T.Ward Shipping

Stuart Todd | Mon, 30 Apr 2012

Line denies interest, but sources claim it has inspected the ships as deadline for offers approaches

Stena Line could be poised to make a late-hour bid for one or more of the three ferries operated by collapsed cross-Channel ferry firm SeaFrance, whose assets are now in the hands of the liquidator.
 
The ships in question are the Rodin, Berlioz and freighter Nord Pas de Calais.
 
The deadline for sealed bids is this Friday and a bankruptcy judge will announce his decision by the middle of next month. 
 
A Stena Line spokesperson told IFW: “Recent reports that we have expressed an interest in acquiring one or more of SeaFrance’s three ferries is just speculation.”
 
However, IFW was told by a source close to the sale process that representatives from Stena Line had inspected the vessels last week, after making initial inquiries about them some time ago.
 
But Stena’s late interest would not lead to the deadline being extended, the source said.
 
Eurotunnel said it was “as determined as ever” to buy the SeaFrance vessels, while DFDS told IFW it was still undecided whether to make a bid.

DFDS and its French partner, LD Lines, on Friday deployed a second vessel on their Dover-Calais route.

PO Ferries said it would will not be pursuing its interest in the SeaFrance ships.
 
Stena’s main routes are between the UK and Ireland.

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Article source: http://www.ifw-net.com/freightpubs/ifw/article.htm?artid=20017956764&src=rss

Westbound rates on the Asia-Europe trade lanes saw big jumps last week ahead of a general rate increase (GRI) planned for tomorrow.

The most recent Shanghai Containerised Freight Index (SCFI), published weekly by the Shanghai Shipping Exchange, suggests that ex-China rates rose US$180 per teu into Northern Europe and $230 into the Mediterranean.

That brings the Northern Europe and Mediterranean components of the SCFI to $1,888 and $1,977 respectively.

The news has surprised market analysts, who have previously expressed doubt that container lines could maintain strong price rises against a continuing backdrop of excess supply and weak demand.

Container Rate Derivatives Broker Ben Gibson, of Clarkson Securities, said: “Given the softer feeling of the market, little early traction was expected ahead of the 1 May GRI, but it seems that carriers have once again dug deep to keep rates rising, and so will likely be able to add more this week.”

More than 385,000teu of capacity was delivered to container lines in the first quarter of this year, most of which was composed of vessels with more than 8,000teu capacity. Total deliveries for the year are expected to reach 1.3 million teu.

Container line analyst Lars Jensen, of SeaIntel, said capacity injections on Asia-Europe now exceeded the capacity removed by Maersk Line and CMA CGM in February, amounting to 16,700teu a week.

He said: “Maersk Line and CMA CGM’s announced withdrawal of capacity provided the carriers with the momentum to successfully begin a series of much-needed rate increases.

“With the capacity reductions now disappearing, the carriers are facing a test: will they collectively have the resolve to maintain their focus on profitability rather than market share, or will some succumb to the need to increase vessel utilisation – and thus, potentially, launch a new price war?”

He added that recent capacity increases on the busy trade lane injections primarily came from the announcements of two new services by Evergreen, CSCL and Zim. But Maersk’s re-building of its S-class vessels – increasing their capacity by 1,400teu – was also contributing to oversupply.

Article source: http://www.ifw-net.com/freightpubs/ifw/article.htm?artid=20017956779&src=rss

Fri, 27 Apr 2012

Sir, regarding Gary Ferrulli’s comments on the “Who won the rate war?” article, which was based on in-depth analysis available from SeaIntel Maritime Analysis. Mr Ferrulli appears to have mis-read the conclusion.

The analysis is clear in stating that the so-called “victory” did not come cheaply – it states that every teu “won” by Hanjin came at a cost of more than US$4,000.

The analysis is also clear in stating that even if Hanjin “won” the rate war, in terms of gaining the most global market share, carriers such as OOCL and Hapag-Lloyd clearly performed much better financially. The implicit understanding being that victory can of course be measured in many different ways.

Had Mr Ferrulli read the full analysis from SeaIntel Maritime Analysis, the above points would have been even more clear.

Lars Jensen
CEO, SeaIntel Maritime Analysis

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Article source: http://www.ifw-net.com/freightpubs/ifw/article.htm?artid=20017956408&src=rss

Pete Goldin | Fri, 27 Apr 2012

Record-breaking 2011 sees throughput rise 15% at east coast terminals

The port of Baltimore recorded a 15% year-on-year increase in cargo throughput in 2011 – the largest growth of any major US port last year.

The port handled 37.8 million tonnes of cargo last year, up from 32.8 million tonnes in 2010.

The value of the cargo was more than $51.4 billion, the port’s highest total ever and a 24% jump from 2010.

Other records included the port’s highest ever exports – 24 million tonnes – and 551,000 vehicle units passing through last year, the highest at any US port.

