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COSCO Shipping’s newest bulk carrier departed China late last week on its maiden voyage to South America, but instead of the normal operations sailing empty outbound to get the pulp cargo, the company has come up with a novel application to transport new cars aboard bulk carriers. According to COSCO, the adaptations were developed during the construction of the vessel to make it multi-purpose and fill the shortage for vehicle transport vessels.

The 62,500 dwt vessel named COSCO Shipping Wisdom was built at China’s Dalian Shipyard as the fifteenth vessel in the class. She measures 662 feet in length with a 106-foot beam. Her six cargo holds which give the vessel hold capacity of 72,5000 cubic meters are outfitted with a dehumidification system to meet the strict quality requirements for pulp cargo during transportation.

The shipping company reports that modifications were made to the floor of the six holds to accommodate the feet for specially designed racks. The alterations do not affect the vessel’s loading capacity but permit them to place specially designed folding racks standing up to eight levels high into the holds on which cars will be loaded. The vessel can accommodate approximately 1,000 cars, which gives it a capacity similar to a smaller vehicle carrier. When the vessel reaches South America, the cars will be offloaded and the racks can then be folded and stowed so that vessel will load its normal pulp cargo for the return voyage.

COSCO reports that it has received strong demand for the new service and that it will permit them to increase the efficiency of the vessel which otherwise would have made the outbound voyage with no cargo. The company has signed agreements with major Chinese car manufacturers and plans to maintain outbound car transport as an ongoing service. They are also exploring fitting the racks to other vessels of the class.

The shipping line reports working with Dalian they were able to increase the efficiency of the ship and complete the construction despite the pandemic. In addition to the novel cargo arrangements, the COSCO Shipping Wisdom’s main and auxiliary engines are equipped with SCR systems, which meet the NOxTIERIII emission requirements. The ship was classed by the China Classification Society and also obtained additional notations such as smart ships and green ecological ships.

The delivery and naming ceremony for the new ship was conducted on August 10. She departed last Thursday, August 18 from the Taicang Port near Shanghai. She is bound for Valparaiso before proceeding to Lirquen where she will load the cargo of pulp for the return trip to China.
Source: https://maritime-executive.com/article/cosco-s-newest-bulker-transports-cars-outbound-from-china

The New York Shipping Exchange now offers performance-monitoring software.

NYSHEX’s first commercial software product, introduced earlier month, allows shippers to ascertain whether ocean carriers likely will provide container slots booked or reserved with them as far back as one year.

The software matches a carrier’s confirmed booking against a reservation, or pending booking, pointing out any shortfall or misalignment. Essentially, it gives shippers better visibility into short to medium-term container slot availability.

NYSHEX Allocation Management software directly addresses a critical, long-standing challenge for shippers of container cargo and their carriers: reliance on imperfect capacity allocation.

Moreover, Covid-19 supply chain snafus have further challenged capacity allocation efforts.

NYSHEX software essentially helps shippers gauge the likelihood of the contracted service being provided; it does not address capacity allocation planning methodology, Matthew Marshall, NYSHEX’s senior vice president, commercial, said during a recent interview.

The Saas (Software as a Service) tool, that NYSHEX developed internally, is the first of series of capacity allocation management modules that it plans to introduce later this month, Marshall said.

It is also NYSHEX’s first commercial software offering.

To date, seven-year-old NYSHEX has run a neutral booking exchange for containership capacity. Its contracts promote reliability through enforcement of strict contract terms that include fixed penalties for failure of either shippers or carriers to meet performance guarantees.

Additional NYSHEX software modules will help other supply chain partners — carriers and third-parties such as freight forwarders and NVOCCs (NonVessel Operating Common Carriers) — improve capacity allocation, Marshall said.

NYSHEX’s shipper-centric software reconciles a shipper’s pending booking request with a carrier’s confirmed booking. The confirmation offers reasonable assurance that the carrier will provide the contracted service.

“This is a designed solution for shippers,” Marshall said.

