1. Korea-China ferry fire, 150 passengers evacuated
Passenger cargo ship XIN YU JIN XIANG suffered fire in engine room about a mile west of Jawol-do island, SW of Incheon, Korea, Yellow sea, at around 0100 Seoul time Jul 16. The ship with 150 passengers and 50 crew on board was en route from Incheon to Qinhuangdao China. All passengers were evacuated to a patrol ship, and later transferred to Incheon, one passenger said to be medically treated. The ship was disabled, anchored west of Jawol-do, understood to be towed to Incheon. http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/07/16/korea-china-ferry-fire-150-passengers-evacuated/?fbclid=IwAR2Va4onZKmUNfbR55JDGvkVn-2QHHA4PSK8I1OkMnoxGHdWscXGt11k-Oc
2. Japanese longliner on fire, Indian ocean
Japanese fishing vessel MYOJIN MARU NO.8 on Jul 16 was reported on fire, drifting in Indian ocean, W of Australian West Coast. No other information available at the moment. http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/07/16/japanese-longliner-on-fire-indian-ocean/?fbclid=IwAR09kAP8LkXQQAdMJjYDaFVSF3imlcTb2Furb47NcALrqwxdHYkgcNhFLGY
3. General cargo ship attacked, 10 crew taken hostages
General cargo ship PAKSOY 1 was attacked and boarded by pirates at 2250 UTC Jul 13 in Gulf of Guinea in vicinity 02 58N 004 40E, SW of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The ship was en route from Douala Cameroon to Abijan Ivory Coast. 10 crew were taken hostages, and understood, pirates fled with them. The remaining crew, according to Turkish sources citing ship owner statement, took the ship to Tema Anchorage Ghana, she reached anchorage and anchored in the afternoon Jul 15. As of Jul 16, the shipremained in the same position. http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/07/16/general-cargo-ship-attacked-10-crew-taken-hostages/?fbclid=IwAR1my8caf_tY4k-LI14tb4q_hWC7Je8PasxmlWLp9WOpG8a9YGRPnM3riHs
4. Capesize bulk carrier grounding, South America
Capesize bulk carrier ran aground in channel in the morning Jul 15, while leaving port in South America, in full load. Bulk carrier was refloated some 3 hours later with the help of tugs, and anchored on outer anchorage. Resumed voyage on Jul 16, after inspection. http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/07/16/capesize-bulk-carrier-grounding-south-america/?fbclid=IwAR3LW8XlPzPfd_NU7yQAESXGH-h5RFU0hdzIsYDGkvPZFWIVm4geL_jPrZc
5. Tanker disappearance in Strait of Hormuz – not much mystery here
Product tanker MT RIAH went off AIS and is missing since late Jul 13, being at that time in Strait of Hormuz near Iranian waters. It’s a small old tanker, deployed as it seems from her records, in bunkering operations in Gulf of Oman, along UAE coast. There’s little doubt, that tanker was seized (hijacked) by Iranian forces, whoever they’re – Guards or Navy, or whatever. Otherwise, tanker just couldn’t disappear without a trace in heavily trafficked Strait of Hormuz waters, closely monitored by US and other nations’ Navies. Tanker couldn’t as well, break down, to be taken on tow by Iranian tug – no way. http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/07/16/tanker-disappearance-in-strait-of-hormuz-not-much-mystery-here/?fbclid=IwAR1_ui1hLeKKFAF7gMXXCVHUDtrCt1s5crw8LbaUfN0lOrHQGLmerr8H8V0
6. MSC forks out $50m to get cocaine-bust ship trading again
The MSC Gayane is sailing towards the Netherlands after its operator forked out $50m to free the boxship a month after US authorities found $1.3bn of cocaine onboard. Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC) has posted a $10m security deposit and a $40m surety bond. The firm has also agreed to submit to the jurisdiction of US courts while the Justice Department’s investigation continues into the 18 tonne cocaine find, the largest in US history. https://splash247.com/msc-forks-out-50m-to-get-its-cocaine-ship-trading-again/
7. Qatargas Ships 3000th LNG Cargo to Japan
Doha-based liquefied natural gas company Qatargas has set another milestone as it successfully delivered the 3,000th LNG cargo to Japan. The cargo was transported onboard Al Jasra, a conventional LNG vessel with a capacity of 135,000 cubic meters. It was delivered to the Kawagoe LNG Receiving Terminal, owned and operated by JERA, a joint venture between Chubu Electric and Tokyo Electric. https://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/280181/qatargas-ships-3000th-lng-cargo-to-japan/
8. DNB wants more banks to support new climate requirements
Major Norwegian bank DNB hopes far more banks will join a new set of principles requiring shipping companies to comply with climate targets in order to secure financing. DNB’s head of shipping tells ShippingWatch why the new principles are based on IMO’s regulations. https://shippingwatch.com/secure/suppliers/article11503016.ece
9. Spanish Police Raid Island Drug-Smuggling Base
pain’s Guardia Civil have arrested six members of a hashish-smuggling gang in a massive sting operation on the Chafarinas Islands, a group of small outcroppings just two nm off the coast of Ras Kebdana, Morocco. The islands are Spanish possessions, part of Spain’s extensive historical holdings along the Moroccan coast. Only one of the Chafarinas Islands, Isla Isabel II, has a constant population – a sprawling 19th century military outpost manned by a handful of soldiers. https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/video-spanish-police-raid-island-drug-smuggling-base
10. Russia looks for Asia LNG buyers to blunt Western sanctions’ bite
Russia is boosting Arctic production of liquefied natural gas to counter growing competition from the U.S. while looking to Asia’s major energy importers to buffer projects against Washington’s ire. Russian gas producer Novatek agreed on June 29 to sell a 10% stake in its Arctic LNG 2 terminal to Japanese trading house Mitsui & Co. and state-owned Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp. Two Chinese companies – China National Oil and Gas Exploration and Development Corp. and China National Offshore Oil Corp. – have a 20% stake in the facility. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Russia+looks+for+Asia+LNG+buyers+to+blunt+Western+sanctions%27+bite
