HONOLULU, HI: August 21, 2017. Tote Maritime, part of the Alaska-based Saltchuck logistics group, is to launch a new ocean service to Hawaii from the U.S. West Coast in competition with Matson Line and Pasha Hawaii.

In July, Tote signed a Letter of Intent for two 3,700 TEU containerships plus two options with Philadelphia-based Philly Shipyard (PSI) for delivery in 2020 and 2021. The shipyard (right) is currently building two 3,600-TEU vessels for Matson.

PSI says the timing is right for a new Hawaii service and has hired John Keenan, former president and COO of Horizon Lines from 2007 to 2011, to assist in the process. Horizon was bought by Pasha Hawaii in 2014. PSI is majority-owned by Norwegian investment company Aker Capital.

Tote said the newbuilds are required to meet new environmental regulations due to come into force in 2020 and the service would only be viable with guaranteed access to the new deep water Kapalama Container Terminal (KCT) in Honolulu.

"Tote is excited to bring our best-in-class service to the people of Hawai'i," noted president and CEO Anthony Chiarello "Tote's presence on the islands will provide market stability and introduce new environmentally advanced vessels that will greatly benefit the islands."

Tote operates domestic U.S. liner services from Alaska and Puerto Rico including the world's first LNG-powered containerships.

Saltchuk companies serving Hawaii include Aloha Air Cargo, Aloha Tech Ops, Foss Maritime, Young Brothers, Hawaii Petroleum, Minit Stop and Ohana Fuels.

HAMBURG: May 24, 2017. Hapag-Lloyd and the United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) have completed their merger. Shareholders at the annual general meeting on May 29 will be asked to approve a capital increase within the next six months underwritten by a US$400 million "backstop commitment".

Hapag-Lloyd said it plans to save US$435 million a year as a result of the deal with a significant portion realized in 2018 and the full annualized amount the following year.

"This is an important strategic milestone and a big step forward for Hapag-Lloyd," said CEO Rolf Habben Jansen. "We now not only have a very strong market position in Latin America and the Atlantic, but also in the Middle East, where we will become one of the leading carriers. Our priority now is a smooth and fast integration of UASC and Hapag-Lloyd."

The new ownership structure before the expected cash increase is CSAV, 22.6 percent; HGV (City of Hamburg), 14.8 percent; Kühne Maritime, 14.6 percent; Qatar Holding, 14.4 percent; Public Investment Fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (PIF), 10.1 percent; and the TUI Group, 8.9 percent. The remaining free float is roughly 14.6 percent, according to the company.

"During its 40-year history, UASC has grown from a regional carrier to become a truly global one with comprehensive coverage of the main trade lanes and a state-of-the-art fleet," commented chairman Nabeel Al-Amudi. "We are very proud of UASC´s achievements over the years that paved the way for such a remarkable deal," he added.

The merger follows approval from a dozen competition authorities and makes Hapag-Lloyd the world's fifth largest box carrier with 230 vessels, annual carryings of 10 million TEU, a network of 163 liner services, and an average vessel size of 6,840 TEU.

"Hapag-Lloyd has long-term and extensive know-how when it comes to acquisitions. By merging with the Canadian shipping company CP Ships in 2005 and, more recently, with CSAV in 2014, we have demonstrated that we are able to combine businesses and integrate them quickly, efficiently and profitably," Jansen explained. "We are optimistic that we will be able to complete the integration of UASC by the end of this year."

The combined company will establish a new regional office in Dubai and keep its head office in Hamburg. Shareholders CSAV, HGV and Kühne Maritime retain more than 50 percent of Hapag-Lloyd.

HONOLULU: AUGUST 07, 2017. Matson is adding to its Marshall Islands (RMI) service in the first quarter of 2018 with a new biweekly sailing from Honolulu.

The service will be operated by a 707 TEU feeder vessel calling at the ports of Kwajalein, Ebeye and Majuro and shorten overall transit times between the U.S. mainland and RMI from three to two weeks.

The ship (right), built in Germany in 2000 and purchased by Matson from Sealift, will be fitted with two 45-ton cranes that can be joined to handle heavy lift cargoes before it is delivery later this year.

The company said the vessel will be ideal for the island trade with its small stature, two cranes, hydraulic folding hatch covers, and extreme maneuverability produced by a bow thruster and flap rudder, which allows docking without tugs.

Matson has served the Marshall Islands since 1972 and currently calls at the three ports from the U.S. West Coast via Guam, where westbound containerized and bulk cargo is transshipped to Matson's Micronesia service.

"Matson has been rated the No.1 ocean carrier in the world for three years running because of its commitment to operating the fastest and most reliable service in the markets we serve," said COO John Lauer. "We will soon be offering U.S. flag service all the way to Kwajalein, Ebeye and Majuro, providing the fastest service in the market to an important locale for the U.S. government."

