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The Valencia containerised freight index rises by 5.09% in April

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The Valencia containerised freight index rises by 5.09% in April. Image: Port Authority of Valencia
The Valencia containerised freight index rises by 5.09% in April. Image: Port Authority of Valencia
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The Valencia Containerised Freight Index -VCFI in April has increased by 5.09% compared to the previous month. In the last year, the Index has doubled from 2,314.89 points in the fourth month of 2021 to 4,653.85 points in April 2022. Compared to the beginning of the historical series in January 2018, the VCFI has accumulated a growth of 365.39%. The current economic situation, marked by extreme volatility, is affecting the behaviour of the market and, thus, the supply-demand pairing for maritime transport. In addition, it is worth noting the downward revisions in world economic growth, already predicted by some of the international reference organisations.

In this respect, the energy market situation has been marked by the war in Ukraine and the drop-in activity in China because of the restrictions imposed by the new outbreaks of COVID-19. Thus, the price of Brent crude oil has reversed its upward trend, decreasing by 5% compared to the previous month to $100.8. As far as marine fuels are concerned, according to the price of bunkering (refuelling of ships at sea) in the 20 main ports of the world, according to the data provided by Ship&Bunker, a certain containment is also observed. Thus, the price of VLSFO fuel has gone from 915.50$ in March to 924.50$ in April, representing an increase of only 0.98%.

As far as capacity on offer is concerned, and as noted by Alphaliner, the commercially inactive fleet has remained at a minimum. Thus, in mid-April, a total of 55 vessels were idle, with a total of 180,653 TEU (standard 20-foot container), representing 0.7% of the total active fleet, showing a drop with respect to March, with a total of 59 idle vessels and 204,977 TEU, representing 0.8% of the total active fleet.

As far as transport demand is concerned, there is less demand due to the fall in international trade. According to the latest data provided by the consulting firm Linerlytica, a significant decline in port traffic volume is observed compared to the previous month, mainly due to the fall in Chinese traffic due to closures because of the zero COVID-19 policy, which has severely affected port performance in Shanghai. At the same time, the impact on European port traffic due to the sanction packages against Russia, as well as the fall in confidence levels and consequently consumer consumption, remains a constant.

Another problem faced by the maritime industry and which has been present during the month of April is the high levels of port congestion. In this line, according to data provided by Linerlytica, global port congestion increased by 1.4% during April, with 3.4M TEU representing 13.4% of the total fleet. The main regions affected include North America (30%), North Asia (29%) and Northern Europe (11%). As is evident, the reasons behind these levels have been the pull of import demand from North America together with the closure of Chinese ports due to the new outbreak of COVID-19, which has doubled waiting times.

As for the analysis of the different areas that make up the VCFI, the increase is the general trend except for Latin America Atlantic, which has decreased by 0.94%. As far as increases are concerned, it is worth highlighting the increase in freight rates in the USA and Canada (9.82%), due to the boost in import demand, as well as East Coast Africa (8.14%), as a direct consequence of the serious flooding caused by heavy rains, which has forced port activity to come to a standstill, leading to the accumulation of large quantities of containers.

VCFI Western Mediterranean

As for the Western Mediterranean sub-index, an increase of 6.29% is observed with respect to the previous month, standing at 2,333.88 points, and accumulating a growth of 133.39% since the beginning of the series in 2018. However, and at the same time, about traffic from Valenciaport, there is a decrease in traffic to Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria compared to the previous month, a transitory situation, given the complex situation now.

VCFI Far East

In the Far East area and preceded by a decrease in the month of March, an increase of 3.58% is observed, reaching 3,771.91 points and thus accumulating a growth of 277.19% with respect to the beginning of the series in January 2018.In this line, a decrease in Valenciaport‘s export flows with China, its main trading partner, stands out. Again, this could be a one-off situation given the current context, marked by the port congestion in the main Chinese ports, which is causing disruptions in transport and supply chains while also fuelling inflation.

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Container Terminal

APM Terminals expands its API offering

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APM Terminals expands its API offering. Image: APM Terminals
APM Terminals expands its API offering. Image: APM Terminals
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In response to customer feedback, this month APM Terminals rolled out a new API which enables customers to track the schedules and key milestones for all vessels calling at a specific terminal. Furthermore, real-time API data connectivity was made available for an additional three terminals.

APM Terminals has offered a Vessel Schedule API for some years, however this was more suited to customers looking to track a specific vessel calling a terminal. The new Terminal Vessel Schedule enables customers to track all vessels calling a terminal, for up to one week in the past and two weeks ahead.

The Terminal Vessels Schedule provides customers with, among other things, real-time and reliable terminal Estimated Time of Arrival/Departure, Earliest Receiving Date, Cut-Off Times for different cargo types, vessel details and more.

Why use APIs?

APM Terminals’ innovative, industry-leading range of seven APIs enables customers to pull real-time container status, truck appointment and vessel data from its Terminal Operating Systems, into their own internal systems, such as a Logistics or Transport Management System (TMS). Developed in line with industry standards, they offer self-service, straight forward, one-time-only implementation.

