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US Senate defeats tax break for natural gas trucks

3/14/2012

A bipartisan proposal to provide tax incentives for natural gas vehicles was defeated in a Senate vote, but a key backer of the bill said it will be revised and reintroduced to address concerns from industry.

Volga-Dnepr delivers equipment for Biathlon World Cup Finals

3/14/2012

Volga-Dnepr Airlines has delivered equipment for participants of the Biathlon World Cup 2011/2012 finals from Munich, Germany to Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. In addition, broadcast equipment was also carried to the regional capital of Russia's Western Siberia for live reporting of the sporting event on a major Russian federal TV channel.

Savannah ocean exchange doubles prize money

3/16/2012

After landing a new major sponsor, the Savannah Ocean Exchange has doubled its prize money to $200,000.

Port of San Francisco Foreign Trade Zone #3 approved for Alternative Site Framework Program

3/16/2012

The U.S. Department of Commerce recently approved the Port of San Francisco�s request for reorganizing its Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) #3 under the new Alternative Site Framework (ASF) program, a more efficient process that requires less paperwork and streamlines the process for businesses to apply for a zone.

Port of Indiana earns ninth international shipping award

3/16/2012

The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corp. (SLSDC) recently named the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor a recipient of the prestigious Robert J. Lewis Pacesetter Award for the 2011 navigation season. This annual award is presented to U.S. Great Lakes ports that register an increase in international cargo tonnage shipped through the Seaway during the previous navigation season. The port has earned this award nine times, previously winning in 1992, 1993, 1994, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2006 and 2010.

Iran food stockpiling grows as grain ships near port

3/16/2012

Vessels carrying at least 360,000 tons of grain are lined up to unload in Iran, Reuters shipping data showed, a sign that Tehran is succeeding in stockpiling food to blunt the impact of tougher Western sanctions.

Encompass launches first mobile app for greater cargo control

3/16/2012

Encompass Global Logistics LLC, a fast-growing 3PL that is ranked among the top 20 operators in the Transpacific trade, has announced the launch of a cargo-management mobile application for use on all iPhone, iPad and iPod products.

Grand Alliance upsizes ships in Port of Charleston

3/19/2012

With the call of the OOCL California, an alliance of ocean carriers is upsizing its vessels calling the Port of Charleston.

Santos to invest $3.2 billion, eyes IPO

3/19/2012

Brazil's largest port will invest $3.2 billion in infrastructure through 2014 and eventually plans an initial public share offering as it seeks to ensure funding to overcome logjams and red tape that have left food rotting on the docks.

Port of Long Beach welcomes largest container ship

3/19/2012

The Port of Long Beach recently welcomed the largest container ship ever to call to North America, the MSC Fabiola. The vessel, measuring 1,200 feet in length and capable of carrying more than 12,000 container units, docked at Pier T on Terminal Island.

Kizad awarded ISO 9001 Certification for Quality Management by Lloyds Register of Quality Assurance

3/19/2012

Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad) has announced that it has been awarded ISO 9001:2008 quality certification by Lloyds Register of Quality Assurance (LRQA). The designation is an internationally recognised standard for quality management systems that recognises Kizad�s commitment to exceeding customer and regulatory requirements for delivery, compliance and excellence in the provision of customer management services.

ICTSI Georgia unit, Arkas Line ink terminal services agreement

3/19/2012

Batumi International Container Terminal LLC (BICTL) recently signed a terminal services agreement with Arkas Line, a new shipping line to call at BICT.

Grand Alliance upsizes ships in Port of Charleston

3/19/2012

With the call of the OOCL California, an alliance of ocean carriers is upsizing its vessels calling the Port of Charleston.

GPA board considers projects in Brunswick and Savannah

3/19/2012

The Georgia Ports Authority board is considering two projects that will greatly increase capacity, efficiency and environmental savings.

Port and inland integration can boost Africa trade

3/20/2012

APM Terminals� Director of Business Development and Infrastructure Investments for the Africa-Middle East Region, Reik Mueller described a new model for transportation planning and development in West Africa in which port and terminal operations shift focus from �container lifts� toward �integrated container transport solutions� at the 3rd Annual Africa Ports, Logistics & Supply Chain Conference which opened March 19.

Transportation Secretary LaHood announces $9.98 million to strengthen US shipyard competitiveness

3/20/2012

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced $9.98 million in grants to 15 small shipyards throughout the United States to pay for modernizations that will increase productivity and help the country�s small shipyards compete in the global marketplace.

Konecranes to supply design and components for Goliath gantry crane to South Korea

3/20/2012

Konecranes received an order for the design and components for a Goliath gantry crane. The order was placed by Korean Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. (HSHI). In this project Konecranes is a subcontractor to HSHI, who will construct the crane in South Korea and ship it to the final destination in Brazil for final assembly.

Jasper Ocean Terminal Board of Directors meet to discuss project

3/20/2012

The Jasper Ocean Terminal Joint Project Office (JPO) Board of Directors met recently and received updates from its Project Manager, which included an �opportunity plan� detailing how SHEP dredge materials can benefit construction of the Jasper Ocean Terminal, defined a path to easement release and permit approval, and appointed a team to scope a channel capacity and navigation study.

APS enters Mexico with Gate OCR for Hutchison Port Holdings

3/20/2012

APS Technology Group, Inc., a leading provider of optical character recognition (OCR) and automation technology solutions for marine and intermodal container terminals, announced it has entered the Mexico container terminal market with Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) implementing the APS Automated Gate System optical character recognition (OCR) solution at two marine container terminals at the ports of Manzanillo and Veracruz. The solution will automate the container identification process at its exit gates with the collection of high-resolution images to increase throughput and enable remote equipment inspections.

Hapag-Lloyd sees end to shipping companies' price war

3/21/2012

Hapag-Lloyd expects the price war among global container shipping companies to end and freight rates to rise, not expecting a return to "satisfactory" results before the third quarter.

SC Ports' February container volume up 9%, breakbulk up 118%

3/21/2012

Container volume in the Port of Charleston rose 9.2 percent in February compared to the same month last year, in results announced today at the regular meeting of the South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) Board of Directors.

Red Hook Container Terminal goes live with Tideworks Terminal Operating System

3/21/2012

Technology�, Inc., a leading provider of full-service terminal management and planning software solutions, has announced that it has gone live with its best-of-breed Terminal Operating System (TOS) at Red Hook Container Terminal, located in the Port of New York and New Jersey harbor complex. In February 2012, Red Hook successfully deployed Tideworks� integrated suite of TOS solutions, including the Mainsail Terminal Management System�, Spinnaker Planning Management System�, and Forecast� by Tideworks, its newest, consolidated customer-service web portal.

No deal yet to end Argentine grain truckers strike

3/21/2012

A strike by Argentine truckers disrupted the flow of corn and soybeans to the country's main ports ciontinues after union leaders failed to reach a deal with the government.

MSC Fabiola makes first call to Oakland

3/21/2012

The Port of Oakland welcomed the largest containership ever to call any seaport in North America. The MSC Fabiola is a 12,562 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent-unit) vessel; an average container equals two TEUs. It is part of the fleet of the world's second-largest shipping company, Geneva-based Mediterranean Shipping Co SA. MSC is one of the Port of Oakland's fastest-growing carriers.

Mica named AAPA �Port Person of the Year�

3/21/2012

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John L. Mica (R-FL) received the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) �Port Person of the Year� award today, in recognition of his support in improving the nation�s maritime and port infrastructure.

Norwegenkai expansion work completed

3/22/2012

Work on extending operational areas at the Port of Kiel�s Norwegenkai Terminal has now been completed. Construction was officially brought to a close at a ceremony today involving the State of Schleswig-Holstein�s Minister of Economics, Science and Transport, Jost de Jager, the Mayor of the Federal State Capital of Kiel, Peter Todeskino, and Dr Dirk Claus, Managing Director of the SEEHAFEN KIEL GmbH & Co KG.

duisport Group posts positive financial statement for 2011

3/22/2012

The duisport Group achieved total output of around 149 million euros in the last financial year. The result, including sales from strategic investments, was slightly above the previous year�s overall level.

APM Terminals to invest $992 million in Costa Rica

3/22/2012

APM Terminals, the port operating arm of Danish oil and shipping group A.P. Moller-Maersk said on Thursday it had won a concession in Costa Rica to develop a port, carrying an investment of about $992 million.

