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Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd to form new alliance

Two container giants, Denmark’s Maersk and Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd have signed an agreement for a new long-term operational collaboration.

The new “Gemini Cooperation” is expected to start in February 2025 with the ambition to deliver a “flexible and interconnected ocean network with industry-leading reliability”.

Hapag-Lloyd’s CEO said, “Teaming up with Maersk will help us to further boost the quality we deliver to our customers. Additionally, we will benefit from efficiency gains in our operations and joint efforts to further accelerate the decarbonisation of our industry.”

The new cooperation between the two companies will comprise a fleet pool of around 290 vessels with a combined capacity of 3.4 million TEUs with Maersk deploying 60% and Hapag-Lloyd the remaining 40%.

“We are pleased to enter this cooperation with Hapag-Lloyd, which is the ideal ocean partner on our strategic journey. By entering this cooperation, we will be offering our customers a flexible ocean network that will raise the bar for reliability in the industry. This will strengthen our integrated logistics offering and meet our customers’ needs,” commented Vincent Clerc, CEO of Maersk.

As a part of the agreement, the two companies have set the target of delivering schedule reliability of above 90% once the network is fully phased in.

As a consequence of joining this cooperation, Hapag-Lloyd will leave THE Alliance end of January 2025, when the 2M alliance of Maersk and MSC will also be terminated.

During 2024, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd will plan the transition from their current alliances to the new operational cooperation, while service to customers will continue along existing agreements.


Source: Container News

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Port of Singapore reaches 39 million TEUs in 2023

The Port of Singapore handled 39 million TEUs in 2023, showcasing a 4.6% increase compared to the previous record of 37.57 million TEUs in 2021.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said eight berths from the new Tuas Port Phase 1 are operational and 70% of reclamation works in Phase 2 have been completed.

Cargo handling in 2023 experienced a rise to 591.70 million tonnes, up from 578.22 million tonnes in 2022. Additionally, the average monthly frequency of regional ferry trips has recovered to approximately 70% of pre-Covid levels.

Moreover, the Port of Singapore achieved a significant milestone in 2023, as the annual vessel arrival tonnage surpassed three billion Gross Tonnage (GT) for the first time, marking a notable 9.4% increase over the previous year.

This remarkable achievement, totalling 3.09 billion GT, reflects growth across various segments within the port ecosystem, encompassing container ships, dry bulk carriers, liquid bulk and chemical tankers, ferries, and specialized vessels.

Furthermore, Singapore has made commendable strides in supporting maritime decarbonization and transformation. The supply of alternative fuels and the electrification of harbour craft have progressed significantly. Bunker sales of biofuel blends soared to 520,000 tonnes, a remarkable threefold increase from 140,000 tonnes in 2022.

Also, July 2023 witnessed a historic achievement when MPA conducted the world’s first ship-to-container ship methanol bunkering operation, supplying about 300 tonnes of green methanol in the Port of Singapore.

Additionally, the deployment of fully electric 200-passenger ferries and supply vessels in 2023 within port waters exemplified Singapore’s commitment to a sustainable maritime ecosystem.

Bunker sales reached 51.82 million tonnes in 2023, surpassing the previous record of 50.64 million tonnes in 2017, reinforcing Singapore’s status as a bunkering hub. Of this, 1.2% constituted alternative fuels, with anticipated growth prospects in the coming year.

The robust performance in 2023 can be attributed to the recovery in regional trade and the effective tripartite cooperation among unions, industry stakeholders, and the government, consistently enhancing efficiency, reliability, and safety in the Port of Singapore.

Source: Container News

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OOCL revenues plunge in 2023, amid solid container growth

COSCO-owned Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) has seen a huge 49% decrease in its fourth quarter revenues, compared to 2022 Q4, reporting US$1.62 billion.

In the same period, OOCL’s total liftings increased by 7.2% and the loadable capacity increased by 9.1%, while the overall load factor was 1.5% lower than in the same period in 2022. As a result, the overall average revenue per TEU decreased by 52.5% compared to the fourth quarter of last year.

