Dear Readers,
We are now mid-month of March, the 15th to be exact, and we are publishing our newsletter again to our growing worldwide audience.
Currently, we reach some 49,000 receivers on a monthly basis, so we are getting there. We think that publishing once a month is a better schedule. First, following our name on a monthly rather than weekly basis clutters your inbox less. Second, this schedule also provides the editor with some well needed R&R as there is no, shall we say, “back office” to help find content.
I have just returned from the RTW trip. After Bali, I visited in sequence: Dubai and Breakbulk Middle East, Stockholm, Grenaa, Stockholm, Malta, Sao Paolo, Santiago. So, in effect, it was a Round the World trip. I must say that it was one of the best ones I have had with a great combination of family, children, network conference, breakbulk expo, looking after properties and meeting with a few friends.
“Top of the Pops” were, of course, enjoying a week in Grenaa, Denmark with two of my children as they were on winter break from school. We all do need an “out” sometimes from the daily grind and from the harsh realities of greed, cleverness, smugness, extortions, and whatever else you might face in the real business world (even though there is also kindness, friendship, income and great parties, including lunches and dinners). In short, it is life. Although I am winding down gradually at 62, I am trying to remind myself that as long as you like what you do and health permits, work ain’t hard. I have compiled here a few videos from my trip…
1. First leg: Santiago, Chile to Bangkok via Sydney with 12 hours layover in SYD Airport.
2. Second leg: Sydney to Bangkok; here landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand (Finnair operating for Qantas)
3. Third leg: Bangkok to Bali landing at Ngurah Rai, Denpasar
4. Fourth leg: Bali to Dubai
I didn’t get any footage but I got some pictures here from Dubai where I stayed at Radisson Blu, Deira Creek—my favourite place, “older style and not too much bling bling”.
5. Fifth leg: from Dubai landing in Stockholm
A significant change of weather from plus 24 to minus 6…
6. Sixth leg: Arriving Malta from Sweden
After Denmark and Sweden, return trip for family reasons; here landing in Malta located in the Mediterranean.
7. Seventh leg: Dubai to Santiago, Chile via São Paulo
After Malta and transit in Dubai Airport Hotel for 6 hours connecting to Santiago, Chile via Sao Paulo total flight time 21 hrs. This long flight can be heard via the slurry voice in this final video from what I got of flights from this RTW trip. Emirates, however, takes the prize, best service ever and a couple of drinks was for sure needed to make this trip workable!
On balance, a fantastic trip altogether, and besides being my own travel agent, it is now time for you to know what we’ve got in store for you in this monthly issue of PCW.
1. Starting off with a renowned Chinese-Polish government joint venture shipowner called CP or Chipolbrok. We speak to the GM about their newly established office in Dubai, UAE.
2. Speaking next to another major shipowner with Chinese roots or rather representing China worldwide: COSCO (and in this case, Cosco Shipping, Mumbai, India) who now have their own boots on the ground in this major market.
3. Our third interview is with a personal friend who is a long term board member at D/S Norden, Mr. Jesper Svenstrup. He has good ideas and may be able to help you out on an executive level if you need ideas on how to move your company forward in the world. For that you need experienced professionals with experience that you can’t read in a book. Jesper has it!
4. We round things off with a NICE interview with Kevin Le Page of exactly that: Consulting by NICE, based in the United Kingdom. They are a software company, optimising business for certain logistics sectors and with high visibility clients in the forwarding field.
We, of course, provide you with shipping news, trade intel, featured picture collage and video, and ultimately wise words.
Hope you do enjoy this newsletter to the full! Also hoping you will keep an eye out for the next issue (due on 15th of April) We invite you to check out our website or even download our mobile app – here is the link – .
Until mid April, I remain,
Bo H. Drewsen
bo.drewsen@projectcargo-weekly.com
Chipolbrok – Middle East
COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers – India
Mr. Jesper Svenstrup – Denmark
Consulting by NICE – United Kingdom
The party is over as container pricing continues to plummet
Editor’s Note:
Interesting and if true finally!! Perhaps owners become more service minded soon to forwarders!
