Transport communications

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Shippers Brace for Market Bounce

March 29, 2023 by

Containerised cargo volumes moved in the deep-sea container shipping market fell a further 2.5% during the final quarter of 2022, marking the traditionally busiest period of the year as the ‘peak season without a peak’.

Volumes have fallen steadily in the early weeks of 2023 and world trade continues to stumble as economies grapple with persistent inflation and high energy prices, suppressing consumer demand for goods across nearly all economic sectors.

Commenting on the publication of the latest GSF/MDS Transmodal Container Shipping Market Review, James Hookham, Secretary General of Global Shippers Forum said:

“This has stopped being just a supply chain or a shipping issue and shippers and carriers are firmly in the hands of global economic forces which are themselves responding to structural weaknesses in economies and to geopolitical tensions”.

“Predicting volumes and inventory requirements for the remainder of the year is a leap into the unknown for many shippers, as few but the most experienced will have encountered so varied a mix of influencing factors”.

With interest rates still high and Central Banks hinting they could go higher still, the inflationary effects of the Covid crisis and the crunch on consumer spending is lingering into the second quarter this year.

On the demand side, many carriers and service providers are anticipating a recovery in demand in the second half of the year, but this is more in hope than expectation – there are few economic signals to support such optimism.

The arrival of new shipping capacity, an apparent questioning of the benefits of shipping alliances and an inevitable reduction in utilisation of vessel space, is also changing the shape of the supply side of the equation in container shipping.

Shippers have undoubtedly benefitted from the dramatic fall in spot rates over the past nine months, with costs on many routes back to pre-Covid levels. But weak demand for their core products will be of more concern to shippers than the cost of their shipment. Whilst wary of the speed at which demand could recover – as seen in 2020 – many shippers are bracing for a bounce in rates that may not arrive for some time.

Shippers have also been enjoying have seen a sharp improvement in port call predictability with the number of scheduled calls actually made by vessels significantly improved over Q3 2022. This is the first time since in the reviews started in 2020 that the Service Quality Indicators have all been positive, albeit from a low base.

James Hookham concluded:

“This time it’s certainly different! How shipping lines respond to weak demand, manage existing surplus capacity, deploy new vessels and maintain port schedules, all in a year when every existing ship is being assessed for its overall fuel efficiency, will remain a key focus for our monitoring of the market. The dollar value of rates may look the same as 2019, but the market conditions are utterly different and even less predictable”.

Mike Garratt, Chairman of MDS Transmodal commented:

“Demand clearly fell while shipping line capacity grew marginally, improving shippers’ negotiating positions. Performance generally improved as rates fell and the return of more multi-regional services improved connectivity between markets. However, mean revenues per TEU remained high relative to costs as a consequence of the contract rates agreed the previous year, which is reflected in published liner company results for 2022. Several consortia continued to enjoy market shares of above 30%”

Notes to Editors

  • Mike Garratt, Chairman of MDS Transmodal, is available for interview. Please contact +44 (0) 1244 348301
  • Media Contact:  The Container Shipping Market Quarterly Review for Quarter 2 2022 is available in PDF format on request from Maria Udy, Portcare International. maria@portcare.com +44 (0) 7979 868539.
  • The Container Shipping Market Quarterly Review is produced every three months and reports, interprets and comments on trends and developments in the container shipping market as experienced and understood by shippers – the importers and exporting businesses that own the cargo carried on container ships. Shippers are the customers of the container shipping industry.
  • The Quarterly Review collates and reports outputs from MDS Transmodal’s established and respected Container Business Model and other tools that are relied upon by governments and international agencies around the world. Working with GSF, MDST has generated eight new indicators showing how the market is performing in terms that are relevant and applicable to shippers as users and customers of these services.
  • MDS Transmodal (MDST, www.mdst.co.uk) is a UK firm of transport economists which specialises in maritime and all other modes of freight transport. MDST works with senior management in the public and private sectors to provide strategic advice based on quantitative analysis, modelling and sectoral expertise.

