1. European Commission’s Fit for 55 Package: Chamber expresses concern about the effectiveness of the proposed measures and their impact on European shipping, welcomes however the recognition of the role of the commercial operator in shipping’s decarbonisation
European Commission’s Fit for 55 Package: Chamber expresses concern about the effectiveness of the proposed measures and their impact on European shipping, welcomes however the recognition of the role of the commercial operator in shipping’s decarbonisation. The Chamber fully recognizes the need for immediate action to face the climate crisis. However, the shipping related proposals issued by the European Commission last week, as part of their “Fit for 55” package to address the climate crisis, may prove ineffective and at the same time greatly impact European shipowners and undermine global efforts to meet the required environmental objectives. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/07/23/european-commissions-fit-for-55-package-chamber-expresses-concern-about-the-effectiveness-of-the-proposed-measures-and-their-impact-on-european-shipping-welcomes-however-the-recognition-of-the-rol/
2. The Czech Republic and Germany signed an agreement on navigability of Elbe River
The navigability of Elbe River will allow for an eco-friendly waterborne transport and improve conditions for international trade and tourism in the Czech Republic. The German Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure Andreas Scheuer and his Czech counterpart Karel Havlíček signed an agreement on navigation of Elbe River.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/07/23/the-czech-republic-and-germany-signed-an-agreement-on-navigability-of-elbe-river/
3. IMO welcomes prioritisation of seafarers in WHO vaccine roadmap
MO Secretary-General Kitack Lim has welcomed the World Health Organization‘s decision to name seafarers as one of the groups of transportation workers that should be prioritised for COVID-19 vaccination in instances of limited supplies. The updated guidance for Stage II of its vaccine roadmap from the WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) states: “Seafarers and air crews who work on vessels that carry goods and no passengers, with special attention to seafarers who are stranded at sea and prevented from crossing international borders for crew change due to travel restrictions.” https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/07/23/imo-welcomes-prioritization-of-seafarers-in-who-vaccine-roadmap/
4. Port of Rotterdam rebounds after corona dip
In the first six months of 2021, throughput in the port of Rotterdam was 231.6 million tonnes, a rise of 5.8% compared with the same period last year. Despite this increase, throughput volume has not yet recovered from last year’s corona dip. In the first half of the year, there was primarily an increase in incoming and outgoing flows of iron ore, coal and containers. The Port Authority’s financial results were good. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/07/23/port-of-rotterdam-rebounds-after-corona-dip/
5. U.S. and Germany End Energy Rift With Nord Stream 2 Accord
The U.S. and Germany have completed a deal approving completion of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, effectively ending a longstanding rift over German gas purchases from Russia, the allies confirmed Wednesday. Under the agreement, Germany commits to taking action if Russia tries to use energy as a weapon against Ukraine, a decision that may mark a concession from Chancellor Angela Merkel, who had previously balked at making independent moves against the Kremlin over the gas pipeline that will run from Russia to Germany and could allow Moscow to bypass Ukraine. https://gcaptain.com/u-s-and-germany-end-energy-rift-with-nord-stream-2-accord/
6. NASSCO Christens First John Lewis-Class Fleet Oiler
General Dynamics NASSCO has christened the future USNS John Lewis (T-AO 205), the first ship for the U.S. Navy’s John Lewis-class fleet oiler program. A christening ceremony for the vessel was held over the weekend and attended by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), serving as the principal speak, along with representatives from NASSCO and the U.S. Navy. The ship’s sponsor, Alfre Woodard Spencer, christened the ship with the traditional champagne bottle break alongside the hull. https://gcaptain.com/nassco-christens-first-john-lewis-class-fleet-oiler/
7. Russia to Build LNG-powered Icebreakers for Arctic Sea Route
Russia plans to build its first batch of icebreakers that are powered by liquified natural gas, a top official said on Friday, returning to an idea that was put on hold. Russia has the world’s only fleet of nuclear-powered icebreakers. It is building up that fleet, hoping to develop the Northern Sea Route across its northern flank into an international shipping lane as climate change melts the ice. https://www.marinelink.com/news/russia-build-lngpowered-icebreakers-489408
8. Ten Men Get 12 Years in Prison for Chinese Ship Hijacking
A court in Lagos sentenced 10 men to 12 years in prison on Friday for kidnapping the crew of a Chinese-flagged merchant vessel last year, the navy said, a verdict that officials hope will help tackle piracy in the waters off Nigeria’s coast. Federal high court Justice Ayokunle Faji, who also fined each man 250,000 naira ($608) for each of the three counts for which they were charged, said their actions in kidnapping 18 crew from the FV HAILUFENG II in May 2020, were “an embarrassment to the nation that has impacted the economy negatively”. https://www.marinelink.com/news/ten-men-years-prison-chinese-ship-489405
9. Baltic Index Records Best Week In Five On Capesize Surge
The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index ended higher on Friday to notch its biggest weekly gain in five weeks, as a surge in capesize rates outweighed losses in the panamax segment. The index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels carrying dry bulk commodities, rose 96 points, or 3.1%, to 3,199, its highest since July 13. The index gained 5.3% this week. The capesize index jumped 286 points, or nearly 7.9%, to 3,915, its highest in over three weeks and added 13.8% for the week. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Baltic+Index+Records+Best+Week+In+Five+On+Capesize+Surge
10. Ship Inspection: Substance Over Matter
Ajit Kurup, who used to work as a technical superintendent was frustrated with the inspection reports he received. “I was left with more questions than answers,” Ajit quipped. He is a firm believer that inspection reports should be accurate, concise, factual, and well-structured. And since there was a gap in the market, armed with his experience, Ajit took it upon himself to meet the demand for quality inspections and reports. This principle continues to guide him and his team when it comes to ship inspection operations. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Ship+Inspection%3A+Substance+Over+Matter
