1. Crane collapsed while loading container on auxiliary Navy ship, Cartagena
Mobile crane collapsed while loading container with baric chamber of Navy Diving Center, on board of auxiliary Navy ship A 52, docked at Cartagena, Spain, on Oct 2. Chamber is to be used during oncoming FLOTEX-19 military exercise, to take place in Gulf of Cadiz. Container fell on ship’s stern deck, inflicting some damages, said to be slight. One person was slightly injured. http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/10/03/crane-collapsed-while-loading-container-on-auxiliary-navy-ship-cartagena/?fbclid=IwAR0SxehfelK15Y8gd52EYwOGo8bF5mklPkNot3PfRpEDGIMyLwb_1Kl2T9g
2. Large-Scale Ocean Cleanup System Now Successfully Collecting Plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
After a year of testing, the company behind the world’s first large-scale ocean cleanup system says is system is now succesffully capturing and collecting plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Launched from Vancouver in June, System 001/B is The Ocean Cleanup’s second attempt to prove its concept of collecting garbage from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, the largest accumulation zone of plastic in the world’s oceans. https://gcaptain.com/large-scale-ocean-cleanup-system-now-successfully-collecting-plastic-in-the-great-pacific-garbage-patch/
3. Transocean Semi-Submersible is First to Use Battery Power for Drilling Operations
Deepwater drilling contractor Transocean says it has deployed that world’s first hybrid battery system on floating drilling rig to supplement power needs during drilling operations. They hybrid energy storage system was deployed on its Transocean Spitsbergen semi-submersible at the Snorre Field in Norway. Transocean says the patented technology targets a 14 percent reduction in fuel consumption by capturing energy generated during normal operations and storing it in batteries. https://gcaptain.com/transocean-semi-submersible-is-first-to-use-battery-power-for-drilling-operations/
4. Singapore Stockpiles Boatloads of 2020-Compliant Fuel
Singapore stockpiles of low sulphur marine fuels held in floating storage are swelling ahead of a 2020 global deadline for rules that are said to mark the shipping industry’s biggest fuel transition since it moved from burning coal to oil. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has banned ships from using marine fuels, or bunkers, with a sulphur content exceeding 0.5% from Jan. 1, 2020 – compared with a cap of 3.5% now – unless they are equipped with so-called “scrubbers” to clean sulphur from exhaust emissions. https://gcaptain.com/singapore-stockpiles-boatloads-of-2020-compliant-fuel/
5. NYK blasts rust away with laser technology
Japan’s Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) has entered into a capital and business tie-up with compatriot Toyokoh to develop Toyokoh’s CoolLaser technology to fight rust. In August last year, NYK signed a memorandum of understanding with Toyokoh to jointly examine the development of a corrosion-prevention business, and technical experiments conducted afterward have confirmed the benefits of reducing the on-deck maintenance workload of crew members, extending the lives of ships and equipment thus reducing lifecycle costs, and reducing environmental loads during drydock. https://splash247.com/nyk-blasts-rust-away-with-laser-technology/
6. Cosco sanctions bring VLCC spot rates towards $100,000 a day
Geopolitics are pushing VLCC spot rates towards $100,000 a day, as charterers work around the clock to snap up tonnage in a red hot market. The attacks on Saudi oil installations last month, combined with US sanctions on Cosco’s tankers 11 days later have sent the supertanker sector soaring with spot rates for some routes now in excess of $70,000 a day and a number of analysts pointing out that six-figure sums are on the horizon, backed up by news from tanker derivatives desks in London and Singapore reporting exceptionally brisk trading this week deep into Q4. https://splash247.com/cosco-sanctions-bring-vlcc-spot-rates-towards-100000-a-day/
7. New port helicopters take flight
A guard of honour and ceremonial flyover were among the activities marking the official launch in Richards Bay on Thursday of Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA) two new port helicopters. The event was attended by dignitaries including KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Ms Nomusa Dube-Ncube, Councillor Philisiwe Cele representing the District Mayor of King Cetshwayo District Municipality Councillor Nonhle Mkhulisi, Deputy Mayor of uMhlathuze Municipality Councillor Duduzile Sibiya, as well as various industry principals. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/new-port-helicopters-take-flight/
8. S&P affirms North P&I Club’s ‘A’ (stable) rating under new Insurers Rating Methodology
Leading ratings agency S&P Global Ratings has affirmed North P&I Club’s ‘A’ credit rating and stable outlook under their new Insurers Rating Methodology. North was one of only three P&I clubs to report an increase in free reserves in 2018/19 and the Club continues to hold capital adequacy above the ‘AAA’ benchmark, a rating strength that S&P expect the Club will maintain over the two-year outlook period. According to S&P analysts, the ratings outlook reflects North’s continued focus on controlled growth in a difficult market environment and maintaining its competitive position. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/sp-affirms-north-pi-clubs-a-stable-rating-under-new-insurers-rating-methodology/
9. British Ports Association Responds to Government Brexit “2 Borders Proposals”
British Ports Association statement on the Government’s “two borders for four years” Brexit proposals reported today. “The majority of Northern Ireland’s trade is with Great Britain and a border in the Irish Sea would be extremely challenging for the ports in Northern Ireland and those in England and Scotland who have freight routes. Ironically also in a ‘no deal’ situation there could be displacement issues for Welsh ports. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/british-ports-association-responds-to-government-brexit-2-borders-proposals/
10. Indonesia: Missing Bulker Located off Buru Island?
The 52,400 dwt bulk carrier Nur Allya, that went missing off eastern Indonesia in late August, has been located. According to local media reports, the Indonesia-flagged ship was found in the Halmahera Sea, north of Buru Island in Maluku. Indonesia’s National Transportation Safety Commission (NTSC) has reportedly determined the location of the ship by using a pinger locator. Nur Allya went missing shortly after sending a distress signal on August 20. At the time, the vessel was carrying some 50,000 tons of nickel ore from Sagea, Gebe island, to Morosi, southeast Sulawesi. The 2002-built ship had a crew of 25 seafarers onboard. https://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/284182/indonesia-missing-bulker-located-off-buru-island/
