1. Direct sea route Thailand – Bangladesh under FTA Agreement
Free Trade Agreement between Thailand and Bangladesh is agreed in principle, by both side, during the 5th Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting between the two nations on Jan 8 2020 in Bangkok. Thailand is ready for Free Trade Agreement talks and required for FTA joint study on its’ feasibility. http://maritimebulletin.net/2020/01/14/direct-sea-route-thailand-bangladesh-under-fta-agreement/
2. Ghost yacht, probably Thai, found drifting in Malacca Strait
Indonesian fishermen spotted sailing yacht drifting in waters of Muara Batu, North Aceh, northeast Sumatra, Malacca Strait, on Jan 12, while fishing. Yacht was drifting some 20 nm off Muara Batu coast. They approached the yacht, but didn’t see anyone on board, so they boarded her and didn’t find anybody. Yacht, in apparently good condition (and not a cheap one, either), was abandoned. http://maritimebulletin.net/2020/01/13/ghost-yacht-probably-thai-found-drifting-in-malacca-strait/
3. Accident in Gatun Lock, Panama Canal
Two tugs collided in Gatun Lock while providing transit of a Greek tanker VELOS LEO, in the afternoon Jan 12. One tug literally climbed over another. Cause of accident yet unknown. Tanker wasn’t damaged and continued her transit, en route from Beaumont USA to Lazaro Cardenas port, Mexico. Tanker completed transit late Jan 12, and entered the Pacific. http://maritimebulletin.net/2020/01/13/accident-in-gatun-lock-panama-canal/
4. Extended Drought Forces Panama Canal to Adopt New Fees and Reduce Reservation Slots
The Panama Canal will reduce the number of available reservation slots and introduce new fees as part of a series of measures to sustain water levels and ensure reliability of the waterway following years of drought. https://gcaptain.com/extended-drought-forces-panama-canal-to-adopt-new-fees-fewer-reservation-slots/
5. Another Challenging Year Ahead for Container Shipping, Drewry Says
2020 will prove another challenging year for ocean carriers in terms of capacity management, according to Drewry.
Although the consultant claimed the industry would be able to cope.
Drewry calculates that 1.2m teu of capacity will be added to the fleet this year, of which almost half comprises 23 20,000-plus teu ULCVs for HMM, CMA CGM and MSC. https://gcaptain.com/another-challenging-year-ahead-for-container-shipping-drewry-says/
6. Iran Won’t Target Strait of Hormuz Over Soleimani’s Killing. Analysts Believe
Iran is unlikely to block the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s busiest oil-shipping channel, in reprisal for the killing of Qassem Soleimani for fear of aggravating its Gulf allies and China, regional analysts said on Monday. https://gcaptain.com/iran-wont-target-strait-of-hormuz-over-soleimanis-killing-analysts-believe/
7. Coalition Launched to Accelerate Global Offshore Wind Capacity
Danish power company Ørsted and Norwegian energy giant Equinor are spearheading the launch of international coalition to accelerate global offshore wind capacity and other ocean-based renewable energy technologies as part of an effort to mitigate the harmful impacts of climate change. https://gcaptain.com/coalition-launched-to-accelerate-global-offshore-wind-capacity/
8. Container Lines Boost Blank Voyages As Q1 Downturn Looms
The downturn in U.S.-China trade is forcing ocean carriers to cancel a growing number of weekly sailings in the trans-Pacific trade lane, according to a container shipping expert. The cancellations point to a longer recovery in trade between the world’s two largest economies and augurs a poor start for U.S. ocean freight demand in 2020. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/container-lines-boost-blank-voyages-as-q1-downturn-looms/
9. Maersk strengthens port coverage in Spain with the new service to Gijón
In order to further improve the service level and port coverage for local customers, Maersk continues to develop its network across Spain. On 23rd January, the first sailing of Maersk’s new Z03 feeder service will take place, connecting the port of Gijón (APM Terminals Gijón) with Algeciras and therefore further with Maersk’s global ocean network. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/maersk-strengthens-port-coverage-in-spain-with-the-new-service-to-gijon/
10. HMM to Operate World’s Largest Container Ships Staring This April
Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) plans to introduce the world’s largest container ships on its Asia-Europe routes starting this April.
HMM will put into operation a total of 12 24,000-TEU super large vessels, one per week, staring this April, the Busan New Port Terminal said on Jan. 12. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/hmm-to-operate-worlds-largest-container-ships-staring-this-april/
