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Taiwan is to inspect 202 foreign ships entering the country’s seven large commercial ports between this month and November in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control in the Asia-Pacific Region, also known as the Tokyo MOU, the Maritime and Port Bureau said yesterday.

For the Tokyo MOU, a port state control organization was established, which is composed of representatives from 21 member authorities, the bureau said.

The organization’s main purpose is to establish an effective and consistent port state control regime in the Asia-Pacific region, the bureau said.

Container ships are docked at the Port of Keelung on Aug. 6.

Photo: Jameson Wu, Reuters

A concentrated inspection campaign (CIC) is also launched annually among member authorities to eliminate substandard shipping, protect the maritime environment and safeguard working and living conditions for seafarers, it said.

Taiwan is not a member of the International Maritime Organization, but nevertheless abides by the maritime safety regulations stipulated by international organizations, the bureau said.

The focus of this year’s campaign is to see whether seafarers carry qualification certificates, whether the number of crew members meets the minimum safety quota for onboard seafarers, and whether crew members can present health examination certificates and rest hour records, the bureau said.

The three-month maritime safety campaign would start today at seven international commercial ports across the country, it said.

“Our goal is to conduct random onboard inspections on 202 foreign ships in the next three months,” the bureau said, adding that the goal was set based on the number of ships arriving in Taiwan last year.

“We want to remind shipping firms and shipowners that they need to confirm the qualifications of the seafarers they have recruited and ensure that work shift schedules are friendly to seafarers,” it said.

During the CIC period, ships found with unqualified seafarers on board would be retained by commercial port authorities until improvements are completed in accordance with Article 60 of the Commercial Port Act (商港法), the bureau said.

Because of the annual inspections, Taiwan has been on the Tokyo MOU’s white list for five years in a row, which has greatly enhanced the efficiency of shipping fleets by lowering the frequency of inspections when they arrive in other countries, the bureau said.

“We have worked with CR Classification Society to offer seminars to shipping firms on how they should prepare for the CIC this year,” it added.

Source: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2022/09/01/2003784512

During the month of July, Saudi Arabia’s ports achieved a 16% increase in cargo throughput compared with the same month in 2021, handling a total volume of 28 million tons, up from 24 million tons a year before. Statistics released by the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) reveal a 45.4% growth in general cargo traffic, to 718,082 tons, a 30.3% increase in dry bulk cargo, to 4.2 million tons, and a 19.1% surge in liquid bulk cargo, which accounted for 16.3 million tons of total throughput.

Similarly, container throughput at Saudi ports jumped 6.4% to 641,862 TEU, compared to 602,181 TEU during the same period last year. Transshipment movements were up 9.5% year-on-year at 268,000 TEU.

Automobile imports also soared to 78,438 units, rising 31% compared to the 60,052 vehicles in the equivalent period in 2021, while foodstuff volumes recorded a 40% upturn, to around 2 million tons.

Source: https://www.themaritimestandard.com/saudi-ports-register-strong-cargo-throughput-growth-in-july/

The Government says a vessel from Brazil that appears to be headed towards the Strait carrying reportedly toxic materials will not be permitted to enter British Gibraltar Territorial Waters if it attempts to do so.

The vessel, named Sao Paulo, is said to be laden with toxic paints, asbestos, and cancer-causing chemicals. It’s on its way to Turkey to be scrapped.

The Government says that unless a vessel (or its tug) schedules a call at the Gibraltar Port, the Port Authority is unable to prevent its transit through the Strait.

The shipping of the vessel goes against an injunction from the Brazil Federal District Court and international laws, according to several NGOs.

For its part, the Environmental Safety Group says it has been contacted by an NGO from Brazil hoping to raise maximum awareness of the passage. The ESG has also contacted the Port and local environmental authorities about this.

Some recent reports say that Turkey has refused entry to the vessel, however it has not agreed to turn around and appears to be slowly heading towards the Strait. It is being towed by another vessel named Alp Centre.

