CONTAINER TERMINALS

Grim outlook for box terminals: ‘real pain’ coming in second quarter

“All but essential” expansion plans and capital spending have been put on hold by container terminal operators that have seen volumes and share prices slashed this year, and a resulting hit to their balance sheets.
“Stock markets have plummeted, seaborne trade has dropped like a stone and the world economy is heading for deep recession,” said Drewry’s senior analyst ports and terminals, Eleanor Hadland.
“The first quarter saw world port handling drop …

The post Grim outlook for box terminals:...

https://theloadstar.com/grim-outlook-for-box-terminals-real-pain-coming-in-second-quarter/

SE Asian ports need to invest billions as shippers seek alternatives to China

Container terminals in South-east Asia may need to invest  up to $13bn to keep pace with expected coronavirus-driven supply chain diversification from China.
According to Eleanor Hadland, senior analyst, ports and terminals at Drewry, in addition to the country’s rising costs and the trade war with the US, the pandemic is going to be yet another “push factor” reducing China-centric procurement models.
“Major Chinese and international manufacturers have been increasingly seeking alternative …

The...

https://theloadstar.com/se-asian-ports-need-to-invest-billions-as-shippers-seek-alternatives-to-china/

Gloomy picture of next few years at container ports as volumes recover slowly

Container ports “will take years” to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, but accelerating trade regionalisation could increase hub-and-spoke transhipment services.
According to PSA International CEO Tan Chong Meng, the industry should be prepared for a recession.
“Bankruptcies will increase, unemployment pressures will rise and consumption will remain relatively sluggish in the medium term,” he noted in a letter to employees.
“Therefore, our business, which relies on trade volumes, will...

https://theloadstar.com/gloomy-picture-of-next-few-years-at-container-ports-as-volumes-recover-slowly/

Port Houston ‘famous’ for COVID-19 response

Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC) Executive Director Peter Friedmann said Roger Guenther “became famous” in mid-March when two Port Houston terminals were temporarily closed after an employee tested positive for COVID-19.

“Port Houston was the first major port in the United States to get hit by COVID and you all were sort of the guinea pig on how does a port respond. You responded in a way that became kind of the model for the rest of the country,” said Friedmann in introducing...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/port-houston-famous-for-covid-19-response

COVID-19 long-term impacts: Increased automation, remote working

COVID-19 long-term impacts: Increased automation, remote working (Photo: Shutterstock)

The COVID-19 impact on supply chains has been total, as it ended up playing havoc on demand and supply equations, while also creating uncertainty in available capacity for hauling freight. But as more and more countries flatten the pandemic’s growth curve, demand is expected to increase in the coming months. And as Chinese industries get back on their feet, volumes will decidedly grow as well. 

In that context, maritime freight movement has never been more critical to jumpstart paralyzed...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/covid-19-long-term-impacts-increased-automation-remote-working

Malaysia’s PTP signs up for Portchain terminal and berth optimisation software

Portchain has signed up Malaysia’s Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) for its AI-powered berth optimisation software.
According to Thor Thorup, Portchain’s chief commercial officer, the firm’s Berth Optimisation Engine will enable PTP to deploy assets such as labour, cranes and berth capacity more effectively, increasing productivity and reducing costs.
“Furthermore, the application enables better collaboration between terminal departments, as well as allowing the port to operate as a ‘paperless’...

https://theloadstar.com/malaysias-ptp-signs-up-for-portchain-terminal-and-berth-optimisation-software/

Hong Kong port loses a million teu as PRD undergoes a ‘transformation’

Hong Kong’s container volumes fell by over a million teu last year, pushing the transhipment hub down to eighth place in the global container port rankings.
The port’s throughput fell 6.3%, to 18.36m teu, down more than 1.2m teu on 2018, according to figures from the Hong Kong marine department.
By comparison, Shanghai maintained its top position with a 3.1% increase in volumes, to 43.3m teu and second-place Singapore’s volumes increased 1.6%, …

The post Hong Kong port loses a million teu as PRD...

https://theloadstar.com/hong-kong-port-loses-a-million-teu-as-prd-undergoes-a-transformation/

More anger in Melbourne docks as Patrick cuts night shifts at short notice

Australia’s Patrick Terminals has announced a cut in night shift operations at Melbourne, prompting a backlash from landside operators already furious at spiralling “infrastructure fees”.
From today, Patrick East Swanson Dock Terminal (ESD) will reduce the number of night shifts from six to four a week.
According to the Container Transport Alliance Australia (CTAA), this means a night shift vehicle booking slots for local truckers will be cut by a third.
Patrick said …

The post More anger in...

https://theloadstar.com/anger-in-melbourne-docks-as-patrick-cuts-night-shifts-at-short-notice/

Australian shipper raps hiked port fees for containers and eyes bulk transport

One of Australia’s largest agricultural shippers has lashed out at “rapid increases” to port infrastructure fees levied by the country’s terminal operators.
Last week, a report by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) revealed how the country’s stevedores are using the controversial charges to offset declining volumes and quayside revenue.
As a group, DP World Australia (DPWA), Patrick, Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT) and Hutchison Ports, increased average...

https://theloadstar.com/australian-shipper-raps-hiked-port-fees-for-containers-and-eyes-bulk-transport/

HPH results sum up Hong Kong port woes, but terminals alliance brings hope

The long-term decline in container volumes at the port of Hong Kong has again been highlighted with the release of Hutchison Port Holdings Trust’s (HPH) nine-month results.
However, some hope for the maritime hub’s future may be on the horizon, following the “tremendously successful” launch of the Hong Kong Seaport Alliance (HKSPA) by HPH, Cosco, Asia Container Terminals and Modern Terminals.
HPH operates the three Kwai Tsing terminals in Hong Kong and, …

The post HPH results sum up Hong Kong...

https://theloadstar.com/hph-results-sum-up-hong-kong-port-woes-but-terminals-alliance-brings-hope/

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