S.A. MALLIAROUDAKIS MARITIME (UK) LTD.

The dry bulk market first experienced the worst ever freight market in recent memory but then tripled in a matter of months. Tankers have seen their rates halved, and limited interest for secondary market acquisitions and relatively weak prices. The containership market saw a government-blessed entity (Hanjin) go belly up, which pretty much by itself sums the state of the market; also, seven-year old panamax containerships these days are heading to the scrapyard. Finally, the offshore market has seen brand-new, top-tier drillships idling while another huge oil discovery in Texas has made offshore drilling an even more precarious proposition. However, with the spirit of being thankful upon us, for the ‘harvest’ the industry has had this year and the overall results accomplished (mostly intangible results), one has to be hopeful and even thankful for the shipping industry’s prospects. The drop of the market, especially in the dry bulk, has been the first time that peo...

WISTA UK has said that smart ships are likely to be carrying cargoes within 10 years but all in the logistics chain need to adapt in order to make good use of the new technology and the huge amount of data that will be available as a result. According to Sue Terpilowski, President of WISTA UK – the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association UK – shipping will go from a “poor beginning” in terms of generating and using data to be at the forefront of new technology. All thanks to customer demand. Ms Terpilowski, who is also Managing Director of Image Line Communications, said the change would see “talking” ships within 10 years. “Even the paint will be able to tell you about the waves hitting the ship. These ships are going to be telling you about the weight and the stresses on deck when slow steaming would be appropriate and many more operational elements. There are many opportunities for the industry, but is it ready to take advantage?” And she continued: “Ship i...

NEW YORK, Nov 16 (Reuters) – Shares of U.S. shipping companies shot higher again on Wednesday, causing volatility halts in a number of stocks and raising questions among investors and analysts over the extent of their sharp post-election rally. The jump in share prices and unusually heavy trading volume even surprised analysts who follow the stocks, although some said the gains appeared to result in part from optimism that commodity demand would increase under President-elect Donald Trump. At the center of the rally has been DryShips Inc, an $82.9 million market-capitalization company that has been halted for volatility in recent sessions and is up about 1,500 percent since its close on the Nov. 8 Election Day. The stock was halted again on Wednesday, and Nasdaq requested additional information from the company. Shares of Diana Containerships Inc, Globus Maritime Ltd and Pangaea Logistics Sol Ltd also were halted multiple times for volatility. A stock’s outsized...

Over 100 more classic Panamaxes would need to be scrapped in the coming months to re-balance supply and demand, and reduce the total pool to less than 470 units, compared to 670 units four years ago, according to Alphaliner. Only such a drastic reduction could elevate rates from their current all-time lows of USD 4,200 – USD 4,500 per day, with positive side effects on the 2,700 – 3,800 TEU size bracket as well. Hard decisions have to be taken, such as scrapping ten-year-old ships on the eve of their second Classification Special Survey. Since many cash-short owners can’t afford the survey-related costs, such vessels are being laid up, sold for scrap, or sold to bargain buyers at distressed prices. Since the opening of the new Panama Canal locks on 26 June, no fewer than 120 classic Panamax ships, referring to vessels of 4,000-5,300 TEU on a 13 row/32.30 m beam, have been displaced from trans-Panama routes. “The exodus is set to continue, with a further 30-40 cl...

After a steady fall in average daily TCE spot earnings in October, November saw an inflection point for Capesizes as the dry bulk market is sailing into a firm festive season, swiftly followed by a New Year comedown, according to research and consultancy firm Maritime Strategies International (MSI). With rates soaring to over USD 16,000 per day, the Capesizes saw their highest rates since mid-2015. Some of this strength has translated to the Panamax market, although Supramax and Handysize earnings have been broadly unaffected. A basket of key commodity prices, including iron ore, coking and steam coal, have surged in recent weeks, with falls in domestic supplies in China a key driver. This trend is forecast to continue through the fourth quarter but weaker iron ore and coal trade will impact Capesize and Panamax demand in the near term. “The Capesize market is demonstrating what might be termed ‘frothy’ characteristics with patches of strong chartering despite wea...

