1. Hong Kong limits crew change amid COVID-19 spike
In response to calls from medical experts, Hong Kong will suspend international crew change from 29 July after the territory began seeing a record spike in new COVID-19 infections. https://safetyatsea.net/news/2020/hong-kong-limits-crew-change-amid-covid-19-spike/
2. Australia to begin three-month safety inspections on container ships
The announcement comes after a spate of containers going overboard in Australian waters; at the same time, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has recorded an increase in the number of stowage issues on container vessels coming into the country. https://safetyatsea.net/news/2020/three-month-australia-container-ship-safety-blitz-begins/
3. Australia bans Marmaras panamax for underpaying seafarers
AMSA inspected the ship at Hay Point on July 25 after receiving a complaint via the International Transport Workers’ Federation, and it found evidence that some seafarers onboard the ship had not been paid their wages in full since August 2019. The total outstanding wages is around A$45,000 ($32,100). https://splash247.com/australia-bans-marmaras-panamax-for-underpaying-seafarers/
4. Golden Ray salvage work suspended due to Covid-19
The removal operations for capsized Glovis car carrier Golden Ray has been suspended due to the risk of coronavirus, The St. Simons Sound Incident Unified Command announced the decision through an online media conference. The 7,700 ceu car carrier capsized and caught fire at the Port of Brunswick, Georgia in September last year. https://splash247.com/golden-ray-salvage-work-suspended-due-to-covid-19/
5. Wind up petition against Brightoil dismissed
Chinese private energy company Brightoil Petroleum has announced that it has reached settlement for the outstanding debts with creditor Petco Trading and other interested creditors in Hong Kong court proceedings relating to the wind-up petition against the company. https://splash247.com/wind-up-petition-against-brightoil-dismissed/
6. Offshore support vessel attacked by pirates off Mexico
The 1982-built offshore support vessel Nataliewas attacked by pirates off the coast of Mexico. Maritime safety consultancy Dryad Global reported that the vessel was boarded by pirates in the early morning darkness while it was conducting operations near the Odin Offshore platform off Coatzacoalcos. https://splash247.com/offshore-support-vessel-attacked-by-pirates-off-mexico/
7. Baltic Index Declines For 6th Session On Weaker Vessel Rates
The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index fell for the sixth straight session to a more than one-month low on Monday, weighed down by weaker demand for 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 24 points, or 1.8%, to 1,293, its lowest since June 17. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Baltic+index+declines+for+6th+session+on+weaker+vessel+rates
8. Mumbai Port Trust Now 100% On API With PCS1X
API Integration of PCS 1x and Ports was initiated basis need for NIL lag and real time transfer of messages between the port operating systems and PCS1x. With the deployment of AGDORD – Agent Delivery Order message last week, MbPT is now LIVE with all 36 operational messages on API. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Mumbai+Port+Trust+Now+100%25+On+API+With+PCS1X
9. OOCL Reports 4.6% Volume Reduction
For the second quarter ended 30th June2020, total volumes were 4.6% down from the same period last year. Total revenues increased by 1.1% to US Dollars 1,583.8million. Loadable capacity decreasedby6.4%.The overall load factor was 1.6% higher than the same period in 2019. Overall average revenue per teu increased by 5.9% compared to the second quarter of last year. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/OOCL+Reports+4.6%25+Volume+Reduction
10. Commodity Tracker: 5 Charts To Watch This Week
The relentless rise of gold prices is in focus this week in S&P Global Platts editors’ roundup of energy and raw materials trends. Plus, freight rates react to Brent’s slight recovery, coal generation in Germany fizzles out, and more.
https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Commodity+Tracker%3A+5+charts+to+watch+this+week
