At least 2 carriers operating on the China-Baltic Russia route have suffered financial troubles. The 2,472 teu MYD JIMEI operated by Global Field Line (GFL) is currently stranded in the Baltics. In a letter to GFL customers dated 25 January 2024, the carrier requested for an additional payment of $3000/20' and $5000/40' to allow the company to settle outstanding payments to its local agent and port operator. The ship has been waiting to dock at St Petersburg since 8 January 2024. Another Russi
Russian operator Transmasters' China to St Petersburg service has been disrupted by financial troubles with 6 of its ships stranded since December 2023. Transmasters have notified its customers on 15 December 2023 of an emergency surcharge of $1,750/teu for cargo already loaded on the 1,662 teu HONRISE that has been stranded off Sweden since 23 November 2023. The ship will only be able to discharge at St Petersburg after the surcharge has been paid. The 1,725 teu SHUN LONG has also been strand
Russian container carrier Transmasters have taken control of 3 former Wan Hai ships of 1,662 teu for its China-Russia service. The 3 ships - WAN HAI 261, WAN HAI 262, WAN HAI 263 - were originally to be sold for scrap but they have been retaken by Chinese owners and renamed as HONRISE, NEW EVERPROSPER and STAR BRIGHT respectively. The 3 ships have joined Transmasters progressively in July and August 2023 and deployed on the China-Russia service that calls at Lianyungang, Taicang, Nansha, Colom
Sinokor has launched a new Greater China-Russia Service (GRS) connecting Yantian, Nansha, Xiamen, Shanghai, Vostochny, Yantian from 3 September 2023 with the newly chartered 2,902 teu TB BRIGHT CITY. The new service will turn in 3 weeks and will operate in conjunction with 2 other ships operated by CStar Line (the 2,206 teu MAO GANG GUANG ZHOU and MAO GANG QUAN ZHOU) that will run on the same route, with CStar branding the services as the Far East-Far East Service 1 (FEFE1)
New New Shipping has deployed 4 ships on the China-St Petersburg Northern Sea Route service after the successful eastbound trial voyage by the 1,638 teu NEWNEW POLAR BEAR that finished its St Petersburg-Shanghai trip on 14 August after a 38 day voyage. The same ship has departed from Xingang on 22 August for a westbound voyage to St Petersburg, joining the 1,220 teu XIN XIN HAI 1 and the 2,741 teu XIN XIN TIAN 1 that have departed earlier on 1 August and 31 July respectively on the same route t
Two new entrants to the liner trades CStar Line and Uniglobal Shipping have jointly launched a new China-Turkey service aimed at the Russian market. The service calls at Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo, Nansha, Ambarli, Shanghai, Qingdao using 4 ships of 1,700-2,700 teu that will provide sailings on alternate weeks. The first sailing started from 26 July 2023 with the 1,714 teu BOX ENDEAVOUR that is operated by CStar Line and followed on 9 Aug 2023 by the 1,930 teu CUL LAEMCHABANG operated by Uniglo
FESCO has launched a new FESCO Indian Service that connects Novorossiysk, Nhava Sheva, Mundra, Novorossiysk with the 1,118 teu FESCO ASKOLD from 28 July 2023. The service will turn in about 40 days using a single ship at the moment.
MSC has increased its exposure to the Russian market with a new China to St Petersburg relay service via Klaipeda and Antwerp. With a total capacity of over 8,000 teu per week, MSC has further solidified its position as the largest carrier in the Russia Baltic market that it has maintained despite the ongoing European Union sanctions against Russia. MSC has deployed the 4,112 teu MSC VAISHNAVI R. on the Klaipeda-St Petersburg feeder service since 27 May 2023 with the frequency improved in July
Total container volumes handled at Russian ports rebounded sharply in the 2nd quarter of 2023 with a 33% yoy gain despite the ongoing sanctions against Russia. Far East gateway volumes through Vladivostok, Vostochny and Nakhodka grew by 39%, while volumes handled at the Black Sea gateway of Novorossiysk increased by 40%. Although the Baltic gateways of St Petersburg, Ust-Luga and Kaliningrad rebounded strongly by 25% compared to a year ago, total Baltic volumes remain at less than half of their
Hainan Yangpu New New Shipping has launched the first of several planned voyages through the Northern Sea Route (NSR) with the departure of the 1,638 teu NEWNEW POLAR BEAR from St Petersburg on 7 July 2023. The 1AS ice-classed ship was acquired by New New Shipping in June this year and will make a 28 day transit to Qingdao and Xingang before reaching Shanghai in August. The overall transit time will depend on ice conditions enroute, with New New Shipping expected to mount 3 more sailings on thi