Original news was published on 29 May, 2015

COSCO (Guangdong) Shipyard Co. has delivered a 35,500 DWT bulk carrier, Chios Freedom, to its European buyer Harbor Shipping.

The vessel measures 179.99 meters in LOA (length of all), 30.0 meters in breadth and 14.7 meters in depth.

The delivery comes four months after Greek shipping company Harbor Shipping took delivery of Chios Victory, also a 35,000 DWT bulker, a sister ship of Chios Freedom.

Chios Victory was delivered at a ceremony held on January 28th. The delivery was followed by the naming ceremony of Chios Freedom on the following day.

*NEWS SOURCE

Original news was published on 28 May, 2015

The last of four new super post-Panamax wharf cranes for the Port of Houston's Barbours Cut Container Terminal have been offloaded from ZPMC's semi-submersible vessel Zhen Hua 13 after a 73-day journey from South Korea.

The new electric ship-to-shore (STS) cranes, which are the largest ever built by Konecranes, each weigh 1,505 tonnes and stand at 88 m high, with a lift height of 62 m and the capacity to handle ships with a width of 22 containers.

The parties involved noted the impressive nature of the shipment due to the successful cooperation between Konecranes and ZPMC - both of which are competitors in the port container crane market.

The Konecranes shipment is the first STS crane move that ZPMC has carried out for another crane supplier.

In order to source suitable tonnage for the transportation, Konecranes used the services of Maersk Broker, which identified that ZPMC could have some spare capacity within its fleet.

"It is testament to the pragmatism and forward looking stance of both parties that this deal could be reached," said Torben Ørting Jørgensen, director of Maersk Broker's global specialised tonnage division.

*NEWS SOURCE

Original news was published on 26 May, 2015

Some 37 very large gas carriers (VLGCs) of a total capacity of 3.1 million cum are to be delivered this year, resulting in a 23% fleet growth in terms of capacity, shipping brokerage Banchero Costa Research said in a report.

23 vessels of all sizes were delivered in the first four months of 2015, including seven VLGCs, or vessels of more than 70,000 cum, the report shows.

Another 45 VLGCs, or 3.8 million cum, are slated for delivery in 2016, adding up to an additional 22% global fleet growth.

The brokerage estimates that as of May 2015, there are 170 VLGCs aged from up to four years to 30 years serving the market.

The vessel shortage that has seen kept rates strong throughout 2015 are expected to ease out with the inflow of the new ships.

“In the first four months of 2015 we have seen increased volatility in the LPG spot market continuing, including a short recovery in late February,” Banchero Costa said.

“Timecharter rates of VLGCs have continued to increase, reflecting the improving market. On the other hand, timecharter rates for smaller units have remained under pressure,” the report added.

*NEWS SOURCE

Original news was published on 22 May, 2015

BW LPG, the world’s top very large gas carrier (VLGC) owner and operator, recorded a rise in profit, posting a net profit after tax of USD 57.3 million in Q1 2015 against USD 30.8 million in Q1 2014.

The company’s operating revenue was USD 168 million in Q1 2015,  almost 16 million higher than in the same period last year.

Time Charter Equivalent (TCE) income was USD 130.6 million in Q1 2015, compared with USD 100.4 million in Q1 2014, mainly attributable to improved TCE earnings, resulting from improved freight rates, continued strong utilisation and increased fleet size, especially in the VLGC segment.

These factors resulted in an increase in TCE income of USD 25.4 million and USD4.8 million in the VLGC and LGC segment respectively, the company said in its quarterly results.

The Q1 2015 delivered the strongest chartering market ever experienced on the back of continued export growth, the company said.

Speaking of the market outlook, BW LPG believes that strong market would continue throughout 2015, having in mind continued growth in supply and demand and relatively few new asset deliveries.

“The expectation for 2016 is continued positive development in demand. There is some degree of risk to US LPG production if oil prices remain low, albeit so far there has been little to no negative impact on availability of LPG to meet export demand. The increasing rate of VLGC newbuild deliveries is likely to result in some degree of retracement in charter rates from the relative highs experienced in 2014 and 2015,” the company forecasts.Q1 2015 Had Strongest Ever Charter Rates

In line with the forecast, the LPG export market is anticipated to continue growing for some years beyond 2016, with supply of US export LPG, global LPG import demand, and incremental newbuild ordering all having the potential to significantly impact the charter rate environment.

BW LPG’s fleet is comprised of 33 VLGCs and five LGCs, with eight VLGC newbuilds under construction.

*NEWS SOURCE

Dear Project Cargo Specialists,
 
Today it is our pleasure to announce that SYSTEMATIC LOGISTICS PVT LTD  is our new partner from INDIA. Let's welcome our new agent on board of the OPCA..!

We are also happy to share with you that Directors, Shekhar Sule and Rajesh Iyer will be attending our coming Annual Meeting in Malaysia at 12,13,14 November 2015. We are looking forward to meet you all in Kuala Lumpur. Please click here for full information on our event.

