World Maritime News
WMNF 2018/05/17
Guangzhou announces US$ 16 billion maritime investment plan
Guangzhou has pledged to invest US$ 16 billion in shipping and port projects by 2020 in an effort to position the city as an international maritime center, according to a government plan. It calls for Guangzhou province to take the lead in the development of a world-class shipping hub in the Greater Bay Area. Other aims include further policy liberalization in its free trade zone and an attempt to persuade Beijing to allow the establishment of a free-trade port.
More details:
Gas to take share in tanker trades from crude and products
With increasing use of gas amid growing environmental awareness, one of the forecasts has shown LNG and LPG trade will account for 20% of total liquid bulk volume in 2027 versus 11% in 2017. LNG volume will rise rapidly on Australia and US exports. New building demand for ethane and ethylene carriers will pick up on the back of rising US shale gas production. Terminals in the US Gulf, if materialized, are expected to export cargoes to Asia in long-haul trades within the next two or three years with China as a main market.
More details:
FMC agrees East Coast Gateway Terminal Agreement
In April 2017, the US Federal Maritime Commission gave an agreement that allows the Georgia Ports Authority and the Virginia Port Authority to discuss ways the two ports can share information in certain operational areas to position them an east coast gateway for container cargo. While the agreement prohibits discussions on purchase or lease prices for containers or chassis, or entering into agreement on rates, charges, terms or conditions, GPA and VPA can discuss cargo handling practices, gate operations and access , turn-times, staffing and infrastructure. Importantly, they are also allowed to discuss commercial opportunities regarding carriers, alliances, shippers and beneficial cargo owners.
More details:
Japan could become an Asian LNG bunkering hub
Japan could become one of the most competitive LNG bunkering hubs in Asia but stakeholders will need to rectify some of its shortcomings to maintain the long-term viability of the fuel, a new report of the International Transport Forum claims.
Four Japanese firms, including NYK and K Line, have firmed up their joint LNG bunkering business according to the joint release on May 10.
More detail
https://www.itf-oecd.org/sites/default/files/docs/maritime-bunkering-lng-japan.pdf
http://www.chuden.co.jp/english/corporate/ecor_releases/erel_pressreleases/3267906_18939.html
MSC to invest US$ 1.1 billion in Abu Dhabi container terminal
MSC has signed a 30-year concession agreement with Abu Dhabi ports to build a new container terminal at Khalifa Port. MSC’s move is set to increase Khalifa Port’s capacity from 2.5 million teu in 2017 to 5.3 million teu in 2020. During the next five years, the capacity of the two container terminals at Khalifa Port will increase to more than 8.5 million teu annually.
More details:
South Korean ports expand for cruise ship
As South Korea welcomes more visitors arriving by cruise ship, the country’s ports have been expanding their cruise terminals to cater to the increase.
Growing affluence in China has generated demand for cruise travel and, since 2012 South Korea has been seeing annual growth of 9 % in cruise passenger arrivals. In September 2017, South Korean minister of oceans and fisheries Kim Young-choon said the government would seek ways to attract more non-Chinese cruise passengers. On November 7 2017, Pohang Regional Office of Ocean and Fisheries held ceremony to mark the start of the building of Youngil Port International Passenger Terminal, which is scheduled for completion in August 2020.
More details:
South America west coast ports boosted by domestic growth
Along the west coast of South America, ports in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru are expanding with several terminals being built or enlarged. In Colombia, where domestic cargo is the core business for terminals on the Pacific coast, port operator, such as APM Terminals, which bought TCBuen and ICTSI-PSA and built the terminal at Puerto Aguadulce, have seen their cargo volumes grow substantially. DP World has strengthened its presence in Latin America, particularly on the west coast. In Peru, It handles more than 1 million teu, about 90% of the country’s container trade. DP World Callao’s volume is growing at an annual rate of 8 %. DP World has begun construction of the greenfield multipurpose Posorja terminal, located 65 km from the Ecuador’s largest city, Guayaquil, with scheduled completion in two years.
More details: