Diversions of container ships via the Cape of Good Hope has resulted in a continuous reconfiguration of port calls and vessel sizes on services as carriers adjust Asia to Europe loops to cope with the latest demands.

IHI Corporation, Hokkaido Electric Power, Hokkaido Mitsui Chemicals, Marubeni Corporation, Mitsui & Co. and Tomakomai Futo have started a joint study to set up an ammonia supply chain.

Cargo throughput at the north Chinese port of Qingdao was 172 million tons in the first quarter, a growth rate of 6.9% year-on-year.

IKEA Supply Chain Operations will ship between Asia and Europe using biofuels to reduce CO2 emissions by around 100,000 tonnes in a year.

Cairo-based shipowner United Marine Egypt (UME) is expanding in the bulk cargo market with an order at China’s New Dayang Shipbuilding for two bulkers.

Fast growing container line SeaLead has shifted senior executive Ashok Pillay into a new role as Managing Director for North and Southeast Asia as it looks to expand in the region.

Chinese shipowner New Legend Group is set to move into the tanker market with a newbuilding order at Huanghai Shipbuilding.

Taiwan’s largest shipping company, Evergreen, is reported to have ordered six dual-fuel 2,400-teu feeder ships at Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard.

The world’s first ammonia dual-fuel vessel has successfully completed another phase of its ongoing sea trials in Singapore.