1. Coronavirus already hitting shipping, hard
Bangladesh economy is starting to suffer from coronavirus impact – just two ships arrived at Chittagong from China in February, so far. Bangladeshi garment industry is already complaining, that the stocks of ingredients required for producing leather goods, mostly imported from China, are running dry, the same can be said about ointments and ceramics industries. If supply chains remain disrupted throughout Feb-Mar, some 8 percent of garment factories and workshops will be closed. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/02/16/coronavirus-already-hitting-shipping-hard/
2. One passenger from WESTERDAM tested coronavirus positive in Malaysia
One passenger of cruise ship WESTERDAM tested positive for coronavirus in Malaysia, when checked by Malaysian medics on arrival from Cambodia, understood on Feb 15. 144 tourists took a flight from Cambodia to Malaysia on their return trips to home, among them a 83-year old woman and her husband, who tested negative. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/02/15/one-passenger-from-westerdam-tested-coronavirus-positive-in-malaysia/
3. Reefer carrying drugs arrested with all hands in Danish waters while en route to Russia UPDATE
Feb 16 UPDATE: 310 kilos of cocaine were seized. The ship was brought to Kalundborg, berthed, crew understood to be under investigation. It is not known, how many of the crew were involved in trafficking, though there’s no doubt, that a number of crew had to be involved, including officers. The ship can’t slow down at night in a lane with dense traffic in order to transfer drug shipment to a boat, without involving some essential crew, not to mention rendezvous with this boat, which had to be plotted long before the ship reaches Danish waters. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/02/15/reefer-carrying-drugs-arrested-with-all-hands-in-danish-waters-while-en-route-to-russia/
4. 4 crew poisoned by fumigation, 1 died, France
General cargo ship FRI DOLPHIN alerted MRCC Corsen France, in the evening Feb 13, reporting 4 crew being poisoned during cargo fumigation process. The ship was in Bay of Biscay W of Brest, en route from Les Sables d’Olonne to Hull UK, with cargo of corn. Paramedics team was transferred on board by helicopter, they found one crew dead, other three in stable condition, but weather didn’t allow airlifting, so the ship interrupted voyage and headed for Brest http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/02/14/4-crew-poisoned-by-fumigation-1-died-france/
5. Master of bulk carrier hospitalized after fall, Richards Bay
NSRI (National Sea Rescue Institute) reported medevac of a Master of bulk carrier at Richards Bay, South Africa, on Feb 13. Master suffered a traumatic injury in a fall, and was in serious condition. Bulk carrier was approaching Richards Bay and was met by NSRI team at sea, to prepare Master for evacuation. He was disembarked and transferred to ambulance in port. Bulk carrier wasn’t identified, but judging from NSRI photos and track, it’s bulk carrier BITTERN, arriving at Richards Bay from Mombasa Kenya on Feb 13. The ship presently, is berthed at Richards Bay. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/02/14/master-of-bulk-carrier-hospitalized-after-fall-richards-bay/
6. Master of bulk carrier missing in the Pacific, SAR under way
Master of bulk carrier RISING WIND was reported missing on Feb 11, somewhere in 10 50N 148 09E area, if analyzing ship’s search track. MRCC Australia alerted JRSC Guam, a large-scale SAR was launched, with deployment of planes. The ship turned back and started moving along her initial track at around 0230 UTC Feb 12, until 2300 UTC, and after that, it seems, it was decided to move in legs, see screenshot of her track. The ship is en route from Japan to Australia, at the time of the alert she was some 400 nm SE of Guam. According to Chief Officer report, received by MRCC Australia, 47-year old Master was last seen in his cabin, feeling ill. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/02/13/master-of-bulk-carrier-missing-in-the-pacific-sar-under-way/
7. Baltic index ekes out first weekly gain in 10 amid virus outbreak
The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index inched up on Friday and registered its first weekly gain in ten weeks as firm panamax vessel rates outweighed losses in the coronavirus-hit capesize segment.
The Baltic index, which tracks rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels that ferry dry bulk commodities, edged up 4 points, or 1.0%, to 425. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/baltic-index-ekes-out-first-weekly-gain-in-10-amid-virus-outbreak/
8. Singapore’s January bunker fuel sales rise 7.51% on year to 4.51 mil mt
Singapore’s bunker fuel sales rose 7.51% on the year to 4.51 million mt in January, data from the Maritime and Port Authority showed Friday.
The rise in demand was largely attributable to transition to cleaner fuels following the IMO 2020 mandate which came into effect January 1, market sources said.
January sales inched up 1.1% from December, led by a surge in marine gasoil demand, MPA data showed. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/singapores-january-bunker-fuel-sales-rise-7-51-on-year-to-4-51-mil-mt/
9. MSC Transpacific Network Update
As you may already be aware, the cooperation agreement between 2M and Hyundai Merchant Marine expires at the end of the first quarter of 2020.
MSC is pleased to announce that we have made a new cooperation agreement with SM Line, beginning on 1 April 2020, that ensures we will provide continuity of services between Asia and the West Coast of North America, with improved services to the Pacific North West. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/msc-transpacific-network-update/
10. EU starts to chart shipping’s new green course
The shipping industry will soon have to pay for its environmental impact in the EU, as both the European Commission and Parliament are moving forward with plans to include vessels in the bloc’s flagship carbon market. But there are choppy waters ahead.
International shipping is responsible for roughly 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Its contributions are increasing, as global trade continues largely unabated, but its supposed free-ride has not gone unnoticed. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/eu-starts-to-chart-shippings-new-green-course/
