1. Turkish cargo ship aground, Kos, Greece
General cargo ship VON PERLE ran aground on the beach of northeast Kos island, Greece, Aegean sea, early in the morning Mar 1. The ship with cargo of corn is en route from Ukraine to Famagusta Cyprus. As of 0600 UTC Mar 1, she was still aground. Reportedly she grounded onto sandy beach, so probably, hull remained intact. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/03/01/turkish-cargo-ship-aground-kos-greece/
2. Chinese freighter sank after collision, 13 crew missing, Japan
General cargo ship GUO XING 1 sank in Aomori Prefecture waters, northeast Honshu, Pacific, at around 1300 UTC Feb 29, after collision with local fishing boat. The ship loaded with scrap, bound for Korea, suffered hull breach with ensuing water ingress, probably there was cargo shift, because understood, she sank in a very short time – 13 out of 14 crew went missing, looks like capsizing. 1 crew was rescued. Fishing boat remained afloat, 15 crew safe. Freighter crew included Chinese and Vietnamese nationalities, she left Hashinohe Port, Aomori, earlier this day. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/02/29/chinese-freighter-sank-after-collision-13-crew-missing-japan/
3. Three ferries collided at Gilimanuk, Bali Strait
Three Bali Strait ferries collided at night Feb 28 at Gilimanuk port, Bali, being pushed by strong wind. KMP PUTRI KONENG contacted and stuck with KMP LIPUTAN 12, both moved further and hit landing craft LCT TRISNA DWITYA. It is said, that all three entangled ships were in danger of drifting aground, but assisted by another boat, avoided grounding. reportedly all three ships sustained slight damages, and later resumed services. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/02/29/three-ferries-collided-at-gilimanuk-bali-strait/
4. Passenger ship sank in Amazon river, missing and injured passengers reported
River passenger ship ANNA KAROLINE III with some 80 passengers on board sank early in the morning Feb 29 in Amazon river near Boca do Jari, while en route upstream from Macapa to Santarem, Brazil. A number of people are reported missing, some who survived suffered injures. Information so far, is sketchy and incomplete. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/02/29/passenger-ship-sank-in-amazon-river-missing-and-injured-passengers-reported/
5. Crazy virus stuff: bulk carrier detained in Philippines for falsifying China visit dates
Bulk carrier HARMONY SIX is detained by Philippine Coast Guard for allegedly, tampering with AIS data and records, in order to avoid 14-day quarantine on
arrival from Chinese port. The ship left Changzhou Port (Shanghai area), bound for Port of Poro Point in La Union, Luzon, on Feb 18, arrived at port of destination on Feb 23, declaring China port call false time span, by shifting departure data from actual Feb 18 to Feb 10. The ship is under investigation. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/02/29/crazy-virus-stuff-bulk-carrier-detained-in-philippines-for-falsifying-china-visit-dates/
6. One more coronavirus fear victim? Grimaldi’s ro-ro stuck off Casablanca for 2 days, why?
GRIMALDI’s ro-ro ship GRANDE TOGO arrived at Casablanca Anchorage, Morocco, late Feb 26, with ETA Casablanca Feb 27, from Genoa Italy. The ship didn’t anchor, she was turned back and since that time until now, 1700 UTC Feb 28, is cruising in legs off Casablanca and Casablanca Anchorage. Ro-ro piers seem to be empty, with no berthed ro-ro or car carriers. What’s up? Coronavirus fear is most likely answer. If she’s waiting for something, some cargo or whatever, why didn’t she anchor and is cruising around, burning expensive fuel and wearing mechanisms? http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/02/28/one-more-coronavirus-fear-victim-grimaldis-ro-ro-stuck-off-casablanca-for-2-days-why/
7. Two cargo ships pushed on embankment, one capsized, Tuzla
General cargo ship CLAVIGO dragged anchor and drifted onshore at Tuzla, Turkey, Marmara sea, at night Feb 27, in adverse weather. The ship while drifting contacted general cargo ship DEDE, anchored in the vicinity, got entangled, and both ships ended up on the embankment. DEDE sustained some serious damages and capsized, resting on embankment by partially submerged starboard side. Both crews rescued, no injures reported. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/02/28/two-cargo-ships-pushed-on-embankment-one-capsized-tuzla/
8. Baltic index posts first monthly gain in six amid virus woes
The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index inched up on Friday, registering its first monthly gain in six, as higher rates for panamax and supramax vessels more than offset weaker capesize rates. The Baltic index, which tracks rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels that ferry dry bulk commodities, edged up 6 points, or 1.1%, to 535, its highest since Jan. 28. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/baltic-index-posts-first-monthly-gain-in-six-amid-virus-woes/
9. Is the worst still to come for dry bulk shipping?
Not surprisingly, coronavirus is a major topic on the quarterly calls of public dry bulk shipping companies — executives maintain it’s having a negative effect on rates. And yet, index data provided to FreightWaves by S&P Global Platts shows that the rate decline clearly predates the coronavirus. Base spot rates have actually bounced up off the bottom during the outbreak. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/is-the-worst-still-to-come-for-dry-bulk-shipping/
10. Sailing on low sulphur: LSFO more viable option for shippers in the long run
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has mandated the use of low-sulphur fuel oil (LSFO; 0.5% sulphur) by ships replacing high-sulphur fuel oil (HSFO; 3.5% sulphur), with effect from January 1, 2020. To be compliant, ship owners have two options: use LSFO, or continue to burn HSFO by equipping ships with exhaust gas cleaning systems called scrubbers. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/sailing-on-low-sulphur-lsfo-more-viable-option-for-shippers-in-the-long-run/
