Box shipping overcapacity crisis Saved by Red Sea diversions
BALTIC Hub at Gdansk, the largest container terminal in the Baltic Sea, has reported record volumes and significant investment milestones in 2024, marking a pivotal year for the company’s development.
The Baltic Hub container terminal has summarized its results for 2024. Over the past 12 months, the largest container terminal in the Baltic Sea posted record transshipments.
Last year was intense for Baltic Hub not only because of the large volumes of cargo handled but also due to the progress in construction works at the T3 terminal and other projects The terminal’s operating result for 2024 amounted to 2.242 million TEU, surpassing 2023’s figures. In 2024, Baltic Hub serviced 642, ships, including 147 ocean-going vessels.
It is worth mentioning that in July, a record number of transshipments occurred with the arrival of one of the larger units, reaching 20,400 TEU.
Last year, on June 5, the Cornerstone for the construction of the third T3 terminal was also laid,
The new quay and storage yards at the T3 terminal will strengthen. the position of Baltic Hub, increasing transshipment capacity to 4.5 million TEU per year.
The new terminal will be semi-automatic, meaning operators will be able to remotely control devices from ergonomically designed stations, ensuring a safe, efficient and modern working environment year-round.
“The construction of the T3 terminal is an important stage in the development of Baltic Hub and an example of how Polish port infrastructure operates,” said Baltic Hub CEO Charles Baker.
The terminal has gained new cranes. In July last year, the terminal launched a fourth RMG crane
on the railway siding, increasing – the siding’s capacity to over 800,000 TEU per year.
2024 Black Sea box volume rises 14pc over 2023
THE Black Sea container terminals of Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine handled 979,000 TEU in the first nine months of 2024, including empty containers and transshipments, reports Fort Lauderdale’s Maritime Executive.
This is an increase of 14 per cent compared to the same period last year, and the jump reflects the revival of containerized trade to and from Ukrainian ports.
This review considers laden container trade by sea only, since waterborne container traffic in Ukraine is about 25 per cent of the total.
Laden container turnover increased in all these countries, and the highest growth was achieved by Ukraine (79 per cent).
Laden container turnover in Russia’s port of Novorossiysk increased seven per cent to 570,000 TEU. About 40 percent of this volume was transported by MSC and Turkish carriers in the Black Sea, while the other 60 per cent were transported by local carriers in Russia.
During this period, 53 per cent of full containers handled were imported, with 47 per cent of the volume being exported. It is estimated that the share of laden containers was 77 per cent and empty containers made up 22 per cent.
Import volumes to the aforementioned countries increased by 19 per cent compared to 2023. The highest import volume increase was shown by Ukraine -.116 percent, a record rate of growth.
In Romania there was an increase of 23 per cent, while in Bulgaria there was a decrease of about three per cent. Exports from these countries increased 10 percent, mainly because of Ukrainian and Bulgarian export volume growth of 64 per cent and 14 per cent. There was a slight increase in laden export volume in Romania.
Thus, the percentage of laden volume handled by each country in the first nine months of 2024 was distributed as follows: Romania – 70 per cent, Bulgaria 22 per cent and Ukraine-eight per cent.
It is worth noting that significant volume growth in Ukraine was driven by the restoration of direct container feeder connections. In the beginning of 2024, a local forwarding company deployed a few vessels transshipping containers from Constanta to Chornomorsk port. Later on, MSC Maersk deployed their own vessels from Tekirdag and Port Said, respectively.
Historically, Maersk, MSC and CMA CGM were leading carriers in the Black Sea region and their total share of the market was more than 60 percent in recent years.
Georgia’s total volume in 2023 reached 518,000 TEU, while our estimation is about 15 percet lower in 2024, when the total volume is expected to reach ab 440,000 TEU.
The forecast of contain turnover growth in the Bl Sea region for 2024-2025 shows that growth will amount to 5-7 percent and will exceed 3 million TEU in 2025. The major driver of that growth will be further restoration and expansion of direct container connection to Ukrainian ports.