Storm Signals: Mega-Boxship Orders and Low Freight Rates Send Out Global Warnings

3/23/2012

It looks like rough weather ahead for containership operators as slots are added with tepid demand. At the recent Trans Pacific Maritime Conference (TPM) in Long Beach, delegates wrestled with the volatile mix of big ships and small returns.

BY STAS MARGARONIS, AJOT

An impediment to normal trade relations with Russia

3/23/2012

The administration is seeking repeal of 1970s legislation but many in Congress oppose the move

By Peter A. Buxbaum, AJOT

In his most recent State of the Union address, President Obama declared that "Congress should make sure that no foreign company has an advantage over American manufacturing when it comes to accessing finance or new markets like Russia."

Portuguese strike against austerity snarls transport

3/23/2012

Portuguese strikers halted trains, shut ports and paralysed most public transport this week, but the limited scale of the protest against austerity measures seemed unlikely to weaken the government's resolve in implementing the terms of an EU/IMF bailout.

Pasha Stevedoring & Terminals wins Excellence in Safety Awards

3/23/2012

For the third straight year, Pasha Stevedoring & Terminals (PST) a professional cargo-handling company with operations in Southern California and the Pacific Northwest, and a wholly owned subsidiary of The Pasha Group, has been recognized by the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) for their commitment to safety and accident prevention in the Pacific Northwest.

North Carolina�s Ports poised for success in 2012

3/23/2012

North Carolina State Ports Authority (NCSPA) Interim CEO Jeff Strader reported that on the whole, the state of North Carolina�s Ports is strong. In the last year the ports in Wilmington and Morehead City saw business growth and revenue increases, and overall there is a renewed sense of importance for the role our state�s ports play in economic development and logistics.

ICTSI wins international acclaim for landmark bond deal

3/23/2012

International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), well known for its port operations in the Philippines and around the globe, has also become well regarded in the international capital markets arena for a bond transaction it undertook last year and most recently re-opened early this year to raise a total of US$350 million.

South Carolina Ports awards $42.7 million project for Navy Base Terminal

3/26/2012

Progress on the Port of Charleston's Navy Base Terminal has reached another milestone with the approval of the next major construction project.

Global Ports ups dividend as profits rise, debts fall

3/26/2012

Russia's Global Ports hiked its full-year dividend more than expected and was confident that an upbeat outlook for economic growth would deliver a strong performance this year after it cut debts and increased profits in 2011.

DP World to repay $3 billion October loan early with cash

3/26/2012

DP World, the world's third-largest port operator, will repay a $3 billion loan six months ahead of schedule, it said, the latest Dubai entity to pay off debt early this year.

DCT achieves AEO certification

3/26/2012

DCT Gdansk has announced that it became the first container terminal operator in Poland to receive the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) certification.

MOL enhance Asia - South Africa service network

3/27/2012

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President: Koichi Muto) today announce the upgrade of Asia-South Africa network with two of the following changes. MOL will meet the customer needs by providing high-quality direct services and by providing variety of port coverage continuously.

Horizon Lines reaches agreement in principle to reduce debt as part of a planned broader resructurin

3/27/2012

Horizon Lines, Inc. has announced that it has signed a restructuring support agreement with more than 96% of its noteholders to further deleverage the Company's balance sheet in connection with and contingent upon a restructuring of the vessel charter obligations related to the Company's discontinued trans-Pacific service.

CMA CGM awarded two prizes for excellent customer service

3/28/2012

Quality of service and innovation are at the heart of CMA CGM�s strategy as the world�s third largest container shipping group. The ongoing commitment of the company�s teams to meet this daily challenge is recognized and rewarded by the customers themselves. Indeed the Group has just received two prestigious awards: on 9 March it was named �International Carrier of the Year� for the second year running by one of its major customers, ASDA, an English subsidiary of the American retail giant WALMART, and on 15 March, �Best Partner of the Year� 2012 by the Samsung group.

YICT holds Environment Week to promote green energy

3/28/2012

Yantian International Container Terminals (YICT) held the kick-off ceremony for its second Environment Week in which it showcased new solar panel installations and signed an LNG agreement, both aimed at increasing the use of clean energy at the port.

Steel continues marching across Port of Houston Authority docks

3/28/2012

Buoyed by continued strong increases in steel, total tonnage at Port of Houston Authority docks was up more than 26 percent through February, new statistics show.

Maersk adds Hamburg to its AE-6 Far East Service

3/28/2012

Maersk Line, the world�s largest liner shipping company, has added the Port of Hamburg to the port rotation of its Maersk AE-6 Service. The MATHILDE MAERSK berthed at Eurogate Container Terminal Hamburg (CTH) as the first vessel on this liner service to call in Hamburg on 24 March 2012.

NOL to sell perpetuals with near 6% coupon

3/29/2012

>Neptune Orient Lines (NOL) is planning to sell Singapore dollar-denominated perpetual securities that will pay an annual coupon of close to 6 percent, IFR reported.

China COSCO posts record loss in 2011, lags forecasts

3/29/2012

China COSCO Holdings Ltd , the country's top shipping conglomerate, posted a record net loss of 10.5 billion yuan ($1.7 billion) for 2011, dented by higher fuel costs and slumping freight rates.

Tarrifs squeeze coal out of Yuzhny port-exporters

3/29/2012

Coal exports from Ukraine's Black Sea port of Yuzhny have been replaced by iron ore and this will continue unless tariffs fall to allow Russian exporters to compete against more aggressively priced coals, export and port sources said.

DP World 2011 profit rises 82 pct on Australia sale

3/29/2012

>DP World , the world's third-largest port operator, reported an 82 percent rise in 2011 net profit, boosted by gains from the sale of its Australian operations.

BBC launches new heavy-lift cargo service between Europe and Asia

3/30/2012

On March 26th, 2012, the BBC KARAN was the first vessel in the new Europe-Asia service of the multi-purpose and heavy-lift cargo shipping company BBC Chartering to berth at C. Steinweg (S�d West Terminal) in the Port of Hamburg.

Pasha Stevedoring & Terminals sets record at Grays Harbor

3/30/2012

Headquartered in Wilmington CA, Pasha Stevedoring & Terminals set a new record at the Port of Grays Harbor in Aberdeen WA by loading 4,257 Chrysler vehicles on the Hoegh Triton, consigned to Far East destinations such as China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei.

IAS adds business intelligence modules that provide critical insight Into clients� supply chain & tr

3/30/2012

International Asset Systems� (IAS), the leader in cloud-based solutions for intermodal transportation and global cargo container shipping, announces the availability of Business Intelligence (BI) modules that allow customers to better view and analyze the big data generated in their day-to-day equipment repair and dispatch operations. The ability to manage by exception and analyze critical business information allows decision makers to quickly decipher data to make better, informed decisions.

COSCO Container Lines Americas announces new Asia/Gulf of Mexico Service

3/30/2012

COSCO Container Lines Americas, Inc. has introduced a new service connecting Asia, the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico via the Panama Canal. The announcement was made by Timothy Marsh, CCLA�s Vice President North American Sales.

St. Lawrence Seaway has opened shipping season 

3/30/2012

The St. Lawrence Seaway has opened its 54th annual international shipping season. The first vessel that transited the Welland Canal as part of the opening ceremony was the Wilf Seymour/Alouette Spirit from McKeil Marine. The event included the annual "top hat" ceremony - a tradition since 1947 where a top hat is presented to the captain of the season's first vessel. Indiana's first international ship is tentatively scheduled to arrive at the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor on April 7. The MV Isadora, a Polsteam vessel, is traveling from Ijmuiden, Netherlands.

Cahill elected Board Chair at the Port of New Orleans

3/30/2012

The Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans elected Valerie Cahill chair. Cahill succeeds J. Wayne Mumphrey, whose term as chairman expired. Mumphrey will continue to serve on the Board as a commissioner. The Board also elected Commissioners Joseph Toomy vice chair and Daniel F. Packer, Jr., secretary-treasurer.

