An "A-mark" for the Swedish Club 
The Swedish Club reports that S&P Global Ratings has affirmed its 'A-' long-term insurer financial strength and issuer credit ratings. The ratings agency commented on The Swedish Club’s sturdy operating performance, driven by disciplined underwriting and strong risk controls... more
UECC snaps up award for sustainability
The Greenports award for the most eco-friendly vessel was presented to “Auto Energy”, a UECC vessel, when she called at Bremerhaven (Germany) in September. The Greenports award 2019 to the vessel was announced at the sustainable shipping 2019 conference in Bremen (Germany) on 24... more
The next MLO LNG carrier for Yamal is ready
The naming ceremony for a conventional LNG carrier, jointly ordered by MOL and China Cosco Shipping, was recently held at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding Group in China. As many participants in the Yamal LNG project looked on, the newly built vessel was named the "LNG... more
First LNG transaction with the BLNG3 assessment
LNG traders JERA Global Markets and Vitol have carried out the first Atlantic LNG freight swap based on the Baltic Exchange's BLNG3 assessment in a bilateral trade arranged by Affinity Financial Products. The BLNG3 assessment provides a freight rate benchmark for LNG... more
Ports of Auckland calls 2019 a "tough year"
Ports of Auckland has reported its results of the first six months. Group revenue rose slightly to NZD 248.1 million from NZD 243.2 million in H1/2018. The reported net profit after tax was NZD 53.9 million, considerably lower compared to NZD 76.8 million for the previous... more
Bridgehead for LNG bunkering in the USA
The technology group Wärtsilä will supply its LNG cargo handling system for a new 5400 sqm LNG bunker barge being built in the USA. The barge is being built at the Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding yard in Wisconsin (USA) on behalf of NorthStar Midstream. It will be operated by the... more
Heavylift from South Korea to Thailand
The handling and transport of an exceptional cargo of South Korean-engineered petrochemical plant components, from Pyeongtaek (South Korea) to Map Ta Phut (Thailand), was done by project heavy lift carrier AAL. The units will be installed at one of Thailand’s major... more
IRclass inaugurates branch in Doha
The Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass), a classification society, has opened a new affiliate at the Qatar financial centre (QFC) in Doha. The Middle East is one of IRClass’ important strategic markets outside of India. Via the new branch office, the classification... more
Clarksons downbeat over maritime development
Clarksons Research has revised its forecast of growth of maritime transport in tonnes downwards, from the 2.9% foreseen in its spring report to 1.7%, as it has just published in the progress of its autumn report on shipping. This low growth, the lowest since 2009, is due to... more
New super vessels for P & O Ferries
The affiliate of DP World, P & O Ferries, is banking on new equipment. The company has signed a contract with Guangzhou Shipyard International worth EUR 260 million to deliver a new generation of ships on the English Channel. Two new 230-m "super-ferries" – the... more