Carriers warn Vale's big bulkers will dampen rates

Posted to Far East Maritime (by Greg Knowler) on December 9, 2010

The dry bulk shipping business is going through a tough time. It is an incredible 80 percent down on the market peak in May 2008, and rates have led carrier operators on a wild and volatile ride ever since. The industry is currently oversupplied with bulk carriers…

Los Angeles and Gambol Industries Get Closer to the Rocks

Posted to Martin Rushmere (by Martin Rushmere) on December 2, 2010

Bond ratings for the Port of Los Angeles might just be getting a downgrade within the next year, and by extension, so will those for Long Beach. The Gambol Industries shipyard controversy will be the reason. Gambol's objections center on cost…

GlobalMET Charts a new course at India chapter

Posted to GlobalMET Charts a new course at India chapter (by Joseph Fonseca) on November 22, 2010

With focus on charting a new course the Global Maritime Education & Training Association (GlobalMET), which boasts of 106 members based in 35 economies, held its annual conference in Mumbai on 20 November 2010. Held jointly with the Nautical…

Petrobras Expands CENPES Research Center

Posted to Brazilian Subsea and Maritime News (by Claudio Paschoa) on October 12, 2010

With the expansion the complex on Fundão Island will occupy more than 300 thousand m² making it one of the largest centers of applied research in the world. There will be various laboratories designed to meet the technological demands of Petrobras’ business areas…

One Small Step for the TWIC Program?

Posted to Maritime Transportation Security News and Views (by John C.W. Bennett) on September 30, 2010

Last week the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) updated its list of TWIC Readers that have successfully completed the Initial Capability Evaluation (ICE) to include an additional hand-held reader. This brings the total of portable…

Plug-in Shore Power

Posted to Marine Propulsion Report (by Keith Henderson) on September 18, 2010

A major factor slowing down the more widespread use of plug-in shore power to permit cold ironing is the lack of a safe, troublesome and easy to use standard for the shore to ship connector. Further complicating the problem is the abundance…

Adding China port capacity comes down to a semi-educated guess

Posted to Far East Maritime (by Greg Knowler) on December 9, 2009

The most difficult part of running a port or shipping line in an economic downturn is the unpredictability of demand. Throw in oil price and currency volatility and any market forecasting may as well be left to Madame Zedora and her crystal ball.