Furthermore, OOCL has announced overall revenues for 2023 of US$7.5 billion, translating to a significant 59.6% year-over-year decline.

The Hong Kong-based ocean carrier moved 7.33 million TEUs in 2023, representing a growth of 2.9% compared to 2022 box volumes. In 2023, the loadable capacity increased by 8%, while the overall load factor was 4% lower than in 2022. Additionally, the average revenue per TEU in 2023 decreased by 60.8% compared to the last year.

Source: Container News

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Maersk announces new peak season surcharges worldwide

Maersk has unveiled new peak season surcharges worldwide, which are going to take effect in January and February.

The Danish ocean carrier is introducing a Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) as per the below table with the effective date of 8 January, excluding Vietnam and Taiwan. The surcharge from Vietnam to West Africa will be effective on 18 January and the surcharge from Taiwan to West Africa will be effective on 2 February.

Charge Code Origin Destination Container Size/type Rate Charge Basis
PSS
Brunei,  China,  Hong Kong,  Vietnam,  Indonesia,  Japan,  Cambodia,  South Korea,  Laos,  Myanmar,  Malaysia,  Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor, Taiwan
Angola, Cameroon, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Namibia, Central African Republic, Chad
ALL20
ALL40
45HDRY
US$100
US$200
US$200
Per Container

PSS
Brunei, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, Cambodia, South Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor, Taiwan
Nigeria
ALL20
ALL40
45HDRY
US$150
US$300
US$300
Per Container

PSS
Brunei, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, Cambodia, South Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor, Taiwan
Burkina Faso, Benin, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Niger, Togo
ALL20
ALL40
45HDRY
US$300
US$600
US$600
Per Container

Additionally, Maersk will apply the following new peak season surcharges from/to Far East Asia to/from Indian Subcontinent.

Charge Code Origin Destination All 20 containers All 40 containers Effective date
PSS
Brunei, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, Cambodia, South Korea, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste, Taiwan
Afghanistan, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan
US$200
US$400
15 January
PSS
Vietnam
Afghanistan, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan
US$200
US$400
23 January
PSS
Taiwan
Afghanistan, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan
US$200
US$400
15 January
Surcharge Origin Destination Currency All 20 Dry containers
PSS
India, Maldives,  Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal
Brunei, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), Philippines,  Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor Leste, Vietnam
US$
100

For the latest table, Maersk has noted that the effective date will be 8 January, excluding Vietnam and Taiwan, where the surcharge will start on 18 January and 2 February respectively.

Furthermore, the Copenhagen-based ocean carrier will implement another PSS from Eastern Mediterranean to North Europe, United Kingdom and Scandinavia, effective from 10 January.

This surcharge will be as follows:

Surcharge Origin Destination Container Type Currency New tariff levels
PSS
Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, South Turkey (Mersin and Iskenderun), Cyprus
Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Ireland, United Kingdom
ALL_DRY & NOR
US$
200

Moreover, Maersk will introduce a peak season surcharge from North Europe, South Europe, Mediterranean, Adriatic and North Africa to United States and Canada, effective from 5 February.

Origin Destination Effective Date Container Type Currency New tariff levels
North Europe
United States and Canada
5 February
ALL DRY & NOR
US$
US$500/TEU
US$750/FEU
South Europe, Mediterranean, Adriatic and North Africa (Excluding Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, Israel, Romania, Bulgaria and Georgia)
United States and Canada
5 February
ALL DRY & NOR
US$
US$500/TEU
US$750/FEU

Source: Container News

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CMA CGM close to top spot in intra-Mediterranean

CMA CGM is about to surpass Mediterranean Shipping Company as the largest intra-Mediterranean operator, according to Alphaliner.

The French carrier has increased the number of ships and currently deploys much larger vessels in the Mediterranean compared to a year ago. Currently, CMA CGM operates 60 ships of over 96,000 TEUs in the intra-Mediterranean market, after adding six more vessels this year. The average size of CMA CGM’s deployed fleet has gone up to 1,677 TEU this year, from 1,433 TEU last year.

