China revives European shipper hopes of a shortcut across
the Malay Peninsula

OF more interest to European shippers these days than the enlarged Panama Canal and the projected Nicaragua Canal, is the idea of a Kra Canal across Thailand that stands to shave weeks of the typical Asia-Europe rotation, though it might put Singapore and Port Klang in mortal peril.
Especially now, that China, under its "One Belt One Road" initiative to restore the spirit of Marco Polo's Old Silk Road, has opened up to the idea that has been kicking around for more than 300 years.
The Kra Canal, which if built would cut out today's the southern plunge to Singapore by cutting across the Malay Peninsular before the crossing the Indian Ocean into the Red Sea and Suez.  >More
 

Coping with the Asia-Europe new normal means mega ships
and low bunker prices

CONTAINER carriers, on the Asia-Europe run, were pushing hard to sustain occasional gains in freight rates ahead of the Chinese New Year on February 8 while all the while knowing that these gains will not last.
Instead of entertaining such quixotic hopes, what must be done now is subtract those costs that unnecessarily undermine profitability, namely terminal handling costs through total automation and regulatory compliance costs through broadly effected by political and "industrial action", in the trade union sense of the term.
Like many others, Fort Lauderdale's Maritime Executive, on the occasion of what has become a monthly spike in spot rates, takes the view that carriers should act now to lock in higher prices early - as if there was any chance of doing so.  >More
 

European Commission shipping study recommends more
study of sector threats

THE European Union faces great competition in shipping from Asian competitors but it seems to have identified a way to maintain a competitive advantage, according to a study commissioned by the European Commission (EC).
The research was conducted by a team of analysts from Panteia, of the Netherlands; Significance, also of the Netherlands; PricewaterhouseCoopers of New York and Department of Transport and Regional Economic, University of Antwerp, which presented the "Study on the Analysis and Evolution of International and EU Shipping."
For the most part the study recommended more study of shipping developments and encouragement of certain trends and more study of discouraging trends.  >More
 

Improving European relations with Russia proves to be
fraught with risk - yet promise

RUSSIA has always been difficult for Europe to live with. Even under the Czars it was at war with itself over western influence, which at times was embraced with enthusiasm then to be rejected as traditional parties became ascendant.
Despite the current dispute over the Ukraine, and the trading disputes that have erupted in its wake, residual trade between Russia and the EU is still nothing less than enormous.
The European Union remains Russia's biggest trading partner. EU member states account for 50 per cent of the total Russian exports and imports. For instance, over the past decade Russia-EU volume in goods doubled and reached EUR285.5 billion (US$310.7 billion). >More
 

With MSC and OOCL direct calls, Port of Gothenburg's assets
accumulate rapidly

HOME of Volvo, and half way between Oslo and Copenhagen, the Swedish Atlantic harbour at Gothenburg is well placed to capitalise on its position as Scandinavia's biggest seaport.
With 2M and G6 alliance ships making direct calls, it is well on its way to fulfill its ambition to become the biggest and most prosperous port in the region.
Direct calls from Hong Kong's OOCL, part of the G6 alliance, have been in place for some time, but recently, 2M's Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) will make direct calls starting with the 19,000-TEU MSC Maya this month. >More