Container index: the only way is up 
The container throughput index of the RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) rose by 2.3 points (seasonally adjusted) to 128.6 in May, according to the current flash estimate. The value of the Chinese ports'... more
How maritime trade performed in 2020
The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has published a report that aims to quantify the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic measures in maritime transport. Maritime trade in the European Union (EU) fell by 9.3% in 2020, which is equivalent to a loss of 226 million t of the... more
Zim completes early redemption
Haifa-based Zim Integrated Shipping Services recently announced “the full completion of the early redemption of 100% of the principal amount and accrued interest of its series 1 and 100% series 2 unsecured notes.” The measure, announced in April 2021, was originally only due for... more
How double sailings intensify port congestion
Copenhagen-based maritime consultancy Sea Intelligence recently analysed the impact of double sailings in the booming deep sea container shipping market. This is when two or more vessels sail in the same week on the same service string. What happens is that both the ports of... more
More space in Koper
The container quayside at the southern end of Pier I in Slovenia's Port of Koper has been extended by 100 m. It serves a new berth, named Link 7D. The project also includes the construction of a 25,000 sqm container storage area in the quayside’s hinterland. Construction is... more
Green light for methanol-powered tug
The port of Antwerp is set to become the first hub in the world to convert a tug to methanol propulsion. The move is part of the European Union-funded ‘Fastwater’ project, which aims to demonstrate the feasibility of methanol as a sustainable marine fuel. Rhine-based inland... more
Record month for port of Virginia
In May the US east coast port of Virginia, whose activities centre on Hampton Roads harbour, set a new record for a single month when it handled almost 315,000 teu, a 56% rise that saw it surpass the previous record by almost 30,000 teu. A call from the 16,000 teu ‘CMA CGM... more
HL orders ULCVs
The German shipping line Hapag-Lloyd recently finalised an order for another six 23,500 teu ultra-large containerships, bringing the number of ULCVs in the carrier’s pipeline to twelve. The move “won’t provide immediate relief for the current capacity shortage,” the line said,... more
Analysing wind propulsion for commercial ships
The Marin research institute and the American Bureau of Shipping classification organisation (ABS) have launched a joint industry project to facilitate wind propulsion as an important tool in the decarbonisation of shipping. The second ‘Wind-assisted ship propulsion’ project... more
RST and Kramer do a swap
Rotterdam Short Sea Terminals (RST) and Kramer Group have agreed to swap certain areas of their port concessions at the City Terminal Rotterdam. RST will take over the area generally known as ‘Kramer Site’, which is of strategic importance for inland navigation, amongst others,... more