1. Tanker sank by stern in Rio de Janeiro
Tanker URMA DULCE, under construction at Maua Shipyard, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, sank by stern at pier, because of water ingress in engine room and aft peak. It happened at nigh May 4 or early May 5. Salvage under way, accident said to be not all that serious, maybe faulty valve. As of 1700 UTC May 5, the ship said to be already stabilized. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/05/05/tanker-sank-by-stern-in-rio-de-janeiro/
2. Dutch freighter disabled, stuck in embankment in Kiel Canal
General cargo ship SKAGENBANK went out of control and got stuck in the embankment near Levensau, Kiel Canal, at night May 4, while transiting Canal in western direction. Tug assisted vessel to get free, reportedly she was taken back to Kiel and anchored. The problem was fixed, SKAGEBANK resumed transit in the afternoon May 5, understood under own power, though at a reduced speed. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/05/05/dutch-freighter-disabled-stuck-in-embankment-in-kiel-canal/
3. Pink cocaine found in underwater hull stash of reefer
Colombian Navy divers found a container or a box fixed to underwater hull of reefer container ship STAR COURAGE, during her Apr 29 – May 2 stay in Colombian waters. 22 packages with amphetamine and “pink cocaine” were found inside container. The ship was allowed to resumed her voyage, she’s to sail to Spain after calling ports in Dominican Republic and in Costa Rica. In official statement, ship’s crew is cleared of any collusion suspicions. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/05/05/pink-cocaine-found-in-underwater-hull-stash-of-reefer/
4. Minerva Bunkering on expansion drive after bolstering Singapore presence
Minerva Bunkering, among the world’s largest bunker fuel players, continues to seek growth opportunities globally, both organically and via acquisitions, as it expands its role as a physical bunker supplier while also strengthening its trading activities, company CEO Tyler Baron told S&P Global Platts in an interview. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/minerva-bunkering-on-expansion-drive-after-bolstering-singapore-presence/
5. No benefits for Capesizes from Vale ditching converted VLOCs: sources
Brazilian mining major Vale’s plans to discard all tanker-to-VLOC bulker conversions from its iron ore shipping engagements is expected to have minimal supply-side impact on the global Capesize market, market sources said. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/no-benefits-for-capesizes-from-vale-ditching-converted-vlocs-sources/
6. How canceled sailings will impact US ports – and when
Container lines have “blanked” (canceled) an unprecedented number of sailings to bring capacity in line with coronavirus-stricken cargo demand.
Blank-sailings data is a key leading indicator for U.S. ports, cargo shippers, truckers and railways. A container ship that doesn’t depart from Asia equates to a container ship that doesn’t arrive on the U.S. West Coast two to three weeks later, or on the East Coast four to five weeks later. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/how-canceled-sailings-will-impact-us-ports-and-when/
7. Venezuelan Oil Exports Rise in April Despite Rosneft Sanctions
Venezuela’s oil exports ticked higher in April after falling in March to their lowest average in seven months, helped by new trading partners that were re-selling cargoes in Asia, according to documents from state-run PDVSA and vessel tracking data. https://gcaptain.com/venezuelan-oil-exports-rise-in-april-despite-rosneft-sanctions/
8. Tallink Reports 96% Dip in Passenger Travel in April
Estonia-based ferry operator Tallink reported a nearly 96% year-over-year decrease in passenger travel and vehicles last month amid the on-going coronavirus pandemic.
The company said it transported just 32,181 passengers in April 2020, representing a 95.9% decrease compared to April 2019. Passenger vehicles also decreased by 95.7% to 3,165 units.
https://gcaptain.com/tallink-reports-96-dip-in-passenger-travel-in-april/
9. COVID-19 Outbreak on Military Sealift Command Ship in Boston Repair Yard -Report
At least 18 crew members on board the Military Sealift Command ship USNS Leroy Grumman have tested positive for COVID-19 in Boston, CBS Boston has reported.
The fleet replenishment oiler USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO 195) has been docked in Boston since February to undergo scheduled repairs and overhaul. The ship is currently in dry dock at Boston Ship Repair. https://gcaptain.com/covid-19-outbreak-on-military-sealift-command-ship-in-boston-repair-yard-report/
10. Brazil’s Soybean Monthly Exports Touch Record High Of 16.3 Mil Mt
Brazil exported a monthly record volume of 16.3 million mt of soybeans in April, up 73% year on year, according to a report by the Brazilian foreign trade department.
The average daily soybeans shipment stood at 815,424 mt in April, up 82% year on year, the report said Monday. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Brazil’s+soybean+monthly+exports+touch+record+high+of+16.3+mil+mt