At present, the Marseille-based box line has a market share of 19.9% in the intra-Mediterranean, just behind MSC’s 22%. Alphaliner observed that CMA CGM is bucking a trend of carriers reducing their intra-Mediterranean exposure. MSC’s market share is down from 24% in 2022, while Maersk Line’s has decreased to 11% from 15% in 2022, after the Danish operator cut more than 10,000 TEUs from the intra-Mediterranean market.

With its new Greece-Turkey-Libya, Turkey-Libya and Greece-Turkey-Poti loops, CMA CGM has launched three new intra-Mediterranean services which have added 11,000 TEUs of capacity.

Alphaliner noted that CMA CGM historically has a strong presence in services to/from North Africa, especially in the Maghreb states (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya). The French line deploys a staggering 87.3% of its total intra-Mediterranean capacity in services calling to at least one Maghreb port. Compared to a year ago, CMA CGM has increased its capacity to the Maghreb by 40.4%.

Mainline operators still dominate the Mediterranean short-sea segment, with a combined market share of 66%, leaving 34% for regional carriers and common feeder operators. However, compared to a year ago, the major players have lost 5% of their market share, mainly as Maersk and ZIM Line removed a considerable amount of capacity from the market.

ZIM, which in 2022 registered a market share of 3.8%, has seen its share drop to 2.2% in the past twelve months leaving the carrier in eighth place (a drop of two rankings), ahead of Turkish short-sea carrier Akkon Lines. The Haifa-based carrier has reduced its intra-European capacity by a staggering 69.1% or 5,000 TEU in just one year. Most notably, it has significantly reduced the average ship size of its Israel-Turkey TBX loop from 3,143 TEU to just 1,984 TEU and closed its Turkey-Egypt TEX loop.

Source: Container News

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Port Houston handles nearly 3.5 million TEUs in November

Throughout November 2023, Port Houston managed nearly 3.5 million TEUs, reflecting a 5% decrease compared to the record volumes of the previous year.

While loaded export TEUs for November experienced a 2% decline from the same period last year, the overall export performance for 2023 remained robust, witnessing a 9% increase compared to the previous year, totalling 1,268,034 TEUs year-to-date.

The demand for Houston’s exports continues to be primarily fuelled by the region’s production of resins and petrochemical commodities.

On the other hand, loaded imports showed a softening trend, with 137,631 TEUs in November, marking a 16% decrease for the month and an 8% decrease year-to-date. Noteworthy in November was the arrival of one of the largest vessels to date at Port Houston’s Bayport Container Terminal—the CMA CGM Lisa Marie, boasting a capacity of nearly 11,000 TEUs. The terminal efficiently handled the vessel with five STS cranes, completing an impressive 4,974 moves in less than two days.

“At Port Houston, we are always preparing for upcoming growth and this recent vessel call perfectly represents what the future holds for our facility,” stated Roger Guenther, executive director at Port Houston.
According to Site Selection Magazine, Texas has the best climate for business in the U.S. and it has received the Governor’s Cup for 11 consecutive years as a top state for job creation and capital investments. The Houston Ship Channel, of which Port Houston is the local advocate, is a significant economic asset. It supports 1.54 million jobs throughout the state of Texas, 3.37 million jobs nationwide, more than US$439 billion in statewide economic value and US$906 billion in nationwide economic value.

In other sectors of Port Houston’s facilities, there has been a 20% decrease in general cargo this year, attributed to declines in coal, grain, and plywood. Steel volumes have also experienced a 13% year-to-date reduction through November. On a positive note, auto import units have shown resilience, registering a remarkable 67% year-to-date increase compared to the corresponding period in 2022.

The total tonnage handled through Port Houston terminals has seen a 9% decline through November, amounting to 46,196,305 short tons.

Source: Container News

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Freight rates on Indian trades move up amid Suez Canal routing disruptions

After a long streak of declining trends, container freight rates on major trades out of India have begun to rise amid carrier routing disruptions through the Suez Canal, according to the latest market analysis by Container News.

On the westbound India-Europe trade, average short-term contract rates from West India [Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT)/Nhava Sheva or Mundra Port] to Felixstowe/London Gateway (UK) or Rotterdam (the Netherlands) have risen to US$600 per 20-foot container and US$650 per 40-foot container, from US$450 per 20-foot container and US$550 per 40-foot container at the end of November.

