1. Panamax bulk carrier disabled in the Pacific
Panamax bulk carrier disabled and adrift in the Pacific since late Feb, understood tug was contracted for towage. As of Mar 11, bulk carrier was still adrift. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/03/11/panamax-bulk-carrier-disabled-in-the-pacific/
2. Minor collision off Gibraltar Strait
Bulk carrier DARYA AUM collided with Spanish fishing boat TATIANA Y MANUEL early in the morning Mar 10 some 12 nm N of Cape Spartel, Tangier, W of Gibraltar Strait. Understood fishing boat struck bulk carrier and sustained bow damages, but remained under way, continued fishing and later returned to base port of Barbate, Spain. Bulk carrier continued her voyage from Newport News USA to Suez Egypt. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/03/11/minor-collision-off-gibraltar-strait/
3. Captain medevaced by USCG helicopter
General cargo ship BALSA 84 reported to USCG in the morning Mar 10 Captain in need of immediate medical assistance, off Ocean City, Maryland, US East Coast. 61-year-old Filipino captain was exhibiting symptoms of a possible heart attack and needed medical assistance.
http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/03/11/captain-medevaced-by-uscg-helicopter/
4. Klaipedos Nafta secures loan from NIB for Hoegh FSRU acquisition
Lithuanian oil terminal operator Klaipedos Nafta has entered into a 25-year loan agreement with The Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) to fund the acquisition of a floating storage regasification unit (FSRU) for LNG operations. https://splash247.com/klaipedos-nafta-secures-loan-from-nib-for-hoegh-fsru-acquisition/
5. Heung-A Shipping to commence KDB-led restructuring
The board of the company has approved a debt restructuring scheme by its main creditor Korea Development Bank. Under the scheme, creditors will take control of the company and come up with measures to help the company stay afloat. Heung-A Shipping is hoping the restructuring would improve its financial situation and normalise business operations. https://splash247.com/heung-a-shipping-to-commence-kdb-led-restructuring/
6. America set to welcome the world’s largest boxship as coronavirus container repositioning operations expand
Alphaliner is reporting MSC is set to redeploy the 23,756 teu MSC Mia, which currently holds the joint record as the world’s largest container vessel, as well as the 23,656 teu MSC Nela from the Asia-Europe trades onto the transpacific in services it operates with Maersk as part of the pair’s 2M vessel sharing agreement. https://splash247.com/america-set-to-welcome-the-worlds-largest-boxship-as-coronavirus-container-repositioning-operations-expand/
7. OOCL orders five 23,000 teu boxships at Cosco yards
Hong Kong’s Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) has entered into shipbuilding contracts with two Cosco yards for the construction of a total of five 23,000 teu mega containerships.
Three vessels will be built at Nantong Cosco KHI Ship Engineering (NACKS) and two at Dalian Cosco KHI Ship Engineering (DACKS). The total price of the contracts is $778.4m. https://splash247.com/oocl-orders-five-23000-teu-boxships-at-cosco-yards/
8. Cosco adds eight pulp carriers at Cosco Dalian yard
Cosco Shipping Specialized Carriers, the multi-purpose shipping unit of China’s largest maritime conglomerate, has announced a plan to order eight 62,000 dwt pulp carriers at Cosco Shipping Heavy Industry’s Dalian yard. https://splash247.com/cosco-adds-eight-pulp-carriers-at-cosco-dalian-yard/
9. Baltic Index Gains On Stronger Capesize, Supramax Rates
The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index rose on Tuesday, helped by strong demand for capesize and supramax vessels.
The Baltic index, which tracks rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels that ferry dry bulk commodities, rose 11 points, or 1.8%, to 627. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Baltic+index+gains+on+stronger+capesize%2C+supramax+rates
10. US Crude Crash Pressures East, West Coast Bunker Prices To Multiyear Lows
Key marine fuel markets along North America’s East and West Coasts opened the week under strong pressure, joining nearly all other downstream segments that were sent reeling by Saudi Arabia’s latest marketshare play. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/US+crude+crash+pressures+East%2C+West+coast+bunker+prices+to+multiyear+lows
