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India to Put $47 Billion Into Infrastructure in 2011 | |
Budget aims to accelerate economic growth, expand global trade
March 02, 2011 - India plans to spend an estimated $47 billion on infrastructure development during fiscal 2011-12 to accelerate economic growth and expand global trade.
"Infrastructure is critical for our development. The proposed budgetary allocation for 2011-12 is 23.3 percent higher than that for the current fiscal year," said Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee as he released the government's budget for the fiscal year beginning April 1.
The minister announced several initiatives to stimulate the inflow of foreign investments, including proposals to raise the cap on investment in corporate bonds by foreign institutional investors from $5 billion to $25 billion and to create infrastructure debt funds.
He said the ministry is working on a comprehensive policy to be applied by both the central and state governments for port, roadway and rail developments through the public-private-partnership model.
Other budget proposals include granting "infrastructure status" to warehousing and cold storage projects as well as exempting shipowners from payment of import duty on certain spare parts.
"Our experience with the PPP model for creation of public sector assets in the country has been good, and discussions are underway to further liberalize our foreign direct investment policy," Mukherjee said.
According to official estimates, New Delhi requires about $1 trillion over the next five years for infrastructure development, of which nearly 50 percent is expected to come from the private sector.
The minister also said the Indian economy is expected to grow 9 percent in fiscal 2010-11, which ends March 31, 2011, compared with 7.4 percent the previous year.
The Commerce Ministry recently announced plans to boost exports to $450 billion by 2014, up from an anticipated $225 billion for 2010-11.
Journal of Commerce
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China expects 21% foreign trade growth in '11 | |
February 22, 2011 - China's Ministry of Commerce is projecting total foreign trade to grow 21.4 percent in 2011 to $3.6 trillion, according to a report from China Intelligence Online.
Export volume is forecast by the ministry to rise 20 percent to $1.9 trillion, while import volume is expected to rise 23 percent to $1.7 trillion.
China's total import and export value to the United States is expected to be about $464.5 billion in 2011, a 20.5 percent increase, the report said. Export volume is forecast to increase 20 percent to about $340 billion, while imports are forecast to grow 22 percent to $124.5 billion..
American Shipper
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| Trucking Truckload Index Shows Tightening Capacity | |
Weather, stronger demand constrained supply, Longbow says
March 1, 2011 - Truckload capacity slackened slightly in the last two weeks of February but remains significantly tighter than in recent months, according to Longbow Research.
That may keep upward pressure on truckload pricing in the first quarter.
The Wall Street research firm's weekly truckload barometer declined 2.8 percent week-to-week, but was still at a level comparable to last year's second quarter.
Year-over-year, the index was up nearly 80 percent, and has climbed 25.9 percent since the beginning of 2011, which indicates truckload capacity is tightening.
"We continue to suspect improved index readings over the past three weeks have been to some extent driven by weather-related supply constraints," the firm said.
The index is a measure of the amount of available truckload freight relative to current levels of available equipment. It climbs as capacity gets tighter.
Other industry yardsticks also indicate demand for trucking is growing in early 2011, putting pressure on capacity in a period of severe winter storms.
The seasonally adjusted American Trucking Associations Truck Tonnage Index rose 3.8 percent from December to January, hitting its highest level since January 2008.
Spot market truckload freight volume shot up 62 percent year-over-year in January, according to the TransCore North American Freight Index, setting a new record.
In late February, truckload capacity was hardest to find in the Southeastern coastal states from Delaware to Florida, according to Longbow Research.
The firm's flatbed index rose for the seventh straight week, climbing 8.9 percent from the previous week to its highest level in the past two years.
"Recent conversations with industry contacts also suggest a tighter supply/demand environment in early 2011," Longbow Research said in a note to investors.
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| Governments must step-up war on piracy, demand shippers |
Boycott of dangerous waters could add millions to global supply chain costs
March 1, 2011 - Shippers have urged governments to step-up efforts to end piracy after seafarer and shipping associations threatened to boycott dangerous areas.
The European Shippers' Council (ESC) has warned that a boycott of areas affected by piracy would have serious consequences on the supply chain.
The ESC said it had considerable sympathy for ship operators and their crews who are facing this added peril at sea, and fully understands that many must feel they have to take avoiding action in order to protect themselves.
The Baltic and International Maritime Council (Bimco) recently indicated that it was considering an industry-backed boycott in the region of the Indian Ocean and re-routing vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, while the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) is threatening to ask its members to boycott vessels plying in the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.
ESC Secretary General Nicolette van der Jagt said: "The protection of shipping from piracy - regardless of flag, or nationality of the crew - is a clear and legitimate responsibility for governments under the UN convention on the law of the sea.
