Nearly all shipping-related news and shipping company press releases declare loss of profits brought about by record breaking highs in bunker fuel costs. Even the largest global ocean shipping company recently announced in their first quarter report that they suffered losses amounting to USD $600 million. Other global shipping companies who reported losses include: Japanese NYK line with USD $903 million in losses for their 2011 fiscal year which ended on March 2012; France’s CMA CGM declared net losses of USD $30 million for their fiscal year which ended on December 2011; German ocean carrier Hapag-Lloyd’s first quarter net loss was USD $172 million; and Korea’s Hanjin shipping line posted a USD $295 million net loss for the first quarter.
As bunker fuel and container costs continue to pose problems, both liner shipping operators and logistics companies are looking for ways to reduce freight cargo transport expenses. It’s undeniable that the maritime shipping industry is indispensable for global trade. There are states which are entirely dependent on maritime trade for the continued development of their economy. While efforts to reduce bunker fuel prices and raise freight rates by shipping companies still fail to improve profits, these shipping companies can leverage recent technological developments in maritime shipping to their advantage. An good example of these technologies is a voyage calculation or voyage estimation software developed by reputable marine software companies.
A voyage estimation software will provide a shipping operators with accurate calculations of costs based on trade routes, vessel speeds, cargo weights and port calls. By alternating factors and comparing different results, operators can choose the most profitable route to take for transporting freight cargo.
Showing posts with label maritime. Show all posts
Showing posts with label maritime. Show all posts
Monday, May 28, 2012
Friday, May 18, 2012
The Need For Improvement In The Shipping Industry
Despite rapid advancements in technology, container ports throughout the globe still operate on inefficient industry practices that often cause hours of delay, unintended damage to consignments and even loss of cargo (through theft) - not to mention pose various safety and security risks for the stevedores. These shipping issues are further compounded by documentation problems such as bill of lading fraud and rampant misdeclaration of cargo weights.
Systematic and centralized port operations are difficult to achieve, especially for the shipping industry where accountability for consignments are continuously transferred from one shipping agency to another throughout the cargo transportation process. This is a problem faced not only by private port operators but a constant challenge even for established ports around the globe.
Innovative and technological business solutions should be the focus of international shipping and maritime organizations to reform outdated processes in the shipping industry. Having advanced maritime software solutions will help a shipping agency streamline performance, sustainability and productivity throughout port operations. For example: there are feeder shipping software available that will significantly enhance cargo transportation, loading and unloading; container management software that will improve cargo stowage planning and ensure safety; and even port disbursement software that help secure all port transactions.
Shipping organizations and shipping software companies who wish to further improve port efficiency can participate in Singapore’s New Generation of Container Port (NGCP) Challenge, where development of innovative concepts and proposals will be sponsored by Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) in the hopes of revolutionizing the container port industry.
Systematic and centralized port operations are difficult to achieve, especially for the shipping industry where accountability for consignments are continuously transferred from one shipping agency to another throughout the cargo transportation process. This is a problem faced not only by private port operators but a constant challenge even for established ports around the globe.
Innovative and technological business solutions should be the focus of international shipping and maritime organizations to reform outdated processes in the shipping industry. Having advanced maritime software solutions will help a shipping agency streamline performance, sustainability and productivity throughout port operations. For example: there are feeder shipping software available that will significantly enhance cargo transportation, loading and unloading; container management software that will improve cargo stowage planning and ensure safety; and even port disbursement software that help secure all port transactions.
Shipping organizations and shipping software companies who wish to further improve port efficiency can participate in Singapore’s New Generation of Container Port (NGCP) Challenge, where development of innovative concepts and proposals will be sponsored by Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) in the hopes of revolutionizing the container port industry.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
IMO: Pushing For Environment Friendly Maritime Shipping
The IMO (International Maritime Organization) continues to champion the cause of environmentalist organizations and aims for an environment-friendly maritime shipping industry. To this end, the IMO has implemented policies that require shipping companies to upgrade their fleets and install advanced software solutions to minimize harmful emissions.
The IMO has further demanded ship repair yards to likewise make efforts to reduce harmful emissions while providing low cost quality repairs for shipping lines. One family owned shipyard, the Damen Shipyards Group founded in the Netherlands, expressed excitement for the challenge presented by the IMO. Jos Goris, Damen Shiprepair Götaverken’s Managing Director, has even pointed out that lowering repair costs is in fact in line with Damen Shiprepair Götaverken’s philosophies.
Another demand posed by the IMO is for the reduction of SOx (sulphur oxide) emissions by liner ships. With regard to SOx and other harmful ship emissions, the IMO has noted that reducing pollution produced by ships can be achieved by adequately addressing all contributory factors that include human, technical and operational issues. Shipping lines would benefit greatly from various marine software solutions developed by marine software companies that will accurately measure a ship's adherence to internationally recognized emission standards.
Shipping Line Software suites are currently available that help crew members to ensure adherence to various IMO regulated policies and standards. On the operational aspect, container management software can help monitor container contents so that hazardous materials such as oil are properly stowed since improperly stowed cargo is one of the contributing factors of major oil spills.
The IMO has further demanded ship repair yards to likewise make efforts to reduce harmful emissions while providing low cost quality repairs for shipping lines. One family owned shipyard, the Damen Shipyards Group founded in the Netherlands, expressed excitement for the challenge presented by the IMO. Jos Goris, Damen Shiprepair Götaverken’s Managing Director, has even pointed out that lowering repair costs is in fact in line with Damen Shiprepair Götaverken’s philosophies.
