1. Swan Hellenic engages V.Ships Leisure & Oceanic to ensure exceptional on-board service
Swan Hellenic announced that V.Ships Leisure, together with sister brand Oceanic, have been awarded the ship and hotel management of its three forthcoming cultural expedition cruise ships. Swan Hellenic’s historic project to revive the iconic brand has been supported by V.Ships Leisure from the outset with their team already on site at Helsinki Shipyard, supervising the construction of Swan Hellenic’s fleet to ensure its rigorous standards are implemented throughout each vessel. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/06/03/swan-hellenic-engages-v-ships-leisure-oceanic-to-ensure-exceptional-on-board-service/
2. ECSA and ETF renew their joint call for prompt seafarers’ vaccination.
The recognized European social partners of the maritime transport sector – ETF and ECSA – issued a Joint Statement on the recognition of seafarers as key workers that reiterates their previous calls for seafarers’ prompt vaccination. The Joint Statement aims at assisting Member States in safeguarding the health and wellbeing of seafarers – including through access to vaccination – in order for them to continue performing their key work.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/06/03/ecsa-and-etf-renew-their-joint-call-for-prompt-seafarers-vaccination/
3. Nordic consortium reveals promising outlook for a green ammonia-powered vessel
NYK Line, Nihon Shipyard, and Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) signed an MOU with Yara International* (Yara),Yara is a world leader in ammonia, with long experience and leading positions within global ammonia production, logistics and trade, to jointly study the practical application of an ammonia-fueled ammonia gas carrier (AFAGC) that uses ammonia as its main fuel. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/06/03/nyk-made-an-agreement-with-yara-international-for-a-joint-study-of-ammonia-fueled-ammonia-gas-carrier/
4. Stena Bulk bolsters ECO MR fleet with additional newbuilding charters
Leading tanker shipping company Stena Bulk announced that it is taking two brand new Eco Medium Range (MR) tankers – to be named Stena Convoyand Stena Conductor – on long term time charter from close Japanese partners.
The two ultra-modern MR tankers are being built at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard and will be delivered in the first half of 2022. The 50,000DWT vessels will come in at 183m in length and are being fitted with scrubbers to ensure compliance with global emissions regulations. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/06/03/stena-bulk-bolsters-eco-mr-fleet-with-additional-newbuilding-charters/
5. Russia Nearing Completion of Nord Stream 2 Pipeline
Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea is almost complete with just 100 kilometers (62 miles) left to build, TASS news agency quoted Russian deputy prime minister Alexander Novak as saying on Thursday. “We hope that construction works on Nord Stream 2 will be completed by the end of this year,” Novak told reporters of progress on the pipeline, which will allow Russia to ship more gas to Western Europe, while bypassing Ukraine. https://gcaptain.com/russia-nearing-completion-of-nord-stream-2-pipeline/
6. A Club for Old Sailors? New York Times Article Blasts IMO’s Secrecy
Shipping’s relationship with the general news media has never been a good one. Secrecy of individual companies, based on tradition, and perhaps- fear of divulging competitive secrets, has kept the media mainly in the dark, which is the way that many industry folks have preferred it. Over the past year, two major swirling currents are shining an unwelcome light on the business. https://gcaptain.com/a-club-for-old-sailors-new-york-times-article-blasts-imos-secrecy/
7. Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Ferries Hit by Cyber Attack
The operator of a ferry service to and from Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard and Woods Hole, Mass. said it was hit by a ransomware attack on Wednesday that continues to impact passenger bookings. The attack has prevented passengers from booking or changing reservations online or over the phone, local officials said, adding that credit card payment systems used to process ticket purchases and parking fees have also been affected. https://www.marinelink.com/news/marthas-vineyard-nantucket-ferries-hit-488166
8. Singapore Authorities Investigate Stricken Cargo Ship off Sri Lanka
Singapore authorities said that they have started their own investigation into a stricken cargo ship carrying tonnes of chemicals that caught fire off Sri Lanka’s west coast. The Singapore-registered MV X-Press Pearl, carrying 1,486 containers, including 25 tonnes of nitric acid along with other chemicals and cosmetics, was anchored off Sri Lanka’s west coast when a fire erupted onboard after an explosion on May 20. https://www.marinelink.com/news/singapore-authorities-investigate-488159
9. Rising Iron Ore Supply May Cool Prices Where China Jawboning Fails
China’s seaborne imports of iron ore are likely to have edged higher in May, helping to address the problem Beijing faces in trying to control rising prices in an environment of strong demand for the steel-making ingredient. About 89.8 million tonnes of iron ore was discharged at Chinese ports in May, according to preliminary figures compiled by Refinitiv from vessel-tracking and port data. The final May figure may be higher given some cargoes may still be assessed as having been offloaded in the month. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Rising+iron+ore+supply+may+cool+prices+where+China+jawboning+fails
10. Coal India Offtake Up 38% To 55 MT In May
State-owned Coal India Ltd on Tuesday said its coal offtake rose by 38% to 55 million tonnes (MT) in May on the back of revival of fuel demand from the power sector. Spurred by the revival of coal demand from power sector, Coal India Ltd (CIL) scripted the highest ever coal off-take of 55 million tonnes for the month of May (in any year) so far,” the PSU said in a statement. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Coal+India+offtake+up+38%25+to+55+MT+in+May