For the first six months of 2017 Matson has reported revenue of US$986.9 million and net income of US$31 million, compared to US$921.9 million and US$36.1 million respectively for the previous period.

Matt Cox, Matson's chairman and CEO commented: "Matson achieved better than expected second quarter results, buoyed by stronger demand for our expedited China service, the timing of fuel surcharge collections, higher lift volumes at our SSAT terminal joint venture, and improved performance in Logistics. However, these gains were moderated by lower construction related cargo to Hawaii as the boom of high-rise condominium developments in Honolulu has begun to ebb and other real estate construction activity has yet to offset that decline."

"For the balance of 2017 we continue to expect modest improvement in each of our core tradelanes with the exception of Guam where we expect further competitive losses," he added.

Matson's container volume in Guam has declined in the first half of 2017 due to the launch by APL last December of a weekly service linking the U.S. West Coast with Guam and Saipan.

LEER, Germany: May 03, 2017. Multipurpose vessel operator BBC Chartering is adding ocean capacity between the Mediterranean and the US- East Coast, with an extension to the Great Lakes and the US Gulf.

A new bi-weekly service will offer project cargo customers a new level of flexibility, according to the company.

The new capacity operates under BBC Chartering's liner and semi-liner network "any port, any cargo" (apac) service, using a fleet of multipurpose and heavylift vessels including Ro/Ro tonnage.

"We are pleased to help numerous large scale projects in North America and take this as an opportunity to strengthen our westbound services from the Mediterranean and vice-versa," said BBC Chartering CEO Svend Andersen. "Through several volume contracts we support [including] wind power projects, LNG developments and New York's iconic 'Hudson Yards Project', [they] offer great opportunities to other shippers who can utilize our steady westbound capacity."

Principal westbound loading ports are Derince (Turkey), Genoa and Monfalcone (Italy) and Tarragona (Spain), but the company said any other port can be added to consolidate any cargo. Return service to the Mediterranean typical load at Houston, Vera Cruz, Philadelphia and Charleston.

Founded in Bremen in 1997, BBC now operates over 150 MPV ranging from 3,500 to 37,300 deadweight tons and a lift capability up to 900 tonnes to deliver any breakbulk, heavylift, project cargo and bulk need.

HAMBURG: June 01, 2017. The Rickmers Group has declared insolvency following the rejection by HSH Nordbank of a proposed financial restructuring.

Last month the ship management company said it had reached an "understanding" with the Hamburg-based bank and others on a term sheet regarding the restructuring of its liabilities, and particularly a five-year bond maturing in 2018.

In a statement Rickmers Group said it had "accomplished all agreed and required steps to prepare the restructuring" that included a positive prognosis, reaching commercial agreement with all other financing banks, and obtaining positive binding tax rulings.

Rickmers said HSH Nordbank has now "highly surprisingly informed" the company it has rejected all credit applications, denied approval of the term sheet, and refused any further negotiations.

As a result the Rickmers supervisory and management boards have concluded the company is no longer "a going concern" and would file for bankruptcy "without undue delay" while continuing vessel operations in the hope of a successful restructuring.

In February this year multipurpose shipping line Zeaborn Group acquired the operating businesses of Rickmers-Linie and MCC Marine Consulting & Contracting from Rickmers Holding in a "single-digit million-euro range" deal.

The sale involved the business and shipping line operation of Rickmers-Linie and the bunker purchasing and chartering business of MCC Marine Consulting & Contracting.

Zeaborn also acquired the rights to use the 'Rickmers-Linie' and 'Rickmers-Line' brand names in relation to the combined breakbulk, heavy lift and project cargo business of both companies.

HSH Nordbank is the result of the merger in 2003 between Hamburgische Landesbank and Landesbank Schleswig-Holstein. Shareholders are the City of Hamburg, an institution representing German Federal states, the state of Schleswig-Holstein, and a Schleswig-Holstein savings bank.

As of March 2017, the bank reported assets of €84 billion, a 2016 pretax income of €121 million and a net profit of €69 million.

A statement on the HSH Nordbank web site declares: "Traditionally, international ship finance is one of our core areas of business. We understand the shipping business with all its facets and are a reliable partner throughout all phases of the financing process. You benefit from our years of experience in the shipping industry and flexibility in exploring new and innovative options. We work to find the best financing solution for you."

BERLIN: April 26, 2017. Readers of "Logistik Heute" magazine and a panel of experts from the German Logistics Association (BVL), have recognized Hapag-Lloyd as the country's best brand among liner shipping companies – beating Hamburg Süd and Maersk Line into second and third place.

This year's vote for best logistics brand in 11 categories began with 170 nominations from an independent committee led by Christian Kille, professor of Logistics at the University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt.

"The selection provides good insight into the brand environment of logistics, which has come to be the third-largest business sector in Germany," said Logistik Heute editor Thilo Jörgl. Professor Thomas Wimmer, BVL executive board chairman added:: "Strong brands have strong visibility, and can significantly influence the image of an entire sector."

