RCL orders more newbuilds 
Backed by a good result in 2021, Thailand-based Regional Carrier Lines (RCL) recently ordered two 7,000 teu units, contracting Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding in China to build the two vessels of this size for an investment of USD 170 million. Deliveries are expected for... more
GAC Fuels' newest location
GAC Bunker Fuels has opened a new office in Westport, Connecticut (USA). It will be manned by LNG, biofuel, LSFO and MGO experts Maurice Lara and John Lindquist, and will be carbon neutral in keeping with GAC Bunker Fuels’ blue carbon projects. Beyond aligning with the... more
A cash injection for U-Ming
The ANZ Bank Taiwan has agreed upon a USD 50 million loan with bulk carrier U-Ming Marine Transport. The money will be invested in U-Ming’s fleet renewal and switch to more sustainable units. In April 2021, U-Ming had already secured its first sustainability-linked loan (SLL) of... more
A long way from and to China
After Seko Logistics’ Hong-Kong-based regional headquarters first announced that Chinese ports were closing and that vessels would be diverted from Shenzen, the situation has rapidly deteriorated. The lockdowns in 19 provinces so far, affecting Shenzhen, Shanghai, Suzhou,... more
Six for methanol
Six partners in Japan are opting for a joint approach to reduce the environmental impact of the shipping industry. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), MOL Coastal Shipping, Tabuchi Kaiun, Niihama Kaiun, Murakami Hide Shipbuilding and Hanshin Diesel Works have agreed to form a strategic... more
Seaber joins forces with Stora Enso
The Finnish maritime technology company Seaber is partnering with Stora Enso to digitalise Stora Enso’s bulk and breakbulk shipment planning and communications. The web-based application is designed for both charterers and shipowners. Seaber claims that this is the first... more
The fall-out of skipping ports
"Lost capacity" is the key issue. The MDS Transmodal (MDST) research, commissioned by Global Shippers Forum (GSF), recently measured the total number of container ship slots that were expected to be available at the port but did not materialise because either the port... more
Former services to Russia re-assigned
Finnlines is no longer serving Russian ports. On 9 March 2022, it decided to unilaterally interrupt its traffic to Russia, although it was not legally obliged to do so. Thus, the holding Grimaldi Group, which operates these routes through Finnlines, cut four services to Russia... more
Russian cargo throughput in German sea ports
The German Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) reports that the Russian Federation was the most important trading partner of the German seaports from January to November 2021, handling around 24.1 million t, 45% of which were fossil fuels. Russia thus accounts for 9% of... more
Thai ports benefited in 2021
The state-run Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) has reported its annual figures for 2021. It generated revenues of THB 15.6 billion (USD 508 million) last year, a rise of 6% compared to 2020. The year's profit amounted to THB 6.2 billion (USD 202 million). Of the total revenues... more