1. Distressed by typhoon TAPAH cargo ship abandoned, crew safe
General cargo ship VANWAH issued distress signal at 0121 Beijing time Sep 21, ship hit the rocks near islands NE of Zhoushan, East China sea, in vicinity 30 15N 122 37E, and developed heavy stb list. SAR ships DONG HAI JIU 102 and DONG HAI JIU 117 arrived at the scene and rescued all 15 crew, 1 was picked up from water, others were rescued via life raft, see photo. No information on ship’s condition so far, whether she sank, or is adrift, or aground, AIS missing. VANWAH was en route from Korea, port of destination unknown, and was caught in typhoon TAPAH. http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/09/22/distressed-by-typhoon-tapah-cargo-ship-abandoned-crew-safe/?fbclid=IwAR3HMLmJfknrCM4jReT1OEFfavS3NwRZu6YIvBeGwgiGQcmnJjz51LvSX4k
2. Runaway barges damaged bridge, Houston
A unified command is continuing to respond after at least two barges struck the I-10 San Jacinto River Bridge near Houston on Sep 20.
The unified command consists of the Coast Guard, the federal on-scene coordinator; Texas Department of Transportation, the state on-scene coordinator for transportation and infrastructure; Texas General Land Office, state on-scene coordinator monitoring for pollution; and Canal Barge Company Inc., New Orleans, the responsible party. http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/09/22/runaway-barges-damaged-bridge-houston/?fbclid=IwAR1o8p9gSFTlksICR6bMa_JbMbOcR1DwECb9qVxSfqoW4u53lnw-MJnrgT0
3. CARNIVAL cruise ship contacted lock’s wall in Panama Canal
Cruise ship CARNIVAL FANTASY brushed lock wall while moving in Panama Canal on Sep 20. Understood the ship wasn’t supposed to transit Canal. According to track, the ship left Canal and sailed to Limon Port, Costa Rica, in accordance with itinerary, arriving there on Sep 21. The ship contacted wall while the water levels were being lowered. She wasn’t under way at the time of an accident, being driven by Canal tugs. Nobody was injured. http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/09/21/carnival-cruise-ship-contacted-locks-wall-in-panama-canal/?fbclid=IwAR0gLLg2usHv87NcmPt-QtwLbvtankEI3Z_Kzg0rJvKRncpX2ytHbX6bbjE
4. Nor-Shipping builds partnership with UN on Action Platform for Sustainable Ocean Business
Nor-Shipping is following up on its role as host of the June 2019 United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) High Level Meeting on Ocean by contributing to a week of activity designed to develop the Action Platform for Sustainable Ocean Business in New York. The programme of activity, taking place from 23-28 September at the UN’s global headquarters, will see leading politicians, maritime and ocean industry executives, UN representatives, NGOs and other key stakeholders gathering in an effort to accelerate sustainable industry practices, help build consensus on ocean governance and support growth for future generations. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/nor-shipping-builds-partnership-with-un-on-action-platform-for-sustainable-ocean-business/
5. World Fuel Services Corporation to Join the “Getting to Zero Coalition” Focused on Decarbonizing the Shipping Industry
World Fuel Services Corporation announced that it has joined the “Getting to Zero Coalition”, an alliance of private and public stakeholders within the maritime, energy, infrastructure and finance sectors focused on developing the fuels, energy solutions and technology necessary to develop commercially viable zero emission vessels by 2030. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/world-fuel-services-corporation-to-join-the-getting-to-zero-coalition-focused-on-decarbonizing-the-shipping-industry/
6. Iran says legal steps for British tanker release completed
An Iranian government spokesman said on Monday that all legal steps had been completed for the release of the detained British-flagged tanker Stena Impero but that he did not know when the vessel would be released, Iranian media reported. The July 19 seizure of the ship, two weeks after Britain detained an Iranian tanker off Gibraltar, cranking up tensions in the region in the wake of attacks on other merchant vessels that Washington blamed on Tehran. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/iran-says-legal-steps-for-british-tanker-release-completed/
7. New York: New Coalition Formed to Support Shipping’s Decarbonization
The Getting to Zero Coalition, a new alliance that will lead the push for international shipping’s decarbonization, has been launched at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York. https://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/283575/new-york-new-coalition-formed-to-support-shippings-decarbonization/
8. Scorpio Bulkers Offloads Ultramax Pair
Monaco-based dry bulk shipping company Scorpio Bulkers is selling two of its Ultramax vessels, SBI Puma and SBI Cougar. On September 23, 2019, the company said it entered into agreements with an unnamed party to dispose of the bulker duo. The 2014-built SBI Puma and the 2015-built SBI Cougar will be sold for about USD 37.9 million in aggregate, generating USD 16 million of additional liquidity, according to Scorpio. https://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/283571/scorpio-bulkers-offloads-ultramax-pair/
9. American Ethane Carriers to Build 17 Very Large Ethan Carriers
Houston-based American Ethane Company has unveiled plans to build 17 very large ethane carriers (VLECs) to transport U.S. ethane to China. The 150,000 cbm capacity VLECs will be constructed in China at shipyard in Hudong-Zhonghua and Jiangnan. American Ethane collaborated with ABS on technical and regulatory requirements for the VLECs that will supply ethane from the U.S. Gulf Coast to a number of petrochemical facilities in China. https://gcaptain.com/american-ethane-carriers-to-build-17-very-large-ethan-carriers/
10. Nations Must Enforce IMO 2020 Sulphur Regulations
The World Shipping Council (WSC), BIMCO, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and the International Parcel Tankers Association (IPTA) calls on International Maritime Organization (IMO) member states to fully implement the new global marine fuel sulphur cap mandated through the IMO. As of January 1, 2020, the maximum sulphur content of fuel consumed at sea will be limited to 0.50%, unless an exhaust gas cleaning system is used. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Nations+Must+Enforce+IMO+2020+Sulphur+Regulations