For West India-Genoa (the West Mediterranean) bookings, December contract rates have swelled to US$750/TEU, from US$425, and US$700/FEU, from US$550, the CN analysis shows.

Similarly, eastbound cargo (imports into India) rates for these port pairings have jumped measurably from end-November averages to US$800/TEU and US$950/FEU, from US$650 and US$700, respectively, for bookings from Felixstowe/London Gateway to West India, and to US$850/TEU and US$1,050/FEU, from US$750 and US$850, for shipments from Rotterdam to West India.

For trades from the West Mediterranean (Genoa) to West India, December rates stand at US$500/TEU, up from US$450, with FEU rates remaining steady at US$650/FEU.

Short-term contract prices on the India-US trades have also increased sharply from end-November levels. Average rates in December for shipments from West India (Nhava Sheva/Mundra) to the US East Coast (New York) have hit US$1,500/TEU, from US$1,350, and to US$1,900/FEU, from US$1,550/FEU in November. For Indian container loads moving to the US West Coast (Los Angeles), rates are up to US$1,600/TEU and US$1,900/FEU, from US$1,250/TEU and US$1,550/FEU, respectively, reported last month.

For the West India-US Gulf Coast (Houston) trades, TEU rates have seen a further recovery month-on-month – up to US$1,950/TEU, from US$1,850, and US$2,450/FEU, from US$2,350/FEU, according to the CN analysis.

Short-term contract rates on the US-India trades (return leg) have mostly held firm, except for loads from the US West Coast. December average rates stand at US$375/TEU and US$450/FEU for shipments from the US East Coast to West India and at US$1,100/TEU, up from US$950, and US$1,300/FEU, up from US$1,100/FEU, for US West Coast-West India bookings.

December average rates from the US Gulf Coast to West India have seen no changes, month-on-month, hovering at US$700/TEU and US$1,350/FEU.

Carrier contract rates on intra-Asia trades out of India have seen noticeable increases on certain port pairings, month-on-month, the CN analysis found. For West India-Yantian (South China), the analysis has put average rates at US$100/TEU and US$200/FEU, up from US$75 and US$150, respectively, while for West India-Tianjin (North China), rates have trended up with carriers quoting US$50/TEU and US$100/FEU, compared with US$35 and US$75, respectively, last month.

For West India-Shanghai (Central China) trades, December rates have continued to be in negative territory, at US$5/TEU and US$10/FEU.

Also, for West India loads to Singapore and Hong Kong, carriers are accepting bookings at as low as US$5/TEU and US$10/FEU.

However, carriers have been able to push rates higher on the West India-Jebel Ali (Dubai) trade -– with December averages reported at US$50/TEU and US$140/FEU, up from US$5/TEU and US$15/FEU.

Meanwhile, Indian export industry stakeholders are anticipating new growth challenges because of supply chain disruptions and associated logistics cost increases, after seeing some encouraging demand signs in recent months.

India’s merchandise export trade by value for October edged down 2.8% year-over-year, a moderate decline from the steep setbacks seen earlier this month, according to the latest government data.

“The softening of the commodities prices from the elevated level in 2022 also contributed to the decline,” A Sakthivel, president of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), said in a statement.

Sakthivel, however, further noted: “Almost all countries exports are exhibiting a declining trend, with many witnessing double-digit dips.”

According to FIEO, “The need of the hour is to provide much needed momentum to exports sector through easy and low cost of credit, along with marketing support besides interest equalization to the all sectors of export.”

Sakthivel went on to add: “A strategy should be chalked out for promotion of all the labour-intensive sectors of exports in consultation with the key stakeholders of the trade.”

However, the FIEO chief struck an optimistic tone about the export outlook, noting that annual exports for fiscal 2023-24 would surpass the performance reported last year (2022-23).

Source: Container News

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Carriers still sending ships via Suez

Vessel tracking shows over 80 container ships still transiting the Red Sea and Suez Canal even after the raised threat from the Houthi Movement, which has warned it will target vessels connected to Israel.

