Peak of blank sailings reached? 
Copenhagen (Denmark)-based maritime analyst Sea-Intelligence reports that, as of 11 April, the number of blank sailings due to the pandemic now amounts to 384. Over the last week, the carriers announced an additional 83 blank sailings on various deep-sea trades. The count of... more
ICS guidance for Covid-19 compliance at sea
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has issued further information and advice to ensure that essential goods and commodities such as energy, food and medical supplies can be transported on the seas during the pandemic. The "coronavirus (Covid-19) ship and... more
More methanol-powered vessels ordered
Stena Bulk recently announced a joint venture with Proman Shipping to build two methanol-powered vessels with delivery scheduled for the beginning of 2022. As a marine fuel, methanol is compliant with the IMO’s 2020 regulations by reducing sulphur oxides (SOx) by approximately... more
Antwerp's strong figures in March
In the first three months of this year, 59.1 million t of goods were handled in the port of Antwerp (Belgium). In other words, total throughput in the first quarter of 2020 rose by 4% compared to the same period in 2019. With a growth of 9.5% in teu to 3.02 million teu and... more
Cyber attack on MSC contained?
The websites of the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), headquartered in Geneva (Switzerland), have been offline since Friday last week. There were first remarks from the carrier itself during the Easter bank holidays that it may have been the target of a cyber attack.... more
Duluth more welcoming these days
The Duluth Seaway Port Authority (MN, USA), which has been restrictive to landings lately, has just welcomed the first oceangoing vessel thereby officially launching the 2020 international shipping season. The vessel, "Federal Churchill", a 2016-built, 34,500-DWT,... more
Deployment of scrubbers on the rise worldwide
The number of ships with installed or on-demand scrubbers is currently at almost 4,050 units, according to the latest data from DNV GL's 'alternative fuels observatory'. Although new orders for this technology slowed down as the sector approached 2020, the latest data still... more
MPV/HL's situation to improve - long term
London (UK)-based maritime analyst Drewry said in its latest forecast for multipurpose and heavylift (MPV/HL) shipping that if the measures against the coronavirus (COVID-19) cease by 4Q/2020, the demand growth for breakbulk and project cargo will continue, but remain weak or... more
Another victim on the Baltic Sea
Ferry operator Stena Line is planning to remove the Sassnitz-Trelleborg route from its timetable for good. The main reason does not lie in the current travel restrictions arising from the corona pandemic but in the route‘s enduring overall economic situation, the company says.... more
The Alliance announces more cancellations
Following the pandemic, the members of The Alliance have revised schedules for May and June. The details of the blank sailings are announced in response to lower market demand, as the shipping companies add in a press release. In detail, the services Asia and North Europe... more