Global Shippers Forum (www.globalshippersforum.com) is the global business organisation speaking up for exporters and importers as cargo owners in international supply chains and trade procedures. Its members are national and regional shippers’ associations representing hundreds of manufacturing, wholesaling, and retailing businesses in over 20 countries across five continents. GSF works for safe, competitively efficient, and environmentally sustainable global trade and logistics.

Filed Under: Global Shippers Forum

Industry bodies unite in producing Guidelines for safe transport of Lithium-ion batteries in containers

March 29, 2023 by

First in a series of in-depth advisory publications aimed at minimising the risks of transporting lithium-ion batteries and cells launched amid heightened concern over container fires

London, 28th March 2023

The Lithium-ion Batteries in Containers Guidelines seek to prevent the increasing risks that the transport of lithium-ion batteries by sea creates, providing suggestions for identifying such risks and thereby helping to ensure a safer supply chain in the future.  Together with its partners, the Cargo Incident Notification System Network (CINS) has compiled a comprehensive publication covering the properties of these batteries and their potential to explode, initiate fires and emit toxic gases.

Extensive measures to safely transport what is an exponentially increasing volume of lithium-ion batteries, in their various states or charge and when also contained in electronic devices are fully examined including, classification and regulation, container packing, landside storage, stowage onboard ships, incident detection and fire suppression, and loss prevention and risk mitigation.

“We strongly urge all stakeholders in the production, supply, transport, handling and sale of lithium-ion batteries whether as individual components or integrated into an electronic device, vehicle or other product to recognise their responsibilities in maximising safety when in transit,” comments Dirk Van de Velde, who is Deputy Chair of CINS and a board member of the association of cargo handlers, ICHCA. “Our Guidelines will create greater awareness of the possibilities of the damaging and life-threatening incidents, which have already occurred, and instil more urgent motivation to act before more catastrophic disasters result.”

Intended as the first of an on-going series of publications to be updated as circumstances require this first, Lithium-ion Batteries in Containers Guidelines (101.A) provides a general overview, and will be followed by three further documents – regulatory compliance check-lists, risk assessment and emergency response, and training and educational awareness. Stakeholders in the supply chain are encouraged to implement the advice according to their specific operations and requirements but to always keep safety of life as their primary consideration.

“As our experience of transporting lithium-ion batteries widens and the technology surrounding their chemical composition, production and application rapidly evolves, risk controls and loss prevention measures need to keep pace.  The work encapsulated in these Guidelines will, of necessity, continue and be undertaken in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders to increase our knowledge and understanding of the risks posed by carriage of lithium – ion batteries in containers by sea.  This publication follows on from a very successful one day Conference held on 15th March by the IG P&I Clubs, CINS, TT Club to bring all parties together to discuss such risks and to share knowledge and experience of carriage across the logistics supply chain” underlines Mark Smith, Loss Prevention Executive NorthStandard, International Group of P&I Clubs’ representative on the CINS LiB WG.

The document can be reviewed in full HERE

Peregrine Storrs-Fox, Risk Management Director at freight transport insurer TT Club concludes, “As the pressure on all forms of economic activity for decarbonisation increases, the use of these batteries will inevitably escalate at rates we have previously not experienced.  Air transport has been heavily restricted already and it is clear that surface modes will be called upon to transport these goods.  As an adaptable unit, the container will remain a focal point for safe transport, including for EVs alongside other vehicle carriers.  The intermodal nature of containers means more actors other than shipping lines, be they manufacturers, packers, forwarders, logistics operators, warehouses and cargo handlers must all be cognisant of the safety issues we are addressing and play their part in ensuring the risks are properly managed.”

About CINS — Cargo Incident Notification System

CINS is a shipping line initiative, launched in September 2011, to improve safety in the supply chain, reduce the number of cargo incidents on-board ships and on land, and highlight the risks caused by certain cargoes and/or packing failures. Membership of CINS comprises over 80 percent of the world’s container slot capacity, together with the Members of the International Group of P&I Clubs.

