Bulk Shipping

Sohar celebrates strong 2024 performance

Sohar Port and Freezone recently celebrated a generally positive 2024 performance during its annual business reception event. While overall cargo volumes dropped 2.6% compared to 2023, at 74.5 million tonnes, container throughput jumped 15% to 943,000 TEU, from 818,0000 TEU the year before; and ro-ro traffic surged 25% to 87,000 units, up from 70,000 units in 2023. The biggest growth, however, was achieved in the breakbulk segment, with Sohar handling 1.57 million tonnes, compared with 880,000...

https://www.themaritimestandard.com/sohar-celebrates-strong-2024-performance/

Official opening of new Yanbu grain terminal

The new Yanbu Grain Handling terminal started commercial operations on December 22nd. The facility, operated by the National Grains Company, a joint venture between Bahri and SALIC, is located within Yanbu Commercial Port and will focus on the handling of feed grains.

The Saudi Red Sea facility includes 12 silos with a storage capacity of 96,000 tons and has a total annual handling capacity of 3 million tons. The terminal is equipped with a 650m long conveyor belt that enables direct unloading...

https://www.themaritimestandard.com/official-opening-of-new-yanbu-grain-terminal/

Indiana port adds rail capacity, eyes container traffic

The Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor has dedicated $25 million to infrastructure upgrades, including two new railyards and the port’s first all-new dock in two decades.

“Today marks a historic day for this region, our workers and this port,” Ports of Indiana Chief Executive Jody Peacock said in a statement Tuesday. “This is the first new dock Ports of Indiana has opened in 20 years and it signifies our commitment to support economic growth for our state. This new dock will provide critical global...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/indiana-port-adds-rail-capacity-eyes-container-traffic

Tomini and Alpina Chartering announce shift in commercial management arrangements

The owners of UAE-based Tomini Group and Alpina Chartering of Denmark are undertaking a significant change in their long-standing partnership as shareholders and operators of Tomini Shipping, which controls a fleet of 23 bulk carriers, ranging from Handysize to Newcastlemax types. After many years of successful collaboration, the partners have decided to consolidate commercial management operations at Tomini Group’s headquarters in Dubai. This strategic transition marks a shift from the current...

https://www.themaritimestandard.com/tomini-and-alpina-chartering-announce-shift-in-commercial-management-arrangements/

Bahrain Steel terminal prepares for Newcastlemax operations

Bahrain Steel, a producer and supplier of high-grade iron ore pellets, and APM Terminals Bahrain, the operator of Khalifa Bin Salman Port, have completed a study which aims to identify opportunities to raise standards of safety and efficiency, and ultimately increase volumes, at Bahrain Steel’s Port Terminal. 

Bahrain Steel’s Deputy General Manager of Shipping, Captain Madan Mathew, says, “With Bahrain Steel Port Terminal operating at full capacity, the simulation study has helped in...

https://www.themaritimestandard.com/bahrain-steel-terminal-prepares-for-newcastlemax-operations/

Mississippi River shipping faces potential crisis for third straight year

Shipping along the Mississippi River could prove to be a massive headache in 2024, per a recent report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

An unusually warm and dry winter — which allowed the Upper Mississippi River shipping season to begin earlier than usual this year — might herald drought conditions in key areas of the Mississippi River Basin over the coming months.

“Of growing concern will be the potentially low flows on the Mississippi River this summer into fall due to...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/mississippi-river-shipping-faces-potential-crisis-for-third-straight-year

Ground breaking ceremony for new Jebel Ali agri terminal facility

DP World held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new Agri Terminals facility at Jebel Ali Port recently. Alongside Adroit Overseas Canada and Al Amir Foods, DP World will invest a total of AED550 million (US$150 million) to build the Agri Terminals complex, which will specialise in storing and processing various agricultural products, including pulses, grains, corn and soybeans.

Spanning a quayside area of nearly 100,000 m2, the Agri Terminals venture will be Dubai’s largest multi-tenant facility...

https://www.themaritimestandard.com/ground-breaking-ceremony-for-new-jebel-ali-agri-terminal-facility/

Asyad to harness wind power

Oman’s leading shipping group, Asyad, is adopting wind-assisted propulsion technology, as part of its commitment to sustainability. Collaborating with Vale, the global mining company, and Anemoi Marine Technologies, a UK-based supplier of wind-assisted propulsion technology, the project involves installing five rotor sails, also known as Flettner rotors, on the 400,000 dwt Very Large Ore Carrier (VLOC), Sohar Max.

The vessel is owned by Asyad and leased by Vale and will be fitted with...

https://www.themaritimestandard.com/asyad-to-harness-wind-power/

EGA joins global shipping and maritime sustainability initiative

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has become the first aluminium producer, and the first Middle East company, to join the Sea Cargo Charter. The Charter sets a global framework to assess and disclose the climate impact of ship chartering activities, to reduce the annual greenhouse gas emission of global shipping to net zero by around 2050, in line with the goals of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

EGA ships some 22 million tonnes of aluminium, bauxite and raw materials around the...

https://www.themaritimestandard.com/ega-joins-global-shipping-and-maritime-sustainability-initiative/

Indian coal imports rise

Market intelligence provider, Oceanbolt, part of the Veson Nautical group, reports that coal imports to India in October this year reached their highest level since May 2022. During the month, around 13.8 million tons of coal were moved through Indian ports and terminals, an increase of over 43% compared with the same period last year.

More than half of the coal is coming from Indonesia, representing 56% of coal imports to India this year alone, reports Oceanbolt. “Although the iron ore trade to...

https://www.themaritimestandard.com/indian-coal-imports-rise/

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