Container Shipping News

Final year figures are expected to show that trade between China and India suffered a major slump in 2012 despite a softening in political relations between the two countries that have previously clashed over borders.

The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation today reported that tonnage during the 2012 navigation season was 38.9 million metric tons, rising 4 percent from 2011’s 37.5 million metric tons.

Bluesea Shipping Lines has expanded its services to include major ports in the Middle East.

International Longshoremen’s Association negotiators apparently plan to stay longer at this week’s negotiations on a coastwide contract than they did last week when they cut short bargaining on New York-New Jersey local issues.

The Container Owners Association, which represents container shipping lines and container leasing companies, has appointed O I Kwon, senior vice president of the container business management division of STX Panocean...

In December 2012, India’s exports were valued at $24.9 billion, falling 1.9 percent from $25.3 billion in the same month the previous year, and imports were valued at $42.5 billion, rising 6.3 percent from December 2011’s $40.0 billion...

Hapag-Lloyd has revised the application date of the congestion surcharge that it plans to apply in the event of an International Longshoremen’s Association strike.

Indian shipbuilder ABG Shipyard has announced its plans to build a greenfield shipyard in three phases along the Indian state of Gujarat’s coastline, representing an investment of about US$912 million.

The U.S. trade deficit was $48.7 billion in November 2012, widening 15.7 percent from $42.1 billion (revised) in October 2012, reported the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Containerized imports should be higher each month over the next five months as U.S. retailers replenish their stocks for the new year, according to the Global Port Tracker published by the National Retail Federation and Ben Hackett Associates.

German carrier Hapag-Lloyd has announced a new service between Guaranao and El Guamache ports in Venezuela.

Maersk Line predicts strong demand on Europe-Asia trades through to Chinese New Year on February 10.

German carrier Hapag-Lloyd will increase rates on its trade between North Europe, including the U.K., and West Africa, effective Feb. 1.

Chinese exports ended 2012 surprisingly strongly, but economists expect the rebound to be short-lived.

The Panama Canal Authority has issued a notice to Vinci Construction Grands Projets to start building a bridge on the Atlantic side of the canal.

Japanese carrier Mitsui O.S.K. Lines has announced changes to its APX service, which runs between North America and Europe, and CNY service, which travels between Asia and the U.S. East Coast and West Coast and Panama.

Maersk Line postponed the effective date of its proposed congestion surcharge at West Coast ports until Feb. 14.

Container lines could earn nearly $5 billion this year, but only if demand meets projections.

Hapag-Lloyd has announced several changes to rates.

Maersk Line is ceasing to accept bookings to and from Gioia Tauro, Italy.

Despite carriers’ attempts to pull capacity from east-west trade routes, weak cargo volumes are limiting their to hike freight rates for any sustainable period.

Maersk Line, the global containerized division of the A.P. Moller-Maersk Group, will start to call Marsaxlokk, Malta, on eastbound trips of the ECUMED service, which sails between Ecuador and the Ukraine.

Maersk Line will implement a general rate increase on its New Zealand to Australia trade lane, effective Feb. 1.

Maersk Line has cancelled three vessel calls to Ningbo, China, from Europe because of anticipated reduced demand during the upcoming Chinese New Year period.

Ingram Barge Co., a subsidiary of Ingram Industries based in Nashville, Tenn., has promoted Robert Barker to senior vice president and chief information officer.

The world container ship capacity reached 16.335 million 20-foot-equivalent units on Jan. 1, 2013, an increase of 6 percent from a year ago, according to industry analyst Alphaliner.

Japanese carrier “K” Line has announced it will report a profit in the third quarter of fiscal year 2013, ending March 31, after some investment securities were re-evaluated and a loss of 14.4 billion yen (about US$163.3 million) was reversed.

Emirates Shipping Line has announced general rate increases, effective Jan. 15.

Greek bulk shipowner Capital Products Partners has made its debut in the container market by swapping two oil tankers for a couple of container vessels.

Business development and shipping consulting company Moore Stephens International recently reported that banks will exert more control over the shipping industry in 2013.

Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp. plans to lease up to 10 new mega-ships from Seaspan Corp., Reuters reports.

MOL President Koichi Muto said the Japanese ocean carrier must reduce costs and “shift to a business structure that is not reliant on a recovery in freight rates.”