Shipping

The International Cargo Handling Coordination Association (ICHCA) has published a safety brifing document to offer advice into some of the safety principles associated with safe lifting of ISO containers and tanks using hooks and wires.

According to ICHCA, any lifting operation of this type should be undertaken by competent persons in compliance with applicable regulatory frameworks and is the responsibility of the duty holder for safe lifting.

The use of gantry cranes and spreaders is the optimal and preferred method Continue reading “ICHCA guidance on safe lifting of ISO containers”

The shipping industry is continuing its adoption of LNG fuelled propulsion as the current leader within the alternative fuel sector for new builds. According to the latest update from DNV in its Alternative Fuel Insight report, nine additional LNG fuelled vessels were ordered in July pushing the total orderbook above 500 vessels by 2028, which is approaching nearly two times the fleet of in-service LNG fuelled vessels.

DNV reports that there are currently 313 in-service vessels operating on LNG, mostly with dual-fuel engines. The number has grown rapidly over the last eight years compared for example to 2014 when there were just 50 LNG fuelled vessels in service. Continue reading “Momentum building for LNG fuelled vessels”

European and international business organisations are urging the European Commission to start an immediate review of its competition regulations for container shipping.

Ten trade organisations, representing the owners and forwarders of cargo, port terminal operators and other parts of the supply chain dependent on container shipping, are demanding an immediate start to the review of European Union’s Consortia Block Exemption Regulation for the container shipping industry. Continue reading “Container shipping customers and service suppliers call for immediate start to review of competition rules”

Using data mainly from the Union Maritime Information and Exchange System (SafeSeaNet) and, in certain cases, combined with LRIT and MARINFO data, EMSA has been able to compile and publish a report providing figures on the impact of Covid-19 on European shipping traffic.

By analysing ship calls at EU ports it was found that the number declined by 10% in 2020 compared to 2019. When comparing 2021 with 2019, it was observed the number of ships calls at EU ports increased by 3%. The number of ship calls in June 2022 increased by 13% compared with the same month in 2019. The most significant decrease in the number of ship calls was detected for containerships, refrigerated cargo ships and vehicle carriers. Continue reading “The effects of Covid-19 on European shipping are revealed in a new report”

Singapore has secured the top spot once again in the Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development Index Report. It is the ninth consecutive year that the report, published jointly by Chinese state news agency, Xinhua, and global maritime data provider, the Baltic Exchange, has ranked Singapore as the leading global maritime centre.

The city state scored 94.88 out of a possible 100 points, whilst second on the list was maritime professional services stronghold, London, with 83.04 points. Meanwhile, Shanghai, home to the world’s largest port, takes third place with 82.79 points. Continue reading “Singapore ranked number one shipping centre for ninth year running”