Source: https://www.gbc.gi/news/ship-carrying-toxic-cargo-would-not-be-permitted-enter-bgtw-says-government

APM Terminals Pipavav terminal recently received a first block train for Maersk, carrying goods for rice exporter D.D. International, from ICD Panipat. The new service, operated by DP World, is expected to help hinterland customers connect with global markets.

The train was flagged off from ICD Panipat in the first week of August and reached the port less than two days later. The containers, all carrying rice, are destined for Jeddah and Dammam in the Middle East.

Commenting on the occasion, Jakob Friis Sørensen, Managing Director, APM Terminals Pipavav, said, “The connection helps our customers in moving their containers safely, quickly and sustainably and offers our hinterland customers an additional mode to expand their business in the global markets. Moving the consignment by rail not only reduces congestion on the road but also helps in reducing carbon footprint.”

Source: https://www.themaritimestandard.com/apm-terminals-pipavav-receives-block-train-from-icd-panipat/

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Port recently received a maiden call from leading global container shipping company MSC’s Indus 2 service. The port expects that the new service will help to further develop the Kingdom’s export market while also facilitating trade between North America and the Indian subcontinent.

King Abdullah Port will provide services for containers transported on MSC vessels for goods imported from Mundra port, in addition to exported goods moving to major European ports, the Port of Halifax in Canada and major ports on the East Coast of the United States.

Commenting on the new port call in the Indus 2 liner service, Jay New, Chief Executive Officer, said: “The addition of King Abdullah Port to MSC’s liner service reaffirms our role as a major enabler of international Saudi trade and one of the world’s most important ports. In keeping with our vision to be an advantageous and sustainable world-class port that delivers long-term value to its stakeholders, we have been constantly upgrading our facilities and improving our service offerings through the adoption of the latest technologies and innovative solutions. “

King Abdullah Port’s partnership with MSC dates back to September 2013 with the berthing of the first vessel from the company’s fleet at the port. With MSC as a key customer, the port handled 1.5 million TEU over the first half of the year, an increase of 6.69% compared to the same period of 2021.

Part of the AD Ports group, Safeen has recently announced it has achieved an impressive safety record of more than 5 million man-hours without any Lost Time Injuries (LTI) and zero environmental incidents since its launch in 2012.

Operating in nine commercial ports in the UAE and the Middle East, Safeen offers a broad portfolio of marine services and solutions, including towage, quayside-support services, emergency response, vessel assistance, inspections, and shipping maintenance.

Captain Adil Alhammadi, CEO of Safeen, said: “We have achieved this remarkable feat by promoting a safety culture across the organisation that comprises progressive HSE policy updates, regular audits, emergency drills, and regular in-house safety and training programmes to promote the wellbeing of our employees whilst maintaining a seamless supply chain network for our customers.”

Source: https://www.themaritimestandard.com/safeen-safety-record-continues-to-impress/

Bahri Logistics has entered a partnership deal with channels by stc, part of stc group, which has operations in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman. Under the terms of the agreement, Bahri Logistics will provide a wide range of logistics solutions, including assistance with customs clearance, storage and delivery services.

Soror Basalom, President of Bahri Logistics, commented: “Bahri’s selection for this significant contract underlines our reputation for providing services of the highest standard across a broad range of industries, including the growing telecommunications sector. We are looking forward to a long and successful partnership with channels by stc as it seeks to further expand its business in Saudi Arabia.”

The new contract is considered by both parties to represent an important step in implementing their respective strategies for developing Saudi Arabia’s logistics sector.

Source: https://www.themaritimestandard.com/bahri-signs-logistics-partnership-deal/

Following modifications to some of its existing heavy lift vessel fleet, enabling them to transport containers, P&O Maritime Logistics is introducing a Red Sea service, connecting Jeddah and Port Sudan. The service will be operated in partnership with DP World group sister company, Unifeeder.

