1. Blockchain and Shipping: Can it work?
The new era which we are all currently living in, entails digitization, computer coding, digital information, while new technological infrastructures are taking their place as the new leading mechanisms around the world. We are witnessing great efforts by organizations and corporations in changing their infrastructure and their business model to be able to respond to the demands of this new era. Of course, the industry of shipping could not be left out of this innovation and change that is taking place. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/04/29/blockchain-and-shipping-can-it-work/
2. Statement by IMO Secretary-General, Kitack Lim, on 2021 World Day for Safety and Health at Work
On 28 April, we celebrate World Day for Safety and Health at Work. This has always been an important day for the maritime sector and for the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which is responsible for the safety and security of shipping. This day is particularly significant in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While everyone around the world has been impacted by the pandemic to some extent, this crisis has taken a particularly hard toll on seafarers, who have continued to operate as key workers in the global supply chain. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/04/29/statement-by-imo-secretary-general-kitack-lim-on-2021-world-day-for-safety-and-health-at-work/
3. Successful launch for the first new Finnlines’ hybrid ro-ro vessel at the Nanjing Jinling Shipyard
The first new Finnlines’ hybrid ro-ro vessel was launched at the Nanjing Jinling Shipyard on 26 April 2021. The vessel will start sailing under the Finnish flag at the turn of the year. This is highly significant in terms of Finnish sea personnel and Finland’s security of supply. An important milestone in Finnlines’ EUR 0.5 billion green Newbuilding Programme has been reached and the first vessel in the three ro-ro vessels series was launched at the Nanjing Jinling Shipyard on 26 April 2021. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/04/29/successful-launch-for-the-first-new-finnlines-hybrid-ro-ro-vessel-at-the-nanjing-jinling-shipyard/
4. IMO-EU maritime technology cooperation centre Network project extended
A key project to support the reduction of GHG emissions from shipping in developing countries through regional maritime technology cooperation centres has been extended to March 2022. This will allow this strategic project to continue its decarbonisation pilot projects and training and work towards financial sustainability in the longer term.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/04/29/imo-eu-maritime-technology-cooperation-centre-network-project-extended/
5. Higher Rates Lift Dry Index to Level Not Seen Since 2010
The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index, which tracks rates for ships ferrying dry bulk commodities, gained on Wednesday to its highest since September 2010, as demand strengthened across vessel segments.
https://gcaptain.com/higher-rates-lift-dry-index-to-level-not-seen-since-2010/
6. Mining Robot Stranded on Ocean Floor in Deep-sea Mining Trial
A seabed mining robot being tested on the Pacific Ocean floor at a depth of more than 4 km (13,000 ft) has become detached, the Belgian company running the experimental trial said on Wednesday. Global Sea Mineral Resources (GSR), the deep-sea exploratory division of dredging company DEME Group, has been testing Patania II, a 25-tonne mining robot prototype, in its concession in the Clarion Clipperton Zone since April 20. https://gcaptain.com/mining-robot-stranded-on-ocean-floor-in-deep-sea-mining-trial/
7. PSA Singapore clears Suez Canal backlog
While all the vessels stranded in the closure of the Suez Canal 23 – 29 March were cleared through the key waterway by 5 April transit times from Europe to Asia meant that the impact congestion was only felt in key Asian ports two or three weeks later. In mid-April the Singapore authorities said that PSA Singapore was gearing up to handle a backlog of containerships that were held up north of the canal when it was blocked by the grounded Ever Given https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/ports-logistics/psa-singapore-clears-suez-canal-backlog
8. What Happens When There Is an Oil Spill at Sea?
Clean-up crews worked on Wednesday to contain an oil spill in the Yellow Sea near the Chinese port city of Qingdao, a day after a tanker carrying around a million barrels of bitumen mix collided with a bulk vessel. While a preliminary study by Chinese maritime officials estimated about 500 tonnes (3,420 barrels) of oil had been spilled, it was still unclear as to the how much had been emptied into the sea. https://www.marinelink.com/news/happens-oil-spill-sea-487226
9. Higher Vessel Rates Lift Baltic Index To 10-1/2-Year Peak
The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index, which tracks rates for ships ferrying dry bulk commodities, gained on Wednesday to its highest since September 2010, as demand strengthened across vessel segments. The Baltic dry index, which tracks rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels rose 68 points, or 2.4%, to 2,957, a peak since mid-September 2010. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Higher+vessel+rates+lift+Baltic+index+to+10-1%2F2-year+peak
10. The Process Of Hong Kong Convention Statement Of Compliance Issuance
Hong Kong International Convention for Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (HKC) was adopted in 2009. For the HKC to come into force, three criteria were mentioned. Out of the three, only the first has been fulfilled as of today. Shipping industry stakeholders expect the last criterion to be fulfilled by 2023. But during this decade-long journey, recycling facility owners in India, Bangladesh, Turkey, and China came forward to comply with HKC Recycling Standards voluntarily. A Classification Society issues a Statement of Compliance (SOC) after technically verifying that a recycling yard is in line with the HKC-2009. Presently, ClassNK, IRS, RINA, LR, and BV are the leading classification societies that have developed the guidelines to issue a SOC to recycling facilities. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/The+Process+of+Hong+Kong+Convention+Statement+of+Compliance+issuance
