Headlines
Container spot rates fall marginally, long-term keep climbing

The Drewry World Container Index (WCI) declined by 0.2% for the week ended 30 September to $10,360.87 per feu, remaining some 291.8% higher than a year earlier. The marginal drop in average follows a flat index week earlier, which marked a stabilisation after 22 weeks of consecutive increases.
The overall week-on-week decrease was driven by the transpacific trade with Shanghai – Los Angeles down 2% at $12,172 per feu, which remains up 198% year-on-year. The backhaul LA – Shanghai saw a 1% decrease last week to $1,383 per feu.
Spot rates on Asia – North Europe rose through with Shanghai – Rotterdam up 1% at $14,558 per feu, with rates up 535% year-on-year.
“Drewry expects rates to remain steady in the coming week,” the analyst said.
The stabilising of spot rates coincided with CMA CGM’s announcement that it would be freezing spot increases until 1 February next year.
The change in approach was noted by Xenata CEO Patrik Berglund. “However, with rates already so high there’ll no doubt be many shippers viewing this as ‘crumbs from the rich man’s table’… and let’s see if any freezes do take hold within the broader carrier community,” he commented.
While container spot rates may finally be showing some stability Xenata said the impact on long-term rates continues to be felt with another 3.2% rise in September taking year-to-date increases to 91.5%.
Xenata little evidence that the fundamentals are weakening and expect rates to remain strong.
“This year has seen a unique convergence of Covid-19 disruption, port congestion, strong demand, and maxed-out capacity, and that has stoked the flames of record-breaking rates,” explained Berglund.
Xenata noted that with the market strongly in their favour, lines were looking to lock in customers in long-term bookings with some even offering multi-year deals with guaranteed shipments.
“Shippers are treading carefully in this regard, but there is some appetite for longer-term commitment – raising the question of whether both parties might look beyond the traditional tender?” Berglund said.
It was noted that long-term contracts already account for 60% of Maersk’s bookings.
Headlines
Aftermath of Adeyanju’s exit, crisis resurfaces in MWUN

Headlines
NIMASA embarks on digital revolution to plug revenue leakages, enhance optimum operations

— spurns smear campaign against the process
“To set the records straight, following a comprehensive internal review of operational systems, the current leadership of NIMASA resolved to embrace technology as a means of enhancing the Agency’s capacity to deliver on its regulatory mandate more effectively and to bring into the coffers of government additional revenue ensure funds due government does not end up in private hands.
“A pivotal innovation in this regard is the Maritime Enhanced Monitoring System (MEMS).
“The additional recipients targeted are, waste reception services, a routine operation for both domestic and international vessels have traditionally lacked proper tracking, resulting in unmonitored activities and significant revenue losses.
“Marine pollution control, another critical area of NIMASA’s mandate, has similarly been constrained by limited digital tools. In the absence of satellite tracking and automated reporting, pollution events often go unnoticed or are reported too late to mitigate their impact.
“It is important to emphasize that past revenue shortfalls experienced by the Agency mainly stemmed from outdated manual processes, fragmented data systems, and insufficient digital enforcement mechanisms which allowed some external elements to capitalize on the loopholes for personal gains .
“The current reforms being implemented by NIMASA are focused squarely on overcoming these limitations.
“The public is therefore advised to disregard the misleading reports and instead support NIMASA’s transformation journey as it aligns with the broader national objectives of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
“The Agency remains committed to strengthening Nigeria’s maritime governance, ensuring environmental safety, and optimizing revenue for the nation.
“It is worthy of note that the Deep Blue Project of the Agency which now enjoys global recognition also witnessed such resistance at the initial stage” the agency noted.
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