BBC launches new heavy-lift cargo service between Europe and Asia

3/30/2012

ICTSI Polish subsidiary inks agreement with the Center of European Transport Project

3/30/2012

Baltic Container Terminal (BCT), International Container Terminal Services, Inc.�s (ICTSI) subsidiary in Poland, has signed a PLN 53.8 million (approx. US$17.3 million) agreement with the Center of European Union Transport Projects to subsidize a portion of the PLN 153 million (approx. US$49.2 million) expansion project of the terminal, which is expected to be completed in 2015.

Pasha Stevedoring & Terminals sets record at Grays Harbor

3/30/2012

Evergreen Shipping Agency names Amalfitano as President

4/2/2012

Evergreen Shipping Agency (America) Corporation (EGA), North America agents for global ocean carrier Evergreen Line, has named Roy Amalfitano as President. Thomas Chen, EGA Chairman, announced his appointment.

Hamburg S�d celebrates sole christening of a �Santa� vessel in Rotterdam

4/2/2012

Hamburg S�d celebrated the christening of the container ship �Santa Teresa� at the Cruise Terminal in Rotterdam (Netherlands). Sponsor of the �Santa Teresa� was Dr Angela Stieglitz, BASF SE.

Reixach retires as Executive Port Director and CEO of Port Freeport

4/2/2012

A. J. �Pete� Reixach, Jr. Executive Port Director/CEO of Port Freeport, recently announced to the Port�s Board of Commissioners that he had elected to take early retirement from his position as Executive Port Director/CEO.

Port of Baltimore wins 2012 Renaissance Anchor of the Year

4/2/2012

The Port of Baltimore was selected by the Dundalk Renaissance Corporation as its 2012 Renaissance Anchor of the Year during an awards presentation event on Saturday, March 31st 2012 at the Sparrows Point Country Club in Dundalk. The award was presented to Maryland Port Administration (MPA) Deputy Executive Director Kathy Broadwater and Captain Eric Nielson, president of the Baltimore Port Alliance during the Dundalk Renaissance Corporation�s Fifth Annual �Renaissance Milestone Celebration�.

ICTSI to buy 35% of Pakistan terminal

4/2/2012

Philippine port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) said that its subsidiary has signed a deal to acquire 35 percent of Pakistan International Container Terminal Ltd (PICT) at an undisclosed price.

Gulftainer eyes Russia, Asia, Gulf acquisitions

4/2/2012

Gulftainer Co, the United Arab Emirates' second largest ports operator, has set up a $500 million fund with Russian partners as it eyes more acquisitions in Russia, the Gulf and Asia, its vice chairman said.

Amports to handle new Honda CR-Vs through JAXPORT

4/2/2012

The all-new 2012 Honda CR-V manufactured in East Liberty, Ohio will be exported through Jacksonville as a result of Honda�s expanding export business and the company�s confidence that JAXPORT is the ideal departure port for these vehicles en route to the Middle East, Africa and Puerto Rico.

Last STS cranes dock at Khalifa Port

4/2/2012

Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) has announced the arrival of the second, and final, batch of Super Post Panamax �Ship-to-Shore� (STS) container cranes to Khalifa Port. The three STS cranes docked at Khalifa Port after their long journey from the Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co. Ltd�s (ZPMC) yard in China.

Saathoff named interim Executive Port Director/CEO of Port Freeport

4/3/2012

Phyllis Saathoff, CPA, PPM�, has been named interim executive port director/CEO of Port Freeport, Texas, following the retirement of A.J. �Pete� Reixach Jr.

Trailer Bridge emerges from bankruptcy

4/3/2012

Trucking and marine freight service provider Trailer Bridge Inc said it had emerged from bankruptcy, more than four months after it filed for Chapter 11 protection in a U.S. court.

Russia coal export growth limited by rail problems

4/3/2012

Russia's coal exports are likely to grow by less than a tenth to around 80 million tons at most this year largely because of rail bottlenecks, and the gain could be even less in a likely environment of disappointing prices.

Canada's Nunavut awaits its day in the sun

4/3/2012

The prospects of a mining boom in Canada's Arctic territory of Nunavut - once as bright as the Northern Lights - are fading fast as costs in the inhospitable region spiral higher, forcing writedowns on two major gold projects there.

ADPC signs MoU with Abu Dhabi Customs for facilities at Khalifa Port

4/3/2012

Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) has announced that is has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Abu Dhabi Customs Administration (ADCA) to establish a solid framework of collaboration between both parties. Captain Mohamed Al Shamisi, Vice President of Ports Unit ADPC, and Mohamed Khadem al Hameli, Director of Abu Dhabi Customs Operations from ADCA signed the memorandum today during the World Ports & Trade Summit, which is being held this week at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, in the presence of Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Chairman of ADP.

Port Everglades adds new shipping service to Venezuela and Colombia

4/4/2012

Port Everglades is welcoming a new shipping line with service to Venezuela and Colombia. Naviera Master Line de Venezuela C.A. will be moving heavy equipment and machinery/rolling stock on a bi-weekly basis from Port Everglades and, as the business grows, plans to offer the service on a weekly basis. The cargo will be handled by St. John�s Shipping Company Inc., a stevedore at Port Everglades for more than two decades.  

Emerson buys a Johnson Controls transport business

4/4/2012

Industrial conglomerate Emerson Electric Co. will expand its climate technologies operations with the purchase of a marine container and boiler business from Johnson Controls Inc, Emerson said.

ADPC plans re-development of Shahama Port

4/4/2012

Marine facilities at Shahama Port in Abu Dhabi are to be redeveloped as part of an upgrade of the port�s leisure and recreation services. Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) made the announcement at the World Ports and Trade Summit (WPTS), which is taking place at ADNEC from 2-4 April. The agreement was signed at the WPTS by Tony Douglas, ADPC CEO, and Sami Al-Qazzaz, Halcrow�s Director for Abu Dhabi.

State of Lower Saxony assents to adjustment of navigation channel on the Lower and Outer Elbe

4/4/2012

The cabinet decision taken in Lower Saxony on Tuesday, 3 April 2012, means that the required assent from the three states of Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony for the adjustment of the navigation channel on the Lower and Outer Elbe has now been received.

CGSA implements APS crane automation solution

4/4/2012

APS Technology Group, Inc., a leading provider of optical character recognition (OCR) and process automation technology solutions for marine and intermodal terminals, announced Contecon Guayaquil SA (CGSA) has implemented the APS Quay Crane Automation Solution at its container terminal in Guayaquil, Ecuador. CGSA is the first port in Latin America to use Crane OCR technology. In addition to the OCR solution, CGSA has implemented a spreader based system for container weight capture, automatically collecting all information in real time, and improving container processing times. All data from the combined solution is integrated to the Navis SPARCS TOS.

Port of Long Beach, OOCL sign $4.6 billion, 40-year middle harbor lease

4/5/2012

Port of Long Beach Executive Director J. Christopher Lytle and Orient Overseas Container Line CEO Phillip Chow signed a $4.6 billion, 40-year lease for the new Middle Harbor container terminal at a ceremony at OOCL�s Hong Kong headquarters on April 3rd.

New Zealand charges wrecked ship's owners over grounding

4/5/2012

The owners of a stricken container ship wrecked on a reef off a popular New Zealand holiday spot have been charged with causing the country's worst environmental disaster in decades, maritime officials said.

Port of Long Beach, OOCL sign $4.6 billion, 40-year middle harbor lease

4/5/2012

Port leaders push support for infrastructure funding

4/6/2012

Port industry leaders from throughout the Americas are continuing their efforts to seek sufficient funding for infrastructure � a cooperative endeavor that has been at the top of the American Association of Port Authorities� agenda since the genesis of the organization a century ago.

A challenging time for chemical logistics

4/6/2012

Growth of China leads to more complex supply chains

By Peter A. Buxbaum, AJOT

Recent changes in the logistics of the chemicals market and the changes that are likely to come in the next few years can be summed up with one word: China. China arrived on the chemicals production map within the last decade and since then has experienced a ten-fold growth. At the same time, China's burgeoning economy has become a massive consumer of chemicals.

