WORLDWIDE MARITIME NEWS (XXIV)
1.- ARTIC SHIP TRAFFIC: POLLUTION-REDUCING MEASURES
A new research study by the International Council on Clean Transport has found that polluting emissions from ships in the Artic could increase 150 to 600 % by 2025. Maritime vessels are a significant source of greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions which impact local air quality, human health and the global climate. The research found that making a small change, such as switching to 0.01 % sulfur fuel, could reduce potential emissions in 2025 under 2011 levels.
2.- SLIDING OF CHINA COAL IMPORTS: FALLING FREIGHT RATES
Sliding demand for coal in China has sent shipping costs to almost the lowest on record. China's seaborne coal import slid 10 % in 2014, reversing growth of 16 % the year before. The shift from coal is in part because China is finding other ways of generating power. Freight swaps for shipping a ton of iron by Capesize for the second half of 2015 are trading at USD 13.15 a ton. Actual rates haven't averaged that low since the end of 2008.
3.- FITCH RATINGS: SLOWDOWN IN GROWTH OF EUROPEAN CONTAINER PORTS
According to Fitch Ratings, European container ports, especially small and medium-sized ones, may not hold the rate of growth of the past years due to the size of the new ships already built or under construction. And also to the fact that Chinese exporters are beginning to rely more on domestic than external demand.
4.- DECLINING MAERSK OFFER: WEAKNESS OF DEMAND
Maersk Line has reduced by 10 % the capacity deployed in Latin America, Europe and the Mediterranean as a result of the weakness of demand. This new policy, which began on 5 January this year, aims to better meet the customers' demand.
5.- CMA CGM / HAMBURG SÜD: EXPANDING COOPERATION
CMA CGM and Hamburg Süd have announced that they have reached an agreement to enhance their cooperation. Since mid-January, Hamburg Süd is taking slots between Asia and the Caribbean on CMA CGM' PEX 2 service, as well as on the Brazex service. Starting mid-May, the lines will start a new pendulum service which will connect Asia, the Caribbean, the United States East Coast and North Europe, together with United Arab Shipping Company for the transatlantic side.