CINS provides analysis of operational information on cargo and container incidents which lead to injury or loss of life, loss or serious damage of assets, environmental concerns. Data relating to any cargo incident on-board a ship is uploaded to the CINS database. The data includes information on cargo type, nature, packaging, weight; journey (load and discharge ports); type of incident and root cause.  The Technical Advisory Committee is a CINS committee that includes Members of CINS and leading professional experts in relevant fields.

About ICHCA International

Established in 1952, ICHCA International is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving the safety, productivity and efficiency of cargo handling and movement worldwide. ICHCA’s privileged NGO status enables it to represent its members, and the cargo handling industry at large, in front of national and international agencies and regulatory bodies, while its Technical Panel provides best practice advice and develops publications on a wide range of practical cargo handling issues.


Operating through a series of national and regional chapters, including ICHCA Australia, ICHCA Japan and plus Correspondence and Working Groups, ICHCA provides a focal point for informing, educating, lobbying and networking to improve knowledge and best practice across the cargo handling chain.

www.ichca.com

About the International Group 

The 12 P&I Clubs which comprise the International Group (the “Group”) between them provide marine liability cover (protection and indemnity) for approximately 90% of the world’s ocean-going tonnage.

Through the unique Group structure, the member Clubs, whilst individually competitive, share between them their large loss exposures, and also share their respective knowledge and expertise on matters relating to shipowners liabilities and the insurance and reinsurance of such liabilities.

Each Group Club is an independent, not-for-profit mutual insurance association, providing cover for its shipowner and charterer members against third party liabilities arising out of the use and operation of ships. Each Club is owned by its shipowner and charterer members, and its operations and activities are overseen by a board of directors, or committee, elected from the membership. The day-to-day operations of the Clubs are handled by professional managers, either “in-house” or external, who are appointed by and report to their Club board/committee.

The Clubs cover a wide range of liabilities, including loss of life and personal injury to crew, passengers and others on board, cargo loss and damage, pollution by oil and other hazardous substances, wreck removal, collision and damage to property. The Clubs also provide a wide range of services to their members including claims handling, advice on legal issues and loss prevention, and they regularly play a leading role in coordinating the response to, and management of, maritime casualties.

https://www.igpandi.org/

About TT Club

TT Club is the established market-leading independent provider of mutual insurance and related risk management services to the international transport and logistics industry. TT Club’s primary objective is to help make the industry safer and more secure. Founded in 1968, the Club has more than 1,100 Members, spanning container owners and operators, ports and terminals, and logistics companies, working across maritime, road, rail, and air. TT Club is renowned for its high-quality service, in-depth industry knowledge and enduring Member loyalty. It retains more than 93% of its Members with a third of its entire membership having chosen to insure with the Club for 20 years or more.

www.ttclub.com

Filed Under: ICHCA, TT Club

“K” Line : NEDO Demonstration Project: Demonstration Test Ship for Liquefied CO2 Transportation has been Launched.

March 28, 2023 by

The launch ceremony for the liquefied CO2 transportation demonstration test ship was held today, 28th March 2023 at the Shimonoseki Shipyard of Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Corporation (Mitsubishi Shipbuilding”).

At the launch ceremony, participants from related organizations including the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, NEDO (the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization) and the ship owner, Sanyu Kisen were on hand to offer their congratulation for the safe launch of the ship. The ceremonial rope was cut by Mrs. Noriko Ishizaki, the wife of the Nippon Gas Line Co., Ltd. (NGL, in charge of management and operation of the demonstration test ship) representative while all participants looked on.

This demonstration test ship hull will be equipped with the liquefied CO2 tank system researched and developed by the Engineering Advancement Association of Japan (ENAA). After completion, the demonstration test ship will be engaged in liquefied CO2 transportation for the CCUS R&D and Demonstration Related Project, the Large-scale CCUS Demonstration in Tomakomai, the Demonstration Project on CO2 Transportation, the R&D and Demonstration Project for the Marine Transportation of CO2 (hereinafter the “Demonstration Projects”) which have been conducted by NEDO since June 2021.

