Shipping, port and trade newsbytes

Southeast Asia

According to local news reports, Bangladesh Commerce Secretary Mahbub Ahmed has announced that the Bangladesh-Myanmar coastal shipping line will be established in March 2014. The shipping line aims to increase bilateral trade between the two countries from US$100 million pa to US$500 million pa, with a target of US$1 billion by 2020. The line will include the shipping of cement, which Bangladesh exports to Myanmar. The lane will include the Chittagong, Mongla, Narayanganj and Teknaf ports in Bangladesh and the Yangon, Pathein, Sittwe and Maungtaw ports in Myanmar. The two countries also plan to improve their trade via road.

North America

The Lake Carriers’ Association has announced its cargo shipments for 2013. The cold weather and ice led to cancellations and delays in December, with total US-Flag cargo movement falling to 7.1 million t in December alone and declining by 0.4% y/y to 89.2 million t in January – December 2013. Shipments of cement across the Great Lakes in North America remained in line with 2012, while coal cargo volumes increased by 3.7% y/y to reach 18.2 million t. Limestone trade grew by 1.5% y/y to 22.1 million t.

Middle East

Iran and Turkmenistan plan to improve their transportation infrastructure in a bid to enhance trade. The Iran-Turkmenistan 13^th Joint Economic Committee Meeting was held in the Turkmen city of Ashgabat on 20 January. The two nations decided to increase port trade, improve road transportation at their borders with the construction of a new bridge over the Tajan River, establish a Ro-Ro shipping line and strengthen rail transportation.

Meanwhile in Oman, Cargotec has announced that it has received an order to supply a road-mobile Siwertell unloading and conveying system to Raysut Cement Company. The system will carry out cement handling operations at the Duqm and Sohar ports. The 300 tph capacity system comprises a road-mobile Siwertell 10 000 S unloader unit and a road-mobile Siwertell PumpMaster blow pump conveying unit. It will be delivered in July 2014.

Edited from various sources by Louise Fordham

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/asia-pacific-rim/27012014/cement_shipping_and_port_newsbytes_650/