Jakarta: Indonesia looks like it is making some inroads into solving its logistics issues, with four state-owned port operators reportedly signing a joint venture agreement to revitalize the domestic cargo handling business.

Hong Kong: Hong Kong's container throughput continued to slide in March, falling to 1.88m teu, 8.5% lower than the same month the year before.

Singapore: Northport (Malaysia), port operating subsidiary of NCB Holdings, has announced planned investments of $329m financing redevelopment projects to its container handling facilities from 2014.

Singapore: Singapore port's container throughput stayed flat in March over the corresponding period of last year though volumes improved month-on-month, according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

Jakarta: Pelindo II reportedly saw first quarter net income rise 76% profit from IDR513bn ($53m) in the previous corresponding period, helped by efficiency improvements although revenue only increased 10%.

Sydney: Australia's New South Wales government is privatising Port Botany and Port Kembla with 99-year leases, a deal giving more than AUD4bn ($4.2bn) of infrastructure projects for the state.

Singapore: The port of Singapore has raised its competitiveness by reviewing its dues structure and rates, and enhancing the Maritime Singapore Green Initiative.

Shanghai: Shanghai, the world's largest container port, moved higher throughput in March both year-on-year and month-on-month, according to figures from Shanghai International Port (Group) (SIPG).

The booming East African products import market is little remarked on but is playing a role in sustaining demand for MR and LR product carriers. Rising population and increased mining activity are behind the surge according to London broker E.A...

Oslo: Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg has promoted the Baltic Sea as a new pilot area for LNG-fuelled shipping.