Dear Readers,
It has been a month since I was last in touch. And what a month it has been!
Not only am I close to the end of my second round the world tour in two months (by flight), I also managed to get myself booked as a passenger onboard a cargo vessel together with my son due to sail out from Port Klang in two weeks. I am looking forward to some father and son time without YouTube, mobile connections and internet surfing. I will (hopefully) have his full attention as will he have mine.
I heard that now in Sweden where my son lives the schools decided to ban the use of mobiles during school hours. I find that a good decision because frankly who can control it? Can we as parents? We even had incidents where children drowned as one of the parents was too busy scrolling and looking at the mobile whilst their child was struggling in the water. Scary but true.
On the other hand, of course, when I wake up in the morning before I put on my clothes, I check my mobile… who knows, perhaps Henry Kissinger called… haha.
Joke aside, discipline is really what is needed when it comes to our children and their mobiles. Monkey see, monkey do, so we are supposed to be role models—but I gotta admit I am the first one failing on that score. Still on balance, I hope that through this trip, I can instill some routine and discipline in what is a wonderful teenager. Of course, I was “never like that”… Sure I was—just too damn old to remember 😀.
The world seems a bit more of a dangerous place nowadays. Not sure if the tariff/trade war is to blame for the general uneasiness that many of us feel. However, with the Gaza / Ukraine/ Yemen conflict going on (and more recently the ever present matter of Kashmir), it makes me think that we can never be too sure about the “old world order”, whether it still will prevail.
As for the US, I have no doubt that President Trump has done many things right, but he is not what I would call a “global citizen.” Thus, perhaps he fails to understand the mechanisms of today’s global world trade and where Akron, Ohio (for example) is not the centre of the universe any longer. Production capability and old memories of a work ethic that existed in the US before is perhaps long gone — and to some extent, without immigration would have been extinct completely. So kudos to all who emigrate globally to do better for themselves, their families at home, etc.
China will also have to face more competition regarding their business model. No doubt with 30% of BNP based on real estate, a lot of it inflated, they might be in for trouble as we have companies there such as Evergrande, etc. Their going bust would equal a smaller country in size. Yet, in China they do have something called EAT BITTER 吃苦 (chīkǔ) so if it comes to hardship, no doubt they can take it more in stride than we in the “West.”
In the shipping arena, I must say that business seems still to be ok. Some shipping lines have gradually started to pick up their phones and call their customers which is a good sign. If they even invite you to lunch, then you know that THEY are hungry. Since the Corona days, and even now during the Red Sea crisis, it is not a bad thing for the owners to have the longer “safety ride” via the Cape of Good Hope. If the Suez Canal opens up again, there will be an avalanche of empty tonnage (container mainly) on the market and rates will be in free fall.
I am writing this editorial in the Dubai airport. I have to say that I am amazed by this place, not only the flight departure list but also the airport itself and the service of Emirates — their national airline. The vibe and “can do” of the place is intoxicating. Small wonder that millions choose to fly better with Emirates and use Dubai as a transit hub to….wherever. Why don’t we have this spirit in our European Airlines?
Well, back to business. As a wise man said, “No money, no honey.” Not that I am charging anyone for this newsletter, but the value is in the contacts gained worldwide. Sometimes, if not all the time, contacts are gold and worth more than money.
Today, first of all, we have an interview with a company in Malta. Then, we go to Angola, the Czech Republic, and Brazil. So quite a journey. I will leave it to you readers to evaluate, and hopefully, you will take the time to read/listen to it all.
Don’t forget our Mobile Application and we, of course, include shipping news, trade intel and our ever present wise words that I should adhere to but never do. 😀
Do take care, enjoy life and I shall be in touch in a month’s time.
Until mid-June, I remain,
With best regards,
Yours sincerely,
Bo H. Drewsen
bo.drewsen@projectcargo-weekly.com
Video Interview
Thomas Smith & Co
Ramon Azzopardi, Business Development Director at Thomas Smith & Co Ltd., Malta interviewed by Bo H. Drewsen, Editor in Chief at Project Cargo Weekly
NATCO – Angola
Interview with
Mr. Carlos Magalhaes
President
First of all Carlos, can you introduce yourself to our readers? When did you start your career in shipping & logistics, and for how long have you been living in Angola?
My name is Carlos Magalhães, and I currently serve as President of NATCO Angola. I’ve been working in the shipping and logistics industry for over 40 years. I pursued my studies in Switzerland, and, throughout my career, I’ve held senior leadership roles in several countries across different continents.
Video Interview
Liburnia Airfreight
Petr Tyburec, Regional Head of Airfreight, Liburnia Group, Prague, Czech Republic interviewed by Bo H. Drewsen, Editor in Chief at PCW
Inter Oceanica Logistics & Solutions – Brazil
Interview with
Ms. Cristina Galhardo
Head of Special Cargo
For starters Cristina can you tell us about the background, history and ownership of Interoceanica?
