WORLDWIDE MARITIME NEWS (XIX)

1.- SHIPS : LOWER SULPHUR REQUIREMENTS

Under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), Annex VI ( Regulation for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships), ships trading in the Baltic Sea area, the North Sea area, the North American area and the United States Caribbean Sea area, will have to use fuel oil with a sulphur content of no more than 0,10% from January 1st, 2015. Outside the emission control areas the limit is 3,5%.

 

2.- CHINESE SHIPYARDS: NEW ORDERS

According to a China National Association of Shipbuilding Industry release, the growth of Chinese Shipyards new orders slowed down to a year-on-year rate of 9,4% for the first eleven months of 2014. Yet orders in this time span were at 56.8 Mdwt.

3.- SHIPPING PROTECTION: FLOATING ARSENALS

Lacking any regulation, floating armouries (ships packed with military equipment) are operating in international waters. These armouries were set up to supply private security guards to protect shipping from pirates, particularly off the East African coast.

4.- DYNAMAR: LARGER AND MORE EFFICIENT SHIPS

According to the last edition of Dynamar's Top 25 Container Liner Operations publication, cost reduction (larger fuel consuming and more efficient ships) is the answer of many of the Top 25 container liner operators to their declining revenues. But the paradox is that the increasing of bigger ships exacerbates over-capacity, and this has a detrimental effect on rate levels.