Suez Canal Authority freezes most tolls for 2015
Suez transit tolls are to be frozen in 2015, with the exception of a reduction in the discount accorded to liquefied natural gas carriers, Suez Canal Authority (SCA) chairman Mohab Mahmish has announced. The discount for LNG vessels will be cut from 35% last year to 25%, according to a report from news agency Reuters. BIMCO described the development as a “welcome easing” for an industry in which many segments have still to shake off the torpor that followed the financial crisis in 2008. The shipowner trade association chief shipping analyst Peter Sand said: “As global economics do not provide any respite, this announcement is welcome.
“Realising that now is not the time for [a] price hike shows that the authority is aware of the serious condition of global shipping.”
The SCA last raised rates in 2013, when charges for crude and product tankers rose by 5%, and for boxships and car carriers by 2%. A 3% increase was levied on vessels in 2012. While the published tariff remains a reference point, Egypt-based shipping sources say privately that the actual amount paid can be negotiated, with lower rates available to volume users. In August last year, the SCA announced the so-called New Suez Canal project, with the aim of building a further 72 km canal parallel to the current one, thereby speeding up transit times and allowing two-way traffic. The canal is a key source of foreign currency earnings for Egypt, bringing in around US$5bn. The waterway’s importance has only been magnified by the decline in both tourism income and foreign direct investment, following the recent political unrest.
Regional gateway ports to handle larger ships
Italy’s La Spezia Container Terminal has handled its largest containership to date, and is expecting vessel calls of that size to become a regular occurrence at regional ports. Last Friday, the Contship Italia-operated terminal handled a call by 16,600 teu MSC London and La Spezia Container Terminal managing director Michele Giromini said regional gateway terminals were reacting to the accelerated pace of larger ship deployment on east-west services. The terminal has handled ships of 14,000 teu but this is the first time it has handled a ship of MSC London's size. Mr Giromini said: “Just a few years ago, it was perhaps inconceivable that an Italian regional port would receive a 350-metre containership. “We have to understand when these kinds of ships will become the standard or not? “I say when, rather than if, as in reviewing the evolution of ship sizes, the La Spezia system has experienced a rapid growth in the number ultra large container carrier ship calls of late and this is set to continue to increase.” From the second half of 2015 the port will add two new 23 row cranes to its Fornelli East facility and it said all future crane orders would be capable of reaching at least 23 rows. The cranes departed from Qingdao in China on February 5.
Reminder regarding Empty Container Release Validity
When placing an Export Booking all customers are required to specify the pick-up date they intend to collect empty containers. Containers are then made available for collection for 7 (calendar) days from the specified pick up date. If no pick up date is provided at the time of booking, the release date will be set by default to 9 (calendar) days between the pick-up date and the Estimated Time of Departure (ETD) of the booked vessel. If a customer fails to collect the container within the 7 day period, the release will be cancelled in the depot’s system. Containers will not be available for pick up against an expired release. If an expired release needs to be reinstated, customers are required to contact their representative and the re-instatement will be subject to container availability. The above changes are designed to ensure a more reliable equipment process for our customers and help us drive efficiency in the supply chain.
Due to significant interceptions of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, the Department of Agriculture has implemented a pre-shipment fumigation requirement for all break bulk and containerised vehicles, boats, machinery, automotive parts and tyres moving from the United States to Australia.
This requirement covers all cargo departing from the U.S. East Coast ports and arriving in Australia from February 23rd, 2015 onwards. The requirement will be extended to all U.S. ports for cargo arriving in Australia from March 9th, 2015.
All break bulk cargo including machinery, vehicles, boats, and automotive parts and containerised vehicles, machinery, automotive parts, and tyres are required to be:
Treated prior to shipping
Accompanied by a certificate of efficacy outlining the treatment completed
Subject to inspection on arrival
Mandatory treatments must be applied to: All break bulk vehicles (including boats), machinery, automotive parts within 72 hours prior to loading Containerised shipments of vehicles (including boats) machinery, automotive parts and tyres within 21 days prior to shipment providing containers are immediately sealed and arrive in Australia with the seals intact. It is anticipated that these emergency measures will be in place until at least the end of April 2015.
For further information please refer to the following AQIS notices:
http://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/import/general-info/ian/15/03-2015
http://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/import/general-info/cargo-and-shipping-news-and-activities/brown-marmorated-stink-bugs-faqs#