Rising costs - News

The return of commercial cargo trains, a multi-million-pound expansion, and soaring exports have left a North East port in ship-shape condition post-COVID. Port of Sunderland welcomed its first cargo freight train in two decades last year, as port chiefs and representatives from DB Cargo and Network Rail welcomed 21 wagons pulled by a Class 60 Engine. The return of intermodal ship-to-rail cargo topped off what was an already stellar year for the municipally-owned port, having seen exports soar...

SBM Offshore is pleased to announce the proposed appointment of Øivind Tangen as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and member of its Management Board. Øivind Tangen (1973, Norwegian) has been working for the Company for 19 years and has a wealth of experience in engineering and operational roles, as well as in strategy and project execution. He is currently a Managing Director of the Company, responsible for SBM Offshore’s Lease and Operate segment, which includes the Company&rs...

Participants from across the maritime value chain participated in the DNV Conference – The Fuel of the Future. Aimed at advancing the idea that collaboration is the key to success in decarbonising the maritime world, the event attracted more than 6500 registrants and brought together a comprehensive line-up of shipowners, energy majors, financers, and regulators who offered their unique insights on how shipping can be chart the optimal route ahead. Decarbonisation Decarbonisation is t...

Mediterranean Shipping Company’s (MSC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Soren Toft has highlighted the importance of working together, in order to achieve net decarbonisation goals, in a keynote digital speech delivered at DNV’s ‘Fuel of the Future Conference’, on January, 11, 2022, as part of the annual Nor-Shipping convention. In his speech, Soren Toft explained MSC’s views on the status of decarbonisation in the container shipping sector, summarised how the compan...

EasyShipping, a well-known international logistics service platform in China is joining forces with TradeLens – the global blockchain digital platform, to provide innovative ocean freight financing solutions for Chinese foreign trade and logistics companies. Cross-border trading is a pillar of the global economy and supply chains are a key component to enable cross-border trading. As the current global supply chain suffers from imbalance, tight resource allocation and low efficiency, most...

Market sentiments continue to remain strong across major economies in West and Central Asia, driven primarily by strong demand for consumer products. Despite growing concerns over the spread of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus, the region has seen varied reactions across the logistics sector, over the last month. A truckers’ strike created supply chain disruptions in Bangladesh, while in India, a dip in fuel prices brought welcome relief for both businesses and consumers alike....

On behalf of Pakistan Customs, the Pakistan Single Window Company signs an agreement with TradeLens, a blockchain-underpinned logistics platform supported by 5 of the 6 largest ocean carriers globally, to digitise import-export documentation of the containerised cargo moving in and out of the country. Pakistan’s international trade ecosystem is being rapidly transformed through the introduction of technology-driven initiatives led by the Pakistan Single Window and the country’s auth...

At the 32nd session of the IMO Assembly (A 32) from December 6 to December 15, 2021, the Assembly adopted a resolution on comprehensive action to address seafarers’ challenges, during the COVID-19 pandemic, consolidating issues related to crew change, access to medical care, ‘key worker’ designation and seafarers' prioritisation for COVID-19 vaccination. The resolution urges IMO Member States to: Designate seafarers as ‘key workers’, in order to facilitate shore...

Solent Gateway, the UK’s fastest-growing port, is offering a unique opportunity for the renewables sector with its designated Freeport status complemented with the sea, road, and rail access, opening substantial growth opportunities in the region. The Sector Deal between the offshore wind industry and the UK Government in 2019 created certainty – unmatched by other European governments – that the UK will remain the anchor market for offshore wind. Productivity and innovation...

Maritime UK is launching its national awards programme for 2022, celebrating a sector worth over £46.1bn to the UK economy and supporting over 1 million jobs. Held for the first time in September 2019, the Maritime UK Awards are run by the industry for the benefit of the industry. From a judging panel of internationally recognised maritime leaders to an awards evening at the Glasgow Science Centre, the Maritime UK Awards are a unique and impactful way to showcase individual business, an...

