1. Bulk carrier explosion, South China sea Update Jul 23
Jul 23: Ship’s AIS off since morning Jul 19.
Jul 19: AIS signal reappeared late Jul 18, bulk carrier not under command, proceeding at some 5 knots, understood under tow, probably of Navy ship.
July 18: Bulk carrier suffered explosion at around in the morning Jul 17, no AIS signal during last 44 hours.
http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/07/23/bulk-carrier-explosion-south-china-sea-update-jul-23/?fbclid=IwAR2Zfmu3Z8ioxmbE7g_wTLJYn6OSkp4zvPhxffxDY0o-NwaJDpEK4mt9s0M
2. On the mend
The westbound Asia-Med trade enjoyed a good start to the year, but recent pricing levels suggest that things are levelling off. Container traffic from Asia to the Mediterranean appears to have been given a lift as China re-directs more of its exports to other markets to compensate for the fall in traffic to the US. Following a mediocre 2018, when westbound volumes grew by only 0.6%, headhaul shipments were up by 3.1% after five months of this year, according to the latest release from CTS. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/on-the-mend/
3. UAE seeking second term in IMO Council
The UAE is ready to present its candidacy for a second term for Category B membership of the International Maritime Organization, IMO, Council, announced Dr. Abdullah Bin Mohammad Balheif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Infrastructure Development and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Transport Authority Land and Maritime, FTA. The UAE is the first Arab nation to win Category B membership of the IMO Council. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/uae-seeking-second-term-in-imo-council/
4. In Costa Rica, a startup builds a model ship for a cleaner future
In a remote stretch of Costa Rica, where towering trees give way to spindly mangroves, mornings start with a roar. Monkeys high in the canopy howl to greet the sunrise. Hammers bang and tools scrape as workers hustle to beat the heat. Sawmills shriek from a grassy clearing, slicing enormous logs into smooth, broad planks. SailCargo, a small Costa Rican startup, is building the vessel with dozens of local workers, visiting volunteers, and international investors. Their lumber comes from sustainably harvested and naturally fallen tamarind and other hardwoods.https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/in-costa-rica-a-startup-builds-a-model-ship-for-a-cleaner-future/
5. British Bulkers adds fifth ship
British Bulkers headquartered in Glyfada, has dived into the secondhand market, adding its fifth Japanese-built handysize vessel. British Bulkers has taken the 2013-built, 31,000 dwt Island Spirit from Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK). The ship it its second handysize purchase in a couple years. https://splash247.com/british-bulkers-adds-fifth-ship/
6. Gianluigi Aponte bets on ONE and Hapag-Lloyd merger
At the first annual meeting of the newly born Italian shipowner association, Assarmatori, the executive chairman of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), Gianluigi Aponte, was asked who might be next in the great wave of container shipping consolidation. The shipping veteran said eventually he expected Japan’s Ocean Network Express (ONE) and Hamburg-based Hapag-Lloyd would one day join forces. https://splash247.com/gianluigi-aponte-bets-on-one-and-hapag-lloyd-merger/
7. Number of Indian Seafarers Employed on Ships Rises
The number of active Indian seafarers, employed aboard Indian or foreign flagged ships, has grown by about 45 percent in the last three years. According to the country’s Ministry of Shipping, in 2016 there were a total of 143,940 Indian seafarers working on vessels. The number was up at 208,799 in 2018. The Ministry informed that the Government took several initiatives and policy decisions to help increase the share of Indian seafarers at the global level. https://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/280515/number-of-indian-seafarers-employed-on-ships-rises/
8. Maersk Boxship Fined after Spewing Smoke in Spain
Danish shipping company Maersk has been handed an EUR 20,000 (USD 22,341) fine after locals spotted one of its ships emitting excess smoke while approaching the port of Algeciras, Spain, on July 18. A company representative told World Maritime News that the Maersk Sembawang experienced malfunctioning on the fuel injection equipment on the main engine, which resulted in the emission of thick smoke. https://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/280521/maersk-fined-in-spain-after-locals-spot-heavy-smoke-from-boxship/
9. U.S. Sanctions Chinese Firm for Buying Iranian Oil
In an address at an event in Florida on Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the United States has blacklisted Chinese state energy company Zhuhai Zhenrong Co. Ltd. for allegedly buying oil from Iran. The United States has imposed unilateral sanctions on Iran’s petroleum, shipping and financial sectors since last November, and a set of limited import waivers expired May 2. The U.S. State Department contends that Zhuhai Zhenrong kept buying Iranian oil after this deadline passed. https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/u-s-sanctions-chinese-firm-for-buying-iranian-oil
10. Pirates steal cash and shoes in Korean cargo ship robbery
Pirates attacked a South Korean-flagged cargo ship in the South China Sea early on Monday, stealing thousands of dollars in cash and even the sailors’ shoes, South Korean authorities said. Two people sustained minor injuries when seven pirates boarded the CK Bluebell and made off with $13,000 and belongings including mobile phones, clothes and shoes from the 22-strong crew, officials from the oceans and fisheries ministry said. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Pirates+steal+cash+and+shoes+in+Korean+cargo+ship+robbery
