162 million cubic meters dug to date

Emirates rounded off 2014 as the airline with the world’s largest wide-body passenger fleet of 218 aircraft, in addition to 14 freighters.

On the juncture Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said, “This year we have navigated through an 80-day period of reduced operations due to upgrade works at our hub airport, regional conflicts which impacted our operations and flight routes, the Ebola outbreak, fluctuations in oil prices and currency exchange rates, and economic uncertainty in many markets worldwide. Despite all that, Emirates has continued to grow, adding capacity equivalent to a mid-sized airline while maintaining our seat load factors. We also expanded and strengthened our global network, which gives us the flexibility to cope with regional shocks and redeploy strategically to maximise opportunities. We deal with the short term challenges, but are not distracted from our long-term plans. This is why Emirates continues to invest heavily in new technology and initiatives to enhance our product offering and customer experience.”

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Original news was published on 25 December, 2014

COLOMBIA's Contecar terminal in the Caribbean port of Cartagena has posted a 13.4 per cent year-on-year increase in container volume to 1,613,570 TEU in the first three quarters, reports UK's Port Strategy.

Port operator Sociedad Portuaria Regional de Cartagena (SPRC) forecasts a year-on-year 16 per cent increase throughput for the full 12 months to 2,165,270 TEU.

The port attributes its robust performance to a recovery in major global economies and that its Contecar terminal has won more transshipment traffic from other Caribbean ports.

The port also offers high levels of connectivity compared to rivals, serving more than 595 ports in 136 countries via 30 shipping lines, said the report.

Currently, postpanamax vessels are the largest making calls and these are expected to consolidate their position once the new locks on the Panama Canal are opened.

But the container terminal is also ready to deal with 14,000-TEU ships should these be deployed to the Caribbean.

Today, 70 per cent of Cartagena's container traffic consists of transshipments, a proportion that has been rising in recent times, largely because of its location, with the Caribbean a natural hub for the Americas.

Over time, it has become the effective regional hub for Hamburg Sud, Hapag Lloyd, CSAV, CCNI and CMA CGM, while also functioning as a logistics distribution centre for a variety of international clients, such as Pirelli, Bayer, Red Bull and Direct TV.

Other shipping lines, including Maersk, NYK, Marfret, Melfi Marine and Norasia are also involved in transshipment activities at the port.

Cartagena, it is pointed out, also offers global levels of productivity and requires only a minimum deviation from trade routes passing through the Panama Canal. The location of the distribution centres adjacent to the port also help.

"A strong domestic market and the presence of a distribution hub on our doorstep are especially important in generating a critical mass of traffic, allowing shipping lines to optimise their vessels, which carry a mix of import-export and transshipment traffic," the SPRC said.

There is also a reefer boom afoot, resulting in additional investment ensuring the port functions as part of the overall cold-chain. Products such as cut flowers, bananas, avocados, exotic fruit and medicine are now containerised.

Cartagena Bay also handles ro-ro traffic at other terminals as well as coal, petroleum and its derivatives, fertiliser, steel and project cargo. All together, this amounts to some 44 million tonnes a year.

The port has invested around US$1 million in its Contecar and SPRC terminals, placing it in the top 30 ports worldwide in terms of container cargo handled. Indeed, by 2017, traffic is expected to reach 5.2 million TEU, said the report.

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Original news was published on 25 December, 2014

Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines has signed an agreement to manage six Very Large Ethane Carriers (VLEC) being built by Samsung Heavy Industries for the Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries.

Once built, the VLECs will carry liquefied ethane from the United States to India. The vessels are expected to be delivered in the last quarter of 2016 and will enter into service thereafter.

MOL will supervise the construction of six VLECs initially at the yard and thereafter operate and manage the vessels during the charter period for the Mumbai-based Reliance.

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Original news was published on 23 December, 2014

WESTPORTS Malaysia has docked the world's biggest containership in service, the 19,000-TEU CSCL Globe, but which has since been surpassed by the 19,224-TEU MSC Oscar, which is afloat, but not in service.

The Globe, owned China Shipping Container Lines (CSCL), is 400 metres long, 60 metres wide and bigger than four standard football fields.

Westports CEO Ruben Emir Gnanalingam said the maiden call came at a perfect time, as the port recently completed its Container Terminal 7 (CT7), which increased terminal capacity to 11 million TEU, reported Bernama news agency.

"We have the world's tallest ship-to-shore cranes in our CT7 to handle the 19,000 TEU breed mega-sized vessels. Besides being the world's largest container vessel, the Globe marked another milestone for our port in lifting the eight millionth TEU," said Mr Emir.

The Globe, currently being deployed on the AEX1 service connecting Asia to Europe, is the first of five 19,100-TEU ships to be delivered early in 2015.

But London's Loadstar reports the MSC Oscar is the current title holder with the current Wikipedia entry concurring, edging out the Globe which recently took the title from Maersk's 18,270 TEU Triple-E class ships.

The Panama-flagged Oscar will be inaugurated during the first week of January 2015 and will join the Albatross service later that month.

Build by the Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering and classed by DNV GL, Oscar will be joined by the same size MSC Oliver to launch in April.

The MSC Oscar is owned by China's Bank of Communications and on long-term charter to MSC.

