1. Why do they hate tobacco so much?
Today (May 31) is a so-called “World NO Tobacco Day”, observed every year and inspired of course, by the WHO/UN. They are short of words, to describe all the evils of tobacco. Adriana Blanco Marquizo, head of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, said: “Smoking a cigarette is so dangerous, it’s very difficult to find something that is more dangerous.” “Medics” said, that “Smokers who contract the new coronavirus are likely to suffer from up to 14 times more severe conditions than the normal person”. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/05/31/why-do-they-hate-tobacco-so-much/
2. Cargo ship sank off Ningbo, 1 crew missing
Cargo ship LIAN HANG 7 ran aground some 10 nm E of Ningbo, China, East China sea, in the morning May 30, while en route from Fujian to Zhoushan. Hull was breached, the ship sank after mass water ingress, with bridge and upper bridge deck remaining above waterline. SAR ship DONG HAI JIU 117 arrived at disaster site in the afternoon, after some 3 hours of rescue in rough weather 13 crew were picked up, 1 remains missing. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/05/31/cargo-ship-sank-off-ningbo-1-crew-missing/
3. ANVISA latest container ship victim, Brazil
Container ship PEDRO ALVARES CABRAL is the latest victim of Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) fierce fight with President Bolsonaro – the ship was put under quarantine on May 29, on arrival at Santos. Quick test detected on crew out of total 21, positive for virus. On May 30 all crew will be tested by, as ANVISA put it, most accurate laboratory test, which is PCR. According to Russian PCR tests results, up to 40% tests of this most accurate technology are faulty. So roughly, a person tested by PCR has a fifty-fifty chance of being wrongly diagnosed, and locked in “quarantine”. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/05/30/anvisa-latest-container-ship-victim-brazil/
4. Cargo ship damaged bridge at Port Alegre, Brazil
Cargo ship PIRATINI collided with Guaiba Bridge at Porto Alegre, Brazil, at around 2130 LT May 28, while leaving the port with cargo of soybean meal, bound for Rio Grande. Bridge pillar was seriously damaged, understood bridge traffic is suspended, which may lead to some supply shortages in the region. The ship sustained slight damages and continued voyage, she reached Rio Grande late May 29. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/05/30/cargo-ship-damaged-bridge-at-port-alegre-brazil/
5. OLDENDORFF bulk carrier contact pier at Port Lincoln, Australia
Bulk carrier JONAS OLDENDORFF contact pier while berthing at Port Lincoln, South Australia, in the morning May 28 (at around 2230 UTC May 27), on arrival from Qatar. Two tugs assisted bulk carrier, and she was berthed without any more trouble. Reportedly, the ship and pier sustained slight damages. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/05/28/oldendorff-bulk-carrier-contact-pier-at-port-lincoln-australia/
6. Drewry: World Container Index Down 1.1% On Week
The composite index decreased 1.1% this week and 22.1% up when compared with same period of 2019. The average composite index of the WCI, assessed by Drewry for year-to-date, is $1,599 per 40ft container, which is $216 higher than the five-year average of $1,383 per 40ft container. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Drewry%3A+World+Container+Index+Down+1.1%25+on+Week
7. The Spike Before The Slump? Australian Coal Exports To China Soar In May
Australia’s coal exporters are bracing for a slump in shipments to China, making it somewhat ironic that May is likely to be the strongest month in nearly two years for Chinese imports from Down Under. Traders are expecting that China’s coal imports may fall in coming months amid moves by Beijing to restrict cargoes to protect the domestic mining industry and prices
. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/The+spike+before+the+slump%3F+Australian+coal+exports+to+China+soar+in+May
8. Dry Bulk Flounders As Coronavirus Threatens Brazilian Exports
Once upon a time, believe it or not, stock investors were obsessed with dry bulk shipping. A repeat of such seemingly Bizarro World behavior could be a long way off.
Rates for Capesize bulkers (vessels with capacity of around 180,000 deadweight tons) fell yet again on Wednesday, to $3,796 per day, according to the Baltic Exchange’s 5TC index. The tentative bounce beginning in late April has long since fizzled. Futures markets currently put the full-year 2021 average rate at $11,900 per day, still below breakeven for many operators.
https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Dry+bulk+flounders+as+coronavirus+threatens+Brazilian+exports
9. Flurry Of U.S. Crude Export Fixtures Offers Glimmer Of Hope
A flurry of tentative bookings to export U.S. crude oil from the Gulf Coast suggests demand is edging up after the coronavirus slammed energy consumption worldwide.
BP, Trafigura and Equinor have all tentatively fixed vessels this past week to carry U.S. crude to global destinations over the coming month, according to Refinitiv Eikon data and shipping sources. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Flurry+of+U.S.+crude+export+fixtures+offers+glimmer+of+hope
10. UK Chamber Secures Exemptions For Seafarers And Offshore Workers From Quarantine Rule
The UK Chamber of Shipping has succeeded in securing exemptions for seafarers and offshore workers from the requirement that persons arriving in the UK from 8 June 2020 self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival. UK Chamber of Shipping Chief Executive Bob Sanguinetti said: “We welcome the decision by the government to exempt seafarers, offshore and maritime workers from the 14-day quarantine rules. This will allow these key workers to join and leave their ships to enable trade to continue to flow in support of the world’s economies. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/UK+Chamber+secures+exemptions+for+seafarers+and+offshore+workers+from+quarantine+rules
