China has extended a subsidy program that encourages shipping companies to scrap old vessels by two years. The move is a bid to support an industry struggling to emerge from a global downturn.   The scheme, which began in 2013 and was due to end this year, gives shipping lines grants of 1,500 yuan ($241.67) per gross ton to replace old vessels with newer, more environmentally friendly models.   These subsidies helped state-backed shippers including China COSCO and China Shipping ...

Tapping into one of its major business fields, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has established MOL Auto Carrier Express (MOL ACE) as global brand in the car carrier service. MOL will start to use MOL ACE beginning July 1.    MOL’s carrier service network includes offices and agencies in approximately 140 nations around the world, and the MOL Group operates about 120 car carriers that transport automobiles, buses and trucks  as well as other large cargos such as machinery ...

The total capacity of containerships ordered so far this year has reached 1.04 million teu, or 60% more in capacity terms than what was ordered during the same period of 2014, shipping analyst Alphaliner said.   The new wave of orders is focused mainly on ships of above 18,000 teu, with orders for 39 units of 18,000-21,000 teu already placed in the first six months of this year, Alphaliner’s data shows.   The latest contract was concluded last week, when Maersk Line ordered ...

Drone technology may become a staple of day to day operations for a Japan-based shipbuilder that is currently exploring the commercial applications of drones in one of its facilities.   Tsuneishi Holdings Corporation is analyzing the potential for using drones at its Hiroshima shipbuilding facility in an effort to increase both safety and productivity in daily operations. The drone, weighing in at about 3 kilograms (6.6 pounds) is able to capture high-quality photos and video and t...