ChemLogix enhances rail logistics solutions with GeoMetrix Rail Fleet Management Technology

4/6/2012

ChemLogix, LLC recently added GeoMetrix rail logistics guidance technology as part of its transportation management solutions set to enhance rail fleet management capabilities. Using GeoMetrix� Internet-based rail supply chain software, ChemLogix has added intra-plant management, distribution planning and maintenance/lease management activities to its existing railcar fleet management services. The GeoMetrix application provides ChemLogix with the capability to provide clients with a full range of rail fleet management services, reporting, and analytical capabilities not offered by any other existing rail fleet management application in the market place today. With these enhanced capabilities, ChemLogix provides an even higher level of service and visibility for customers who ship bulk commodities by rail.

Having shipping capacity issues?

4/6/2012

Limited truck driver and asset availability is shrinking shipping capacity for many chemical manufacturers. Noel Perry, an FTR senior consultant, noted that the industry is several hundred thousand drivers short of raising capacity to meet demand. Some chemical shippers simply take the route of least resistance and increase capacity by paying more for freight; others may find it nearly impossible to contract new carriers at any price as their competitors vie against them for available resources.

Northeast Ports Position Themselves to Take Advantage of Recovery

4/6/2012

The ports in the Northeast have for the most part emerged from the recession. The numbers reflect an upward trend, if not a full return to the post recession figures. Most of the region�s ports have continued to develop their infrastructure to address cargo demands that almost certainly will accelerate in the next decade.

Container lines propose new round of US-Asia rate adjustments

4/10/2012

Container shipping lines in the Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (WTSA) are recommending a further round of incremental rate increases to dry and selected refrigerated commodities, as part of a comprehensive rate restoration effort throughout 2012.

Retail container traffic to increase 3.2% in April

4/10/2012

Import cargo volume at the nation�s major retail container ports is expected to increase 3.2 percent in April compared with the same month last year, and year-over-year gains should continue through the end of summer, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.  

�Retailers are continuing to watch rising gas prices, but job gains and other indicators show the economy is strengthening,� NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. �All of this should improve consumer confidence and lead to increased spending, so retailers are cautiously building up their inventories.�

Horizon Lines completes transactions to reduce debt and eliminate vessel charter obligations

4/10/2012

Horizon Lines, Inc. has announced that it has completed transactions with more than 99% of its noteholders, and with Ship Finance International Limited ("SFL") and certain of its subsidiaries, to substantially deleverage the Company's balance sheet and terminate vessel charter obligations related to its discontinued trans-Pacific service.

Transnet to boost coal, iron ore rail capacity

4/10/2012

South African state-owned logistics group Transnet plans to increase its capacity to haul iron ore from mines to ports by 56 percent over the next seven years, its Chief Executive Brian Molefe said.

Shanghai Port container volume up 3.4% year/year in March

4/10/2012

Shanghai Port, the world's busiest container port, saw its container volume rise 3.4 percent in March from a year earlier, basically steady from growth in the first two months of the year, data issued by the port's operator showed.

Excargo Services opens cargo terminal in Orange, TX

4/10/2012

Excargo Services, Inc., announces the recent opening of its new container terminal at 601 Foreman Road at Williams Drive in Orange, Texas. The terminal serves businesses throughout southeast Texas and western Louisiana that rely on strategically located storage of ocean-going shipping containers and efficient movement of time-sensitive, high-value cargo between companies, ports and rail terminals in the region.

COB shuttle program is feasible, offers biodiesel opportunities

4/10/2012

A recently completed study funded by the Illinois soybean checkoff says that a river container-on-barge (COB) shuttle program is not only feasible, but it also offers Illinois soybean growers biodiesel opportunities and more access to international markets.

India to challenge U.S. duty on steel pipes

4/10/2012

India is preparing to challenge a U.S. import duty on steel pipes by requesting "consultations" at the World Trade Organisation, a senior trade ministry official said, in the latest in a series of recent disputes between the two allies.

MOL upgrade network: Asia - Mexico, West Coast South America products

4/11/2012

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. has announced the upgrade of Asia - Mexico and WCSA service (CWL). MOL and the consortium partners (K Line and NYK) will consolidate the present two loops (WL1 by nominal 4,400teu class ships and WL2 by nominal 2,500teu class ships) and will deploy over-panamax vessels, nominal 5,600-6,500 teu class. MOL expects to provide more stable service and efficient operations by this change.

Abu Dhabi Terminals achieves ISO 9001:2008 re-certification, maintains ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001 certif

4/11/2012

Abu Dhabi Terminals (ADT) has successfully re-certified its Quality Management System (QMS) for the ISO 9001:2008 certification from Bureau Veritas and maintained certifications in Environmental Management Standard & Occupational Health and Safety Management System under ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001.

Maersk still sees 2012 loss in container shipping

4/12/2012

Maersk Line is expected to lose money again this year despite recent freight rate increases, the chairman of parent group A.P. Moller-Maersk said.

Stolt Nielsen frontrunner for Singapore port contract

4/12/2012

Norway's Stolt Nielsen is the frontrunner to win a contract to develop land and build storage for up to 4 million barrels of oil and chemicals at Singapore's Jurong Port, f iv e industry sources told Reuters.

Zepol reports March vessel imports increase 11.9%

4/13/2012

Zepol Corporation, the leading trade intelligence company, reports that U.S. import shipment volume for March, measured in TEUs, increased 11.9% from February; this is not a surprise due to February�s low numbers. More significant is the total 2.6% rise in TEUs for Q1 of 2012, compared to Q1 of 2011, as well as the 6.2% rise this March from March of 2011. In addition, Q1 of 2012 outpaced the first-quarter numbers for the past three years.

Iran ships "off radar" as Tehran conceals oil sales

4/13/2012

Iran is concealing the destination of its oil sales by disabling tracking systems aboard its tanker fleet, making it difficult to assess how much crude Tehran is exporting as it seeks to counter Western sanctions aimed at cutting its oil revenues.

Derailment disrupts some traffic in Rotterdam port

4/13/2012

Rail traffic in Rotterdam Port, Europe's busiest, was disrupted recently by the derailment of a container car carrying inflammable cargo, the operator said.

ICTSI Ecuador unit adopts OCR technology

4/13/2012

Contecon Guayaquil S.A. (CGSA), a subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) operating the Guayaquil Container and Multipurpose Terminals (GCMT) in Ecuador, recently rolled out optical character recognition technology (OCR) to step up the automation of its quay crane (QC) fleet.

Port of Charleston increases incentive for truck replacement

4/17/2012

The South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) is encouraging local truck owners to replace their older trucks with newer, cleaner rigs and is doubling the financial incentive for their participation. Eligible truck owners can now get a $10,000 incentive, plus the scrap value of their pre-1994 truck, to use toward the purchase of a 2004 or newer model.

Maersk shipping magnate Mc-Kinney Moller dies at 98

4/17/2012

Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller, who built a Danish family shipping business into an international conglomerate which runs the world's biggest container shipping company, died aged 98.

Hamburg S�d: changes to the Executive Board

4/17/2012

After 18 years on the Executive Board of Hamburg S�d, Joachim A Konrad, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board, is to retire at the end of April 2012. The Advisory Board of Hamburg S�d has appointed Peter Frederiksen and Frank Smet to succeed him. They will be joining the Executive Board with effect from 1 May 2012. The scale and importance of the duties performed by Joachim A Konrad in past years prompted the Advisory Board to split the scope of responsibilities in the future.

Hamburg S�d 2011: Another challenging year in global shipping

4/17/2012

Following the powerful recovery of the world economy in 2010, the reporting year saw global growth continuing with slightly lower dynamics. Shipping reaped the benefit in the shape of rising volumes. However, the downward pressure on revenue as a result of increasing overcapacity and a significant rise in costs, especially of fuel, posed problems for ship operators.

German ship suspected of arms smuggle turns transponder on

4/17/2012

A German shipping company ordered its vessel Atlantic Cruiser to turn its transponder back on after the ship suspected of smuggling Iranian arms to Syria switched off the tracking system because its crew feared attack, the firm said.

Record volumes at Abu Dhabi Terminals in 2011

4/17/2012

Abu Dhabi Terminals (ADT) reports that the number of containers imported and exported through Mina Zayed by local businesses continue to grow. In 2011 ADT handled 767,713 TEU [an industry norm for twenty foot equivalent container units], which represents a staggering 47% increase on 2010.

