Maritime news

 Hamburg Bulk Carriers (HBC) has decided to order 3 43,500 dwt bulk carriers and has plans for 9 more ships from Qingshan Shipyard. 2 and a half years was invested into this project for the creation of up to twelve bulk carriers of about 43,500 dwt. The 1st ship is expected at the end of 2014.

The design is developed by Deltamarin of Finland, there are small changes. The specific thing in this vessel is that the consumption of fuel oil is low and the shallow draft.

The bulk carriers are designed to have 5 cargohold of "boxy" double skinned construction and 4 cranes of 35 mt and grabs. With this move, HBC wants to enhance its position on the market and to compete in modern bulk carriers designs.

by VesselFinder

 Statistics show that Iran has 66% more exported crude oil in May than in April, due to purchases by China according to the International Energy Agency. It is reported that Iranian crude production rose to 1.39 million barrels a day from 835,000 barrels a day in April.

For the last month analysis revealed that China imported 715,000 barrels of Iranian crude, compared to April 370,000 barrels. The reason for this rise is that in April port congestion delayed deliveries and pushed off cargoes.

It is known that the U.S., its allies and the European Union imposed ban of Iran's oil export because of the allegations of Iran's attempts of enriching uranium. The oil export is the main source of revenue for the Islamic republic.

Iranian crude production rose by 30,000 barrels a day in May to 2.68 million barrels a day, the IEA informed. The country was holding about 30 million barrels of oil in floating storage at the end of last month, a level unchanged from April.

by VesselFinder

Japan supports Iraq and decided to offer loans for building bridges and roads destroyed by military actions, money will be also used for rebuilding an oil port and for construction of a gas liquefaction refinery. Iraq informed 2 days ago that its military forces would take from coalition forces in the southern province of Al-Muthanna, the 1st such move in the war-torn country, which paves the way for the departure of Japanese troops.

Japan has promised to Iraq loans for the region which capital is Samawa. This action is considered help for the new government.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi announced in a news conference:
"Japan has provided encouraging support and even if the Self-Defense Forces withdraw from Samawa, we want to continue that support,"
"As a responsible member of the international community, Japan will continue considering and carrying out what it can do for the stability of Iraq,".

by VesselFinder

 The Port of Los Angeles  and Hamburg Port Authority made a deal for cooperation and partnership. The two sides have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for better relations between the 2 ports.

The Port of Los Angeles and Hamburg Port Authority will cooperate in the field of port infrastructure, environmental and security challenges, and plans good trade opportunities. The agreement is for period of 5 years and was signed at the International Exhibition for Logistics, Mobility, IT and Supply Chain Management conference in Munich, Germany.

Port of Los Angeles executive director Geraldine Knatz announced:
"This agreement formalises and expands our partnership and I expect it to be beneficial to both ports in the years ahead"


"I am delighted to have the Port of Los Angeles as a partner with whom we can share experiences and discuss, on equal footing, subjects of interest and concern," informed HPA managing director, Jens Meier.

"It is always a good thing to look over the rim of your tea cup and benefit from a mutual exchange of views."

by VesselFinder

 Nicaragua is planning to give a Chinese company a 100 year concession to design and operate a canal that is a connection between the Atlantic and the Pacific. The estimated time for building the canal is about 10 years and cost $40 billion.

The company China HK Nicaragua Canal Development Investment Co Limited, which is located in Hong Kong will have a 50-year concession and after that would be renewable for another 50 years. The Congress of Nicaragua has to approve the deal.

This project is a rival to the Panama Canal and is expected to be wider, to boost the local economy with 10.8% in 2014 and 15% in 2015. The economy of Nicaragua will become one of the world's fastest-growing in the period between 2014-2018. The Great Nicaraguan Interoceanic Canal is expected to include a waterway, railway lines, pipelines, ports and airstrips.

by VesselFinder