From Alaska to the Spanish Isles 
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) recently sold ferry vessels to Spain. In mid-March, the AMHS vessels the “Fairweather” and the “Chenega” were acquired by Servicios y Concesiones Maritimas Ibicencas of Ibiza (Spain).The sale price for... more
2020: Ranking of European Ports
In the pandemic year 2020, the 15 European ports with the most container traffic handled 76.8 million teu, 2.8% less than in 2019. Some of the ports registered significant double-digit downturns in H1/2020, but a generalised recovery in the second half of the year allowed... more
Better rates with environmental standards
Following the implementation of the Environmental Ship Index (ESI) in March, the Brazilian Port of Açu now operates according to the ranking of classified vessels that exceed the emission standards issued by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). Ships which perform... more
Investments in Brake port
At the port of Brake in Lower Saxony, around EUR 8.4 million has been budgeted for investments and EUR 4.9 million for maintenance in 2021. The Europe-wide tender procedure was concluded last year, and pile-driving work for the first large ship berth at the south pier can begin... more
Too many boxes in British ports
Post-Brexit trade disruption and ongoing congestion are causing critical build-ups of containers at UK ports, according to data from Container X Change, an online platform for buying, selling and leasing shipping containers.“The UK’s major gateways for box traffic suffered... more
Virginian comeback
After a serious setback in Q2/2020 (see ITJ Daily of 17 May 2020), the port of Virginia came back strongly, enjoying its best December and handling more than 260,000 teu, a rise of 16%. In total, Q4/2020 saw more than 814,000 teu processed in the port’s two expanded VIG and NIT... more
More traffic via Ireland
In April, the Danish company DFDS Seaways is adding a fourth ship to the ferry line between Rosslare (Ireland) and Dunkirk (France). The link, launched with three vessels on 2 January, has operated well so far.The ‘Ark Dania’, a ro-ro vessel with the capacity to carry 188... more
Guarded optimism 
The ongoing pandemic has prompted no lockdown in Japan. The government has nevertheless passed many measures restricting social and business activities. It will be interesting to see what comes next. more
More units for AAL
Singapore-based AAL Shipping (AAL) is expanding its fleet. It recently took delivery of two more refurbished ‘G-Class’ multipurpose heavy lift vessels. The ‘Pacific Action’ and ‘AAL Gladstone’ have both served in the AAL fleet in the past and re-join in the course of March.... more
Port of Tripoli CT acquired
The Marseilles-based CMA CGM Group has taken over the operation of the Port of Tripoli container terminal as part of a share deal with Gulftainer Lebanon. The French liner operates five lines per week from Tripoli, including one link to China. The group’s maritime lines Med... more