1. Bernhard Schulte heavily invests into fuel efficiency improvement for five containerships, managed by BSM and having been on long-term charter with MOL
New bulbous bows, new propellers and boss cap fins will ensure that the vessels can save up to 50,000 tons of CO2 per year, exceeding the requirements of IMO’s Energy Efficiency Index (EEXI) and fulfilling the climate-goal roadmap for 2030. Additionally, the vessels’ combined fuel efficiency will save fuel costs in the range of three million USD per year.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/02/02/bernhard-schulte-heavily-invests-into-fuel-efficiency-improvement-for-five-containerships-managed-by-bsm-and-having-been-on-long-term-charter-with-mol/
2. Scorpio Bulkers announced financial results for the fourth quarter of 2020 and the sale of seven vessels
Scorpio Bulkers reported its results for the three months ended December 31, 2020. The Company also announced that on January 29, 2021 its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share on the Company’s common shares. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/02/02/scorpio-bulkers-announced-financial-results-for-the-fourth-quarter-of-2020-and-the-sale-of-seven-vessels/
3. Cyprus participated at the Ministerial Conference of the Union of the Mediterranean on Sustainable Blue Economy.
A Ministerial Declaration was adopted with Cyprus expressing its determination to support a collaborative approach to progress maritime sustainability in the Med region! The Shipping Deputy Minister, Vassilis Demetriades, represented Cyprus today at the Ministerial Conference of the Union for the Mediterranean on the Sustainable Blue Economy, during which a Ministerial Declaration was adopted. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/02/02/cyprus-participated-at-the-ministerial-conference-of-the-union-of-the-mediterranean-on-sustainable-blue-economy/
4. Covid-19 rapid testing at DP World Limassol’s Passenger Terminal
DP World Limassol’s Passenger Terminal has been designated by the Ministry of Health as a central Covid-19 rapid testing location for the Limassol port community. Tests will be carried out on Fridays, in accordance with the new measures announced by the Ministry of Health on 27 January 2021, and in coordination with Cyprus Ports Authority. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/02/02/covid-19-rapid-testing-at-dp-world-limassols-passenger-terminal/
5. California boxship queue sets new records
The extraordinary congestion seen at America’s main two west coast ports – now worse than the port lockout days of 2002 and 2004 – is tying up an ever greater swathe of the hard-pressed global liner fleet, with authorities in the US now advising carriers to look at alternative gateways in the Pacific Northwest.
https://splash247.com/california-boxship-queue-sets-new-records/
6. MSC accelerates secondhand boxship buying spree
Swiss-headquartered containerline Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) continues to snap up boxships in the secondhand market according to Alphaliner, acquiring eight vessels in the past three weeks as container shipping rates continue to surge. https://splash247.com/msc-accelerates-secondhand-boxship-buying-spree/
7. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Expressly Applies Jones Act to Offshore Wind Projects in U.S. Waters
The ruling was contained in a January 27 letter from Lisa L. Burley, chief attorney for the Cargo Security, Carriers and Restricted Merchandise Branch of the CBP’s Office of International Trade, Regulations and Rulings, in response to an initial request from a law firm representing Great Lake Dredge and Dock to the CBP from nearly a year ago. https://gcaptain.com/u-s-customs-and-border-protection-expressly-applies-jones-act-to-offshore-wind-projects-in-u-s-waters/
8. Lake Constance Excursion Boat Repurposed as Vaccine ‘Shot Ship’
An 89-year-old passenger ship, out of commission due to the coronavirus pandemic, was re-purposed on Tuesday as a COVID-19 vaccination center for thousands of residents from cities on Lake Constance. The 500-passenger MS Thurgau normally carries tourists and commuters between German and Swiss cities on Europe’s third-largest lake. In coming weeks it will serve as a floating inoculation hub for northern Swiss towns Romanshorn, Arbon and Kreuzlingen. https://gcaptain.com/lake-constance-excursion-boat-repurposed-as-vaccine-shot-ship/
9. Indian Industry To Get Greater Protection Against Dumped Imports As Govt Tightens Rules
The new rules to be implemented from 2022 will also prevent exporting countries to drop prices to negate effect of anti-dumping duties, CVD
Indian industry will have greater protection against dumped imports from next year as the government is set to tighten measures related to imposition of anti-dumping duties (ADD) and countervailing duties (CVD) to check flouting of rules. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Indian+industry+to+get+greater+protection+against+dumped+imports+as+govt+tightens+rules
10. New BIMCO Clause Aims To Curb AIS Abuse
BIMCO is working on a charter party clause to help tackle potential abuse by sanctions busters of the Automatic Identification System (AIS) which is mandatory for all ships to carry under SOLAS. AIS transmits information about a ship including its identity and position. It should not be switched off or disabled at any time other than for very specific safety and security reasons permitted by the regulations, such as avoiding detection by pirates in high risk areas. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/New+BIMCO+clause+aims+to+curb+AIS+abuse