Seacurus Daily: Top Ten Maritime News Stories 06/03/2015
1. Another Mass Migrant Rescue
Italian and Tunisian authorities reported today that 10 North African migrants drowned after their rubber dinghy capsized roughly 50 miles from the Libyan shoreline. The dinghy, a ramshackle vessel most likely obtained from Libyan smugglers eager to profit from the rising demand from refugees fleeing the country, overturned as a result of its occupants shifting to one side in attempt to attract the attention of a nearby tugboat. 121 passengers were rescued.
———————————————————————————
2. Vessel Runs Aground in Columbia River
The 738-foot bulk carrier Miyama is back underway this morning, under escort by the tugs Deschutes and Sommer S enroute to Kalama, Oregon after the crew effected repairs to the ship’s propulsion system. The ship suffered a cracked cylinder, lost propulsion and briefly ran aground in the Columbia River, according to a report by the U.S. Coast Guard. They are actively monitoring the vessel as she makes way toward port.
———————————————————————————
3. Drugs Boom in East African Waters
Western officials are concerned that increased drug trafficking in east Africa could destabilise the region. They fear a repeat of what happened on the other side of Africa in Guinea-Bissau. Most Europe-bound Afghan heroin still goes through the established "Balkan route" via Iran and southeast Europe. But a spate of seizures along the Kenyan and Tanzanian coastline over the past few years points to a switch to a "southern route" via Africa.
———————————————————————————
4. Analysing Emissions Approaches
An analysis of the announcements made by 70 companies on how they are meeting this year’s 0.1 percent sulfur requirements in Emission Control Areas reveals divergent trends among ship types. Passenger and ro-ro companies have moved decisively towards scrubber technology with 75 percent of the assessed companies voting in favor of the technology. The global oil price drop seems to be impacting scrubber adoption negatively.
———————————————————————————
5. Farmer in Piracy Kidnap Case
A Kenyan farmer sentenced to death over the kidnap of pirate kidnap of a British holidaymaker is taking the Metropolitan Police Commissioner to court over an alleged illegal conviction. The High Court is expected to hear how Ali Babitu Kololo claims Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe and police officers under his command have refused to hand over documents that could help his appeal after being found guilty of robbery with violence over the kidnap of Judith Tebbutt.
———————————————————————————
6. Ghanaians Held for Helping Nigerian Pirates
Two Ghanaians have been implicated in the ongoing trial of the eight suspected Nigerian Pirates, Starr News’ court correspondent Wilberforce Asare has reported. The two, Joel Yaw Atta and George Opata Okrah, were mentioned in court as the "local representatives" of the alleged pirates. The eight suspected pirates were arrested by the Eastern Naval Command of the Ghana Navy in Tema when they turned and entered the territorial waters of Ghana.
———————————————————————————
7. Major Motivation for Gas Shift
The major motivation for shipowners to engage in LNG as a shipping fuel is to comply with Emission Controlled Area (ECA) zone requirements and the related positive environmental effects, a study by the European Commission has indicated. Despite that, wholesale adoption is being prevented by issues surrounding the financing of LNG as a fuel and the pricing of LNG itself. LNG does not currently offer a profitable business model alone.
———————————————————————————
8. BIMCO Launches Maritime Environment Guide
BIMCO this week announced it has launched its guide to maritime environmental and efficiency management with the support of Class NK. The new resource, which was developed in partnership with Fathom and CSL Group, directs shipowners and operators on ways to develop a comprehensive system that can also help companies adhere to environmental regulations. “I recommend this guide to ship owners and operators", said BIMCO President John Denholm.
———————————————————————————
9. New Leader for Liberian Flag in East
The Liberian Registry has appointed the recently retired president of Genco Shipping & Trading, Gerry Buchanan, as managing director of its dedicated office in Hong Kong. Mr Buchanan has extensive experience in the management and operation of a wide array of ships. After successful careers with Denholm Ship Management and Canada Steamship Lines, he was appointed managing director of Wallem Ship Management in Hong Kong.
———————————————————————————
10. Indian Docks Set for Crippling Strike
Five Indian union federations representing the country’s dockers have announced an indefinite strike in eleven major ports beginning on March 9, to protest the government’s plans to corporatise the ports. The federations and their affiliated unions simultaneously filed strike notices on February 20. The government is proposing to amend the Major Port Trust Act 1963, and to turn the major ports into autonomous, corporate bodies.
———————————————————————————
Daily news feed from Seacurus Ltd – providers of MLC crew insurance solutions www.seacurus.com
Best regards,
S Jones
Seacurus Ltd
Registered in England No. 5201529
Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
A Barbican Group company
Telephone: +44 191 4690859
Facsimile: +44 191 4067577
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.seacurus.com
Registered Office: Suite 3, Level 3,
Baltic Place West, Baltic Place,
South Shore Road,
Gateshead,
NE8 3BA,
United Kingdom
This message, and any associated files, are intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it was addresses and may contain information that is confidential, subject to copyright or constitutes a trade secret. If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any dissemination, copying or distribution of this message, or files associated with this message, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify us immediately.
