may start to be pulled, reports Steve Matthews

Port congestion squeezes new rates rise — by David Osler, London — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

CONTAINER traffic out of Asia is witnessing a “super-spike” ahead of the Chinese New Year, with serious congestion in Shanghai enabling some carriers to push for impromptu rate rises, according to Hong Kong-based freight consultancy Transport Trackers.

Shanghai hangs onto world cargo top spot — by Hui Ching-hoo, Hong Kong — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

SHANGHAI remained the world’s top cargo port last year, a position it has held for three consecutive years.

Haiti logistical problems unfold — by RAJESH JOSHI — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

Ships are needed in droves for the Haiti humanitarian effort, but the peculiar nature of the tragedy might put a premium on smaller, multipurpose ships rather than conventional tonnage, reports RAJESH JOSHI

Chinese move on finance — by David Osler, London — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

CHINESE banks have quietly lent billions of dollars to blue chip western shipowners since the banking crisis broke in September 2008 and traditional home turf sources of funds dried up overnight, ship finance specialists in Hong Kong have confirmed.

Marshall Islands challenge to Bahamas on world flags table — by Richard Meade, London — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

THE MARSHALL Islands has moved up to the number three slot in the world flags league table, overtaking Bahamas, according to new statistics from Clarkson Research Services, with only long-standing market leaders Panama and Liberia now ahead of the Micronesian microstate.

Chinese to lead patrols off Somalia — by David Osler, London — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

CHINA is to spend several months this year coordinating international anti-piracy efforts off Somalia, after a diplomatic breakthrough that will see the role rotated among countries participating in what have so far been separate initiatives.

P&I clubs warn mergers mean problems — by Nigel Lowry, Athens — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

MANAGERS of several medium-sized P&I clubs have warned that consolidation within shipping’s mutual system would create more problems than benefits if a handful of mega clubs were to emerge.

Mixed fortunes in store for Japan’s top three carriers — by Keith Wallis, Hong Kong — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

JAPAN’s big three shipping lines face mixed fortunes when they report their annual results for the year to March 31, with only Mitsui OSK Lines set to remain profitable. The news follows the release of third-quarter results last week, which showed that a secure financial recovery was still elusive.

Tankers set for a rocky 2010 — by Martyn Wingrove, London — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

DESPITE rocketing tanker rates in the first month of 2010, the outlook for the rest of this year remains cloudy for tanker owners, the head of a US major tanker owner said.

Warning that slow steaming may fuel engine damage — by Steve Matthews, London — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

INCREASING use of slow steaming and super-slow steaming has prompted concerns from insurers about possible damage to main engines designed for highspeed, full-load operation if they are run at low power for extended periods.

Will blind pools save the KG fund market? — by Patrick Hagen and Katrin Berkenkopf — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

Vessel prices have crashed and the sale of shares in traditional shipping funds has come to a halt. A new business model has raised hopes but has had a mixed start, write Patrick Hagen and Katrin Berkenkopf

Direct delivery aid boxes arrive successfully at Port-au-Prince — by Roger Hailey, London — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

CROWLEY Maritime has successfully discharged 12 20 ft containers full of relief supplies across a Haitian beach in Port-au-Prince, paving the way for direct box shipments into the earthquake-devastated Caribbean country.

Boskalis offer prompts Smit resignation — by Hailey, London — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

A SMIT Internationale supervisory board member has stepped down from the Dutch maritime services company because he disagrees with the merger price offer from Boskalis, the Dutch dredging giant.

Gloomy outlook for Asia lines — by David Osler, London — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

MOST Asian shipping companies will continue to face a tough operating and credit environment this year, according to a report from prominent ratings agency Fitch. Of the seven Asian shipping concerns rated by the agency, three are regarded as either on “negative outlook” or on “negative rating watch”, including Indonesia’s Arpeni Pratama Ocean Line and Berlian Laju Tankers and India’s Varun Shipping.

US container trades for slow return to growth — by Janet Porter, London — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

GROWTH will return to the US container trades this year, but the pace will be considerably slower than forecasters were anticipating a few months ago as liner bosses play down prospects of a speedy recovery.

Supramax rates fall 20% on Indian ore exports drop — by Liz McCarthy, London — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

A SLOWDOWN in Chinese demand for Indian iron ore has pushed supramax spot rates down nearly 20% in 10 days as owners drop prices to secure work.

Iron ore close to 1bn tonnes record — by Michelle Wiese Bockmann, London — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

LEADING shipbrokers believe continued Chinese demand will drive 2010 global seaborne trade in iron ore past 1bn tonnes for the first time.

Meeting breakthrough on ballast water rules — by Craig Eason, Oslo — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

SCIENTIFIC organisations from around the world have met for the first time to discuss how ballast water treatment systems for ships are tested.

Revenue boost for Royal Caribbean — by Rajesh Joshi, New York — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

A SURPRISE revival in the fourth quarter was unable to prevent Royal Caribbean from returning a 72% decline in full-year net profit for 2009, as a weak market got the better of the company’s attempts to shore up its bottom line.

Hapag-Lloyd may not need state aid package — by Patrick Hagen, Cologne — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

GERMANY’S leading container line, Hapag-Lloyd, reported a near breakeven result in the fourth quarter of 2009, industry sources said.

Bunker bother: disputed fuel ballot draws closer — by ULIAN MACQUEEN — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

The industry is divided over the ISO’s review of the 8217 standard for bunker fuel. Chemoil has warned of availability issues and higher costs for shipowners, while testing agencies say some proposed changes favour the supplier, reports JULIAN MACQUEEN

Dutch urge shippers to improve cargo loading — by Craig Eason, Oslo — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

A DUTCH-led project looking at the impact of badly loaded containers and poor lashing has reported that more can be done to prevent cargo accidents happening. The Lashing@Sea project has released some of the findings of four years’ research amid heated debate over badly declared container loads leading to incidents on the Husky Trader, MSC Napoli and Annabella.

Long Beach eyes upturn — by Roger Hailey, London — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

MANAGEMENT at Long Beach, the west coast US port that saw container volumes plummet in 2009, has said the “rebound has started, and the worst is behind us”.

German box project gets green light — by Patrick Hagen, Cologne — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

THE GERMAN cartel office has given the go-ahead to terminal operators Eurogate and HHLA for their hinterland traffic joint venture.

Safety still not the top priority in the Pacific — by Sam Collyer — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

LESSONS don’t appear to have been learned from the Princess Ashika ferry disaster in Tonga last year which claimed 74 lives.

Paradox of planning leaves competition sold short — by Sam Collyer — last modified Feb 09, 2010 10:29 AM

THE NEW South Wales Government appears to have ignored a key factor in its selection criteria when it chose Hutchison Port Holdings as the preferred operator for Port Botany’s third container terminal.