1. Horrific mortal accident – seaman’s hands were torn off by rope ladder
A horrific accident occurred on Kaohsiung Anchorage on Feb 15. A crew of Myanmar nationality was leaving tanker HONG CHING, to return to Myanmar for a leave. He started to descend rope ladder to board tender boat, when suddenly something went wrong – both his hands entangled with rope ladder, probably boat bumped into tanker hull and tugged ladder, not clear. There was a jolt, both his hands up to shoulders were literally torn off, and he fell into water. Nearby workboat quickly picked him up, but he was already dead, either from shock or drowning unconscious. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/02/18/horrific-mortal-accident-seamans-hands-were-torn-off-by-rope-ladder/
2. India claims detained COSCO ship carried nuclear missile launcher
Feb 18: Indian Security and Customs Agencies found on board of COSCO specialized cargo ship DA CUI YUN, docked at Deendayal Port, Kandla, since Feb 3, some “essential” parts for missile launchers, capable of launching solid fuel powered nuclear missiles. According to documents, and an industrial dryer of some 18 meters length, but Indian authorities believe it’s a part of missile launcher. Investigation continues. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/02/18/india-claims-detained-cosco-ship-carried-nuclear-missile-launcher/
3. DOF Subsea awarded research vessel contract by N-Sea
DOF Subsea has been awarded a contract by N-Sea for the deployment of its research vessel Geosea. The end client is the Royal Netherlands Navy. The contract will commence shortly for a firm period of five years plus four six-month options.
DOF Subsea currently has four research vessels in its fleet. https://splash247.com/dof-subsea-awarded-research-vessel-contract-by-n-sea/
4. Zeamarine restructuring sees fleet carve-up
Two parts of the Zeamarine Group sought court protection yesterday as restructuring and the fleet carve-up at the Bremen shipping giant accelerates. A court appointed Tim Beyer as provisional insolvency administrator for two companies, Zeamarine Bremen GmbH & Co KG and Zeamarine Chartering Bremen, with a view to coming up with a debt settlement with creditors to avoid outright bankruptcy. https://splash247.com/zeamarine-restructuring-sees-fleet-carve-up/
5. Illicit secondary bunker market emerging as carriage ban approaches
Law firm Ince Gordon Dadds is warning of rogue bunker operations escalating as the days tick down to the International Maritime Organisation’s carriage ban rule, due to come into force in less than a fortnight.
Effective March 1, the second chapter of the global sulphur cap will open whereby it will become an offence for ships to carry fuel oils that contain sulphur content higher than 0.5%, unless the vessel has a scrubber or the fuel is carried as cargo. https://splash247.com/illicit-secondary-bunker-market-holes-into-view-as-carriage-ban-approaches/
6. Shipping should shrug off coronavirus but escalation risks supply chain contagion
The impact of the coronavirus on the Chinese economy has already been severe and the scenarios for shipping range from a quick resolution to a long drawn out impact. In modelling the likely effects, MSI has analysed how the virus is affecting shipping sectors now and what the future implications of a further escalation might be. https://splash247.com/shipping-should-shrug-off-coronavirus-but-escalation-risks-supply-chain-contagion/
7. Dutch pioneering wind technology makes debut trip across the North Sea
The Ankie, a 3,600 dwt general cargo vessel, belonging to Jan van Dam Shipping has been retrofitted with the the wind rotors at Royal Niestern Sander shipyard and is now operating in the North Sea with its owner claiming the technology is “economically feasible” and will likely be installed on planned newbuilds. https://splash247.com/dutch-pioneering-wind-technology-makes-debut-trip-across-the-north-sea/
8. Enforcing IMO 2020 Sulphur Limit – Verifying Sulphur Content Of Fuel On Board
IMO 2020, the 0.50% limit of sulphur in ships’ fuel oil, has been in effect since 1 January 2020, cutting sulphur oxide emissions from ships operating worldwide. From 1 March 2020, the carriage ban on non-compliant fuel oil (except for ships with exhaust gas cleaning systems installed) will enter into force, helping to support implementation of the global sulphur limit. To support the safe and consistent sampling of fuel oil being carried for use, and the enforcement of the carriage ban, IMO’s Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR), meeting this week (17-21 February) at IMO headquarters, will finalize draft guidelines for the verification of the sulphur content of the fuel oil carried for use on board a ship. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Enforcing+IMO+2020+sulphur+limit+–+verifying+sulphur+content+of+fuel+on+board
9. IMO Meeting: Will Shipping Summit Act To Protect Arctic From Spills And Emissions?
NGOs today called on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to protect the Arctic marine environment from the impacts of international shipping, by agreeing to a new regulation banning the use and carriage of heavy fuel oil (HFO) as fuel by ships operating in Arctic waters during this week’s “Arctic IMO Summit” in London. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/IMO+Meeting%3A+Will+Shipping+Summit+Act+to+Protect+Arctic+from+Spills+and+Emissions%3F
10. Panama Canal Implements Water Tax On Ships
Ships passing through The Panama Canal began paying a water tax of up ro $10,000 on Saturday February 15 . For the use of fresh water they will pay , to enable the Canal authority (ACP) face the shortage derived from the climate crisis and to finance future plans to ensure its full disposition. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Panama+Canal+implements+water+tax+on+ships
