The National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (Bahri) said that another VLCC vessel from the Vela fleet, the Capricorn Star, was transferred to Bahri’s ownership on Thursday 7 August 2014. The VLCC has been renamed to Lulu. This is the second vessel taken over by Bahri, Matar Star, renamed to Nisala
Egypt’s announcement on expansion of the Suez Canal by adding a parallel line to the current channel of a total length of 72 kilometres (44.74 miles), has got the shipping industry players thinking about who will benefit the most from the expansion. The multi-billion-dollar plan could nearly double
China recorded a trade surplus of USD 47.3 billion in July 2014. The record high surplus came on the back of very strong export growth while imports contracted. The world’s second largest economy saw its overseas shipments increase by 14.5% in July as compared to same month last year, as reported by
A cruise ship is a passenger ship used for pleasure voyages. The voyage is a part of experience, as well as the different destinations along the way. Transportation is not the prime purpose, as cruisers operate mostly on routes that return passengers to their originating port. There are even “cruise
Holland America Line’s MS Prinsendam kicks off the new year on Jan 3, 2015 with a 68-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage followed by a 55-day Grand Mediterranean Voyage. This is an addition to ms Amsterdam’s 114-day Grand World Voyage that calls at 45 ports in 25 countries. “We asked our
SOHAR Port and Freezone has held a meeting with shipping agents before the relocation of all remaining commercial traffic from Port Sultan Qaboos takes place at the end of this month. The event was held under the auspices of His Excellency Said bin Hamdoon Al Harthy, Undersecretary General of the
Recent accident investigation reports suggest that merchant seamen continue to be injured during mooring and towing operations. “A clear plan of operation and good communications between the tug and tow, prior to operations commencing, will reduce much of the risk. Ship managers need to ensure the
The top 25 port and terminal operators in each region around the globe all increased productivity in 2013, according to the latest data on port productivity provided by the Journal of Commerce (JOC). The JOC database relates to specific data from individual terminals based on average moves per hour,
The global fleet of idle containerships has seen its lowest level since 2011, according to the figures reported by analyst Alphaliner. The idle fleet stands at 119 vessels over 500 teu, totalling 230,900 teu as of 28 July and at 85 units in 500 – 2,000 teu range over the last two weeks. The [&hell
Egypt is looking to build a new Suez Canal parallel to the existing one in a USD 4 billion project aimed at boosting the trade along the Canal, which offers the fastest shipping link connecting Europe and Asia, according to Reuters. “This giant project will be the creation of a new Suez Canal para
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) of Iraq asked a U.S. court on Monday to dismiss seizure order of 1 million barrels of disputed crude oil and allow the cargo to be freely delivered in Texas, Reuters reports. The idle United Kalavrvta pending unloading amid cargo ownership dispute has clocked
Three global shipping organisations issued on Monday guidance to their members on the risks posed to ships’ crews calling in countries affected by the Ebola virus. The ICS (International Chamber of Shipping), IMEC (International Maritime Employers’ Council), and the ITF (International Transport Wo
The container leasing sector experienced another year of stellar growth in 2013 thanks to the continuing weakness of carrier financials, according to shipping consultant Drewry’s recently published Container Leasing report. Drewry forecasts that this trend will continue. The leased container fleet
Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Company (ASRY) has launched a new department dedicated to military projects called the Navy Defence and Industrial Projects (NDIP) Department. The specialised team, headed by Anthony Haile, formerly of the UK Royal Navy is expanding ASRY’s experience in the defenc
