InterManager News 14.05.2019
1. Four ships ‘sabotaged’ in the Gulf of Oman amid tensions
Four commercial ships were targets of a “sabotage attack” off the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday, the country’s foreign affairs ministry has said. The incident reportedly took place near Fujairah port, just outside the Strait of Hormuz, but caused no casualties. Saudi Arabia confirmed that two Saudi oil tankers sustained “significant damage”. Another vessel was Norwegian-registered, whilst the fourth was reportedly UAE-flagged. Iran, which borders the strait, has called for a full investigation. Tensions are high in the region. About a fifth of oil that is consumed globally passes through the area. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-48245204
2. Norwegian tanker on Fujairah Anchorage damaged
Product tanker ANDREA VICTORY suffered hole in aft tank after an unknown object hit tanker on May 12, said tanker’s management company Thome Ship Management in May 13 statement. Media outlets said “… hull of a Norwegian-registered product tanker was damaged by an unknown object off the coast of the United Arab Emirates port of Fujairah on Sunday…”. Tanker wasn’t “off the coast of Fujairah”, actually. http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/05/13/norwegian-tanker-on-fujairah-anchorage-damaged-circumstances-unclear/?fbclid=IwAR0m4JUWT4wifL76DYyyiIsrYnNNvio2PGREAIfm0H1CUjwrdRenWUzCIp0
3. Freighter disabled after engine room fire, taken on tow, Bay of Biscay
May 13: General cargo ship CATHY JO, reported NUC on May 12, suffered engine failure following fire in engine room, early May 12 in Bay of Biscay. MRCC Corsen, France, was supervising salvage, and sent technicians and fire team to drifting ship by helicopter. Fire was extinguished, but ship was in need of towage. SAR ship ABEILLE BOURBON (IMO 9308687) was contracted for towage, the ship arrived at Brest early May 13, was berthed at around 0330 UTC. http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/05/13/freighter-disabled-after-engine-room-fire-taken-on-tow-bay-of-biscay/?fbclid=IwAR0P0SGGYuS5YhjJu_A3dKNkZ8b_KToPYBHbPpzvRXTAEaguiWwIIjEfUUE
4. Container ship collided with berthed container ship, gantry crane
Container ship while maneuvering in port in Bay of Bengal allided with berthed container ship and after that, hit gantry crane, inflicting serious damages. Crane was rendered inoperative, container ship which hit crane suffered one or more damaged containers and lifeboat, no information on berthed container ship damages. http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/05/12/container-ship-collided-with-berthed-container-ship-gantry-crane/?fbclid=IwAR23dZrTtVSmL_1Mx2nlXwJbT4W51FovOvUr5zqsHLuOmq1IgwyFhO1tYwk
5. GasLog Ltd. Announces Public Offering of Senior Notes Due 2022
GasLog Ltd., an international owner, operator and manager of liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) carriers, announced today that it plans to offer an additional $75.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 8.875% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “Notes”) in a public offering under its effective shelf registration statement. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/gaslog-ltd-announces-public-offering-of-senior-notes-due-2022/
6. Ship recycling needs the Hong Kong Convention
Ten years after the adoption of IMO’s Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, in May 2009, there has been progress with voluntary application of its requirements, but the treaty needs to enter into force for it to be widely implemented. “I urge Member States who have not yet done so to ratify the Convention at the earliest opportunity, in order to bring it into force as soon as possible,” https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/ship-recycling-needs-the-hong-kong-convention/
7. China’s new Silk Road endgame looks like Greece’s Port of Piraeus
A Greek port that has served the city of Athens since ancient times is China’s poster child for the success of its 21st century Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The BRI, also known as the New Silk Road, involves more than a trillion dollars worth of Chinese infrastructure investments across Asia, Africa, and Europe – with at least $64 billion more to come. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/chinas-new-silk-road-endgame-looks-like-greeces-port-of-piraeus/
8. Ukraine revises its ballast water regulations
Ballast water sampling and analyzing in Ukrainian ports for “ecological control” has been an issue for some time. Recent information from our correspondents comes as a ray of hope as far as compliance with ballast water regulation in the country is concerned. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine published the Resolution No 367 dated 27.3.19 which changes the ballast water regulations in ports of Ukraine. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/ukraine-revises-its-ballast-water-regulations/
9. China will raise tariffs on US goods from June 1
China announces it will introduce tariffs on US goods from June 1 this year. This happens after the US increased its tariffs on Chinese goods last week. https://shippingwatch.com/secure/carriers/article11377718.ece
10. Shipping has five days to discuss two crucial issues
In addition to the points written on the printed agenda, meetings held in the corridors at IMO’s London headquarters also play a large part when it comes to decision-making in the MEPC. This week, ShippingWatch is looking into the formal and informal agendas for this week’s MEPC meeting. https://shippingwatch.com/secure/carriers/article11376028.ece
