1. MCTC strengthens its position in European Market
International leading catering management and training provider, MCTC has underlined its commitment to the important Greek and northern European markets by strengthening its teams in those regions with the appointment of two new Business Development Directors. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/02/22/mctc-strengthens-its-position-in-european-market/
2. When stowaways turn violent
The recent incident on an oil tanker where it was reported that stowaways posed a threat to the crew brought maritime security to the attention of a wider audience. In this instance, UK maritime special forces boarded the vessel and the stowaways were arrested. However, the charges were dropped against the stowaways, citing insufficient evidence. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/02/22/when-stowaways-turn-violent/
3. Naftosol’s turn-key ballast installations successfully commissioned from all major classes
As the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention deadline is slowly approaching, NAFTOSOL Ltd (www.naftosol.gr) is perfectly positioned to deliver turn-key ballast installations up to Maker’s commissioning including Electrical works. Having already completed installations of most Makers with successful commissioning from all major Classes, NAFTOSOL Ltd prefabricates all piping, supports, machinery foundations and small tanks a system requires. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/02/22/naftosols-turn-key-ballast-installations-successfully-commissioned-from-all-major-classes/
4. The strength of the foreign sector consolidates Valenciaport’s leadership in containers, motorway of the sea traffic and vehicles
Export container traffic has now been on the rise for six consecutive months, with an average growth rate of 11%. In January 2021, the increase in traffic in the agri-food sector (+32%) and construction materials (+24.34%) stands out. China returns in 2021 as Valenciaport’s main partner in terms of both volume of goods (+4.33%) and containers handled (+5.69%). https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/02/22/the-strength-of-the-foreign-sector-consolidates-valenciaports-leadership-in-containers-motorway-of-the-sea-traffic-and-vehicles/
5. Ship recycling market strengthens following Chinese New Year pause
Bangladeshi recyclers are leading the market, buying four very large ore carriers plus a number of panamax and handy bulkers for beaching, taking its tally to more than 200,000 light displacement tons in about a month, according to GMS, the world’s largest cash buyer of end-of-life ships. https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/shipbuilding/ship-recycling-market-strengthens-following-chinese-new-year-pause
6. Only 10% of forwarders could source an SOC container in undercover survey
With container lines experiencing a severe shortage of containers a “mystery shopper” survey of major freight forwarders by Container xChange found only 10% could source shipper owned containers (SOC) rather than accepting carrier owned container (COC) shipments. https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/containers/only-10-forwarders-could-source-soc-container-undercover-survey
7. U.S. Issues First Wave Energy Lease for Federal Waters Off West Coast
The Biden Administration has taken its latest step forward in its goals to address climate change and promote offshore renewable energy with the issuance of a lease for the nation’s first wave energy project in federal waters off the West Coast. https://gcaptain.com/u-s-issues-first-wave-energy-lease-for-federal-waters-off-west-coast/
8. Wakashio Captain Confirms He Navigated Close to Shore to Pick Up Cell Signal, But Blames Chief Officer for Grounding
The captain of the ill-fated bulk carrier M/V Wakashio told a Mauritius court that he navigated the ship closer to land to allow his crew members to pick up cell phone service so they could connect with loved ones back home, but said ultimately it was his Chief Officer who ran the ship aground back in July. https://gcaptain.com/wakashio-captain-confirms-he-navigated-close-to-shore-to-pick-up-cell-signal-but-blames-chief-officer-for-grounding/
9. Bain Capital Buys 30% Stake In JM Baxi Cargo Terminal Unit For ?1,500 Crore
The US-based Bain Capital Private Equity has invested about ?1,500 crore for a 30 per cent stake in International Cargo Terminals and Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, a unit of Mumbai-based JM Baxi Group, in one of the largest deals in the Indian port logistics business. The logistics firm will use the funds to pare debt and for its expansion plans, sources with knowledge of the transaction told BusinessLine. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Bain+Capital+buys+30%25+stake+in+JM+Baxi+cargo+terminal+unit+for+%3F1%2C500+crore+
10. Baltic Index Firms On Rising Supramax Rates
The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freightindex gained on Monday as surging supramax rates counteredweakness in the larger vessel segments. The Baltic dry index, which tracks rates forcapesize,panamax and supramax vessels ferrying dry bulk commodities,edged 11 points, or 0.6% higher, to 1,709. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Baltic+index+firms+on+rising+supramax+rates
