1. CMA CGM container ship sailing from China reported 6 crew with fever
6 Sri Lankan seamen confirmed ill, suffering fever and high temperature, on board of container ship CMA CGM URAL, which is presently steaming in Gulf of Aden, en route from China to Suez and then Mediterranean / Black sea ports, via Singapore. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/01/27/cma-cgm-container-ship-sailing-from-china-reported-6-crew-with-fever/
2. Shipping and coronavirus monitor: Hainan; Indonesia; Brazil
Hainan Maritime Bureau implemented strict screening procedures for all ferries arriving at Hainan Island ports. 25 ro-pax ferries in the evening Jan 26 were held in quarantine areas for a thorough medical check of passengers and crews. Tourist boats sailing are banned, no exceptions. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/01/27/shipping-and-coronavirus-monitor-hainan-indonesia-brazil/
3. Tugs collision, 3 missing, sulfuric acid vapor release, Mississippi
Tug COOPERATIVE SPIRIT at around 0530 LT Jan 26 collided with tug CREPPEL, which was pushing 2 barges laden with sulfuric acid, near 123 mile mark, Luling, Mississippi river. Tug CREPPEL sank after collision, 1 crew rescued and 3 went missing. Tug COOPERATIVE SPIRIT was badly damaged, one of barges with sulfuric acid was also damaged, releasing an unknown amount of acid vapor into the air. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/01/26/tugs-collision-3-missing-sulfuric-acid-vapor-release-mississippi/
4. DP World tables bid for 49% stake in Fesco
DP World’s on/off romance with one of Russia’s top maritime brands is back in the news. Russian newspaper Vesti Finance is reporting the global terminal operator has tabled a bid to take a 49% stake in Vladivostok’s Fesco Transport Group. Officials at DP World’s Dubai headquarters have yet to reply to questions sent by Splash earlier today. https://splash247.com/dp-world-tables-bid-for-49-stake-in-fesco/
5. CMB becomes the world’s first net zero shipping line
Pioneering Compagnie Maritime Belge (CMB), which turned 125 on Friday, is set to become the first shipping line in the world to be net zero.
CMB has announced all its carbon emissions will be offset starting this year, and long term the company, a leader in hydrogen propulsion, has pledged to invest in new technologies to operate a zero carbon fleet by 2050. https://splash247.com/cmb-becomes-the-worlds-first-net-zero-shipping-line/
6. High black carbon emissions from VLSFO heaps pressure on IMO
Following on from a landmark study funded by the German Environment Agency that suggests some blends of the new very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) contain higher black carbon emissions than its forebear, high sulphur fuel oil (HSFO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is coming under pressure to ban the new fuel in Arctic waters. https://splash247.com/high-black-carbon-emissions-from-vlsfo-heaps-pressure-on-imo/
7. VLSFO sediment issue goes global
Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) is warning clients that the issue of fuel instability leading to sediment formation in very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) has now gone global.
Splash has reported in recent weeks of high sediment being reported in VLSFO samples at European ports and the major bunkering hubs of Singapore and Houston. The situation is now believed to be far more widespread. https://splash247.com/vlsfo-sediment-issue-goes-global/
8. Stellar Daisy’s sister ships sent for demo
Two months ahead of the third anniversary since the sinking of the Stellar Daisy with the loss of 22 lives, the ship’s owner, Polaris Shipping from South Korea has decided to condemn to history all of the sister ships of the converted ore carrier. https://splash247.com/stellar-daisys-sister-ships-sent-for-demo/
9. Exxon Find Boosts Guyana Oil Estimates to 8 Billion Barrels
Exxon Mobil Corp on Monday raised its Guyana oil estimates by 2 billion barrels with disclosure of a new discovery, as it continues to develop one of the world’s most important new oil and gas blocks in the last decade. https://gcaptain.com/exxon-find-boosts-guyana-oil-estimates-to-8-billion-barrels/
10. Trump’s ‘Massive’ U.S.-UK Trade Deal Faces Big Hurdles
Britain is the United States’ closest ally but their long friendship may be sorely tested as the two countries try to forge a new trade agreement after Britain’s exit from the European Union. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Saturday in London that he was optimistic that a bilateral deal with Britain could be reached as soon as this year. https://gcaptain.com/trumps-massive-u-s-uk-trade-deal-faces-big-hurdles/