In 2017 Helsinki became the busiest passenger port in Europe and possibly the world, carrying 12.3 million passengers. Passenger numbers continued to increase on the Helsinki-Tallinn route in particular, reflecting the development of Helsinki and Tallinn into ‘twin cities’.
The Port of Los Angeles moved more cargo in 2017 than in any time in the Port’s 110-year history, racking up 9,343,192 TEUs, a 5.5% increase over 2016’s record-breaking year. This is the most cargo moved annually by a Western Hemisphere port.
LEGO officially launched a new product inspired by shipping. This is not the first time for the company, as there are already many fascinating LEGO models in the market set with ship theme.
2017 was a mostly year of change to better, but a cautious approach is still needed for 2018 to maintain the progress already achieved, BIMCO noted. Specially, BIMCO expects an improvement in dry bulk and container shipping sectors, while for tanker sector, there is a potential upside in low fleet growth for both crude oil and oil product tankers.
The drug trafficking organization had carefully camouflaged 5,883 kilograms of cocaine, distributed in 5,299 pills, “perfectly hidden” inside containers with a shipment of bananas onboard the vessel ‘Banak’, coming from Colombia and heading to El Prat. The value of this quantity is estimated at 210 million euros.
The NSW Government and Port of Newcastle revealed the design of the new Newcastle Cruise Terminal. The purpose-built facility will cover approximately 3,000m2 and will include facilities for passenger drop-off and pick up, coach parking and vessel provisioning.
Pilots Captain Michael G. McGee and Captain Michael C. Phillips, from Houston were recognized for their role in averting a tragedy in September 2016, when the tanker they were piloting broke down in the Houston Ship Channel in the middle of the night and burst into flames, after colliding with mooring dolphins.
Debmarine Namibia, a 50/50 joint venture between the Government of the Republic of Namibia and De Beers Group, announced plans for the construction of the world’s largest custom-built diamond mining vessel.
Singapore terminal operator PSA has achieved a Guinness World Record for the largest shipping container image, the Lion Head. The record was achieved during the commemoration event celebrating the contributions of Tanjong Pagar Terminal to Singapore’s economy.
Ports of Auckland announced the draft of a 30-year Master Plan in order to further develop the port of Auckland while it is being relocated. The plan for the Auckland port aims to balances Auckland’s economic, social and environmental needs.
