Tue, Dec27, 2011
Business News Americas reported in early December that the Bolivian government has equipped the armed forces with barges to help export iron ore from Santa Cruz department's El Mutún deposit.
A sector executive told BNamericas “There is a decree under which the armed forces will undertake 30% of transport so they can help export the iron ore via the Paraguay Paraná waterway to the Atlantic ocean.”
The government gave the armed forces two trawlers and 16 barges that can move up to 2,500 tonnes.
However, some infrastructure works still need to be completed, according to the executive, and they need to organize return cargo so they are not just exporting but also importing.
Iron ore exports from El Mutún are currently suspended due to the low level of the Paraguay River and will not resume until next year.
At the beginning of October, state steel company ESM sent the first 10,000 tonnes of iron ore to Paraguayan steelmaker Acepar as part of a USD 6 million sales contract for 140,000 tonnes.
(Sourced from Business News Americas)
Showing posts with label freight transportation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label freight transportation. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
CBI probes Rs 780-cr iron ore transportation scam
Fri, Nov.18, 2011
An initial investigation conducted by the Railways revealed that the company caused huge revenue loss to it by making false or misleading declaration about the end use of the iron ore lifted from mining sources.
New Delhi, Nov. 16:
CBI is investigating a scam worth at least Rs 780 crore by a mining firm which allegedly defrauded the Railways in transportation of iron ore meant for commercial activities by making false declaration about its end use.
Official sources said the alleged irregularities were carried out in connivance with certain senior officials of South Eastern Railway (SER) for wrongfully transporting the goods from its Chakradharpur division which were exported through Haldia Port in West Bengal.
An initial investigation conducted by the Railways revealed that the company caused huge revenue loss to it by making false or misleading declaration about the end use of the iron ore lifted from mining sources.
It detected that certain industrial units were transporting iron ore through the Chakradharpur Division of SER declaring the material was for domestic consumption or internal use. “Actually the iron ore was being exported through Haldia Port. The investigations initially revealed a loss of revenue of about Rs 50 crore for a period of nine months in the year 2010 by a private company,” a source said without divulging the name of the company.
Later, the scope of investigations was widened to cover three years from 2008-09 to 2010-11.
“The recoverable amount worked out by the Railways in mis-declaration of goods is Rs 749.50 crore,” he said.
Officials have got evidence of similar modus operandi being opted by other companies active in mining activities in Jharkhand and Orissa and they are now being separately investigated.
The case was referred to the CBI for an in-depth probe by the Central Vigilance Commission.
“The scam is huge and there is a possibility of involvement of certain railway officials who colluded with certain mining firm owners,” the official said.
Keywords: CBI probe, iron ore transportation scam, irregularities, South Eastern Railway,
Sourced:BusinessLine
An initial investigation conducted by the Railways revealed that the company caused huge revenue loss to it by making false or misleading declaration about the end use of the iron ore lifted from mining sources.
New Delhi, Nov. 16:
CBI is investigating a scam worth at least Rs 780 crore by a mining firm which allegedly defrauded the Railways in transportation of iron ore meant for commercial activities by making false declaration about its end use.
Official sources said the alleged irregularities were carried out in connivance with certain senior officials of South Eastern Railway (SER) for wrongfully transporting the goods from its Chakradharpur division which were exported through Haldia Port in West Bengal.
An initial investigation conducted by the Railways revealed that the company caused huge revenue loss to it by making false or misleading declaration about the end use of the iron ore lifted from mining sources.
It detected that certain industrial units were transporting iron ore through the Chakradharpur Division of SER declaring the material was for domestic consumption or internal use. “Actually the iron ore was being exported through Haldia Port. The investigations initially revealed a loss of revenue of about Rs 50 crore for a period of nine months in the year 2010 by a private company,” a source said without divulging the name of the company.
Later, the scope of investigations was widened to cover three years from 2008-09 to 2010-11.
“The recoverable amount worked out by the Railways in mis-declaration of goods is Rs 749.50 crore,” he said.
Officials have got evidence of similar modus operandi being opted by other companies active in mining activities in Jharkhand and Orissa and they are now being separately investigated.
