By Mike Wackett (The Loadstar) - Nine 22,000 teu vessels on order for CMA CGM and 11 22,000 teu ships for MSC could end up with capacity of 23,500 teu when delivered in 2019 and 2020, ushering in a new era of the megamax containership. According to Alphaliner, the order specifications from both carriers include options to enlarge the ships by extending their breadth to … [Read more...]
Shipping Groups Hit Back at Claims They Don’t Support Emissions Reduction
By Alexander Whiteman (The Loadstar) - Shipping lobby groups have fought back against claims they are obstructing efforts to fight climate change. The World Shipping Council (WSC) has rejected a report by InfluenceMap that claimed it, Bimco and the International Chamber of Shipping had “aggressively” lobbied against climate regulations. The WSC said the Corporate Capture … [Read more...]
South Korean Shipyards in Tough Battle with Undercutting Chinese Rivals
By Mike Wackett in Busan (The Loadstar) - South Korean shipyards are in a battle with Chinese rivals, over construction of ultra-large container vessels, that they cannot win. That was the general consensus among delegates attending the 11th annual World Ocean Forum conference in Busan last week. In August, South Korea’s largest shipbuilder, Hyundai Heavy Industries … [Read more...]
Peak Season a Let-Down for China-US Carriers as Ocean Rates Continue to Slide
By Gavin van Marle (The Loadstar) - After eight consecutive weeks of declining spot freight rates on the headhaul legs between China and the US, the remainder of this year’s peak season is set to be worse for carriers than the corresponding period in 2016. According to the Freightos International Freight Index, last year’s peak season was in three phases, beginning with a … [Read more...]
Marine Insurers Demand Better Fire Protection for Large Containerships
By Mike Wackett (The Loadstar) - The International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) has warned that Solas firefighting regulations for container vessels are “inadequate” – particularly as ships have grown in recent years. IUMI said the regulations were developed for general cargo vessels, where freight is stored openly in holds, and are “not suitable for a modern … [Read more...]