ENAA, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE), NGL, and Ochanomizu University will accelerate their research and development of the LCO2 transportation technology and contribute to the reduction of the cost of CCUS technology and realization of LCO2 safe large-scale long-distance transportation.

ENAA has been engaged in research and development towards the operation of a demonstration ship equipped with a liquefied carbon dioxide ship tank system, and it will continue to be responsible for the planning, analysis and supervision of the demonstration test.

“K” LINE carried out a risk assessment of the demonstration test ship in the safety evaluation in 2022 and will contribute to the development of an operation manual for the demonstration vessels.

NGL is proceeding with the planning of the management and operation of the demonstration vessel. In addition, NGL is conducting a case study of its own LPG vessel in preparation for the measurement of data related to the temperature, pressure, flow, etc. of the CO2 on the demonstration vessel.

Ochanomizu University conducts fundamental research on the control of the state of carbon dioxide (phase changes) and provide the information necessary for safe transportation studies.

ENAA, “K” LINE, NGL, and Ochanomizu University will contribute to the realization of a carbon neutral society through this demonstration project.

General Specifications

Cargo tank capacity:        1,450 m3

Overall length:                   72.0 m

Breadth:                               12.5 m

Draft:                                    4.55 m

Related releases

June 22, 2021: Participation in R&D and demonstration project for CO2 marine transportation

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/news/carbon-neutral/Liquefied_gas8511561127992992679/main/0/link/210622EN.pdf

February 2, 2022: NEDO Demonstration Project: The World’s First Demonstration Test Ship for Liquefied CO2 Transportation to be Built

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/news/carbon-neutral/Liquefied_gas-7680599579843084358/main/0/link/220202EN.pdf

October 7, 2022: NEDO Demonstration Project: Demonstration Test Ship for Liquefied CO2 Transportation has broken ground

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/news/carbon-neutral/carbon-neutral-239031784827641936/main/0/link/221007EN.pdf

Filed Under: "K" Line

“K” Line : Notice Regarding the Status and Completion of Own Share Repurchase

March 27, 2023 by

“K” Line Tokyo Head Office issued the following press releases today:

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/

This press release is available on the website both in English and Japanese. 

Filed Under: "K" Line

“K” Line : Introduction movie of “Navigation Support System”

March 27, 2023 by

～Autonomous Ship with Safe and Intelligent Supporting Technology～

Introduction movie of “Navigation Support System” was posted on “K” LINE’s YouTube channel.

https://youtu.be/LtUSsx_0OcAvv

“K” LINE has combined the knowledge and insights concerning safe operations accumulated over the years with cutting-edge technology to support the crew and reduce their burden, “K” LINE is working to further increase safety and to realize autonomous navigation in the future.

We will introduce the navigation support system using AI and other advanced technology that is currently being developed under the lead of “K” LINE and Japan Radio Co., Ltd.

*About K-Assist project

Please refer to page 44 in “K” LINE Report 2022

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/ir/library/report/main/011113/teaserItems1/0/linkList/0/link/KLR22E_all_A3.pdf

Related Release : November 2, 2021: Starts Joint R&D on Integrated Navigation Support System Using AI and Other Cutting-edge Technologies

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/news/other/other2181208725925120084/main/0/link/211102EN.pdf

Filed Under: "K" Line

Dachser sees another leap in growth

March 27, 2023 by

Between economic boom and normalization: Dachser generates an additional billion EUR in revenue and plans investments of over EUR 300 million

Kempten/Munich, March 23, 2023 – For the 2022 financial year, logistics provider Dachser reports revenue of EUR 8.1 billion (+14.9 percent), marking the second consecutive year of double-digit growth. 

To read this press release in its entirety, please following the link below:

https://www.dachser.com/en/mediaroom/DACHSER-sees-another-leap-in-growth-21106

Filed Under: Dachser UK

“K” LINE Holds Global IT Conference 2023

March 27, 2023 by

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) held a global IT conference, aimed at driving its digital transformation (DX) strategy and strengthening security, at its head office in early March.

