Sri Lanka Ports, Trade & Logistics Conference tees off in Colombo

July 9, 2012, 9:05 pm 

The first day of the Sri Lanka Ports, Trade & Logistics Conference got underway yesterday (09) with an informal morning of golf at the Royal Colombo Golf Club.  A good turn out of maritime and logistics delegates led by Dr. Priyath B Wickrama, Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority enjoyed fine weather and great morning’s golf, the SLPA said.

The overall stapleford winner was N. Ranchigoda  and the overall strokeplay winner was Capt. A.V. Rajendra.  The awards were presented by Trevor Pereira, General Manager, Seatrade, Middle East, North Africa and India Sub Continent.

Over the next two days delegates at the conference and exhibition will be discussing and debating the opportunities surrounding Sri Lanka’s importance as an emerging Indian-ocean economy. Geographically and geo-politically, Sri Lanka is perfectly located between these two fast growing economies. The importance as a strategic hub is easy to see.

John Foreman, Seatrade’s Global Head of Marketing, said  ‘The aims and objectives of the event, are to bring together the key parties that will cement this growth and forge new partnerships into the future. It’s about making the country’s new infrastructure work as a comprehensive supply chain and transhipment solution.  This timely two-day event will examine Sri Lanka’s new maritime infrastructure and commanding position as a trans-shipment logistics hub for bulk, break bulk, warehousing, bunkering, ship repair and shipbuilding.’

Asia-Europe spot rates drop again

Latest Shanghai index points to weakness of GRIs. Peak season surcharges may not materialise

Mike Weir

Monday, 28 May 2012

  

Last week’s falling spot rates for containerised freight on the Asia-Europe trade lane indicate that the shipping lines’ solidarity over general rate increases (GRIs) could fray, say market commentators. 
The overall Shanghai Containerised Freight Index (SCFI) fell $17 to $1,409 but this masked bigger drops in the Shanghai-Europe and Shanghai-Mediterranean components. 

Container freight derivatives for Q4 2012 were also trading at a significant discount to the spot market suggesting that market participants expect conditions to worsen. 

Derivatives broker Ben Gibson of Clarkson Securities said: “The week saw sellers move to lock in Asia-Europe rates for the peak season as confidence in future GRIs or peak season surcharges (PSSs) took a big fall and trading activity took the SCFI Eur Q3 contract below current spot prices. 

“Shippers who were looking to hedge at spot prices have now withdrawn back to below where physical business is being done as the overwhelming expectation is that the market will continue to fall in the coming weeks.” 

Further weakness in the container market has been highlighted by the slow appearance of the Asia-Europe PSS of around $350 per teu. At least one company, United Arab Shipping Company, has delayed implementation of its PSS until 16 June. 

“The gains made by carriers since January have been successful in part due to a unified approach on the implementation dates,” said Cherri Wang of GFI Group, another derivatives broker. 

“UASC’s decision to delay suggests that they either don’t feel that the peak volume is there just yet, or that they see an opportunity to increase their utilisation levels by offering cheaper freight for two weeks. Perhaps these explanations seem cynical but the fact remains that in delaying by two weeks they are weakening the overall impact of the wider PSS. 

“Carriers will be keeping a particularly close eye on their volumes over the next couple of weeks and will no doubt be ready to move on their PSS position if they fear that their competitors may be attacking their market share.”

If you would like to comment on this story or any other, contact us at editors@lloydsloadinglist.com 

First automated road train

Volvo truck leads 'Platoon' of vehicles 200km on public motorway

David Badger

Thursday, 31 May 2012

  

For the first time, a Volvo truck has led a platoon – a convoy in which vehicles automatically follow a leader – on a public motorway with other road users.

The tests were part of the EU-funded SARTRE (Safe Road Trains for the Environment) project – a joint-venture between seven European partners, including Volvo Trucks. 

Last week on a motorway outside Barcelona, Spain, the first test-drive of a road train, consisting of both trucks and cars among other road users, covered 200km in one day.

