New Plans for Kolkata Port container terminal

The ministry of shipping has amended Kolkata Port Trust's (KoPT) plan of creating three new berths to boost cargo and container handling volumes. KoPT had originally proposed to handle dry bulk, liquid bulk and container traffic at the three berths and the proposed container terminal with three berths, each with a length of 240m, would be constructed at Diamond Harbor . The new terminal with 1 million TEU capacity will substantially boost container trade, given that KoPT handled 0.35 million TEUs of container traffic in 2006-07, up marginally from 0.32 million TEUs in 2005-06. KoPT currently handles containers at both the Kolkata Dock System and the Haldia Dock Complex. By current thinking, the new terminal will be commissioned by April 2010. With the development of the 3 berths, it will further enhance efficiency and reducing berthing time of the vessels with our growing Kolkata groupage volume of 118 teus in 2006 to 150 teus in 2007, handled by CWT GLOBELINK group of offices.

Lines to cut Asia-Europe ship speed

Earlier this month, Maersk Line said it would be adding four ships to its Asia-Europe network in order to save fuel after seeing its bunker costs more than double over the past 12 months

Asian exports to Europe continue to expand at brisk pace, with the FEFC expecting this year's robust performance to continue into 2008, with 19% growth predicted.

NEW World Alliance (Member lines APL, Hyundai Merchant Marine and MOL lines…) targets to slow down their ships in the Asia-Europe trades in order to cut costs by reducing fuel consumption. The consortium plans to deploy nine ships rather than the usual eight in services between Asia and Europe .

Tonnage that is being withdrawn from the Pacific as volume growth slows on that trade lane will be re-deployed into the still very strong Asia-Europe route where westbound volumes are increasing at an annualized rates of around 20%.

Many of the container lines operating in the Asia-Europe trades have either brought in an extra ship in order to cut speeds without jeopardizing weekly services, or are preparing to do so. This has also helped absorb ships that could have been left idle after being withdrawn from the Pacific trades

Grand Alliance cuts UK direct calls as congestion mounts  

Higher costs for British retailers as Grand Alliance shipping lines cut back on direct calls at UK ports to avoid congestion.

The move, by Hapag-Lloyd, NYK Line, OOCL and MISC, is one of several cutbacks on service to congested ports. Goods are being sent more to continental ports such as Rotterdam , and then transhipped by feeder vessels.

UK businesses receive the goods more slowly and pay more for the extra handling and the smaller ships' higher costs.

Extra handling fees can amount to EUR150,000 (US$220,000) for a 500-container shipment if the continental port charged EUR150 a container for the two extra handling moves needed to transship the consignment.