Original news was published on 28 September, 2015

Swiss container line Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) christened its fourth 19,224 TEU container ship – MSC Maya – at a ceremony held in Belgium’s Port of Antwerp on September 26.

MSC Maya arrived in Antwerp from a Daewoo Shipbuilding and Maritime Engineering (DSME) shipyard in South Korea, where further sixteen of these ‘Oscar Class’ giants are to be built and delivered in the following months.

The vessel, the equivalent of four soccer fields when it comes to her size, featuring 395.4 m in length, is able to carry 35% more cargo while reducing CO2 emissions by the same amount, according to MSC.

Following the christening, MSC Maya departed Antwerp and sailed to Hamburg, Germany.

Original news was published on 24 September, 2015

Canada's Stewart World Port - claimed to be the first commercial wharf built on the coast of British Columbia in over 30 years - has been officially opened.

The port marked the official inauguration of the breakbulk wharf, which is located north of Squamish on the Canadian coast, on September 16.

Positioned at the end of the Portland Canal, the port says that the multipurpose facility is strategically located in one of the most mineral rich areas of North America, within the so-called Golden Triangle.

The deepsea wharf is capable of berthing handymax and panamax vessels, and the gateway claims that it can handle mining, forestry, oil and gas, and project cargoes; as well as bulk mineral concentrates, wood chips and pellets, LNG and coal. The port has a combined laydown area of 100 acres (40.4 hectares). 

The wharf construction was completed in August 2015.

*NEWS SOURCE

Original news was published on 22 September, 2015 

AAL, one of the world’s leading global breakbulk and heavy lift operators, announced the opening of a new office in Vancouver, Canada.  This continues the company’s global expansion strategy, which has, in the same month, seen the opening of AAL Korea.  The move strengthens the company’s on-the-ground presence and customer support function in a region experiencing growth and development.  AAL is also one of the first global shipping operators established in Vancouver to have benefited from the support of the newly launched Vancouver International Maritime Centre.

With its popular Pacific Service, connecting North Asia with North America’s West Coast and Canada, through scheduled monthly liner sailings, AAL is already enjoying a growing presence and reputation in the Canadian market.  The establishment of AAL Canada enables the operator to enhance its services further to the region’s key industry sectors, including LNG, oil, mining and forestry. Moreover, its growing fleet of modern, multipurpose and heavy lift vessels (that can accommodate project and heavy lift cargo, alongside dry bulk – such as pulp and steel), offers AAL’s customers a very high degree of flexibility and efficiency.

“Vancouver is a major shipping hub and gateway into Canada, and it makes strategic and commercial sense to have a physical presence here as we strengthen our commitment to the North American market.  We have the team and infrastructure in place to add real value for our customers – whatever their industry sector, or cargo booking requirement.” Felix Schoeller, general manager of AAL’s Pacific Service, said.

The establishment of AAL Canada follows the recent launch of the Vancouver International Maritime Centre, which was established to promote Vancouver as a prime location for the international shipping industry.  AAL is one of the first operators to work alongside the VIMC and benefit from the professional services offered by the city.

*NEWS SOURCE

Original news was published on 21 September, 2015

Bahrain and Saudi Arabia signed contracts worth US$300 million for a new oil pipeline to replace one that no longer has enough capacity to meet Bahrain's demand.

The new pipeline will carry 350,000 barrels of crude per day between the countries, the Energy Minister of Bahrain said in a statement. Bahrain relies on the output from the oil field Abu Safa, which it shares with Saudi Arabia. Light crude would be carried from Aramco's Abqaiq plant to Bahrain Petroleum facilities, a distance of about 115 kilometers, including overland and underwater segments.

Al Robaya Holding Co. of Saudi Arabia and the UAE's National Petroleum Construction Co. have been contracted to build the project. The Saudi firm will be responsible for the onshore engineering, procurement and construction work within Saudi and the procurement and engineering in Bahrain. NPCC will perform the EPC work for the offshore component — a 42-kilometer stretch under the Gulf. Construction within Bahrain has yet to be awarded, Bahrain Petroleum said in a statement.

Plans were discussed to increase the pipeline capacity to more than 400,000 barrels per day in the future. The pipeline will be completed between 2017 and 2018 and then undergo a six month testing period.

Original news was published on 18 September, 2015

Copenhagen-headquartered tanker owner and operator Maersk Tankers has signed a USD 300 million contract with Samsung Heavy Industries Ningbo shipyard in China for the construction of nine 49,940 dwt Medium Range product tankers. 

The contract was signed today at Maersk Tankers’ office in Copenhagen by Claus Grønborg, VP and Head of Business Development of Maersk Tankers, and a representative from Samsung’s London Office.

“The vessels will support our Taking Lead strategy in the Product segment and maintain our strong focus on cost effectiveness. The renewal of our fleet will help us to stay environmentally efficient, competitive and better equipped to meet our customers demands,” Grønborg said.