The case was referred to the CBI for an in-depth probe by the Central Vigilance Commission.
“The scam is huge and there is a possibility of involvement of certain railway officials who colluded with certain mining firm owners,” the official said.
Keywords: CBI probe, iron ore transportation scam, irregularities, South Eastern Railway,
Sourced:BusinessLine
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Ngwenya Mine iron ore to go by rail from January 2012 in Swaziland
Tuesday, 15 Nov 2011
As from January 20th 2012, iron ore from the recently opened Ngwenya Mine will be transported by rail to reduce road damage.
Mr Gideon Mahlalela CEO of Swaziland Railway said that there would be very minimal transfers made through the Mpaka road, a development expected to ease the much publicized negative comments regarding road damages that might be caused by the over 200 trucks that would transport iron ore to Mpaka and Mozambique, respectively.
Mr Mahlalela said the Swaziland Railway management was still considering whether they would use Sidvokodvo or Matsapha railway stations for this purpose. He added that "Currently, the Swaziland Railway management is looking into how it can load the iron ore much nearer either using the Sidvokodvo or Matsapha stations to reduce road damage. This arrangement was made because it would have been very expensive to create a new railway line to Ngwenya as we would have been unable to recoup costs in five to seven years."
He said that "However, if Salgaocar were to be given a new lease to dig the over 700 million tonnes of iron ore available in the area up to Pigg's Peak, we would construct the new railway line sooner."
His Majesty King Mswati III, senior management of Salgaocar Resources Africa, dignitaries and the public witnessed three Salgaocar trucks carry off the first consignment of mined iron ore dumps from the recently re opened Ngwenya Mine to Maputo. The iron ore will be sent to international markets via Salgaocar Mozambique Limitada through CFM, Mozambique's ports and railway company.
The newly re opened Ngwenya Mine operated by Salgaocar Swaziland was officially opened by the King about three weeks ago during an event also attended by Mozambican ministers, royalty, senior government officials and leaders in the county's business community. Ngwenya Mine was officially closed over 30 years ago before being re opened by Salgaocar.
In his address during the official opening, the King recalled that in the past years, he often received special visitors from the Ngwenya community who bitterly complained about its closure.
Salgaocar Swaziland is one of the first companies to pay a surcharge for using the country's roads. The company pays the ministry of public works and transport about USD 50 for every tonne of iron ore transported to Mpaka and Mozambique. This amount will be paid by Salgaocar for the next five to seven years of operation in the country, at least according to the company’s lease agreement.
The Swaziland Railway CEO said that the arrangement made by Salgaocar to pay a surcharge indeed attested that it was a good company and was in the country with noble intentions not to destroy, but also pay back for damages made to national resources. He added that "It is a first of its kind that a company will pay the ministry of public works and transport a surcharge for using the road. Most companies only pay the usual tax, but Salgaocar will pay an extra E350 for each tonne of iron ore transported."
He also quoted a number of companies that do not pay an extra tax charge for using the road, like sugar companies and many other organizations that use the country’s roads as part of their production processes.
(Sourced from www.observer.org.sz)
As from January 20th 2012, iron ore from the recently opened Ngwenya Mine will be transported by rail to reduce road damage.
Mr Gideon Mahlalela CEO of Swaziland Railway said that there would be very minimal transfers made through the Mpaka road, a development expected to ease the much publicized negative comments regarding road damages that might be caused by the over 200 trucks that would transport iron ore to Mpaka and Mozambique, respectively.
Mr Mahlalela said the Swaziland Railway management was still considering whether they would use Sidvokodvo or Matsapha railway stations for this purpose. He added that "Currently, the Swaziland Railway management is looking into how it can load the iron ore much nearer either using the Sidvokodvo or Matsapha stations to reduce road damage. This arrangement was made because it would have been very expensive to create a new railway line to Ngwenya as we would have been unable to recoup costs in five to seven years."
He said that "However, if Salgaocar were to be given a new lease to dig the over 700 million tonnes of iron ore available in the area up to Pigg's Peak, we would construct the new railway line sooner."