Hereby let us remind you that by their registration to the November meeting, now SYSTEMATIC LOGISTICS PVT LTD has the privilege of becoming OPCA member for 1 year. It would be our pleasure to serve our new agent for a long term cooperation in our group.

SYSTEMATIC LOGISTICS PVT LTD
ADDRESS:#625, Esctasy Business Park, City of Joy, J. Dossa Road, Mulund West, Mumbai 400080, India
CONTACTS:Shekhar Sule / Director
Rajesh Iyer / Director
Kumar Iyer / Consultant
TEL:+91 22 21677400
FAX:+91 22 21677499
WEB:www.systematiclog.com

COMPANY PROFILE

We are registered MTO/NVOCC, established in 2006 and serving shipping and logistics services. Specialized in handling ODC/BB/Project shipments in addition to LCL/FCL. Also handle Gas Tanks (ISO Tanks). We do offer freight forwarding, transportation, custom clearance, container freight station operations, lashing and choking and packaging/palletization. We have our own special containers to serve ODC trade and into buying and selling second marine containers. We have experienced and dedicated personnel and offer result oriented operations.

We are a Premium service provider when it comes to carrying your cargo safely and on time! Be it anywhere in the world your shipments are in safe hands when in transit, from liquid chemicals to your box of canned fish with Systematic you’re assured of an on time delivery. Systematic expertise, global reach and its qualified team ensures logical solutions to the most crucial needs, requirements and challenges faced by its customers.

Systematic Logistics is headquartered in Mumbai (India) with our own office and associates in Major ICD’S and ports in India. Globally we work with like minded partners to offer import and export consolidation and logistics services to and from anywhere in the world.

One of the many things that sets us apart is our natural ability to decipher issues beforehand and customize solutions so that no shipment is delayed or damaged. With a splendid track record Systematic Logistics brings to you a service you can trust.

You can click here to see more information about Project cargo service of our new agent.

Original news was published on 20 May, 2015

ANTWERP, Belgium — Atlantic Ro-Ro Carriers today announced it has added Europe via the Port of Antwerp to its regular transatlantic service to the U.S. Gulf. Its Baltic Mercur II will make its maiden voyage from Antwerp this Friday [22 May]. ARRC made its announcement on the opening day of Breakbulk Europe 2015 to a record crowd of more than 7,000 at the Antwerp Expo.

ARRC has been operating as the only direct transatlantic MPP carrier between St. Petersburg, Russia, and the U.S. for the past 20 years. With a mixed fleet of LORO and LOLO vessels, the company is responsible for moving almost half a million tons of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, thousands of units of specialized equipment for the oil & gas, mining, construction and agricultural sectors, as well as thousands of TEUs and FEUs for various industries in both directions annually.

The service expansion coincides with the ARRC’s fleet upgrade initiative. Starting in 2014 and continuing through 2016, ARRC and the CISN Shipping Group intend to replace 75 percent of their fleet and upgrade their tonnage with modern (built from 2003 to 2011), 30,000-deadweight-ton MPP vessels with lifting capacities up to 200 tons. ARRC intends to run four such upgraded vessels on the Baltic – Continent – U.S. Gulf Service.

The service will be offered with monthly frequency and will be open to general breakbulk, metals and steel cargoes, oversized and heavy equipment, as well as containers. The service will be supported by European agency network, led by Ernst Glaessel Hamburg and backed by local agency services of Neptumar NV in Antwerp and Neptumar BV in Rotterdam.

*NEWS SOURCE

Dear Project Cargo Specialists,

Great partners are going on to join Overseas Project Cargo Association. Today it is our pleasure to announce that GSN FREIGHT FORWARDING INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED is our new partner from INDIA. Let's welcome our new agent on board of the OPCA..! 

We are also happy to share with you that Managing Director, Malik Shariff will be attending our coming Annual Meeting in Malaysia at 12,13,14 November 2015. We are looking forward to meet you all in Kuala Lumpur. Please click here for full information on our event.

Hereby let us remind you that by their registration to the November meeting, now GSN FREIGHT FORWARDING INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED has the privilege of becoming OPCA member for 1 year. It would be our pleasure to serve our new agent for a long term cooperation in our group.

GSN FREIGHT FORWARDING INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED
ADDRESS:Ar Plaza, No: 16, 3rd Floor, Roberston Road, Frazer Town, Bangalore - 560 005, Karnataka, India
CONTACTS:Malik Shariff / Managing Director
Vaideshwaran. K / Company Director
TEL:+91 9741304401 
FAX:+91 80 41268082
WEB:www.gsnfreight.com 

COMPANY PROFILE 

GSN FREIGHT FORWARDING INDIA PVT. LTD. is amongst the renowned global cargo service provider, having Registered & Head Office at Bangalore and Branch offices at Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad and Hubli, India. The Core Team in GSN Freight has been active in India in the Freight Forwarding Services for couple of decades dealing with major Corporate Accounts to handle their Air Freight, Ocean Freight, Projects / BB handling, Vessel Chartering, Customs clearance and Transportation offering Complete End to End handling solutions. The Team has established Network of reliable & competitive Agent partners across the Globe and has strong Domain knowledge in the Business of Freight Forwarding especially in handling Project shipments having earned credibility in Business with its clean record of transactions & reliability over the years which is earning  them Corporate Accounts on regular basis. Our expertise also includes providing comprehensive and tailor-made solutions to suit the needs of corporate and other clients.

