InterManager Daily News 27.07.2021.

1. LR: Turning to technology to tackle container ship fires
Safetytech Accelerator webinar assesses the complexities of container ship fires and how the maritime industry is innovating to address this challenge. Identifying the location of the outbreak of a fire onboard a large container ship can be “almost impossible” as it could be in any one of many thousand boxes located either “high up in a stack or buried deep onboard”. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/07/26/lr-turning-to-technology-to-tackle-container-ship-fires/

2. Qatar Airways Named Airline of the Year and Best Business Class by the 2021 Airline Ratings Awards
Qatar Airways has been named Airline of the Year 2021 by AirlineRatings. The airline has also clinched the Best Middle East Airline, Best Catering, and the Best Business Class awards. This marks the third year in a row Qatar Airways has achieved the Best Business Class accolade, recognising its patented Qsuite product. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/07/26/qatar-airways-named-airline-of-the-year-and-best-business-class-by-the-2021-airline-ratings-awards/

3. European Commission presents substantial Climate Package: Fit for 55

The European Commission proposed a historic package of climate measures to bring EU regulation in line with the new EU target of 55% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030. The proposals affect all sectors (industry, transport, energy, shipping, aviation) and form an important first step in making the continent climate neutral by 2050. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/07/26/european-commission-presents-substantial-climate-package-fit-for-55/

4. MSC Cruises published 2020 Sustainability Report: Navigating through pandemic
“We made significant progress in protecting our planet by reducing emissions through investment in new technologies like LNG, which are bringing us closer to achieving net carbon neutral operations by 2050, as well as other major accomplishments in looking after our people, caring for the places we visit, improving procurement and providing emergency support through the MSC Foundation. This year’s report is another important milestone in our journey towards fully sustainable and zero climate impact operations.” https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/07/26/msc-cruises-published-2020-sustainability-report-navigating-through-pandemic/

5. UK Chamber of Shipping reacts to DIT green trade report
A new report published by the Department for International Trade sets out how free and fair trade can support the low carbon transition and calls on UK to challenge green protectionism. Reacting to the report, UK Chamber of Shipping Policy Director Anna Ziou said: “The new report from DIT outlines the role of the shipping industry plays as a facilitator of green free trade. Shipping is a force for good and according to the report ships generate 25 to 250 times less emissions than trucks. Moving goods by sea can therefore help accelerate the global transition to a low-carbon economy. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/07/26/uk-chamber-of-shipping-reacts-to-dit-green-trade-report/
6. Scripps Gets $35M From California To Build A Hydrogen-Powered Research Vessel
California has given Scripps Institute of Oceanography $35 million to design and build a new coastal research vessel with a hydrogen-hybrid propulsion system to replace the aging R/V Robert Gordon Sproul. The new vessel, which will be operated by Scripps at UC San Diego, will serve as a platform for research dedicated to understanding the California coast and how climate change impacts the local ecosystem. https://gcaptain.com/scripps-hydrogen-research-vessel/

7. Indian Union Accuses China Of Unofficial Seafarer Ban
Today Indian media reported that Beijing has imposed an unofficial ban on ships crewed by Indian seafarers. The Times of India, which is the largest selling English-language daily newspaper in the world, says the ‘All India Seafarer & General Workers Union’ issued a written letter to the Indian government claiming that China is imposing an unofficial “ban” on Indian seafarers. They claim the ban prevents Indian nationals from entering Chinese ports and, as a result, “21,000 Indian sailors are facing job losses, directly or indirectly”. https://gcaptain.com/indian-union-accuses-china-of-unofficial-seafarer-ban/

8. Seafarer welfare overhaul needed to meet 2050 challenges
The report titled A Fair Future for Seafarers? was produced by Thetius and commissioned by Inmarsat to assess the challenges seafarers may face by 2050 and any steps the industry can take to best support seafarers in a changing market.
The report said that the maritime industry will undergo a technological change over the next few decades similar to that seen in other industries. “This includes levels of automation following a similar pattern to aviation. The number of people involved in operating a ship will likely reduce and the role of officers will move to monitoring an automated operation,” the report said. https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/crewing/seafarer-welfare-overhaul-needed-meet-2050-challenges

9. Surging Pirate Activities Threaten West African Maritime Trade: Expert
A surge in pirate activities in the Gulf of Guinea poses a grave threat to the survival and growth of west African maritime trade, an expert has said. Albert Derrick Fiatui, executive director of the Ghana-based Center for International Maritime Affairs, told Xinhua on Thursday that the increase in pirate activities in regional waters have had catastrophic effects on the economies. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Surging+Pirate+Activities+Threaten+West+African+Maritime+Trade%3A+Expert

10. Adani Ports To Raise $500 Mn Through Dollar Bonds
Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), the flagship ports operator of billionaire Gautam Adani’s group, is looking to raise at least $500 million on offshore debt through dollar bonds. The latest dollar bond issuance by Adani Ports follows a $500 million issuance in January and will be used for both refinancing existing debt as well as for capex. The proceeds will be used to repay existing debt, for capital expenditures and for general corporate purposes of the company and its subsidiaries in India and Sri Lanka, the company said. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Adani+Ports+to+raise+%24500+mn+through+dollar+bonds