WORLDWIDE MARITIME NEWS (XV)

1.- CMA CGME DANUBE: ENTRY INTO SERVICE

 

 

The container ship CMA CGM DANUBE, of the CMA CGM Group, built in the chinese shipyard Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company (DSIC), has just entered into service. Registered in Malta, of 300 metres in length and 48 metres in breadth, she has been leased to China International Marine Containers (CIMC). She will be joining Asia to Turkey and the Black Sea.

 

 

2.- WIELTON: FRUEHAUF PURCHASE OFFER

 

Wielton, a Polish manufacturer of trailers and semitrailers, has presented an offer for the purchase of the Fruehauf French Group in full.

 

 

3.- PORTUGAL: DEBATE ON THE LIBERALISATION PILOTAGE SERVICES

 

 

In the V Congress of the Portuguese Pilots Association (APIBARRA), recently held in Sines, there has been an intense debate on the liberalisation of pilotage services. While the President of Portuguese Ports, Mr. Vitor Caldeirinha, supported the maintenance of the current public model, the President of the Portuguese Carriers Association, Mr, Pedro Galvao, manifested in favour of its liberalisation for reasons of greater efficiency and lower cost.

 

 

 

4.- BRITISH COMPETITION AUTHORITY: EXCLUSION OF MYFERRYLINK

 

The British Competition Authority has excluded My FerryLink, of the Eurotunnel Group, from the traffic between Calais and Dover for six months. It argues that My FerryLink may not resume service unless it becomes independent from Eurotunnel, since the latter already controls 37% of this traffic. The French Government will appeal this decision.

 

 

 

5.- ASIA DRY BULK-CAPESIZE: SLIDING RATES

 

Rates for capesize bulk carriers on key Asian routes are set to slide next week. Too many ships and few cargoes are the reasons for these sliding rates.
There are 32 capesize ships in ballast and available to be chartered, and another 72 becoming free in the next two weeks. Instead 24 were fixed on charter over this week.