Real-time data feeds remove the need to look up information manually via our existing Track & Trace channels, making this the ideal solution for shipping lines, inland transporters, cargo owners and managers, and data aggregators who process higher volumes.

The pricing structure of the new Terminal Vessel Schedule is particularly interesting for larger customers tracking a number of vessels as unlike the existing Vessel Schedule API, pricing is not per vessel called via the API, but for unlimited calls for a period of 30 days, for a specific terminal. As with the company’s existing range of APIs, API calls are purchased using API credits which can be bought in bundles. The larger the bundle, the lower the price per credit.

New Terminals

API connectivity was added for the company’s two Ports in India, APM Terminals Mumbai and APM Terminal Pipavav, as well as the Suez Canal Container Terminal (SCCT) in Egypt. SCCT support data for Vessel Schedules, Import Containers and Export Containers. The Indian terminals support data for Vessel Schedules, Import Containers, Container Event History and Empty Container Returns.

With these additional Terminals, APM Terminals now offer’s API connectivity for 22 of its terminals, with an additional five planned to be added this year.

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MOL join the Port Island Phase 2 Development Project at the Port of Kobe

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MOL join the Port Island Phase 2 Development Project at the Port of Kobe, Image: MOL
MOL join the Port Island Phase 2 Development Project at the Port of Kobe, Image: MOL
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Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding for the Port Island Phase 2 Development Project at the Port of Kobe with Kobe-Osaka International Port Corporation and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.

Following the phase 2 South Pier expansion and improvement work undertaken by Kobe-Osaka International Port Corporation, MOL will add berth PC-14 and the land behind the terminal to its lease and expand Kobe International Container Terminal. MOL currently leases KICT and operates berths PC-15/16/17 along with Sankyu Inc., Sumitomo Warehouse Co., Ltd., and Nickel & Lyons Ltd. The MoU also calls for “K” Line, which currently operates a container terminal on Rokko Island, to join KICT. After the completion of the expansion and improvement work, KICT will be the largest terminal in western Japan, handling about 40% of international container cargo at the Port of Kobe.

The expanded KICT will have a total wharf length of 1,750m, up from the current 1,050m, providing more flexible berth windows and streamlining connections for containers with other routes. Furthermore, a Container freight station directly connected to the terminal and a logistics facility with an overhead crane that can move larger cargo, will be built on the land behind the terminal, offering one-stop service from loading of cargo containers to delivery to the terminal. MOL Group company Shosen Koun Co., Ltd. will operate these facilities, delivering convenient and competitive logistics services to customers throughout the group.

MOL has positioned environmental strategy as one of the key elements of in its “BLUE ACTION 2035” management plan, and set the goal of achieving net zero greenhouse (GHG) emissions by 2050 in the “MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.2.” Last year, Shosen Koun became the first company in Japan to introduce two new transfer cranes (RTGs), which can be converted from conventional diesel engines to hydrogen fuel cells to power the RTGs used for container handling operations at KICT. And the company will adopt the new electric RTGs in the terminal expansion area. In addition, it plans to install solar panels on the container gate and the roof of the logistics facility. Through these concerted group-wide initiatives, the MOL Group will contribute to the reduction of GHG emissions from the container terminal.

MOL has positioned the Port of Kobe as an important base for its domestic business for many years, and its group companies currently operate the port, logistics, tugboat, and real estate businesses, each of which has deep roots in the local community. In April of last year, the Kobe Shosen Mitsui Building celebrated the centennial anniversary of its completion. With the KICT expansion project, the MOL Group will further solidify its business base and offer stress-free services to customers.

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Container Terminal

APM Terminals Callao receives largest capacity container ship MSC Chiyo

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APM Terminals Callao receives largest capacity container ship MSC Chiyo. Image: APM Terminals
APM Terminals Callao receives largest capacity container ship MSC Chiyo. Image: APM Terminals
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The Callao Multipurpose North Terminal, operated by APM Terminals, welcomed “MSC Chiyo”, the largest capacity container ship to ever call in Peru. The new container ship, operated by shipping line MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) came into operation this year.

At 366m long and 51m wide, the vessel operates on the ANDES Service, which connects Callao with the Asian continent. The MSC Chiyo has a higher-than-normal container capacity due to its maximum draft of 17 meters. With 16,616 TEU (20-foot container equivalent) on board, it became the largest capacity vessel to ever arrive on the west coast, compared to the 14,000 TEU ships normally operating on the same service.

During its stay at APM Terminals Callao, 2,586 crane moves were made in total. This included 1,522 import TEUs and 1,483 export TEUs, which were handled with the terminals five super post panamax ship-to-shore cranes for almost the entire operation. An impressive crane productivity of 115 moves per hour was achieved.

“At APM Terminals Callao we are proud to be the main port in the country and to be the first to receive ships of this capacity,” commented Fernando Fauche, Commercial Director of APM Terminals Callao.

“One of the factors that make events like this a reality is the great care and priority we give to our internal safety and security standards, ensuring that they are 100% met and providing guarantees to our clients. The arrival of this large vessel is undoubtedly a milestone for the terminal, and events like this reaffirm our mission to become an international hub for the different players in the logistics sector and thus continue to meet the needs of the local and global market.”

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