1. Video: What Went Wrong in the South Korean ‘Sewol’ Ferry Disaster?
A disaster began to quietly unravel on the morning of April 16, 2014, when the ‘MV Sewol’ ferry, bound for Jeju Island in South Korea carrying 476 passengers, including 325 students on a school trip began to sink. Mobile phone footage records the calm but uncertain atmosphere on board the cursed ferry. https://themaritimepost.com/2020/07/04/video-what-went-wrong-in-the-south-korean-sewol-ferry-disaster/
2. ‘Nautilus’ Pressure Sees P&O Ferries Revise Planned Redundancies
P&O Ferries has revised down proposed officer redundancies and acknowledged the need to retain additional skilled maritime professionals following intense negotiations with Nautilus International. https://themaritimepost.com/2020/07/04/nautilus-pressure-sees-po-ferries-revise-planned-redundancies/
3. US Navy Again Patrols Near Chinese Survey Ship In South China Sea
An American Navy combat ship this week conducted “routine operations” near a Chinese geological survey ship in the South China Sea, U.S. officials said, after the Chinese vessel in June entered an area where Vietnam has shown interest in exploring for oil. https://themaritimepost.com/2020/07/04/us-navy-again-patrols-near-chinese-survey-ship-in-south-china-sea/
4. Pirates Kidnap Nine Nigerian Nationals from BW Offshore FPSO
On 2 July 2020, at approximately 4:20 am local time, BW Offshore’s FPSO Sendje Berge was attacked by pirates offshore Nigeria in which nine Nigerian nationals were kidnapped. “The incident onboard the FPSO has ended and none of those remaining onboard have suffered physical injuries. BW Offshore is cooperating with local authorities, represented on site by the Nigerian Navy,” the ship’s owner BW Offshore Said. https://themaritimepost.com/2020/07/03/pirates-kidnap-nine-nigerian-nationals-from-bw-offshore-fpso/
5. 180 Survivors Onboard Ocean Viking left in limbo Without A Designated Port For Disembarkation
The team of SOS MEDITERRANEE has rescued 180 people in four different operations in five days within the Maltese and Italian Search and Rescue Regions. The first two rescues occurred one week ago today. There are presently 180 survivors on the Ocean Viking, including 2 women, 25 minors, 17 of which are unaccompanied. People are from 13 different nationalities. https://themaritimepost.com/2020/07/03/180-survivors-onboard-ocean-viking-left-in-limbo-without-a-designated-port-for-disembarkation/
6. Wild Swings in Freight Rates the New Normal Amid Uneven Recovery
Sharp swings in container freight rates are likely to continue this quarter as shipping companies struggle to gauge demand amid an uneven global recovery from the coronavirus. The cost to ship containers slumped earlier this year as the pandemic pummeled demand, with rates bottoming out in late April. https://gcaptain.com/wild-swings-in-freight-rates-the-new-normal-amid-uneven-recovery/
7. Total Sends Oil Rig to South Africa for Rare Frontier Drilling
Total SA has deployed a rig to South Africa to look for more oil near a massive discovery, in a rare example of exploration in a frontier area. The Odfjell Deepsea Stavanger has left Bergen in Norway for the southern tip of Africa, Africa Energy Corp., Total’s partner in the project, said Thursday. While drilling work has dropped off dramatically everywhere, with rigs in Africa falling by a record in May amid the oil-price collapse, the existing discovery gives the companies hope there’s more oil to be found in the area. https://gcaptain.com/new-oil-rig-sent-to-south-africa-for-rare-frontier-drilling/
8. Höegh Xiamen Declared a Total Loss After Fire in Jacksonville
The car carrier Höegh Xiamen has been declared a total loss following a fire that broke out onboard last month in Jacksonville, Florida, its owner announced Friday. Norway-based Ocean Yield ASA said it expects to receive insurance proceeds in Q3 2020 of about USD 26 million, which is close to the book value of the vessel. Net cash proceeds after repayment of debt related to the vessel will be about $8 million, it said. https://gcaptain.com/hoegh-xiamen-declared-a-total-loss-after-fire-in-jacksonville/
9. ECSA Welcomes Study On Social Aspects Within The Maritime Transport Sector
ECSA welcomes the publication of the study conducted for the European Commission as it considers the social aspects of shipping a crucial foundation for a strong, competitive and sustainable European shipping industry. Conducted for the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE), by a consortium led by Coffey International Development (Coffey), the study followed up on the proposals submitted by the Ad Hoc Task Force on Maritime Employment and Competitiveness in 2011. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/ECSA+welcomes+study+on+social+aspects+within+the+maritime+transport+sector
10. A Roadmap For Ship Decarbonisation
Initial targets aim to reduce CO2 emissions across international shipping by at least 40% by 2030, followed by 70% in 2050 (compared to 2008 levels). It also committed “as soon as possible” to pursue a 50% reduction of all GHGs by 2050. In addition, the MEPC has also devised a strategy (2017-2023) to reduce GHG emissions, which is supported by CO2 emissions data collected in 2019. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/A+Roadmap+for+Ship+Decarbonisation