"The ESC urges governments around the world to uphold their responsibilities in the enforcement of the convention and protection of their flags, and to assist fully in protecting all merchant shipping in their territorial waters.
"The impacts of piracy are not just on the seafarers; they are not just local; they are global, affecting us all - and so everyone must act."
The Chairman of the ESC's Maritime Transport Council, Jean Louis-Cambon, said a boycott would have serious economic consequences for businesses already affected by slow-steaming, rising fuel prices, unstable and uncertain market demand and austerity measures.
"Companies are focused on cost reduction within their supply chains, efficiency enhancements, productivity increases, greater flexibility and agility in their supply chains.
"The proposal to divert all shipping away from the affected areas, via the Cape of Good Hope, would add further strains on business, and not least, greater costs."
Re-routing on a liner trade often means adding another ship to the service to maintain the schedule.
On a Europe-Far East service, re-routing around Africa's Cape of Good Hope would increase the cost by US$89 million a year - $74.4 million in fuel and $14.6 million in charter expenses.
Yesterday, IFW revealed that Beluga Shipping, which recently had two of its seafarers killed by pirates, is to place private security on its vessels and re-route some around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid pirates.
International Freighting Weekly
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| Global Air Cargo Jumps 9.1 Percent in January |
Growth outpaced December on surge in North American tonnage
February 28, 2011 - Global air freight traffic increased 9.1 percent in January from a year ago, driven by a surge in North America, to outpace growth in the previous two months, the International Air Transport Association reported.
Cargo volume in January was 39 percent above the low point in the depth of the global recession at the end of 2009 and was 6 percent above the pre-recession peak of early 2008, according to the Geneva-based industry.
The January increase compared with year-on-year gains of 7.3 percent in December and 6.9 percent in November.
Freight traffic has, however, fallen 2 percent since its May 2010 peak at the height of the re-stocking bubble, IATA said in its latest monthly report.
The seasonally adjusted load factor reached 53 percent in January, relatively unchanged from a year ago in all regions. Utilization through January was within the 52-54 percent range since mid-2010 as demand and supply are now stabilizing.
North American carriers reported the biggest increase of 14.1 percent from a year ago. Volume has risen by 11 percent since November and is now 10 percent above pre-recession levels.
Asia-Pacific carriers boosted freight traffic 6.4 percent year on year. This was down from the 7.2 percent increase in December, but volume increased in January, IATA said.
The much weaker economic climate in Europe continued to hold back the recovery in freight traffic in the region, which remains 11 percent below the pre-recession peak.
IATA warned the rise in oil prices triggered by political turmoil in the Middle East threatens the industry's profitability.
IATA's forecast in December that the global airline industry would make a combined profit of $9.1 billion in 2011 on revenue of $598 billion was based on an annual average oil price of $84 per barrel.
"For each dollar it increases [above $84], the industry is challenged to recover $1.6 billion in additional costs," said IATA chief executive Giovanni Bisignani.
North Sea Brent, the benchmark post crude, was trading at around $112 in Europe Monday morning. |
| EC to develop own liability regime after Rotterdam Rules are ratified |
Head of Unit Logistics and Co-modaility says the new regime will cover multimodal transport moves
February 24, 2011 - The European Commission (EC) will consider developing its own liability regime once the controversial Rotterdam Rules regime has been ratified.
Speaking at the Green Port Logistics Conference yesterday, Pawel Stelmaszcyk, the European Commission's Head of Unit Logistics and Co-modaility said the EC would wait until after the Rotterdam Rules had been ratified by the necessary 12 countries, or rejected, before considering developing its own liability regime.
The Rotterdam Rules is a set of international rules that revises the legal and political framework for maritime carriage of goods. They establish a modern, uniform legal regime governing the rights and obligations of shippers, carriers and consignees under a contract for door-to-door shipments that involve international sea transport.
Stelmaszcyk added the possible new regime would cover multimodal transport moves.
"The EC could propose a regional convention, specifically for multimodal transport in the European Union and other third countries that wish to adhere to this convention," Stelmaszcyk said.
"However, we are not going ahead with any work on preparing a legislative proposal along these lines.
"It is a policy option that does exist but we are not acting on it at the moment. The main reason for that is that based on the law of the treaties, whichever convention comes into force later will supersede the previous one.
"So we are waiting for the outcome of the ratification process of the Rotterdam Rules. If the Rotterdam Rules are ratified then we will come back to our other options, and if they are not ratified then also there is an indication that we can go ahead and consider our other options as well."
The transport industry has previous criticised plans to develop regional liability regimes because of a fear the there could be a complicated patchwork of conventions across the globe.