Approximately 40 IT/DX experts from major business locations in “K” LINE’s global network in 16 countries and regions gathered for the conference. With the president, CIO, people from the Digitalization Strategy Group, and representatives from “K” Line Business Systems Co., Ltd., the participants held lively discussions and workshops themed on DX projects in each country based on the DX strategy, including a robust IT infrastructure that permits more than 5,400 employees of the “K” LINE Group to work with peace of mind, as well as advanced security measures that reassure customers with their reliability.

Many of the participants noted that sharing the achievements from DX projects will help improve customer services at each location and that reinforcing the IT infrastructure is essential not only internally but also for participating in the marine transportation and logistics ecosystem. They reaffirmed that it is support for enhancing “K” LINE’s core values of safety, environmental conservation, and quality in the IT/DX field that leads to higher corporate value. They also reconfirmed that the head office and business locations in the global network would cooperate even more strongly to further accelerate the improvement of the IT/DX environment in each country or region.

“K” LINE is driving digitalization as a functional strategy for achieving its business strategy under the Medium-term Management Plan announced in May 2022. The company will continue to bolster its corporate value and solve social issues in the IT/DX field as well, aiming to be a group of marine transportation professionals that reassure stakeholders with their reliability.

Reference

DX Strategy of “K” LINE announced in December 2022

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/sustainability/dx_strategy.html

Filed Under: "K" Line

Industry Groups Agree Common Action on Crucial Safety Issues

March 21, 2023 by

The coming together of five organisations with shared visions for the safety and security of global trade will take advantage of unified information and data sources to bring greater awareness and understanding of issues with the goal of producing preventative output.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed on 16 March 2023 by representatives of the five organisations:

  • Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS)
  • Confidential Human Factors Incident Reporting Programme (CHIRP)
  • Container Owners Association (COA)
  • International Cargo Handling Coordination Association (ICHCA)
  • Ship Message Design Group (SMDG)
(l-r) Adam Parnell – Chirp, Dirk Van de Velde – CINS, John Beckett – ICHCA, Mark Lefebvre – CINS, Patrick Hicks – COA.

The participants have a commonality of purpose to create a framework for cooperation that enables each group to benefit from each other’s activities in respect of their strategies in areas of joint interest.  These will, in the immediate future concentrate on improved safety during the global transport and handling of goods that have the potential to cause injury to the workforce and/or damage to the environment and the goods themselves.

John Beckett, Chair of ICHCA commented, “This unique grouping of industry leaders has the potential to coordinate data, research and best practices across the broad spectrum of the international movement of cargo.  A key goal is to create an awareness throughout the freight industry, amongst operators, regulators and policy makers as to practical and effective measures to improve safety.”

A fundamental part of the group’s output will be publications, an aim that is close to the heart of Deputy Chair of CINS, Dirk Van de Velde, “As an example of where immediate attention is required, container ship fires are high on the list,” he said.  “The combined knowledge, experience and database resource of the signatories to this MOU, managed in a coordinated manner, have massive potential to leverage change in safety processes.  We will be publishing guidance on the treatment of lithium-ion batteries, among other cargoes, in the near future.”

In search of practical changes that will alleviate such dangers, the MOU calls for coordinated efforts both on regional and international issues of common concern and engagement with relevant regulatory bodies including the IMO and other appropriate United Nations agencies.

Other stated aims include working together to initiate innovative worldwide surveys and studies that can assist with the furtherance of these organisations on behalf of their members and associates.  There will also be sharing of research findings and publications to strengthen information exchange, while avoiding duplication of effort by pooling resources.

“ CHIRP Maritime is delighted to be part of the MOU. CHIRP Maritime will work with our partners to collect information on operational cargo-related accidents and incidents and share learning with the wider maritime community to promote best practices in the supply chain and reduce the number of cargo incidents on board ships and terminals” explained CHIRP’s David Watkins.