Typically, shippers seek booking confirmation about six to eight weeks before a scheduled sailing, Marshall said. That is the timeframe when accurate supply chain visibility becomes imperative to shippers and consignees and gives each adequate time to adjust bookings to correct any misalignment, Marshall said.

NYSHEX charges an undisclosed annual fee to lease the software, Marshall said. There also is one-time installation fee to format contracts, as well as a discounted, volume-based usage charge, starting at less than $10 per TEU, he said.

Shippers can upload their capacity allocations, often generated by ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software, into NYSHEX’s confirmation tool.

NYSHEX allocation management software is among the first such non-proprietary products offered. However, some Transportation Management Software packages include a similar module.

Also, at least one major international freight forwarder uses allocation management software, Marshall said.

New York gasoline inventories are so low that suppliers are resorting to expensive US vessels to move fuel into the region and allay the potential for shortages.

Vessels Oregon and Sunshine State are en route to deliver fuel from Texas and Louisiana to New York by the end of the week, according to Bloomberg vessel tracking. The cargoes are likely to be gasoline, according to energy consultancy Kpler.

These movements underscore the need to refill gasoline and diesel tanks in the New York Harbor region, which stand at their emptiest levels in nearly three decades of government recordkeeping. Supply is shrinking at a time when falling pump prices have lifted the country’s gasoline demand to a year-to-date high. Diesel demand usually begins to rise this time of year with annual crop harvests and distributors trying to stock up ahead of the upcoming heating season.

It’s rare, but not unheard of, for Jones Act vessels to move Gulf Coast fuel into New York, said Reid I’Anson, senior commodity analyst at Kpler. The East Coast relies on the Colonial Pipeline to deliver fuel from the US’s Gulf Coast refining belt and exports from Europe. However, European exports have fallen this month, forcing the market to seek shipping alternatives.

A century-old shipping law known as the Jones Act requires all goods moved between US ports to be transported on ships that are built domestically. Jones Act freight rates typically command a hefty premium over rates for similar routes in the international market, and currently stands at $4.54 a barrel, according to price reporting agency Argus Media.

Shippers are only willing to pay these rates when fuel prices in New York rise to significant premiums over the Gulf Coast, as they are now at 44 cents a gallon, according to Bloomberg data. The Colonial pipeline has been operating at maximum capacity for the past few months.

New York also drew several gasoline cargoes from the Bahamas this month for the first time since May, Vortexa data show. Bahamas’ storage terminals can function as a transshipment hub for fuel coming out of the Gulf Coast.

Source: https://gcaptain.com/new-york-draws-rare-jones-act-cargoes-as-fuel-stocks-drop/

A harbor tug has become the first vessel to be verified for autonomous collision avoidance in the Port of Singapore as the shipping industry’s push towards self-driving technology continues to advance.

ABB worked in collaboration with Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M) on the project. The successful sea trials involved the Keppel Smit Towage tug Maju 510 which was used to verify autonomous collision avoidance capabilities of ABB Ability™ Marine Pilot technology in the Port of Singapore.

In what is said to be an industry-first, the Maju 510 becomes the first vessel in the world to receive Autonomous and Remote-Control Navigation Notation from international classification society ABS and the first Singapore-flagged vessel to receive the Smart (Autonomous) Notation from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

Maju 510 is already notable because it was the first to receive ABS Remote-Control Navigation Notation following initial remote operation trials at the Port of Singapore in April 2021. These latest trials verified the next level of autonomy by demonstrating automated situational awareness, collision avoidance, and maneuvering control provided by ABB technology.

During the trials, the 32-meter-long harbor tug demonstrated its ability to autonomously avoid collisions in various scenarios, such as when two other vessels approach simultaneously on colliding paths and when a nearby vessel behaves erratically. The trials were supervised by an onboard tug master.

“I had the pleasure of being aboard Maju 510 during the collision avoidance trials and experiencing how smoothly the tug performed in autonomous mode,” said Romi Kaushal, Managing Director, Keppel Smit Towage. “What I found particularly impressive was how the digital system identified one or several risks in the tug’s planned path and responded to set the vessel on a new, safer course. The vessel performed as if it was operated by an experienced tug master.”