HMM'S INX service to commence from Karachi
SOUTH KOREA’s HMM has announced a weekly maritime service, the India North Europe Express (INX), which will directly link Western India to Northern Europe. The service will commence operations on February 5, 2025, with its first departure from Karachi, Pakistan, reports trans. iNFO of Wroclaw, Poland. The INX service is a collaboration between HMM and ONE, employing 6,000-TEU container ships an 11-week round trip schedule (77 days).
Its port rotation includes Karachi, Hazira, Mundra, Nhava Sheva, Colombo, London Gate way, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp, and back to Karachi This new service complements HMM’s existing India-to-Mediterranean (FIM) and India-to-East Coast America (LAX) routes.
By extending its network to Northern Europe, HMM aims to support India’s expanding international trade, facilitating both regional exports and imports as well as global trans-shipment through India.
Emirates Sky Cargo expands services to Copenhagen
EMIRATES Sky Cargo is boosting its presence in Denmark with the launch of a weekly dedicated Boeing 777 freighter service to Copenhagen Airport.
The new service, which started on January 1, 2025, will arrive in Copenhagen on Wednesdays before departing on the same day for Dubai World Central, offering ap- proximately 85 tonnes of cargo capacity for shipments from Den- mark, Norway, and Sweden, writes London’s Aviation Business News. This move expands Emirates Sky Cargo’s freighter network to 38 destinations, meeting growing demand in the region. Previously reliant on belly-hold capacity in pas- senger aircraft, the dedicated freighter will transport a diverse freighter service significantly increases shipping capabilities for customers.
A major driver of this expanpsion is the surge in pharmaceutical shipments, with Emirates SkyCargo recording over 20 per cent growth in volume from Denmark in the past financial year.
Leveraging Copenhagen’s role as Europe’s northern pharma logistics hub, the service will facilitate the export of life saving medicines, supported by Emirates specialized pharmaceutical solutions and extensive global network.
In addition to pharma, the freighter will transport a diverse range of goods, including general cargo, perishables like fish, and other food products, ensuring swift, efficient, and reliable delivery worldwide.
Mette Jensen, cargo manager for Scandinavia at Emirates Sky Cargo, said: “Demand has been strong across Scandinavia, with particular growth in Copenhagen, and we expect this year and beyond
TS Lines enjoys massive profit increase
TAIWAN’S TS Lines has declared a 2024 profit attributable to share of US$270 million for the 10 months ending October 30, reports Australia’s Daily Cargo News This represents an increase of
levied by MSC in Mombasa 3,700 per cent as compared to the profit attributable to the equity shareholders of the company of US$7.1 million for the corresponding period in 2023.
The carrier, which participates in two China-Australia services and operates a third ad hoc string, listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in early November, raising HK$491 million (US$121 million) in its third attempt at an initial public offering In a notification issued yester- day TS Lines Limited informed shareholders and potential investors that “based on a preliminary assessment of the unaudited consolidated management accounts of the Group and information currently available to the Board.
TS Lines Group now posts a profit of US$270 million for the 10 months ending October 31, representing a year-on-year increase of 3,700 per cent of US$7.1 million.
As a result, the board expects that the group will record a significant increase in profit attributable to the equity shareholders of the company for the year ending 31 December 2024 as compared to the corresponding amount of US$20.7 million for the year ended 31 December 2023,” TSL said
“. The significant increase in profit for the first 10 months of 2024. was mainly due to higher freight rates mainly driven by the continued impacts on the supply from the Red Sea diversions; and increased shipping volume, partially attributable to the group’s in- creased shipping capacity, it said
The information “is only based on a preliminary assessment by the management of the company with reference to the information currently available including the unaudited consolidated management accounts of the group.
The annual results of the group for the financial year ending 31 December 2024 are expected to be published in March 2025.
TSL is rated as the 21st largest container line in Alphaliner’s Top 100, with a total TEU capacity of 110,018 TEU via 38 owned and five chartered ships, and with a further seven on order.
Congestion surcharges
THE Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC), the world’s biggest container carrier, has levied a congestion charge on cargo using the Kenyan Port of Mombasa.
MSC is levying a charge of US$500 per box while Maersk is also charging $1,700 congestion surcharge, reports Nairobi’s East African.
