1. Maersk Containership Diverts Due to Onboard COVID-19 Outbreak
The containership Maersk Athabasca has diverted to Vizhinjam, India due to a suspected COVID-19 outbreak on board while en route from Tanjung Pelapas, Malaysia to Colombo, Sri Lanka. Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) said Monday it was informed of the diversion by its partner Maersk. The Singapore-flagged Maersk Athabasca is deployed on MSC’s elephant service, under Maersk and MSC’s 2M Alliance. https://www.marinelink.com/news/maersk-containership-diverts-due-onboard-486774
2. Baltic Dry Index as of April 9
On 9 April 2021, the Baltic Dry Index fell to 2,085 points, down 3 points (-0.14%) versus the level of April 8. BDI is a number issued daily by the London-based Baltic Exchange. Not restricted to Baltic Sea countries, the index provides “an assessment of the price of moving the major raw materials by sea. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/04/12/baltic-dry-index-as-of-april-9/
3. Disney Cruise Line reaches key construction milestone as the Disney Wish comes to life
Disney Cruise Line reached a significant construction milestone marked by the traditional keel laying ceremony of the Disney Wish, the first of three new ships in the line’s fleet expansion. Also announced today, the magic of Captain Minnie Mouse will come to life for the first time through whimsical artwork on the bow of the Disney Wish, a hallmark of Disney Cruise Line vessels. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/04/12/disney-cruise-line-reaches-key-construction-milestone-as-the-disney-wish-comes-to-life/
4. China’s Yangtze River Protection Law is now in force
A new Chinese environmental law that bans the carriage of a range of highly toxic and dangerous chemicals in the Yangtze River Basin took effect on 1 March 2021. Violation of the law may lead to substantial fines and ship operators trading in this area should carry out appropriate due diligence to check whether any cargoes carried are on the lists of banned chemicals. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/04/12/chinas-yangtze-river-protection-law-is-now-in-force/
5. Meet Melanated Mariners
Last summer, in the wake of the death of George Floyd in the US during his arrest by police and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, Buki Hough a marine personnel manager at Seaspan, became engaged in more conversations about diversity, then started a new group called Melanated Mariners.
“I just felt like something really switched in me,” she told Tradewinds News. https://gcaptain.com/melanated-mariners/
6. The super-strength mooring line solution from Teijin
When it comes to mooring, strength is essential – especially in extreme conditions. Not only is it crucial to commercial success, but also to the safety of crew members and port workers. With Teijin para-aramid fibers Twaron® and Technora®, you can be completely confident of your mooring lines’ strength. These fibers are proven to provide maximum durability and reliability – particularly at extreme temperatures and UV levels. https://gcaptain.com/the-super-strength-mooring-line-solution-from-teijin/
7. San Francisco Group Blames Ships For Dead Whales
Four dead gray whales washed ashore on San Francisco Bay area beaches in nine days, with experts announcing that two of the giant aquatic mammals died from ship strikes and an investigation is ongoing Saturday on the other two. Biologists with the non-profit Marine Mammal Center in California said in a release Saturday that two dead whales washed ashore in the Bay area on Thursday, joining two more that were discovered dead in area beaches since March 31. https://gcaptain.com/san-francisco-ships-dead-whales/
8. Crew change challenge remains, push for global seafarer vaccination programme
“For the maritime sector the most important is crew change, something we’re still challenged with,” Caroline Yang, President of Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) told a media briefing organised by the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) ahead of Singapore Maritime Week 2021.
https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/regulation/crew-change-challenge-remains-push-global-seafarer-vaccination-programme
9. CMA CGM Jacques Saade Sets Loaded Containers Record
FRENCH shipping giant CMA CGM said its 23,000-TEU mega ship CMA CGM Jacques Saade has set a new world record for the highest number of full containers loaded on board a single vessel The ultra-large containership (ULCS) – the world’s largest powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) – departed the port of Singapore last Thursday carrying 21,433 full TEU on board, surpassing its previous record of 20,723 set in October. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/CMA+CGM+Jacques+Saade+sets+loaded+containers+record
10. IMO 2020 And Beyond: Review Of Marine Fuels Quality
Following implementation of the IMO 2020 global sulphur cap (on 1 January 2020), the club published an article relating to the operational experience on the transition to compliant fuel blends. There have been industry concerns over the uncertainty and potential diversity of the very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) characteristics. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/IMO+2020+and+beyond%3A+Review+of+marine+fuels+quality
