1. Korean fishing vessel sank after collision with Russian reefer, Japan sea
Russian reefer SUBARU collided with Korean 28-ton fishing vessel SE of Pohang, South Korea, Japan sea, at around 0615 UTC Dec 31, fishing vessel sank. Reefer didn’t sail away, responding to accidents and taking part in SAR. All 12 crew of Korean fishing vessel were rescued, by reefer according to Russian sources, by Korean fishing vessel which was nearby, by Korean sources. Reefer was en route from Busan, understood to Pohang, she reached Pohang several hours later and anchored in Pohang inner anchorage. http://maritimebulletin.net/2020/01/01/korean-fishing-vessel-sank-after-collision-with-russian-reefer-japan-sea/
2. Dockers refuse to offload bulk carrier fearing mass explosion
Bulk carrier LINTAN arrived at Szczecin Poland on Dec 18, and is still berthed, unable to offload its’ cargo of zinc concentrate, loaded in Salalah Oman. Zinc concentrate shipments are quite regular in Szczecin, for years, but this time it’s different, dockers refused to offload bulk carrier, fearing a mass explosion, according to Wyborcza.pl report. The cargo became wet, understood during voyage, and started to emit hydrogen, which may lead to explosion. http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/12/31/dockers-refuse-to-offload-bulk-carrier-fearing-mass-explosion/
3. Monster killer of whales finally berthed
Arrival of reefer COTE D’IVORIAN STAR at Portsmouth UK from Dakar with cargo of fruits on Dec 30 was delayed for some 6 hours because of dead whale found on ship’s bulbous bow. Finally, the ship, which was already libeled by media as “monster” ship, was berthed in the evening Dec 30, to be unmoored next day, Dec 31. The ship was moved from berth to harbor, understood for carcass removal, and berthed back in the afternoon. The ship didn’t sustain any damages, except idiotic media coverage. http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/12/31/monster-killer-of-whales-finally-berthed/
4. Two more ships attacked in Gulf of Guinea: Greek and Singaporean, 8 crew kidnapped
Bulk carrier VINALINES MIGHTY wasn’t the only one attacked on Dec 30, two more ships were attacked, in different positions, at different time, 8 crew were kidnapped. Two attacks were thwarted by Nigerian armed security teams on board. Shipping in Gulf of Guinea needs private armed guards, provided by international security agencies. http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/12/31/two-more-ships-attacked-on-dec-30-in-gulf-of-guinea-greek-tanker-and-singapore-bulker/
5. Pilot fell to death while boarding container ship, New York
Pilot reported to fall in water while trying to board container ship MAERSK KENSINGTON in Sandy Hook Bay, from pilot boat, early in the morning Dec 30, on ship’s arrival from Spain. He was taken to hospital on Staten Island, where he died from injures he received in the fall, said USCG. http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/12/30/pilot-fell-to-death-while-boarding-container-ship-new-york/
6. 40-foot container lost overboard, recovered, Chittagong
40-foot container fell overboard into river from container ship BLPL GRACE, berthed at Chittagong, on Dec 29 during offloading. Container remained afloat, was picked by tug and towed back to berth, where it was lifted out of water by BLPL GRACE crane. http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/12/30/40-foot-container-lost-overboard-recovered-chittagong/
7. Outlook 2020: Ocean Shipping Finance To Tighten Further
Keep a close watch on ship finance in 2020. The amount of capital available to shipowners next year will determine vessel capacity growth in the medium term, and thus, future freight rates. In addition, near-term service reliability can hinge on funding access. If shipping companies cannot refinance maturing debt, ocean services can plunge into chaos, a la the 2016 Hanjin Shipping insolvency. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Outlook+2020%3A+Ocean+shipping+finance+to+tighten+further
8. India: Container Volumes To Stay Muted On Subdued Export-Import Ambience
Growth in container trade operator (CTO) volumes is expected to remain muted in this fiscal on account of subdued export-import trade environment.A report by ratings agency Icra shows that the overall CTO volumes recorded some improvement during Q2 of FY20. However, the overall outlook is poised to stay bleak. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/India%3A+Container+volumes+to+stay+muted+on+subdued+export-import+ambience
9. Iran arrests bunkering tanker in Persian Gulf
Iran has detained a tanker allegedly carrying smuggled fuel near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz.
According to reports by Iranian state-run Islamic Republic News Agency, the tanker carrying 1.3m liters of smuggled fuel was intercepted near Abu Musa island. Sixteen Malaysian crew members onboard the unidentified vessel were detained. https://splash247.com/iran-arrests-bunkering-tanker-in-persian-gulf/
10. Goodbye to all that crap
“We burn crap on our ships. The end of the refining cycle, the residue; one step up from the asphalt you put on roads.” So said Arthur Bowring in a quote from my 2010-published book Oil On Water. Bowring at the time was managing director of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association. A decade on, and we are about to wave goodbye to that crap. https://splash247.com/goodbye-to-all-that-crap/
