Panama Uses Electronic Logbooks

The Panamanian flag state administration has authorized the use of electronic logbooks onboard all Panamanian flag vessels.

Kongsberg Maritime’s current generation electronic logbook, K-Log is already installed on several vessels and approved by IMO and SOLAS, and accepted by Norway (NOR/NIS), Sweden, Denmark, United Kingdom (MCA), Bahamas, Singapore, Isle of Man, Marshall Islands and Malta. With Panamanian approval, a large proportion of the world’s merchant fleet is now able to make use of this forward-looking system. Due to a recent legislative amendment, an E-license is required in order to use electronic logbooks onboard any ship. Users will benefit from the convenience of obtaining a single annual E-License rather than buying each of the traditional printed log books used onboard during the year.

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DCT Gdansk celebrates the festive season with cars galore

The new DCT Gdansk container terminal handled its first car carrier, the 55,729GT ‘Asian Emperor’.

Part of the Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics fleet, she discharged over 1,700 Mitsubishi motor vehicles manufactured in Asia. These have since been shipped out on board ‘Nobleza’, a shortsea car carrier operated by United European Car Carriers, to the Finnish port of Kotka for eventual delivery to Russian customers. On January 2, a second WWL vessel, the 44,219GT ‘Maersk Teal’, discharged further 1,576 vehicles for transshipment. The maiden call of ‘Asian Emperor’ brought 2007 to a very satisfactory conclusion while the arrival of ‘Maersk Teal’ was a great start to 2008.’ DCT Gdansk is optimistic about its chances of landing more car carrier traffic and is also drawing the attention of motor manufacturers and their suppliers to the development of a major logistics area adjacent to the marine terminal.

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DP World furthers its Maputo footprint

Global port operator DP World has further committed to the growing Mozambique port of Maputo, investing more than US$32 million in the Maputo Port Development Company, joining in a partnership with Grindrod International Ltd and Mozambique Gestores SARL.

DP World holds the concession to operate the container terminal at Maputo Port and is already a 60% shareholder in Maputo International Port Services (MIPS), the container terminal operating company, with the Mozambique Ports and Railways Company holding the remaining 40%.  The terminal has 100,000 teu capacity.
DP World has now purchased 48.5 % of Portus Indico – Sociedade de Servicos Portuarios, SA.  Grindrod International Ltd holds another 48.5%, with Mozambique Gestores, SARL holding the remaining 3%. Portus Indico has a 51% interest in MPDC, which holds the concession for the overall Port of Maputo until 2018, with an option to extend to 2028. Portus Indico separately also holds the agreement for the management of MPDC. The Government of Mozambique holds the remaining 49% share interest in MPDC.

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