MELL - Experts & Thought Leaders

In reference to the recent declining bunker prices, Mariana Express Lines Pte. Ltd. (MELL) has reviewed their BAF/BRF quantum for May 2023, please see below for update:  

Mariana Express Lines (MELL), a subsidiary of Pacific International Lines (PIL), is pleased to announce that two of its vessels Kota Dunia and Selatan Damai, made successful maiden calls at the new Tibar Bay Port over two days from 14 September 2022 to 16 September 2022, to support the operational trials of this new deepwater port. This new development, built in compliance with globally recognised environmental standards, aims to deliver performance and productivity which are comparable with the largest seaports in the world Digital operation efficiency testing  Over the two-day test phase, the efficiency of the digital operating systems of the terminal shone through as the port handled nearly 1,000 containers on board both ships. With new optimised port call practices, the port call process in the future is expected to be even shorter and more efficient, thereby bringing savings while reducing carbon emissions for shipping lines. Lee Chin Giaf, General Manager, MELL said, “MELL has served Timor Leste for over a decade. We are very pleased to have the opportunity to show our commitment to the growth of Timor by deploying two of our vessels to participate in the testing of the country’s new world-class facility." Economic growth  With the opening of Timor Bay, we will further strengthen our partnership to bring economic progress to Timor Leste" "We look forward to working closely with Timor Port and Bolloré Ports on the successful development and launch of the new port as part of its ambition to drive stronger economic growth for the country, ” concluded Lee Chin.  Laurent Palayer, CEO of Timor Port SA said “MELL and Bolloré Ports enjoy a long-standing relationship underpinned by close cooperation over the last decade, and with the opening of Timor Bay, we will further strengthen our partnership to bring economic progress to Timor Leste.” Enhanced connectivity  Tonnie Lim, Chief Trade Officer, PIL added, “Asia is a key focus region for PIL, and our subsidiary MELL enables us to specialise in certain niche routes within the Asia Pacific. Timor, with its central location in Asia and proximity to the large Asian market of Indonesia, has immense development potential." "PIL and MELL are confident that Timor will continue to grow from strength to strength and we stand ready to meet the needs of our customers for enhanced connectivity to Timor and other parts of Asia.”

Nestled in the North Pacific Ocean and the largest of the Micronesian islands is Guam, an unincorporated territory of the United States of America (USA). There are two main drivers of trade in this island nation in the Pacific Ocean, the US military presence and tourism. The current population of Guam stands at about 170,000 people, with this number expected to increase slightly by 2024, as 5,000 US Marine personnel and their families will be relocated to Guam from Okinawa, Japan. Guam, a key gateway to other islands in the region This relocation is expected to have an impact on the economy, as well as the construction industry, with the need to increase housing facilities. Imports of food and supplies are also expected to increase with the population growth. Like several other countries around the world, Guam has also been affected by COVID-19, crippling its tourism industry. The import commodities comprise general supermarket produce, such as rice, juices, alcohol, long-life milk The island nation also serves as an important gateway for air and sea travel into the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau and the Marshall Islands. Food accounts for about 30% of Guam’s imports and these are primarily from countries in the Asia Pacific region, such as China, Taiwan, The Philippines, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia. The import commodities comprise general supermarket produce, such as rice, juices, alcohol, long-life milk. Other products that are imported include construction and building materials, to support the booming construction industry, including cement, asphalt, scaffolding equipment, and etc. Guam’s main export is scrap metal, including scrap iron The main export out of Guam is scrap metal, with scrap iron accounting for more than US$ 4 million in exports, to countries in the region. Scrap metal is a boon to recycling and the environment. It is a sought-after commodity, which is used extensively in the construction industry, for building roads and bridges. It is also used in the manufacture of cars and aircrafts, as well as the manufacture of furniture that is aesthetically pleasing and durable. Major shipping liners, such as MELL, transport essential cargo As Guam is not located along major trade routes, it is dependent on shipping liners, such as Mariana Express Lines (MELL), a subsidiary of Pacific International Lines (PIL), to transport essential cargo regularly, in order to meet the needs of the population. MELL has been active in Guam for more than 24 years, covering ports in Asia and Oceania. Serving a very small market presents its own set of challenges, but MELL’s stability and reliability has worked in its favour. COVID-19 causes surge in imports of PPE to Guam Currently, MELL has a fortnightly service to Guam, with an average cargo capacity of around 200 TEUs Currently, MELL has a fortnightly service to Guam, with an average cargo capacity of around 200 TEUs. MELL makes timely deliveries of essential cargo, in order to ensure supermarkets are well stocked at all times. COVID-19 has also seen a surge in imports of Personal Protective Equipment - PPE, such as gloves, masks, hand sanitizers, and medical supplies. Keeping the supply chain flowing is crucial to the Guam population and the surrounding islands of Saipan, Yap and Palau. MELL has helped to source for alternative suppliers, so as to ensure products were delivered on time, due to longer delivery times, with COVID-19 related delays. Focus on other key markets in the Northern Pacific Islands With Guam as a key market, MELL also focuses on other niche markets in the Northern Pacific Islands, including Chuuk, Ebeye, Koror, Kosrae, Majuro, Pohnpei, Saipan and Yap. There are currently three services which MELL operates in the region: Micronesia Express Service (MXS) – Connecting Hong Kong and Kaohsiung to Guam, Saipan, Yap and Koror, with an average cargo capacity of 500 TEUs. Majuro South Pacific (MSP) – Linking South China (Nansha, Hong Kong and Shekou) to the South Pacific Islands, with an average cargo capacity of 850 TEUs. East Micronesia Express Service (EMS) – Covering the Micronesia islands of Guam, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae, Majuro and Ebeye, with an average cargo capacity of around 100 TEUs. MELL drives local infrastructure development and cargo delivery As a whole, MELL is participating in and growing with the Northern Pacific Islands, by contributing to the development of local infrastructure, and delivering relevant cargo, for the region’s military and tourism industries. With significant construction projects ongoing at the islands, MELL plays a key role in shipping building materials for residential, commercial and hotel projects.