World Maritime News
WMNF 02/05/2023
US shipping bill targets ‘unreasonably anti-competitive’ agreements
The US Congress has unveiled more ocean-shipping-focused legislation for “foreign” carriers. The Ocean Shipping Competition Enforcement Act was introduced by Democrat representative John Garamendi who said shipping is dominated by “nine foreign-flagged ocean liners that openly collude under three carrier alliances handling some 80% of cargo”. The act will allow the Federal Maritime Commission to block agreements among ocean carriers and marine terminal operators without obtaining a federal court order. World Shipping Council said the legislation is founded on the false premise that ocean carriers jointly set rates.
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Data shows container shipping market could be at its bottom: analyst
The freight rate developments over the past couple of months support that the rate might have reached the bottom of the market. Of course, there are no guarantees that carriers will not suddenly lapse into a more destructive price war, but the present data do not support that this is currently happening.
Read more: JOC
PSA leveraging forwarder acquisition to serve shippers directly
PSA International’s leveraging of its acquisition of a non-asset-based global logistics provider gives the remit of the largest marine terminal operator by volume a new wrinkle that reflects changing globalization. The scale of the forwarding capabilities PSA is leveraging parallels only Maersk in end-to-end ambition in container shipping.
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Los Angeles and Long Beach ports build shipping corridor link with Singapore
A deal has been agreed to establish a green and digital shipping corridor between Singapore and the US west coast. The green and digital shipping corridor between the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports aims to support transitioning to low- and zero-emission fuels for ships. The initiative has been set up with the support of the C40 Cities group — a global network of nearly 100 mayors of the world’s leading cities united in confronting the climate crisis. The aim is to facilitate the supply and adoption of alternative fuels and explore the necessary infrastructure and regulations for bunkering. In addition to identifying and collaborating on pilot and demonstration projects, the agreement aims to identify digital shipping solutions and develop standards and best practices for green ports and the bunkering of alternative marine fuels.
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EU Parliament approves shipping’s inclusion in regional carbon market
According to a statement, the European Parliament has voted to include shipping in the bloc’s Emissions Trading System. It will require companies to buy allowances for 100% of emissions for voyages within the European Union and the European Economic Area (EEA) and 50% of emissions for voyages into or out of the EU/EEA. There will be a three-year phase-in period where companies will buy allowances for 40% of emissions in 2024, then gradually increasing to 75% in 2025 and 100% in 2026.
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Singapore sets up a working group to develop standards for methanol bunkering
Singapore has set up a working group to develop standards for methanol bunkering. The working group on Standard Development for Methanol Bunkering includes government agencies, bunker suppliers, bunker craft operators, engine manufacturers, testing and certification bodies, shipowners and operators, terminal operators, and classification societies such as DNV. Their task is to develop a technical reference for methanol bunkering for Singapore. The reference will cover custody transfer requirements regarding quantity and quality for delivering methanol as a bunker fuel. In addition, it will examine all aspects of bunkering, from the bunker tanker to the receiving vessels, the operational and safety requirements for methanol bunkering, and crew training and competency.
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HMM latest carrier to secure sourcing and storage for alternative fuels
HMM signed two alternative fuel deals as the ocean carrier tests a range of options that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions or provide carbon-neutral power for its vessels. The South Korean carrier signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with GS Caltex for the supply of biofuel that HMM will trial on its three new 24,000-TEU ships in the second half of the year, the liner said in a statement on 26 April. In addition, HMM and South Korean chemical manufacturer Lotte Fine Chemical signed a deal for the transportation, storage, and bunkering of ammonia and methanol fuel. HMM will also conduct field tests of an onboard carbon capture system (OCCS) for container ships in the second half of this year. The system is an advanced technology designed to capture CO2 from greenhouse gas emissions generated during vessel operation, preventing its emission into the atmosphere.
Read more: JOC
MSC slows ships, adds Mobile to Latin America-Gulf Coast service
Mediterranean Shipping Co. is adding another ship to a container service between the East Coast of South America and the US Gulf Coast. With the additional vessel, all ships on the service will start to slow steam to keep the effective weekly capacity at its current level. Additionally, the Port of Mobile will be added to the service as a call, part of a renewed focus by ocean carriers on north-south trade lanes. Mobile and other Gulf Coast ports saw strong gains in import volumes last year thanks to new vessel services to the region and shippers looking to add new import gateways outside the West Coast.
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California ports to share $27 million grant for new data portal
Five California ports will split a $27 million state grant to jointly develop a data-sharing portal to improve cargo operations’ efficiency and overcome the difficulties shippers face in accessing the data systems of individual ports. The California Association of Port Authorities (CAPA) said on 27 April that Gov. Gavin Newsome authorized the funds to be shared by the ports of Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, San Diego, and Hueneme for them to launch the so-called California Port Data Partnership. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the partnership calls for the five ports to “jointly advance computerized and cloud-based data sharing with a common goal of supporting improved freight system resilience, goods movement efficiency, emissions reduction, and economic competitiveness,” according to CAPA statement.
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Shippers seek improved data security
Digitalized trade process saves time and money across the board. But for systems to be trusted, there must be rules on how that data is used and protected. The Global Shippers’ Forum and the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (Fiata) have called for improved data protection and confidentiality standards in digital trading and booking systems. The two groups have jointly issued a Charter for Protection and Governance of Data in International Trade, which sets out the minimum data security and confidentiality arrangements providers and operators of digital booking and trading platforms should adopt and incorporate in their end-user agreements.
Read more: Lloyd’s List