In the SARTRE project, safety systems, such as cameras and radar, are used by the following vehicles to monitor the lead truck, as well as the other vehicles in their immediate vicinity. By adding wireless communication, all the vehicles in the platoon “mimic” the lead truck – accelerating, braking and turning in exactly the same way as the lead vehicle.

In Spain last week, three cars and a truck followed the lead Volvo truck, the distance between each vehicle being just six metres at 85kph.

“The truck behaved exactly as expected, and the following vehicles responded just as planned. It was great to be a part of this landmark event,” said Andreas Ekfjorden, Project Manager for Volvo Trucks in the SARTRE project and test driver of the lead truck in Spain.

The environmental impact of a road train is lower than that of conventional traffic, since the following vehicles are close behind the truck and each other and can benefit from lower air drag, says Volvo. By improving traffic flow, road capacity will also be able to be utilised more efficiently. 

In the haulage industry – where fuel-efficiency is a highly critical success factor – these findings raise questions on how the savings should be distributed. Analysis of business models for platoons is an integral part of the SARTRE project. 

“Haulage firms stand to gain from platoons, but more work needs to be done before it is possible to say what a working business model will look like,” said Frida Ramde, Intelligent Vehicle Technologies Manager at Volvo Trucks.

The three-year SARTRE project began 2009. After the test on public roads in Spain, the project is now entering a new phase with the focus on analysis of fuel consumption.

If you would like to comment on this story or any other, contact us at editors@lloydsloadinglist.com 

 

Carrier reliability picks up in February

March 18, 2012, 7:41 pm 

Global container carrier reliability improved from 58% in January to 60% in February; the first increase following four months of decline. 

According to research published by Seaintel, Maersk Line maintains the number one spot as the most reliable carrier at 75%, followed by Hamburg Süd at 72% and APL at 67%. 

Compared to January, Maersk Line is thus seen to have improved 3%, APL has improved 7% while Hamburg Süd has maintained their performance. 

In the past eight months, Maersk Line has been top performer five times while Hamburg Süd has been top performer three times. 

Reliability is measured as arrival on the same calendar day or the day before but expanding the on-time definition to include vessels arriving only one day late shows that reliability is 78% while the top three performers remain the same, all exhibiting improvements compared to January. 

Under that expanded definition, Maersk Line saw reliability increase from 89% to 91%, Hamburg Süd improved from 87% to 88% and APL improved from 86% to 87%. 

At the lower end of the league, however, MSC’s reliability slid from 63% in January to 61% last month. 

Out of 8,400 measured arrivals in February 2012, Seaintel’s monthly schedule reliability report now includes 1,900 arrivals in trades to and from Africa, Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent. 

Measurements are based on the SeaIntel database comprised of more than 58,000 arrivals across 2,200 vessels, 29 trade lanes and 51 carriers since July 2011. (IFW)

 

Risk hot spots for forwarders and logistics operators

*Human error to blame for most accidents, supply chain forum told

March 18, 2012, 7:42 pm 

Speaking at the freight industry forum, TOC Container Supply Chain Asia in Hong Kong, TT Club Director of Global Risk Assessment Laurence Jones highlighted the key factors that cause disruption throughout the global supply chain, and spoke of opportunities for operators to save costs by tightening procedures to minimise accidents, breakdowns, delays and other risks.

Based on an extensive analysis of TT Club claims valued in excess of US$120 million, Jones revealed that nearly 80% of incidents resulting in a claim were avoidable, and the vast majority involved some form of human error.  

Jones said: "We found that the adoption of proven operational procedures and available safety technology could prevent many of the incidents. Relatively small investments in training and maintenance could bring significant commercial benefits through less disruption to operations, lower insurance premiums and more satisfied customers."

(IFW

 

Are carriers in the wrong business?

*Analyst says container lines’ losses could have covered cost of 18 space missions

March 18, 2012, 7:40 pm 

Latest analysis from SeaIntel pokes an irreverent finger at the cost of the price war waged by the container carriers on the two main trades linking Asia with Europe and North America.