In an earlier successful demonstration of ABB’s autonomous technology, the ice-class passenger ferry Suomenlinna II was remotely piloted through the Helsinki harbor using the same ABB technology used by the Maju 510.

ABB says autonomous navigation technology can crews to focus on the overall situation rather than on performing specific maneuvers, while also optimizing maneuvering to help prevent accidents, enhance productivity and reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

“We are proud to build on our collaboration with Keppel Offshore & Marine and move yet another step closer to making autonomous tugboat operations a reality,” said Juha Koskela, Division President, ABB Marine & Ports. “Our autonomous solutions are designed to support the crew in performing their duties as safely and efficiently as possible. The same technology can be applied to a variety of vessel types including wind turbine installation vessels, cruise ships and ferries.”

Source: https://gcaptain.com/tug-performs-autonomous-collision-avoidance-in-port-of-singapore/

Environmental, human rights, and labor organizations from around the world are sounding the alarm over the former Brazilian aircraft carrier SÃO PAULO, now being towed across the Atlantic towards Turkey for scrapping, in defiance of international and Brazilian law.

The SÃO PAULO, formerly known as French naval vessel FOCH and sister ship of the infamous French aircraft carrier CLEMENCEAU, departed Brazil on August 4 towed by the Dutch towing vessel ALP CENTRE on a 6,000-mile journey to Aliaga, Turkey, where it is intended to be scrapped.

The ship is running in defiance of a Brazil Federal District Court injunction and, according to the activist groups, has been exported in violation of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, as well as the Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean.

It is also moving in opposition to the wishes of local communities in Turkey, who consider the impending arrival and scrapping of the vessel to be an unacceptable toxic threat.

“Safe recycling or repurposing is, of course, the right thing to do with old ships,” said Jim Puckett, Executive Director of the Basel Action Network (BAN). “But dismantling old ships, laden as they are with toxic paints, asbestos, and cancer-causing chemicals, is one of the world’s most dangerous occupations. It must only be done in strict compliance with international and national laws and norms. The preparation and plan for this ship already fails that test.”

The NGO Shipbreaking Platform, Basel Action Network (BAN), BAN Asbestos France, Henri Pézerat Association (Work, Health, Environment), International Ban Asbestos Secretariat (IBAS), İstanbul Isig Meclisi, Greenpeace Mediterranean and Brazilian ABREA are all calling for the government of Brazil and the owner of the ship (SOK Denizcilik Ve Tic LTD STI ME) to comply immediately with the injunction issued by the 16th Federal Court (Rio de Janeiro) and return the ship to Rio de Janeiro.

In an open letter to IBAMA (Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources), the Brazilian government agency responsible for authorizing the export under the Basel Convention, BAN and the NGO Shipbreaking Platform cited likely violations of established law.

Defiance of Brazilian federal district court injunction

On August 4, just a few hours after the departure of the vessel, a judge of the 16th Federal Court issued an “Order to Return the Ex-Nae SÃO PAULO to Rio de Janeiro.” IBAMA, as the entity charged with authorizing the shipment under the Basel Convention, has clear responsibility and authority to recall the export.

As no action has been taken by the Brazilian authorities, the non-governmental organizations have consequently alerted INTERPOL to the situation.

Lack of required insurance

According to the insurance documents filed by IBAMA prior to the ship’s departure, the accident and damage insurance elapsed in May 2022. Yet, insurance required by the Basel Convention must be in place before the export.

If the filed documents are correct and the SÃO PAULO was not properly covered by insurance, it is unlikely that any insurance company will correct this failure now and renew the policy, as the ship’s export is currently under an injunction and a cloud of illegality and uncertainty.

Export without notification to, and consent from, transit states

According to the towing plan filed by IBAMA, the transboundary movement of the SÃO PAULO from Brazil to Turkey will pass through the Strait of Gibraltar and thus will move through the territorial waters of Spain, the UK, and/or Morocco.

Under the Basel Convention, all transit states must be notified and given their consent before the export can commence. However, in the correspondence between the NGOs and IBAMA, it was incorrectly asserted by IBAMA that the prior notification to transit states was not needed if the ship did not stop in a port.

