News

Carriers to fine rogue shippers for misdeclared goods in containers



August 14, 2019 /

Carriers are cracking down on rogue shippers by threatening significant financial penalties for misdeclared shipments, following a series of vessel fires. Evergreen was first out of the gates announcing fines, ranging from $4,000 to $35,000, for misdeclarations (see below), with Hapag-Lloyd and OOCL following suit. Hapag-Lloyd, which suffered as misdeclared goods caused a high-profile fire…


Independent Container Line moves UK call from Liverpool to Southampton



July 10, 2019 /

Niche transatlantic carrier Independent Container Line (ICL) is to move its UK call from Liverpool to Southampton to improve schedule reliability. The US-headquartered, privately-owned shipping line has been serving Liverpool for the past 20 years, calling at the Mersey port along with Antwerp in a two-port North European hub strategy. However, ICL claims deteriorating weather…


IMO talks work towards climate goals



May 22, 2019 /

Tightened energy efficiency targets and a commitment to further discuss proposed speed reduction rules were the key outcomes of the International Martime Organisation's (IMO) latest round of talks, held in London last week. But environmental campaigners were quick to argue the results showed a "total lack of ambition" on the part of the shipping industry, which…


Maritime black carbon emissions must decrease



May 15, 2019 /

The Clean Arctic Alliance has issued a call for international shipping operators and national governments to cut maritime black carbon emissions. Black carbon particles are predominantly produced by ships burning heavy fuel oil; when black carbon is released by vessels operating in the Arctic region, the particles reduce the reflectivity of ice and snow –…


Vessel emissions won’t be cut by sailing slower



May 8, 2019 /

Policy director of the UK Chamber of Shipping Anna Ziou has slammed French proposals to impose speed limits as a way to cut shipping emissions. She claims it would give a “false impression” of the industry taking action.  Ms Ziou’s objection follows an outcry from container lines following the French IMO delegation’s proposals becoming public last month.  “To achieve a 50%…


$586m loss hits ONE’s parent carriers



May 1, 2019 /

Japanese merged carrier Ocean Network Express (ONE) recorded a net loss of $586m in its first year of operation, however it said it expected to move into the black in its second year.  ONE, formed from the container businesses of K Line, MOL and NYK,was supposed to produce synergistic returns for its parents. Instead it has dragged down the P&L…