MSC will apply a Congestion Surcharge (CGS) for cargo from the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh) to Mombasa, Kenya. Maersk has also announced charges due to congestion at the Port of Mombasa and the Red Sea crisis blamed on attacks on ships by Yemeni Houthi insurgents.
Carriers say they have been necessitated by the need to meet the costs of the delays caused by the congestion, and the long distance used to ferry cargo to different destinations.
MSC is proposing a congestion surcharge of $500 for both 20 and 40 feet containers, while Maersk is proposing to charge up to $1,700.
Shippers and traders in Mombasa have opposed the charges and urged the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) not to approve them.
Container Freight Stations Association of Kenya CEO Daniel Nzeki said they would ensure the charges are not implemented.
“I am at the port, the situation is not good because of congestion,” Mr Nzeki said. “We are asking Kenya Ports Authority to rework its strategy to end congestion.”
Box, ro-ro, livestock volumes post growth
CONTAINER, ro-ro, livestock through Qatar’s ports saw brisk growth during 2024 as Hamad Port emerged as a key transshipment hub in the region, reports the Gulf Times The positive yearly trajectory in vital parameters of maritime sector comes amidst the country’s growing international trade to sup- port its strong economic growth, especially in the non-energy private sector. Continue on As many as 2,803 ships had called on Qatar’s three ports dur- ing 2024, which showed rose 1.28 per cent over the previous year.
The three ports were seen handling 130,684 vehicles during 2024 which registered a 62.18 per cent increase year-on-year. The ro-ro movement through three ports reached the maximum of 27,795 units in November 2024 and the lowest of 19,573 units in April 2024.
Ro-ro ships feature ramps that allow vehicles to drive directly on and off, eliminating the need for cranes and making it an efficient way to move cargo overseas.
The National Planning Council data reveals robust year-on- year growth in the registration of new vehicles for private use private motorcycles, trailers and heavy equipment during majority. of the months in 2024.
The container handling through the three ports stood at 1.46 million TEU during 2024 which was up 9.55 per cent on an annualized basis. The container movement recorded the maximum of 144,884 TEU in June 2024 and the lowest of 87,005 in April 2024
The container terminals have been designed to address the in- creasing trade volume, enhance ease of doing business and support economic diversification, which is one of the most vital goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
With a stacking area of 176,000 sqm, the container terminal 2 or CT2 is equipped with the latest advanced technology, including remote-operated ship-to-shore cranes, hybrid rubber-tyred gan- tries, and electric tractors.
Hamad Port, which celebrated a huge milestone of exceeding 10 million TEU since beginning operations in 2016, has rapidly evolved into a critical hub for in ternational shipping, catering to and the needs of all major global shipping lines
In 2024, Mwani Qatar achieved a 23 per cent jump in transshipment cargo against the previous year, underscoring the growing prominence and trust that Hamad Port enjoys among global shipping lines as a key transshipment hub in the region, it said in its social medial handle X..
Retailers expect US box volumes to stay high
CONTAINER flows through US ports are set for substantial end-of-year gains point to impressive improvement in 2024, reports New York’s Freight Waves.
Increased traffic has been driven by shippers stockpiling imports in an effort to avoid dock strike threats as well as fresh tariffs in the coming year, according to the National Retail Federation.
American ports handled 2.17 million TEU in November, according to the trade group’s Global Port Tracker. The data excludes the ports of New York and New Jersey, which have yet to report. Volume was off 3.2 per cent from October but ahead 14.7 per cent year on year.
The NRF projected December volume at 2.24 million TEU, up 19.2 per cent, and pushing full-year totals to 25.6 million TEU, 15.2 percent ahead of 2023.
That growth came before port employers and union longshoremen on Wednesday came to an agreement on container handling many feared would be a disastrous strike when the current contract extension expires Jan. 15. – “The new contract brings certainty and avoids disruptions, and we hope to see it ratified as soon as possible,” NRF vice president Jonathan Gold said. “But the, agreement came at the last minute and retailers were already bringing in spring merchandise early to ensure that they would be well stocked to serve their customers in case of another disruption.
The surge in imports has also been driven by President Trump’s plan to increase tariffs because retailers want to avoid higher costs that will eventually be paid by consumers. The long-term impact on imports remains to be seen.”
