1. Virtual meeting between the Cyprus Shipping Deputy Minister Vassilis Demetriades and the Greek Minister for Maritime Affairs and the Islands Giannis Plakiotakis
On Monday 1st March, the Cyprus Shipping Deputy Minister Vassilis Demetriades had a very constructive exchange of views on the challenges facing shipping with his Greek counterpart Giannis Plakiotakis. They have discussed the effects of the pandemic, especially in relation to crew changes and the repatriation of seafarers, where Mr. Demetriades had the opportunity to present the Cyprus proposal for an international seafaring vaccination program and the need to coordinate efforts internationally. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/03/02/virtual-meeting-between-the-cyprus-shipping-deputy-minister-vassilis-demetriades-and-the-greek-minister-for-maritime-affairs-and-the-islands-giannis-plakiotakis/
2. 3 Years since the establishment of the Shipping Deputy Ministry
The Cyprus Shipping Chamber, as the trade association of the Shipping Industry in Cyprus, welcomes the successful completion of three years since the establishment of the Shipping Deputy Ministry, on 1 March 2018. The Shipping Chamber notes with satisfaction, that during the past three years, the Shipping Deputy Ministry has laid a solid foundation and has made significant progress in implementing a comprehensive “National Shipping Strategy”, in cooperation with the Shipping Industry and with the implementation of new supportive actions and flexible mechanisms, upgrading the image of Cyprus as a modern, quality and sustainable maritime centre. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/03/01/3-years-since-the-establishment-of-the-shipping-deputy-ministry/
3. The world’s largest steel company, the China Baowu Steel Group, and the Sibanthracite Group have become strategic partners
The Sibanthracite Group and Baosteel Resources Int. Co. Ltd , a subsidiary of the China Baowu Steel Group Corporation Limited that procures raw materials, have signed a strategic partnership agreement. Under its terms, the Sibanthracite Group will intensively increase its supply of products, including PCI coal and high-quality anthracite, to the Chinese company. PCI Siban – a new brand of metallurgical coal that has been produced by the Russian company since last year – will account for the largest volume. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/03/02/the-worlds-largest-steel-company-the-china-baowu-steel-group-and-the-sibanthracite-group-have-become-strategic-partners/
4. Port of Corpus Christi, Port of Rotterdam enter into historic agreement
The Port of Corpus Christi — the nation’s largest energy export gateway — and the Port of Rotterdam — Europe’s leading industrial deepsea port — have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding that will allow the two global entities to collaboratively improve their global maritime operations.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/03/02/port-of-corpus-christi-port-of-rotterdam-enter-into-historic-agreement/
5. Container lines running out of ships as transpacific bottleneck intensifies
A combination of a surge in demand in the second half of last year post Covid-19 lockdowns, larger vessels, lower productivity in US import terminals versus Asian load terminals, and working restrictions coinciding with seasonal holidays has produced a pro-longed bottleneck situation on the transpacific trade. https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/containers/container-lines-running-out-ships-transpacific-bottleneck-intensifies
6. Capt. Xu Lirong presented as winner of Lifetime Achievement Award at Seatrade Maritime Awards International
The celebrations from Seatrade Maritime Awards International 2020 were extended on 1 March as its Lifetime Achievement Award was officially presented to Capt. Xu Lirong, Chairman, China COSCO SHIPPING Corporation during an internal ceremony in Shanghai, China with live participation in the UK from Seatrade Chairman, Chris Hayman. https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/events/capt-xu-lirong-presented-winner-lifetime-achievement-award-seatrade-maritime-awards
7. Over 300 Lay-Offs Announced at Newport News Shipbuilding
Newport New Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, America’s largest military shipbuilder, is the only shipyard in the United States capable of building and servicing the nation’s fleet of aircraft carriers. It is also one of two yards tasked with designing and building the Navy’s nuclear-powered submarines.
https://gcaptain.com/over-300-lay-offs-announced-at-newport-news-shipbuilding/
8. Middle East Tensions Rise as Israel Says Iran Attacked Ship
Israel accused Iran of attacking one of its cargo ships in the Gulf of Oman last week, as tensions mount over the U.S.’s desire to rejoin a nuclear deal with Tehran. “It was indeed an act by Iran, that’s clear,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday in an interview with Kan radio, a local station. Iran “is Israel’s greatest enemy and we are striking it across the region.” https://gcaptain.com/middle-east-tensions-rise-as-israel-says-iran-attacked-ship/
9. Pacific Hub Ports Concept Explored For Regional Crew Change And Repatriation
The concept of “hub” ports to receive, quarantine, test for COVID-19 and potentially vaccinate seafarers in the Pacific region was explored at a recent roundtable meeting (25 February) involving representatives from States in the region, UN agencies, the shipping industry, the relevant trade union organization and the Pacific Islands Forum. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Pacific+hub+ports+concept+explored+for+regional+crew+change+and+repatriation
10. Time To Tap Coal Bed Methane
Systematic exploration, tech validation and global accreditation are key to harnessing this clean energy source
Policy-makers in India are focussing on migration from a predominantly fossil driven energy economy to the cleaner renewable sources. This is a welcome move, especially with the country being a signatory to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Time+to+tap+coal+bed+methane
