To build the underlying blockchain network for its global trade operating system, GSBN partnered with Oracle to harness its Oracle Blockchain platform in Oracle Cloud, which is recognised as one of the leading distributed ledger platforms for building an enterprise-grade, permissioned blockchain.

For the platform layer, GSBN chose to harness Microsoft Azure Southeast Asia Region in Singapore for its high scalability, functionality and security. Furthermore, Azure’s Availability Zones ensure high service reliability and availability.

Related: GSBN rolls out Cargo Release across Southeast Asia

For deployment in China, Ant Group’s AntChain was selected. With its blockchain, secure computing, IoT and other innovative technologies, AntChain provides an enterprise-grade, efficient and reliable platform. This is further supported by Alibaba Cloud, which has been recognised as first in Asia Pacific for Infrastructure as a Service by research firm Gartner in the past few years.

Earlier this year, GSBN selected IQAX as the technology partner to develop and operate the blockchain platform.

As a result as this year’s peak season gets under way – corresponding to summer in the southern hemisphere – the outlook is much brighter.

This was one of the conclusions of experts at a recent Drewry webinar on the subject. The shipping consultancy gave a snapshot of some of the data contained in its recently published Reefer Shipping Annual Review and Forecaster 2021/22.

Related: CMA CGM adds reefer surcharge for Yantian as freight rates soar

Global reefer trade had already rebounded over the first six months of 2021 after an inevitable Covid-related dip last year, but a range of other factors are now propelling the sector to new heights. These include record freight rates in the liner trades, which appear set to remain in place for months to come, worsening port congestion, and reefer boxes that are either held up or at the wrong end of a trade lane.

Following the best off-season on record, specialised reefer ship owners can look forward to months of highly profitable business as the peak season progresses. Specialised reefer capacity is likely to be in high demand for perishable produce, which of course is always time critical.

Related: MSC carries a record 1.9m reefer containers in 2020

However, in the longer term, the steady decline of this specialised shipping sector is unlikely to halt, as more perishable cargo is shipped on container vessels, and specialised reefer ship owners dare not shell out for new ships.

According to Drewry statistics, perishable cargo shipped by specialised vessels is likely to fall from 12% last year, to just 7.6% in 2025.

Over the five-year period, containerised volumes are expected to grow by a compound annual growth rate of 5.3%, taking liner companies’ share of total trade from 86.8% in 2020 to 91.3% by 2025, according to the analyst’s projections. Much of the overall growth in trade is driven by steadily rising Asian demand for perishable produce.

Over the five years, Drewry also expects the specialised reefer fleet to continue its decline – down by about 9% by mid-decade. The strong market has meant virtually no demolition sales this year, however, despite the temptation of high prices in the world’s Indian subcontinent recycling hub .

Britoil Offshore Services, is a leading global provider of marine transportation and anchor handling vessels, primarily focused on executing complex offshore oil and gas projects worldwide. Britoil’s current fleet is formed by 20 Singapore-flagged anchor handling tugs and two platform supply vessels.

Britoil Offshore Services was founded by David Hill over thirty years ago and he will continue as Chairman and the CEO of the company.

Related: Keppel and Sembmarine in talks on combining offshore and marine businesses

This new acquisition reinforces Pérez y Cía group’s commitment to strengthen its leadership position, not only across America and Europe but also in Asia as well and expanding its international services, after the recently announced acquisitions of several companies across Central América and Europe.

“This operation will contribute to the international growth and services diversification in line with Perez y Cía. Group long term company strategy,” said Gonzalo Perez-Maura, CEO of Perez y Cia.

The number of containerships either at anchor or adrift in San Pedro Bay has now reached a new record of 56, according to the Marine Exchange of Southern California. At the same time there are 31 containerships at berth in the ports of LA/LB meaning that if numbers of continue to rise there will soon be double the number of boxships outside the ports as they can handle at any one time.

The number of ships waiting at LA/LB has surged as importers look to be beat the peak season.

Related: 41 boxships waiting at LA/Long Beach, freight rates keep rising

According to the Port of Los Angeles the waiting time at anchorage is 8.5 days based on a 30-day rolling average. For the week of 12 – 18 September it expects import volumes of 133,582 teu, up 9.14% on the previous week, and 25.06% year-on-year. Import volumes are expected rise further 21.65% at the Port of LA in the week of 19 – 25 September to 162,498 teu, up 45.37% year-on-year.

A record imbalance between import and export volumes is causing a huge pile up of empty containers in Southern Californian ports as Seatrade Maritime News reported last week.

Related: Empty containers pile up at the wrong end of the supply chain

The upcoming Golden Week holidays from 1 – 7 October in China may give some respite with container lines blanking a number sailings for this period.

Meanwhile it is not just delays to imports that are causing concerns in the US, environmental groups are worried about the pollution from the large number of ships waiting at anchor.

Mandeera Wijetunga, Climate Campaigner, Southern California, Pacific Environment stated: “Just like idling cars, fossil fueled ships idling outside of our ports emit pollution that is bad for our air, bad for our communities and compounds our climate crisis. Emissions from the shipping industry contribute to the worst impacts of climate change, choke the air around our port communities and the surge from ships restocking for the holiday season has led to shocking levels of air pollution.