1. Nigeria begins trial of pirates under new law this week
Aiming to rid Nigeria’s waterways of criminalities and reassure the global community that it is getting on top of the security issues in its maritime domain, the country will this week commence the prosecution of suspected pirates under the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act. Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, disclosed this during interactions with journalists in Lagos. https://themaritimepost.com/2020/06/24/nigeria-begins-trail-of-pirates-under-new-law/
2. Maritime companies turn to technology and start-ups to improve safety
The safety technology, or safetytech, market could exceed USD850 billion by 2023, with established maritime companies increasingly turning to start-ups to improve safety and provide new solutions, it was discussed at an 18 June webinar hosted by the Nautical Institute.
https://safetyatsea.net/news/2020/maritime-companies-turn-to-technology-and-start-ups-to-improve-safety/
3. What the IAPH cyber guidance for ports means for shipping
The World Ports Sustainability Program (WPSP), part of the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), has published a Port Community Cyber Security White Paper, which serves as guide to ports gearing up to digitise their business in the wake of COVID-19. https://safetyatsea.net/news/2020/what-the-iaph-cyber-guidance-for-ports-means-for-shipping/
4. Human Rights at Sea partners with Flag State to resolve crew welfare dispute
In an unprecedented move for Human Rights at Sea (HRAS), the seafarer charity has partnered with Flag State, the Commonwealth of Dominica Maritime Administration (Dominica Registry), to help seafarers stuck on a vessel off Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, HRAS announced on 22 June.
https://safetyatsea.net/news/2020/human-rights-at-sea-partners-with-flag-state-to-resolve-crew-welfare-dispute/
5. MCA cruise ship detentions sends strong message to shipping firms amid COVID-19
The UK Maritime Coast Guard Agency (MCA) has detained five cruise vessels since Friday 19 June, on the grounds of late payment of wages and expired or invalid Seafarer Employment Agreements. The Global Maritime Group owned vessels, Astor, Astoria, Columbus, and Vasco de Gama, were detained in Tilbury docks in Essex, while the Marco Polo was held at Avonmouth docks, Bristol. https://safetyatsea.net/news/2020/mca-cruise-ship-detentions-sends-strong-message-to-shipping-firms-amid-covid-19/
6. Carnival Corporation Downgraded to Junk Status
Ratings agency Standard & Poor’s on Tuesday downgraded bonds of Carnival Corp to junk status, forecasting continued weak demand for the cruise industry hammered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Standard & Poor’s cut its rating on the world’s biggest cruise operator’s secured bonds to ‘BB+’ from ‘BBB-‘, and its unsecured bonds to ‘BB-‘ from ‘BBB-‘. Both are now regarded as non-investment grade or junk bonds. https://gcaptain.com/carnival-corporation-downgraded-to-junk-status/
7. New Cargo Handling World Record Set at Port of Los Angeles
A new world record for the most container movements during a single ship call was set last week at the Port of Los Angeles. The Port of LA reports that longshoremen with International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Locals 13, 63 and 94 successfully moved 18,465 containers from the MSC Isabella during a single ship call at APM Terminals’ Pier 400. https://gcaptain.com/port-of-los-angeles-sets-new-world-record/
8. White House Trade Advisor Walks Back Comments on China Trade Deal Being ‘Over’
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro on Monday walked back on his earlier remarks that the U.S.-China trade pact was “over,” stoking volatility in markets already frazzled by the coronavirus pandemic. Navarro said his comments were taken “wildly out of context,” while U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed in a tweet the deal with China was “fully intact.” https://gcaptain.com/white-house-trade-advisor-walks-back-comments-china-trade-deal-being-over/
9. Baltic Index Hits Over 7-Month High On Increasing Vessel Activity
The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index touched its highest level in more than seven months on Tuesday, as rates across all vessel segments rose on increasing trading activity. The Baltic dry index, which tracks rates for ships ferrying dry bulk commodities and reflects rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels, rose 59 points, or 3.8%, to 1,617, its highest since Nov. 5.
https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Baltic+index+hits+over+7-month+high+on+increasing+vessel+activity
10. DG Shipping Extends Validity Of Seafarers’ Certificates Till December 2021
The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) has extended the validity of seafarers’ certificates that are expiring on or before December 31 till December 31, 2021, providing relief to crew facing difficulties in re-validating their documents due to the coronavirus-induced restrictions. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/DG+Shipping+extends+validity+of+seafarers’+certificates+till+December+2021