World Maritime News
WMNF 2019/10/31
Belgian port majors in merger talks
The Belgian ports of Zeebrugge and Antwerp have entered negotiations over a potential merger of respective port authorities. Talks between the two parties began after an external report into mutual benefits of such a move. The two ports, about 100 km apart, are highly complementary and share the same challenges such as energy transition, innovation and digitalization.
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https://lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com/LL1129624/Belgian-port-majors-in-merger-talks
https://www.joc.com/port-news/european-hub-ports-ignore-global-trade-slowdown_20191021.html
CDB offers US$ 629 million loans to Nigeria deep-sea port
China Development Bank has agreed to provide US$ 629 million of long-term loans for the construction of the first deep-sea port in Nigeria. A consortium led by China Harbor Engineering Company will build and run the port project in Lekki under a 45- year- concession, the company said in a statement. The facility will boast an annual handling capacity 1.2 million TEU and will be capable of accommodating boxship up to 18,000 TEU. The phase 2 project will further boost capacity to 2.5 million TEU.
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EU maintains mandatory reporting rules for shipping emissions
The European Union is to retain crucial mandatory reporting requirements for vessels using EU ports. The EU Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system requires all vessels that use EU ports to provide annual reports of their total CO2 emissions. The MRV system is considered stricter compared with the IMO’s global data collection system.
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California ports suffer from higher costs, evolving supply chains says PMSA
The San Pedro Bay ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have lost market share over the past decade due to high costs, regulatory uncertainties and environmental restrictions, the president of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA), John McLaurin, said on 17 October. However, McLaurin, acknowledged California’s ports have reduced harmful diesel emissions, and drayage trucks serving the ports are the cleanest in the world. Additionally, some costs that beneficial cargo owners face in California are beyond control of the ports, such as high intermodal rates compared with those charged by Canadian railroads.
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DNV GL thinking said to be too ‘fossil-centric’ claimed by UCL energy think tank
Dr Tristan Smith of University College London energy think tank claimed that DNV GL’s recent outlook papers on maritime and energy issues reflect ‘fossil-centric thinking’ and are too optimistic about likely industry uptake of LNG as a fuel. Prof Bent Erik Bakken, DNV GL’s senior principal scientist DNV GL responded to Dr Smith’s claim that our exposure to fossil and renewable energy is approximately equal and therefore it is prudent for DNV GL to create this independent view of the energy transition. Rea more:
A view – LNG marine fuel ‘no better than gas oil or fuel oil’
Opposition by the Belgium-based lobby group ‘Seas at Risk’ to the use of LNG for marine propulsion is intensifying after one environmental group denounced the LNG fuel as no better than marine gas oil and attacked groups positioning it as a viable alternative fuel with a better carbon footprint than traditional fuel. John Maggs from ‘Sea at Risk’ criticized The Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel over its presentation supporting LNG at an IMO forum in London in Week 42. Read more:
CMA CGM offers new trade finance product
CMA CGM has launched a trade finance product for importers and exporters, offering a range of solutions from extended payment terms to financing advances that capitalize on the emergence of platforms making access to capital easier. The initial products are being released to customers in India, Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines before gradually being deployed to other countries. Maersk introduced a similar platform in India two years ago, and has recently invested in German online trade finance start up Modifi. It also offers an alternative cargo insurance product called Value Protect, which covers loss or damage while a container is in Maersk’s custody. Hapag-Lloyd is piloting a similar product for cargo shipped from Germany, the Netherlands, and Greece. Read more:
https://www.joc.com/maritime-news/cma-cgm-offers-new-trade-finance-product_20191021.html