The ocean freight industry is navigating rough waters as container pricing continues to plummet amid intensifying trade tensions between the United States and China.
The recent decision by President Donald Trump to increase tariffs on Chinese imports from 10% to 20% has re-ignited a fierce exchange between the world’s two largest economies.
3rd edition of Saudi Smart Logistics
Editor’s Note:
Saudi Arabia is booming business and otherwise and it now easier than ever to visit the Kingdom. So time to see for yourself perhaps. Also in shipping things are developing and lots of expos are coming to Saudi Arabia for example this one.
The Saudi Smart Logistics 3rd Edition trade fair is set to take place from 12–15 May 2025. The event is part of Riyadh International Industry Week, the largest gathering of industrial sectors in the MENA region. The Saudi Smart Logistics trade fair serves as a platform that brings together international and local technology, solutions, equipment providers, and sustainable workflow practices for the logistics industry to the Kingdom. Government decision-makers, trade buyers, industry professionals, and top international and local transport and logistics companies will come together to network, exchange knowledge, and showcase the newest and best in smart logistics technologies, goods, and services that will transform the sector in 2025.
World renowned visionary futurist K D Adamson takes top keynote at Seatrade Maritime Logistics ME
Editor’s Note:
With K D Adamson headlining as a keynote speaker, this maritime and logistics gathering may be of interest to those looking ahead to the industry’s future.
World renowned global futurist, K D Adamson, will take top keynote billing at Seatrade Maritime Logistics Middle East 2025 this coming May as part of Seatrade Maritime Logistics Middle East, which takes place during UAE Maritime Week, under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, over 6-8th May 2025.
Swire Shipping the Most Reliable Carrier in Asia-Oceania and from Asia – North America West Coast
Editor’s Note:
Swire Shipping became active while ago on the Pacific West Coast in particular and now see here their latest pressrelease including some very nice pictures of their ships plying the Asia/Oceania/USWC trade.
Swire Shipping reaffirmed its commitment to the region as the most reliable carrier in Asia-Oceania and on the Asia to North America West Coast (NAWC) trade lane in 2024. This was according to 12-month data published by Sea-Intelligence in their Global Liner Performance Report from Jan/Feb to Nov/Dec 2024. Swire Shipping averaged over 70% reliability (as measured by On-Time Performance) on the Asia-Oceania and Oceania-Asia trades and over 80% reliability on the Asia-NAWC trade lane.
JSW-POSCO to set up mega steel plant in Keonjhar district: CM
Keonjhar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday said a mega steel plant with an investment of around Rs 40,000 crore will be jointly set up by JSW and POSCO in Keonjhar district’s Patna area.
Peru approves environmental permit for $11.2bn green hydrogen and ammonia project
Verano Energy’s facility in Arequipa aims to produce more than 420,000 tonnes of NH3 a year in its first phase in 2027
Wartsila to supply battery system for 1.4 GWh EnergyAustralia project
Finland’s Wartsila Energy has been engaged by EnergyAustralia to supply and commission the battery system for the 350 MW / 1,400 MWh Wooreen energy storage project being developed in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley.
Pele Energy gains $30m from Nedbank and Norfund to boost SA renewables
Pele Energy Group (PEG) has successfully raised R575m ($30.9m), backed by Nedbank and the Norwegian Climate Investment Fund (Norfund) to enhance its renewable energy portfolio across South Africa and the broader African continent.
AsstrA Completes First Phase for INEOS ONE Project
Editor’s Note:
AsstrA has made another achievement, ie. the gigantic INEOS project at Port of Antwerp for one and they managed to get part of it, see their pressrelease here.
Editor’s Note:
I just returned to Santiago, Chile from an incredible but also tiring RTW trip including many visits, conferences and meetings. All went well, we also need to praise when things are smooth and the flights I took all went well. Flights are a part of being in shipping too as you can’t always conduct life online… face to face does make a great difference…!
