1. Panama blames captain, outdated charts for Wakashio grounding
The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP), the flag state of the ill-fated bulk carrier Wakashio, has weighed in on the incident, saying that the vessel ran aground off Mauritius due to the deliberate actions of the captain and outdated charts. https://safetyatsea.net/news/2020/panama-blames-captain-and-outdated-charts-for-wakashio-grounding/
2. Steps for maritime to create LGBTQ+ friendly workplaces
Taking the first step to a more inclusive workplace is an important one. While many companies may be keen to host a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual or allied (LGBTQIA) workforce, it is always best to pause before jumping in and take stock of the existing workplace culture. https://safetyatsea.net/news/2020/steps-for-maritime-to-create-lgbtq-friendly-workplaces/
3. Russian Navy increases presence in piracy hot spots to deter attacks
Russian officials declared concern over the rising number of accidents involving Russian seafarers in 2019 and 2020. There have been numerous cases involving Russian crew, including an attack on 19 April 2020 in which three Russian sailors from the Portugal-flagged container ship Tommi Ritscher were captured by pirates in Benin’s territorial waters, the Russian Embassy in Nigeria said. https://safetyatsea.net/news/2020/russian-navy-increases-presence-in-piracy-hotspots-to-deter-attacks/
4. Seafarers Caught in ‘Perfect Storm’, Seafarer Rights Group Says
A bulk carrier runs aground in Mauritius, spilling 1,000 tonnes of bunker fuel resulting in an environmental catastrophe. Forty crew members from a livestock ship perish after the ship capsizes and sinks in heavy weather. A VLCC carrying 2 million barrels of oil suffers a fatal engine room fire and remains in trouble off Sri Lanka. https://gcaptain.com/seafarers-caught-in-perfect-storm-seafarer-rights-group-says/
5. Migrants Disembarked from Maersk Etienne in Mediterranean
The disembarkation comes 38 days after the Captain and crew of the Maersk Etienne heeded requests for assistance and came to the rescue of the migrants distress at sea. Since then, the ship had been denied entry by several countries, leaving the vessel and its crew stranded off Malta with the migrants on board and limited supplies.
https://gcaptain.com/migrants-disembarked-from-maersk-etienne-in-mediterranean/
6. Oil Traders Snap Up Tankers in Sign of Second-Wave Contango
Some of the world’s biggest oil traders are getting ready for the possible resurgence of a coronavirus-induced glut of crude and fuels, snapping up giant tankers for months-long charters so that they can be ready to store excess barrels if necessary. https://gcaptain.com/oil-traders-snap-up-tankers-in-sign-of-second-wave-contango/
7. BP Makes First Move in Offshore Wind
British petroleum giant BP is making its first move into the growing offshore wind market by partnering up Norway’s Equinor to develop offshore wind farms in the United States. https://gcaptain.com/bp-makes-first-move-in-offshore-wind/
8. Shipping Alliances Help Container Industry Boost Freight Rates In Coronavirus Pandemic
Container shipping has sailed through the coronavirus pandemic largely unscathed, as ship-sharing alliances and supply curbs to bolster freight rates have helped operators to offset tepid trade demand. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Shipping+alliances+help+container+industry+boost+freight+rates+in+coronavirus+pandemic
9. LR Awards Digital Twin Ready AiP To HHI For Gas Containment Tank
LR has awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) to Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for its Digital Health Management (DHM) System for a Type B gas containment tank, following a Joint Development Project (JDP) between the two parties launched in November 2019.
https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/LR+awards+Digital+Twin+Ready+AiP+to+HHI+for+gas+containment+tank
10. Rio Seeks New Iron Ore Boss With Challenges To Solve
Salisbury joins Rio Tinto Chief Executive JS Jacques in leaving Australia’s largest iron ore producer in response to the destruction of sacred indigenous caves at its Western Australian operations.
Rio Tinto said Ivan Vella, currently the managing director of Rail, Port & Core Services at the miner’s iron ore business, will replace Salisbury on an interim basis from Dec. 31. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Rio+seeks+new+iron+ore+boss+with+challenges+to+solve
