Blogs

Middle Eastern Ports Are Ready To Receive 20,000 Vessels On A Regular Loop The ports in the Middle Eastern region are prepared to receive an approximate of 20,000 ships on a regular loop from Asia. This welcome change has been made for the first time by the Ocean Alliance, which is the famous container shipping organization formed by the active collaboration between Evergreen, COSCO, CMA CGM and OOCL. According to the recent reports, the Ocean Alliance has decided on a new alteration in the Asia-Middle Eastern MEA5 loop service and that will feature the addition of 20,000 teu ships. The MEA5 loop is scheduled to call at the ports of Qingdao-Shanghai-Ningbo-Nangsha-Singapore-Jebel Ali-Abu Dhabi-Dammam-Abu Dhabi-Port Klang-Qingdao. Alphaliner has also highlighted this change as the first time that container vessels of such a huge capacity have been incorporated outside the Asia-North Europe services. Even though the MEA5 loop has undergone a considerable improvement, the total capacity of the Ocean Alliance organization has not been upgraded when compared to the previous year’s outlay. As per the recent update in the MEA5 loop, the calls at the ports of Singapore, Hong Kong, Cai Mep, and Yantian are removed and the Eastbound calls (that includes Qingdao and Port Klang) are added instead of them. This upsizing of services could prove to be very beneficial in the long run only if it involves good revenue cargo. King Abdullah Port Records A Steady Growth In Container Volumes The Saudi Arabia-based, King Abdullah Port, has recorded a 36% increase in the container volumes in 2018. The strong and steady progress of the Port in the container sector is being much  appreciated in the maritime industry. King Abdullah Port is said to have handled an approximate of 2.3m teu in the previous year and has revealed an incredible 50% container throughput growth in the first six months itself. The Port has also focussed on transhipment and it alone accounts for 1.85m teu of the total recorded container volume in 2018. Moreover, the King Abdullah Port has allowed the transaction of 911 vessel calls during last year, which has been a 12% increase from the total number in 2017. The CEO of the King Abdullah Port, Rayan Qutub, has commented that the Port has delivered a praiseworthy performance and has been able to achieve a 50% jump in container handling in first half of the year. The CEO has also highlighted the fact that the Port is prepared to develop its existing services and improve its logistical operations, as well. The Mangalore Port Is Currently Undergoing Development Through Infrastructure Projects The Mangalore Port has sanctioned some infrastructure projects that are focussing on the construction of a new berth for mechanised coal handling operations. The Chairman of the New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT), Mr. T.Krishna Babu, has commented that the berth 16 will be able to carry out the mechanised coal handling services from March. This upgrade of the berth has utilized a funding of around Rs. 469.46 crores. Earlier, the coal-handling mechanism used to be semi-mechanised at the Mangalore Port but the authority is confident that the fully mechanised coal handling will be a welcome change in the port. Throwing light on the future projects, Mr. Babu has revealed that the Mangalore Port authority has further plans of converting the multi-purpose berth 14 into a full-fledged container terminal. The West Bengal Government Plans To Build Tajpur Port On Its Own The West Bengal government has finalised a decision to construct the Tajpur port on its own without any joint collaboration with the Centre. The West Bengal government has reportedly withdrawn from the joint venture, as earlier planned with the Centre for building the 16-metre draught Tajpur port. According to the previous agreement, the construction of the Tajpur port was to be carried out in a joint Centre-State partnership at 74:26 stake ratio. Since the Centre has not shown any positive involvement in the last three years (as claimed by the WB government), the West Bengal government has planned on building the facility as a sole venture. This decision has been based on the provinces’ rights to construct minor ports and a notification has also been issued on this matter. The First MOL Car Carrier Called At The Port Of Sihanoukville The first MOL-operated car carrier from the Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) organization has anchored at the Port of Sihanoukville in Cambodia. The car carrier is known as the ‘Grand Orion’ and has successfully discharged a shipment of around 12,000 tons of construction machinery. The Sihanouk Port is quite well-known owing to the fact that it is the only deepwater port in Cambodia and has recently updated its facilities and services with help from the Japanese government. Back in May 2018, the port launched a brand-new, multi-purpose terminal that was designed to accommodate large-sized cargo vessels. Sources: https://splash247.com/middle-east-set-to-receive-20000-teu-ships-for-the-first-time/ http://www.seatrade-maritime.com/news/middle-east-africa/king-abdullah-port-36-jump-in-container-volumes-in-2018.html http://www.maritimegateway.com/ongoing-infra-projects-new-mangalore-port-highlighted/ http://www.eximin.net/NewsDetails.aspx?name=40313 https://maritime-executive.com/article/first-mol-car-carrier-visits-cambodia Want to know more news Around the World ? Stay tuned every Monday to ODeX and get the latest in shipping.