1. Is the 26,000 TEU container vessel coming now?
Excerpts from article which was kindly sent to Maritime Bulletin by author, Mr. Frank Diegel, CEO Marine-Pilots.com. Is the 26,000 TEU container vessel coming now?
The last month Jan Tiedemann from Alphaliner (BRS) in Hamburg has reported, that DNV GL has awarded Hudong Zhonghua Shipbuilding (group) Co., Ltd. an approval in principle for the design of an LNG-powered 25,000 TEU container vessel. http://maritimebulletin.net/2020/01/15/is-the-26000-teu-container-vessel-coming-now/
2. Tanker collided with fishing vessel, 1 dead, 2 missing, Galveston
Product tanker BOW FORTUNE collided with fishing vessel PAPPY’S PRIDE at around 2130 UTC Jan 14 while entering Galveston, USA, Gulf of Mexico. PAPPY’S PRIDE capsized, leaving 4 crew in water. 2 were rescued and transferred to medical emergency, 1 of them later died. 2 crew remain missing. Tanker berthed at Galveston, her port of destination, at around 2300 UTC. Search for 2 missing fishermen still continuing. http://maritimebulletin.net/2020/01/15/tanker-collided-with-fishing-vessel-1-dead-2-missing-galveston/
3. Fishing vessel with 39 crew disabled, trapped in Antarctic ice
Fishing vessel HONGJIN NO.707 with 39 crew on board lost steering and/or propulsion after contacting ice floe in the Antarctic, E of Zuchelli Station, Terra Nova Bay, some 1,600 nm S of Southern Island, NZ, reportedly on Jan 10. The crew tried to fix damages, but failed, and contacted Korean authorities, requesting assistance. Korean research icebreaker ARAON responded, and was said to reach disabled fishing vessel on Jan 14, most probably taking her on tow. http://maritimebulletin.net/2020/01/14/fishing-vessel-with-39-crew-disabled-trapped-in-antarctic-ice/
4. Flex LNG secures contract extension
John Fredriksen’s Flex LNG has secured an extension of the time-charter agreement for 173,400 cu m LNG carrier Flex Enterprise.
The firm period under the time charter has been extended to the first quarter 2021, and the charterer also has further extension options. https://splash247.com/flex-lng-secures-contract-extension/
5. Optimisation to drive technology advancement in 2020
Expect a year of mini-breakthroughs rather than wholesale change when it comes to the maritime tech outlook for 2020. The fragmented nature of the tech providers and the naturally conservative, cost-conscious shipowning set will put the brakes on any huge technology changes, according to a Splash survey carried out today with leading owners, managers, consultants and entrepreneurs. https://splash247.com/optimisation-to-drive-technology-advancement-in-2020/
6. Global liner fleet set to surpass 24m teu this year
Two of the world’s most respected container shipping consultants – Alphaliner and Sea-Intelligence – have made their 2020 fleet growth predictions, with the global liner fleet on course to pass the 24m teu mark this year. Alphaliner is predicting the global containership fleet will grow from 23.23m teu at the beginning of 2020 to reach 24.05m teu by the end of the year, for a growth rate of 3.5%. https://splash247.com/global-liner-fleet-set-to-surpass-24m-teu-this-year/
7. Citing climate change, Panama Canal institutes $10,000 fresh water surcharge
Acknowledging the climate crisis, the Panama Canal Authority is adding a $10,000 fresh water surcharge for all transits of vessels that are longer than 38.1 m, effective February 15. In addition, a variable fee ranging from a minimum of 1% to a maximum of 10% of the vessel’s toll will be applied. The percentage to be applied will depend on Gatun Lake’s level at the time of transit. https://splash247.com/citing-climate-change-panama-canal-institutes-10000-fresh-water-surcharge/
8. DP World’s Djibouti battle continues at court in London
DP World has won another legal hearing against the government of Djibouti over the Doraleh Container Terminal, having been kicked out of the country two years ago.
A tribunal of the London Court of International Arbitration has ordered Djibouti to restore the rights and benefits under the 2006 concession agreement to DP World and Doraleh Container Terminal within two months, or pay damages. https://splash247.com/dp-worlds-djibouti-battle-continues-at-court-in-london/
9. Baltic Index Dips To Near 9-Month Low On Weaker Capesize, Supramax Rates
The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index slipped to a near nine-month trough on Tuesday, as a decline in rates for capesize and supramax vessels outweighed gains in the panamax segment. The Baltic index, which tracks rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels ferrying dry bulk commodities, eased 2 points, or 0.3%, to 763 points, its lowest since mid-April 2019. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Baltic+index+dips+to+near+9-month+low+on+weaker+capesize%2C+supramax+rates
10. Maersk Bets On Cold Storage To Boost Land Transportation Business
Maersk (MAERSKb.CO), the world’s biggest shipping company, plans to focus on premium services such as cold storage and digital solutions to avoid competing with its own freight-forwarding clients as it expands in the land transportation business. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Maersk+bets+on+cold+storage+to+boost+land+transportation+business
