1. COLUMBIA blue – the sky is not the limit
The Columbia Group is propelling its involvement in the leisure and lifestyle markets to the next level by combining its various business lines and brands in the Super Yacht and Cruise sectors under one holding entity called COLUMBIA blue. While the existing business lines and specialised offerings of Swiss Ocean and Columbia Cruise Services (CCS) will be maintained and further developed, COLUMBIA blue will offer a diverse portfolio of services within the leisure, lifestyle, cruise, super yacht, aviation, and hospitality sectors. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/03/29/columbia-blue-the-sky-is-not-the-limit/
2. Statement from IMO Secretary General Kitack Lim on MV Ever Given incident
IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said: “I offer my encouragement to the Egyptian Authorities, as well as the salvors, tug and dredger operators and all other parties, who are working tirelessly to safely re-float the ship and resume transit through one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes as soon as possible. I appreciate the efforts of every individual involved. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/03/29/statement-from-imo-secretary-general-kitack-lim-on-mv-ever-given-incident/
3. Ever Given’s rudder & propellers freed as refloating efforts continue
The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has advised that yesterday’s attempt to refloat the grounded container vessel blocking the waterway did not succeed. However, the ship’s rudder and propellers were this morning (28 March) reported to be free, although the front of the vessel was still submerged under the Canal bank with slight movement to the side but not to aft. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/03/29/grounded-ships-rudder-propellers-freed-as-refloating-efforts-continue/
4. Imbalance on transpacific trade increases even as surge in US imports eases
As per usual seasonality, volumes came down a little in January and February, though this year the drop wasn’t as steep as usual. Imports by the two San Pedro Bay ports in California rose 27.8% in the first two months of the year compared to the same period in 2020. Although last year’s comparison is low due to the COVID-19 impact, volumes are up by 13.1% compared with the start of 2019, having reached 1.6m TEU. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/03/29/imbalance-on-transpacific-trade-increases-even-as-surge-in-us-imports-eases/
5. MV Ever Given Freed! Suez Canal Set for Reopening
Egypt’s Suez Canal will reopen for shipping traffic in both directions on Monday evening after a giant container ship which had been blocking the busy waterway for almost a week was refloated, with more than 400 ships waiting to pass through. The Suez Canal Authority’s chairman Osama Rabie said the channel was navigable after the 400-meter (430-yard) long vessel Ever Given was freed undamaged earlier on Monday. https://gcaptain.com/mv-ever-given-freed-suez-canal-set-for-reopening/
6. Global Economy Girds for Latest Supply Jolt in Suez Mess
Six thousand miles from the Suez Canal in the U.S. Midwest, the chief executive of a multinational maker of industrial adhesives has one eye on the clogged trade artery and another on the ways to minimize the fallout on his $2.8 billion company. “It just adds to the ongoing stress in the supply chain” for chemicals, Jim Owens, president and CEO of St. Paul, Minnesota-based H.B. Fuller Co., told Wall Street analysts as salvage crews failed to clear the Egyptian waterway late last week. https://gcaptain.com/global-economy-girds-for-latest-supply-jolt-in-suez-mess/
7. Captain Nick Sloane, The Salvage Master Who Raised The Costa Concordia, Discusses What It Will Take to Refloat The Ever Given – Interview
Billions of dollars worth of global trade is hanging in the balance as salvage efforts continue to refloat the MV Ever Given in the Suez Canal. The impact of the event now rests entirely on how long it takes to refloat the ship to restore maritime commerce through the critical chokepoint that offers the shortest route between Asia and Europe. https://gcaptain.com/salvage-master-nick-sloane-ever-given-interview/
8. Euronav chief De Stoop upbeat on ammonia as fuel
Ammonia fuel technology, he said, would be available for both newbuilds and retrofits, an important consideration for owners concerned over stranded assets in the future. “When do we think we’re going to be ready, or the industry is going to be ready to produce such a vessel? We’re talking about 2024 at best, most probably 2025,” De Stoop told the virtual Argus Green Ammonia Conference last Thursday. https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/tankers/euronav-chief-de-stoop-upbeat-ammonia-fuel
9. Seafarers And Aircrew Need Priority COVID-19 Vaccination
The heads of five UN organizations have called for maritime and air transport workers to be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination, given their key role in supporting global trade and mobility, which is essential for a sustainable socio-economic recovery. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Seafarers+and+aircrew+need+priority+COVID-19+vaccination
10. Coal India Likely To Post Marginal Production Degrowth In FY21
World’s largest miner Coal India is likely to post marginal contraction of its output for the year 2020-21 by 5-6 million tonne in 2020-21 as its production will below the 600 million mark, sources said on Sunday. In 2019-20, the miner produced 602 million tonne down from 606.9 million in 2018-19 when it registered its highest production. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Coal+India+likely+to+post+marginal+production+degrowth+in+FY21