Stelmaszcyk said the EC was considering options for an alternative to the current liability regimes following a review of its Freight and Logistics Action Plan.
Other than the possibility of a new liability regime being developed, another recommendation of the review is that an e-freight platform should be provided to help develop integrated and sustainable freight transport system in Europe.
This would bring together all different electronic modal initiatives, such as e-maritime for shipping and ITS for roads for example, to harmonise them and make them more accessible.
"We want to develop this platform to provide a basis for integrate journey planning and information processing and allowing all players to have access to information in real time," Stelmazcyk said.
The review also recommended there should be an increase in green corridors, which are environmentally transport links between hubs; the simplification of transport processes and quality benchmarks for intermodal hubs..
International Freightingly Weekly |
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Lyttelton Port of Christchurch - Week 2 Remaning Strong |
March 2, 2011 - Lyttelton Port of Christchurch (LPC) would like to advise all customers the port's core services are operational following the 6.3 magnitude earthquake on Tuesday 22 February 2011.
Oil Berth
The oil berth continues to operate, the Atlantic Lily is on the Oil Berth today discharging fuel and will depart at Thursday 03 March.. Further fuel vessels are scheduled over the 7 days. After the recent aftershocks regular assessments of the oil berth facility will continue to be undertaken.
Containers
PIL's Kota Permata is in Port today and working well. The MSC Tasmania is due in on Thursday 03 March.
To assist with clearing backlog we request customers to prioritise the delivery of export containers to the Port in order of vessel arrival.
CityDepot
CityDepot is continuing to operate and has had a steady flow of receival and delivery today. We are currently working with KiwiRail to resume normal rail services as soon as possible. We are also working hard to ensure that auxiliary services will be up and running as soon as possible.
Tunnel
The Lyttelton Road Tunnel is open but restricted to emergency vehicles, essential services, container deliveries and permitted residents. If you are carrying dangerous goods can you please contact tunnel control on 03 384 3116 with expected timings. We have been advised that the tunnel will be closed early tomorrow morning at 0100 for heavy traffic transfer.
General Cargo
Over the next week the inner harbour will be brought back to full commission. A repair programme is in place for bringing No. 2 berth back up to Class 1 Highway operations by Saturday 05 March for the loading of the Louise Bulker a log vessel. Our next car vessel the Spring Sky is due on Sunday 07 March and will discharge vehicles and machinery across No.7 berth.
Dry Dock
The New Plymouth Tug The Kupe was in the dry dock at the time of the earthquake; it remained in the dry dock and was not damaged. The dock remained water tight and work is continuing on the tug to ready it for exit when completed. Structural checks are required to assess the Dry Dock's ongoing operations going forward, it is hoped these checks will be completed within the next working week. With resources stretched we are working as hard and quickly as possible. Other
A number of contractors remain on site working with LPC staff to remediate issues created from Tuesday's earthquake Lyttelton Port of Christchurch Press Release
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Germany considers introduction of air cargo security levy | |
February 24, 2011 - Germany is examining a proposal to levy an air freight security charge, to finance the implementation of tighter security measures for cargo handled by the nation's airports, the Shipping Gazette.
The proposal is part of a wider programme being conducted by the federal ministries of transport and the interior to boost security controls for air freight, after explosives were found onboard cargo aircraft, originating in Yemen and bound for the US. One of packages containing explosives was uncovered at an airport in the UK after arriving from Cologne.
According to a report by Flightglobal, German police aim not only to screen shipments that have been checked in at the nation's airports, but also cargo arrives from outside bound for other international destinations.
It cited the ministry of interior as saying that "depending on the quality of security checks in the respective third country" German police may have to establish additional security checks..
Transport Weekly
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Omani protestors block key road after 6 die | |
March 1, 2011 - SOHAR, Oman - Omani protesters demanding political reforms blocked roads to a main export port and refinery on Monday, and a doctor said the death toll from clashes with police in the country had risen to six.
Hundreds of protesters blocked the entrance to the industrial area of the northern coastal town of Sohar, which includes a port, refinery and aluminium factory. They pushed back four army vehicles that had been observing the scene.
"We want to see the benefit of our oil wealth distributed evenly to the population," one protester yelled over a loudhailer near the port. "We want to see a scale-down of expatriates in Oman so more jobs can be created for Omanis."
The unrest in Sohar, Oman's main industrial center, was a rare outbreak of discontent in the normally sleepy sultanate ruled by Sultan Qaboos bin Said for four decades, and follows a wave of pro-democracy protests across the Arab world.
Oman's government, trying to calm tensions, promised on Sunday to create more jobs and give benefits to job seekers.
