INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Rotterdam Rules: new laws cover liability in wide net . . .

THE SIGNING in September of the so-called Rotterdam Rules will make ports and terminal operators subject to an “onerous” compulsory liability regime, law firm Holman Fenwick & Willan has warned.

. . . but could be a fuss about nothing

THE ROTTERDAM Rules that are due to be open for signing on September 23 may be like the Y2K Millennium Bug in that “nothing may come of them”, according to Ince & Co partner Ted Graham.

Cracks appear as US and Europe in standoff over liability convention

SHIPPERS in North America and Europe have clashed over new Rotterdam cargo liability rules that are due to be ratified in September.

Nothing out of the box from China trade in 09

CONTAINER lines in the China trade remain extremely cautious about the rest of 2009, especially given persistent rumours that an almost complete newcomer may appear within the next few months.

Japan-China box trade declines 9%

CONTAINER trade between China and Japan fell 9% overall in March.

Wei hails Cosco alliance with aluminium giant Chalco

CHINA’s largest shipping company, China Ocean Shipping (Group), has formed a strategic alliance with the Aluminium Corp of China (Chalco), the country’s largest aluminium producer, to handle freight for the company.

Indian hope in container data

IS INDIA the new China? Could the world’s largest democracy, which now has a population on a par with China, be the engine of the global recovery?

Shekou pulls plug on RTGs

SHEKOU Container Terminal in southern China is set to further upgrade its rubber-tyred gantry cranes with an automated electric coupling system that should improve operating efficiency.

Batista woos Wisco to invest Rio steel plant

CHINESE steel manufacturer Wuhan Iron and Steel Co (Wisco) has signed a landmark agreement with Brazil’s richest man, Eike Batista, that will see billions of dollars of Chinese investment fuel further growth in his rapidly expanding mining and ports empire.

Still standing together

As the International Shipping Federation celebrates its centenary, president Spyros Polemis speaks to Janet Porter about the organisation’s achievements and the challenges ahead

Stern warning on tanker safety

THE TANKER industry has been given an explicit warning that it is being scrutinised for any signs of cost-cutting that could jeopardise safety.

Emissions ‘could grow by 150%’

A RECENTLY published report by a group of experts on the impact of ship emissions on the environment is probably the most comprehensive study of its kind. Despite the uncertainties that the report authors readily admit to, it gives a benchmark and a strong tool for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to use in discussions over the next steps for reducing the impact of a steadily growing global fleet on the environment.

Pacific box rates plunge

CONTAINER shipping’s woes are showing no sign of easing, with transpacific freight rates remaining under extreme pressure.

NOL’s April volumes down 22%

CONTAINER volumes and freight rates are continuing to contract at an alarming rate, latest monthly figures from Neptune Orient Lines show.

Japan to challenge subsidies

THE JAPANESE government is looking to resurrect international shipbuilding competition talks amid growing concern over the level of financial support being offered to their Chinese and South Korean rivals.

Singapore warns against indiscriminate anchoring

THE SINGAPORE authorities have hit out again over reports that its waters are dangerously congested with idle ships.

Reefers at all-time low

ABOUT 10% of the specialised reefer fleet is currently inactive, according to Lloyd’s Marine Intelligence Unit. About 40,000 dwt, or 85 vessels, greater than 100,000 cu ft are currently classified as not having any movement or AIS activity for more than 35 days.

Health forces Sorensen to quit Maersk

SOREN Thorup Sorensen has resigned as group chief financial officer of Denmark’s AP Moller-Maersk, the leading containership operator and oil and gas group, for health reasons.

Bulk carrier asset values predicted to rise by 20%

BULK carrier asset values are set to increase by at least 20%, according to Dahlman Rose’s latest forecast. The US bank cited improved capesize and panamax spot market rates as the reason behind the upwards revision in ship values.

HSH Nordbank gets bail out

THE WORLD’S largest shipping bank HSH Nordbank will receive a capital injection of €3bn (US$4.1bn) from the states Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg, an extraordinary general meeting decided last week.