Top Ten Maritime News Stories 06/04/2017

Seacurus Daily: Top Ten Maritime News Stories 06/04/2017

1. MSC Fire Extinguished
A fire that raged for 20 hours on the 14,000 teu "MSC Daniela" was finally extinguished yesterday morning, but the crew, who were evacuated, have not been allowed to return onboard for fear of the toxic fumes from the blaze. Officials from MSC say none of the crew were injured in the accident, which took place off Sri Lanka and saw Indian navy vessels join their Sri Lankan peers in dousing the blaze. “MSC is currently in discussion with the local authorities to berth the vessel at the appropriate time. Once the ship is considered safe, an investigation into the cause of the fire will be formally initiated,” a spokesperson for MSC said.
goo.gl/Adj71P
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2. IMO on Stellar Loss
The news that the search for survivors from the "Stellar Daisy" has not yet proven successful is sad indeed. Reports from the Uruguayan Navy indicate that fuel, debris and empty lifeboats have been found but, so far, nothing else," says a press statement from IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim. His statement says: "22 of the ship’s 24 crew members are missing but we always live in hope that a miracle may happen. At this stage, the most important thing to say is that our thoughts and prayers are with the seafarers still missing, and with their families and loved ones." He also praised those involved in rescue efforts.
 https://goo.gl/kJduIq
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3. Somali Pirate Threat Warning
Noting that recent attacks on commercial ships off the coast of Somalia highlight the continued threat of piracy, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has urged ships to follow advice of navies and that of the International Maritime Organization while planning passage through the region. “After three attacks, following a lull of five years, it is clear that Somali pirates are resurgent and intent on continuing attacks on commercial shipping,” said UNODC Executive Director, Yury Fedotov. “I urge the international community to be vigilant, to work in close partnership and to hold the Somali pirates accountable,” he added.
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4. Baltic Takes Plunge
The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index, tracking rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, registered its biggest one-day percentage fall in about two months, primarily on weaker rates for capesize bulk carriers. The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax, supramax and handysize shipping vessels, fell for the fifth consecutive session on Wednesday. The Baltic dry index fell 2.55 percent, or 32 points, to 1,223 points – its biggest daily percentage fall since Feb. 7. The capesize index lost 153 points, or 6.42 percent, at 2,229 points.
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5. Protecting Captive Seafarer Wages
The issue of protecting captive seafarers’ wages is on the agenda at an International Labour Organization (ILO) meeting in Geneva, Switzerland (3-5 April). IMO has taken part in the ILO Working Group of the Special Tripartite Committee, established under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) – the international treaty covering minimum working and living standards for seafarers. The Group is considering proposals on the protection of a seafarer’s wages when the seafarer is held captive, on or off the ship, as a result of acts such as piracy or armed robbery against ships. These proposals include an amendment to the MLC Code.
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6. When House Meets Ship
A Vietnamese general cargo ship smashed into four riverside houses to the south of Bangkok as it lost power yesterday. The "Star 62" ploughed into the houses after it lost control of its rudder at a bend in the Chao Phraya river. No one was injured. The ship’s anchor was used to prevent the vessel from moving further up the river bank near to a home for the disabled. The ship is owned by Hung Hung Trade & Transport, which said yesterday its insurance would pay for the damage to the houses.
 https://goo.gl/4TF78s
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7. Demolition Market Explodes
The combination of few available ships offered for demolition and higher prices has led to a somewhat stalemate in the market, as ship owners were holding out in search for even higher prices, which didn’t come. In its latest weekly report, GMS, the world’s leading cash buyer said that “the first signs of a pushback on the (seemingly) unending firming levels started to emerge this week as a number of owners unsuccessfully held out for the coveted USD 400/LDT (or higher) in order to finalize various sales. Unfortunately, all efforts failed to materialize.
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8. Calls for Med Emission Zone
An alliance of several European environmental organizations, recently adopted a declaration to designate the Mediterranean Sea an Emission Control Area (ECA), aimed at limiting air pollution from ships. The document, known as the “Rome Declaration”, was signed by a group of NGO’s including BirdLife Malta, Cittadini per l’Aria, France Nature Environnement, Ecologistas en Acción and the German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU). The signatories urge policy makers to take action on shipping related air pollution and work in particular towards the establishment of a Mediterranean Emission Control Area.
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9. Saving Lives at Sea
Humanitarian groups operating rescue ships off the coast of Libya picked up more than 700 migrants out of seven flimsy and overcrowded boats on Wednesday, Italy’s coast guard said. The Phoenix rescue ship, operated by the Malta-based non-governmental organisation MOAS, rescued more than 300 people from three boats in international waters off the coast of the Libyan city of Sabratha. The Aquarius, operated by SOS Mediterranee and Doctors without Borders, went to the aid of four rubber boats, a coast guard spokesman said. Italy’s coast guard coordinated the rescues.
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10. Seadrill Hits New Depths
Seadrill Ltd., once the crown jewel of billionaire John Fredriksen’s business empire, is now at the mercy of short-term speculators as the biggest funds avoid the offshore driller amid a struggle to avoid bankruptcy. “It’s trading at option value and day traders are the ones pushing the price up and down,” Anders Bergland, an analyst at Clarksons Platou Securities AS, said Tuesday, right after the company again warned shareholders and bond investors they were facing steep losses in any restructuring deal. “There are no funds buying this right now, it’s trading.” Seadrill fell 28% on Wednesday, after sliding 38% the day before.
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Daily news feed from Seacurus Ltd – providers of MLC crew insurance solutions  www.seacurus.com

 

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