#ShippingReview: Over the last fortnight Jehan Ashmore has reported from the shipping scene where European port representatives and trade unions met for the first Sectorial Social Dialogue Committee for the Port Sector.
AP Moeller-Maersk A/S the World's largest container line, said it will pool vessels with its two biggest rivals in an effort to manage overcapacity and raise unprofitable freight rates.
Volumes from Asia to Europe grew just 0.1% in the first four months of the year to 4.4m TEU, according to the latest figures from Container Trades Statistics. This growth was mainly fuelled by an up-lift in Asia to Mediterranean services, with volumes declining from Asia to north Europe.
US training ship T.S. Empire State (1962/14,557grt) made a visit to Dublin Port having crossed the Atlantic Ocean. The veteran vessel, a former general cargo ship dates back to the era before containerisation.
Orders for newbuildings reached a two year high, with 222 ships of over 15m dwt in May, a level not seen since May 2011.