By establishing this new route using the modified Multi Carrying Vessels (MCVs), P&O Maritime Logistics aims to help reduce regional port congestion, as the MCV vessel type can call at smaller berths, and turnaround faster, compared to larger vessels on this shortsea route.

According to the company, shallow draft MCVs utilise less space and can access areas of the port where larger ships cannot fit due to their size and length. This is useful when connecting feeder ports, such as Port Sudan, with hub ports, such as Port of Jeddah.

P&O Maritime Logistics began modifying MCVs following successful trials with the Topaz Lena, one of two ships that will be deployed on the Red Sea route. The other is the Topaz Volga. The company is modifying a further two vessels and could have as many as ten modified upon request.

Source: https://www.themaritimestandard.com/new-red-sea-container-service-launched-by-po-maritime-logistics/

Grain silos in Ukraine’s second biggest port, Mykolaiv, were hit by Russian shelling of the city on Tuesday, causing a fire that was still burning on Wednesday, Ukraine’s emergencies service said.

“As a result of the shelling of Mykolaiv, grain silos at an infrastructure facility in the Korabelny district caught fire,” the emergencies service said on Facebook on Wednesday. “Firefighting continues.”

It published photos showing holes in the metal roofs of at least two silos and fire brigades pouring water on damaged facilities. A 200 square meter area had been affected, it said, without giving any further details.

There are several major grain terminals in Mykolaiv, and some have already come under attack during the Russian invasion, which Moscow calls a “special military operation”.

Ukraine is conducting a counter-offensive in the area, which has come under constant shelling in recent weeks, to try to push Russian troops out of the city of Kherson to the southeast and drive them back towards Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.

Viterra, partly owned by commodity group Glencore, is one of several international grain merchants with facilities in Mikolaiv, which lies on the Southern Bug river close to the Black Sea. Its port terminal caught fire in June but there was no information on whether it had been affected this time around.

Ukraine’s grain exports slumped after Russia invaded the country on Feb. 24 and blockaded its Black Sea ports, driving up global food prices and prompting fears of shortages in Africa and the Middle East.

Three Black Sea ports were reopened under a deal signed on July 22 by Moscow and Kyiv and the ministry said these ports are able to load and send abroad 100-150 cargo ships per month.

Ukrainian officials have said they also want to open Mykolaiv port for grain exports.

Source: https://www.marinelink.com/news/russia-attacks-grain-silos-ukraines-499151

The Bureau of Customs on August 31 reinstated six Port of Subic officials after the conclusion of an investigation on alleged smuggling of refined sugar at the port
The investigation showed there was no negligence on the part of the officials in the discharge of their duties
The six were reinstated after they were temporarily transferred to the Office of the Commissioner through an August 24 order pending results of the investigation
The investigation also showed the Sugar Regulatory Administration clearances covering the shipment were authentic and not recycled, as initially alleged

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) reinstated on August 31 six Port of Subic officials after the conclusion of an investigation on alleged smuggling of refined sugar at the port. The probe found no negligence on the part of the officials and all documents surrounding the shipment in order.

BOC-Subic district collector Maritess T. Martin, deputy collector for assessment Maita S. Acevedo, deputy collector for operations Giovanni Ferdinand A. Leynes, Assessment Division chief Belinda F. Lim, Enforcement and Security Service district commander Vincent Mark S. Malasmas, and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) field supervisor Atty. Justin S. Geli have been ordered to return to their posts, Acting Customs commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz said in a statement on September 1.

The six officials through an order dated August 24 were temporarily transferred to the Office of the Commissioner pending results of an inquiry into alleged smuggling of sugar from Thailand. The order directing the six to return to their previous posts was signed by Ruiz on August 31.

The relief of officials came after BOC-Subic on August 18 foiled an alleged attempt to smuggle in 140,000 bags or 7,021 metric tons of imported sugar from Thailand with total tax payment valued at P45.623 million.

