InterManager Daily News 28.03.2019

 
1. 108 migrants hijacked tanker which rescued them in Med, taking ship to EU waters
Product tanker ELHIBLU 1 while en route from Turkey to Tripoli Libya, on March 26 was diverted to “distressed” migrants boat off Libyan coast. Tanker picked up 108 migrants and resumed sailing to Tripoli, migrants to be landed at Tripoli. Several hours later, however, tanker changed course and headed north, in direction of Malta or Lampedusa. Understood communications with tanker lost, allegedly migrants hijacked tanker and crew after they were informed about their return to Libya. As of 1600 UTC Mar 27, no AIS during last 16 hours. Italian Interior Minister Salvini is closely monitoring incident development. http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/03/27/108-migrants-hijacked-tanker-which-rescued-them-in-med-taking-ship-to-eu-waters/?fbclid=IwAR0_85qwSmvSrOmiEQvIr-gOaF3EZaj-6vCvZWJGKY2mGG5E6ZuGSfORwlY
 
2. Disabled tanker prevented from grounding, Gibraltar
Product tanker ORYX TRADER suffered engine failure in Bay of Gibraltar, around 1200 UTC Mar 26, while approaching Algeciras Spain on arrival from Algeria. Tanker drifted dangerously close to La Linea beach, Concepcion, two tugs were sent to prevent grounding. Tanker was towed to Algeciras, and berthed in port. Product tanker ORYX TRADER, IMO 8910598, dwt 4792, built 1989, flag Panama, manager CASSAR FUEL Ltd, Malta. http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/03/27/disabled-tanker-prevented-from-grounding-gibraltar/?fbclid=IwAR3l21PeApju0LD3gwJ4-xzyEY9G1BAOERgMPcaqT1qekZe9-iYmtkMELG4
 
3. Bulk carrier aground for 2 weeks, refloated, Kerch Strait
Mar 27: Bulk carrier MARYLAND was finally, refloated in the morning Mar 27, after partial offloading with deployment of floating crane, some 3,000 tons were offloaded, according to Russian Sea and River Fleet Agency. The ship was taken to Kerch Outer Anchorage in Black sea, and anchored. She’s to be surveyed before deciding if she may resume voyage, or she’ll have to be repaired, with all cargo offloaded. http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/03/27/bulk-carrier-aground-for-2-weeks-refloated-kerch-strait/?fbclid=IwAR1divYGtiNe6vBNgvcBw9qT38XBLJrRPZCC_Y_52Y0D0vY56yQ_Qhg2sDo
 
4. Ship owners looking to invest heavily in the S&P market
The uncertainty regarding the future regulatory environment and the difficulty in securing a “futureproof” newbuilding, means that most ship owners are actively looking for more deals in the S&P market, instead of investing in the newbuilding market. As such, in its latest weekly report, shipbroker Intermodal noted that “in terms of recently surfacing orders, last week has certainly been quieter when compared to average weekly volumes throughout the first quarter of the year, with the order of four firm Handysize vessels in Japan certainly being the most notable, given that this is the second Handysize order during the year so far, which brings the total 2019 orders in the size up to eight. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/ship-owners-looking-to-invest-heavily-in-the-sp-market/
 
5. Navayuga Container Terminal Crosses 500,000 TEU Milestone
Navayuga Container Terminal (NCT) reached an important milestone on 27th March 2019, by handling 500,000 TEU for the first time in a Financial Year. The half-millionth TEU was handled on vessel M.V. SSL Kutch. NCT witnessed stellar volume growth of almost 9-fold increase in the 5-year period starting from a modest 58,577 TEUs in FY 2013-14. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/navayuga-container-terminal-crosses-500000-teu-milestone/
 
6. Croatia arrests 12 people over stricken Uljanik shipbuilder
Twelve people were arrested in Croatia on suspicion of causing over one billion kuna ($152.16 million) in financial damage to the country’s biggest shipbuilding group Uljanik and the state budget, the interior minister said. Uljanik, which is 25 percent state-owned and operates two shipyards in the northern Adriatic cities of Pula and Rijeka, has been battling to stave off bankruptcy due to liquidity problems that began in 2017. Workers are currently on strike, seeking unpaid wages. “This morning the police began action during which 12 people were arrested,” Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic told state news agency Hina. He did not elaborate but Croatian media said that among those arrested were former top executives of Uljanik. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/croatia-arrests-12-people-over-stricken-uljanik-shipbuilder/
 
7. Gulf Marine Services Hires New Chair As Loss Narrows But Outlook Weak
Gulf Marine Services PLC said its 2018 financial performance was “disappointing” although its loss narrowed sharply on reduced expenses and an impairment charge the year before. Shares in Gulf Marine, which provides support vehicles for the offshore oil, gas and renewable energy sectors, were down 0.4% at 14.94 pence in London on Tuesday. Gulf Marine also announced the appointment of a new non-executive chair, tapping the current chair of private oil and gas company New Age Ltd, Timothy Summers. The hire of a new chair follows a turbulent time for the Gulf Marine board, during which shareholders put forward resolutions to appoint new members and to oust previous chair Simon Heale, who resigned before the vote could take place. The resolutions did not pass. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/gulf-marine-services-hires-new-chair-as-loss-narrows-but-outlook-weak/
 
8. German Bulk Carrier Detained Over Lack of Food and Bullying
The Liberian-registered bulk carrier Anna-Elisabeth has been detained by Australian authorities after the international crew on board complained of insufficient food, bullying aboard the vessel and denial of shore leave. The complaints from crew were received by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) while the vessel was berthed at the Port Kembla Coal Terminal on Monday. ITF national coordinator Dean Summers substantiated the crew’s concerns, finding inadequate stores on board and that the crew had not had shore leave since January 23 in South Africa. “Meat and fish were freezer burnt, and fresh provisions were very low, certainly not enough to get 17 seafarers to Singapore… The master confirmed the food ration was $7 per day for all meals,” said Summers. https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/german-bulk-carrier-detained-over-lack-of-food-and-bullying
 
9. ITF calls for constructive dialogue with World Shipping Council
The International Transport Forum has responded to attacks made earlier this week by liner lobby group, the World Shipping Council. Splash reported yesterday how in the ongoing debate over whether or not the European Commission should extend container shipping’s block exemption regulation (BER) the council came out and hit the BER’s chief opponent, calling out ITF’s shipping expert Olaf Merk for being subjective and using deficient data in his arguments to get the EC to rescind the exemption. Merk has argued that liner alliances now have too strong a market share – above the EC 30% maximum – to necessitate the special treatment they have received from Brussels. https://splash247.com/itf-calls-for-constructive-dialogue-with-world-shipping-council/
 
10. Splash Extra: Lobbyists under fire over emissions
Shipping’s lobbyists come under fire in the latest issue of Splash Extra, which launches today. The monthly subscription title canvassed more than 100 top names to ask whether shipping had been unfairly targeted for its emissions compared to other industries, such as aviation. The response from a very broad swathe of the maritime community has been hugely critical of shipping’s lobbying bodies who a majority feel failed to be as adept and nimble as their aviation counterparts in readying suitably proactive emissions cutting plans. Shipping’s regulators also came in for criticism in the March Focus of Splash Extra. https://splash247.com/splash-extra-lobbyists-under-fire-over-emissions/