The winners and finalists in the 11 categories were:

• Logistics real estate developers: 1. Prologis, 2. Goodman, 3. greenfield development.
• Seaports: 1. Port of Hamburg, 2. bremenports, 3. Jadeweserport Wilhelmshaven.
• Delivery and storage technology, picking: 1. Jungheinrich, 2. SSI Schäfer, 3. Still.
• Identification: 1. Siemens, 2. Datalogic, 3. Zebra.
• Gates and ramps: 1. Hörmann, 2. novoferm, 3. Meyer-Tonndorf and Schrader.
• IT for Warehouse Management: 1. SAP, 2. SSI Schäfer, 3. PSI.
• Contract logistics service: 1. DB Schenker, 2. Dachser, 3. Kuehne + Nagel.
• Shipping companies: 1. Hapag-Lloyd, 2. Hamburg Süd, 3. Maersk Line.
• Rail transport services: 1. DB Cargo, 2. Rhenus Logistics, 3. BLG Logistics.
• Transporters and vans: 1. Mercedes-Benz, 2. VW commercial vehicles, 3. MAN
• Trailers and bodies: 1. Krone, 2. Schmitz Cargobull, 3. Kögel.

Commenting on the awards, Hapag-Lloyd CEO Rolf Habben Jansen said:. "In our industry, the Hapag-Lloyd brand numbers among the best-known in the world. Since Hapag was founded in Hamburg in 1847, the brand has stood for reliability, professionalism, quality and know-how."

Pictured left to right are representatives from Hapag-Lloyd, Hamburg Süd and Maersk Line holding their 'Best Shipping Company' awards.

PORT EVERGLADES, FL: May 24, 2017. Port Everglades is to invest US$437.5 million to add new berths for larger cargo vessels and install crane rail infrastructure for new Super Post-Panamax cranes.

According to the port management, the expansion project is the most expensive capital improvement in Port Everglades' history and is designed to meet current and future demand for terminal space at Florida's leading port for containerized traffic.

The two-part project includes lengthening the existing deepwater turn-around area from 900 feet to 2,400 feet, which will allow for up to five new cargo berths; and extending the existing gantry crane rails the full length of the turning berth area to better utilize the existing cranes.

Approval to purchase three new Super Post-Panamax gantry cranes to be delivered in 2019, and an option to purchase two or three additional cranes, is expected later in this year.

"The Southport Turning Notch Extension was identified as a critical project in our 2006 Master/Vision Plan. We will now be able to meet the demands of our current customers and work with them to grow their businesses, in addition to providing the infrastructure necessary to attract new customers," said  Port Everglades CEO Steven Cernak.

Located within the cities of Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood and Dania Beach, the port handles more than one million TEUs a year in one of the world's largest consumer regions, including a constant flow of approximately 110 million visitors statewide and six million residents within an 80-mile radius.

With direct access to the U.S. Interstate highway system and the Florida East Coast Railway's 43-acre intermodal container transfer facility, the port is self-funding and had revenues of US$163 million in its last fiscal year ending September 30, 2016. It does not rely on local tax dollars for its operation.

LAZARO CARDENAS, Mexico: April 04, 2017. Mexico's president Enrique Peña Nieto and Denmark's prime minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen have inaugurated APM Terminals' latest box facility in Mexico.

The ceremony marked the official opening of the US$900 million deep-water terminal at the port of Lázaro Cárdenas with an annual capacity of 1.2 million TEUs that is expected to increase to over four million TEU by 2030.

The port is Mexico's second-busiest container gateway, handling 1.11 million TEU in 2016 and with an annual growth rate of 5.2 percent. Over 90 percent of the country's Pacific Coast trade passes through either Lázaro Cárdenas or the Port of Manzanillo, 200 miles to the north.

"Markets with strong trade alliances tend to outperform global growth and Mexico alone has signed more than 45 free trade agreements, making it one of the world's most important economies, said A.P. Møller-Maersk CEO Søren Skou. "Maersk is committed to Mexico, and across our transport and logistics brands, we employ more than 800 people locally," he said.

The new facility, which joins APM Terminals Yucatan, is currently performing 30 percent above expected container turnaround times, according to the company.

"We are working hard to make this terminal as efficient as possible for customers," said APM Terminals chief commercial officer Henrik Lundgaard Pedersen. "The terminal's strong geographic position on the coast and its connection with our inland terminal at Cuautitlan Izcalli in the industrial zone of Mexico City, ensures our customers have easy access to inland distribution centers and a consumer market of over 120 million people."

The Mexican economy expanded by 2.2 percent in 2016 as port volumes rose 4.6 percent to 5.66 million TEU, behind only Brazil and Panama in Latin American port container traffic.

Pictured: Enrique Peña Nieto followed by Lars Lokke Rasmussen.