Will a ship carrying Australian cargo get stuck… in ice?

Pictured: the Russian icebreaker “капитан уадаев” (Captain Chadaev) which operates in the Russian Arctic Circle. Photo credit: Anton Kraev via Unsplash.

A bit of an unlikely question for Australians, right? Wrong. Or, at least, it could well be wrong in the not-too-distant future.

Europe-Asia… and thence to Australia

About 15 per cent of all of Australia’s containerised cargo comes from / goes to Europe. Containers are normally transhipped into / out of Australia via Singapore or Port Klang...

https://shippingaustralia.com.au/will-a-ship-carrying-australian-cargo-get-stuck-in-ice/

March JKM LNG Futures Volume Rises 8% YOY To 15.3 mmt

According to exchange and broker data, JKM LNG futures trading volumes cleared on financial exchanges in March rose 8% YOY to 15.3 million mt, or 79,804 lots, reports Platts.

High MOM volume

The March volume was 28% higher month on month. Total volumes traded in the first quarter of the year were at 233,670 lots, or 44.9 million mt.

Drop in open interest (OI)

Open interest at the end of March dropped slightly from February’s record monthly high, with 101,153 lots recorded across the two key...

https://mfame.guru/march-jkm-lng-futures-volume-rises-8-yoy-to-15-3-mmt/

158 Captain Thomas Lindegaard Madsen, VENTA MAERSK, Maersk Line

Welcome to the 158th episode of the Shipping Podcast, where you meet Captain Thomas Lindegaard Madsen of VENTA MAERSK, Maersk Line, one of the more visible role models in the maritime industry.

Thomas has been sailing for almost thirty years and has experience with many different vessels. Currently, his vessel is trading in the Baltic Sea area and this year he is enjoying ice navigation.

Captain Thomas recognises that the biggest change he has seen during his career is the arrival of the internet...

https://shippingpodcast.com/158-captain-thomas-lindegaard-madsen-venta-maersk-maersk-line/

Potential Midwest snowstorm coming soon

Cars and tractor-trailers behind a snow plow truck clearing a Michigan highway.

Truckers should be ready for a disruptive winter storm across several Midwestern states just a few days from now.

A storm system will track into the region and gain strength over the upcoming weekend. From Sunday afternoon/evening into Monday, it could produce a wintry mix of moderate to heavy snowfall, freezing rain, sleet and gusty winds.

Potential snowfall accumulations may be as high as 12 inches in some areas, with pockets of higher totals. As much as a quarter-inch of ice buildup is...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/potential-midwest-snowstorm-coming-soon

Worst weather states for truckers: Part 2

Flipped tractor-trailer on the side of a road.

While the majority of professional drivers get through their careers without being involved in any major accidents, commercial truckers account for 2.4% of all U.S. traffic fatalities every year. This is according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In some states, weather plays a major role in these incidents.

Earlier this month, FreightWaves reported on some of the worst weather states for truckers. Based on NHTSA data and driver experiences, these are some additions...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/worst-weather-states-for-truckers-part-2

Major wintry storm slamming Plains until midweek

Tractor-trailer heading through blowing snow.

A high-impact winter-like storm is unfolding in the Plains and will last until Wednesday in some areas.

SONAR Critical events and radar: Monday, Oct. 26, 2020, 12 p.m. ET

For the next two days, periods of heavy snowfall, freezing rain and gusty winds will stop many drivers in their tracks from the Rockies to the prairies of Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma.

The most significant ice buildup of a half inch to an inch will impact drivers from northeastern Texas to much of Oklahoma. This includes the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/major-wintry-storm-slamming-plains-until-midweek

America’s most dangerous roads for truckers

Tractor-trailers on a slick highway with snow in the surrounding mountains.

Truck driving is one of the riskiest jobs in the U.S., but the majority of professional drivers get through their careers without being involved in major accidents. The more skilled and safety conscious drivers are, the less likely they are to cause wrecks. But some things, like road designs, are out of a driver’s control. Based on driver experiences, U.S. Department of Transportation data and harsh weather, these are the top five U.S. roads that truckers should avoid whenever possible.

U.S....

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/americas-most-dangerous-roads-for-truckers

Weekend snowstorm to impact truckers across northern Plains (with forecast video)

Tractor-trailer accident on a snowy North Dakota highway.

The first substantial winter storm of the season for the northern Plains will hit this weekend. Truck drivers who can’t avoid the region — or choose not to do so — will run into some heavy snowfall and high winds.

A cold front is on the way from Canada to the north-central states, producing widespread snowfall Friday night from central and northern Montana to northern North Dakota. In some areas, rain will mix with snow at the onset. The snowfall will continue into Saturday.

In Montana, this...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/weekend-snowstorm-to-impact-truckers-across-northern-plains-with-forecast-video

5 of the worst weather states for truckers

Tractor-trailers an other vehicles in a traffic jam on a snowy highway.

While truck driving is considered one of the most dangerous occupations in the U.S., the majority of professional drivers get through their careers without being involved in any major accidents.

However, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), commercial truck drivers account for 2.4% of all traffic fatalities nationwide every year. In some states, weather plays a contributing role.

Based on NHTSA numbers and driver sentiment, the following states have some of the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/5-of-the-worst-weather-states-for-truckers