#Ports&Shipping –The latest IMDO Weekly Market Review includes the following stories as detailed below.
Irish Shipping News: Hearing into proposed Galway Harbour expansion taking place - A preliminary hearing into a proposed expansion of Galway Harbour has been taking place ahead of the full An Bord Pleanála oral hearing. As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the planned development would cost €126m. The first module will deal with issues relating to ecology and hydrology. Subsequent modules will look at other issues and include questioning and cross-examination of witnesses.
Global Maritime News: Port of Antwerp set for record year - The Port of Antwerp is expecting container volume growth to help drive the port to a year of record volumes. Europe's third busiest container port's estimated throughput figures show it is likely to handle 8.96m teu this year, an increase of 4.5% compared with 2013. As a result, the port is likely to break the 9m teu mark over the coming 12 months.
China outlines 2020 roadmap to develop China shipping sector - China's ministry of transport has spelled out a roadmap to 2020 on the development of its shipping industry, in a bid to raise the sector's level of services and global competitiveness. The seven-page guideline broadly states that China will focus on improving its policies to benefit shipping enterprises, sharpening technology and innovation, boosting financial services and strengthening ancillary services.
Panama Canal announces new toll structure - The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced a proposal for a new toll structure and is inviting formal comments on the tolls. A public hearing will take place on 27 February, written comments must be received by the deadline of 9 February at 1615hrs, local time.
For more on each of the above and other stories click the IMDO Weekly Markets Review (Week 2). In addition to dedicated coverage on Afloat.ie's Ports & Shipping News section.
