The ‘BBC Amethyst’ anchored in Porto do Açu, Brazil, becoming the first ship to make the big crossing from Antwerp to the Brazilian sea port. This is considered an important achievement for the Port of Antwerp and the local partners who invested in the Brazilian port. Antwerp and the Brazilian ports combine to ship about 6.2 million tonnes of goods every year.
The Port of Rotterdam is attempting to expand its position as Western Europe’s biggest transit port for agricultural, horticultural and fishery sector products. Part of this strategy is the creation of the Rotterdam Food Hub at Calandkanaal, at the entrance to Maasvlakte. This hub is a 60-hectare industrial site, offering facilities for ‘agrofood’ sector companies.
US exports of total petroleum products achieved a record high in 2018, reaching an annual average of 5.6 million barrels per day (b/d), which is an increase of 366,000 b/d from 2017 levels, EIA reports. The three largest petroleum product exports from the US in 2018 were distillate, propane, and motor gasoline. Total US petroleum product exports set a record high in 2018 for the 16th year in a row.
Developing countries that depend on commodities must seek diversification strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of price volatility in international markets, explained speakers at UNCTAD’s meeting of experts on commodities and development, on 15 April at the UN’s European headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Today 67% of developing countries depend on commodities, a situation that has changed little in the last two decades.
According to EIA, in 2018, the US exports of crude oil increased to 2.0 million bpd, and almost doubled the 1.2 million b/d rate in 2017. Export volumes by destination changed significantly during the year, as U.S. crude oil exports to China fell and exports to other destinations such as South Korea, Taiwan, and Canada increased.
According to Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) Abadan, Arvandankar and Choabdeh ports experienced an increase of 56% in 2018. Iran is developing its ports and its shipping power and in the meantime, the country aims to a low-sulphur shipping, as the Deputy Director has commented in the past that low-sulphur fuel should be a priority for the Iranian fleet.
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports from the United States decreased week on week, Energy Information Administration said in its report. Five LNG vessels, three from Sabine Pass and two from Cove Point, departed from the United States between April 4 to April 10.
Port of Newcastle’s coal exports increased 5% during the first quarter of 2019, reaching 27.3m tonnes. Namely, March volumes rose 0.5m tonnes year on year to 9.1m tonnes, in spite of worries about customs delays that could affect exports to China. In comparison to February, March volumes were up by 0.2m tonnes. What is more, the number of ships awaiting to take delivery from the port reduced to five.
The Port of Corpus Christi approved a 50-year lease agreement with Lone Star Ports, a joint venture between the Carlyle Group and the Berry Group, for about 200 acres on Harbor Island to develop a new petroleum export terminal. The facility will connect US crude producers with all major international markets. The facility on Harbor Island is planned to be the deepest-draft safe harbor crude export facility in the US.
The Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources released its proposed conditions for sheep exports to the Middle East for the upcoming northern summer to support animal welfare outcomes. Among others, the Secretary will sign an Order banning sheep exports from June to August by law. In addition, independent Observers will have to be on all voyages that can accommodate them.