A main supermarket in Sohar was burning on Monday after being looted, witnesses said. Protesters stormed the town's police station on Sunday to try to free detainees before burning it. They had also set two state offices alight.
As well as those demonstrating outside the industrial area, hundreds more were at the main Globe Roundabout, angry after police opened fire on Sunday at stone-throwing protesters demanding political reforms, jobs and better pay.
Graffiti scrawled on a statue said: "The people are hungry." Another message read: "No to oppression of the people."
Nearby, sidewalks were smashed and office windows broken. Troops deployed around the town but were not intervening to disperse protesters.
"There are no jobs, there's no freedom of opinion. The people are tired and people want money. People want to end corruption," said 30-year-old local Ali al-Mazroui, who is unemployed.
Oil exports unaffected
Marine traffic and exports of refined oil products from Sohar's port, which ships 160,000 barrels per day of a range of products, were continuing although the flow of trucks into the port was blocked, a port spokeswoman said.
"It is true the protesters are making a very non-violent protest," the spokeswoman said. "Marine traffic in and out is not affected at the moment."
A doctor at Sohar's main hospital said the death toll had risen to six. Witnesses had earlier put it at two, some saying police had fired live ammunition, while others said they had used rubber bullets.
Reuters
Transport Weekly
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Empties create congestion at Chittagong | |
March 1, 2011 - The operation of the country's premier seaport is being seriously affected by a large number of empty containers now lying at different terminals, reported The Financial Express (Bangladesh).
Senior officials of Chittagong Port said they have already served notices on the main line operators (MLOs) and shipping agencies asking them to remove empty containers that have been lying at the terminals for long.
As of Friday, nearly 4,700 empty containers remained at different terminals against their capacity of 4,545 TEUs.
Terminal manager Enamul Karim said: "We have never seen such a huge number of empty containers at the port yards. The number of empty containers was more than 5,000 two days back."
But the port users alleged that Chittagong Port has shortage of adequate equipment to handle containers skillfully. "This is not our fault. This is fully the port's failure, for which a huge number of empty containers are lying there," said a senior official of Maersk.
Enam said the port authority will impose penalty for those empty containers after expiry of two weeks' deadline, beginning from February 25. Currently, MLOs or shipping agents pay US$6 per day for a box, and they will have to pay $12 as penalty after expiry of the deadline.
Director (traffic) Golam Sarwar said empty containers are creating congestion at the port and reducing its efficiency.
Port analysts said many MLOs are not sending their empty containers to the private inland depots to reduce expenses, leading to stockpile of containers in the port.
Besides, they also said the number of handled containers has significantly increased in Chittagong Port, which, in turn has increased the number of empty containers.
According to official statistics, the port handled nearly 81,000 containers during the first 20 days of February, marking a 16 per cent rise over the same period in February 2010. Each day around 1,500 empty containers are being added to the previous number of empty containers in the port.
Officials at the private inland containers depots said many MLOs are not sending containers to them, following a dispute over the new rents, announced by the private off-dock association.
"We are expecting that the MLOs will sign agreements with us and start sending empty containers to our depots," said an official of Essack and Brothers.
Cargo News Asia
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Sydney Ports implement financial penalties | |
Financial penalties for those who do not meet mandated PBLIS
March 2, 2011 - Australia's Sydney Ports has switched on reciprocal financial penalties for stevedores and road carriers following the end of a month-long final Port Botany Landside Improvement Strategy (PBLIS) trial.
The final PBLIS trial measured early and late truck arrivals, no shows, minimum slots offered per hour, truck turnaround time, truck non-service and time zone cancelations.
Stevedores and road carriers who do not meet mandated PBLIS operational performance standards at Port Botany will be subject to reciprocal financial penalties.
"The final industry trial has given port users an opportunity to adapt to the new operational performance framework between road carriers and stevedores, while providing Sydney Ports with vital landside performance information," said Grant Gilfillan, Sydney Ports Chief Executive Officer.
"This information has resulted in greater overall transparency surrounding the performance of stevedores and road carriers at Port Botany and will lead to greater efficiency and consistency of the landside supply chain in managing increasing trade volumes."
Gilfillan said industry has responded well to the trial operations with truck carriers showing "a distinct change in behaviour" to meet the more disciplined approach by the stevedores to servicing trucks at their container terminals.
Carriers will receive a financial payment from stevedores for truck turnaround times that exceed the mandated operational performance standards.
"Sydney Ports would like to acknowledge the co-operation of all of our industry representatives in providing valuable feedback and Sydney Ports will continue to work with key stakeholders throughout the PBLIS implementation," concluded Gilfillan.
Port World News
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