The Basel Convention’s definitions clarify that transit includes passage through territorial waters. Thus, depending on the precise route chosen, Spain, Morocco, the UK, Malta, Italy, and Tunisia should have been notified and their consent should have been received prior to departure. Failure to do this makes this export illegal traffic under the Convention. Without such notification, Spain, Morocco and UK should deny passage.

Export to parties that have prohibited the import of hazardous waste

When Parties notify the Basel Secretariat that they possess an import prohibition of hazardous wastes, all Parties must respect that prohibition under the Convention. Turkey has notified not only that they have a national import ban on hazardous wastes, but they are also Party to the Izmir Protocol of the Barcelona Convention, which requires Turkey to ban imports of hazardous wastes.

In the case of the SÃO PAULO, Brazil, as an exporting state Party must prohibit all exports to Turkey. Yet Brazil allowed this export.

Toxic waste quantification discrepancies

A complete and accurate assessment of the hazardous materials (waste) contained within the ship structures is a requirement prior to export under the Basel Convention. However, it appears that the Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) prepared for the SÃO PAULO by Grieg Green may have greatly underestimated the quantities of cancer-causing asbestos, toxic paints, radioactive substances, and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs).

In 2006, Greenpeace International commissioned Aage Bjorn Andersen, an expert in the field of hazardous material surveys on marine vessels, to assess the sister ship CLEMENCEAU. His estimate was 760 metric tons of asbestos. In contrast, the recent IHM estimated just 9.6 tons. And, in a subsequent letter, Grieg Green admitted that figure could be significantly off the true amount.

Similarly, the CLEMENCEAU was estimated to contain 165 tons of PCB material (levels higher than 50/ppm concentrations). The IHM for the SAO PAULO found no PCBs in the small number of samples taken and estimated no PCBs. For a ship built in 1957 when use of PCBs was ubiquitous, this finding of no PCBs is doubtful.

Without a proper assessment of hazardous materials, the proper capacity to manage the waste cannot be determined.

Meanwhile, communities in Turkey are alarmed about the incoming hazardous wastes that will potentially harm workers and need to be managed and disposed of safely. They have organized daily vigils to take place in Aliaga.

“The intended export of this massive toxic warship to Aliaga has triggered a powerful reaction from labor and environmental groups across Turkey,” said Asli Odman of the Istanbul Health and Safety Labour Watch.

“We are calling for the ship to be returned to Brazil immediately. Global environmental laws banning the trade in hazardous wastes must not be circumvented so easily. Until this ship can be scrapped lawfully and safely, just as it would have been accomplished in France, where it was built, our answer is a clear NO.”

Source: https://maritimefairtrade.org/toxic-warship-on-6000-mile-illegal-voyage-across-atlantic-to-turkey-for-scrapping/

Maritime Fairtrade interviews Baki Lee, director of PT Global Expo Management, organizer of INAMARINE, Indonesia’s largest tradeshow for the maritime and offshore industry.

What is your opinion of the current state of the Indonesian economy and the general job market?

Indonesia’s economic activity is gradually returning to normal, and COVID-19 infections are under control. The prediction for Indonesia’s growth in 2022 has increased from 5.0 percent to 5.2 percent, portraying strong domestic demand and exports. Private consumption is being improved by gains in employment, income, and confidence.

Despite global inflationary pressures and recession concerns, Indonesia’s economy increased significantly in the second quarter, demonstrating that the recovery trend is continuing and even strengthening.

What are some special trends and outlooks that you noticed about the Indonesian maritime industry?

As the largest archipelagic country in the world, the shipping industry is the infrastructure and
backbone of the life of the nation and state. Indonesia has a grand design to establish Sea Toll Programs to improve connectivity, by increasing the capacity of 24 seaports.

Currently, the competitiveness and share of cargo for the national fleet is still relatively low. The shipbuilding industry, which is actually very strategic because it has a long upstream-downstream chain, has yet to develop. The current port system only acts as a branch or branch of Singapore or other overseas ports. It is hoped that the construction of some big seaports can increase the competitiveness of national shipping in the future.

