IRAN THREATENS TANKERS AS PANAMA DENIES REGISTERING IRANIAN-OWNED VESSELS
Iran is renewing its threats against tankers and retaliation for actions by the United States to “interfere” with the transportation of Iranian oil. The latest statements came in response to the U.S.’s move in February to seize another shipment of 500,000 barrels of Iranian fuel oil valued at over $25 million as well as efforts by the U.S. calling on Panama to remove from its registry ships aiding Iran’s violation of sanctions. The Biden administration has been moving to increase the pressure on Iran in part due to the reports that Iran is using oil sales to help fund the Houthi in Yemen. Last year, the U.S. was successful in seizing the oil cargo from the tanker Suez Rajan and selling it for $74 million. Now, the U.S. is in court in a new action started in February 2024 to seize the cargo aboard the tanker Abyss (105,000 dwt tanker registered in Palau) again using the civil forfeiture laws.
SEABOARD MARINE UPGRADES US GULF SERVICE
Seaboard Marine will commence an upgraded United States Gulf Service improving connectivity between Houston, New Orleans, and Central America with three vessels will supporting the service. “With direct, regular sailings to key destinations such as Costa Rica and Panama, supported by our reliable fleet of vessels, customers can benefit from reduced transit times, enhanced supply chain efficiency, and cost-effective transportation solutions in the region,” said David Labbe, Regional Vice President of Gulf Services, in a statement. The service upgrade will use a string of three ships, Seaboard Marine said in a statement. The service will make additional calls to Nicaragua, El Salvador, Panama, and Costa Rica, along with existing calls to Guatemala and Honduras. And the service will cover Houston and New Orleans.
BORDERLANDS MEXICO: CONTAINER SHIPMENTS FROM CHINA TO MEXICO SKYROCKETED IN JANUARY China’s container exports to Mexico surged nearly 60% year over year in January, according to global freight rate intelligence platform Xeneta. China-based shippers moved 117,000 twenty-foot equivalent units during the month compared to 73,000 TEUs in January 2023. Development has begun on the 3.7 million-square-foot Rancho Del Rey Logistics Park in El Paso, Texas. The property is about 3 miles from the Ysleta-Zaragoza International Bridge, a port of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border. The port of entry handles more than 80% of El Paso’s northbound cargo truck crossings. Nippon Steel, the largest steel manufacturer in Japan, recently announced it is investing $71.3 million to build a plant in Apaseo El Grande, Mexico. The plant will produce 120,000 tons of steel sheets per year to be used in the production of electric vehicles. IKD Co. announced it will invest $178 million to expand a facility in the Mexican city of Irapuato.
UKRAINE WORKING TO RESTART CONTAINER SHIPPING AND BUILD DANUBE EXPORTS
Ukraine looks to restore container traffic after its success since August 2023 at building grain shipments on its Black Sea corridor. Government officials highlight the addition of container service as well as the expansion of shipments on the Danube will support both the exports as well as increase imports while lowering the cost of goods and transport for Ukrainian businesses. Container movement by sea has been suspended for the more than two years since the Russian invasion and the blockading of the Black Sea ports. Last summer, a few containerships used the corridor largely to escape sequestration in the Black Sea ports, but the corridor has largely been for bulkers mostly transporting grain and ag products with smaller amounts of metal products. The Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company is set to offer a comprehensive logistics service to transfer cargoes including grain as well as containers and metals said Deputy Direct General of the shipping company Vladislav Belakh. He said an agreement is in place with Hungary and they are working with Austria and Serbia.
YANG MING CONTAINER SHIP DESTROYS CRANES IN TURKISH PORT
The vessel crashed into one of the four cranes at Evyap port when it was approaching the dock, and the resulting in a domino effect destroying two other quay cranes. At least one worker at the site was reported to be seriously injured and several cargo containers fell into the water. Built in 2015, the 368 metres long and 51 metres wide container ship YM Witness has a carrying capacity of 14,080 units of container. The vessel currently remains at Evyap port waiting for the investigations into the accident.
