Rates hit lowest levels ever, GRIs reach for record highs – go figure

Posted to Far East Maritime (by Greg Knowler) on October 10, 2013

Here's the story so far ... European demand for containerized imports from China vanished as the continent melted down into a steaming pile of sovereign debt. Meanwhile, the ever-optimistic and market share protecting shipping lines continued to place orders for new ships.

Transhipment business model no good for Hong Kong

Posted to Far East Maritime (by Greg Knowler) on May 7, 2013

Some ports lend themselves, via geographic location or strategy, to transshipment. Singapore, for instance, had a throughput of 31.6 million TEUs in 2012, but more than 90 percent was comprised of containers in transit. Geographically, Singapore…

Cross-currents show up in the Harbor Maintenance Tax uproar

Posted to Martin Rushmere (by Martin Rushmere) on December 29, 2011

That proposal to apply the Harbor Maintenance Tax to imports taking the long way round through Canada and Mexico is stirring up considerable debate that exposes sharply different viewpoints. So much so that the Shipping Federation of Canada…

Inspection of Fuel Oil Quick-Closing Valves

Posted to USCG Safety Advisory (by Jocelyn Redfern) on January 31, 2011

U.S. Coast Guard Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) are discovering Fuel Oil Quick-Closing Valves (QCVs) intentionally blocked, modified, and poorly maintained preventing them from operating as designed during an emergency. compromised. flammable liquid fire.