Specifically, how is the job market for the maritime industry doing?

The government has unveiled Indonesia Vision 2045, a long-term strategy that aims for Indonesia to have a GDP of US$7.3 trillion, ranking fifth or fourth in the world. For instance, it is anticipated that the maritime industry will contribute 12.5 percent of Indonesia’s GDP. If Indonesia is successful in achieving this aim, additional employment possibilities will exist.

Why do you think a career in the maritime industry is attractive?

With more than 12 million employees, the maritime sector is one of the most significant sources of employment for the Indonesian economy. As the sector develops in Indonesia, there is also room for further job creation.

What do you think are the top five well-paid jobs in the maritime industry?

Five of the best jobs: Oceanographer, naval architect, marine engineer, welding engineer and drilling engineer.

What is the starting salary for a fresh grad entering the maritime industry?

For a ship technician, starting salary is usually IDR4,804,236 and IDR40,573,749 net per month (US$322 to US$2,721).

What is your advice for a fresh grad wanting to join the maritime industry?

One of the fields of vocational education that has contributed to the acceleration of Indonesia’s economic recovery is the maritime sector. The success of this maritime vocational education is proven through graduates who really answer and meet the challenges of the international maritime world of work.

Fresh graduates who want to enter the maritime industry must be equipped with additional skills such as computers, presentation skills and problem solving in addition to mastering English.

Source: https://maritimefairtrade.org/guide-to-indonesias-maritime-industry/

Passenger travel will be introduced on a trial basis, as an addition to the existing freight service between the two ports. For the first time, DFDS will offer tourists a direct link between South-East Ireland and Northern France. The new service will be focussed on car and motorhome traffic at launch, with limited capacity to complement our freight traffic.

DFDS is looking for a Marine HR Manager

Chris Parker, route director, said: “We launched a freight service between Rosslare and Dunkirk in January 2021 and it has proved extremely popular with customers looking to move goods between Ireland and continental Europe without the need to use the land-bridge via the UK. Adding passenger services to the route will further strengthen the service and we expect strong demand from holidaymakers in Ireland and in Northern Europe. Rosslare is at the heart of the ‘sunny southeast’ and a short drive from Dublin and Cork, making it a very popular destination. Irish customers will benefit from a direct link into the heart of Europe.”

Crossings on the route will take 23 hours and 45 minutes, with the overnight sailings providing an opportunity for customers to relax and recharge before driving on to their holiday destination. Against the backdrop of a looming summer of disruption at airports, the launch of the new route offers a stress-free alternative for holidaymakers looking to getaway. No luggage restrictions apply when you take your car to Europe by ferry.

DFDS is looking for a Marine HR Manager

There will be up to five sailings per week from Rosslare to Dunkirk and prices for a car and four passengers with a standard cabin onboard will start from €550, with all meals included.

Source: https://maritime-professionals.com/dfds-expanding-routes/

LPG tanker CORAL IVORY reportedly suffered a blackout on Aug 20 while entering Brunsbuettel Lock, Kiel Canal, and had to drop anchor to avoid collision with dock’s walls and constructions. Tanker didn’t suffer damages and was allowed to resume Canal transit on Aug 21, after tanker was berthed and checked at Brunsbuettel. Lock was surveyed by divers and found safe for ships passage, traffic was suspended for some time, causing queue. Tanker completed transit in northern direction on Aug 21, she’s en route from Terneuzen to Koping Sweden.

New FleetMon Vessel Safety Risk Reports Available: https://www.fleetmon.com/services/vessel-risk-rating/

In his nationally broadcast speech PM Lee noted that the country’s seaport and airport played a “critical role” in putting the city state on the global stage.

A decade ago Singapore took the decision to consolidate the existing container terminals at Tanjong Pagar, Brani, Keppel and Pasir Panjang, that make up the world’s second largest boxport, into a single new facility located in Tuas in the far west of the island, indeed on land which was yet to be reclaimed.

The first two berths of Tuas Port started operations in December last year and PM Lee credited the country’s forward planning and investment in port infrastructure enabling it to handle the demand surges associated with the Covid pandemic.