The nine vessels, whose flag states have not yet been determined, will join Maersk Tankers fleet during 2017 and 2018.

“We are very happy that Maersk Tankers has chosen Samsung Heavy Industries Ningbo to build and deliver nine MR product tankers of the latest eco friendly design,” the Samsung representative said.

As of today, Maersk Tankers owns and operates a fleet of 80 owned and 20 chartered product tankers on water, with seventeen MRs on order, 8 at SungDong, South Korea, to be delivered in 2015-2016, and these nine ordered today at SHI Ningbo.

Dear Project Cargo Specialists, 

Very Professional agents are going on to join Overseas Project Cargo Association from all around the world. Today we are very happy to announce you that SUN LOGISTICS LLC has joined among us from UNITED ARAB EMIRATES.

We are also pleased that Commercial Manager, Joby Thomas will be attending our coming Annual Meeting in Malaysia at 12,13,14 November 2015. The gathering will be a great opportunity to meet all OPCA partners. Please click here for full information on our event. We are looking forward to meet you all soon.

By their registration to the November meeting, now SUN LOGISTICS LLC has the privilege of becoming OPCA member till September 2016. It would be our pleasure to serve our new agent for a long term cooperation in our group.  

COMPANY PROFILE 

Commencing operations in 1979 as an international ocean freight broking company, the parent entity later diversified laterally into Freight Consulting, Fleet Ownership, Customs Clearing and Forwarding and agency representation.

The company draws its strength from the rich experience that each of the department heads brings to the table. Experience that has helped mould a product that is customer-centric, price attractive, flexible and exhaustive.

No stone is left unturned in this desire to be the best and deliver likewise. Infrastructure, people and processes... indeed, this Sun will never set! 

Services

Original news was published on 16 September, 2015

AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC) has transported approximately 300,000 tonnes of cargo during the first eight months of 2015 - a 17 percent year-on-year rise.

The Russian all-cargo carrier, a part of the Volga-Dnepr Group, said expansion into new markets has enabled it to achieve a stable load factor of 67 percent, and increase freight tonne kilometres (FTK) flown by 22 percent.

In August 2015, cargo traffic grew by 14 percent year-on-year to over 39,000 tonnes.

Denis Ilin, executive president of ABC, added: "During the first eight months of 2015 not only have we been developing our route network and fleet but also investing heavily in service technology and attracting the best industry experts to support ABC's clients worldwide."

HLPFI reported on September 4 that ABC had commenced a twice-weekly direct B747 freighter service to Singapore's Changi Airport from Moscow.

During July 2015, Volga-Dnepr Group signed a memorandum of understanding with Boeing for 20 747-8 freighters, which have a price of USD7.4 billion and will form part of the ABC fleet.

In 2015 to date, ABC says it has appointed regional sales managers and executives in Italy, Finland, Germany, Hanoi, the USA and Singapore.

*NEWS SOURCE

Please inform members Turkey will be on Holiday between 23-27 th September and resume to work on 28 th September.

During that period they can reach me by my mail or mobile.

Mustafa KOCAK
KOCAK LOJISTIK HIZMETLERI LTD.STI
Office:0090 322 262 1994
Mobile: 0090 532 235 6993
www.kocaklogistics.com
Unquote

Original news was published on 11 September, 2015

BigLift Shipping's heavy lift vessel Happy Star is to transport a total of 22 Damen boats from several shipyards in Asia to the port of Rotterdam.

The first 14 vessels have been loaded onboard Happy Star in Shanghai, with four more being loaded in Haiphong, two more in Danang and two in Singapore. The vessel is scheduled to reach Rotterdam in mid-October.

It will be the first time that Happy Star, which made its maiden voyage in December 2014, calls at a port in the Netherlands.

*NEWS SOURCE

Original news was published on 11 September, 2015

Houston-based project, breakbulk and heavy lift cargo transporter Intermarine, LLC, has added the 19,450 dwt super heavylifter Industrial Grace to its global fleet.

The 2010-built P2 type vessel with 2 X 700 ton cranes recently completed her five-year dry-docking in Bremen, Germany, and has joined Intermarine’s fleet as of August 10.

She is the fourth G-Class ship to enter the company’s “Fleet of the Future” in 2015, following the Globe, Grand and Glory.

Intermarine’s “Fleet of the Future” also includes a newbuilding program for the construction and delivery of more than 20 ships from 2016 to 2018.

”As we listen to our customers there is a strong interest in increased lifting capabilities for a small but important segment of clients,” said Al Stanley, President and CEO of Intermarine.

”As we execute on our broader “Fleet of the Future” campaign, we have also investigated specific specialty vessels in the existing global pool. The Grace is a fine example of an opportunity where we were able to align our customers’ needs, our relationships with respected owners and our financial strength for a winning solution.”

Industrial Grace was previously owned by Hansa Heavy Lift of Germany under the name of HHL Macao, and was chartered out to Beluga Shipping.

*NEWS SOURCE