If the recent rate increases are seen as a sign that the fight is now over, the total cost turns out to be $11.4 billion.

The details underlying the calculation are published in the weekly newsletter SeaIntel Sunday Spotlight, and it is clear that the fight for market share has not been cheap. 

SeaIntel analysts compared the numbers to pricing estimates provided by NASA and the John F. Kennedy Space Center and found that with the money spent on the price war, the carriers could have purchased two space shuttles and used them to fly 18 space missions. 

Given this cost, say the analysts, it is certainly evident why carriers are now seeking rate increases. 

The rate increases on Asia-Europe in March and April will bring rates back to the level before the price war started, however the total increases announced by the TSA on the Transpacific trade would raise rates beyond the downturn caused by the price war. 

From a shipper perspective it is equally clear, say the analysts, that they have received a financial benefit equivalent to two space shuttles and 18 space missions – and that receiving such financial benefits cannot continue indefinitely. 

(IFW)

From Sunday times online

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16852:lanka-offers-bangladesh-to-use-htota-sea-port&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=547

Lanka offers Bangladesh to use H'tota sea port

MONDAY, 12 MARCH 2012 07:42

Sri Lanka offered Bangladesh to use seaport at Hambantota which will be helpful for us, Bangladesh Finance Minister A. M. A Muhitha said.
"Let's explore the benefit since Hambantota port users wouldn't need to go inside the Colombo. That will help save time at,” the Bangladesh Minister said at the conclusion of the fourth round of Bangladesh-Sri Lanka Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting ended in Dhaka Thursday with a call to further expanding cooperation between the two nations.

During the Joint Commission both the sides agreed that there was much scope to enhance bilateral relations in various fields.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith led the Banladesh team while Minister for Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiyutheen led the Sri Lankan team.

Expressing hope of much better cooperation among the two countries in future the Bangladesh Finance Minister said despite 30 years of troubles Sri Lanka has done well in economic and human development.

"Sri Lankan resilience power has increased as high that the Wall Street crash couldn't even touch it," he said.

Minister Rishad Bathiyutheen said the two counties maintain very friendly relations. He urged Bangladesh businesses to invest in Sri Lanka and enjoy various facilities offered by his government. He said during the meeting the two sides have agreed to further enhance bilateral trade and cooperation in the fields of commerce, industry, agriculture, shipping, civil aviation and tourism, ICT, and education.

Minister said the bilateral trade between the two nations is only US$71 million which can be increased manifold.

He also requested Bangladesh business community for joint venture investment in pharmaceuticals, textile, apparel, ICT and hospitality industry.

The next round of Joint Economic Commission will be held in Colombo at a date to be set later.
During the visit of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in April last year, the two countries recognized that the Joint Economic Commission was an effective mechanism to further boost bilateral cooperation.

The Crucial Resources of Sri Lanka including its people

March 9, 2012, 7:14 pm 


By A. Denis N. Fernando

Fellow NASSL and Founder Member CIMOGG

This presentation deals with the crucial resources of Water Resources in our Land, the Natural Resources in the sea around us within our territorial waters as determined by the U.N. Law of the Sea and the People of Sri Lanka and is indicated in three sections namely Water Resources, Natural Resources in the Sea and its People.

Section Two: The Natural Resources in the Sea

Further today we are heirs to the U.N. Law of the Sea that provides Territorial Rights to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which I have designated as LANKA SAMUDRA as it belongs to us in the ocean and is in extent nearly seven and a half times our Land area. We could also claim as well as the Continental Shelf beyond the EEZ under certain conditions which if it has sediments deeper than one kilometer in depth according to the Law of the Sea. I have indicated this area which is about fifteen times our land area if we exclude the areas- falling outside the Median line between our neighbouring countries. These are indicated in the accompanied coloured MAP. Further I have also included the coloured Satellite MAP of Gravitational Pull around the four continents surrounding us, with due courtesy of the New Map produced by the European Satellite that reveals the gravity around the world.

