InterManager Daily News 19.05.2020.

1. One more mysterious attack in Gul of Aden
Product tanker STOLT APAL was reportedly attacked by two skiffs with armed persons on board at around 1200 UTC May 17 in Gulf of Aden NE of Bosaso, Puntland, Somalia, while sailing west, en route from Al Jubayul Persian Gulf, to Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, Red sea. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/05/18/one-more-mysterious-attack-in-gul-of-aden/

2. Dry bulk ‘very close’ to supply-demand balance
Khalid Hashim, ceo of Precious Shipping, observed that the supply side is getting a “dividend” by the recycling of very old ships, slow steaming by owners using low sulphur fuel oil (LSFO), and forced downtime in drydocks for owners retrofitting scrubbers, allowing the market to benefit from tightening of available tonnage. https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/dry-cargo/dry-bulk-very-close-supply-demand-balance

3. Port of Buenos Aires extends concessions
The head of the AGP, José Beni, signed with representatives of the operators, the agreements that guarantee port operations until May 2022.
The extensions will guarantee, in addition to jobs, production, and Argentine foreign trade; while progress is made with the specifications for the new call for tenders of the Port of Buenos Aires, which will have as its main purpose the modernisation and competitiveness of the country’s main port. https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/ports-logistics/port-buenos-aires-extends-concessions

4. China setting the scene for possible post-virus recovery
Chinese shipyards are staging a sharp recovery and many are operating close to normal. This was the message from shipping guru Martin Stopford, speaking after a virtual press conference yesterday held by SMM organisers, Hamburg Messe. https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/shipbuilding/china-setting-scene-possible-post-virus-recovery

5. The Future of Scrubbers
Scrubber installations have taken a pause, as the effect of the pandemic on oil prices has wreaked havoc in the the market, rendering such a decision, a high risk investment bet, at least for now. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Gibson said that “in recent weeks, several publicly listed tanker companies announced their decisions to postpone scrubber installations. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/the-future-of-scrubbers/

6. Shipper Hapag-Lloyd keeps 2020 guidance but CEO says only just
German container liner Hapag-Lloyd on Friday stuck with its full-year earnings guidance but warned that supply disruptions and weaker demand due to the coronavirus crisis may lead to a revision of its forecast in the second half of 2020. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/shipper-hapag-lloyd-keeps-2020-guidance-but-ceo-says-only-just/

7. Marshall Islands Allows Virtual Shareholder Meetings In Light Of Covid-19
In light of COVID-19, the Marshall Islands has adopted a regulation permitting shareholders to participate remotely in shareholder meetings, including annual shareholder meetings. Under this new regulation, Marshall Islands corporations now have the flexibility to elect to hold a “hybrid” meeting, which is held at a physical location but also allows remote participation by shareholders, or an entirely virtual meeting. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/marshall-islands-allows-virtual-shareholder-meetings-in-light-of-covid-19/

8. Crew Change Crisis Takes A New Turn With Ships Deviating To India To Drop Overworked Staff
By the time, Captain Bejoy Kannan signed off from ‘China Dawn’ in the wee hours of Saturday, he had earned praise and brickbats for his decision to divert the oil tanker to Cochin port to allow him and his nine mates to disembark after an extended contract on the ship. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Crew+change+crisis+takes+a+new+turn+with+ships+deviating+to+India+to+drop+overworked+staff+

9. India: Merchandise Exports Drop Over 60%
With the global trade coming to a near halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, India’s merchandise exports nosedived over 60% in the last month to $10.36 billion from $26.07 billion in April 2019. Except for iron ore and drugs and pharmaceuticals, all other commodities saw a negative growth. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/India%3A+Merchandise+exports+drop+over+60%25

10. LR Supports Euronav’s Optimised Fleet Condition Monitoring Programme
LR has signed an agreement with Euronav to approve its Machinery Planned Maintenance and Condition Monitoring Scheme (MPMS(CM)) for 25 LR-classed vessels. This will be performed in accordance with LR’s recently updated ShipRight procedures for Machinery Planned Maintenance and Condition Monitoring, helping Euronav optimise maintenance schemes and embrace available technology. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/LR+supports+Euronav’s+optimised+Fleet+Condition+Monitoring+programme