Your daily* news service from ports around the world.
In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:
- Worldwide – IMB warns against fake cargo tracking websites
- South Africa, Cape Town – Declaration of Security
- Philippines, all ports – Bonifacio Day
- Bunker Update – MARKET PRICE UPDATE 28/11/12
DATE: November 28, 2012 COUNTRY: Worldwide IMB warns against fake cargo tracking websites
The ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) is warning against fraudulent cargo tracking websites.
Such sites have been created and improved over the years to add legitimacy for fraudsters to entrap their would-be victims. This is particularly true for containerised shipments, where convincing tracking websites highlight the degree of sophistication employed.
Two recent examples investigated by the Bureau illustrate how such online confirmations – whilst appearing convincing – cannot be always taken on face value and relied upon. These also further underline the need for independent verification of credit complying documents, particularly the bill of lading.
The first example covers what appears to be a valuable containerised shipment of copper cathodes from South America to the Far East. The Bs/L presented appeared on their face to be in order. The carrier’s website further attested that the cargoes had been loaded as per the two Bs/L referred.
IMB’s investigations on the other hand contradicted what the website stated.
The physical carrier had quickly confirmed to the Bureau that the vessel was trading elsewhere. Whilst the vessel had bunkered at the discharge port, no cargo operations had been performed in respect of this transaction. A number of mistakes on the fake carrier website were also present with regards to the vessel and further highlights the potential problem with reliance on such resources for cargo confirmation.
The second example relates to the purported shipment of a spurious urea cargo from Malaysia to Vietnam.
On this occasion, the carrier’s website bore a remarkable resemblance to the legitimate website of one of the world’s largest liner companies. In fact, the website pages had been replicated and presented in such a manner that at first glance may lead users to unwittingly believe that they are dealing with the legitimate carrier’s website.
Corporate logos resembling those of the liner company were also present throughout the web pages. The liner company subsequently had the offending website taken down. By this time however the damage had already been done and the unsuspecting victim had already paid out a considerable amount to those behind the fraudulent website.
A degree of caution must be exercised by banks and others when seeking online confirmation for certain carrier websites. Unless the carrier is well known, and the origins of the website verified, total reliance on website confirmations should be avoided. Like legitimate businesses, fraudsters have been quick to appreciate the value of a well presented website in furthering their “business”….
…The above two cases are not the only examples where third party online confirmation markedly differs from the truth and the Bureau’s findings and responses to its banking members….
….For more information on the IMB and its services to members, please email imb@icc-ccs.org or call +44 (0)207 423 6960
(For information about operations around the world, contatc the respective GAC office. Details may be fouond in the “Contacts” section of the GAC website.)
Source: Extract from International Maritime Bureau (IMB – www.icc-ccs.org) update dated 28 November 2012
DATE: November 28, 2012 COUNTRY: South Africa PORT: Cape Town Declaration of Security
Transnet Port Terminals have advised that with immediate effect all vessels berthing at Cape Town Container Terminal’s quays must now complete and sign the Declaration of Security (DOS) form.
This was previously only completed on request.
For information about operations in South Africa cotnact GAC South Africa at shipping.capetown@gac.com
DATE: November 28, 2012 COUNTRY: Philippines PORT: all ports Bonifacio Day
Government and private offices in the Philippines will be closed on Friday (30 November) for the Bonifacio Day public holiday.
For information about operations in the Philippinescontact GAC Philippines at philippines@gac.com
DATE: November 28, 2012 Bunker Update: MARKET PRICE UPDATE 28/11/12
GAC Bunker Fuels Ltd Pricing Alert MARKET PRICE UPDATE 28/11/12
180 CST 380 CST MGO MDO
Aberdeen 0 0 1, 003.00 0
Aden 750.00 0 1, 204.00 0
Alexandria 730.00 715.00 1, 250.00 0
Amsterdam 601.00 577.00 914.00 0
Antwerp 612.00 582.00 929.00 0
Aqaba 0 0 1, 050.00 0
Bahrain 0 0 1, 065.00 0
Barrow 0 0 1, 013.00 0
Busan 653.00 640.00 967.00 955.00
Cape Town 664.00 0 1, 007.00 0
Colombo 755.00 795.00 1, 115.00 0
Dubai 620.00 610.00 870.00 0
Durban 628.00 0 1, 107.00 0
Falmouth 680.00 625.50 984.00 0
Fawley 0 0 1, 067.00 0
Felixstowe 0 0 1, 059.00 0
Fujairah 630.00 610.00 1, 020.00 0
Gibraltar 686.50 650.50 989.50 0
Grangemouth 0 0 1, 031.00 0
Harwich 0 0 1, 038.00 0
Hong Kong 643.50 635.50 974.00 969.00
Houston 666.00 596.00 1, 010.00 0
Immingham 0 0 978.00 0
Invergordon 0 0 1, 040.00 0
Istanbul 642.50 621.50 992.50 0
Jeddah 725.00 715.00 1, 175.00 0
Kaohsiung 665.00 655.00 1, 008.00 993.00
Kuwait 627.00 616.00 0 994.00
Leith 0 0 1, 038.00 0
Malta 703.50 673.50 968.50 0
Mersey 0 0 1, 003.00 0
Milford Haven 0 0 1, 031.71 0
Mumbai 652.00 641.00 1, 077.00 0
New York & New Jersey 630.00 600.00 1, 030.00 0
Newport 0 0 1, 076.00 0
Nigg Bay 0 0 1, 040.00 0
Panama 705.00 640.00 1, 040.00 0
Piraeus 690.50 660.50 976.50 0
Plymouth 0 0 1, 079.00 0
Port Said 725.00 715.00 1, 250.00 0
Qatar 0 0 910.00 0
Ramsgate 0 0 1, 059.00 0
Rio de Janeiro 625.00 601.50 1, 005.00 0
Rotterdam 609.00 585.00 922.00 0
Salalah 710.00 670.00 1, 110.00 0
Shanghai 666.50 646.50 1, 073.00 0
Sharjah 620.00 610.00 870.00 0
Sheerness 0 0 1, 059.00 0
Singapore 614.00 605.00 921.00 0
St Petersburg 574.50 559.50 0 0
Suez 710.00 715.00 1, 250.00 0
Tees 0 0 1, 037.00 0
Thames 0 0 1, 024.00 0
Present in seven locations worldwide, GAC Bunker Fuels, part of the GAC group, is a global broker and trader of marine fuels and lubricants.
The prices listed are for indication purposes only, and local offices should be approached directly for firm prices.
Middle East & Africa: bunker.ae@gac.com Europe: bunker.gb@gac.com Egypt & Mediterranean: bunker.eg@gac.com Americas: bunker.us@gac.com Asia Pacific: bunker.sg@gac.com Indian Subcontinent: bunker.sl@gac.com
Contact Martyn McMahon on +971 566032534 or Martyn.mcmahon@gac.com quoting HPN for more information or with your bunker enquiry.
* for the 28th of November 2012