His Majesty King Mswati III, senior management of Salgaocar Resources Africa, dignitaries and the public witnessed three Salgaocar trucks carry off the first consignment of mined iron ore dumps from the recently re opened Ngwenya Mine to Maputo. The iron ore will be sent to international markets via Salgaocar Mozambique Limitada through CFM, Mozambique's ports and railway company.
The newly re opened Ngwenya Mine operated by Salgaocar Swaziland was officially opened by the King about three weeks ago during an event also attended by Mozambican ministers, royalty, senior government officials and leaders in the county's business community. Ngwenya Mine was officially closed over 30 years ago before being re opened by Salgaocar.
In his address during the official opening, the King recalled that in the past years, he often received special visitors from the Ngwenya community who bitterly complained about its closure.
Salgaocar Swaziland is one of the first companies to pay a surcharge for using the country's roads. The company pays the ministry of public works and transport about USD 50 for every tonne of iron ore transported to Mpaka and Mozambique. This amount will be paid by Salgaocar for the next five to seven years of operation in the country, at least according to the company’s lease agreement.
The Swaziland Railway CEO said that the arrangement made by Salgaocar to pay a surcharge indeed attested that it was a good company and was in the country with noble intentions not to destroy, but also pay back for damages made to national resources. He added that "It is a first of its kind that a company will pay the ministry of public works and transport a surcharge for using the road. Most companies only pay the usual tax, but Salgaocar will pay an extra E350 for each tonne of iron ore transported."
He also quoted a number of companies that do not pay an extra tax charge for using the road, like sugar companies and many other organizations that use the country’s roads as part of their production processes.
(Sourced from www.observer.org.sz)
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Mining ban to impact tipper demand in Karnataka
Tuesday, 27 Sep 2011
BS reported that the ban on illegal mining in Karnataka is adversely impacting the sales of trucks and tippers. Manufacturers such as Ashok Leyland, India second biggest truck maker and VE Commercial Vehicles are expecting a hit on retail offtake of trucks if the Supreme Court ban on mining is not lifted.
Already, demand for tippers in the ban-effected mining areas of Bellary, Chitradurga and Tumkur have been on a downtrend for the last few weeks. These trucks which are utilised by large fleet owners are used ferry the ore from mines to the ports.
Mr Somnath Bhattacharjee president Volvo Trucks India and executive vice-president said “Of course, stoppage of work will have a demand glut. I won’t be able to put a specific number to it now, but would definitely have an impact on the demand for tippers, as this is one of the areas where they are consumed.”
According to industry players about 9,500-10,000 tippers are sold every year in iron ore producing states like Karnataka and Goa. With such mines increasingly coming under the scanner of authorities, vehicle makers fear demand for tippers in Goa too will come under pressure.
Mr K Sridharan CFO of Ashok Leyland said "We would not be able to comment at this moment specifically on the impact of the mining ban on demand for trucks which serve such sectors. But if the ban continues it will certainly have an impact."
Chennai based Ashok Leyland signalling a broader slowdown in overall demand for commercial vehicles marked a dip of 4.6% in sales of medium and heavy commercial vehicles of last month to 4,584 units as against 4,796 units sold in the same month a year ago. The company does not provide classification according to the type of vehicle.
(sourced from BS)
BS reported that the ban on illegal mining in Karnataka is adversely impacting the sales of trucks and tippers. Manufacturers such as Ashok Leyland, India second biggest truck maker and VE Commercial Vehicles are expecting a hit on retail offtake of trucks if the Supreme Court ban on mining is not lifted.
Already, demand for tippers in the ban-effected mining areas of Bellary, Chitradurga and Tumkur have been on a downtrend for the last few weeks. These trucks which are utilised by large fleet owners are used ferry the ore from mines to the ports.
Mr Somnath Bhattacharjee president Volvo Trucks India and executive vice-president said “Of course, stoppage of work will have a demand glut. I won’t be able to put a specific number to it now, but would definitely have an impact on the demand for tippers, as this is one of the areas where they are consumed.”