BOC also detained general cargo ship M/V Bangpakaew, which carried the imported sugar that arrived at Subic port on August 17.

Initial probe conducted by BOC’s CIIS indicated that the importer allegedly used a “recycled permit,” or an import permit already used in a previous import allocation. It showed the cargo is covered by a special permit to discharge and verified single administrative document from BOC and with a verified clearance from the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).

The SRA and importer Oro-Agritrade Inc. earlier said the shipment was legitimate and had a valid permit and clearance from SRA.

Ruiz said the result of the investigation conducted by the Internal Inquiry and Prosecution Division of the CIIS showed there was no negligence on the part of the BOC-Subic personnel in the discharge of their duties, and that the SRA clearances covering the shipment were authentic and not recycled, as initially alleged.

According to BOC, two entries for the shipment were filed on August 12 and were tagged under “yellow lane” under BOC’s selectivity system. Shipments tagged as yellow are considered as cargoes which have low to medium risk and are subject to document check.

BOC said the two entries for the shipment were covered with the required documentation such as the SRA Certificate for Release of Imported Sugar; Food and Drug Administration (FDA) License to Operate; Certificate of Analysis, FDA Certificate of Product Registration; bill of lading; packing list; ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement Form-D; commercial invoice and load port survey report.

BOC said verification of documents showed no irregularities and that the shipment was processed in accordance with the existing rules and regulations of BOC.

The investigators found all documents presented were complete and properly complied. BOC said this meant the consignee complied with the regulations set forth by the Philippine National Trade Repository for the importation of sugar standards.

Moreover, BOC said the statement of the BOC-Subic personnel are consistent with and corroborated by the certification issued by the SRA.

SRA earlier sent BOC a certification letter certifying that the shipment consigned to Oro-Agritrade has been cleared by the SRA as per Sugar Order No.3, Series of 2021-2022.

Sugar Order No. 3, approved by the SRA Board in May 2022, provides the sugar import program for crop year 2021 to 2022 and provides the rules for the importation of 200,000 MT of refined sugar. SRA said the clearance for the Subic port sugar shipment is valid until September 4, 2022.

“Thus, there is no prima facie nor substantial evidence to warrant the filing of administrative charges against the concerned BOC personnel,” BOC said. It added that the issuance of certification by the SRA “negated all the allegations of sugar smuggling and effectively cleared and/or absolved the BOC-Port of Subic from any irregularities with regard to the processing of the shipments.”

Source: https://www.portcalls.com/boc-reinstates-subic-officials-after-sugar-smuggling-probe/

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Taiwan aims to inspect 202 ships for Tokyo MOU

SAUDI PORTS REGISTER STRONG CARGO THROUGHPUT GROWTH IN JULY

Ship carrying toxic materials would not be permitted to enter BGTW, says Government

APM TERMINALS PIPAVAV RECEIVES BLOCK TRAIN FROM ICD PANIPAT

KING ABDULLAH PORT RECEIVED MAIDEN MSC SERVICE CALL

SAFEEN SAFETY RECORD CONTINUES TO IMPRESS

BAHRI SIGNS LOGISTICS PARTNERSHIP DEAL

NEW RED SEA CONTAINER SERVICE LAUNCHED BY P&O MARITIME LOGISTICS

Russia Attacks Grain Silos at Ukraine’s Mykolaiv Port

BOC reinstates Subic officials after sugar smuggling probe

The Bureau of Customs on August 31 reinstated six Port of Subic officials after the conclusion of an investigation on alleged smuggling of refined sugar at the port

The investigation showed there was no negligence on the part of the officials in the discharge of their duties

The six were reinstated after they were temporarily transferred to the Office of the Commissioner through an August 24 order pending results of the investigation

The investigation also showed the Sugar Regulatory Administration clearances covering the shipment were authentic and not recycled, as initially alleged

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