Another demand posed by the IMO is for the reduction of SOx (sulphur oxide) emissions by liner ships. With regard to SOx and other harmful ship emissions, the IMO has noted that reducing pollution produced by ships can be achieved by adequately addressing all contributory factors that include human, technical and operational issues. Shipping lines would benefit greatly from various marine software solutions developed by marine software companies that will accurately measure a ship's adherence to internationally recognized emission standards.
Shipping Line Software suites are currently available that help crew members to ensure adherence to various IMO regulated policies and standards. On the operational aspect, container management software can help monitor container contents so that hazardous materials such as oil are properly stowed since improperly stowed cargo is one of the contributing factors of major oil spills.
Monday, May 14, 2012
South Africa’s Need For Commercial Vessels
South Africa is the only member country of the international organization BRICS (which includes Brazil, Russia, India and China) that does not have its own commercial vessel, yet makes up the 3.5% of the total global maritime trade. The other countries each have their own merchant vessels: Brazil has a fleet of 172; Russia has 1,891; India has 534; and China’s fleet is composed of 2, 044 vessels. Furthermore, in 2011 only, 264 million tons of freight cargo were imported and exported by South Africa.
SAMSA (South Africa’s Maritime Safety Authority) CEO Tsietsi Mokhele pointed out that South Africa spends an estimated 45 billion rand on global shipping exports and imports, 98% of which are carried out by foreign shipping lines. This gaping lack of contribution in the industry of sea-borne commerce is what’s keeping South Africa from becoming a global naval influence, Mokhele said.
If South Africa is to commission its own commercial fleet, these shipping liners must be equipped with the latest improvements in maritime technology for South Africa to become a substantial player in the maritime shipping industry. An integrated shipping software that streamlines the operations of the shipping agency onboard the container vessel will make the shipping operations more productive, efficient, profitable and secure.
Shipping software companies have long been providing shipping agencies with integrated shipping software that incorporates all the necessary functions needed by a shipping vessel. By utilizing these business solutions, South Africa is sure to become a significant country in the maritime shipping industry.
SAMSA (South Africa’s Maritime Safety Authority) CEO Tsietsi Mokhele pointed out that South Africa spends an estimated 45 billion rand on global shipping exports and imports, 98% of which are carried out by foreign shipping lines. This gaping lack of contribution in the industry of sea-borne commerce is what’s keeping South Africa from becoming a global naval influence, Mokhele said.
If South Africa is to commission its own commercial fleet, these shipping liners must be equipped with the latest improvements in maritime technology for South Africa to become a substantial player in the maritime shipping industry. An integrated shipping software that streamlines the operations of the shipping agency onboard the container vessel will make the shipping operations more productive, efficient, profitable and secure.
Shipping software companies have long been providing shipping agencies with integrated shipping software that incorporates all the necessary functions needed by a shipping vessel. By utilizing these business solutions, South Africa is sure to become a significant country in the maritime shipping industry.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Container Tracking Software: A Necessity With Increasing Pirate Activity
Container tracking can be a frustrating task for anyone in the import-export business and the shipping industry, yet this is an important aspect of any shipment logistics, especially for import and export companies. Ensuring the safety of all cargo is the responsibility of all shipping lines, and reliable container tracking software solutions help shipping lines achieve this task.
In recent years, the increase in reports of piracy attacks, particularly by Somali pirates, have lead shipping liner customers and merchant vessels to constantly fear for their expensive cargo shipments. Liner vessels traveling through the Gulf of Aden are considered prone to Somali pirate attacks, and local governments are finding it difficult to successfully find solutions for this problem.
Frequent maritime piracy has a huge impact on a shipping line's reputation. No broker would want to trust his precious cargo to a shipping liner who is constantly plagued by pirates. As a preventive solution for this problem, shipping lines must have a complete integrated shipping software which includes a container tracking software that would allow exporters and importers to effortlessly track and monitor the location and status of expensive freight goods. Not only does this helpful software let customers rest easy, but it can also help alert coastguards should any pirate activity become apparent. For example, if an importer is trying to track his cargo and no response is received, he can alert the coast guard patrolling the area to investigate the location where the shipping liner last checked in. If a maritime crime has occurred, the coastguards will be able to provide immediate support, reducing potential expenses and saving important cargo.
In recent years, the increase in reports of piracy attacks, particularly by Somali pirates, have lead shipping liner customers and merchant vessels to constantly fear for their expensive cargo shipments. Liner vessels traveling through the Gulf of Aden are considered prone to Somali pirate attacks, and local governments are finding it difficult to successfully find solutions for this problem.
Frequent maritime piracy has a huge impact on a shipping line's reputation. No broker would want to trust his precious cargo to a shipping liner who is constantly plagued by pirates. As a preventive solution for this problem, shipping lines must have a complete integrated shipping software which includes a container tracking software that would allow exporters and importers to effortlessly track and monitor the location and status of expensive freight goods. Not only does this helpful software let customers rest easy, but it can also help alert coastguards should any pirate activity become apparent. For example, if an importer is trying to track his cargo and no response is received, he can alert the coast guard patrolling the area to investigate the location where the shipping liner last checked in. If a maritime crime has occurred, the coastguards will be able to provide immediate support, reducing potential expenses and saving important cargo.
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