14

US unions form Maritime Labor Alliance

Six of the US’s major maritime labour organisations have formed the Maritime Labor Alliance at a meeting in Washington. ITF president Paddy Crumlin put automation on the new body's agenda.

Parliament strengthens green marine laws

A marine environmental bill to bring Australia’s laws into line with international law has now passed both houses of parliament. Meanwhile the law also clarified who has jurisdiction over Australia’s territorial sea.

Cape Lambert expansion contract awarded to NRW

Civil contractor NRW has been awarded a $133m contract for works on Rio Tinto’s Cape Lambert Port B expansion project.

DP World sells Antwerp breakbulk terminal

DP World is selling its breakbulk terminal in Antwerp to focus on its core container-handling business at Europe’s third-largest box hub.

China builds more valemax berths

Local governments and China’s National Reform and Development Commission (NRDC) have confirmed that preparatory work has been carried out on berths to receive valemaxes.

Wine import volumes into Australia increase

Australia might have a successful wine-making industry of its own, but that did not stop growing imports of wine into the country during the June 2012 quarter.

Abundance of chemical tonnage smothers rates upswing

Growing volumes of trade in sulphuric acid and ethanol has failed to meaningfully boost rates as over-tonnaged markets continued to smother any incipient market upswing.