Singapore extends south Asia crew change ban
Singapore has banned crew changes involving non-residents who have recently travelled to Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka on the possibility that India's second wave of Covid-19 infections may have spread to its neighbouring countries.
The ban by Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority took effect at 11.59pm local time (3.59pm GMT) on 1 May. It comes after Singapore's health ministry barred non-residents with a recent travel history to India on 23 April.
India is a major provider of vessel crew and officers, but Bangladesh and Pakistan are also sizable contributors to crew population on vessels. The latest ban will likely further delay efforts to release the 150,000-200,000 sailors currently stuck on ships because of lockdown measures to combat the coronavirus outbreak.
India has reported more than 300,000 new Covid-19 cases for a 12th straight day, recording 368,147 fresh cases in the last 24 hours.
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US services contract in June, signal broad weakening
US services contract in June, signal broad weakening
Houston, 3 July (Argus) — Economic activity in the US services sector contracted in June by the most since 2020 while a report earlier this week showed contraction in manufacturing, signaling a broad-based slowdown in the economy as the second quarter came to an end. The Institute for Supply Management's (ISM) services purchasing managers index (PMI) registered 48.8 in June, down from 53.8 in May. Readings above 50 signal expansion, while those below 50 signal contraction for the services economy. The June services PMI "indicates the overall economy is contracting for the first time in 17 months," ISM said. "The decrease in the composite index in June is a result of notably lower business activity, a contraction in new orders for the second time since May 2020 and continued contraction in employment." The business activity/production index fell to 49.6 from 61.2. New orders fell by 6.8 points to 47.3. Employment fell by 1 point to 46.1. Monthly PMI reports can be volatile, but a services PMI above 49 over time generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy. "Survey respondents report that in general, business is flat or lower, and although inflation is easing, some commodities have significantly higher costs," ISM said. The prices index fell by 1.8 points to 56.3, showing slowing but robust price gains. ISM's manufacturing PMI fell to 48.5 in June from 48.7 in May, ISM reported on 1 July. It was the third consecutive month of contraction and marked a 19th month of contraction in the past 20 months. Wednesday's weaker than expected ISM report, together with a Wednesday report showing initial jobless claims last week rose to their highest in two years, slightly increase the odds that the Federal Reserve may lower its target rate later this year after maintaining it at 23-year highs since last year in an effort to stem inflation. By Bob Willis Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Vancouver crude exports up fourfold in June
Vancouver crude exports up fourfold in June
Houston, 2 July (Argus) — Crude oil exports on Canada's Pacific coast quadrupled in June, the first full calendar month with ship loadings on the expanded Trans Mountain pipeline system, according to data from Vortexa. About 300,000 b/d of crude was exported from the port of Vancouver last month, up from 75,000 b/d in May and up nearly ninefold from 35,000 b/d in June 2023, according to Vortexa. The 590,000 b/d Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX) project began commercial service on 1 May, nearly tripling the capacity of the pipeline system to 890,000 b/d, though the first TMX cargo loaded on 20 May . Up to 250,000 b/d of crude from Trans Mountain can also go to Washington state on the Puget Sound pipeline system. Of the 19 Aframaxes that had discharged TMX crude by 1 July, nine discharged onto very large crude carriers (VLCCs) at the Pacific Area Lightering (PAL) zone, six discharged at ports on the US west coast and three went directly to China, according to Kpler data. Three remained in transit for either Los Angeles or PAL as of 2 July. Another Aframax, operated by Unipec, partially discharged at Long Beach, next to Los Angeles, before topping off a VLCC at PAL. Prior to TMX, two to four Aframaxes per month discharged Canadian crude at ports on the US west coast. According to Kpler, four VLCCs departed PAL with Canadian crude for destinations in Asia-Pacific: the Eagle Verona , which co-loaded one 550,000 bl cargo of Access Western Blend (AWB) with 1.5mn bl of Colombian Castilla destined for China; the Advantage Value , which has three 550,000 bl cargoes of AWB destined for India; the Cosrich Lake , which has four cargoes of TMX crude totaling 1.75mn bl destined for China; and the New Pearl , which co-loaded two 550,000 bl cargoes of AWB with Ecuadorian crude destined for China. Of the 22 Aframax voyages from Vancouver in June, half went on time-chartered vessels and the other half went on spot market tonnage, including rehired time-chartered vessels. Freight rates to ship Cold Lake from Vancouver last month averaged $2.25/bl for voyages to the US west coast and $6.33/bl for voyages directly to China, according to Argus data. Over the same span, the cost to reverse lighter, or transfer, three 550,000 bl shipments of Cold Lake from Vancouver onto a VLCC at PAL then onward to China averaged about $7.075mn lumpsum, or $4.32/bl, excluding demurrage costs, according to Argus estimates. The heavy nature of Canadian crude and Aframax draft restrictions in Vancouver may complicate fully loading a 2mn bl VLCC. Twenty-nine Aframaxes are expected to be available to load in Vancouver throughout July, of which 17 are time-chartered and 12 are spot market vessels. Time-chartered ships can still be relet for use by other shippers. By Tray Swanson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
US House panel advances waterways’ projects bill
US House panel advances waterways’ projects bill