What is the ocean’s role in the low-carbon future? The World Ocean Council’s (WCO) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Paul Holthus discussed the confluence of energy, climate and biodiversity in the oceans, at the 4th edition of the Transition Forum (2021 Transition Forum). Transition Forum The Transition Forum partner event brings together the public and private sectors, in order to speed the global transition to a low-carbon future.

Cape Town’s port is naturally positioned against the beautiful backdrop of Table Mountain and strategically placed along one of the busiest trade routes in the world. This is of significance to South Africa’s economy, apart from two other ports in Durban and Johannesburg. Cape Town also prides itself in being the largest fruit exporter out of South Africa. Fruit exports account for about 50 percent of the country’s agricultural trade valued at over US $1.7 billion dollars...

A brand-new transport solution from Narvik in Northern Norway will ensure fresher fish for all of Europe. Accompanied by Norwegian CargoNet and Nor-log Thermo, Blue Water Shipping has tailored a solution shortening the transport time by up to 40%. This Sunday, the first train arrived at Padborg’s cargo transport terminal. After unloading of the train, the trailers were transported to Blue Water’s reefer terminal, which is neighbouring to the cargo terminal in Padborg. Blue Water han...

VANOS S.A. is pleased to announce that they participated in the DEFEA 2021 - Defence Exhibition Athens event, which took place from July 13 to July 15, 2021. VANOS S.A. presented their latest technological developments in tactical equipment, as well as security, communication and detection systems, to 63 official military and government delegations, from 21 countries, in addition to the thousands of visitors, at the DEFEA 2021 exhibition. DEFEA 2021 exhibition With the exhibition having come...

A raft of respected business leaders, ocean experts and key industry stakeholders have been revealed, as participants in the unique Blue Talks programme at the Nor-Shipping 2022 exhibition. Nor-Shipping 2022 Scheduled to take place from April 4 to April 7, 2022, the Blue Talks at Nor-Shipping 2022 event will complement Nor-Shipping’s main theme of taking positive #ACTION within the ocean space, with hour-long sessions dedicated to the future strategies, solutions and technologies capable...

Borchard Lines Ltd-owned Palletwide containers offer door-door savings, for a wide range of export industries. Palletwide containers With increasing haulage issues within continental Europe and the Mediterranean regions, the over 20% saving on door-door costs, offered by Palletwide containers, is amplified by the need to decrease the number of land-side moves. Environmentally, the benefits are clear, along with punctual, door-door services providing all-round savings.

Headquartered in Kolding, Denmark, Tricon produces control panels and electronics for the global market. This calls for wide-ranging and skilled logistics solutions. Currently, Blue Water handles all Tricon’s cross-border shipments to and from Kolding, the company’s factory in Hungary and the rest of the world. Good sparring partner “The employees of Blue Water are always quick to assist if we have questions or challenges," says Director of Tricon, Kenneth Lund, adding ...

The OECS region’s coastal and marine environment is pivotal to the advancement of the region’s sustainable development agenda as well as to the ecological sustainability and holistic development of its Member States.  Although the Blue Economy in the region is fairly nascent and requires a major boost to realise its transformative promises, there is momentum and gradual growth in understanding of the potential of the Blue Economy to position the region to realise its aspiration...

Water and a piece of the iceberg from Greenland were part of the exhibition at the UN’s climate summit in Glasgow. But how to move this gigantic iceberg piece over a 2,500 kilometres sea distance? Through network, Blue Water was contacted with an inquiry about this unusual task that need to be solved within a narrow time frame. Shipping the ice Several operators were already contacted but none were willing to undertake the demanding job. It concerned a piece of the iceberg from Narsaq i...

BAE Systems has announced that it is extending its partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful to become the primary supporter of the charity’s Upstream Battle® campaign on the River Clyde and its tributaries. The partnership, which has already seen the creation of two new Community Clean Up Hubs in Scotstoun and Govan, will continue to raise awareness of the problem of marine litter from source to sea and inspire action to improve waterways throughout the Clyde Valley. Funding BAE Sys...

