World’s Largest Container Ship Docks Bearing Gifts

On its maiden voyage at the most important time of the year, the world’s largest container ship docked in Southampton with tons of Christmas presents loaded on it. The massive floating warehouse measures a staggering 396 meters in length, which is the size of four football fields – sailed from China and will be making stops at several countries, with Britain being its first.

Santa’s Water Transport

The massive steel containers hold many delicious gifts all the way from the East. The latest televisions, furniture, clothing, books, power tools and just about every other conceivable gift that Santa has been required to drop off is hidden away in the massive containers.

China’s First Polar Icebreaker Launching in 2014

The Chinese have expressed an interest in exploring the polar caps and with the recent construction of China’s first polar icebreaker the wheels have been set in motion of the first exploration. The melting caps have opened waterways that will allow the icebreaker the ability to move freely through the Arctic Ocean.

The Cool Ship

The 8,000 ton ship will have the ability to break through 1.5 metres of ice and work through the polar waterways which serve as short cuts between Europe and China allowing it to explore areas that are known for being rich in oil. This new icebreaker is expected to greatly boost the country’s exploration capacities.

Blue Marlin: Largest Sea Faring Carrier

The dimensions and contour is almost incomprehensible. It is most difficult to not heed her imposing presence. Blue Marlin ship is the globe’s largest seagoing carrier across the oceans. The sturdy carrier can transport an oil rig, or 22 barges, or a couple of submarines, even a couple of aircraft carriers. The semi-submersible was built purely for the transport of these massive constructs.

She is the biggest powerhouse ship on the ocean. Weighing an impressive 60,000 tonnes the Blue Marlin can load and carry additional 75,000 tonnes with absolute ease. At just over 700 feet in length and 149 in depth, the Marlin’s width is the most impressive. She measures two football fields in width and which allows her to carry mammoth structures such as rigs and up to 22 barges. Apparently a larger carrier ship is set to be launched at the end of 2012 and she will be the newest member of the Blue Marlin team. Designed to out-do the Marlin is most ways, she will carry a maximum weight of 110,000 tonnes. Now that’s impressive, but one still cannot dispute the legend that is the current Blue Marlin. Her freight and shipping capabilities are powerful and extremely dramatic.

The Most Important Canals for Sea Freight

When it comes to sea freight, there are many interesting aspects that contribute to the overall route of the trip. From the different ports of call, interesting shipping rules of the sea and of course the routes they take. There are a few key sea freight shipping canals that shape the world of freight and shipping as we know it; imagine a world where imports and exports took months longer than they currently do. Foreign aid, oil and other key industries would be hampered incredibly by ineffective slow turnover. Let’s look at the key sea freight transport canals that, in some cases, half shipping duration in half.

The World’s Biggest Ships – Batillus-Class Supertankers

The business of oil transportation is an interesting one; how can we transport many hundreds of tonnes of oil a year without fixed piping. The answer comes in the form of the biggest ships ever to cargo goods, the Batillus-Class Supertankers. By far the biggest ships in the world by gross tonnage, the line of ships were the goliaths of the ocean and among the first UULC (Ultra Large Crude Carriers) ships operating in the world. The Batillus-Class supertankers were a family of mammoth oil tankers that have since been decommissioned. Batillus was the first in the family, being built in 1976 for the French branch of Shell Oil and constructed by Chantiers de I’Atlantique. The circumstances surrounding its construction were interesting during a volatile time for freight shipping; the ‘oil shock’ as a result of the Yom Kippur War almost saw the supertanker scrapped as a project altogether. The contract to build the Batillus was signed on April 6^th 1971 and by the time of the war in 1973 there was serious doubt the biggest cargo ships could use their full potential since supply of oil dropped dramatically. However Shell decided to continue construction as work commitments at the shipyard were already so far along that any cancellation would put thousands of men out of work and extreme financial stress on the shipyard.

High Sea Legislation Law Introduced – Sea Bill 2011

It seems the sea freight industry is feeling a bit under the archaic legislation law of the old British rule, or so the amendments to the ‘Sea Bill 2011’ would suggest. The National Assembly Standing Committee on Ports and Shipping has unanimously passed the Carriage of Goods act to be presented before the National Assembly for confirmation. While the organisation is more than just a mouthful, one needs to be aware that while it’s important to pass contemporary common law legislation to keep up with the times, the utmost care needs to be taken to ensure they follow international practices and economic and commercial viability and policies. When it comes to certain developing countries, the freight shipping industry can be quite challenging. Take for example Pakistan who relies almost entirely on private international shipping companies; a ball park figure of 95% of all business. The new law legislation employment by the NASCPS may have the best interests of the first world in mind, but on a global stage where it’s difficult for developing countries to play ball the amendments may give more advantage to developed countries than they already had.

SA Fruit Exporters Turn to Air Freight to Counter Transnet Strike

South African fruit exporters are turning to air freight forwarding companies and services to keep up to schedule with contractual demands and deadlines. Sea freight has suffered an enormously slow period in recent times due to the Transnet strike that is currently taking place at ports around South Africa.