1. Wood chips carrier grounding, Chile
Wood chips carrier SURABAYA EXPRESS dragged anchor and drifted aground at night May 9 in Corral Bay, Chile. Understood she was refloated with tug assistance, and was anchored. She heaved anchor early in the morning May 10, and started moving towards Corral Port, her port of destination. The ship arrived from China on May 9. No damages reported so far. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/05/10/wood-chips-carrier-grounding-chile/
2. Research ship attacked, two Russians kidnapped
Another ship was attacked in Equatorial Guinea waters at the same time RIO MITONG http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/05/09/general-cargo-ship-attacked-russian-and-ukrainian-crew-kidnapped/ was attacked off Malabo Anchorage, at 0200 UTC May 9. Pirates according to Dryad Global, boarded research ship DJIBLOHO, anchored at Luba Anchorage, Bioko Island, and kidnapped two Russian crew, information to be confirmed. Ship’s AIS is off since late 2019, she was formed Soviet/Russian geology research ship, so presence of Russian seamen or technicians is of no surprise. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/05/10/research-ship-attacked-two-russians-kidnapped/
3. Tanker disabled, towed to safety, Myrtoan sea
Product tanker SEAVEN JOY suffered engine failure in western Kafirea Straits, Myrtoan sea, late May 7, while en route from Piraeus to undeclared port, sailing in eastern direction. Disabled drifting tanker was taken on tow by tug early May 8, and towed to Lavrion anchorage, southeast Attica, Greece. she was anchored there same day, as of 0600 UTC May 9, remained in the same position. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/05/09/tanker-disabled-towed-to-safety-myrtoan-sea/
4. Philippine Navy patrol ship damaged by fire, two crew injured
Fire erupted in engine room of Philippine Navy patrol ship BRP Ramon Alcaraz at night May 6, shortly the ship left Cochin India, together with patrol ship BRP Davao del Sur (LD602), with cargo of donated personal protective equipment. Fire reportedly was extinguished by crew in about 10 minutes. 2 sailors suffered burns, to be airlifted to Cochin hospital. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/05/08/philippine-navy-patrol-ship-damaged-by-fire-two-crew-injured/
5. Merchant Mariners, the Second Battle of the Atlantic, and the 75th Anniversary of VE Day
Beginning on September 3, 1939, with the sinking of the liner SS Athenia by U-30 to the loss of the collier SS Black Point on May 5, 1945, off Rhode Island by U-853 – and its destruction at the hands of an American hunter-killer group of four ships and two blimps the following day – the world’s merchant marines found themselves on the front line of the Second World War. This week marks the 75th Anniversary of the conclusion of the Battle of the Atlantic that involved many of the world’s navies and merchant marines. https://gcaptain.com/merchant-mariners-the-second-battle-of-the-atlantic-and-the-75th-anniversary-of-ve-day/
6. Fewer Long Haul Voyages Force Capesize Ship Rates To Multiyear Lows
Despite iron ore movement staying resilient amid the global coronavirus pandemic, key Capesize freight rates to move iron ore from Brazil and Australia to China tumbled to multiyear lows on Wednesday. A noticeable drop in long haul voyages — which accounted for sizable tonnage volume — saw the freight to move 170,000 mt (plus/ minus 10%) of iron ore from Tubarao, Brazil, to Qingdao, China, assessed at $8.40/wmt, a level last witnessed on June 1, 2016. The shorter Port Hedland-Qingdao route hit $3.95/wmt, the lowest since February 14, 2017. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Fewer+long+haul+voyages+force+Capesize+ship+rates+to+multiyear+lows
7. Volatile Oil Market Sends Bunker Prices Collapsing At ‘Fastest Rate’
With oil market volatility at an all-time high, even exceeding the volatility of equity markets, supply and demand shocks have sent bunker prices collapsing at the fastest rate since the 2008 global financial crisis. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Volatile+oil+market+sends+bunker+prices+collapsing+at+‘fastest+rate’
8. Asia Faces Costlier LPG As Low US Oil Price Prompts NGL Estimate Cuts
Low US oil prices have prompted a significant downward revision of the US NGL production over the next few years, which may increase LPG import prices for Asia, according to S&P Global Platts Analytics. The drop in 2020 is expected to be about 289,000 b/d, or 4.6% below initial estimates, followed by 776,000 b/d in 2021, down 12% and then reaching the maximum decline of about 1.12 million b/d in 2022, down 16%, said Platts Analytics. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Asia+faces+costlier+LPG+as+low+US+oil+price+prompts+NGL+estimate+cuts
9. Piraeus Port Development Progressing As Planned: Greek Minister
Greek ports have never ceased operations after the outbreak of the COVID-19 crisis, and work on the further development and upgrade of Piraeus, the country’s largest harbor, to the benefit of Greece and China is proceeding smoothly as planned, Greek Shipping and Island Policy Minister Ioannis Plakiotakis said on Thursday. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Piraeus+port+development+progressing+as+planned%3A+Greek+minister
10. LR Unveils Global Team Of Remote Survey Champions
LR has positioned a global team of remote survey champions to support the use of remote surveys within the marine and offshore industries. LR has offered remote survey capability for many years and in recent months, requests for remote services have increased as access to ships and assets in many parts of the world has become more challenging. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/LR+unveils+global+team+of+remote+survey+champions
