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Erratic rate discipline undermined the lines in 2011, can they hold their nerve in 2020?

A senior analyst believes that the crucial test for the carriers will come when the battle against the Covid-19 virus has turned in the society’s favour and the lines can see a significant rebound in demand.

Up to now the lines have managed to maintain their rate discipline with lines acting to maintain utilisation levels and to cut their costs by idling capacity, either through installing scrubber technology, using vessels on extended routes, round the horn of Africa rather than through Suez,...

https://container-news.com/blank-sailings-and-schedule-adjustments-continue-in-the-summer/

Cyprus pushes for action on crew changes

Cyprus’ deputy shipping minister, Natasa Pilides, has urged governments around the globe to adapt and adopt the International Chamber of Shipping’s (ICS) protocol that allows countries to safely effect crew changes.

According to some estimates up to 200,000 crew have been be prevented from ending contracts as nation states, looking to stall the spread of Covid-19 virus, have shut out seafarers, blocking them from disembarking from vessels, even after their contracts have ended.

“We’ve had a very...

https://container-news.com/cyprus-pushes-for-action-on-crew-changes/

Bag-in-tank solutions reduce GHG emissions

An estimated 30% of the food produced for human consumption globally is wasted within the food supply chain, according to a study by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Technologies currently under development will prevent food losses, from smart containerisation to increased imagery enabling decision making on perishables to be quick and precise. Liquids in tank containers also see major losses, and several innovations are under development to improve efficiencies.

https://container-news.com/bag-in-tank-solutions-reduce-ghg-emissions/

Young Brothers’ barge loses 21 containers off Hawaii

The Hawaii-based shipping company, Young Brothers (YB), has confirmed that its container barge Ho Omaka Hou, towed by the company’s 1991-built tug Hoku Loa, lost at least 21 boxes in Hilo Bay.

The cause of the accident remains unknown, and the US Coast Guard is still investigating the incident. However, both YB and US Coast Guard report no injuries.

The barge Ho Omaka Hou was sailing from Honolulu and was approaching Hilo Harbor, when the accident occurred.

The crew recognised the containers were...

https://container-news.com/young-brothers-barge-loses-21-containers-off-hawaii/

Lines turn a crisis into a buck

Carriers are set to enjoy a US$9 billion bonanza as a result of their successful capacity management programme throughout the pandemic period, which is set to continue into the third quarter.

Alan Murphy at Sea-Intelligence believes that the carriers have created a situation as a result of the Covid-19 crisis where they have a choice, start a rate war, the old style of competition, which could lead to a loss of US$7 billion or to maintain and raise rates and make a profit by continuing to manage...

https://container-news.com/lines-turn-a-crisis-into-a-buck/

HMM sells half-stake in Algeciras terminal

HMM has sold a 50% stake in its subsidiary Total Terminal International Algeciras (TTIA), which operates a container terminal in Algeciras, Spain.

The South Korean liner operator said in a filing to the Korea Exchange on 18 June 2020 that it is planning to sell the stake for KRW59 billion (US$48.57 million), to strengthen its liquidity.

Originally owned by Hanjin Shipping, which went bankrupt in February 2017, TTIA was sold to HMM seven months later. HMM wanted to acquire more container terminals...

https://container-news.com/hmm-sells-half-stake-in-algeciras-terminal/

APL England heads for Chinese repair yard

A 5,780TEU container ship that lost 50 boxes off the coast of Australia has been allowed to leave Brisbane, heading for a Chinese repair yard, while the master of the vessel, who appeared in court on 12 June has also been allowed to go home.

The Malaysian master, who remains unnamed, faces charges relating to pollution of the environment as a result of poor cargo loading and the corrosion of cargo securing equipment.

An Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) spokesperson told Container News,...

https://container-news.com/apl-england-heads-for-chinese-repair-yard/

Resilient Maersk reports higher earnings in face of economic headwinds

Remarkably AP Møller – Mærsk A/S (APMM) has said that it expects to have a higher second quarter income than it achieved in the first quarter and higher than the second quarter of last year, an astonishing achievement in the midst of global pandemic with demand having crashed as a result.

In a statement Maersk said that it expects earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA), and before any restructuring and integration costs for the second quarter this year to be...

https://container-news.com/resilient-maersk-reports-higher-earnings-in-face-of-economic-headwinds/

Digital identity critical in the containerised world

The standardisation of the physical shipping container brought positive value by reducing the costs for transporting goods, end-to-end. The digital era parallel is the homogeneity of message formats and service interfaces.

Building upon the principle of standardisation in the physical world, standardisation and containerisation of the informational side of shipping can now produce efficiencies in information sharing and the effectiveness of decision making.

Empowered by digital standards,...

https://container-news.com/digital-identity-critical-in-the-containerised-world/

EU backs logistics research project that will smooth logistics and trade

In the latest logistics and transport project the EU has funded a collaborative effort between 36 companies and academic institutions to develop a comprehensive logistics software system that will help maintain the movement of goods even during severe shifts in the market.

The project, called the ePICenter, is funded under the EU’s Horizon 2020  programme, with the EU contributing €6.84 million (US$7.67) of a total budget of €7.37 million (US$8.27) for a project that started this month and is...

https://container-news.com/eu-backs-logistics-research-project-that-will-smooth-logistics-and-trade/

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