By Mike Wackett (The Loadstar) - Despite the recent introduction of low-sulphur regulations, the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) will continue to allow ships transiting the waterway to burn heavy fuel oil (HFO) without the need for scrubbers. Adding to the confusion for ship managers is a ban by the SCA on the discharge of wash water – used in the open-loop scrubber process – … [Read more...]
Another Challenging Year Ahead for Container Shipping, Drewry Says
By Mike Wackett (The Loadstar) - 2020 will prove another challenging year for ocean carriers in terms of capacity management, according to Drewry. Although the consultant claimed the industry would be able to cope. Drewry calculates that 1.2m teu of capacity will be added to the fleet this year, of which almost half comprises 23 20,000-plus teu ULCVs for HMM, CMA CGM and … [Read more...]
Maersk Could Lose Biggest Carrier Crown
By Mike Wackett (The Loadstar) - MSC is on course to overtake alliance partner Maersk as the biggest ocean carrier by capacity within the next two years. A new order for five 23,000 teu ULCVs from the South Korean Daewoo yard will take the Geneva-based carrier’s orderbook to 16 vessels, for a massive 305,352 teu, according to Alphaliner data. A disclosure from Daewoo this … [Read more...]
Tariff Delay May Mean Relief for U.S. West Coast Ports
By Alexander Whiteman (The Loadstar) - West coast US ports suffered last month, but there may be some relief with the news that the US government is rethinking plans for further tariffs in September. The port of Long Beach experienced a 9.7% volume drop in July, handling 621,780 teu, and executive director Mario Cordero pointed the finger of blame in just one … [Read more...]
End of Shipping Alliances Would Send Freight Rates Soaring
By Gavin van Marle in Rotterdam (The Loadstar) - Shipper opposition to deepsea liner shipping alliances may be dangerously misplaced, delegates at the TOC Container Supply Chain event in Rotterdam heard yesterday. Lars Jensen, chief executive and partner of SeaIntelligence Consulting, said efforts by some to bar container lines from operating in alliances, claiming they have … [Read more...]