Your midweek round-up of news from the world of heavy lift and project forwarding.
Consolidation in the multipurpose shipping sector continued this week with operators AAL and Peter Döhle launching a new global cooperation to offer joint tramp and project cargo services from June onwards.
In a shipping sector that has been under tremendous pressure in the last six years, with a number of other major mergers, alliances and one or two casualties, riders are now jockeying for position in advance of any significant uptick in market conditions.
In a joint statement, AAL's tramp and projects division managing director, Namir Khanbabi notes that "competition has been consolidated into larger operating entities".
This move would appear to be another example of traditional operators scaling up to compete against those consolidated entities, as well as the other lines whose operations are being underpinned by private equity.
Meanwhile, HLPFI is looking forward to next week's Breakbulk Europe event in Antwerp, which runs from May 18-21 and is celebrating its tenth anniversary.
The good news for any attendee who may be running out of steam by Wednesday May 20 is that project cargo specialist Tuscor Lloyds will be serving a variety of world teas (and coffee for those who prefer it) accompanied by sandwiches, cakes, strawberries and cream, as well as traditional English scones, between 11:00 and 16:00 at the company's booth.
Perhaps we will also learn in Antwerp whether Peter Döhle Schiffahrts' reported ambitions to take over fellow German owner Reederei Hermann Buss are any closer to being realised.
In business
AAL joins hands with Peter Döhle
Multipurpose carriers AAL and Peter Döhle have launched a new global cooperation to offer joint tramp and project cargo services to the market.
Scandinavian Shipping & Logistics (SSL) has been appointed agent in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania by Kestrel Liner Agencies and Tropical Shipping.
TT Club notes Russian liability risks
TT Club believes there is an urgent need for international freight forwarders, logistics companies and other transport operators doing regular business in Russia to fully understand the extent and nature of the liabilities that they bear when delivering customers' freight in the country.
Concord vessel recovered offshore Scotland
Concord Shipping's heavy lift vessel, Industrial Kennedy, has been safely recovered having suffered a mechanical failure 160 km offshore Scotland's Orkney Islands.
Cargo continues to grow in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi Ports has witnessed significant volume increases across its container, bulk and general cargo import and export trades in the first quarter of 2015.
Capacity developments
Jumbo claims that its newbuild vessel Jumbo Kinetic has set a new record by lifting 3,000 tonnes during a test lift at the Huisman production facility in Zhangzhou, China.
Wärtsilä delivers to ro-ro pair
Royal Wagenborg has ordered Wärtsilä scrubber systems to clean the exhaust emissions from two of its ro-ro carriers - Balticborg and Bothniaborg.
Crowley commits to Puerto Rico
Crowley Puerto Rico Services will execute a USD48.5 million construction contract for a new pier at its Isla Grande Terminal in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Wagenborg Nedlift has taken delivery of a 70-tonne capacity mobile crane - the first in a series of seven to be added to the company's fleet.
New Aeros patent a 'game-changer'
The United States' Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted a patent to Aeros' cargo airship, the Aeroscraft.
On the move
GAC Netherlands is opening of two new branches in the country.
The American Association of Port Authorities has elected Jim Quinn, president and ceo of Canada's Port Saint John, to serve as chairman of the board for 2015-2016.
Notable shipment
BBC Chartering's vessel BBC Amber has shipped a 500-tonne topside from Texas to Kuantan, Malaysia for installation at the Tembikai offshore oilfield.
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