OVER-CAPACITY, RISING OIL PRICES, SOCIAL CRISIS AND GOOD RESULTS

Last year, we managed to recoup the tonnage lost in 2009. The cost-saving measures put in place and the slight upturn seen in 2010 allowed our company to post unprecedented results. This vindicates our strategy of concentrating on north-south routes, away from the busier trade lanes, and providing direct services.

The upturn, which was vigorous if short-lived, is now weakening however. Furthermore, the vessels ordered before the crisis when the shipping industry was at full speed and freight rates at their height are now coming into service. This could lead to overcapacity on the world's shipping market and a subsequent slump in freight rates.

Postponing or cancelling a certain number of vessel orders and the decision by many shipping companies to reduce speed at sea has provided some relief. Similarly, the routing via container of goods previously transported by other means plus the entry onto the international trade scene of new exporting powers are soaking up part of this excess capacity. read more

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REINFORCEMENTS FOR DUNKIRK

Since Dunkirk was one of the few French ports operating normally during the industrial action seen at the beginning of the year, we decided to transfer most of our Le Havre and Rouen traffic there.
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GIRLS ON TOP

The District Maritime Nord ladies team, sponsored by Marfret, is doing very well. The young ladies aged between 12 and 15 have been competing against teams of boys and were recent finalists of the Coudekerque-Branche tournament at the end of January. read more

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ICS : LEEWAY UNTIL JULY

As many operators still are not ready for the implementation of the Import Control System (ICS) which should have been compulsory from 1st January 2011, European Customs have decided to grant an extension to the compliance deadline. read more

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ALGERIA TO DEVELOP ITS PORT INFRASTRUCTURE

The Algerian Minister for Public Works announced last month the launching of sixty or so projects for port construction and extension and for the building of fishermen's shelters for a total cost of € 995 M.
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NEW CALEDONIA NICKEL PRICES AND KONIAMBO MINE BOOSTING THE ISLAND'S ECONOMY

Unlike other French overseas territories, New Caledonia is blessed with inestimable riches… This small outpost of France in the Pacific Ocean supplies 9% of the world's nickel output and new mining and residential projects are moving ahead at tremendous pace.

"Dynamic" would be the right word to describe New Caledonia; even the 2008 economic crisis passed through without making the slightest ripple. The strong Chinese demand for raw materials has pushed up the price of nickel, which counts for 90% of the island's exports. Imports have increased over the past few years, as have exports.

The French company Eramet, through its Société Le Nickel subsidiary, operates a smelter at Doniambo and ships the nickel by container. After a few teething troubles, the Brazilian conglomerate Vale should be commissioning its Goro refinery soon. read more

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AIRBORNE FIX FOR THE MARFRET DOUCE FRANCE

Following an oil leak on its stern tube recently, the vessel's crew and technical staff were involved in a somewhat unorthodox repair operation that left the ship with its poop in the air…

During a crossing between Le Havre and Saint-Martin at the beginning of February, the Marfret Douce France suffered damaged to the seal on its stern tube, which carries the propeller shaft and is supported by the stern frame of the ship.

"We immediately took action to stem the leak by changing the viscosity of the oil being used," explains technical director Pierre Albrieux, the person in charge of the Marfret fleet.

The company started looking for a dry dock but none was available, so the Douce France ended up alongside the quay at Port of Spain, Trinidad on 21st February last. It's thanks to the resourcefulness of the ship's captain Jean-Pierre Molineus and first officer Sebastien Blancher that a solution was found to carry out the repairs without having to dry-dock. read more

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MARFRET SEEKS TO DEVELOP SHIP AGENCY BUSINESS

The Marseille Fret - Marfret Group has three business activities; it is a ship-owner, a liner operator and ship's agent for the vessels it operates. Since September 2009, it also has been acting as representative for the Belgian shipping company Conti Lines in French ports. On the strength of that experience, it has now decided to expand its ship agency business. It already signed contracts -via Conti Lines- with two other shipping lines, Norway's Grieg Star and the German company BBC earlier in 2011. Marfret could soon enter into agreements with other shipping companies covering additional geographic zones. Consequently, a special department, headed by Laurence Gloaguen, is being put in place at Gennevilliers in the Paris suburbs. read more

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MARFRET Compagnie Maritime 13, Quai de la Joliette 13002 Marseille