An exceptional operation was carried out in the Aabenraa Inlet. In a planned operation, a large semi-submersible freighter slowly submerged to prepare for the float-off of 'Magnor', the world’s biggest backhoe dredger. The purpose-built freighter is constructed for this specific type of assignment and can carry vessels that are unable to manoeuvre under their power.  Float-off operation For performing the float-off operation, the semi-submersible vessel ballasted to submerge its ce...

The UK government has selected eight new freeports in England, as a means to boost trade, jobs and investment, across the country. The special taxation and customs rules for the freeports will help businesses develop new facilities and operations, to trade and manufacture goods more cost-effectively, countering the effects of other complications, such as Brexit and COVID-19 pandemic.  Early deliverability of opportunities for new businesses is the key, with Solent Gateway Ltd, at Marchwood...

The Seafarers’ Charity has worked with Seafish, The Money Charity and other stakeholders to develop a new training course on money management for new entrants to fishing. The training will set new recruits on the right financial path and enable an understanding of how to manage fluctuations in income, the complexities of budgeting and making credit choices as well as the range of free resources which can help with money management. The charity’s ‘Fishing Without A Safety Net&...

Xeneta’s Long-Term XSI Public Indices has revealed yet another monthly hike in long-term ocean freight rates, with global container prices climbing by 3.2%. The development follows a 2.2% increase in August 2021 and an unprecedented 28.1% jump in July 2021, leaving rates now standing 91.5% up year-on-year. What’s more, Oslo-based Xeneta reports there is little evidence to suggest a weakening of market fundamentals – meaning there could be more pain in store for shippers, with...

CMA CGM has advised that in order to recover schedule reliability on SAFRAN service, connecting Europe with East Coast South America, the Le Havre call suspension will be extended for a further eight-week period. Le Havre call suspension extended The service change is effective m/v CAP SAN AUGUSTIN voy. 0EWAHS1MA, starting her rotation in Rotterdam ETS, on October 20th, 2021. SAFRAN's rotation will be temporarily adjusted as follows: Rotterdam (Thu/Fri) - London Gateway (Sat/Sat) - Hamburg (...

Stena Line is to continue its expansion on the Baltic Sea during 2022, increasing both freight- and passenger capacity. The Swedish family-owned ferry company announces that they will deploy their two new 240-metre-long fuel-efficient E-Flexer ferries, on the Nynäshamn-Ventspils in 2022. Stena Line also announces plans to increase the capacity on the Karlskrona-Gdynia route with the deployment of the two large and modern ferries Stena Scandica and Stena Baltica. Freight and passenger capa...

A near-record backlog of cargo ships in Southern California could have serious ramifications for the US economy. The build-up of cargo ships carrying key exports from China, including electronics, furniture, and toys, threatens to increase shortages and price hikes in the US ahead of the holiday season. The dozens of hulking cargo ships wait an average of nearly 10 days to dock and unload, according to data from the Port of Los Angeles. Container vessels Los Angeles a...

Sustainable transport solutions will open up a greener Blue Water. That is why BWS has welcomed Per Jakobsen, who will contribute to the green transition through innovative solutions, internal development, and close collaboration with external climate partners. Creating green solutions “I am looking forward to creating green solutions which are both easily available as well as easier to see through, making the value visible for our clients and their clients," says Per Jakobsen, who...

Signatories of the Call to Action for Shipping Decarbonisation urge pioneers to align shipping with the Paris Agreement temperature goal. The private sector is already taking important steps to decarbonise global supply chains. Now governments must deliver the policies that will supercharge the transition and make zero-emission shipping the default choice by 2030. Full decarbonisation of international shipping is urgent and achievable. This is the clear message from Unifeeder and more than...

In his keynote speech at the London International Shipping Week (LISW21) conference, held at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Soren Toft, CEO, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, discussed the current economic environment, the pressure the whole supply chain is facing and how the industry is evolving to ensure growth in a disrupted world. Emphasising shipping’s role as the backbone of global trade with a huge influence on the global economy, Soren explored the current st...