1. Denmark to Grant Entry Visas to Stranded Seafarers
Denmark’s government with Danish Shipping, the maritime section of the Danish Metalworkers’ Union and the Danish Engineers’ Association will assist stranded seafarers to return to their homes. https://themaritimepost.com/2020/07/23/denmark-to-grant-entry-visas-to-stranded-seafarers/
2. Seafarer hospitalised in Australia with COVID-19
After a week at anchor and quarantine, bulk carrier Hokkaido offloaded its cargo of fertiliser at the port of Brisbane, Australia, on 23 July. All 19 crew on board were tested twice for COVID-19 before the vessel was allowed to approach the port. One seafarer who tested positive was hospitalised and the ship disinfected. https://safetyatsea.net/news/2020/seafarer-hospitalised-in-australia-with-covid-19/
3. South Korean captain found dead on container ship
The 61-year-old South Korean captain of a container ship has been found dead and the vessel was deviated to bring his body home. The Korea Coast Guard (KCG) stated that on 22 July 2020, the Liberia-flagged 130,000 gt ship, whose name has been withheld, had departed Tianjin, China, on 29 June, and was on its way to Australia. On 7 July, the captain was found motionless in his room. The vessel was deviated to Yeosu, South Korea, to ship the captain’s body to his family. The ship arrived on 22 July. https://safetyatsea.net/news/2020/south-korean-captain-found-dead-on-container-ship/
4. Marked increase in reported cyber attacks ‘alarming’, says expert
In what appears to be a marked three-year increase in cyber attacks, some 310 hacks against operational technology (OT) were reported throughout 2019, compared with the number of cases reported in 2018 and 2017 according to data from maritime defence company Naval Dome. The number of OT cyber attacks reported in 2018 and 2017 were 120 and 50 respectively.
https://safetyatsea.net/news/2020/marked-increase-in-reported-cyber-attacks-alarming-says-expert/
5. SinoOcean forms strategic partnership with CNOOC for idle offshore assets
SinoOcean, an idle offshore assets management platform set up by major Chinese offshore builders, has entered into an agreement with oil and gas giant CNOOC for the deployment of offshore vessel and rig assets. https://splash247.com/sinoocean-forms-strategic-partnership-with-cnooc-for-idle-offshore-assets/
6. Zhonggu Logistics IPO approved
Shanghai-based domestic container shipping operator Zhonggu Logistics has been granted approval by China Securities Regulatory Commission to commence an IPO on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. The company announced the IPO plan in May last year after it terminated its listing on the National Equities Exchange and Quotations (NEEQ). https://splash247.com/zhonggu-logistics-ipo-approved/
7. Seaspan splashes $146m on 13,000 teu boxship pair
Seaspan Corporation has sealed an agreement to acquire a pair of 13,000 teu containerships for around $146m in cash. The two vessels, built in 2010 and 2011, are scheduled for delivery during the third quarter of this year and are already on long-term charters with contracted revenue of over $150m. https://splash247.com/seaspan-splashes-146m-on-13000-teu-boxship-pair/
8. Baltic Index Hits Over One-Month Low As Rates For All Segments Drop
The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index dropped to a more than one-month low on Thursday, dragged down by weakness across all vessel segments. The Baltic dry index, which tracks rates for ships ferrying dry bulk commodities and reflects rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels, fell 85 points, or 5.8%, to 1,388, its lowest since June 17. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Baltic+index+hits+over+one-month+low+as+rates+for+all+segments+drop
9. Port Of Rotterdam Fully Operational In First Half Of 2020, COVID-19 Pandemic Depresses Cargo Throughput
The port of Rotterdam achieved throughput of 218.9 million tonnes in the first six months of 2020, 9.1% less than in the first half of 2019, which was a throughput record at the time. Despite the disruptive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, production and logistics, the port of Rotterdam remained 100% operational. The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is the primary factor explaining the decrease in volume. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Port+of+Rotterdam+fully+operational+in+first+half+of+2020%2C+COVID-19+pandemic+depresses+cargo+throughput
10. Amid Fears Of Worst Recession In Decades, Urgent Calls For Solidarity, A United Economic Front
With multilateral cooperation under strain, senior UN officials, Nobel laureates and eminent academic experts, gathered virtually on Wednesday for the launch of a new report recommending “an adjusted approach” to economic development, and a policy dialogue exploring how countries can recover from COVID-19, in ways that lead to real structural transformation. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Amid+fears+of+worst+recession+in+decades%2C+urgent+calls+for+solidarity%2C+a+united+economic+front
