STRATFORD

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Latest news

SM Line pays $24m for 2006-built post-panamax

SM Line, the new South Korean carrier, continues its rapid fleet expansion. Founded by the Samra Midas Group last December, SM Line has launched transpacific and intra-Asia services very fast. Its website states it currently has 23 ships with plans to have 30 vessels by the end of the year. Brokers report its latest acquisition is the 8,533 teu Lloyd Don Carlos. SM Line is reported as paying a hefty $24m to Germany’s E R Schiffahrt for the 2006-built ship, despite arming in post-panamax rates, with 8,500 teu vessels now achieving in region of $14,500 a day for period. The ship will likely be deployed on SM’s transpacic operations.

Brisbane handles its first 8,500 teu vessel

The Port of Brisbane has welcomed on Nov. 30, 2016 its first 8,500 teu class vessel, the Maersk Lloyd Don Carlos, representing a “significant milestone” for the Australian port. The arrival follows ongoing work to optimise the port’s navigational channel. Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd (PBPL) CEO, Roy Cummins, stated: “As vessels increase in size and demand grows for Australian ports to take these larger vessels, PBPL has taken a firm view that in the future, Port of Brisbane will never be the limiting factor on the east coast of Australia.”

Boxship barely avoided grounding

The "CMA CGM Don Carlos" barely avoided grounding while leaving Xiamen on Jan 15,2016. In the main fairway the vessel suddenly veered off course and was heading towards shallow waters. The Vessel Traffic System operators spotted the wrong course and timely warned the vessel.