“Because we had planned ahead, our port was able to handle extra volumes during the pandemic,” the Prime Minister stated.

“While ports in other countries experienced closures, severe congestion and long delays, but PSA, our port remained open 24/7 throughout. This reinforced Singapore’s position as the “catch-up port” where vessels made up time for delays elsewhere,” he added.

The new Tuas Port is fully automated using driverless AGVs (automated guided vehicles), and driverless cranes. AI is also used to coordinate terminal operations more seamlessly, including vessel traffic management and port clearance.

The first phase of Tuas Port is now complete, with a further three phases to come over the next 20 years with a total handling capacity of 65m teu, almost double the 37.5m teu Singapore handled last year.

“We will have the world’s largest fully automated port, and that should make us a leading global player in the maritime space,” PM Lee stated.

Meanwhile Tanjong Pagar Terminal the island’s first container terminal, which opened 50 years ago has already been decommissioned and slated for future waterfront development.

Source: https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/ports/singapore-puts-automated-port-development-front-and-centre

The deal signed with ABP, one of the UK’s leading port groups, will digitalise operations at its 21 ports.

The project aims to accelerate the digital transformation of port calls and operations, making them as efficient, sustainable and safe as possible.

The Wärtsilä Voyage technologies chosen for the project include Navi-Port, Navi-Harbour Vessel Traffic Services, and Port Management Information System (PMIS).

Sean Fernback, President, Wärtsilä Voyage commented: “ABP truly understands how impactful technology can be in the maritime industry and its innovative approach has cemented its position as the UK’s leading ports group. This new agreement will help ABP maintain its competitive advantage now and into the future.”

The project, which began in June, will span multiple phases across all of ABP’s ports.

Wärtsilä’s Vessel Traffic Services system and Port Management Information System are expected to be integrated into the Port of Southampton before April 2023, with other solutions subsequently being deployed across ABP’s other 20 ports.

The agreement with ABP includes an ongoing human factor review to ensure the existing control room environment is optimised for people’s needs and is fully compliant with all national and international standards and guidelines.

Harm Van Weezel, Chief Information Officer at ABP said: “We are delighted to be working with Wärtsilä on a programme that really delivers towards our vision of a modern, digital port.

“Wärtsilä’s approach – forming a deep and long-term partnership that is mutually beneficial to both organisations – really stood out to everyone at ABP. We are looking forward to the vast benefits this programme will bring.”

Source: ABP

Newer Posts

Older Posts

COSCO’s Newest Bulker Transports Cars Outbound from China

New NYSHEX Data Tool Promises Greater Visibility Into Container Slot Availability

New York Draws Rare Jones Act Cargoes as Fuel Stocks Drop

Tug Performs Autonomous Collision Avoidance in Port of Singapore

Toxic Warship On 6,000-Mile Illegal Voyage Across Atlantic To Turkey For Scrapping

Defiance of Brazilian federal district court injunction

Lack of required insurance

Export without notification to, and consent from, transit states

Export to parties that have prohibited the import of hazardous waste

Toxic waste quantification discrepancies

Guide To Indonesia’s Maritime Industry

What is your opinion of the current state of the Indonesian economy and the general job market?

What are some special trends and outlooks that you noticed about the Indonesian maritime industry?

Specifically, how is the job market for the maritime industry doing?

Why do you think a career in the maritime industry is attractive?

What do you think are the top five well-paid jobs in the maritime industry?

What is the starting salary for a fresh grad entering the maritime industry?

What is your advice for a fresh grad wanting to join the maritime industry?

DFDS expanding routes

Dutch LPG tanker blackout in Kiel Canal Lock

Singapore puts automated port development front and centre

Associated British Ports, Wärtsilä sign deal to digitalise port operations

How AI Is Transforming Maritime Operations – Key Developments in the Last Month (Dec 2025)

Crew Fatigue, Rest-Hour Compliance and the Role of CrewExpress STCW

Keeping Your IHM Up-to-Date: What Ship-Operators Must Know in 2025

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