#Ports&Shipping –The latest IMDO Weekly Shipping Market Review includes the following stories as detailed below.
Container Market: Carrier reliability declines once again - Global containership schedule reliability, the proportion of ships that arrive into port on time, decreased 3.5% in January to a new record low of 70%, compared to 73.5% in December 2013, according to SeaIntel's latest Global Liner Performance Report.
Technology: Batteries as alternative power source - Using batteries as a significant alternative power source for short-sea shipping has been forecast by Remi Eriksen, executive vice president and COO of classification society DNV GL.
Sulphur Emissions: Need for Europe wide enforcement controls - New sulphur regulations in Emission Control Areas (ECAs) arrive in January 2015 and European authorities have been considering methods of enforcement. The new regulations stipulate ship's fuel must contain less than 0.1% sulphur by weight in the Baltic Sea, North Sea and English Channel.
Infrastructure: Panama Canal delay - With construction on the Panama Canal about to restart once again after the latest cost dispute, the completion and commercial opening date has been extended to the first quarter of 2016, three months later than planned according to Lloyds List. The project, already running eight months behind schedule due earlier problem over the type of concrete used, is now a total of 11 months behind.
For more on each of the above and other stories click the downloadable PDF IMDO Weekly Markets Review (Week 10). In addition to coverage on Afloat.ie's dedicated Ports & Shipping News section.