1. Ferry line between China and Japan suspended, first time in 35 years
Japan suspended ferry line between Japan and China, which was connecting Kobe, Osaka and Shanghai since 1985, without interruptions. Line is suspended until further notice, that is, until coronavirus epidemic will be subdued. With the things standing as they’re now, continuation of the service is considered to be too risky for public health. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/01/28/ferry-line-between-china-and-japan-suspended-first-time-in-35-years/
2. Performance Shipping Inc. Announces the Sale of a Post-Panamax Container Vessel, the M/V Rotterdam
Performance Shipping Inc., a global shipping company specializing in the ownership of vessels, announced that it has signed, through a separate wholly-owned subsidiary, a Memorandum of Agreement to sell to an unaffiliated third party the 2008-built Post-Panamax container vessel “Rotterdam”, with delivery to the buyer latest by May 15, 2020, for a sale price of US$18.5 million before commissions. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/performance-shipping-inc-announces-the-sale-of-a-post-panamax-container-vessel-the-m-v-rotterdam/
3. Ukraine weekly seaport grain exports little changed at 1.16 mln T – APK-Inform
Ukrainian grain exports from sea ports totalled 1.16 million tonnes in the week of Jan. 18 to Jan. 24, almost the same volume that the country exported a week earlier, preliminary data from APK-Inform consultancy showed on Monday. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/ukraine-weekly-seaport-grain-exports-little-changed-at-1-16-mln-t-apk-inform/
4. India’s January palm oil imports from Malaysia could hit nine-year low – trade
India’s monthly palm oil imports from Malaysia could fall to the lowest level in nearly nine years in January as traders stopped buying the tropical oil from Kuala Lumpur following informal instructions from New Delhi, traders and refiners told Reuters. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/indias-january-palm-oil-imports-from-malaysia-could-hit-nine-year-low-trade/
5. Refinery news roundup: Strikes ease in France
Strikes, while still ongoing intermittently at French refineries and ports, have eased somewhat, with all refineries operating. A French federation of port and dock workers, part of the CGT labor union, will decide on Tuesday about further action against the government’s proposed pension reform. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/refinery-news-roundup-strikes-ease-in-france/
6. Stocks Pause as Bonds Signal Warning on Chinese Outbreak
Global equities were mixed Tuesday, with U.S. stock futures edging higher even as bond markets briefly flashed a recession signal for the first time since October. Global equities were mixed Tuesday, with U.S. stock futures edging higher even as bond markets briefly flashed a recession signal for the first time since October. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/stocks-pause-as-bonds-signal-warning-on-chinese-outbreak/
7. Coronavirus: Could it damage the global economy?
China is struggling with a new virus that has already killed more than 20 people.
It is a serious health issue. The World Health Organization has called it an emergency for China, though not for the world, not so far at least. Inevitably, it will have economic consequences. But how severe and how far will they spread? https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/coronavirus-could-it-damage-the-global-economy/
8. America’s Surge Sealift: What Are They Not Telling Us?
On January 22, 2020, the Inspector General (IG) for the Department of Defense released a declassified and redacted report, entitled, Audit of Surge Sealift Readiness Reporting. The surge sealift fleet, those 15 vessels held by the Navy’s Military Sealift Command (MSC) and the 46 by the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD), are a key component of the nation’s ability to project military power from the continental United States. https://gcaptain.com/americas-surge-sealift-what-are-they-not-telling-us/
9. Search Suspend for Three Missing Mariners After Mississippi River Towing Vessel Collision
The search for three missing people from the towing vessel RC Creppel was suspended late Monday night after 67 cumulative hours of active search on the Mississippi River near Luling, Louisiana.
The three mariners went missing after their towing vessel collided with another towing vessel, the Cooperative Spirit, early Sunday morning at mile marker 123. https://gcaptain.com/search-suspend-for-three-missing-mariners-after-mississippi-river-towing-vessel-collision/
10. Antwerp Shipowner Claims Net-Zero CO2 Emissions
Antwerp-based shipowner Compagnie Maritime Belge (CMB) says it has achieved net-zero carbon emissions through the purchase of carbon credits to offset its shipping operations. https://gcaptain.com/antwerp-shipowner-claims-net-zero-co2-emissions-from-2020/
