1. Maersk container ship adrift in Caribbean after engine room fire
Container ship MAERSK VILNIUS suffered fire and was disabled early in the morning Apr 26 in the Caribbean east of Guadeloupe, France, while en route from Freeport Bahamas to Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Offshore tug ALP DEFENDER (IMO 9737242) was contracted for towage. Tug sailed from Trinidad, as of 0600 UTC Apr 29 MAERSK VILNIUS was adrift, with tug ALP DEFENDER steaming towards her. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/04/29/maersk-container-ship-adrift-in-caribbean-after-engine-room-fire/
2. Offshore supply ship with 4 tons of cocaine intercepted in the Atlantic
Offshore supply ship KARAR was intercepted by Spanish law enforcement near Canary Islands, and escorted to Vigo Spain, where she arrived on Apr 28, with 15 crew and 4 tons of cocaine, loaded somewhere in the Caribbean. The ship was monitored for understood, months, prior to arrest, while anti drug multinational operation, which led to ship’s seizure, was launched some 6 months ago. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/04/28/offshore-supply-ship-with-4-tons-of-cocaine-intercepted-in-the-atlantic-video/
3. Very Large Bulk Carrier disabled after blackout, Yangtze river
Very Large Bulk Carrier MAX WARRIOR suffered engine failure and a blackout in the afternoon Apr 27, while leaving Jiangyin port, Yangtze river, upstream from Shanghai. The ship had two pilots on board and assisting tugs. Bulk carrier went out of control in heavily trafficked area with strong river current. 6 tugs responded to an emergency, taking giant ship under control. MAX WARRIOR was brought to anchor in front of Jiangyin. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/04/28/very-large-bulk-carrier-disabled-after-blackout-yangtze-river-video/
4. Splash Extra: Chinese ship leasing feels the heat
The precarious state of many Chinese ship leasing houses – and their heavy exposure to the troubled aviation sector – is the front page story in the April issue of Splash Extra. The vital source of funding for world shipping is looking at cutting back its commitments in the shipping sector, something that leading financiers warn could usher in a significant reset for asset values. https://splash247.com/splash-extra-chinese-ship-leasing-feels-the-heat/
5. Hapag-Lloyd puts megamax orders on ice
Hapag-Lloyd had widely been tipped earlier this year to join MSC, CMA CGM and HMM in ordering six giant boxships but CEO Rolf Habben Jansen has now put the order rumours on the back burner telling local logistics title DVZ that the plans are on hold. https://splash247.com/hapag-lloyd-puts-megamax-orders-on-ice/
6. BP’s Q1 results illustrate offshore’s predicament
BP reported Q1 figures yesterday with the oil major warning it will slash its group capital expenditure program by 25% to $12bn for 2020. In upstream activities, brokers Lorentzen & Stemoco reported this morning this means delaying exploration and appraisal activities, curtailing development activities in lower margin areas and being more cautious on early development projects. https://splash247.com/bps-q1-results-illustrate-offshores-predicament/
7. Samsung Heavy Industries: Still a Ways to Go
Despite reduced sales due to the completion of the Rotan Project, SHI succeeded in cutting its operating deficit by a significant amount in 1Q20. However, due to Covid-19, the firm’s one-off costs increased and it experienced a sharp decline in new orders. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/samsung-heavy-industries-still-a-ways-to-go/
8. Partnership agreement signed for maritime digitalization to support flow of trade by ship
When ships enter and leave ports, vital information about cargoes, dangerous goods, crews, vessel details and many other things has to be exchanged with the authorities ashore. Under IMO’s FAL Convention, public authorities are now required to set up systems so that all this happens digitally. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/partnership-agreement-signed-for-maritime-digitalization-to-support-flow-of-trade-by-ship/
9. Crew Change for ‘Key Workers’ at Sea Must be Top of the Industry’s Agenda, says INTERCARGO
As International Labour Day on May 1 approaches, it is more important than ever to remember the critical role played by seafarers in continuing to transport food, medicines and other essential goods during the COVID-19 pandemic, says INTERCARGO, the organisation representing the world’s quality dry bulk shipowners. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/crew-change-for-key-workers-at-sea-must-be-top-of-the-industrys-agenda-says-intercargo/
10. Indonesia’s Pertamina to store gasoline onboard ships
Indonesia’s Pertamina has chartered ships to store gasoline on the waters off Singapore, three sources said, an extremely rare move that could allow it to benefit from the price drop caused by a coronavirus-linked demand slump. The sources said Asia’s largest gasoline importer has chartered three vessels, ‘BW Zambesi’, ‘Nordvenus’ and ‘Scf Prudencia’, for a six-month period to store petrol. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/indonesias-pertamina-to-store-gasoline-onboard-ships/