According to industry players about 9,500-10,000 tippers are sold every year in iron ore producing states like Karnataka and Goa. With such mines increasingly coming under the scanner of authorities, vehicle makers fear demand for tippers in Goa too will come under pressure.
Mr K Sridharan CFO of Ashok Leyland said "We would not be able to comment at this moment specifically on the impact of the mining ban on demand for trucks which serve such sectors. But if the ban continues it will certainly have an impact."
Chennai based Ashok Leyland signalling a broader slowdown in overall demand for commercial vehicles marked a dip of 4.6% in sales of medium and heavy commercial vehicles of last month to 4,584 units as against 4,796 units sold in the same month a year ago. The company does not provide classification according to the type of vehicle.
(sourced from BS)
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Vale to create new logistics company in Brazil
Sat, August20, 2011
Brazilian newspaper Valor Economico reported Friday that iron ore mining giant Vale plans to develop a new logistics company to handle general cargo such as steel, wood, soy and fuel. Currently Vale has rail, port and shipping assets for the transportation of iron ore.
The newspaper also said that Vale may take 30 percent of the company public in a share offer next year. Logistics operations have long accounted for a large portion of Vale's revenues. Between 2009 and 2010, revenue from logistics services jumped 14 percent to R$3.2 billion (US$2 billion).
(sourced steelorbis)
Brazilian newspaper Valor Economico reported Friday that iron ore mining giant Vale plans to develop a new logistics company to handle general cargo such as steel, wood, soy and fuel. Currently Vale has rail, port and shipping assets for the transportation of iron ore.
The newspaper also said that Vale may take 30 percent of the company public in a share offer next year. Logistics operations have long accounted for a large portion of Vale's revenues. Between 2009 and 2010, revenue from logistics services jumped 14 percent to R$3.2 billion (US$2 billion).
(sourced steelorbis)
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Transporters launch indefinite strike in Orissa
Wednesday, 17 Aug 2011
BS reported that more than 6,000 truck owners engaged in transportation of iron ore in mineral rich Keonjhar and Joda areas have launched an indefinite strike from on Tuesday protesting the exporters' demand for reduction of transport charges.
Mr Raja Chakra member of Keonjhar Truck Owners' Association said “The main reason for our protest is the revised price calculating formula set by East Zone Mining Association. The new formula will reduce the transport charges by almost a third to INR 1,800 per tonne.”
The EZMA says transport charges must be lower than prevailing rate of INR 2,500 per tonne to INR 2,600 per tonne for carrying a tonne of iron ore from Keonjhar based mines to Paradip port, which takes about three days.
The truck owners' association said as the vehicles spend almost two weeks in queue because of infrastructure bottlenecks at the port, they must charge higher prices.
The association plans to meet the transport secretary and chief secretary on this matter soon.
(Sourced from BS)
BS reported that more than 6,000 truck owners engaged in transportation of iron ore in mineral rich Keonjhar and Joda areas have launched an indefinite strike from on Tuesday protesting the exporters' demand for reduction of transport charges.
Mr Raja Chakra member of Keonjhar Truck Owners' Association said “The main reason for our protest is the revised price calculating formula set by East Zone Mining Association. The new formula will reduce the transport charges by almost a third to INR 1,800 per tonne.”
The EZMA says transport charges must be lower than prevailing rate of INR 2,500 per tonne to INR 2,600 per tonne for carrying a tonne of iron ore from Keonjhar based mines to Paradip port, which takes about three days.
The truck owners' association said as the vehicles spend almost two weeks in queue because of infrastructure bottlenecks at the port, they must charge higher prices.
The association plans to meet the transport secretary and chief secretary on this matter soon.
(Sourced from BS)
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Chinese shipping firms urge govt to foil Vale iron ore fleet expansion
Tuesday,09 Aug 2011
Bloomberg reported that China's largest shipping companies are lobbying the government to foil Vale SA's plan to build a USD 2.3 billion fleet of the world's biggest iron ore carriers that will haul the steelmaking material to the nation.
