Sibur Targets LPG Exports Growth, Eyes Asia
Russia's largest petrochemical producer, Sibur plans to boost exports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in 2016-2020 before an increase in domestic demand, Sibur's director general Dmitry Konov told reporters. Sibur, in which Kirill Shamalov, son of an old friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin, is a major shareholder, plans to build a huge new processing plant, Zapsibneftekhim, in Tobolsk, Siberia.
Euronext Says Working on Black Sea Wheat Futures
The rising influence of Black Sea markets on world prices prompted Euronext to start working on developing futures contract that would allow price hedging in one…
LNG Prices Retreat on Soft Demand
Asian spot prices for liquefied natural gas (LNG) extended their fall this week on slack demand, although production issues in Australia helped stem losses. LNG…
Pontoon Deck Preservation for Floating Dry Docks
Dry dock pontoon deck preservation is often taken for granted. In the flow of ever changing priorities for dry docks, it often gets pushed aside and/or delayed. If neglected long enough and often enough between preservation cycles, the thickness of the pontoon deck steel plates can be compromised. Salt water with chloride contamination causes accelerated corrosion while impact and abrasion damage from heavy equipment also take their toll.
US Imports Rise Steady after 2015 Rollercoaster
Import cargo volume at the United States’ major retail container ports has begun its annual climb toward summer levels but is expected to be largely flat when compared with last year’s record high numbers, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. “Last year was a roller coaster but this year we’re expecting a nice, steady climb right through the summer…
Fishing Vessel Owner, Captain Face Environmental Charges
The owner and captain of the commercial F/V Native Sun, were indicted Thursday for conspiracy, as well as violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS).
This Day In Naval History: April 8
1823 - The barges USS Mosquito, USS Gallinipper, and sloop-of-war Peacock chase the pirate schooner, Pilot, which is driven ashore off Havana, Cuba. 1848 - The first U.S.
Workboat Comms: Controlling Connectivity Costs
Bluetide Communications’ Access Management Portal (AMP) application for wireless network management is changing the way workboat operators manage data, crew and costs. Thousands of miles, and weeks or months out at sea, the next best thing to physically being there, is an electronic connection home, and today, mariners increasingly are reluctant to board vessels without access to some form of it. Internet…
Baltic Index Reaches Four Month High
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, tracking rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, rose to its highest level in four months on Friday, backed…
ITIC to Pay Continuity Credit for 21st Year in Succession
For the 21st year in succession, International Transport Intermediaries Club (ITIC) is to pay a continuity credit to all those members who renew their insurance cover during the 2016 policy year, which begins on June 1, 2016. The CEO of ITIC, Stuart Munro, explains, “ITIC’s board of directors is committed to reducing insurance costs wherever possible. The ongoing worldwide economic downturn, together with fiercely competitive conditions in the shipping and transportation sector…
Aussie Navy Opens Simulation Training Center
A state-of-the-art simulation facility has been opened in Sydney that will enhance training for Royal Australian Navy technical sailors. Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, AO, CSC, RAN, officially opened the $90 million Navy Training Systems Center at Randwick Barracks, and said the purpose-built facility would revolutionise how Navy prepares Marine and Electronic Technicians for their roles in the Fleet.
North P&I Warns of Risks of Reduced Generator Capacity
North P&I Club is advising its members to be aware of the potentially severe consequences of poorly maintained or overloaded on-board generators being unable to…
Port Manatee Container Volume Up 36%
Port Manatee’s growth as a cargo gateway continues, with the Florida Gulf port reporting a 36 percent year-over-year increase in containerized cargo handled in the first half of its fiscal year. During the six-month period from Oct. 1, 2015, through March 31, 2016, Port Manatee docks saw moves of 12,653 twenty-foot-equivalent container units (TEU), up from 9,321 TEUs in the comparable year-earlier fiscal half. Import TEUs led the way, increasing 40 percent, to 7,398 TEUs from 5,291 TEUs.
Australia and Indonesia Unite to Patrol Fisheries
Illegal fishing was the focus of a joint operation between Australia and Indonesia that concluded in Bali on April 5. The fifth coordinated maritime security patrol, AUSINDO CORPAT 2016, had elements of the Australian Defense Force unite with the Indonesian Armed Forces in the waters between Australia and Indonesia over the past 10 days to target the exploitation of natural resources, specifically illegal fishing.
China Rebuffs Vietnam Criticism of Rig Move
China's Foreign Ministry on Friday rebuffed Vietnam's second demand this year to move a controversial oil rig and drop plans to drill in South China Sea waters where jurisdiction is unclear…
Philippines gets U.S. Aid Boost amid South China Sea Spat
The United States has allocated more than $120 million in military aid to the Philippines this year, the biggest in about 15 years, a senior Filipino diplomat said on Friday…
Asia Tankers-VLCC Rates Fall on Reduced Demand
MidEast VLCC rates fall nearly 30 Worldscale points this week; port congestion in Basra, China adding to market uncertainty. Freight rates for very large crude carriers…
UN Deal Sends More Migrants to Turkey from Greece
Two ferries carrying more than 120 migrants returned to Turkey from the Greek island of Lesbos on Friday, in the second round of arrivals under an EU deal with Ankara…
Greece Seals Sale of Piraeus Port to COSCO
Greece is to sell its biggest port Piraeus Port Authority to shipping group China COSCO Shipping Corporation, marking the second major privatisation for the country since late last year.
J D Neuhaus Showcase SS Air Hoist Concept
Materials handling specialists J D Neuhaus (JDN) are set to present their concept study of a new stainless steel air hoist at the CeMAT 2016 international exhibition.
