1. Another ship banned from Australia, a third detained
Australia has banned a second vessel from its ports in one week, with a third bulker detained for Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) breaches. After announcing a blitz on container ship stowage inspections for August, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) ended July with a blitz on bulk carriers. https://safetyatsea.net/news/2020/another-ship-banned-from-australia-a-third-detained/
2. NZ pilot fined for speeding after swimmer killed
The Auckland District Court has fined the Ports of Auckland NZD424,000 (USD300,500) for exempting its pilot boats from speed limits in Waitemata Harbour after a swimmer was struck and killed. Pilot master Grant More was also sentenced and fined NZD8,400 (USD5,500). He had previously pleaded guilty to the charge of exposing an individual to a risk of serious injury, illness, or death under the Health and Safety at Work Act. https://safetyatsea.net/news/2020/nz-pilot-fined-for-speeding-after-swimmer-killed/
3. U.K. Oil Workers Marooned at Sea May Be Safety Risk, Unions Say
Most oil workers in the U.K. follow a “2/3” work pattern — two weeks offshore followed by three weeks’ downtime. That reflects the perilous nature of a job handling heavy machinery and flammable products, often in cramped conditions and extreme weather. But with the coronavirus crisis causing thousands of job losses, shifts for the remaining workers are being stretched. https://gcaptain.com/u-k-oil-workers-marooned-at-sea-may-be-safety-risk-unions-say/
4. Hurtigruten Halting Cruises After Outbreak
Norwegian cruise line Hurtigruten is halting all its so-called expedition cruises until further notice following an outbreak of COVID-19 on one of its vessels last week, the company said on Monday. At least 41 passengers and crew from the MS Roald Amundsen have so far tested positive for the coronavirus, while hundreds more have been told to self-isolate for 10 days, public health officials said. https://gcaptain.com/hurtigruten-halting-cruises-after-outbreak/
5. Greece to Require Masks on Ferry Decks
Greece will make mask-wearing compulsory on the decks of ferries sailing to its islands, extending the requirement beyond indoor public spaces, after a sudden rise in coronavirus infections that could put its crucial tourism season at risk. https://gcaptain.com/greece-to-require-masks-on-ferry-decks/
6. At Least 40 Test Positive from MS Roald Amundsen COVID-19 Outbreak
At least 40 passengers and crew from a luxury cruise liner have tested positive for COVID-19 and the authorities are still trying to trace a number of passengers from two recent Arctic voyages, public health officials in Norway said on Sunday.
https://gcaptain.com/at-least-40-test-positive-for-covid-19-from-ms-roald-amundsen/
7. KPI Bridge Oil and OceanConnect Marine complete merger
KPI Bridge Oil and OceanConnect Marine have formally completed a merger to create new brand and entity KPI OceanConnect. The merger, first announced in February, has created one of the largest and most experienced independent marine energy services and solutions providers in the world. https://splash247.com/kpi-bridge-oil-and-oceanconnect-marine-complete-merger/
8. Rates to the US west coast hit records, leaving analysts puzzled
In the 10 years since the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index was launched rates to the US west coast have never been so strong, rising by $463 to hit $3,167 per feu over the past week. Rates to the US east coast from Asia are also strong at $3,495 per teu, but still a long way short of the records set during the US west coast labour dispute. https://splash247.com/rates-to-the-us-west-coast-hit-records-leaving-analysts-puzzled/
9. After IMO 2020, Decarbonization In Spotlight For Shipping Sector
Shipping companies in Asia and around the globe are steaming ahead with efforts to minimize their carbon footprint as the urgency to decarbonize intensifies after a fairly smooth transition to the International Maritime Organization’s low-sulfur mandate for marine fuels. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/After+IMO+2020%2C+decarbonization+in+spotlight+for+shipping+sector
10. Ship Orders Collapse; Will Rate Boom Follo?
Pre-COVID, the bull case for shipping rates was all about plunging newbuild orders. A drop in orders in 2019 pointed to rising freight rates in 2021, given the lag between contract signing and delivery. Mid-COVID, the bull case for rates is even more about plunging newbuild orders than before. There will be a lot fewer vessels on the water in 2021, 2022 and beyond than previously thought. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Ship+orders+collapse%3B+will+rate+boom+follo%3F