You can click here to see more information about Project cargo service of our new agent.

Original news was published on 18 May, 2015

Two of the world’s largest container carriers – Denmark’s Maersk Line and Swiss-based Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) – are teaming up with Japan’s Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) on the Asia to East Coast of South America (ECSA) trade, with the first sailing within the new vessel sharing agreement (VSA) slated for the beginning of July.

The new VSA will include 22 vessels on a two loop setup:

Loop 1: Busan (South Korea) – Shanghai (China) – Ningbo (China) – Chiwan (China) – Yantian (China) – Hong Kong (Hong Kong) – Singapore (Singapore) – Santos (Brazil) – Parangua (Brazil) – Buenos Aires (Argentina) -Montevideo (Uruguay) – Rio Grande (Brazil) – Paranagua (Brazil) – Santos (Brazil) – Coega (South Africa) – Singapore (Singapore) – Hong Kong (Hong Kong) – Busan (South Korea)

Loop 2: Chiwan (China) – Yantian (China) – Hong Kong (Hong Kong) – Singapore (Singapore) – Santos (Brazil) – Sepetiba (Brazil) – Itajai (Brazil) – Navegantes (Brazil) – Sao Francisco do Sul (Brazil) – Santos (Brazil) – Sepetiba (Brazil) – Capetown (South Africa) – Durban (South Africa) – Singapore (Singapore) – Chiwan (China)

MSC and Maersk Line will each operate six container ships of 9,000 TEUs on Loop 1. MOL will operate ten 5,500 TEU boxships on Loop 2.

The new agreement will replace all current VSAs in place on this route, which will expire at the end of June.

Maersk Line says that the Asia-ECSA route is key for the transport of electronics and automobile parts, as well as protein exports from the East Coast of South America to Asia.

The VSA is expected to simplify the network and improve operational responsiveness on the route, with vessels that are better suited for ECSA terminal capabilities.

*NEWS SOURCE

Original news was published on 14 May, 2015

Tokyo-based Nippon Yusen Kabashiki Kaisha (NYK) ordered two liquefied natural gas carriers from the compatriot shipbuilder MI LNG Company Limited, to be used to transport gas from the US Cameron LNG Project in Louisiana to Japan.

NYK also signed a basic agreement on a time-charter contract for the two new 165,000 cbm LNG carriers with Diamond Gas International, due to start upon the delivery of the carriers in 2018.

The new vessels will have apple-shaped tanks as part of the Sayaringo series of tanks, which have greater LNG-carrying capacity. These next-generation carriers will also have a structure that reduces ship weight and air resistance, in addition to a hybrid propulsion system combining a steam turbine and engines that can be fired by gas (STaGE; Steam Turbine and Gas Engines).

Cameron LNG is jointly owned by Sempra, GDF SUEZ, Mitsui and Japan LNG Investment, a company jointly owned by Mitsubishi Corporation and NYK. Mitsubishi and NYK hold a 16.6% share in the Project.

Cameron LNG’s export capability is expected to be approximately 12 million tons per annum and will be utilized from 2018 by GDF SUEZ S.A., Mitsui and Mitsubishi in accordance with a tolling agreement among the parties.

In April 2011, NYK launched its three-year medium-term management plan, ‘More Than Shipping 2013,’ and one of the goals of this plan was for NYK to grow its business by leveraging its know-how in LNG and offshore business activities.

MI LNG is a joint venture between Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Imabari Shipbuilding established to design and build LNG carriers.

*NEW SOURCE

Original news was published on 12 May, 2015

CMA CGM has chosen HAROPA - Port of Le Havre to christen its new sea giant vessel, the Kerguelen. A choice which proves the confidence that the major world ship-owners have placed in the professionalism of HAROPA, the leading container port for the external trade of France.

Under the British flag, the Kerguelen of CMA CGM sailed from Asia on May 10, and will be officially christened in Le Havre on May 12, in the presence of Jacques R. Saadé, incorporator and CEO of the CMA CGM Group, of Agnès Canayer, Senator and deputy Mayor of Le Havre, and Hervé Martel, Executive Director of the Port of Le Havre.

Delivered in March 2015 by the shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries, the Kerguelen measures 398 meters long, for 54 meters wide and can carry 17,554 TEU. The vessel will be positioned departing from Le Havre on the FAL1 (French Asia Line), the emblematic service of the company which connects Europe to Asia. This line provides the customers of the group with a weekly connection on fixed day between HAROPA and Central and South China.

The commercial offer of CMA CGM provides connection with 275 ports in the world via HAROPA. As a major and among the first customers to have used the Port of Le Havre, CMA CGM directly employs around 500 people along the Seine corridor, including 90 percentin Le Havre. The shipowner’s business generates a total of 3,000 direct and related jobs in the Le Havre port place.

*NEWS SOURCE