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Haiphong Container Terminal Opens for Business
The new Haiphong International Container Terminal (HICT), the first terminal in Northern Vietnam with a capability to handle 14,000 TEU ships, was opened on May 13 at Lach Huyen Port.
The terminal is operated by a joint venture among Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (17.5 pct), Saigon Newport Company (51 pct), Wan Hai Lines (16.5 pct) and Itochu Corporation (15 pct).
“With the newly opened terminal, MOL group has further expanded its presence in Northern Vietnam, which is expected to show significant development and growth in the future,” MOL said.
The terminal has two berths of 16 meters depth and its maximum annual trade volume stands at about 1.1 million TEU.
The company added that the terminal will offer shorter transit times and lower transport costs, while contributing to economic growth in Northern Vietnam, since large-size container vessels, which offer direct links to Asia and North America/Europe, can call at the port.
MOL also plans to support HITC via its tugboat business at Lach Huyen Port by providing services to the large containerships. The MOL Group opened Tan Cang – Cai Mep International Terminal (MOL’s contribution: 21.33%) at Cai Mep Port in Southern Vietnam in 2011.
Vinalines to continue downsizing shipping fleet in 2018
Viet Nam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines) will continue to downsize its shipping fleet with additional sales of vessels in 2018.
Six vessels are under the radar this year, with nearly 222.4DWT (deadweight tonnes). They include Vinalines Fortuna, Vinalines Ocean, Vinalines Sky, Vinalines Glory, Vinalines Galaxy and Vinalines Ruby.
Last year, the shipping company sold eight ships.
The reduction in the shipping fleet negatively affected Vinalines’ business performance last year. The company’s revenue reached over VND3.1 trillion (US$136.2 million) in 2017, half of 2016’s number. Its pre-tax profit was just VND306 billion, equivalent to 12.2 per cent of 2016’s result.
However, with more than 30 subsidiary and affiliate companies, Vinalines’ total consolidated revenue was better at VND15.8 trillion by end-2017, down by 12.3 per cent year-on-year, while its pre-tax profit surged 189 per cent over 2016 to reach VND682 billion.
In 2018, the company’s leaders have set lower business targets due to continued fleet streamlining and decreasing of financial income.
Vinalines is projected to earn a consolidated revenue of VND13.64 trillion in 2018, down by 13.7 per cent from 2017, and a pre-tax profit of VND668 billion, down by 3 per cent.
It expects to complete the equitisation of the parent company this year, in which the State will reduce its holding to 65 per cent. It has established a steering committee for the equitisation process and has determined the corporate value.
OOCL sees high Asia-Europe volumes on good revenue in Q1
Hong Kong-based line Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) has really benefitted from its new high capacity vessels, taking full advantage after the delivery of its last megaship in January to see a 21% rise in Asia-Europe liftings in the first quarter to 302,679 Teu.
The series of six 21,000 Teu container ships was specifically aimed at the trade and OOCL has also done well to not only increase liftings but also raise revenue by an even higher rate, with turnover rising 24% to $281.3m.
The transpacific segment saw a 16% rise in liftings to 457,461 Teu. Revenue growth also outpaced liftings here, rising by almost a fifth to $529m, and making this the top revenue earning trade for OOCL.
Overall volumes rose 8% to 1.58m Teu. Loadable capacity spiked 16% but a sharp focus on maintaining revenue saw overall load factor fall 6.4 percentage points as total revenue rose 16% to $1.38bn and average revenue per Teu rose 8% compared to the previous corresponding period.
In another key segment, Intra-Asia, OOCL saw volume drop 1% to 716,390 Teu but revenue jumps 13% to $447.3m.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Gets Nod for 3rd Hanseatic Expedition Ship
German TUI Group has given the green light to the construction of the third Hanseatic class expedition cruise ship for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will shortly launch the planning and negotiation process for a further Hanseatic class ship, which is scheduled for delivery in 2021, TUI Group CEO Fritz Joussen said while presenting the group’s results for the first half of 2018 on board the new Mein Schiff 1 in Hamburg.
The first two ships from the series were ordered in 2016 from Fincantieri’s subsidiary Vard Holdings Limited (Vard).
The keel of the first expedition ship, Hanseatic Nature, was laid in Romania in January 2017, while the keel laying for the Hanseatic Inspiration, the second ship, followed in October 2017.
The christening and maiden voyage of Hanseatic Nature are planned for April 2019. Hanseatic Inspiration is scheduled to launch six months later in October 2019.
The 16,100 gross ton vessels, designed for cruises in polar regions in the Arctic and Antarctica, feature a length of 138 meters and a width of 22 meters.
Each vessel will have seven passenger decks, with accommodation for a total of 230 passengers.
As informed, the cruises segment remains on a growth path, and due to the rise in demand TUI is planning to expand the segment through additional newbuilds.
Source: World Maritime News