Houston, 27 June (Argus) — A Congressional committee on Wednesday advanced a bill to authorize a bundle of US port and river infrastructure projects for the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) biennially authorizes projects handled by the Corps' civil works program aimed at improving shipping operations at the nation's ports and harbors, and along the inland waterway system. The traditionally bipartisan legislation also approves flood and storm programs, and work on other aspects of water resources infrastructure. The House of Representatives' Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Wednesday passed the bill by a 61-2 vote. The Senate Committee on Environmental and Public Works passed its own version of the bill on 22 May by a 19-0 vote. Neither the full Senate nor House have yet voted on the bills, which will need a conference committee to sort out different versions. A key difference is that the House bill did not include an adjustment to the cost-sharing structure for lock and dam construction and major rehabilitation projects. The Senate measure adjusted the funding mechanism so that 75pc of costs would be paid for by the US Treasury Department's general fund, with the rest coming from the Inland Waterways Trust Fund. The 2022 version of the bill made permanent an increase to 65pc from the general fund and 35pc from the trust fund, which is funded by a barge diesel fuel tax. The House committee's decision not to include the funding change drew disappointment from shipping interests. The Waterways Council was "disappointed that the House did not include a provision to modernize the inland waterways system", but was hopeful that conference negotiations would result in its inclusion, Tracy Zea, chief executive of the group, said. The latest House version of the bill authorizes 12 projects and 160 new feasibility studies. Among the projects receiving approval were modifications to the Seagirt Loop Channel near the Baltimore Harbor in Maryland. The federal government would pay $47.9mn towards an estimate $63.9mn project to widen the channel, which would help meet future demand for capacity within the Port of Baltimore. That would include increased container volume at the Seagirt Marine Terminal. The project was in the works before the 26 March collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge temporarily diverted freight from Seagirt and many other port terminals. The committee also authorized $314.25mn towards a resiliency study of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The study would consider hurricane and storm damage and identify ways to improve navigation, reduce the maintenance requirements, and provide resiliency. The waterway connects ports along the Gulf of Mexico from St Marks, Florida, to Brownsville, Texas. The House version of the bill also includes provisions to strengthen flood control, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure. "Critically, WRDA 2024 will help communities increase resiliency in the face of climate change," representative Rick Larsen (D-WA) said. By Abby Caplan and Meghan Yoyotte Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Алексей Шило назначен замминистра транспорта
Алексей Шило назначен замминистра транспорта
Moscow, 25 June (Argus) — Заместитель генерального директора РЖД — начальник Центра фирменного транспортного обслуживания (ЦФТО) Алексей Шило назначен заместителем министра транспорта России. Соответствующее распоряжение правительства подписал 25 июня председатель кабинета министров Михаил Мишустин. Замминистра транспорта Валентин Иванов, ранее курировавший в ведомстве железнодорожную отрасль, отдельным распоряжением повышен до первого заместителя министра. На этой должности Иванов сменит Андрея Костюка, который до этого, в 2018—2021 гг., возглавлял Федеральное дорожное агентство (Росавтодор). Формально — до соответствующего решения совета директоров РЖД — Шило остается топ-менеджером РЖД. В госкомпании пока не назвали преемника Шило. Источники на рынке грузоперевозок предполагают, что на должность может быть назначен начальник Дальневосточной железной дороги Евгений Вейде или руководитель Октябрьской железной дороги Виктор Голомолзин. Шило родился в 1978 г. В 2000 г. окончил Уральский государственный университет путей сообщения по специальностям Организация перевозок и управление на железнодорожном транспорте (2000 г.) и Экономика и управление на предприятии железнодорожного транспорта (2001 г.). Начал карьеру в 2000 г. с должности дежурного станционного поста централизации станции Курья Свердловской железной дороги. С февраля 2015 г. — начальник Департамента управления бизнес-блоком Железнодорожные перевозки и инфраструктура. В феврале 2017 г. возглавил ЦФТО. В декабре 2018 г. назначен также заместителем генерального директора РЖД. Иванов родился в 1979 г. В 2002 г. окончил Санкт-Петербургский государственный университет путей сообщения по специальности Строительство железных дорог, путь и путевое хозяйство, в 2008 г. — Северо-Западную академию государственной службы по специальности Государственное и муниципальное управление. В 2002—2007 гг. работал в Санкт-Петербургском государственном учреждении Дирекция транспортного строительства. С 2007 г. по 2017 г. трудился в структурах Росавтодора. В 2018—2019 гг. возглавлял Комитет транспорта и автомобильных дорог Курской области, а с апреля 2020 г. перешел в федеральное правительство, где отвечал за развитие проектов инфраструктуры и строительства. В начале 2022 г. Иванов был назначен на должность заместителя министра транспорта, где курировал вопросы строительства железнодорожной инфраструктуры и развитие погранпереходов. Егор Двинянин ___________________ Больше ценовой информации и аналитических материалов о рынке транспортировки навалочных, генеральных грузов и контейнеров — в ежемесячном отчете Argus Логистика сухих грузов . Подписаться на аналитический дайджест Вы можете присылать комментарии по адресу или запросить дополнительную информацию feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Группа Argus Media . Все права защищены.
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