Dr. Ronnie S. Mather formerly Assistant Superintendent of Surveys of the Survey Dept of Sri Lanka subsequently using the Satellite of MARISAT discovered the "Sri Lanka Low Gravity" in the ocean around Sri Lanka, which portends fossil fuels which was further proved as indicating in the World Map on Gravity as the Lowest Gravity on Earth. This was clearly the reason for developed countries to engage in further research pertaining to this and have to this "Black Gold" and even attempted to destabilize our country using the traditional colonial methods of Dividing and Rule and the reasons for which we have experienced destabilization in the last three decades.

Today we have illegal poaching in our living resources in the Palk Straits by South Indians. They fish within our territorial waters for crabs, prawns and other fish crossing the international boundary. It is imperative that we demarcate this International Maritime Boundary with anchored floating bouys with rotating mirrors that clearly demarcate the boundary at suitable intervals so that all could see it clearly. Those who cross this International Maritime Boundary could be prosecuted accordingly and be given deterrent punishment, like confiscation of boats and trawlers with their catch as well as taking legal action against poachers into our territorial waters.

For this purpose of safeguarding the larger portion of our EEZ would be more difficult as we have to guard against poaching not only by the Indians but also the Japanese and other foreigners. This illegal poaching would deprive us of our large source of income from Skipjack, Tuna sword fish, Sharks that have a very high demand not only in the local market but also in the foreign market as well. As this area is so large this could be only done by having a large Naval Force supported by a Voluntary Naval Force of registered boats that have been cleared by the Navy before their engagement for such services. They could like the Customs Officers be provided by financial benefits for detections and after successful prosecution.

Then we have under the U.N. Law of the Sea provision to claim the Continental shelf without further delay as we could exploit the non living resource of Fossil Fuel that is available there as it is within the Lowest Gravity in the World and has the high potential of Fossil Fuels apart from minerals.

It is clear that the Independent States within the four continents of Asia, Antarctica, Africa and Australia which comprise of more that 40 having their independent Exclusive Economic Zones. They would have to form themselves as a Consortium for ensuring the safety of their EEZ’s and prevent outsiders who would have their agendas for our own safety. It would therefore be imperative to exclude foreign countries in this Consortium as they could have their own interests in this trade route which was traditionally in their hands from the time of its been used as the Spice Route., which could to destablising these countries in matters of trade to the said countries.

Since the use of the term "Indian ocean" is anomalous today in the Context of the U.N. Law of the sea and as India has its own EEZ that belongs to it, would be necessary now to designate this ocean more appropriately as ASIATIC OCEAN to prevent any misunderstanding .(This map iappears on this page titled The Indian Sea in the Asiatic Ocean)

Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake to address TOC in Hong Kong

March 9, 2012, 7:08 pm 

Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake – Chairman, Aitken Spence Maritime and Director, Aitken Spence PLC, has been invited to address the Terminal Operators Conference (TOC Asia) in Hong Kong, the most prestigious global event in the Ports industry, which will be held from 13th to 15th March 2012.

Amongst those who would speak at this Conference are – Ms. Eva Cheng, Minister of Transport, Hong Kong Government, Mr. Juan Manuel Gonazalez, Managing Director, Asia Region –Hapag Lloyd, Mr. Sunny Ho –Executive Director, Hong Kong Shippers Council, Mr. Stephane Mazain – Asia Vice President, CMA CGM, Mr. Ken Chan – Deputy Managing Director, COSCO Pacific Ltd., Mr. Kieran Ring – CEO, Global Institute of Logistics, Mr. Simon Moore – CEO, DP World London Gateway, to name a few.

Dr. Dissanayake is also a member of the expert Advisory Group of Terminal Operators Conference (UK).