Port of Rotterdam throughput up 3%

4/17/2012

In the first quarter of 2012, throughput in the port of Rotterdam was 3% up on the same period of last year, at 110 million tonnes. Broken down into types of cargo, incoming and outgoing trade in agribulk (-15%), iron ore and scrap (-14%), other dry bulk (-19%) and other general cargo (-19%) fell. On the positive side, coal (+15%), crude oil (+6%), mineral oil products (+13%), other liquid bulk (+8%) and containers (+1%) were all up. Imports of LNG and the handling of roll on/roll off cargo were stable.

Panama to review 2014 canal deadline, may face delays

4/17/2012

Panama will know in a few months whether the long-awaited expansion of its famous shipping canal will meet the 2014 deadline for completion, the canal administrator's chief executive said.

Dr. Blanchard is elected Chair of the Port of Stockton Board of Commissioners

4/17/2012

At the Feb. 6, 2012, commission meeting, Dr. Elizabeth �Liz� Blanchard was elected chair of the Port of Stockton Board of Commissioners. Blanchard, who holds a doctorate in psychology from the University of the Pacific, is the first woman to serve in this capacity.

Port of Charleston box volume up 12% in March

4/17/2012

Container volume in the Port of Charleston rose 12 percent in March, the strongest month for containerized traffic at the port since October 2008.

Cargotec's total solution seals Malaysian straddle carrefedier deal

4/17/2012

Cargotec has secured a deal to supply four of its Kalmar ESC340W Straddle Carriers to leading Malaysian port operator - Northport (Malaysia) Bhd. The 40-tonne models are scheduled for delivery to the company's Port Klang site in September 2012. These latest additions form part of a strategy to replace the existing fleet with newer models as the ongoing growth of intra-Asia container traffic demands increased efficiency at terminals in the region. As the national load centre, Northport has over 2400 employees and was responsible for handling approximately 3.3 million TEUs in 2011 alone.

CMA CGM announces the reshuffling of its ASIA - South Africa & Mozambique services

4/18/2012

CMA CGM announces the reshuffling of its services on the ASIA - South Africa and Mozambique trades in partnership with Maersk Line (ML).

Rotterdam river partially blocked after ship hits bridge

4/18/2012

A waterway close to Rotterdam port, Europe's biggest, is partially blocked after a ship hit a bridge over the Nieuwe Maas river and lost six containers, police said.

March cargo totals show across-the-board gains at the Port of Virginia

4/18/2012

The Port of Virginia handled 166,719 TEUs in March, an increase of 4.4 percent when compared with totals from March 2011. Year-to-date, the port has handled 478,069 TEUs vs. 472,665 TEUs handled during the same period last year.

Dachser posts double digit revenue growth in 2011

4/18/2012

Dachser Transport of America Inc. (Dachser USA), the U.S. division of one of the world's leading global logistics service providers, has announced that parent company Dachser recorded group revenue growth of 13 percent in 2011 to $5.9 billion.

CMA CGM announces the reshuffling of its India / Middle East - East Africa service

4/19/2012

CMA CGM announces the reshuffling of its services on the INDIA / MIDDLE EAST - EAST AFRICA trades in partnership with EMIRATES SHIPPING LINE (ESL).

New York Container Terminal attracts new customers to best-in-class CES operation

4/19/2012

New York Container Terminal Inc. (NYCT), a full-service ocean container and intermodal cargo handling facility in the Port of New York and New Jersey, has announced that its Centralized Examination Site (CES) has handled more than 2,000 container inspections since opening in January. The NYCT facility is meeting all U.S. Customs and Border Protection requirements to operate as a Comprehensive CES and attracting new customers to use the facility from customers across the entire port.

Konecranes to deliver cranes to shipyard in Azerbaijan

4/19/2012

In March 2012, Konecranes received an order for cranes for a shipyard being built in Baku, Azerbaijan. The order was placed by Baku Shipyard, a joint venture company formed by State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR), Keppel Offshore and Marine (KOM), and Azerbaijan Investment Company (AIC). The order comp

Cargotec lands a 17-machine deal to supply Europe's leading cargo handler

4/19/2012

Cargotec has received an order to deliver 13 Kalmar reachstackers and 4 Kalmar empty container handlers to Europe Container Terminals (ECT), supported by a five-year maintenance agreement. The order has been booked for the first quarter of 2012.

Polled CP Rail shareholders favor Pershing, some unsure

4/19/2012

A month before a showdown over who should run Canada's second biggest railroad, more than half of the shareholders in a Reuters survey favor a dissident shareholder's slate of candidates over Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd's existing board.

Port of Virginia gains "last-out" call on upgraded Asia-East Coast Service

4/20/2012

The Port of Virginia has gained a "last-out" port call as a result of the CKYH shipping alliance's decision to upgrade its all-water services that operate between Asia and the US East Coast.

JAXPORT CEO applauds US House action on Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund

4/20/2012

The businesses of the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT), along with the citizens of North Florida, stand to benefit greatly from this week�s bipartisan passage of the Realize America�s Maritime Promise (RAMP) Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. Thanks to the unwavering support of early co-sponsors Congresswoman Corrine Brown (D-FL), Congressman Ander Crenshaw (R-FL) and Congressman Cliff Stearns (R-FL), the RAMP Act was included in the surface transportation measure passed by the House. More than 190 House members signed on as co-sponsors to the legislation.

Port Everglades hosts Colombian delegation

4/20/2012

On the heels of the announcement that the Free Trade Agreement with Colombia will go into effect in May, Port Everglades and the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport hosted a delegation of public officials from Colombia to discuss international trade and visit Broward County�s seaport. Port Everglades is the top seaport in Florida for trade with Colombia, which totaled more than $1 billion in FY 2011, representing 54 percent of Colombian trade through all of Florida's seaports last year.

Manatee County Port Authority approves $13 million berth 12 extension and container yard constructio

4/20/2012

The Manatee County Port Authority today approved a $13 million contract with American Bridge Company for a 584-foot extension of Berth 12 and a 10-acre container yard, finishing a port expansion project originating in 1997.

Panama Canal proposes toll adjustments and creates new market segments to reflect real route value

4/23/2012

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Board of Directors approved a proposal to modify the Panama Canal pricing structure to align Canal toll charges with the value the route provides.

US coal exports to China may double in 2012

4/24/2012

U.S. coal exports to China could more than double to over 12 million tons in 2012 thanks to depressed freight rates and a fall in domestic demand in the United States, the chief of top U.S. coal exporter Xcoal Energy & Resources said.

Port of Baltimore saw largest growth among all major US Ports in 2011

4/24/2012

Governor Martin O�Malley announced that the Port of Baltimore saw a 15 percent increase in the amount of cargo it handled in 2011. That marked the greatest increase of growth by any major U.S. port last year. The Port�s public and private marine terminals saw 37.8 million tons of cargo cross their docks in 2011, up from 32.8 million tons in 2010. The total dollar value amount of that cargo was more than $51.4 billion, the Port�s highest dollar value ever and a 24 percent jump from 2010.

The National Shipping Company unveils new identity; BAHRI on course

4/23/2012

The National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (NSCSA), the leading provider of marine transportation services, is marking its evolution into a global force by launching its new brand, Bahri.

Konecranes to deliver 20 automated stacking cranes to Global Terminal in USA

4/23/2012

In March 2012, Konecranes received an order for 20 Automated Stacking Cranes (ASCs) from Global Terminal & Container Services, LLC (�Global�) in New Jersey, USA. Most of the cranes will be delivered to Global�s container terminal in Jersey City in 2013. This is Konecranes� second ASC delivery to the USA; Konecranes has previously delivered ASC cranes to a container terminal in Virginia. The parties have agreed not to disclose the value of the order.

Indian shipping firms to carry Iran crude despite reduced insurance

4/24/2012

Indian shipping firms will continue to transport Iranian crude even if limited insurance coverage due to tightening Western sanctions leaves them financially exposed to a spill or accident, a top executive and industry sources said.

Hapag-Lloyd in no hurry to float

4/24/2012

German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd is in no hurry to try again to list on the stock market.

Waterworth tapped for top Port Authority post

4/24/2012

The Port Commission of The Port of Houston Authority appointed Leonard D. Waterworth as Executive Director of the Port Authority at its regular monthly meeting. Waterworth was appointed interim executive director Jan. 30, 2012.

