Moody's Investors Service has affirmed an A1 rating for the South Carolina Ports Authority's (SCPA) outstanding debt and provided a stable outlook, citing the agency's strong operating history, favourable financial performance and distinct advantages such as deep-water.

Last week the Port of Haifa set a new record for container throughput. 

Global Ports Investments Plc, the leading container terminal operator serving Russian cargo flows has announced that the Board of Directors has approved the Group's capital expenditure (CAPEX) programme for 2013 and resolved to recommend payment of a special dividend in February 2013 subject to approval at an Extraordinary General Meeting of shareholders.

BMT JFA Consultants (BMT), leading an integrated specialist BMT team, has been commissioned by World Titanium Resources (WTR) to provide project management services and supervision of site investigations for the Toliara Sands Project, located in southwest Madagascar.WTR proposes to mine and export 407,000 tonnes per annum of ilmenite and 44,000 tonnes of zircon rich concentrate from the Ranobe Mine to a new port site near Toliara (Tuléar).

The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) in South Carolina, USA, is seeking bids for their Folly Beach County Park Re-nourishment Stabilisation Project. Project is contingent on permit approval. Work to include the provision of labour, materials, equipment, and services required to complete beach nourishment stabilisation, Folly Beach County Park, Charleston County, South Carolina, USA.

The city of Turku, Finland, will incorporate its port business operations as of 1st January 2013. The business operations will be transferred to Port of Turku Ltd, which is fully owned by the city. Port of Turku Ltd will be responsible for all liabilities of the Port public utility's business operations as of that date.

The Port of Vancouver USA welcomed the Saga Future commanded by Capt Umesh C Sharma of India on her maiden voyage to the United States on November 19, 2012. The Saga Future is the first in a series of eight vessels to be delivered from Japan and Korea between November 2012 and 2013. The vessel is classified as an open hatch box hold that is capable of traveling worldwide and brings Saga's fleet from 24 to 32 ships.

Acting on behalf of the Marine Management Organisation, Michelmores partner Andrew Oldland QC successfully responded to an appeal against a landmark conviction at the Court of Appeal. The appeal by Mr Peter Frampton was against his conviction for illegally dredging in Falmouth Harbour and deliberately attempting to conceal the activity which disturbed highly toxic substances posing a major threat to the local eco-system.

Koichi Muto, President of Mitsui OSK Lines in Japan has announced that its owned and operated woodchip carrier Global Explorer rescued the skipper of a yacht Makalii that wrecked near the Line Islands, 1,500km south of the Hawaii Islands.

Peel Ports has successfully completed a £1.6bn refinancing deal to fund its growth plans.