Antwerp stems the tide 
The Port of Antwerp weathered the storms of 2020 with limited losses. Despite a year dominated by coronavirus and trade tensions, its total throughput reached 231 million t (-3,1%). Container traffic remained strong, setting a new mark of 12 million teu exceeded for the... more
Samskip also widens portfolio
Following the example of CLdN and DFDS, the Netherlands-headquartered Samskip is also enhancing its shortsea container connections between Ireland and North Continental Europe. Brexit is again the key argument, as the operator indicated in a press release: "avoiding... more
Barcelona sets three major targets for 2025
In a recent online presentation, the Port of Barcelona put forward the major goals of its fourth strategic plan for 2021-2025. Three quantifiable milestones are key, as explained by Mercè Conesa, president of the Port of Barcelona. With regards to economic sustainability,... more
CMSA in Manzanillo meets the mark
The container terminal Contecon Manzanillo (CMSA) on the Pacific coast of Mexico found a positive end to a difficult year 2020. It passed the milestone 1 million teu, handling its one-millionth teu during the call of CMA CGM Jacques Joseph on 29 December. With a 33%... more
More equipment for La Réunion
The terminal of Iles de la Réunion has purchased eight diesel-electric straddle carriers. Four of the machines will be delivered to SGM Manutention and four to Société de Manutention et de Consignation Maritime (Somacom). The order was already booked in 2020, and delivery is... more
Dunkirk poised for comeback
The new DFDS service which started between Irish Rosslare and Dunkirk (see ITJ Daily from 30 November 2020) is a partial answer for the French port Dunkerque's future. In its traditional press conference on the past year in early January, Emmanuelle Vergier, president of the... more
REX service shifted
The Turkey-based Arkas Line is shifting its rotation of the Black Sea seasonal reefer service towards Egypt. By the third week of January, Reefer Express Service (REX) will start calling the AICT terminal in Dekhelia and operate solely between Novorossiysk and Dekheila with a... more
Malaysia's Johor Port coming on strong
In the course of 2020, container throughput at Johor Port in Malaysia surpassed the mark of one million teu. Johor Port CEO Derick Basir said that neither Covid-19 nor the shortage of empty containers in Malaysia and other parts of the region had an effect on the port's positive... more
Gulf of Guinea remains pirate hot spot
The latest figures from the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) in London, an organisational unit of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), show an increase in piracy attacks and armed robbery in 2020. Compared to 2019 with 162 pirate attacks, the number rose to 195 in... more
South Carolina Ports blossom
The South Carolina (SC) Ports Authority on the US East Coast finished 2020 with its strongest throughput in December so far. The ports handled almost 210,000 teu at Wando Welch and North Charleston container terminals in December, up 11.6% compared to December 2019. SC Ports... more