Richard Scher, Director of Communications for Maryland Port Administration, told IFW: “We’ve followed a strategic plan that we put into place in the late 1990s, that has led us to diversify our cargo instead of concentrating on one particular commodity like containers.

“During the economic downturn, when other ports with a container-only focus were down 30-40%, Baltimore was only down about 15%,” he added.

“Baltimore is currently the number-one port in the US for cars, ro-ro and imported forest products.”

He added that the port expects continued success in 2012, due in part to a 50ft container berth constructed earlier this year, which will feature four super post-panamax cranes expected to be operational by September.

“Baltimore is now only one of two east coast ports with a 50ft berth and 50ft channel,” said Scher.

“Super-sized ships that will soon travel through the Panama Canal after its expansion will only be able to visit ports with a large enough berth and channel. This puts Baltimore in a very good competitive position.”

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Article source: http://www.ifw-net.com/freightpubs/ifw/article.htm?artid=20017956448&src=rss

David Badger | Fri, 27 Apr 2012

European volumes still weak, but forwarders say outlook is improving, with a return to growth expected in H2

Forwarder confidence across ocean freight trade lanes improved last month, compared with March.

According to the Stifel Nicolaus Logistics Confidence Index, the six-month outlook saw some improvement and a return to growth is still expected in the second half of the year.

The index is based on responses to a monthly survey, completed by a number of logistics professionals. The survey questions participants as to volumes that they are currently experiencing, as well as how they expect volumes to develop over the next six months.

An index value of 50 indicates no change in the volumes of those surveyed; above 50 indicates higher volumes, while below 50 indicates lower volumes. The index covers the Asia-Europe and US-Europe trade lanes.

Ocean freight forwarders expressed more optimism in April than in the previous month, with the index moving up to 46 from March’s 43.8.

Stifel Nicolaus said a slightly higher proportion of survey participants indicated that they were experiencing higher volumes than the previous month.

The index for the Europe to Asia route increased to 44.0 from 40.6 in March, while the Asia to Europe route also indicated a slightly more positive situation with an index value of 48.3, up from 47.4 the previous month.

Sea forwarders also conveyed increased optimism for the next six months, with the indices for the expected situation up on all trade routes, compared with March.

Stifel Nicolaus said: “Perhaps surprisingly, the outlook for the Asia to Europe trade lane is particularly positive, with an index value of 66.3.

“The Europe to US route is also expected to see increasing volumes, possibly a result of the improving US economy and pick up in manufacturing activity which may be beginning to increase confidence among forwarders.”

The full results of the Stifel Nicolaus Logistics Confidence Index for April can be downloaded at
http://www.transportintelligence.com/articles_papers/

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Article source: http://www.ifw-net.com/freightpubs/ifw/article.htm?artid=20017956450&src=rss

Fri, 27 Apr 2012

Sir, regarding Gary Ferrulli’s comments on the “Who won the rate war?” article, which was based on in-depth analysis available from SeaIntel Maritime Analysis. Mr Ferrulli appears to have mis-read the conclusion.

The analysis is clear in stating that the so-called “victory” did not come cheaply – it states that every teu “won” by Hanjin came at a cost of more than US$4,000.

The analysis is also clear in stating that even if Hanjin “won” the rate war, in terms of gaining the most global market share, carriers such as OOCL and Hapag-Lloyd clearly performed much better financially. The implicit understanding being that victory can of course be measured in many different ways.

Had Mr Ferrulli read the full analysis from SeaIntel Maritime Analysis, the above points would have been even more clear.

Lars Jensen
CEO, SeaIntel Maritime Analysis

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Article source: http://www.ifw-net.com/freightpubs/ifw/article.htm?artid=20017956408&src=rss

Pete Goldin | Fri, 27 Apr 2012

Record-breaking 2011 sees throughput rise 15% at east coast terminals

The port of Baltimore recorded a 15% year-on-year increase in cargo throughput in 2011 – the largest growth of any major US port last year.

The port handled 37.8 million tonnes of cargo last year, up from 32.8 million tonnes in 2010.

The value of the cargo was more than $51.4 billion, the port’s highest total ever and a 24% jump from 2010.

Other records included the port’s highest ever exports – 24 million tonnes – and 551,000 vehicle units passing through last year, the highest at any US port.

Richard Scher, Director of Communications for Maryland Port Administration, told IFW: “We’ve followed a strategic plan that we put into place in the late 1990s, that has led us to diversify our cargo instead of concentrating on one particular commodity like containers.

“During the economic downturn, when other ports with a container-only focus were down 30-40%, Baltimore was only down about 15%,” he added.

“Baltimore is currently the number-one port in the US for cars, ro-ro and imported forest products.”

