1. 300,000 Seafarers Trapped at Sea : ITF demands faster action from governments
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) estimates that there are now approximately 300,000 seafarers trapped working aboard ships due to the crew change crisis caused by government Covid-19 border and travel restrictions, and an equal number of unemployed seafarers waiting to join them who are ashore. That makes 600,000 seafarers affected by this crisis. https://themaritimepost.com/2020/07/17/300000-seafarers-trapped-at-sea-itf-demands-faster-action-from-governments/
2. Stena’s ferry, UK Navy nuclear-powered submarine near-miss confirmed
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has confirmed that the 200-m long, 30,235 gt passenger ferry Stena Superfast VIIand a UK Royal Navy (RN) nuclear-powered submarine narrowly avoided collision in the Irish Sea in November 2018. Following the incident, the master of the ferry notified the coastguard that a submarine’s periscope had passed down the starboard side of the vessel at a range of 50–100 m. https://safetyatsea.net/news/2020/stena-ferry-and-uk-navy-nuclear-powered-submarine-near-miss-confirmed/
3. Another virus outbreak uncovered on Russian vessel in Busan
The ship had been quarantined outside Busan since late June, after three crew members tested positive on arrival at the port’s Gamcheon east quay; they were among seven crew members to apply for permission to disembark. Subsequent testing was then carried out on other crew members, resulting in the other 14 infected cases being uncovered. All the infected seafarers have been sent to Busan hospitals for treatment.
https://safetyatsea.net/news/2020/another-russian-covid-19-cluster-uncovered-in-busan/
4. Seafarers reveal bizarre kidnap ordeal on Gulf Sky tanker
Crew members of crude oil tanker Gulf Skyhave told SAS that unknown assailants acting as ‘pirates’ held the 28 crew at gunpoint and forced them to sail from its anchorage in Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, to Iran. They sailed on 6 July 2020 and remained at Iran until 14 July. https://safetyatsea.net/news/2020/seafarers-reveal-bizarre-kidnap-ordeal-on-gulf-sky-tanker/
5. EU inquires about crew changes, key worker status in Bangladesh
The Delegation of the European Union (EU) in Dhaka has inquired about the conditions of seafarers’ mobility in Bangladesh and whether crew changes can occur during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent verbal note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the EU wanted to know whether seafarers are considered “essential workers” in Bangladesh, whether they are allowed to travel, and if they are exempt from measures, such as quarantine, required for their work.
https://safetyatsea.net/news/2020/covid-19-eu-enquires-about-crew-changes-and-seafarer-worker-status-in-bangladesh/
6. Al Gore spearheads new initiative to track and publish every ship’s carbon footprint
Former American vice-president Al Gore has set out to track and publish data on all greenhouse gas emissions – including from shipping. Gore is part of a new alliance of climate research groups called the Climate TRACE (Tracking Real-Time Atmospheric Carbon Emissions) Coalition, which launched this week. https://splash247.com/al-gore-spearheads-new-initiative-to-track-and-publish-every-ships-carbon-footprint/
7. How Europe can ween itself off Chinese products
In recent months we’ve had articles by Paul French, Charlie Du Cane and most recently Andy Lane touching upon the increasingly prominent issue of the re-shoring of industries and what this might mean for future shipping prospects. Today, Nigel Moore from ASP Ships Group gives his thoughts on the matter. Are free zones in the Sahara likely? https://splash247.com/how-europe-can-ween-itself-of-chinese-products/
8. Okeanis Eco Tankers seals charters for suezmax newbuild pair
Okeanis Eco Tankers (OET), the Oslo-listed Alafouzos family tanker vehicle, has sealed charters for two suezmax tankers set for delivery later this year from South Korea’s Hyundai Samho. Nissos Sifnos and Nissos Sikinos, both set for delivery in September, have been entered into three-year time charter contracts with a national oil company. OET said the charters are expected to generate an EBITDA of $22.6m per vessel. https://splash247.com/okeanis-eco-tankers-seals-charters-for-suezmax-newbuild-pair/
9. GasLog seals $1bn refinancing
Piraeus-headquartered GasLog and GasLog Partners have secured three new loan agreements to refinance the group’s debt maturities due in 2021. GasLog has signed a new $577m facility, while GasLog Partners has signed a $260m facility and $200m facility to refinance a total of $1.037bn of debt outstanding across 12 vessels. https://splash247.com/gaslog-seals-1bn-refinancing/
10. European And International Maritime Social Partners, Together With 9 Other International Maritime Associations Demand Immediate Action From Governments On The Crew Change Humanitarian Crisis
The European and international maritime social partners together with 9 international maritime associations, are writing to the leaders of European countries, calling for urgent action to be taken to resolve the serious humanitarian crisis caused by the lack of crew changes worldwide and in Europe. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/European+And+International+Maritime+Social+Partners%2C+Together+With+9+Other+International+Maritime+Associations+Demand+Immediate+Action+From+Governments+On+The+Crew+Change+Humanitarian+Crisis