1. Troubled tanker sheltered in Kalamata, Greece
Product tanker LEON ZEUS reportedly suffered mechanical damage in Mediterranean off southern Peloponnese, Greece, on Feb 21. Tanker was taken to Kalamata, understood towed, brought to anchor in the morning Feb 23, to fix the problem. As of 0600 UTC Feb 24, she remained in the same position. LEON ZEUS with 32,000 tons of gas oil on board is en route from Tuapse Russia to Tarragona Spain. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/02/24/troubled-tanker-sheltered-in-kalamata-greece/
2. Preventing coronavirus in the EU? Are you kidding?
A craft (once a ship) OCEAN VIKING of NGO SOS Mediterranean on Feb 23 arrived at Pozzallo Italy with 274 “rescued” migrants, all of them plus craft’s staff were put under coronavirus quarantine, which is to last 14 days. Prior to this group, another group of 363 migrants, trafficked to Italy by NGO Open Arms, was put under quarantine on Feb 2, understood it was the first migrants coronavirus quarantine. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/02/23/preventing-coronavirus-in-the-eu-are-you-kidding/
3. Ferries collision in Canaries waters
Ferries BENCOMO EXPRESS and VOLCAN DE TABURIENTE collided at Los Cristianos port entrance, southwest coast of Tenerife, Canary Islands, in the morning Feb 23. Both ships suffered damages, but resumed their services later in the day after weather improved. Stormy weather with strong wind and high waves contributed to accident. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/02/23/ferries-collision-in-canaries-waters-video/
4. Bulk carrier disabled in English Channel, curious salvage
Bulk carrier SEA HERMES reported propulsion failure at 2030 UTC Feb 22 in English Channel north of Cape Gris-Nez, Pas-de-Calais, France. Attempts to fix the problem by crew means failed, SAR ship ABEILLE LANGUEDOC was designated to tow bulk carrier to UK waters, at around 0100 UTC Feb 23 French pilot and a standby Captain from ABEILLE LANGUEDOC were transferred on board of bulk carrier by helicopter – absolutely unclear why, and what specific circumstances demanded deployment of pilot and Captain from another ship. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/02/23/bulk-carrier-disabled-in-english-channel-curious-salvage/
5. Eastern Pacific Shipping Orders MR Duo at Daesan
Singapore-based ship management company Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) has been linked to an order for up to four 50,000 dwt MR product tankers at Korean shipbuilder Daesun Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering. The order includes two firm plus two optional units. The ships are slated for delivery in the second half of 2021, according to Clarksons Platou Shipbroking. https://mobile.worldmaritimenews.com/archives/291485/eastern-pacific-shipping-orders-mr-duo-at-daesan/
6. GTT Acquires Icelandic Smart Shipping Solutions Provider
French engineering company Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT) has acquired 100% of the share capital of Marorka, an Iceland-based company specializing in smart shipping.
Marorka designs maritime energy monitoring and optimization systems for vessels, allowing them to reduce their environmental footprint. https://mobile.worldmaritimenews.com/archives/291470/gtt-acquires-icelandic-smart-shipping-solutions-provider/
7. Korean Prosecutors to Appeal MV. Stellar Daisy Ruling
The Busan District Prosecutors’ Office plans to appeal to a higher court over the verdict regarding the sinking case of South Korean ore carrier MV. Stellar Daisy, the International Stellar Daisy Network said. To remind, MV Stellar Daisy sank in 3,400 meters of water in the South Atlantic Ocean in March, 2017, and only 2 sailors from the Philippines were rescued from the 24 crew members, including 8 Korean and 16 Filipinos. https://mobile.worldmaritimenews.com/archives/291461/korean-prosecutors-to-appeal-mv-stellar-daisy-ruling/
8. Report: Iran to Acquire 158 New Ships
The Iranian government has unveiled a massive newbuilding program in an effort to modernize the country’s fleet. Iran plans to expand its fleet with a total of 158 new vessels, Tehran Times cited the Industry Ministry’s Supreme Maritime Council as saying.
“We have the construction of 158 vessels on the agenda; about 62-70 percent of which will be built inside the country,“ Siamak Seyed Marandi said. https://mobile.worldmaritimenews.com/archives/291452/report-iran-to-acquire-158-new-ships/
9. Diamond Princess Crew Allowed to Return Home as Coronavirus Claims 3rd Life in Japan
Seventy crew members on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship off the coast of Japan have been infected with the COVID-19 virus, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) said in a report. The information is being released after the Japanese Ministry of Health said in an update that 55 crew and two passengers tested positive to the virus, pushing the total count of Coronavirus infections on the cruise ship to 691. https://mobile.worldmaritimenews.com/archives/291436/diamond-princess-crew-allowed-to-return-home-as-coronavirus-claims-3rd-life-in-japan/
10. Shippers hit with extra costs, vessel issues amid IMO 2020
Chemical tankers are facing extra costs and problems with vessels due to the switch to low sulphur fuel oil (LSFO) on the back of the IMO 2020 regulations, according to industry players.Speakers at the ICIS World Base Oils conference in London said the change in regulations this year has led to higher, at times “huge” costs for companies. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/shippers-hit-with-extra-costs-vessel-issues-amid-imo-2020/
