1. Migrant trafficking back again, probably with new schemes
Three merchant ships were involved into a so-called “migrants rescue” operation in Mediterranean, which resulted in “rescue” of 121 migrants in the morning May 4. “Rescue” operation was coordinated and supervised by MRCC Malta with NGO Alert Phone as their watchdog. While tanker PYXIS EPSILON (IMO 9708760) managed to avoid taking migrants on board and went off with only escorting boat with migrants to Italian waters, container ship MARINA (IMO 9252864) wasn’t so lucky. Hapless small container ship (dwt 8000, capacity 670 TEU) had to take on board 78 migrants, and as of 1600 UTC May 4, according to track, she was drifting off Lampedusa Italy, “waiting for instructions”. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/05/04/migrant-trafficking-back-again-probably-with-new-schemes/
2. KOTUG acquires Marsol International in Dubai
Netherlands-based KOTUG International has completed the 100% acquisition of Dubai-based Marsol International, a leading offshore and marine terminal service centre, specialised in offshore single point mooring (SPM) buoy terminals and its related infrastructure. https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/ports-logistics/kotug-acquires-marsol-international-dubai
3. Limited shore leave taking its toll on seafarers
The latest report for Q1 2020 shows a drop in the index to 6.30 compared to 6.39 in the fourth quarter of 2019. The main issues raised by seafarers in the survey, undertaken in association with the Shipowners Club and Wallem Group, were workload, shore leave and interaction of crew onboard. https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/ship-operations/limited-shore-leave-taking-its-toll-seafarers
4. Oman allowing crew changes in ‘special circumstances’
The special circumstances are that the crew member has come to the end of their contract and the flag state will no longer grant extensions; compassionate grounds such as the death of a family member; and being no longer medically fit to work onboard ship. https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/regulation/oman-allowing-crew-changes-special-circumstances
5. Suez Canal ups rebates for containerships on the backhaul
The plunge in the oil price and following it marine fuel prices have resulted in some container lines to make the longer sailing on the backhaul to Asia via the Cape of Good Hope as the additional fuel costs are lower than paying tolls to transit the Suez Canal. https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/containers/suez-canal-ups-rebates-containerships-backhaul
6. Intercargo publishes Bulk Carrier Casualty Report 2019
The report highlights that cargo shift and/or liquefaction is one of the greatest concerns for the safe carriage of dry bulk over the past 10 years, likely to be the main reason behind eight bulk carrier casualties and 106 seafarers losing their lives. The most common reported cause of ship losses has been grounding, with 17 losses. https://safety4sea.com/intercargo-publishes-bulk-carrier-casualty-report-2019/
7. Seafarers feel unsupported during pandemic, report reveals
The latest Seafarers Happiness Index, published today by The Mission to Seafarers in association with the Shipowners’ Club and Wallem Group, focused on the impact of COVID-19 and areas, such as workload, social interaction and shore leave, where its effects are being felt most keenly. However, as much of the data for this quarter precedes the onset of the pandemic, The Mission anticipates seeing its impact on crew reflected further in responses for the next quarter. https://safety4sea.com/seafarers-feel-unsupported-during-pandemic-report-reveals/
8. Why Should I Pay Any Attention To Spot Container Freight Rates?
Over the past two years, the container shipping industry has faced several challenges, many of which were felt on the Far East to US West Coast (USWC) route. This route has taken the biggest direct hit from the trade war that started in 2018 and which, despite the signing of the Phase One Agreement between the US and China, is not over yet. Adding to the trade war headaches were higher fuel costs due to the IMO 2020 Sulphur regulation that came into effect on 1 January 2020, and now, the coronavirus is causing volumes to drop. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Why+should+I+pay+any+attention+to+spot+container+freight+rates%3F
9. Low Oil Prices A Consolation Prize For Container, Dry Bulk Shipping
The coronavirus has crushed global supply chains and destroyed demand for consumer goods, holidays and a raft of key commodities. With over 90% of global trade carried by sea, the outlook for containers, cruises and dry bulk over the coming months looks bleak. Low oil prices may provide some salvation but they are also symptomatic of the problem.https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Low+oil+prices+a+consolation+prize+for+container%2C+dry+bulk+shipping
10. Time To Decline? Asia’s Crude Oil Imports Set To Drop After Record April
Asia imported a record amount of crude oil in April as refiners took advantage of low prices amid a price war between top exporters Saudi Arabia and Russia.
But that’s likely as good as it gets for a while as the economic slowdown caused by the new coronavirus and rapidly filling regional storages crimp demand in May, and likely for the next few months after that. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Time+to+decline%3F+Asia’s+crude+oil+imports+set+to+drop+after+record+April
