Swire Shipping Deploys First 2,750TEU Newbuild, MV Lae Chief

SINGAPORE, Nov. 23, 2020 - Swire Shipping has deployed its first 2,750TEU newbuild, MV Lae Chief, on its newly upgraded North Asia Express (NAX) service. Launching the new fixed-day fortnightly service with her maiden voyage, the vessel made her first port call in Shanghai on 5 November 2020. She made subsequent port calls in Ningbo, Nansha and Hong Kong SAR, and is currently en route to make port calls in Lae, Port Moresby and Townsville before returning to Shanghai.

The new 2,750TEU vessel is fitted with three 45mt cranes capable of dual lifts, ensuring that they are well-equipped to carry all cargo types, including breakbulk, out of gauge and reefers. With strengthened tank tops to 20t/m², MV Lae Chief is capable of carrying breakbulk such as steel and forest products, as well as vehicles up to 70t.

New, modern vessels deployed to support growth in the region

At 2,750TEU nominal capacity, MV Lae Chief and her sister vessels will be Swire Shipping’s largest container vessels calling in Papua New Guinea. Swire Shipping will deploy three newbuild vessels on the upgraded NAX service, offering its customers and the communities it serves a reliable fixed-day product that will support continued growth in the region.

“This is a proud moment for Swire Shipping, not only because we have launched the fixed-day fortnightly service from North Asia to Papua New Guinea and Australia, but also because we have done this by deploying these owned, modern and eco-friendly vessels,” said Mr Jeremy Sutton, General Manager of Swire Shipping.

“By deploying these new ships on our upgraded service, customers will enjoy a more frequent product, delivered on fixed-days and with the ability for future growth.”

G2 Ocean Launching New Online Platform, MyG2, to Help Customers Improve Logistics Management

Dec. 2, 2020 - G2 Ocean announced that it is launching a new web-based platform for its customers; MyG2. The platform gives customers full visibility and access to live data and information related to various business activities, including:

• Live Schedules
• Shipment- and vessel Tracking
• Dashboard with Performance Data

“MyG2 opens the door to a new world of opportunities for our customers and marks a major step towards improving customer service,” said Project Manager Camilla Naumann-Berg.

“We hope this easy to use platform will foster collaboration, improve efficiency and give customers relevant business insights to help them stay ahead of their competition,” she added.

New features to be added

As part of a frequent upgrade strategy, new features and functionality such as a booking of shipments will be added during 2021. Other updates include:

• Booking of shipments
• Extended dashboard functionality, including individual greenhouse gas emission reports
• Integration of Bill of Lading Issuing Process

To learn more about G2 Ocean’s MyG2 platform, visit: www.g2ocean.com.

SOURCE: G2 Ocean

MSC Names Soren Toft as Its New CEO

Dec. 2, 2020 - MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company today announced the appointment of Soren Toft as Chief Executive Officer, effective 2 December 2020. He reports directly to Diego Aponte, MSC Group President, and Gianluigi Aponte, Founder and MSC Group Chairman.

Toft joins MSC from Maersk, where he served as Chief Operating Officer since 2013 and later as a Member of the Executive Board. His impressive long-standing career in shipping over more than two decades and extensive experience in leadership roles will bring significant value to MSC’s cargo businesses, building on the company’s existing strengths and boosting its development plans even further.

In his role as CEO, Toft oversees MSC’s global cargo businesses including ocean liner and logistics. He will also be a member of the board of directors of Terminal Investment Ltd (TiL), the terminals business which is majority-owned by MSC.

Commenting on the new CEO’s arrival, Diego Aponte said, “With his twenty-five years of experience in leadership roles at Maersk, and his comprehensive understanding of the future of the container shipping supply chain, Soren is the ideal match to help lead MSC into the future at the helm of our family company, building on the strategy which has made MSC such a growing success these past five decades.”

Toft added, “I am very excited and humbled by the opportunity given to me by the Aponte family. Helping to preserve the MSC DNA and lead such a successful company into the future is a great honour and a privilege for me.”

SOURCE: MSC

Wagenborg Establishes New Shipping Agency in Eastern Finland

Nov. 18, 2020 - Royal Wagenborg  announced that as of January 1, 2021, a new Wagenborg branch office in eastern Finland will be operational to offer full agency services in various ports around the Gulf of Finland and the Saimaa region.

According to Wagenborg, the main focus of the Finnish agency office will be the port of Hamina/Kotka and the entire lake Saimaa area. In addition, agency services can be provided in all other ports along the south coast of Finland -- from Naantali in the west to Loviisa in the east.

In these Finnish ports, Wagenborg can be contacted 24/7 year-round for agency services ensuring ships a quick turnaround in these ports. On a yearly basis about 400 port calls can be expected in these ports.

“Our presence in Finland means that our customers can be assured that our shipping agents have the local knowledge and industry expertise to find the best solution to cater for their needs," said Chartering Manager, Coos Blaauw.

In addition, Wagenborg Agencies also service several European ports from branch offices in Tarragona, Algeciras and Ceuta (Spain) and Delfzijl, Eemshaven, Rotterdam region, Amsterdam region and Terneuzen region (the Netherlands).

Founded in 1898, Royal Wagenborg is an international maritime logistics conglomerate. The family owned and managed company offers a variety of maritime services, being a total solution provider with regard to shipping, offshore services, towage services, maritime management services, warehousing and transshipment, crane rental and special and heavy transport.

SOURCE: Royal Wagenborg