Virginia gains "last-out" call on upgraded Asia-East Coast Service

4/24/2012

The Port of Virginia has gained a �last-out� port call as a result of the CKYH shipping alliance's decision to upgrade its all-water services that operate between Asia and the US East Coast.

Brazil's TCP chooses APS Technology for gate and rail OCR container terminal solutions

4/24/2012

>APS Technology Group, Inc., a leading provider of optical character recognition (OCR) and automation technology solutions for marine and intermodal container terminals, announced Terminal de Cont�ineres de Paranagu� (TCP), the third largest container terminal in Brazil, has chosen APS Technology for gate OCR and rail OCR solutions at its terminal. This is the first on-dock rail OCR solution to be installed in South America. TCP is implementing the APS Automated Gate System optical character recognition (OCR) solution and rail OCR solution to boost efficiency and eliminate congestion. The solution will automate the container identification process at the gate and rail entry and exit points with the collection of high-resolution images.

Australia wants grain handlers to share storage data

4/24/2012

Bulk handlers of Australian grain must furnish stock level and quality details to the market in order to banish concerns over monopolies of storage and export facilities, a Senate inquiry recommended.

Ruslan organizes 15 An-124 flights to Uganda

4/25/2012

Ruslan International � the company which markets and manages the combined Antonov An-124 fleets of its shareholders Antonov Airlines and Volga Dnepr Airlines � has completed a program of 15 flights using the giant An-124 freighter aircraft, for the Japanese peace keeping contingent of the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS).

Lufthansa CFO seeks exit amid cost-cut drive

4/25/2012

Deutsche Lufthansa veteran Stephan Gemkow is quitting as finance chief at Germany's biggest airline to head family-run investment firm Haniel, the top shareholder in retailer Metro and drugs distributor Celesio.

India's Delhi airport to be world's most expensive-industry body

4/25/2012

India's New Delhi airport will become the world's most expensive, with its operator GMR Infrastructure Ltd permitted to raise charges, hurting the airport's ambition to become an aviation hub, an airline industry body said.

First quarter gains soften Asian cargo dip for Schiphol

4/25/2012

Despite continuing shortfalls in its top two markets of Asia and North America during the first three months of 2012, gains in other markets have seen Amsterdam Airport Schiphol�s total cargo throughput hold up well, to end 3% below 2011 at 358,220 tonnes.

Ethiopia coffee worries grow year after record exports

4/25/2012

Making his way through the wild bushes that flank the village of Choche, farmer Temam Abdurahman hacks away burnt twigs and thorns with a rusty machete along a mud trail he says Ethiopia's coffee traders have used for centuries.

China iPhone sales surge, but can Apple protect its apps?

4/25/2012

Apple Inc's blowout quarterly iPhone sales in China show that a barrage of bad publicity hasn't dented demand. Now, it has to find a way to sell more smartphones in the world's biggest mobile market, without its fans jumping the paywall.

Buyers of US beef keep importing after mad cow case

4/25/2012

Major markets for U.S. beef from Canada to Japan stayed open to imports after the first U.S. discovery of mad cow disease in six years on assurances that rigorous surveillance had safeguarded the food system.

ABB looks to North America as China falters

4/25/2012

Swiss engineer ABB is banking on a recovery in North America to offset a weaker China and austerity-ravaged southern Europe after first-quarter orders beat expectations.

Sea Star Line announces commercial leadership changes

4/25/2012

Sea Star Line, LLC has announced that Bill Taylor will assume leadership of Sea Star�s United States sales team as Vice President, US Sales. Eduardo Pagan, who held the position of Vice President, Commercial Services will now hold the position of Vice President and General Manager, Puerto Rico and Caribbean.

Maersk Line announces appointment of Zimmermann to VP of North American Sales

4/25/2012

Maersk Line, the leading containerized ocean carrier in the world, has announced the appointment of David Zimmermann to the position of Vice President, North American Sales, effective immediately. In this role, Mr. Zimmermann will be a member of the North American Executive Team, following Bill Woodhour who was recently promoted to Head of North American Trades at Maersk Line�s global headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Phoenix Services opens slag processing facility at Port of Indiana

4/25/2012

One of the fastest growing companies in the country is opening a state-of-the-art slag processing and distribution facility at the Port of Indiana. Phoenix Services recently signed a multi-year contract with ArcelorMittal to provide slag and processing services for the Burns Harbor steel giant. Slag is a product generated during the iron- and steel-making processes. Phoenix Services has opened a 13-acre distribution facility at the port and is installing processing equipment at various locations throughout the ArcelorMittal complex.

Konecranes President & CEO Lundmark to relocate to Singapore for one year

4/25/2012

Konecranes President & CEO Pekka Lundmark will relocate to Singapore in August for approximately one year to support the development of Konecranes� operations in emerging markets. Lundmark�s temporary relocation does not lead to any changes in Group�s operational structure, including the group headquarter functions in Hyvink��, Finland, or Asia-Pacific headquarter functions in Shanghai, China. 

Road Systems, Inc. receives 2011 award from Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association

4/25/2012

Road Systems, Inc. (RSI), a trailer manufacturer and subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE: CNW), today announced that it has been honored with the 2011 Plant Safety Award from the Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association (TTMA). This is the third time that RSI has received this honor from TTMA; the company was also an award recipient in 2004 and 2010. RSI was presented with the award last week at the TTMA Annual Convention in Tuscan, Ariz. Each year TTMA conducts a plant safety contest to recognize participating plants of TTMA member companies having the best safety record for the previous year.

Old Dominion kicks off Nationwide Truck Tour in Tulsa

4/25/2012

The Old Dominion Tulsa Service Center hosted the first of eight stops on the 2012 Old Dominion Truck Tour, a nationwide excursion aimed at celebrating the company�s history and vision for the future with customers, employees and communities.

Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern profit rises

4/25/2012

Railroads Kansas City Southern and Norfolk Southern each reported higher quarterly profit that beat Wall Street estimates, as automotive and intermodal shipments more than offset weakness in coal volume.

Con-way Freight recognized by Avery Dennison for superior service performance

4/25/2012

Con-way Freight, a less-than-truckload (LTL) carrier and subsidiary of Con-way Inc. has announced it has been awarded the distinction of 2011 Best Collaboration by an Indirect Supplier by Avery Dennison, a leading materials science company specializing in labeling, packaging and supply chain solutions.

SBA names Lasater as Washington state's  2012 Small Business Exporter of the Year

4/25/2012

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 2012 Washington state Exporter of the Year is Liz Lasater, CEO of Red Arrow Logistics. Red Arrow is an Issaquah-based company that provides logistics and transportation services to Fortune 100 companies with fast growing, complex and high-value supply chains in the technology, military, food & beverage, consumer products and renewable energy sectors, working in both the international and domestic arenas.

CP Railway union backs strike mandate

4/30/2012

Members of the union representing about 5,000 conductors, trainmen, yardmen, locomotive engineers and traffic controllers at Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd have voted 95 percent in favor of a strike mandate, the latest challenge for Canada's second-biggest railway.

Union pact with US Air touts job savings vs AMR plan

4/30/2012

An agreement between US Airways Group and the union representing seven work groups at bankrupt American Airlines calls for fewer job cuts should a merger materialize between the two carriers than an American bankruptcy plan, according to documents being distributed to union members.

China mulls guarantees for ships carrying Iran oil

4/30/2012

China is considering sovereign guarantees for its ships to enable the world's second-biggest oil consumer to continue importing Iranian crude after new EU sanctions come into effect in July, the head of China's shipowners' association said.

Lebanon impounds ship carrying Libyan weapons

4/30/2012

Lebanese authorities seized a large consignment of Libyan weapons including rocket-propelled grenades and heavy calibre ammunition from a ship intercepted in the Mediterranean, the army said.

Trucker TransForce profit doubles on courier

4/30/2012

Canadian trucker TransForce Inc's quarterly profit more than doubled, helped partly by robust performance at its package and courier unit, sending its shares up 7 percent to a more than five-year high.

Globaltrans buys $540 million Metalloinvest unit

4/30/2012

Russian freight firm Globaltrans Investment is buying the railcar unit of iron ore miner Metalloinvest for $540 million, boosting its fleet to around 60,000 units, it said, as it forecast more consolidation for the sector.