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Original news was published on 22 December, 2014

SOUTH Carolina Ports Authority, which operates seaports in Charleston, Georgetown and Greer, has announced that total container volumes rose by eight per cent in November, compared to the same month last year, to 144,218 TEU.

Fiscal year to date container volumes are 11 per cent ahead of plan, with 777,566 TEU handled since July, a statement from port authorities said.

With regards to non-container cargo volumes Charleston handled 61,114 pier tons last month and Georgetown handled 48,917 tons in November.

The Inland Port handled 3,972 rail moves in November.

"As measured year over year, our monthly pier container volume has seen nine consecutive months of double-digit growth," said SCPA president and CEO Jim Newsome.

"This broad-based growth reflects strength of both imports and exports, although we will likely see volumes settle over the next few months."

In action items, the board approved US$1.56 million in wharf repairs and improvements to the North Charleston Terminal in preparation for the transfer of three Morris cranes from the Wando Welch Terminal.

The board also authorised an $189,000 project to expand the perimeter security system at Columbus Street Terminal and passed a resolution to secure foreign trade zone status on three sites in York and Chester counties.

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Original news was published on 18 December, 2014

THE World Intellectual Capital Initiative (WICI) Japan Prize for Excellence in Integrated Reporting has been awarded to NYK for its 2014 report.

The company's corporate officer Noriko Miyamoto was presented with the award and a commemorate gift at a ceremony in Tokyo.

The award was established last year to recognise companies that create superior reports clearly specifying the future direction of the company, financial and non-financial data, and activities to improve corporate value, a company release said.

Reports eligible for consideration included annual reports, CSR reports, integrated reports published prior to October 31 2014.

Out of 152 companies, of which most are listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, WICI Japan selected five to be recognised as outstanding, including the Japanese shipping company.

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Original news was published on 18 December, 2014

Mundra International Container Terminal (MICT) has hit the one million TEU annual container throughput milestone for the first time.

From handling twenty thousand TEUs in its first year of operations in 2003,MICT has achieved the landmark while pioneering the container revolution in the Kutch Regionand emergingas the gateway for the North and the North West regions of the country.

Mr. Anil Singh, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, DP World,SCO Region, said: “MICT is one of the cornerstones of our ongoing success and growth across India and this achievement is an example of the important role all our employees there have played in positioning the terminal as a key pillar of the economy. This remarkable achievement means that MICT has carved a place for itself in the premier ranks of the global container market.”

Mr. Tejas Nataraj, Chief Executive Officer, MICT, added: “Customer service is central to everything we do and we constantlyinvest in infrastructure, equipment, technology and training to increase our operational efficiency and ensuring a fast turnaround of vessels. We service over 55 vesselsand more than 160 trains a month withover 30 crane moves an hour.The confidence of our partners, the local community and our customershas helped us achieve this remarkable growth and we hopeto continue this success while deliveringworld class service to our clients.”

MICT is one of the most sophisticated and technically advanced terminal facilities on the Indian Subcontinent with its strategic location, hinterland connectivity and on-dock rail facility attracting shipping lines calling along the Indian coast. It regularly upgrades its IT systems and equipment to keep them comparable with the latest developments in the industrywith employee skills developed by an Operator Training facility.An active programme of engagement with the local community and stakeholders is also a feature of its drive to promote sustainable business practices.

MICT has won numerous national and international awards including the‘Terminal of the Year’ Award at The Gujarat Awards 2014; Best Container Terminal Asia (Under 1 Million TEU category – Cargo News Asia).

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Original news was published on 17 December, 2014

Dutch transportation company BigRoll Shipping has contracted COSCO Dalian Shipyard Co. Ltd to build two more MC Class module carriers, bringing the total number of vessels under construction to four, the company said.

The first two vessels BigRoll Barentsz and BigRoll Bering were ordered in 2013 and are scheduled for delivery late 2015 and early 2016.

The two additional vessels will be named BigRoll Baffin and BigRoll Beaufort. They are due for delivery mid 2016 and early 2017 respectively.

All BigRoll vessels are named in honour of famous Arctic explorers, which was inspired by the ships’ suitability for shipping to Arctic
 areas.

The MC Class are designed with particular focus on a high ballast capacity, low fuel consumption, high service speed and sea keeping behavior – which in turn provides lower acceleration forces on the cargo.

The Dutch-flagged MC Class vessels are specifically designed to deliver modules and equipment for large projects and are highly suited to travel to remote areas such as the Arctic regions as well as directly offshore.

They have Finnish Swedish 1A Ice classification, and are designed and fully prepared for a DP2 notation, according to BigRoll.

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Original news was published on 12 December, 2014

HongFa Shipping, the Shanghai‐based new emerging ocean carrier, is ready for its new liner service. Chipol Changjiang, the carrier’s first newbuilding multipurpose vessel has just successfully completed its sea trials on Dec. 8, 2014. One week earlier, Chipol Huanghe, the second sister vessel, was launched.

Starting from January 2015, a total of four 36,000-deadweight-ton vessels will be delivered into service and planned to be employed on the pendulum liner service between Far East, South East Asia and the East Coast of South America, covering major ports en route.

The vessels include well designed features, such as triple-decks with movable pontoons, very large box-shape cargo holds (53 meters by 23 meters), three self-geared heavy cranes with a maximum lifting capacity up to 520 tonnes and low fuel consumption.

HongFa Shipping is now open to all for cargo booking on the Chipol Changjiang.

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