Seacurus Daily: Top Ten News Stories 28/11/2018
1. Russia Doubles Down
Russia’s state security agency has detained 24 Ukrainian sailors in connection with its seizure of three Ukrainian Navy vessels in the Kerch Strait, and twelve will be arrested for at least two months on charges of “breaching Russia’s borders,” according to state media. Three are still receiving treatment for “soft tissue injuries” at a hospital in Russian-occupied Crimea, and they are expected to recover.
https://bit.ly/2BBFccj
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2. Understanding the Blockchain
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has published an analysis of the potential impact of blockchain technology on international trade: Blockchain and International Trade: Opportunities, Challenges, and Implications for International Trade Cooperation. A recent study has estimated that the gains from blockchain technology could deliver $3 trillion dollars of value worldwide by 2030.
https://bit.ly/2KBqp42
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3. Sad Farewell to Fairplay
Maritime shipping publication Fairplay has sent its final issue to the press after its announcement in September that it would cease publication after 135 years in operation. Its closure comes after a reorganization of IHS Markitâs maritime media unit, which is parent to IHS Fairplay.
https://bit.ly/2TSkH1V
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4. Fire and Ice Breaker
A fire broke out aboard the new diesel-electric icebreaker Viktor Chernomyrdin, which is nearing completion at St. Petersburg’s Admiralty Shipyard. Two individuals were injured in the incident, including one who was hospitalized.
A massive response effort involving 140 personnel and 39 firefighting vehicles brought it under control, and responders finally managed to have it fully extinguished.
https://bit.ly/2Qtwmp0
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5. Pushing for Compensation
Maritime New Zealand is seeking $800,000 in compensation for the family of Allan Navales, a Filipino seafarer who was killed when a gas cylinder burst aboard the cruise ship Emerald Princess in 2017. An accident investigation determined that the cylinder was badly corroded and failed due to wastage.
https://bit.ly/2KEkKdA
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6. Impact on Grain Markets
While grain markets may yet shrug off Russiaâs blockade of a shipping chokepoint in the Black Sea region, the incident highlights the risk of disruption to a critical source of global supply. Russia cut off access to the Kerch Strait between the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea after tensions with Ukraine flared up over the weekend.
https://bit.ly/2r7IqOH
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7. Scrap Picks Up
In the last 30 days, 23 container vessels have been sold for scrap â nearly half the number sent to breakersâ yards in the past year. According to data supplied by shipbroker Braemar ACM, so far this year 52 containerships, equating to 94,000 teu, have been sold for demolition, compared with 141, for 398,500 teu, in the same period last year.
https://bit.ly/2FK2RLv
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8. OSG Closes Finance Facility
Florida-based tanker shipping company Overseas Shipholding Group has closed a USD 27.5 million of financing from Wintrust Commercial Finance, a division of Wintrust Asset Finance Inc. The facility was closed with two of the companyâs subsidiaries. This loan is secured by first preferred ship mortgages on the Overseas Mykonos and Overseas Santorini, and a guaranty from OSG.
https://bit.ly/2DRHx46
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9. Renault Looks at Wind
Car manufacturer Groupe Renault is partnering with Neoline for two pilot primarily wind-powered car carriers designed to deliver a 90% reduction in carbon emissions for a transatlantic route. Renault has entered in a three year partnership with Neoline with the aim of constructing two wind-powered vessels to serve routes between Saint-Nazaire, the eastern seaboard of the United States and Saint-Pierre & Miquelon.
https://bit.ly/2FIq2WE
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10. USCG to the Rescue
The U.S. Coast Guard medevaced two crewmembers who sustained second-degree burns in an accident aboard the cruise ship Norwegian Escape off Atlantic Beach, North Carolina. A crewmember aboard the cruise ship contacted watchstanders at the Coast Guard’s Fifth District command center at 1550 hours and reported that two young Filipino crewmembers suffered burns due to an accident in the engine room.
https://bit.ly/2DOHJ4f
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Daily news feed from Seacurus Ltd â providers of MLC crew insurance solutions www.seacurus.com
