1. Container ship ran aground while approaching Barranquilla
Container ship AS FILIPPA reportedly ran aground on Feb 18, when entering entrance channel to Barranquilla, Colombia, on arrival from Cartagena. The ship got stuck at around 1500 UTC Feb 18, was refloated with the help of 3 tugs at around 1700 UTC, and resumed moving towards Barranquilla. She was berthed at around 1900 UTC Feb 18. No information on damages, channel traffic reportedly was suspended for some time. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/02/19/container-ship-ran-aground-while-approaching-barranquilla/
2. Chinese cargo ship sank off Shanghai, 3 dead, 3 missing
Cargo ship SHENZHOU 19 sank early in the morning Feb 17 north of Zhoushan, while en route from Shanghai to Guanzhou, China. During SAR 3 crew were rescued, but all 3 died from, understood, hypothermia, and 3 went missing. SAR continued, but as of Feb 19, missing seamen weren’t found. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/02/19/chinese-cargo-ship-sank-off-shanghai-3-dead-3-missing/
3. Tripoli Strike: There is a Turkish cargo ship in port, but she wasn’t hit or destroyed
The Libyan National Army (LNA) made an official statement on Feb 17, claiming that its forces had destroyed a Turkish cargo ship, berthed at Tripoli, Libya. The ship brought to Tripoli arms and ammunition, says LNA. Turkey already denied this claim, saying that there’s no Turkish ship at Tripoli. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/02/18/tripoli-strike-there-is-a-turkish-cargo-ship-in-port-but-she-wasnt-hit-or-destroyed/
4. SEALNG: 175 LNG-Fueled Ships in Operation, 203 on Order
There are 175 LNG-fueled ships currently in operation, with 203 on order and a further 141 LNG-ready vessels in operation and sitting on the order books, according to the latest figures from SEALNG, a UK-based multi-sector industry coalition aiming at accelerating the adoption of LNG as a marine fuel. https://mobile.worldmaritimenews.com/archives/291148/sealng-175-lng-fueled-ships-in-operation-203-on-order/
5. Nakilat Boasts Highest Profit Ever
The world’s largest owner of LNG carriers Qatar Gas Transport Company Ltd (NAKILAT) booked its highest yearly net profit since the company’s inception, the LNG major announced.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, Nakilat reported a consolidated net profit of QR 1 billion (USD 274.6 million), up by 12.4%, from QAR 892 million recorded 2018. Nakilat’s revenue stood at QAR 3.8 billion, an increase of 6.8%. https://mobile.worldmaritimenews.com/archives/291109/nakilat-boasts-highest-profit-ever/
6. Liners Turn to Surcharges as Reefers Get Diverted amid Plug Shortage at Chinese Ports
The ongoing outbreak of novel coronavirus has resulted in reefer shipments being diverted and relocated amid a shortage of reefer plugs on shore at certain Chinese ports. Refrigerated containers, commonly referred to as reefers, are used for the transportation of perishable goods. When unloaded at a terminal they need to be connected to a reefer plug on shore to keep the goods refrigerated until they are picked up by a truck and taken to their final destination. https://mobile.worldmaritimenews.com/archives/291123/liners-turn-to-surcharges-as-reefers-get-diverted-amid-plug-shortage-at-chinese-ports/
7. Ystad Gets EIB Loan for Port Expansion
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a SEK 445 million (USD 46 million) loan agreement with the Swedish Municipality of Ystad in an effort to enable the Port of Ystad to accommodate climate-friendly vessels. https://mobile.worldmaritimenews.com/archives/291138/ystad-gets-eib-loan-for-port-expansion/
8. Slowing World Trade Impacts Port of Rotterdam Volumes
The Port of Rotterdam’s freight throughput remained flat in 2019, as growth in international trade lost momentum. The port saw a freight throughput of 469.4 million tons in 2019, fractionally higher than 469 million tons in 2018.
As explained, significant underlying shifts were observable between the various commodities. Whereas container, crude oil, LNG and biomass throughputs increased, coal and mineral oil product throughputs decreased. https://mobile.worldmaritimenews.com/archives/291118/slowing-world-trade-impacts-port-of-rotterdam-volumes/
9. National Geographic Endurance Aces Sea Trials
The National Geographic Endurance, a new polar expedition ship being built for the US-based cruise company Lindblad Expeditions, has completed sea trials in Storfjorden, Norway, ship builder and designer Ulstein said. https://mobile.worldmaritimenews.com/archives/291102/national-geographic-endurance-aces-sea-trials/
10. Maersk Tema Boarded by Pirates off Guinea, Crew Safe
Post-Panamax container vessel Maersk Tema was boarded by pirates while underway off the coast of West Africa on Friday, February 14.
It is believed that two men boarded the 5,466 TEU boxship some 90 nautical miles northwest of Sao Tome, as the vessel was sailing from Pointe Noir to Lagos, according to a report from Dryad Global.https://mobile.worldmaritimenews.com/archives/290998/maersk-tema-boarded-by-pirates-off-guinea-crew-safe/
