InterManager Daily News 22.03.2019

1. Three crew lost and found, UK
Three crew of a Dutch freighter ALANA EVITA, anchored in Bristol Channel off Minehead, UK, went ashore on an inflatable in the evening Mar 20, to relax in local bar. They sailed back to ship at around 0345 LT Mar 21, and were declared missing some 3 hours later. They’ve been found at around 0830 LT by rescuers, on a Flat Holm island, more or less safe and sound. They’re Russian, Dutch and Philippine nationals. It was quite a large-scale SAR, deploying RNLI life boats and Coast Guard helicopter.
General cargo ship ALANA EVITA, IMO 9356529, dwt 3261, built 2009, flag Netherlands, manager WAGENBORG. http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/03/21/three-crew-lost-and-found-uk/?fbclid=IwAR1tXj9ZEcV6qprypPuTXqYaTt_ewzGn9zpHd-TgWKlMoQiN_VNS6hdGzMg
 
2. Bulk carrier collided with channel buoy, Brazil
Bulk carrier FEDERAL HUNTER reportedly collided with channel fairway buoy at Sao Francisco Do Sul, Brazil, while proceeding to berth, on Mar 20, on arrival from Rio Grande. No information on damages yet. Bulk carrier FEDERAL HUNTER, IMO 9205938, dwt 36563, built 2001, flag Marshall Islands, manager FEDNAV (EQUASIS). http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/03/21/bulk-carrier-collided-with-channel-buoy-brazil/?fbclid=IwAR2cat3C7lfL_rLoFd68lH3O7NOH7lmdp6pJX3wtSHLXUxMPmBoPG3lAGGQ
 
3. Maersk keeps a close eye on South Korean yard merger
Maersk will carefully monitor the impending merger of the two South Korean shipbuilding majors Hyundai Heavy Industries and DSME. With an expected 21 percent market share, the merger could impact the liner company, which is among its major customers. https://shippingwatch.com/secure/suppliers/article11267093.ece
 
4. Pacific Basin is looking to grow its fleet
Hong Kong-based Pacific Basin has tripled its owned fleet in seven years, and the company wants to do more acquisitions of second-hand ships, CEO Mats Berglund tells ShippingWatch. https://shippingwatch.com/secure/carriers/Bulk/article11267917.ece
 
5. EU Commission hints at possibility of adjusting Block Exemption Regulation
It is not just a question of whether the container sector’s unique Block Exemption Regulation should be dissolved or extended. The EU Commission now floats the notion that the exemption could be adjusted, says EU Commission director general for competition according to media. https://shippingwatch.com/secure/carriers/article11268631.ece
 
6. Port of Durban Container Volumes Surge in 2018
South Africa’s Port of Durban has recorded an increase in container, liquid bulk and dry bulk volumes in 2018, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) data shows. Container volumes in the Port of Durban increased by 9.5% to 2.95 million TEUs for the year ending December 31, 2018, compared to 2.69 million TEUs handled in 2017. Of this, container imports grew by 10% in 2018 and exports by 17%. The figures are the highest volumes handled by the port in the last seven years, TNPA said. https://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/273581/port-of-durban-container-volumes-surge-in-2018/
 
7. GasLog Secures Eight-Year Charter for GasLog Warsaw
Greece-based ship owner and operator GasLog has agreed an eight-year charter for existing uncommitted newbuild vessel, the GasLog Warsaw. Under the deal with a subsidiary of Spanish electric utility company Endesa, the new ship will start its fixed-term employment in May 2021. https://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/273598/gaslog-secures-eight-year-charter-for-gaslog-warsaw/
 
8. Call to give Indian sailors a chance to vote
India’s Maritime Association of Shipowners Shipmanagers and Agents (MASSA) has urged the government to enable Indian seafarers to vote while outside the country. According to MASSA, the population of India seafarers currently stands at around 200,000 and it is estimated that around 90,000 of them discharge their voting obligations onboard cargo vessels sailing outside India. The association has urged the government to take necessary measures to change the situation before the upcoming general election, which is scheduled to commence from April 11 to May 19. https://splash247.com/call-to-give-indian-sailors-a-chance-to-vote/
 
9. Cockett Group: IMO 2020 compliance guide launches today
Today sees the launch of a special IMO 2020 compliance guide published by sister title Maritime CEO in association with Cockett Marine Oil. With nine months until the sulphur cap the magazine dives deep into the pertinent issues shipowners face in the coming months. Cockett Group’s CEO Cem Saral, interviewed for the new magazine, has been busy visiting clients and vendors all over the world over the past 18 months, collaborating with them on what they need to know and do as the global sulphur cap approaches.  https://splash247.com/cockett-group-imo-2020-compliance-guide-launches-today/
 
10. Dry Bulk Carriers in High Demand, As Ship Owners Expected Market Rebound
Ship owners are ramping up their acquisitions of dry bulk carriers, on the expectation that the recent slump in the freight rate market could soon be over. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Banchero Costa said that “Scorpio Bulkers was very active last week with the one sale and leaseback deal and one strait sale deal. The first deal is for 3 x Ultramax and 4 x Kamsarmax to CMB Financial Leasing: the vessels are sold and chartered back to Scorpio for 7 years with purchase options from the third year and purchase obligation at the end of the period. The second deal involves 2 x Kamsarmax 2015 built at Jiangsu Shipbuilding, “SBI Electra” and “SBI Flamenco”, which are reported to Clients of CSL for $48 mln en bloc”. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/dry-bulk-carriers-in-high-demand-as-ship-owners-expected-market-rebound/