1. CSC join forces with global business network MACN for a corruption free Maritime Industry
The Cyprus Shipping Chamber and the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN), signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC), on 16 November 2020, with the aim to collaborate on the eradication of corruption in the maritime sector and to safeguard a fair and sustainable maritime operating environment. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2020/12/04/csc-join-forces-with-global-business-network-macn-for-a-corruption-free-maritime-industry/
2. While a Vaccine offers a chance of a return to normality, seafarer health still needs to be a priority, warns MCTC
International leading catering management and training provider MCTC says the shipping industry must continue to focus on supporting seafarers’ overall wellbeing and health despite the prospect of a silver bullet in the arrival of a COVID-19 vaccine. While the vaccine offers a return to normality, seafarers health still needs to be a priority, it stressed. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2020/12/04/while-a-vaccine-offers-a-chance-of-a-return-to-normality-seafarer-health-still-needs-to-be-a-priority-warns-mctc/
3. Crew changes and abandonment top busy IMO Legal Committee agenda
The Legal Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has agreed on a new item for its future work programme relating to fair treatment of seafarers detained on suspicion of committing maritime crimes. At the Committee’s meeting on 27 November and 1-2 December, it also agreed on the development of guidelines for flag and port state authorities regarding how to deal with seafarer abandonment cases. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2020/12/07/crew-changes-and-abandonment-top-busy-imo-legal-committee-agenda/
4. Greek Shipping Awards, Guy Platten comment
Please see a statement from ICS Secretary General Guy Platten, after he was voted the International Personality of the Year at the Greek Shipping Awards for his efforts to get seafarers recognised as key workers and to resolve the crew change crisis. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2020/12/07/greek-shipping-awards-guy-platten-comment/
5. NYSE-Listed SEACOR Holdings to Go Private in $1 Billion All-Cash Deal
Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based SEACOR Holdings has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to take the company private in a deal that values the company at approximately $1 billion. The agreement was signed with an affiliate of American Industrial Partners (AIP), a New York-based private equity firm. The all-cash transaction values the NYSE-listed holding company at $1 billion, including net debt. https://gcaptain.com/nyse-listed-seacor-holdings-to-go-private-in-1-billion-all-cash-deal/
6. Tanker Rescues Two People Clinging to Wood Plank in Torres Strait
A passing tanker transiting the Torres Strait off the coast of Australia helped rescue two people clinging to a wood plank after their vessel sank. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority reports that a coastal pilot on the Marshall Islands-flagged MT Godam contacted Townsville Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) at 7:15 a.m. on December 3 to report a sighting of two people on a timber plank in the water. https://gcaptain.com/tanker-rescues-two-people-clinging-to-wood-plank-in-torres-strait/
7. China’s Exports Surge in Year-End Rush as Pandemic Fuels Demand
China’s exports jumped in November by the most since early 2018, pushing its trade surplus to a monthly record high and underlining how global demand for pandemic-related goods is supporting a growth rebound in the world’s second-largest economy.
https://gcaptain.com/chinas-exports-surge-in-year-end-rush-as-pandemic-fuels-demand/
8. ITF Wins Back $1.7 Million In Owed Wages As More Seafarers Abandoned
By the time the MV Mako was docked in the Port of Aden, Yemen, a seafarer had been on board for twelve months – nine of them unpaid. Amid a concerning rise in cases of shipowners abandoning their vessels and crew, unions have helped recover more than USD$1.7 million in wages owed to seafarers. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/ITF+wins+back+%241.7+million+in+owed+wages+as+more+seafarers+abandoned
9. Iran Sends Biggest Ever Fleet Of Oil Tankers To Venezuela
Iran is sending its biggest fleet yet of tankers to Venezuela in defiance of U.S. sanctions to help the isolated nation weather a crippling fuel shortage, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Some of the flotillas of about 10 Iranian vessels will also help export Venezuelan crude after discharging fuel, the people said, asking not to be named because the transaction is not public.
https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Iran+sends+biggest+ever+fleet+of+oil+tankers+to+Venezuela
10. Iron Ore Prices Are Going Ballistic
Iron ore prices went ballistic on Friday as unprecedented demand from China, constrained supply from Brazil and strained relations between Canberra and Beijing convulse the seaborne market. According to Fastmarkets MB, benchmark 62% Fe fines imported into Northern China (CFR Qingdao) were changing hands for $145.01 a tonne on Friday, up 5.8% from Thursday’s peg. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Iron+ore+prices+are+going+ballistic
