InterManager Daily News 29.03.2019

 
1. Hijacked by migrants tanker emerged in Malta waters UPDATE
UPDATE Mar 28: Tanker was stormed by Maltese special operations unit team, supported by patrol boats and a helicopter, early Mar 28. Tanker was docked at Valetta. 5 migrants believed to be leaders were arrested, the rest, 103 people, will be taken to migrants reception centre, to be granted “asylum” status later. Congratulations, EU. A fine addition to to already overwhelming multiculturalism and diversity. What about tanker owner financial losses? What about crew stress and fears, necessity to thorough clean the vessel, and just in case, check for possible infectious diseases? http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/03/28/hijacked-by-migrants-tanker-emerged-in-malta-waters/?fbclid=IwAR3fZDDD0hJUW5va4mxgSwlEj_Pc86fKifzrR-BamifUG2hSKvXTXWvSDDo
 
2. Two freighters ran aground in Danish waters: Mar 27 grounding Update
Mar 28: General cargo ship ENNY is loaded with 3200 tons of stones, as of 0500 was still aground, attempt to refloat with tug assistance failed. officials said that in order to refloat vessel is to be lightered, about 1,000 tons. General cargo ship WILSON MALM ran aground at around 1600 LT Mar 27 in Vordingborg Harbor, Denmark, north of ENNY grounding site, while leaving Vprdnigborg, bound for Germany. The ship veered off fairway, reportedly ballast tank was damaged in grounding. WILSON MALM is said to be already refloated (also according to AIS), taken back to Vordingborg, berthed, for survey and investigation. http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/03/28/two-freighters-ran-aground-in-danish-waters-mar-27-grounding-update/?fbclid=IwAR1PPfDB3uwuOn8GmuGPo_doYyI9hfp8zQ7i1LN8lsrf9EoWsm3Md5mKTU8
 
3. Valero named as bad bunker source in new court case
In a new court case, US oil company Valero is being accused of having introduced the contaminated marine fuel that caused problems for hundreds of ships last year. World Fuel Services also considers forwarding a damages claim to Valero. https://shippingwatch.com/secure/suppliers/article11284160.ece
 
4. Trump says tariffs will stay until China complies with deal
The US president says he will wait until he is sure China is complying with any trade deal before he rolls back tariffs. https://shippingwatch.com/secure/carriers/article11267368.ece
 
5. Cosco has a total order book of 180,000 teu
OOIL, the parent company of Hong Kong-based liner company OOCL, has an optimistic view of 2019, although there are more concrete challenges. Together with China’s Cosco, which took over OOIL last year, capacity has come up to 2.7 million teu. https://shippingwatch.com/secure/carriers/Container/article11275839.ece
 
6. Prosafe secures contract in Mediterranean Sea
Cyprus-headquartered accommodation vessel operator Prosafe has been awarded a contract to provide a ship to support offshore activities in the Central Mediterranean Sea. Prosafe, acting as commercial managers for the Axis Offshore-owned accommodation vessel Safe Swift, will mobilise the vessel to conduct gangway connected accommodation duties for a period of 5 months commencing in May. The Safe Swift, which has a capacity to accommodate 291 persons, completed a similar project in Central Mediterranean Sea last year. https://splash247.com/prosafe-secures-contract-in-mediterranean-sea/
 
7. NMA: Viking Sky Engine Failure Caused by Low Oil Pressure
The Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) has worked with Viking Sky’s classification society, Lloyd’s Register, and the shipowner to determine the cause of the vessel’s power “blackout” at Hustadvika in challenging weather conditions on March 23. For the present, the conclusion is that the engine failure was directly caused by low oil pressure. https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/nma-viking-sky-engine-failure-caused-by-low-oil-pressure
 
8. EIA: U.S. High Sulfur Fuel Demand will Rebound in 2022
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicts that the share of high sulfur residual fuel oil consumed as bunker in the U.S. will drop from 58 percent in 2019 to three percent in 2020, and then rebounds to 24 percent in 2022. https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/eia-u-s-high-sulfur-fuel-demand-will-rebound-in-2022
 
9. Tanker Bottleneck in Houston Port Eases with Four Arrivals
By Collin Eaton HOUSTON, March 28 (Reuters) – Four tankers on Thursday were preparing to offload or pick up cargoes in the busiest U.S. oil port, the first signs of an easing of the bottleneck that cut 1 million barrels per day of shipments, according to vessel tracking data. https://gcaptain.com/tanker-bottleneck-houston-ship-channel/
 
10. Offshore Drilling Takes Center Stage as Lawmakers Grill Trump Interior Pick
By Nichola Groom March 28 (Reuters) – U.S. lawmakers will quiz President Donald Trump’s new pick to lead the Interior Department on Thursday, focusing on the former energy and mining lobbyist’s plans to expand fossil fuels production from the United States’ public lands and waters. https://gcaptain.com/offshore-drilling-center-stage-trump/