1. Chinese supertanker fled from Malaysian authorities, wanted, on the run
VLCC SILVANA III was spotted by Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Kuala Kuaru waters, south of Penang island, Malaysia, on Dec 5
. Tanker was anchored without permission, when MMEA patrol boat approached the ship with the intention of boarding, ladder wasn’t lowered, tanker heaved anchor and left anchorage, thus violating the whole bunch of Malaysian regulations and laws. She’s to be detained when and wherever possible. http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/12/10/chinese-supertanker-fled-from-malaysian-authorities-wanted-on-the-run/
2. Five crew of Irish freighter injured by wave hit, evacuated, Bay of Biscay Update
General cargo ship ARKLOW DAY left Aviles Port, Asturias, northwest Spain, at 2010 UTC Dec 9 after offloading cargo of slabs. Shortly after leaving the ship encountered rough seas of Biscay with waves up to 9 meters high. Stray wave broke the bulkhead of the compartment where five crew were located, seriously injuring all five, including wounds inflicted by steel pieces of shattered parts of the compartment. http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/12/10/five-crew-of-irish-freighter-injured-by-wave-hit-evacuated-bay-of-biscay/
3. Kidnapped Crew from J.J. Ugland Vessel Freed
The nine crew members that were kidnapped from the bulk carrier MV Bonita off Cotonou, Benin, early November have been released, after 35 days in captivity, Norwegian shipowner J.J. Ugland informed. Following the release on December 6, the seafarers went through medical examinations and were all declared fit for travel. https://mobile.worldmaritimenews.com/archives/287759/kidnapped-crew-from-j-j-ugland-vessel-freed/
4. Port of Rotterdam Points to Dramatic Rise in Sale of Low-Sulphur Bunker Oil
The Port of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest bunker port, has seen a major spike in the sale of the new very low sulphur fuel bunker oil (VLSFO) with a maximum 0.5% sulphur.
The port authority said that half of all November bunker sales were for VLSFO, citing data from its new TimeToBunker App. The data shows a major rise from VLSFO sales in September this year which stood at 1,700 tonnes, to October and November which hit 32,000 tonnes and 95,000 tonnes respectively. https://mobile.worldmaritimenews.com/archives/287787/port-of-rotterdam-points-to-dramatic-rise-in-sale-of-low-sulphur-bunker-oil/
5. Iceland Bans Use of HFO in Its Waters
Iceland is pushing forward with its efforts to curb sulphur emissions in its waters in line with its climate action plan.
Namely, Iceland’s Minister for the Environment and Natural Resources, Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson, has issued a regulation to restrict exhaust emissions containing high levels of sulphur from being burned by ships in Iceland’s territorial waters. https://mobile.worldmaritimenews.com/archives/287770/iceland-bans-use-of-hsfo-in-its-waters/
6. MV Werften Lays Keel for 2nd Global Class Ship for Dream Cruises, Eyes Construction of Universal Class Ships
German shipbuilder MV Werften hosted a key-laying ceremony for the second 208,000 gross ton Global Class ship for Dream Cruises in Rostock on Monday, December 9.
The occasion was used for the announcement of a new ship class which is in the making by Genting Hong Kong. https://mobile.worldmaritimenews.com/archives/287740/mv-werften-lays-keel-for-2nd-global-class-ship-for-dream-cruises/
7. Report: DSME, HHI Merger Facing Full Probe in EU
The proposed mega-merger of South Korea’s top-tier shipbuilders Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) and Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE), a shipbuilding spinoff of Hyundai Heavy Industries Group, is reportedly about to be subject of a full-scale probe in the EU, Reuters writes citing industry sources. https://mobile.worldmaritimenews.com/archives/287724/report-dsme-hhi-merger-facing-full-probe-in-eu/
8. Ship Recycling Will Boost Shipping Industry Business To $2 Billion, Says Shipping Minister Mansukh Mandaviya
Amid the increasing demand for ship recycling in India, Parliament on Monday gave its nod to the Recycling of Ships Bill, 2019 steered by Minister of State for Shipping (Independent Charge) Mansukh Mandaviya, which seeks to regulate the industry in accordance with international standards. According to Mansukh Mandaviya, the bill takes into account the need for regulating the industry and ensuring that it helps the industry grow to about $2 billion per year in India. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Ship+recycling+will+boost+shipping+industry+business+to+%242+billion%2C+says+Shipping+Minister+Mansukh+Mandaviya
9. Baltic Index Slips As Capesize Rates Fall
The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index fell on Monday, as a drop in rates for capesize vessels outweighed a rise in other vessel segments.
The Baltic index, which tracks rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels that ferry dry bulk commodities, fell seven points, or 0.4%, to 1,551 points. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Baltic+index+slips+as+capesize+rates+fall
10. Korean Shipbuilders Retain Top Spot In Global New Ship Orders In Jan-Nov
South Korean shipbuilders kept lead for the 11th month in new order book thanks to demand for LNG carriers.
According to British shipbuilding and marine industry tracker Clarkson Research Services on Monday, Korean shipbuilders bagged new orders totaling 7.12 million compensated gross tonnage (CGT) worth $16.4 billion in the January-November period, retaining world’s leading ranking in new order counts. They were followed by China with 7.08 million CGT worth $15.3 billion, Japan with 2.57 million CGT, and Italy with 1.14 million CGT. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Korean+shipbuilders+retain+top+spot+in+global+new+ship+orders+in+Jan-Nov
