1. Inland container ship struck berthed Greek bulk carrier, Yangtze river
Inland container ship YUHANG18 went out of control while passing Zhenjiang, Yangtze river, upstream from Shanghai, and collided with berthed bulk carrier ODIGITRIA, at around 1800 Beijing time Jul 6. Container ship hit bulk carrier by portside, 7 containers fell overboard. Both ships sustained damages, extent unknown. It is believed, that container ship went out of control due to strong counter currents. http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/07/08/inland-container-ship-struck-berthed-greek-bulk-carrier-yangtze-river/?fbclid=IwAR1RhA4kYvF1WmerVWhQEb6R0iM3RKL_ytaq1Klu3hNjCZc8enPR0Nb9770
2. COSTA DELIZIOSA highly professional maneuvering in Venice and media hysterics
Cruise ship COSTA DELIZIOSA hits world media headlines with video of her seemingly, dangerous maneuvering in Venice, on Jul 7. The ship was leaving Venice with tourists on board, bound for Bari, Italy. Venice and COSTA DELIZIOSA were suddenly, battered by gusts of strong wind and heavy rain. Media described COSTA DELIZIOSA maneuvering as an accident, a near-miss disaster, miraculously averted at the last moment, all posting the same video clip, taken by on-shore witness and showing breathtakingly close approach. http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/07/08/costa-deliziosa-highly-professional-maneuvering-in-venice-and-media-hysterics/?fbclid=IwAR3wazapgN-FQaJOUvIrMXV_usEtPiaZEpjtM4WOeiD7wblQwsX8AkxXF0k
3. Complex salvage operation underway in southern Chile
The Coyhaique, owned by local line Navimag Carga, is listing to port and while all crew and passengers were evacuated after the ship ran aground near Huichas island on a voyage from Puerto Chacabuco to Puerto Montt, salvors are now having to contend with the 15 cattle trucks on deck. https://splash247.com/complex-salvage-operation-underway-in-southern-chile/
4. Rolling strikes restart across DP World’s Australian operations
Dockworkers at DP World’s multiple terminals across Australia are on strike again this week. DP World’s Brisbane, Sydney and Fremantle container terminals will go on a rolling 48-hour strike starting today in Brisbane, while workers at the company’s Melbourne operations have decided to down tools for 96 hours. https://splash247.com/rolling-strikes-restart-across-dp-worlds-australian-operations/
5. Tallink Secures Loan for New LNG-Powered Fast Ferry
Tallink Superfast, a subsidiary of Finland’s AS Tallink Grupp, has signed a loan agreement with the KfW IPEX-Bank for the financing of a new LNG-powered fast ferry currently being built by Rauma Marine Constructions Oy. https://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/279728/tallink-secures-loan-for-new-lng-powered-fast-ferry/
6. OW Bunker’s bankruptcy estate sues its own trustee
Gorrissen Federspiel maintains that the company made no mistakes as OW Bunker’s bankruptcy estate files a USD 79 million compensation claim. The case centers on a missed deadline to file a claim against Jefferies. https://shippingwatch.com/secure/suppliers/article11489371.ece
7. Gas rates reach highest level in years
Spot rates for VLGCs boomed in the second quarter, when earnings averaged at 450 percent above the level in the corresponding period last year. The recovery might continue in the coming years, assesses investment bank. https://shippingwatch.com/secure/carriers/Tanker/article11490503.ece
8. Three Tugboats Sink on Illinois River
The Coast Guard received a report on Friday of three tugboats and a deck barge that were tied together and taking on water at mile marker 21 on the Illinois River. The tugboats are holding approximately 4,850 gallons of diesel and oil. Coast Guard officials oversaw the deployment of 1,500 feet of oil and fuel absorbing boom to create a collection point to contain any discharge. Smaller sheen-producing quantities of unrecoverable product have also been substantially contained. https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/three-tugboats-sink-on-illinois-river
9. Second Migrant Rescue Boat Docks in Lampedusa
Despite Italy’s ban, a second migrant rescue boat has docked in Lampedusa. The vessel, Alex, operated by the Italian NGO Mediterranea and carrying 41 migrants, docked at the same quay as the Sea Watch 3 a week earlier. The Sea Watch 3 made contact with a police boat in docking, and the captain was arrested then subsequently released. https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/second-migrant-rescue-boat-docks-in-lampedusa
10. Union Budget 2019-20: Call for port-led development
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday stressed the need to enhance port-led development through the Sagarmala scheme and develop inland waterways to use rivers for cargo movement to decongest road and rail networks, reduce the cost of transportation as well as cut oil import bill. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Union+Budget+2019-20%3A+Call+for+port-led+development