Houthi leaders have reportedly said that they would target shipping until Israel allows aid into Gaza and stops bombing its population, with the latest news from the UN that a vote will take place on a ceasefire. Although the UN proposal is supported by the US, it remains to be seen whether this will be enough to stop the Houthi group from targeting commercial shipping in the Bab al-Mandeb strait.

With a large number of container ships still operating in the region, many from the top ten carriers, including COSCO, ONE, Wan Hai, Maersk, CMA CGM and MSC and some ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs), the Houthis will not be short of targets.

Container News contacted the three largest container vessel operators, all of which have vessels in the Suez Canal or the Red Sea, as tracked on VesselsValue AIS.

A spokesman of CMA CGM said the French shipping company “is working in close co-operation with the appropriate authorities and is working on the appropriate safety measures with them.”

He pointed out that while it would be difficult to outline the security measures under discussion, the actions being taken are to protect crew, vessels and freight on board its ships.

Maersk also responded to requests for clarification following its announcement, like CMA CGM and others that all its vessels would be re-routed until the Suez Canal route was again safe.

Pointing to Maersk’s 19 December statement which said, “Having monitored developments closely and retrieved all available intelligence, Maersk has decided that all vessels previously paused and due to sail through the region will now be re-routed around Africa via the Cape of Good Hope for safety reasons.”

However, a Maersk spokesman also highlighted that some of its vessels operate under the trading name of Maersk Line Limited, which handles freight for the US Government and “is not part of Maersk Line’s overall offering”.

The US has assembled a multi-national naval force to protect commercial shipping in the Gulf of Aden and Bab al-Mandeb, in what it calls Operation Prosperity Guardian. Greece and Denmark are the most recent additions to the force, which includes Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, Canada, the Seychelles and others.

Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder at a Pentagon press conference said, “It’s very important to understand that the Houthis aren’t attacking just one country, they’re really attacking the international community.”

He added, “They are attacking the economic well-being and prosperity of nations around the world. So, in effect, they really become bandits along the international highway that is the Red Sea.”

Greece has sent a frigate to join the international force with the Greek defence minister, Nikos Dendias, saying, “The frigate will participate in the multinational operation ‘Prosperity Guardian’, for the protection of merchant ships, the lives of seafarers, and the global economy.”

Source: Container News

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CMA CGM announces new Panama Canal surcharges

French container shipping company CMA CGM has announced new Panama Canal surcharges for several routes worldwide.

In particular, CMA CGM will implement a surcharge of US$150 per TEU for all types of cargo from the US West Coast ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oakland to North Europe, Scandinavia, Poland and Baltic, effective from 12 January.

Additionally, the ocean carrier will introduce the same surcharge from South America West Coast to Canada East Coast on 1 January.

Moreover, CMA CGM will apply a US$150 Panama Canal surcharge to South America West Coast from Central America East Coast, the Caribbean, Leeward, Windward and French West Indies on 1 January, excluding shipments ex-Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands for which the surcharge will be effective from 20 January.

Source: Container News

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Oakland sees declined box traffic in November

The Port of Oakland reported a 6.8% drop in its container volumes in November, handling 132,648 TEUs.

Full imports rose 3.8% year-on-year, with 71,258 TEUs passing through Oakland port facilities this November. On the other hand, full exports declined by 3% to 61,390 TEUs. At the same time, empty imports experienced a drop of 0.6%, with 14,118 TEUs, while empty exports experienced a significant 49% decrease, with 19,613 TEUs moving through the US port.

“We saw some canceled sailings in November as evidenced by the dip in vessel calls last month,” stated Port of Oakland maritime director, Bryan Brandes. “This caused our volumes to drop.”

This year the Californian port did not see the usual spike in import cargo volumes during late summer and the fall.

“Consumers continue to spend, and our local economy is growing, so the lack of an upswing in cargo volume is likely because retailers are working through excess inventory,” commented Brandes.

He added, “Meanwhile, we’ve been investing and implementing projects that will improve the efficiency of our maritime operations. This puts us in an excellent position to handle more cargo.”

Source: Container News

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