1. Singapore, Myanmar extend seafarer certificates
The Singapore authorities on 23 September decided to extend the validity of Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for seafarers (STCW) certificates and the General/Restricted Operator’s Certificate (GOC/ROC) automatically for six months. https://safetyatsea.net/news/2020/singapore-and-myanmar-extend-seafarer-certificates/
2. ClassNK close to returning to the top
Japan’s ClassNK, also known by its full name Nippon Kaiji Kyokai, is closing back in on the top spot in the ship classification rankings, a position it relinquished seven years ago when Norway’s Det Norske Veritas merged with Hamburg-based Germanischer Lloyd to create the current world leader, DNV GL. https://splash247.com/classnk-close-to-returning-to-the-top/
3. Virtual classrooms
Training in whatever industry you’re in has gone through profound and rapid change this year, thanks to Covid-19. Almost overnight, people schooled behind bricks and mortar walls were required by lockdown to adjust to taking lessons by gazing at teachers from afar via computer screens. https://splash247.com/virtual-classrooms/
4. China to gradually open up ports for crew changes
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Immigration Administration announced yesterday that foreign nationals holding valid Chinese residence permits for work, personal matters, and reunion are allowed to enter China with no need to apply for new visas from September 28, some six months after China suspended nearly all foreigner entries in March as part of its Covid-19 prevention and control measures.
https://splash247.com/china-to-gradually-open-up-ports-for-crew-changes/
5. Marine Insurers Shun Russia’s Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream Projects
The world’s largest group of shipping insurers will not insure vessels involved in the Russian-led Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream gas pipeline projects because of the threat of U.S. sanctions.
https://gcaptain.com/marine-insurers-shun-russias-nord-stream-2-and-turkstream-projects/
6. Consumer Giants Urge Governments to End Shipping’s Crew Change Crisis
Unilever Plc and Procter & Gamble Co. are among consumer companies urging world leaders to resolve the plight of more than 300,000 seafarers stuck on commercial vessels, where forced labor and deteriorating working conditions threaten to disrupt the global supply chain.
https://gcaptain.com/consumer-giants-urge-governments-to-end-shippings-crew-change-crisis/
7. U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Suffers Engineering Fire in Indo-Pacific
A U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutter suffered what appears to be a rather serious fire earlier this week while deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet’s area of operations. The Coast Guard reports that the crew of the USCGC Waesche (WMSL 751) combated a shipboard engineering fire on September 20, resulting in some minor injuries to crew. https://gcaptain.com/u-s-coast-guard-cutter-suffers-engineering-fire-in-indo-pacific/
8. CMA CGM’s First Of Nine LNG-Powered 23,000 TEU Box Ships Enters Service
THE world’s largest LNG-powered ship, the 23,000 TEU CMA CGM Jacques Saade, has entered into service plying the carrier’s French Asia Line connecting Asia and Northern Europe. The CMA CGM Jacques Saade is the first of a series of nine 23,000 TEU container ships to fly the French flag. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/CMA+CGM%27s+first+of+nine+LNG-powered+23%2C000+TEU+box+ships+enters+service+
9. 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
10. Rising Asian LNG Prices To Help More U.S. Loadings In November -Trade Sources
Buyers of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States are expected to cancel no more than five cargoes for November loading as winter demand in Asia has lifted prices, after dozens of cancellations earlier this year, several trade sources said. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Rising+Asian+LNG+prices+to+help+more+U.S.+loadings+in+November+-trade+sources
