1. Before the blast
Hidden behind the tragedy of the deadly explosion in Beirut is the more pervasive travesty of the abandonment of ships, seafarers and cargo, and unless the global public reckons with this deeper problem, a next disaster is all but inevitable. https://splash247.com/before-the-blast/
2. Icon Offshore awarded long-term OSV charter contract
Malaysian offshore service provider Icon Offshore has secured a charter contract from Zell Transportation for the supply of two offshore support vessels via its Brunei unit Icon Bahtera. https://splash247.com/icon-offshore-awarded-long-term-osv-charter-contract/
3. Eastern Pacific confirms newcastlemax order for BHP charter
Idan Ofer’s Singapore-headquartered Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) has placed orders with two Chinese yards for the construction of a total of five 209,000 dwt newcastlemax bulk carriers. https://splash247.com/eastern-pacific-confirms-newcastlemax-order-for-bhp-charter/
4. Viking Line Ferry Grounds in Finland
The Viking Line ferry MS Amorella has grounded in the Baltic Sea off Åland, Finland with 200 passengers and 80 crew, the shipping company said. All passengers have been evacuated to land with no injuries, the company reported. https://gcaptain.com/viking-line-ferry-grounds-in-finland/
5. Trans-Pacific container rates take market by surprise; industry players scramble
Trans-Pacific container freight rates scaled new heights over the past month, with multiple general rate increases (GRIs) taking spot rates to week after week of record highs. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/trans-pacific-container-rates-take-market-by-surprise-industry-players-scramble/
6. Bunker industry’s smooth transition to IMO 2020 paves way for decarbonization
The global bunker industry’s smooth transition into the low-sulfur era mandated by the International Maritime Organization has sent a strong signal to the sector that it can achieve its next goal of decarbonization equally free of hurdles, industry sources said.
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/bunker-industrys-smooth-transition-to-imo-2020-paves-way-for-decarbonization/
7. Hong Kong normalisation more posturing than punitive
Fractured relations between the US and Hong Kong have rattled some shipping cages, but in terms of trade disruptions the US’ ‘Hong Kong Normalization’ plan looks to have more bark than bite. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/hong-kong-normalisation-more-posturing-than-punitive/
8. Dry Bulk Quarterly: Supramaxes Face Troubled Q4 Despite Resurgent US Grains Exports
The Atlantic basin’s strongest season for dry bulk time charter rates is traditionally the fourth quarter, but 2020 has proved that nothing can be taken for granted.
https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Dry+Bulk+Quarterly%3A+Supramaxes+face+troubled+Q4+despite+resurgent+US+grains+exports
9. COVID-19 Tests May Give False Sense Of Security
The IMO, together with a number of industry organisations, have put together a recommended framework of protocols for ensuring safe ship crew changes and travel during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic (IMO Circular Letter No.4202/Add.14). These protocols provide recommendations to ship operators and seafarers, governments, maritime administrations, port authorities and all other stakeholders involved in crew changes on how to manage and control the risk of seafarers becoming infected prior to leaving home, while travelling to join a ship and during repatriation. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/COVID-19+tests+may+give+false+sense+of+security
10. Saudi Aramco Accepts October-Loading Term LPG With Some Cuts: Traders
Saudi Aramco has announced acceptances of October term LPG cargoes with some cancellations or cuts in cargo loadings, traders told S&P Global Platts on Sept. 18. Around three cargoes were heard cut or cancelled, they said, though no details on loading delays were heard.
https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Saudi+Aramco+accepts+October-loading+term+LPG+with+some+cuts%3A+traders