CP Railway union backs strike mandate

4/30/2012

CKYH picks Charleston for New Asia Service

5/3/2012

The CKYH alliance of ocean carries has picked the Port of Charleston for a new, weekly container service with coverage across Northeast Asia.

Evergreen Line & Crowley sign slot charter agrmt for weekly service btwn Florida, Panama, Costa Rica

5/3/2012

Evergreen Line and Crowley Latin America Services have filed a slot charter agreement with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission that will allow Evergreen to provide northbound and southbound services to customers covering ports in Florida and Panama, a major transshipment hub for global trade, as well as Puerto Limon, Costa Rica.

Swissport launches cargo handling in Copenhagen

5/7/2012

Swissport International, the world�s leading provider of ground services to the aviation sector, is to start offering cargo handling services in Denmark from July after reaching agreement with several airlines, including launch customer Swiss WorldCargo, the air cargo division of Swiss International Air Lines.

Qatar Airways to convert A330 jets to freighters

5/7/2012

Qatar Airways, which last year took a big stake in a European freight carrier, will convert up to 20 of its Airbus A330 passenger jets into freighters, its chief executive said.

Lufthansa to cut 3,500 jobs in savings drive

5/7/2012

Deutsche Lufthansa, Germany's biggest airline, announced plans to slash 3,500 administrative jobs around the world as it tries to offset soaring fuel costs and fierce competition in Europe to return to profitability.

DHL inaugurates new Life Sciences & Healthcare Competence Centers to enhance network capacity

5/7/2012

DHL opened their Life Sciences & Healthcare Competence Centers in Miami and Atlanta, in order to increase capacity across the company�s global network. Both locations have dedicated trained personnel, temperature controlled rooms, and cutting-edge technology, such as SmartSensor for tracking and maintaining products� temperature range and integrity. Although temperature controlled shipments are handled at all DHL locations, these two facilities offer customers enhanced capabilities, increased capacity and greater flexibility to control their freight.

DHL inaugurates new Life Sciences & Healthcare Competence Centers to enhance network capacity

5/7/2012

Chapman Freeborn introduces real-time tracking for on board courier shipments

5/7/2012

Chapman Freeborn Airchartering has further strengthened its specialist On Board Courier (OBC) product with the introduction of a new online tool for tracking shipments globally.

Transpacific container lines eye peak-season surcharge

5/11/2012

A group representing the transpacific container shipping industry is recommending a surcharge on containers for the peak summer season, signalling it expects a robust recovery in business from a weak 2011 as the U.S. economy gathers strength.

Neptune Orient Q1 loss widens, outlook bleak

5/11/2012

Neptune Orient Lines Ltd (NOL) , the world's seventh largest container shipper, reported a fifth consecutive quarterly loss, hit by low freight rates and soaring fuel costs, and warned of overcapacity in the container shipping sector.

Evergreen Line to launch new Asia-USEC service with MOL

5/11/2012

Evergreen Line together with MOL will launch a new all-water service linking major Asian ports to key destinations on the U.S. East Coast via the Suez Canal. The new service will commence in June 2012.

MOL contributes to debate on pricing fluctuations

5/11/2012

There are usually very good reasons for shippers receiving significant variations in price quotes from different shipping lines, says Adrian Jones, MOL�s UK Managing Director.

Vale targets China firms over mega ship standoff

5/11/2012

Brazil's Vale , the world's largest iron ore producer, has stopped hiring vessels from some Chinese shipping firms in retaliation for Beijing's efforts to keep the miner's huge ships out of the country, traders and industry sources said.

Torm losses widen on vessel sales, poor rates

5/11/2012

Stubbornly weak freight rates, losses on vessel sales and restructuring charges dragged Torm A/S to a deeper first-quarter loss than forecast, painting a gloomy backdrop to crucial negotiations with banks on $1.9 billion of debt.

Refuelling EU shippers may violate Iran sanctions

5/11/2012

European shipowners could violate impending EU sanctions against Iran without even knowing it every time they set sail, leaving them vulnerable to being blacklisted, the managing director of leading industry group Intertanko said.

Lebanon seizes smuggled ammunition on Italian ship

5/11/2012

Lebanese authorities have seized 60,000 rounds of ammunition hidden in two cars on an Itlaian container ship docked at Lebanon's northern city of Tripoli, a security source said.

Eagle Bulk Shipping posts wider loss

5/11/2012

Drybulk shipper Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc posted a wider quarterly loss as the oversupply-hit sector continues to be plagued by depressed rates.

Panama Maritime Authority approves new container shipping terminal

5/11/2012

The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) has granted permits to a private development group for the construction and operation of a new container terminal to be built at the Atlantic entrance of the Panama Canal. Jones Lang LaSalle is acting as development advisor to the project consortium.

Halifax Port Authority Board of Directors elects new Chair and VC and welcomes two new Directors

5/11/2012

The Halifax Port Authority has announced that D. Geoffrey Machum, Q.C. has been elected Chair of its Board of Directors. Mr. Machum has served on the Halifax Port Authority Board of Directors since 2006 and was reappointed in 2009 as a Port User appointee. He was elected by the Board to a second term as Vice-Chair in October 2009 and continued in this position until his election as Chair.

Global Container Terminals unveils plan to open a new chapter in development of the Port of New York

5/11/2012

Global Container Terminals Inc., a leading North American marine terminal operator with facilities on both coasts, today unveiled final plans for a multi-million dollar expansion project to develop a 70-acre technologically advanced container terminal on the Bayonne, NJ, waterfront. When complete, Global Terminal at Port Jersey will be the most advanced marine terminal in the Port of New York and New Jersey

Pershing gets more backing ahead of CP Rail showdown

5/11/2012

Activist investor William Ackman's push to shake up Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd gathered more steam on Wednesday, with a third advisory firm endorsing his entire slate of board nominees ahead of the company's annual meeting next week.

Amazon aims for top three in China market

5/11/2012

Amazon.com Inc, the world's largest online retailer, is prepared to run losses in China to secure a position among the top three players by sales in the country's cut-throat but booming e-commerce market, its China chief said.

Caterpillar to sell stake in a logistics business

5/11/2012

Caterpillar Inc said Thursday it will sell a 65 percent stake in its third-party logistics division to Platinum Equity for $750 million, to focus on its core businesses.

Singapore Air turns to regional cities to drive growth

5/11/2012

Singapore Airlines Ltd (SIA), the world's No.2 carrier by market value, will focus on flights to smaller Asian cities as a weak global economy batters demand on long-haul routes and competition from premium airlines intensifies.

Emirates takes fresh run at Berlin slots

5/11/2012

Airline Emirates took a new approach in its long-running battle to secure slots at Berlin and Stuttgart airports, brandishing before the government a study that contradicts claims it takes business from flag carrier Lufthansa.

Emirates hit by fuel costs, sticks with expansion

5/11/2012

Emirates, Dubai's flagship carrier, said it would seek out new routes to sustain its fast pace of growth after a steep rise in fuel costs punctured annual profits.

Crash deals blow to Russian aerospace revival

5/11/2012

The hilltop crash of a Sukhoi passenger jet ferrying journalists and dignitaries on a mission to drum up foreign sales in Indonesia potentially casts a shadow over Kremlin efforts to restore Russia's once mighty aerospace industry.

Air India risks losing bailout as pilots agitate

5/11/2012

State-owned Air India risks losing a $5.8 billion government bailout, India's civil aviation minister said, as industrial action by pilots disrupted flights for a fourth day.

Emirates Group announces 24th consecutive year of profit

5/11/2012

The Emirates Group has announced its 24th consecutive year of profit and companywide growth amidst unprecedented economic pressure and record high fuel prices.

USDA sees strong demand for US exports despite dip

5/11/2012

The head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture he expects the second-strongest year ever for U.S. agricultural exports in fiscal 2012, with economic downturns in China and the European Union having little effect on demand.

US trade gap widens more than expected in March

5/11/2012

The U.S. trade deficit widened more than expected in March as imports surged to a record high, in another sign the government may have to scale back its estimate of first-quarter economic growth.

India's exports pick up in April but growth very slow

5/11/2012

India's exports picked up in April after falling in March but only grew 3.2 percent from a year earlier and garment, gems and jewellery shipments shrank, highlighting the challenge facing Asia's third-biggest economy in the face of weak global demand.

