By Mike Wackett (The Loadstar) - Analysts predict that the impact of IMO 2020 will mean slower ships and more transhipment. This would be a further blow to shippers who also face additional costs to compensate carriers for using cleaner fuel from 1 January. Shippers may dislike surcharges, but they universally hate transhipment, as it introduces another level of risk to … [Read more...]
Environmental Group Proposes Speed Limits for Ships to IMO
By Alexander Whiteman (The Loadstar) - Mandatory speed limits could be shipping lines’ best hope of achieving the IMO’s 2030 emissions reduction targets. Shipping officer for lobby group Transport & Environment Faig Abbasov told The Loadstar slow-steaming could “single-handedly” achieve the target. “We’re proposing mandatory limits, based on ship type,” said Mr … [Read more...]
IMO’s 2020 Sulphur Cap Seen Ushering In New Era of Slow-Steaming
By Alex Longley, Firat Kayakiran and Irene García Pérez (Bloomberg) -- If you happen to be at the beach this summer, make a mental note of any giant freighters crossing the horizon. In a few years’ time those same ships will probably be moving just a fraction slower. If the slowdown does happen -- and the likes of Citigroup Inc. say it will -- then the wider consequences … [Read more...]
Slow-Steaming Still Cheaper Despite Record Low Bunker Prices
By Mike Wackett (The Loadstar) - Following Korean carrier Hanjin offering express container shipping services on two major tradelanes, industry analyst Alphaliner has questioned the viability of abandoning slow-steaming. It says that, in theory, with bunker prices below $200 per tonne since last November, the cost of operating fewer ships at higher speeds should be lower … [Read more...]
Demand for Faster Transit Times Could Signal an End to Era of Slow-Steaming
By Mike Wackett, The Loadstar The era of global slow-steaming by container lines could be about to end with the recent announcement of improved transit times on select services. APL today announced the launch of its Eagle Express weekly transpacific service, which will offer a 13-day transit from Shanghai to Los Angeles, which the Singapore-based carrier said … [Read more...]