Filed Under: ICHCA

“K” LINE Awarded CDP’s “Supplier Engagement Leader”

March 20, 2023 by

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) is pleased to announce that the company was recognized as “Supplier Engagement Leader” for five consecutive years, the top rating, on “Supplier Engagement Rating” from CDP, which is a non-profit global organization engaging in activities for investigating and disclosing environmental information, on March 15th.

“Supplier Engagement Rating” evaluates the companies’ initiatives for climate change and greenhouse gas emissions throughout the supply chain and ranks the companies in line with their efforts. Our strategies and initiatives were evaluated on “Supplier Engagement Rating”.

This year 653 companies, including 130 Japanese companies, out of approximately 8,200 companies were awarded as “Supplier Engagement Leaderboard” worldwide. 

As a globally trusted logistics company rooted in the shipping industry, “K” LINE Group will continue to work to reduce its environmental impact in order to realize a sustainable society and increase its corporate value, based on its corporate philosophy of “contributing to the enrichment of people’s lives”.

REFERENCES

December 14, 2022: “K” LINE Selected for the 7th consecutive year on the “A List”

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/news/csr/csr4387686973587805703/main/0/link/221214EN.pdf

February 6, 2023: “K” LINE Posted CEO Message as CDP2022 “A List” Company

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/news/csr/csr284167388746905686/main/0/link/230206EN.pdf

Filed Under: "K" Line

“K” Line hold a Crew Development Seminar in India

March 16, 2023 by

― With the Theme, “Changing Forward” ―

K Marine Ship Management Pte. Ltd. (KMSM), * a ship management company that is part of the Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) group, held a crew seminar in Mumbai, India for two days from March 1st. More than 50 Indian seafarers (officers) from oil tankers, LNG carriers, LPG carriers, and LNG bunkering ship managed by KMSM attended the crew seminar. The event included a lively exchange of opinions and a workshop together with KMSM superintendents on root cause analysis and recurrence prevention examining actual accidents and mental healthcare matters. After the crew seminar, KMSM held a long-service award ceremony, and a social gathering to which families were also invited.

“K” LINE President & CEO Yukikazu Myochin made speech at the crew seminar

President Yukikazu Myochin and many “K” LINE’s executives attended the seminar. At the long-service award ceremony, the president and the vice president expressed gratitude for their contributions to safe operations over many years and their achievements fostering the next generation. In addition, we expressed our gratitude to the seafarers for their fulfilling their responsibilities without stopping sea transportation in the extremely difficult onboard environment during the COVID-19 pandemic over the past three years.

Front line from left:
Masatoshi Taguchi, Managing Executive Officer, “K” LINE
Atsuo Asano, Vice President Executive Officer & Representative Director, “K” LINE
Yukikazu Myochin, President & CEO, “K” LINE
Shoji Fukuda, CEO, KMSM
Akihiro Fujimaru, Executive Officer, “K” LINE

Based on our corporate principle of contributing to the enrichment of people’s lives as a shipping company that is trusted globally and centered on the shipping industry, the “K” LINE group aims to achieve sustainable growth and increase its corporate value while moving toward the realization of low-carbon operations and the decarbonization of our company and society.

Through these activities, “K” LINE Group will deepen its understanding of seafarers and their families, who contribute to sea transportation around the world, and build strong connections with them, thereby immersing them in our corporate culture of safety, enabling this culture to mature and providing safe operations and high-quality transportation services.

* K Marine Ship Management Pte. Ltd. Established in Singapore in January 2022, it is the wholly owned “K” LINE subsidiary that is the core company of the “K” LINE Group for ship management and the crewing of oil tankers, LNG carriers, LPG carriers, and LNG bunkering ships. Released on Oct.27, 2022: Opening Ceremony of K Marine Ship Management Pte. Ltd.

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/news/csr/csr8649352863466748083/main/0/link/221027EN.pdf

Filed Under: "K" Line
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