German trade locomotive powers ahead without EU

5/11/2012

German exports and imports both leapt to record monthly levels in March, bolstering hopes that Europe's largest economy has escaped recession and highlighting the country's resilience to the euro zone's deepening debt crisis.

China risks fresh demand downturn, trade data shows

5/11/2012

China risks a fresh downturn in demand for goods from its massive factory sector, with weaker than expected exports and stalling headline import growth signalling that government spending is the crucial factor keeping the economy moving.

Emirates SkyCargo in the saddle with record horse shipment for Jubilee Pageant

5/11/2012

Two Emirates SkyCargo special freighter charters have touched down in the UK in the last few days, carrying a record cargo of over 100 horses.

WCA Family and Etihad Cargo offers forwarders benefits

5/11/2012

By Karen E. Thuermer, AJOT

Networking is always at the core of successful business deals. That�s why David Yokeum formed the WCA Family of Logistics Networks in what has become over the years the world�s most powerful grouping of independent freight forwarders.

Slow steaming means potential opportunity for air freight

5/11/2012

Airlines and forwarders should take advantage of shipping lines adopting �slow steaming� to save on bunker fuel on almost all trade lanes. Slow steaming is lengthening voyages by meaningful margins, causing massive complaints by shippers who claim their inventory costs are rising substantially because of this practice.

Virgina Atlantic Cargo takes off from Chicago

5/11/2012

Customers across the US Midwest now have faster connections to Virgin Atlantic Cargo�s network of over 350 destinations worldwide with the launch of new flights from Chicago.

20 tons of coiled tubing arrives for oil production in Scotland

5/11/2012

One of Volga-Dnepr Airlines� new IL-76TD-90VD freighters has delivered 20 tons of oil production equipment from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea to Prestwick in Scotland.

Breakbulk and project cargo expanding via eastern Canada ports

5/11/2012

By Leo Ryan, AJOT

The current outlook for project and breakbulk cargo growth looks upbeat at eastern Canadian ports based on mineral prices driving mining projects, notably in northern Quebec and northern Ontario, ever-increasing power demands, modernization of existing power demands and such other factors as the development of wind energy production. At the same time, Canada is witnessing continued investments in oil and gas projects, including conventional drilling and the Alberta oilsands. With world oil prices, rebounding back to above $100 a barrel from lows of $40 a barrel in late 2009, this augurs well for the oilsands sector that requires ultra-dimensional equipment.

Breakbulk 2012: following seas

5/11/2012

The Dry Bulk sector �recovered� in 2010, only to plunge again in the first quarter of 2012, setting off a wave of �here we go again,� looking back to see if a 2008 style collapse was about to wash over the industry. It wasn�t, and while 2012 hasn�t been good � about 33% down � there are reasons for cautious optimism looking forward.

The best-laid plans

5/11/2012

Sometimes project moves run into unexpected problems

By Peter A. Buxbaum, AJOT

Companies around the world have become adept at planning and executing big infrastructure moves. But sometimes the best laid plans go awry.

New Paulsboro port continues South Jersey's breakbulk strategy

5/11/2012

First new Delaware River marine terminal in 50 years

By Peter A. Buxbaum, AJOT

The South Jersey Port Corporation is continuing with its strategy to attract breakbulk cargoes with the development of a new terminal at Paulsboro, Gloucester County, New Jersey. The Delaware River port is about to entertain bids for the construction of the terminal, which has been on the drawing boards since 2005, and which will be the first new marine terminal in 50 years on the Delaware River.

Project cargo outlook soars at Port of Sept-Iles

5/11/2012

By Leo Ryan, AJOT

The Klondike-type fever gripping the port city of Sept-Iles, on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River 560 miles east of Montreal, has been heating up as a result of a dramatic increase in domestic and foreign investments in iron ore projects, notably with a view to supplying the vital commodity for steel mills in China. It portends a surge of breakbulk and project cargo shipments in the coming years, industry analysts say.

The changing face of Canada�s West Coast

5/11/2012

By Leo Quigley, AJOT

The recession seems to be coming to an end on Canada�s West Coast with traffic at its two largest ports, Port Metro Vancouver and the Port of Prince Rupert, on the increase once again.

Governor Jindal and the Port of New Orleans dedicate $36 million crane, container yard expansion

5/15/2012

Governor Bobby Jindal recently joined the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans in dedicating major improvements at the Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal that will generate more cargo and jobs for the city and state.

Some secrecy needed in trade talks

5/15/2012

The United States is being as open as possible about international negotiations to create a nine-nation free trade agreement in the Asia-Pacific region but has to maintain some secrecy in the talks, the top U.S. trade official said.

India, China airlines violate EU carbon law

5/15/2012

A total of 10 Chinese and Indian commercial airlines have broken EU law requiring them to offset their carbon emissions, while all other international carriers flying to or from Europe have complied, the European Union's climate chief said.

Cathay Pacific to reduce costs, flags weak H1

5/15/2012

Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd , Asia's No.4 carrier by market value, said high fuel prices and an uncertain global economy are forcing the Hong Kong-based airline to cut costs, and warned that first-half earnings may be "disappointing."

AirBridgeCargo wins �Wings of Russia� national aviation award for the fourth time

5/15/2012

AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC), part of Volga-Dnepr Group, has been awarded the �Wings of Russia� national aviation prize for the fourth year in a row.

Air Partner appoints Argyle as Director of UK Commercial Jet Division

5/15/2012

Leading air charter broker and Royal Warrant holder Air Partner has appointed Paul Argyle as Director of the UK Commercial Jet Division.

Multitrade Spain busy moving trains to Chile for Santiago Metro Line

5/15/2012

Multitrade Spain, a member of the Cargo Equipment Experts CEE network in Barcelona, has been awarded the second contract of 108 cars for metro line in Santiago de Chile.

Norden takes $300 mlllion writedown on shipping fleet

5/15/2012

Danish shipping company D/S Norden delivered stronger-than-expected underlying profit for the first quarter but took a $300 million writedown on the value of its fleet due to the global shipping slump.

Trade drag on UK economy despite March exports bounce

5/15/2012

Britain's economy was dragged down by net trade in the first quarter of 2012 despite a rebound in sales to non-EU countries in March, data showed.

EU to lodge suit against Argentina with WTO

5/15/2012

The European Union has agreed to file a trade suit against Argentina's import restrictions with the World Trade Organisation (WTO), a senior Spanish government source said.

Brazil targets Argentina with trade licenses

5/15/2012

Brazil escalated a growing trade fight with Argentina by throwing up extra bureaucratic obstacles to import certain perishable products, a senior government official told Reuters, imperiling its involvement in a major regional trade group.

Virginia gets first-in call on Asia service

5/15/2012

The Port of Virginia in June will add a �first-in� vessel call from Asia to an expanding string of announcements that point to growing interest from global ocean carriers seeking to capitalize on the port�s deep water, rail connections and modern facilities.

Officials kick off $1 billion terminal modernization at the Port of Long Beach

5/15/2012

Civic, port and industry leaders gathered recently on the docks of the Port of Long Beach to launch a pioneering project to build a highly advanced terminal that will feature the most modern and clean technologies available to move cargo.

Jeddah eyed to list as LME port in early 2013

5/15/2012

The Saudi Arabian port of Jeddah may list as a delivery point for London Metal Exchange metals as soon as early next year, Steven Spencer of UK-based metals trading company Ambro Limited said.

IES hits the road running with Canadian highway ACI certification

5/15/2012

Transportation software provider, IES, Ltd., announces that the company has been certified by CBSA as an authorized Canadian ACI highway software provider. IES will now provide one cloud-based gateway for truck shipments traveling from the US into Canada and from Canada into the United States.

IAG Cargo trails small freight collection service in the US

5/16/2012

IAG Cargo, the single business created following the merger of British Airways World Cargo and Iberia Cargo, has started trialling a unique and complimentary freight collection service, the Cargo Connector. The trial, which is already underway, is dedicated to consignments under 200 kilos and is currently available in New York and Chicago.

Maersk dampens hopes for quick freight recovery

5/16/2012

A.P. Moller-Maersk dampened hopes for a quick recovery in freight rates, nudging up its 2012 results forecast to a level that would still fall short of its performance last year.