Mr Zhang Shouguo executive vice chairman of China Shipowners Association said that Vale should engage the shipping companies to run the fleet. Rio de Janeiro based Vale is building 19 of the 400,000 tonnes vessels and will control another 16 under long term contracts, aiming to stabilize freight costs and iron ore prices. He added that "Let the shipping industry do the transport thing. Vale is seeking to control the freight market as it has done with iron ore prices."
The Baltic Dry Index, a measure of commodity transportation costs, slid for a 14th day in London because of a glut of iron ore carriers competing to transport the steelmaking ingredient. Iron ore prices have more than tripled in the past three years and reached a record USD 191.90 a tonne in February.
Mr Murilo Ferreira CEO of Vale Brasil said that the first in the fleet will undoubtedly go to China whenever Vale needs to send iron ore to its biggest customer. The vessel was diverted from its original destination in China to Italy on its maiden voyage because of draft restrictions at the port and a request from a European iron ore customer.
Vale is spending USD 8.1 billion on the fleet including USD 5.8 billion for a 25 year transportation contract with STX Pan Ocean Co, South Korea's biggest bulk shipping company, for seven more. Vale also needs to pay fuel costs for the ships it owns.
(By Bloomberg)
Bloomberg reported that China's largest shipping companies are lobbying the government to foil Vale SA's plan to build a USD 2.3 billion fleet of the world's biggest iron ore carriers that will haul the steelmaking material to the nation.
Mr Zhang Shouguo executive vice chairman of China Shipowners Association said that Vale should engage the shipping companies to run the fleet. Rio de Janeiro based Vale is building 19 of the 400,000 tonnes vessels and will control another 16 under long term contracts, aiming to stabilize freight costs and iron ore prices. He added that "Let the shipping industry do the transport thing. Vale is seeking to control the freight market as it has done with iron ore prices."
The Baltic Dry Index, a measure of commodity transportation costs, slid for a 14th day in London because of a glut of iron ore carriers competing to transport the steelmaking ingredient. Iron ore prices have more than tripled in the past three years and reached a record USD 191.90 a tonne in February.
Mr Murilo Ferreira CEO of Vale Brasil said that the first in the fleet will undoubtedly go to China whenever Vale needs to send iron ore to its biggest customer. The vessel was diverted from its original destination in China to Italy on its maiden voyage because of draft restrictions at the port and a request from a European iron ore customer.
Vale is spending USD 8.1 billion on the fleet including USD 5.8 billion for a 25 year transportation contract with STX Pan Ocean Co, South Korea's biggest bulk shipping company, for seven more. Vale also needs to pay fuel costs for the ships it owns.
(By Bloomberg)
Monday, February 21, 2011
Ukraine’s Interpipe to supply railway wheels for Delhi subway
Monday, 21 February 2011
The Ukrainian steel pipe and railway wheel company Interpipe, one of the largest global producers of railway wheels under the KLW brand, has announced that it has won a tender to supply railway wheels for the subway system in Delhi, India.
The total volume of the order is 200 wheels. Railway wheels under the KLW brand will be used to repair the rolling stock of the Delhi subway.
"For the last 10 years we have supplied railway wheels under the KLW brand to the Indian market. In previous years, we have supplied wheels mainly for suburban and freight transportation. One of the last projects finished in September 2010 was the handover of production technology for 955 mm diameter railway wheels for local EMU [electric multiple unit] trains to the Durgapur Steel Plant (Durgapur, India)," Interpipe's director of railway wheel sales Mikhael Iskov said.
The total volume of the order is 200 wheels. Railway wheels under the KLW brand will be used to repair the rolling stock of the Delhi subway.
"For the last 10 years we have supplied railway wheels under the KLW brand to the Indian market. In previous years, we have supplied wheels mainly for suburban and freight transportation. One of the last projects finished in September 2010 was the handover of production technology for 955 mm diameter railway wheels for local EMU [electric multiple unit] trains to the Durgapur Steel Plant (Durgapur, India)," Interpipe's director of railway wheel sales Mikhael Iskov said.
(sourced:steelorbis)
Tags: India , Ukraine , CIS , South Asia , Indian Subcon , construction , steelmaking , manufacturing , production , consumption, Durgapur Steel Plant
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