1. Bangladesh declares seafarers key workers
The government of Bangladesh has declared seafarers as ‘key workers’ to facilitate the movement of seafarers and crew change during COVID-19, taking into consideration the important role they are playing to keep supply chains intact. https://safetyatsea.net/news/2020/bangladesh-declares-seafarers-key-workers/
2. Trump Extends Florida Drilling Moratorium and Expands Ban to More States
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an order to extend a ban on offshore oil drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico off Florida, as he seeks to win support in the state ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
https://gcaptain.com/trump-extends-florida-drilling-moratorium-and-expands-ban-to-more-states/
3. Panama Canal Launches Major New Water Management Project to Ensure Adequate Water Supply
The Panama Canal Authority has today published a request for qualifications from prospective contractors for the engineering, design and construction of a major new water management system in order to ensure adequate water supply for the critical waterway.
https://gcaptain.com/panama-canal-launches-major-water-management-project-to-ensure-adequate-water-supply/
4. U.S. Navy Awards Contracts to Study Large Unmanned Surface Vessels
The U.S. Navy has awarded contracts to study adding large unmanned vessels to its fleet. The firm-fixed price contracts, totaling nearly $42 million, were awarded to six companies including Huntington Ingalls, Lockheed Martin, Bollinger Shipyards Lockport, Marinette Marine Corp.; Gibbs & Cox; and Austal USA following an open competition. https://gcaptain.com/u-s-navy-awards-contracts-to-study-large-unmanned-surface-vessels/
5. Disparity in earnings on transpacific and Asia-Europe hits historic highs
In arguably the strangest, most difficult to predict year in the 64-year history of containerisation, the disparity in rates on the two main east-west tradelanes has hit historic highs. On the transpacific, spot rates hit new highs of $3,758 per feu on September 4. On Asia-Europe, however, spot rates rank the lowest in terms of revenue per nautical mile on all deepsea trades.
https://splash247.com/disparity-in-earnings-on-transpacific-and-asia-europe-hits-historic-highs/
6. Two crew kidnapped from reefer vessel off Lagos
Maritime security consultancy Dryad Global reported that the vessel was boarded by an unknown number of persons, resulting in the kidnap of two Russian crew members including the ship’s master. The vessel had a crew of 18 made up of 7 Russians and 11 Filipino of which 16 managed to retreat into the citadel.
https://splash247.com/two-crew-kidnapped-from-reefer-vessel-off-lagos/
7. Tanker Shipping: Freight Rates Back At Loss-Making Levels After 12 Very Profitable Months
A stunningly strong 12 months for the tanker shipping industry is now being replaced by lower freight rates, as lower oil production and demand sets in across the globe.
https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Tanker+Shipping%3A+Freight+rates+back+at+loss-making+levels+after+12+very+profitable+months
8. Container Shipping Stages Sharp Rebound Near Pre-Covid Levels, Says CEO
Container shipping activity has staged a sharp rebound in recent months and is nearing pre-pandemic levels — but the outlook remains clouded in uncertainty, a top industry executive told CNBC.
https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Container+shipping+stages+sharp+rebound+near+pre-Covid+levels%2C+says+CEO
9. Baltic Index Extends Losses On Falling Vessel Rates
The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index fell for a ninth straight session on Tuesday as rates slipped 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 21 points, or nearly 1.6%, to 1,328, its lowest since late July. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Baltic+index+extends+losses+on+falling+vessel+rates
10. Oil Slick Spotted Near Fire-Stricken Tanker
Sri Lanka’s navy said on Tuesday that an oil slick had been spotted a kilometer from a loaded supertanker off the country’s east coast, as efforts to extinguish a fire on board continued. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/+Oil+Slick+Spotted+Near+Fire-stricken+Tanker
