Shipping

BLPL commences container vessel routes

BLPL Singapore, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Transworld Group Singapore, one of East Asia's fastest growing shipping and logistics companies, today announced the commencement of two dedicated container vessel services:

Using Singapore and Port Klang as transhipment hubs, the Singapore-based company will operate fixed day weekly services in and out of the port of Yangon MIP terminal to facilitate and connect cargo from and to the Indian Subcontinent, South Asia, the Far East, Middle East and East Africa. Myanmar, which has recently opened up to foreign markets, is expected to be the fastest growing economy in the Asia region. According to IE Singapore, bilateral trade between Singapore and Myanmar has grown more than 50 per cent over the last decade, amounting to S$1.63 billion last year.

The Republic is Myanmar’s fourth largest trading partner and sixth largest investor.

Concurrently, BLPL will also facilitate and connect cargo to and from the East Coast of India via the Port of Kolkata/ Haldia /Paradip, major gateway ports for the North East Corridor of India and the land locked countries like Nepal and Bhutan.

BLPL, which owns and operates a growing container fleet of 18,000TEU’s, will be able to cater to customers’ various needs with its supply of reefer units (temperature controlled) and special containers that can carry odd-sized and project cargo.

Mr Anand Sitaraman, Vice President of BLPL Singapore, said: “Established in one of the busiest ports in the world that is Singapore, BLPL has cultivated years of experience in shipping operations spanning from China, Southeast Asia, India Sub -Continent, Middle East extending up to East Africa.

With the launch of our two dedicated container vessel services to Yangon and Kolkata, we look forward to participate and contribute to what we believe will be the fastest growing trade routes in this region. BLPL Singapore is represented in Sri Lanka by Clarion Shipping (Pvt) Lt

Six ship crew missing as India cyclone kills eight

Rescuers in southern India searched for six tanker crew missing after their lifeboat capsized as a cyclone slammed into the coast overnight, forcing thousands to flee and killing eight.

A catamaran sails under the Sydney Harbour. International visitors to Australia are expected to increase from over 5.9 million to nearly 8.2 million. AFP

The crew of the “Pratibha Cauvery” oil tanker was forced to abandon ship when it ran aground on the southern edge of Chennai, and one sailor was confirmed to have drowned.

The ship, which had unloaded its oil in Chennai port, was stranded on a beach close to the shore on Thursday as three helicopters and small vessels took the 15 remaining crew members ashore.

“One sailor is dead and we are searching for six other crew members,” Jayraman, a disaster management official in Chennai, who only uses one name, told AFP.

Shipping authorities had reported that the “Pratibha Cauvery” was not badly damaged and that a plan to refloat it was being drawn up, he said.

The overall death toll from the cyclone reached eight, with thousands of people also forced to flee from coastal towns to seek shelter in schools and government buildings.

One other person drowned, two were killed when a wall collapsed, one person was electrocuted and three died when a tree fell on their hut. “We have managed to restore power in all districts after the storm,” Jayraman said.

AFP

Maersk reports that quarterly earnings triple

Danish conglomerate A.P. Moeller-Maersk more than tripled third-quarter net profit from the figure last year, the shipping group said earnings failed to meet analysts' expectations.

Net profit in the three months ending September rose to 5.15 billion kronor (690 million euros, $880 million) from 1.64 billion a year ago, but fell short of the 6.29 billion expected by analysts polled by Dow Jones Newswires. Revenue came in at 87.2 billion kronor, which was slightly lower than expected.

The Copenhagen-based group also said it expected global demand for seaborne containers to rise by 3.0 percent this year, which was lower than the 4.0 percent stated in the second quarter. “We deliver a good result for the quarter considering the challenging economic environment,” chief executive Nils S. Andersen said in a statement. “Thanks to our rate initiatives and cost reductions, Maersk Line is back in black figures year-to-date, and the high oil price supports a satisfactory result for Maersk Oil.”

AFP

US to allow extra oil tankers to ease storm woes

The United States said it will allow additional oil tankers from the Gulf of Mexico to enter northeastern ports to provide more fuel to the region battered by Hurricane Sandy.

The Department of Homeland Security issued an immediate blanket waiver of restrictions on foreign-flagged ship access to US ports to help increase fuel deliveries to northeast terminals. “The administration's highest priority is ensuring the health and safety of those impacted by Hurricane Sandy, and this waiver will remove a potential obstacle to bringing additional fuel to the storm-damaged region,” said Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano in a statement.

Napolitano waived the Jones Act, which prohibits foreign vessels from transporting merchandise between points within the United States. The waiver is in effect through November 13. Tensions were rising in New York and New Jersey over the lack of fuel, with lengthy lines at filling stations and some areas rationing gasoline for vehicles.

AFP