CG: Of course! Interoceanica was created in 2002 by its owners (Washington Barros, Fabiano Rodrigues, Marcos Marinho, Rene Steinmann and Wayan Barros), together with BBC do Brasil (representing BBC Chartering in Brazil), with the help of our current general manager, the highly experienced Carlos Dohnert. Since its beginning as a freight forwarder, Interoceanica’s initial function was to assist the tube market, addressing Vallourec’s growing need for a management service over its export demands. We are happy to say that Vallourec remains with us to this day.
MSC Containership Aground in Red Sea is a Possible Victim of GPS Jamming
Editor’s Note:
It appears that the Houthis are not only firing missiles at ships but are behind the GPS jamming and spoofing in the region that has caused many vessels to “mislocate”.
“This is a clear and present danger for shipping,” wrote Ami Daniel, Co-Founder & CEO of predictive data analytics firm Windward. He warns of a “significant escalation in jamming capability,” citing Windward’s data that shows “that the average distance vessels ‘jump’ to when their AIS is jammed grew dramatically from 600km in Q4 2024 to 6,300km in Q1 2025.” Windward warns of GPS jamming incidents ranging from the Baltic to the Eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea, Red Sea, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Aden, Sudan’s coastline, and China’s coastal waters.
Important Stories from Russia’s North
Editor’s Note:
Arctic is often a bleak place and no place more bleak that the North of Russia where many prison camps were located in the past (Vorkuta for example) some news here also including shipping in the north.
Welcome to the Barents Observer’s weekly email digest. Russia’s full-scale war on Ukraine is in its third year. This week we have many stories showing the brutal militarisation of northern Russia. Children on the Kola Peninsula are told that we in Scandinavia are supporting nazis. Young men from countryside villages, like in Pinega, are simultaneously killed en masse as Putin’s war machine sends them to the meat grinder on the battlefields in east-Ukraine. Brutal Russian missile attacks are killing civilians in Ukraine. A hopeless war, started for nothing, built on a lie that neo-nazis are ruling in Kyiv.
Asia Break Bulk:
Your Shipping Partner in Asia and Europe
Editor’s Note:
Was a happy passenger onboard mv ABB Vanessa last year. Asia Breakbulk part of Coli Group now got their website revamped. You may wish to take a look here for breakbulk solutions and chartering in the SEAsia & Japan region.
Personalized care with every voyage, that’s what you can expect from us. Our multi-purpose vessels and preparatory processes are designed to keep your cargo secure. In addition, with the fleet of Asia Break Bulk, you have maximum control over shipping schedules, ensuring your goods arrive on time, every time.
Our tween-deck vessels, equipped for heavy lifts up to 360 mt SWL, offer flexibility across supply chains.
United O7 Asia Position List – 2nd of May 202
Editor’s Note:
United Heavylift Ocean 7 work together worldwide with specialised h/l ships. It gives you an idea about their coverage when you see their position list below.
United 07 Asia Sailing Schedule
Scatec starts construction of large scale solar and battery storage project in Egypt
Scatec ASA has commenced construction of its 1.1 GW Obelisk solar and 100 MW/200 MWh battery storage project in Egypt. The energy will be sold under a USD-denominated 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC), backed by a sovereign guarantee.
Insulator Ties in Peru: Boosting Solar Infrastructure
Gonvarri Solar Steel, a Spanish solar racking solutions company, has won a contract to supply 396 MWac/472 MWdc of hardware to a subsidiary of Spain’s Enhol Group for a project in Peru.
NTR’s Flagship Uusnivala BESS Project in Finland Finalizes Contracts Ahead of Construction
NTR, a leading European renewable energy developer, has selected Fluence for its flagship Uusnivala BESS Project in Finland. This contract award comes as the developer anticipates to start construction soon. NTR also estimates the commissioning date for the Uusnivala BESS Project to be by mid-2026.
OQ Gas Networks Partners with Gasunie to Develop Green Hydrogen Infrastructure in Oman
OQ Gas Networks SAOG (OQGN), the exclusive operator of Oman’s natural gas transmission network, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gasunie Waterstof Holding B.V. (Gasunie), a Dutch natural gas infrastructure and transportation company. The agreement marks a significant step in Oman’s commitment to sustainable energy as part of its Vision 2040.
The View from St. Mathildas Hospital in Hong Kong
Editor’s Note:
Stubbed my toe so had to visit St. Mathildas hospital in Hong Kong for an x-ray. You may call it an X/Ray with a view, overlooking the entrance to Hong Kong you can imagine from this footage what a fantastic location that this hospital has. Besides the view they are also professional. Enjoy…
Editor’s Note:
Visited Kota Kinabalu which besides having both a small breakbulk/roro port also has a container port. Located in Sabah in East Malaysia it is an unpolished gem and with some of the best sunsets around it is recommended to visit by anyone.