Members of the International Longshoremen’s Association will continue to work under the terms of the current master contract while the union and employers represented by the United States Maritime Alliance hash out the details of a new six-year pact.
ports of New York and New Jerey, which have yet to report. Volume was off 3.2 per cent from October but ahead 14.7 per cent year on year.
The NRF projected December volume at 2.24 million TEU, up 19.2 per cent, and pushing full-year totals to 25.6 million TEU, 15.2 percent ahead of 2023.
That growth came before port employers and union longshoremen on Wednesday came to an agreement on container handling many feared would be a disastrous strike when the current contract extension expires Jan. 15. – “The new contract brings certainty and avoids disruptions, and we hope to see it ratified as soon as possible,” NRF vice president Jonathan Gold said. “But the, agreement came at the last minute and retailers were already bringing in spring merchandise early to ensure that they would be well stocked to serve their customers in case of another disruption.
The surge in imports has also been driven by President Trump’s plan to increase tariffs because retailers want to avoid higher costs that will eventually be paid by consumers. The long-term impact on imports remains to be seen.”
Members of the International Longshoremen’s Association will continue to work under the terms of the current master contract while the union and employers represented by the United States Maritime Alliance hash out the details of a new six-year pact.
AD Ports invests in grain silo in Kazakhstan
AD PORTS Group has signed a Foundation Agreement with SEMURG INVEST LLP (Semurg), the owner and developer of the Sarzha Multifunctional Marine Terminal at Kuryk Port, Kazakhstan, reports London’s Port Technology.Under the terms of this agreement, AD Ports Group owns a 51 per cent stake and Semurg owns a 49 per cent stake in the partnership Sarzha Grain Terminal. The partnership has commenced constructing a greenfield grain terminal at Kuryk Port.
Following the completion of phase one, this grain terminal will have the capacity to handle 570,000 tonnes of grain cargo per year. With the construction of phase two, the terminal’s capacity is set to expand further, reaching 1.5 mil- lion tonnes per year.
Sarzha Grain Terminal will see a total investment of just over US$50 million over the two phases, with AD Ports Group contributing around $30 million.
With phase 1 scheduled for completion in the second half of 2026, Sarzha Grain Terminal is set to enhance global food trade, connecting Kazakhstan via the Transcaspian International Transport Route with Europe through a network of sea and dry ports in Central Asia.
This partnership initially announced in August 2023, follows AD Ports Group and its subsidiaries’ recent ventures in the Central Asian region, driven by their stra- tegic priority to enhance the transportation of resources to global markets, while connecting diverse regions and fostering economic growth.
Abdul aziz Zayed Al-Shamsi, Regional CEO of AD Ports Group, said: “Our partnership with Semurg marks another key milestone in AD Ports Group’s Middle Corridor
strategy and reinforces our commitment to global food security and the UAE’s National Strategy for Food Security. “This investment demonstrates our Group’s dedication to expanding our presence in Central Asia, and in Kazakhstan in particular.”
Cosco expands Jurong Island logistics Hub Phase 2
COSCO Shipping International has commenced construction work on Jurong Island Logistics Hub Phase 2, to increased its ca- pacity to 650,000 sq ft of ware- house space, reports Singapore’s Business Review.
JILH Phase 2 will span 2.5 ha of land with 62,500 sq m of built- up area. It will be seamlessly integrated with JILH Phase 1 through shared infrastructure, including a ground-to-roof ramp, creating a mega logistics hub. The expanded facility will pro- vide 650,000 sq ft of warehouse space.
It will also offer logistics service including handling dangerous goods and general cargo drumming services, container storage ISO tank cleaning with heating 24-hour transportation, and empty container depot services
In addition, JILH Phase 2 will incorporate a double-volume warehouse for higher stacking and automation technologies like automated guided vehicles (AGVS) for better service, optimized operations and improved cost efficiency.
Jurong Island Logistics Hub Phase 2 will set a new benchmark in logistics capabilities and environmental stewardship, supporting our customers’ needs while contributing to Singapore’s green transformation.” said Lan Chun Hai, executive vice president of COSCO Shipping International (Singapore).