1. Calling for a Fair Future for Seafarers
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, seafarers have faced difficult working conditions including uncertainties about port access, re-supply, crew changeovers and repatriation. Seafarers’ rights to be treated fairly remain at the forefront of IMO’s work. The 2021 Day of the Seafarer campaign is calling for a fair future for seafarers. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/03/17/calling-for-a-fair-future-for-seafarers/
2. Norway is the world’s fourth largest shipping nation
An increasing number of Norwegian shipowners chose to fly the domestic flag. Norway is currently the world’s fourth largest shipping nation measured by value. This is shown by recent figures from the Norwegian Ship Owners’ Association. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/03/17/norway-is-the-worlds-fourth-largest-shipping-nation/
3. NYK recognised as a top company in the Port of Long Beach’s Green Flag Program
NYK has been recognized as one of the top shipping lines in the Green Flag vessel speed reduction program that the Port of Long Beach has been conducting to improve air quality. It was the 12th consecutive recognition for NYK since 2009. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/03/17/nyk-recognised-as-a-top-company-in-the-port-of-long-beachs-green-flag-program/
4. Hapag-Lloyd continues container consolidation with NileDutch acquisition
The move to acquire NileDutch sees Hapag-Lloyd continuing its strategy of growth through consolidation, in particular with lines operating in niche trading sectors. Past mergers and acquisitions including CP Ships, Compañía Sud Americana de Vapores (CSAV) and United Arab Shipping Company (UASC). It also continues the wider trend of consolidation in the container shipping sector. https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/containers/hapag-lloyd-continues-container-consolidation-niledutch-acquisition
5. Watch the Trailer for HBO’s ‘The Last Cruise’
One cruise in particular, the Diamond Princess, which departed from Japan in February 2020, received worldwide media attention after a coronavirus outbreak on board sickened hundreds of passengers, resulting in over a dozen deaths. At the time it was the biggest concentration of confirmed COVID-19 cases outside China.
https://gcaptain.com/watch-the-trailer-for-hbos-the-last-cruise/
6. Port of Los Angeles Sets Latest Monthly Record
The United States’ top port for containerized imports from Asia reported its best February on record as the nation’s economy continues to bounce back from the pandemic. The Port of Los Angeles said it processed 799,315 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) last month for a 47% jump compared to February 2020 when the world was just starting to feel the economic impact of COVID-19’s unrelenting spread. https://gcaptain.com/port-of-los-angeles-sets-latest-monthly-record/
7. Chartworld orders mega boxship quartet at New Times
Greek owner Chartworld have signed shipbuilding contracts with Chinese yard New Times Shipbuilding for the construction of four 13,000 teu containerships. The total value of the contracts is $420m and delivery of the first vessel is scheduled in July 2023. https://splash247.com/chartworld-orders-mega-boxship-quartet-at-new-times/
8. Cochin Shipyard Bats For ‘Make In India’ Dredger
With Dredging Corporation of India Ltd (DCI) facing fund crunch, the government is looking at multiple options for financing India’s first locally-built high-end and larger dredger, including asking State-run Cochin Shipyard Ltd to extend equity support to the vessel it will construct for the dredging firm. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Cochin+Shipyard+bats+for+‘Make+in+India’+dredger
9. Baltic Index Jumps As Panamax Rates Hit Over 10-Year High
The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index on Wednesday climbed to a near 1-1/2-year high as panamax rates scaled a more than 10-year peak on China grain demand. The Baltic dry index, which tracks rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels ferrying dry bulk commodities, rose 88 points, or 4.4%, to 2,105, a peak since September 2019. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Baltic+index+jumps+as+panamax+rates+hit+over+10-year+high
10. Shipping Sector Outlook: Container Prices Spike While Tanker Rates Plunge
The industry will benefit from world trade recovery in 2021, with average seaborne trade volumes expected to end above pre-pandemic levels, yet underlying differences are significant. China is one of the driving forces behind the recovery, so shipping traffic through Asia leads to the uptake in several trades (like iron ore). Soaring freight rates in container shipping are expected to ease over the course of the year. However, with increased volumes meeting delays and stretched supply chains due to congestion, container shortage and reduced air freight capacity, rates will remain high.
https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Shipping+sector+outlook%3A+Container+prices+spike+while+tanker+rates+plunge
