IT was a good start to the New Year for shipping lines on the Asia-Europe and Asia-Mediterranean trades with rates increasing for a second straight week

LONDON's Drewry Maritime Research has found that persistently weak cargo volumes have undermined recent rate increases to raise freight rates.

THE JP Morgan Global Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) posted a positive 50.2 reading in December - the highest since May

International accountant and shipping consultant Moore Stephens says the banks will exert more control over the shipping industry in 2013. 

PROSPECTS for the Asia-Europe container trades look more promising this year, although other routes look less encouraging,

The total value of the collaboration arrangement over the 3 year period, including the sale of the vessel, is approximately USD 213 million.

Farstad Shipping ASA has, through its wholly owned subsidiary Farstad Shipping Pte. Ltd. in Singapore, sold AHTS Lady Cynthia (1987, Hart Fenton, 9.500 BHP).

Fitch Ratings says a broadly stable outlook for the MENA region in 2013 will mask continued divergence between oil exporters and oil importers.

Nisshin Shipping, a shipowning company from Japan is set to buy seven resale kamsarmax bulkers from two shipyards...