1. ITF blames crew change crisis for Wakashio incident
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), which represents 1.4 million seafarers, cautioned against blaming the crew for the grounding of the bulk carrier Wakashiooff Mauritius and the subsequent oil spill, citing the global COVID-19 crew change prohibition as a mitigating factor. https://safetyatsea.net/news/2020/itf-blames-crew-change-crisis-for-wakashio-incident/
2. Zhejiang Satellite adds another six VLECs
Zhejiang Satellite Petrochemical has fixed an additional six 98,000 cu m VLECs through newbuild orders and charters in order to meet its growing ethane transportation demands from its new plant in Lianyungang, confirming a report by Splash last month. https://splash247.com/zhejiang-satellite-adds-another-six-vlecs/
3. e5 Lab launches Roboship zero-emission electric vessel project
e5 Lab, a joint venture set up by Asahi Tanker with Exeno Yamamizu, MOL and Mitsubishi, has launched a project for the development of Roboship, an electrically powered vessels to realise zero emissions featuring an integrated system called the Roboship Box which brings together telecommunications, the Internet of Things, and software. https://splash247.com/e5-lab-launches-zero-emission-electric-vessel-project/
4. Ciner Shipping inks sale and leaseback with CSSC Shipping for newbuild suezmax tanker pair
Ciner Shipping, led by Turkish owner Turgay Ciner, has entered into an agreement with CSSC Shipping, the financial leasing unit of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, for the sale and leaseback of two 158,000 dwt suezmax tankers.
https://splash247.com/ciner-shipping-inks-sale-and-leaseback-with-cssc-shipping-for-newbuild-suezmax-tanker-pair/
5. Report links Cypriot shipping magnate to Beirut disaster
An in-depth investigation involving 10 news organisations including Germany’s highly respected Der Spiegel has suggested the owner of the ship that led to the deadly explosion in Beirut port on August 4 was Cypriot shipping entrepreneur Charalambos Manoli.
https://splash247.com/report-links-cypriot-shipping-magnate-to-beirut-disaster/
6. Oil, Natural Gas and LNG Threatened by Strengthening Storm Laura
A hurricane watch has been posted from Port Bolivar, Texas, to west of Morgan City, Louisiana, in anticipation of Laura’s arrival, the National Hurricane Center said in an advisory at 5 p.m. New York time. Forecasts are split on whether Laura becomes a major hurricane with winds in excess of 111 miles (179 kilometers) per hour or not. Another storm, Marco, lost so much power as it approached the coast that it will likely fall apart. https://gcaptain.com/oil-natural-gas-and-lng-threatened-by-strengthening-storm-laura/
7. China Envoy to Ecuador Says Fishing Vessel Fleet Near Galapagos Islands is Operating Legally
Chinese fishing vessels operating in the vicinity of the Galapagos Islands are complying with international fishing regulations on the high seas and none have been reported for illegal activities, China’s ambassador to Ecuador said on Monday.
https://gcaptain.com/china-envoy-to-ecuador-says-fishing-vessel-fleet-near-galapagos-islands-is-operating-legally/
8. Baltic Index Rises On Higher Capesize Rates
The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index inched up on Monday, as a jump in capesize rates offset lower prices for panamax vessels. The Baltic dry index, which tracks rates for ships ferrying dry bulk commodities and reflects rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels, was up 10 points, or 0.7%, at 1,491. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Baltic+index+rises+on+higher+capesize+rates
9. Rotterdam Hi-5 Bunker Spread Hits All-Time Low
The premium of very low sulfur fuel oil over its high sulfur equivalent at Rotterdam port fell to a record low on Aug. 21, as the latter stays resilient to bearish fundamentals in the global oil complex. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Rotterdam+Hi-5+bunker+spread+hits+all-time+low
10. Hyundai Heavy Builds World’s First Supersized LNG-Fueled Container Ship
Hyundai Heavy Industries Group has completed building the world’s first very large container vessel powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). The group said Monday that Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co., one of its shipyard units, will deliver the 14,800 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) ship to Singapore’s Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) on September 15. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Hyundai+Heavy+builds+world’s+first+supersized+LNG-fueled+container+ship
