InterManager Daily News 26.03.2021.

1. Cyprus first in Europe in COVID-19 testing and fifth in administered vaccines
Cyprus remains in the first place among European countries as regards the testing of its population for COVID and in the fifth place regarding the vaccination doses administered. According to a press release by the Ministry of Health data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) show that Cyprus ranks 1st among European countries in terms of testing. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/03/24/cyprus-first-in-europe-in-covid-19-testing-and-fifth-in-administered-vaccines/

2. Asia’s First Ship-to-Containership LNG Bunkering undertaken by CMA CGM and FueLNG at the Port of Singapore
Singapore, 24 March 2021 – The first ship-to-containership Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunkering operation in Asia was undertaken today by CMA CGM, a world leader in shipping and logistics, and FueLNG, a joint venture between Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd (Keppel O&M) and Shell Eastern Petroleum (Pte) Ltd, and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). A containership, CMA CGM SCANDOLA, has been fuelled with 7,100m3 of LNG from FueLNG Bellina, Singapore’s first LNG bunkering vessel. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/03/25/asias-first-ship-to-containership-lng-bunkering-undertaken-by-cma-cgm-and-fuelng-at-the-port-of-singapore/

3. East of Suez availability for low sulphur stems outlook
Availability for low sulphur stems has improved in Fujairah, Zhoushan and Busan this week, while supplies remain tight in Singapore, Japanese and Far East Russian ports. Lead times for VLSFO stems have tightened by one day this week in #Singapore, now requiring 7-10 days, while LSMGO stems are more readily available at 4-6 days. HSFO380 is still scarce in the bunkering hub, as lead times remain at 12-15 days, as they have been for several weeks. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/03/25/east-of-suez-availability-for-low-sulphur-stems-outlook/

4. New laws to restrict the way ships release ballast water into UK seas
Consultation begins Wednesday 18 March on new laws which would further protect United Kingdom coastlines by stopping international ships from discharging potentially harmful species into the sea. The Merchant Shipping (Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments) Regulations 2020 would introduce legislation into UK law controlling the discharge of ships ballast water into UK waters. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/03/25/new-laws-to-restrict-the-way-ships-release-ballast-water-into-uk-seas/

5. China shipbuilding volume up 54.7% for Jan-Feb
According to the statistics released by China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry (CANSI), China’s shipbuilding output for January to February 2021 was 7.23m dwt, an increase of 54.7% year-on-year, while the volume of newly received orders was 6.81m dwt,an increase of 105%. https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/shipbuilding/china-shipbuilding-volume-547-jan-feb

6. Norwegian shipping major Wilhelmsen switches focus to renewables
Wilhelmsen, one of Norway’s best known shipping brands, is having a major change of focus, going all out for renewables. “Our strategy is very clear, we will contribute to the energy infrastructure transition and be an active player in decarbonisation,” commented Thomas Wilhelmsen, group CEO at Wilhelmsen, in a release yesterday. https://splash247.com/norwegian-shipping-major-wilhelmsen-switches-focus-to-renewables/

7. ‘You cannot sell a man who isn’t listening’
Have you seen BIMCO’s video ‘Ships make the world go’?
If you haven’t, can I recommend you check it out by clicking here?
It is really good. Much better than the 30,688 views it has attracted so far on YouTube. So much so, I think it should be running in prime-time advertising slots on televisions around the world, sponsored by major shipping companies in their home countries. https://splash247.com/you-cannot-sell-a-man-who-isnt-listening/

8. U.S. CDC Sticks to Order Limiting Cruises Until Nov. 1
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Wednesday it would keep its stringent framework for a resumption of cruise ship operations until Nov. 1, rebuffing an industry body’s push to lift the order early. https://gcaptain.com/u-s-cdc-sticks-to-order-limiting-cruises-until-nov-1/

9. Suez Canal Blockage Is A Signal Of What’s Ahead As Ships Get Bigger
Movement of ships between the Red Sea and Mediterranean has been halted since early Tuesday when the container ship Ever Given ran aground in the southern part of the Egyptian canal The 200,000-ton cargo ship currently lodged in the Suez Canal, bringing 13% of the world’s trade to a halt, may be the biggest vessel to get stuck in a major waterway. But if history is any guide, it won’t be the last. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Suez+Canal+blockage+is+a+signal+of+what’s+ahead+as+ships+get+bigger

10. Centre Scraps EoI For Box Transhipment Hub At Kanyakumari As Locals Oppose The Plan
The Centre has scrapped plans to build a container transshipment hub near Kanyakumari through the public, private, partnership (PPP) route following opposition from local fishermen groups. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Centre+scraps+EoI+for+box+transhipment+hub+at+Kanyakumari+as+locals+oppose+the+plan