When bulk cargoes shift, liquefy, catch fire or explode due to poor loading procedures, the consequences can be critical – ships could capsize, lose stability or sustain severe structural damage. Occasioned by this kind of incidents the UK P&I Club has offered some good advice regarding the safe carrying of bulk cargoes. According to the Club, precautions need to be taken before accepting solid bulk cargoes for shipment. Crew members have to be warned of possible liquefaction properties of bauxite (which was considered until recently a cargo not liable to liquefaction) as well as be advised on the issue of cargo residues deemed harmful to the marine environment; the changes to the IMSBC Code’s structure; and SOLAS mandatory enclosed space entry and rescue drills. IMO Resolution MSC.393(95) introduced amendments (03-15) to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code enter into force on 1 January, 2017, and could be implemented voluntarily from 1 January, 2016. “...

Improving your ships and operations is the key driving force of our business. It is a goal stemming from a special dedication to our work and a deep understanding of our customers' needs. We have achieved five important competitive advantages, leading to a more efficient and profitable ship operation. We provide the widest range of services, including initiatives exclusively found at SMM (UK) Ltd.. We make sure that our products stay up to date and of superior quality. We develop innovative products based on the latest marine and information technology. We have a superior infrastructure to better serve our customers. We develop and maintain a relationship with our customer based on trust and loyalty.             Our Purpose Improvement with excellence of your ships and operations based on Multiyear Experience and Commitment. Our Vision To materialize “Fair Winds and Following Seas” for the g...

Kindly note that we are a London based Marine Software Company with a subsidiary production facility in Piraeus since 1986 , with clients almost all the Greek shipping companies and many others from the rest E.U., U.S.A. and Asia.   Our objective is to develop initiatives that focus on facilitating everyday ship management and operation materializing into user friendly, innovative and reliable software-products that assist our customers in their day-to-day work. Potentially, some of your crew member may be well aware of our software products that were trusted by almost 3,350 vessels, an achievement, which proves the quality of our work over time. The perpetual production of software-products throughout these years were proved of assistance in the demanding day-to-day operations of numerous shipping companies, constituting the brand name of our company along with our products highly recognizable worldwide. Hereb...

TORONTO, Nov 4 (Reuters) – Canada’s Liberal government will this year deliver on its pledge for a moratorium on oil tanker traffic along the northern coast of British Columbia, CBC News reported on Friday. Transport Minister Marc Garneau confirmed the plan in an interview with CBC Radio’s “The House,” the broadcaster said on its website. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last year instructed Garneau to formalize the ban on oil tanker traffic, effectively slamming the door on a pipeline project that was already facing massive development hurdles. The ban is one of several obstacles to the building of Enbridge Inc’s Northern Gateway pipeline, which would carry oil sands crude from near Edmonton, Alberta, to a deepwater port at Kitimat, British Columbia, for export to Asian markets. Separately, Garneau said the government was looking at a recommendation that it privatize airports, but that “it’s not a front-burner exercise” and people should not jump to an...

Some of the latest SMM eNews: Dry Bulk: Average Speed VLOC: Slow steaming for laden fleet continues, but the average speed reached 11.5 knots in October. Unladen fleet moves much faster, at a speed higher than 13.5 knots last month. Capesize: The average speed has been relatively flat and low for laden ships of this size band, moving close to 11 knots since the beginning of the year, despite low bunker prices. Panamax: Seasonality’s path has been followed so far, with last month’s average speed for laden vessels close to 11.3 knots. Supramax: After marginally declining in February, the average speed for laden vessels was increasing till May, but started decreasing since early June, following seasonality’s trend, but staying rather flat last month. Handysize: The average speed for laden vessels was higher than 11.5 knots between March and October. Infographic: Shipping Alliances As of 18 July 2016, the world’s shipping alliances include t...

LOADING/UNLOADING OF VESSELS’ OPERATIONS BY THE USE OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGICAL MEANS It goes without saying that vessels consist the most cost efficient way of transportation. However, is that enough for such option of goods transportation for a company? How safe are the transported commodities and by which tools, such safety of cargoes transportation is ensured? We have met Mr. Spiros Malliaroudakis, Managing Director of S.A. Malliaroudakis Maritime (UK) Ltd., with whom we have discussed about the Loading Instrument "Multiload© for Windows", which contributes to more efficient, quicker but also safer loading/unloading operations.   As Mr. Malliaroudakis explained to us, the loading/unloading operation of a vessel is particularly crucial for the safety not only of the cargo but also of the ship herself. Therefore, there is strict regulation for stability and strength aspects. The impression generated around the vessels’ strength given their considerable vo...