Dr. Dissanayake pioneered commercial maritime education in Sri Lanka as the first Secretary and a Past Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (Sri Lanka Branch). Dr. Dissanayake who has served on the UN/UNCTAD Panel as an expert on Ports and Shipping has in the past held the positions of Chairman – Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Chairman – Jaye Container Terminals, Chairman – Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. He is also the past Chairman of Central Advisory Board of the Sri Lanka Transport Board and co-Chairman of the Transport Cluster of the National Council for Economic Development. He is a member of the Faculty Industry Consultative Board – Department of Transport & Logistics Management of the University of Moratuwa and Chairman –Steering Committee on Ports, Shipping, Aviation and Logistics of Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. He is a University of Oxford Business Alumni and has also successfully completed an Executive Education program on "Global Economy’ at Harvard Business School in Boston.

Dr. Dissanayake is a recipient of the Best Shipping Personality award conferred by the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers and Contribution to Society Award by PIMA of the University of Sri Jayawardenapura and Services rendered to the Shipping Industry by Ceylon Association of Ships’ Agents.

Passenger Traffic Continues to Rise

*Cargo Remains in Doldrums

March 4, 2012, 7:12 pm 

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced global traffic results for January showing a 5.7% rise in passenger demand but an 8.0% decline in air freight compared to the same month in 2011. The occurrence of Chinese New Year in January (rather than in February as in 2011) exaggerated the increase in passenger demand and the fall in air freight. Stripping this out, the underlying trend was for stronger passenger growth, while stabilized weakness in cargo markets continues.

"The year started with some hopeful news on business confidence. It appears that freight markets have stabilized, albeit at weak levels. And this is having a positive impact on business-related travel. However, airlines face two big risks: rising oil prices and Europe’s sovereign debt crisis. Both are hanging over the industry’s fortunes like the sword of Damocles," said IATA’s Director General and CEO Tony Tyler.

Total January passenger demand rose 5.7% compared to January 2011 a slight acceleration from the 5.6% year over year increase recorded for December 2011. With January passenger capacity up 4.2%, average load factor rose 1.1 percentage points to 76.6% compared to the same month a year ago.

Freight markets stood at 8% below January 2011 levels. The decline in air freight stabilized in the fourth quarter of 2011, at levels 4% below the 2008 pre-crisis peak. There was a 2.5% fall in global freight markets from December to January, but this is almost totally attributable to the impact of factory closures due to the Chinese New Year. Freight capacity contracted by 0.6% year over year, and freight load factor fell to 41% (from 44.3% in January 2011) as deliveries of new widebody passenger aircraft offset measures to reduce freight capacity.

International air travel rose 5.5% in January year over year, while capacity climbed 4.2%, resulting in a load factor of 76.6%, up from 75.7% in January 2011.

Asia-Pacific airlines saw their traffic rise 6% in January compared to 2011. Capacity climbed 6.4% and load factor dipped slightly to 77.5%. Year on year traffic growth would have been softer were it not for the Chinese New Year boost.

European carriers experienced a 5.3% gain in traffic versus January 2011. The persisting economic weakness of the region resulted in a considerable drop from the 9.5% growth recorded in December despite the attractiveness of the weak Euro to tourist traffic and export activity. The average load factor strengthened to 75.7% on a 2.7% rise in capacity year over year; however, the load factor is among the lowest of the regions.

North American airlines had a 0.3% dip in passenger traffic, but capacity dropped 0.9%, pushing load factor up fractionally to 77.6%. Next to African carriers, the passenger demand was the weakest performance.

Middle East airlines recorded double-digit traffic growth in January, posting a 14.5% increase. This was by far the largest rate of growth for any region and represents a return to the rates experienced in 2010. Capacity rose 10.6%. Load factor climbed 2.7 points to 78.5%, among the highest of the regions.

Latin American carriers continued to enjoy robust passenger demand. Traffic rose 7.9% in January compared to the same month last year, while capacity increased 7.4%. At 79.9%, the region’s carriers had the strongest load factor.

 African airlines reported a 3.6% decline in demand and a 0.8% decline in capacity, with a load factor of 64.8%, the lowest load factor among the regions. Although sub-Saharan economies are showing strong economic growth, African airlines are finding it difficult to capitalize on the trend.