1. Iran supertanker with deleted AIS troubled in Red sea
Iran’s VLCC HELM suffered engine or mechanical failure in Red sea NW of Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, said Iran news agency IRNA on Aug 21. According to track, tanker was disabled in the evening Aug 20, or earlier. AIS was off since probably, late April or May, last port of call Caofeidian, China. AIS reappeared on Aug 20. As of 0900 UTC Aug 21, HELM was some 30 nm off Saudi Arabia coast drifting towards coast. Offshore supply tug SWISSCO SUPPLIER (IMO 9397078) is at her side since around 0400 UTC Aug 21. http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/08/21/iran-supertanker-with-deleted-ais-troubled-in-red-sea/?fbclid=IwAR2QDnEmvJ50lj62HYrkHhIMm3w0aRy1Lq9JdWqs9Gc_miNR0nXO33QxFY8
2. Greece says it will not help Iranian tanker to reach Syria
Greece will not provide assistance in delivering oil to Syria to an Iranian tanker now sailing eastward through the Mediterranean, Deputy Foreign Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis said on Wednesday. “We have sent a clear message that we would not want to facilitate the trafficking of this oil to Syria in any instance,” Varvitsiotis told Greece’s ANT1 television. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/greece-says-it-will-not-help-iranian-tanker-to-reach-syria/
3. Training for maritime security in Libya
IMO maritime security training is underway for Libyan port facility security officers, managers and designated authority officials (18-22 August). The workshop, delivered in English and in Arabic, aims to assist the Libyan Government in enhanced security risk assessments and controls on maritime transport through its territory. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/training-for-maritime-security-in-libya/
4. Oil Refiners Go From Profit Pain to Gain on Ship-Fuel Rules
The imminent overhaul of global ship-fuel regulations is finally delivering a long-awaited benefit to Asian oil refiners. Profits from turning crude into diesel in the second half of 2019 are forecast to be about 31% higher than the first six months, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc. Margins have already expanded around 40% since late April as International Maritime Organization rules that prohibit ships from using dirty fuel from Jan. 1 are set to bolster diesel demand, while cutting fuel oil use. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/oil-refiners-go-from-profit-pain-to-gain-on-ship-fuel-rules/
5. Hapag-Lloyd: New South East Asia to Australia Services (SEA and S2A)
In order to further strengthen and optimize our presence in Australia, we are pleased to inform you about Hapag-Lloyd’s newest addition to the Oceania product portfolio. During the month of October 2019 (week 43), Hapag-Lloyd introduces two new services which will offer weekly direct sailings between Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Australia on top of our existing South East Asia Australia Loop 1 (SAL). https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/hapag-lloyd-new-south-east-asia-to-australia-services-sea-and-s2a/
6. Proposed Ferry Could Save Scottish Whiskey Exports Post-Brexit
By Toby Sterling AMSTERDAM, Aug 21 (Reuters) – A Scottish company and a Dutch port are discussing launching a new ferry line ahead of Britain’s exit from the European Union, potentially providing a swift alternative route for Scottish exports such as whisky if Brexit causes transport delays. https://gcaptain.com/proposed-ferry-could-save-scottish-whiskey-exports-post-brexit/
7. Region-Wide Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale Draws $159.4 Million in High Bids
By Jessica Resnick-Ault and Nichola Groom NEW YORK, Aug 20 (Reuters) – A major auction of oil and gas leases in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday received $159.4 million in high bids, government officials said. Combined with a March auction that drew $244.3 million in high bids, the total was the highest annual bid level since 2015, officials from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management said in a conference call with reporters following the sale. https://gcaptain.com/region-wide-gulf-of-mexico-lease-sale-draws-159-4-million-in-high-bids/
8. Maersk forms Indian digital trucking partnership
Maersk has formed a strategic partnership with Indian digital trucking marketplace solutions startup BlackBuck to provide an online marketplace for containerised trucking in and out of the world’s second most populous nation. https://splash247.com/maersk-forms-indian-digital-trucking-partnership/
9. Indonesia gets back in line with sulphur cap introduction
Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation has reversed its decision to delay the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) low sulphur fuel regulations, and has now said its domestic fleet must be ready for the January 1 start of the sulphur cap. https://splash247.com/indonesia-gets-back-in-line-with-sulphur-cap-introduction/
10. Firm Western freight rates pull LPG vessels to US to avoid weak Asian rates
Declining VLGC freight rates in Asia and improving US rates are pulling ships to the West from the East to pick up growing volumes of LPG tonnes from the US Gulf to global markets, trade and shipping sources said this week. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Firm+Western+freight+rates+pull+LPG+vessels+to+US+to+avoid+weak+Asian+rates