He added that the port expects continued success in 2012, due in part to a 50ft container berth constructed earlier this year, which will feature four super post-panamax cranes expected to be operational by September.

“Baltimore is now only one of two east coast ports with a 50ft berth and 50ft channel,” said Scher.

“Super-sized ships that will soon travel through the Panama Canal after its expansion will only be able to visit ports with a large enough berth and channel. This puts Baltimore in a very good competitive position.”

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Article source: http://www.ifw-net.com/freightpubs/ifw/article.htm?artid=20017956448&src=rss

David Badger | Fri, 27 Apr 2012

European volumes still weak, but forwarders say outlook is improving, with a return to growth expected in H2

Forwarder confidence across ocean freight trade lanes improved last month, compared with March.

According to the Stifel Nicolaus Logistics Confidence Index, the six-month outlook saw some improvement and a return to growth is still expected in the second half of the year.

The index is based on responses to a monthly survey, completed by a number of logistics professionals. The survey questions participants as to volumes that they are currently experiencing, as well as how they expect volumes to develop over the next six months.

An index value of 50 indicates no change in the volumes of those surveyed; above 50 indicates higher volumes, while below 50 indicates lower volumes. The index covers the Asia-Europe and US-Europe trade lanes.

Ocean freight forwarders expressed more optimism in April than in the previous month, with the index moving up to 46 from March’s 43.8.

Stifel Nicolaus said a slightly higher proportion of survey participants indicated that they were experiencing higher volumes than the previous month.

The index for the Europe to Asia route increased to 44.0 from 40.6 in March, while the Asia to Europe route also indicated a slightly more positive situation with an index value of 48.3, up from 47.4 the previous month.

Sea forwarders also conveyed increased optimism for the next six months, with the indices for the expected situation up on all trade routes, compared with March.

Stifel Nicolaus said: “Perhaps surprisingly, the outlook for the Asia to Europe trade lane is particularly positive, with an index value of 66.3.

“The Europe to US route is also expected to see increasing volumes, possibly a result of the improving US economy and pick up in manufacturing activity which may be beginning to increase confidence among forwarders.”

The full results of the Stifel Nicolaus Logistics Confidence Index for April can be downloaded at
http://www.transportintelligence.com/articles_papers/

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Article source: http://www.ifw-net.com/freightpubs/ifw/article.htm?artid=20017956450&src=rss

Fri, 27 Apr 2012

Sir, regarding Gary Ferrulli’s comments on the “Who won the rate war?” article, which was based on in-depth analysis available from SeaIntel Maritime Analysis. Mr Ferrulli appears to have mis-read the conclusion.

The analysis is clear in stating that the so-called “victory” did not come cheaply – it states that every teu “won” by Hanjin came at a cost of more than US$4,000.

The analysis is also clear in stating that even if Hanjin “won” the rate war, in terms of gaining the most global market share, carriers such as OOCL and Hapag-Lloyd clearly performed much better financially. The implicit understanding being that victory can of course be measured in many different ways.

Had Mr Ferrulli read the full analysis from SeaIntel Maritime Analysis, the above points would have been even more clear.

Lars Jensen
CEO, SeaIntel Maritime Analysis

Click here to email the editor and comment on this story

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Article source: http://www.ifw-net.com/freightpubs/ifw/article.htm?artid=20017956408&src=rss

Pete Goldin | Fri, 27 Apr 2012

Record-breaking 2011 sees throughput rise 15% at east coast terminals

The port of Baltimore recorded a 15% year-on-year increase in cargo throughput in 2011 – the largest growth of any major US port last year.

The port handled 37.8 million tonnes of cargo last year, up from 32.8 million tonnes in 2010.

The value of the cargo was more than $51.4 billion, the port’s highest total ever and a 24% jump from 2010.

Other records included the port’s highest ever exports – 24 million tonnes – and 551,000 vehicle units passing through last year, the highest at any US port.

Richard Scher, Director of Communications for Maryland Port Administration, told IFW: “We’ve followed a strategic plan that we put into place in the late 1990s, that has led us to diversify our cargo instead of concentrating on one particular commodity like containers.

“During the economic downturn, when other ports with a container-only focus were down 30-40%, Baltimore was only down about 15%,” he added.

“Baltimore is currently the number-one port in the US for cars, ro-ro and imported forest products.”

He added that the port expects continued success in 2012, due in part to a 50ft container berth constructed earlier this year, which will feature four super post-panamax cranes expected to be operational by September.

“Baltimore is now only one of two east coast ports with a 50ft berth and 50ft channel,” said Scher.

“Super-sized ships that will soon travel through the Panama Canal after its expansion will only be able to visit ports with a large enough berth and channel. This puts Baltimore in a very good competitive position.”

Click here to email the editor and comment on this story

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Article source: http://www.ifw-net.com/freightpubs/ifw/article.htm?artid=20017956448&src=rss