1. Chinese freighter contacted dock at Kaohsiung, Taiwan, both damaged
General cargo ship TAI GANG contacted CSBC shipbuilding Corporation dock at Kaohsiung, Taiwan, early in the morning Jan 6, while leaving the port. Accident was caused by steering failure. Both dock and ship’s bow were damaged, TAI GANG reportedly sustained underwater hull breaches. The ship was towed to berth, she remained at Kaohsiung until Jan 9. On Jan 9 she left Kaohsiung, bound for Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China. On Jan 12 she reached Quanzhou outer anchorage and was anchored. http://maritimebulletin.net/2020/01/12/chinese-freighter-contacted-dock-at-kaohsiung-taiwan-both-damaged/
2. General cargo ship sank in Java sea, 14 crew safe
General cargo ship KM EL No.2 with 14 crew was reported as missing on Jan 11 in Belitung island waters, Indonesia, Java sea. The ship loaded with cement and construction materials was en route from Jakarta to Pontianak, western Kalimantan. The ship sank on Jan 12 after developing list due to cargo shift, being caught in rough seas. Judging from video, she’s resting on bottom on more or less even keel. All 14 crew rescued, safe.
http://maritimebulletin.net/2020/01/12/general-cargo-ship-sank-in-java-sea-14-crew-safe-video/
3. GRIMALDI car carrier seized by Libyan National Army?
Naval forces of the Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Marshal Khalifa Haftar, opposed to Libyan UN-recognized government, seized Italian cargo ship, according to official LNA statement, released on Jan 12. The ship was en route to Misurata Port, controlled by government. The statement didn’t reveal details or identify the ship, it was said only, that the ship was taken to LNA-controlled Bengazi, she’s to be checked and arrested, if any arms or military equipment found. If there are no arms/ammunition on board, the ship will be released, all cargo bound for Misurata to be offloaded at Bengazi. Crew is interrogated, added LNA representative. http://maritimebulletin.net/2020/01/12/grimaldi-car-carrier-seized-by-libyan-national-army/
4. Disabled bulk carrier taken on tow, North Pacific
Handymax bulk carrier was disabled in North Pacific on Jan 6, while en route from USA, drifting until Jan 11. On Jan 11 contracted salvage tug took bulk carrier on tow, she’s to be towed to port of destination. http://maritimebulletin.net/2020/01/12/disabled-bulk-carrier-taken-on-tow-north-pacific/
5. Dutch freighter caught in MMEA net, detained off Penang. Why?
Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) caught a new prey, Dutch freighter ANET, which had been careless enough to anchor 22 nm SSW of Pulau Kendi, a small islet off Penang island south. The ship anchored in the morning Jan 8, being en route from Colombo to Singapore, ETA Jan 14, so probably, ANET anchored for the purpose of fitting into arrival schedule. She was detained on Jan 10, and taken to Penang Anchorage, on the same accusation of unauthorized anchorage. Company is to be fined. http://maritimebulletin.net/2020/01/11/dutch-freighter-caught-in-mmea-net-detained-off-penang-why/
6. Security alarm is no joke – giant container ship sealed off by counter terrorism teams
A turmoil in and around Kwai Chung Container Terminal in Hong Kong early in the morning Jan 10 worried many people including residents. Berthed container ship OOCL HAMBURG was surrounded by water police boats, strict security measures were implemented in port. As it came out, all the trouble was triggered by accidentally pressed SSAS (Ship Security Alarm System) button. The ship was sealed by security forces for some three hours. After inspection and confirmation of a false signal, security emergency was called off. http://maritimebulletin.net/2020/01/10/security-alarm-is-no-joke-giant-container-ship-sealed-off-by-counter-terrorism-teams/
7. Never since 2009 was there so much ice in Svalbard waters
General cargo ship NORBJORN couldn’t make it to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen Island, Svalbard archipelago, Norway, because of ice, and had to be assisted by ice-class Coast Guard ship NOCGV SVALBARD (IMO 8640387), on Jan 9. The ship was taken to free water and reached Longyearbyen later that day. “Never since 2009 was there so much ice in Svalbard waters”, say locals. Global Warming on the march, no doubt. http://maritimebulletin.net/2020/01/10/never-since-2009-was-there-so-much-ice-in-svalbard-waters/
8. Russian tanker collided with Turkish fishing vessel, 3 missing
Product tanker GLARD-2 collided with Turkish fishing vessel DURSUN ALI COSKUN at 0335 UTC Jan 10 while approaching anchorage north of Kilyos, Istanbul, Black sea, en route from Rostov Russia to Izmir Turkey. Fishing vessel sank, of 6 crew 3 were rescued, 3 went missing, SAR under way. http://maritimebulletin.net/2020/01/10/russian-tanker-collided-with-turkish-fishing-vessel-3-missing/
9. Baltic Index Reverses Course, Gains For First Time In 22 Sessions
The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index reversed course to inch up on Friday after 21 straight session of declines, helped by higher earnings for capesize vessels.
The Baltic index, which tracks rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels that ferry dry bulk commodities, increased 2 points, or 0.3%, to 774 points. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Baltic+index+reverses+course%2C+gains+for+first+time+in+22+sessions
10. IMO 2020 Is Only The Start In Shipping Fuel Shake-Up
Some 11 years after the International Maritime Organization committed to a 0.5% sulfur limit for marine fuels and three years after it confirmed a 2020 start date, the deadline for the IMO’s lower sulfur cap has arrived. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/IMO+2020+is+only+the+start+in+shipping+fuel+shake-up
