This week's round up of news from the world of heavy lift and project forwarding.
Earlier this week Moore Stephens said that it feels the time is right for shipping to seek financial backing from the private equity sector to help fund investment in innovative products and services. That seems sensible in a market with low asset values and world trade growth looking positive in the years ahead.
But many are of the opinion that private equity has played a major part in the inflated fleet that exists today and the extremely poor market conditions being faced.
Indeed, we hear that a number of private equity funds which moved into shipping over the last several years in order to exploit the market's low level and more particularly the low asset values, are finding, the hard way, of just how volatile shipping markets can be and how illiquid they can be during bad times when an investor may wish to withdraw.
What do you think? We'd love to hear from you.
In business
Broekman Group has changed its name to Broekman Logistics, concluding the company's restructuring programme.
The South Carolina Ports Authority reported a rise in breakbulk traffic, just as it confirmed a new BBC Chartering connection.
Capacity developments
Scaldis orders offshore construction vessel
Scaldis Salvage & Marine Constractors has placed an order with Royal OHC for a self-propelled DP2 crane ship with a lifting capacity of 4,000 tonnes.
Good demand for latest Broshuis trailer
Broshuis, the Dutch-based trailer manufacturer, says that a new trailer introduced at the IAA event in Hannover last year, has been an immediate hit with customers.
Effective early April, SafmarineMPV's SAFWAF multi-purpose shipping service (connecting South Africa and West Africa) will be upgraded from six-weekly to monthly sailings.
ALE has launched its first-ever app on the Android and Apple markets for use on smartphones and tablets.
Saudia boosts Nairobi-Amsterdam capacity
Saudia Cargo will add at least six extra Boeing 747 freighter flights on its Nairobi - Amsterdam route to cater to heightened export demand into Europe during peak season.
Shipment of the week
Liburnia Maritime successfully loaded seven barges, each weighing 750 tonnes, in Rijeka on to a Dockwise semi-submersible vessel destined for Cartagena, Colombia.
On the move
Geodis Wilson has appointed Matthias Hansen as its new regional vice president, EMEA with immediate effect.
Network and association developments
Global Project Logistics Network (GPLN) member Dacotrans Internacional added its office in Tegucigalpa, Honduras to the group, while Westlink Logistics added its Singapore office to the network.
The CLC Projects network welcomed new representation in Serbia with the addition of Log Adria to its roster.
Express Global Logistics (EGL) has been appointed the Worldwide Project Consortium (WWPC) member for the Kolkatta, West Bengal region.
All about Evie
Evie extends congratulations to her friends at Crane Rental Corporation, which received four awards at the United Safety Council's annual Safety Banquet for its outstanding safety record.
She was also impressed to hear that CEA Projects had joined forces with a team of volunteers in Thailand to assemble artificial 'fish-houses' in order to increase the breeding potential of fish, and thus increase the income of local fishermen.
Elsewhere, Austral Asia Line (AAL) was named 'Best Maritime Cargo Provider 2014' at the 2015 Cargo Logistics Canada Awards of Excellence - good job AAL!
