Imo approves draft for verifying container weights 

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has approved draft guidelines giving shippers two methods to verify the weight of a container: either by weighing the packed container or by weighing all packages and cargo items and then adding the tare mass of an empty... more
TCR Ravenna upgrades equipment 

After six months of work, the first phase of the technological refurbishment programme at Terminal Container Ravenna (TCR) in Italy has been finalised with the upgrade of the quay cranes' operating capacity. A new crane able to operate on new-generation container ships is in... more
Malaysian Westports launch IPO 

According to analyst Alphaliner, Port Kelang’s largest port operator, Westports, has launched the largest container port IPO this year, with plans to sell a 23.8% stake in the company, priced at USD 642 million. Westports will not receive any of the proceeds from the IPO, which... more
Drewry: Brics still growing strongly 

Although Brazil, Russia, India and China are suffering from overheated economies, they are still generating attractive cargo growth, says British analyst Drewry. Container traffic loaded and discharged in Bric ports in the first half of the year grew by an impressive 7.1% year... more
Safmarine wins ocean supplier excellence award 

Ceva Logistics, an international supply chain company, has recognised shipping line Safmarine as its ocean supplier of the year. The award was presented to Grant Daly, Safmarine CEO, and Arthur Bredehoft, Safmarine’s North America key-account manager for Ceva, in... more
Delicate operational sensitivity 

Every manoeuvre has to be executed exactly right in project cargo operations. Jumbo’s recent transportation of a shiploader from China to Venezuela required very precise skills from all of the parties involved. more
New bond for Hapag-Lloyd 

Germany's container line Hapag-Lloyd has placed a bond with a volume of EUR 250 million with institutional investors. The five-year bond pays a coupon of 7.75% and was several times oversubscribed. The emission price was 100%. The proceeds of the bond will be used for general... more
Unifeeder acquires United Feeder Services 

The Unifeeder Group has announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire United Feeder Services (UFS). The two companies will offer a comprehensive feeder network in Europe, with a wide coverage of ports in both Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. Unifeeder and UFS will... more
Irish port and shipping sector expands 

Shipping activity in Ireland rose by 11% in Q2/2013 compared to the same period last year, according to the Irish Maritime Development Office's iShip Index, a country-based shipping index. A surge in animal feed imports and a significant rise in freight carried on ferries... more