1. New BIMCO/ICS Seafarer Workforce Report warns of serious potential officer shortage
Launched today, the new Seafarer Workforce Report from BIMCO and the International Chamber of Shipping warns that the industry must significantly increase training and recruitment levels if it is to avoid a serious shortage in the total supply of officers by 2026. Given the growing demand for STCW certified officers, the Report predicts that there will be a need for an additional 89,510 officers by 2026 to operate the world merchant fleet. The report estimates that 1.89 million seafarers currently serve the world merchant fleet, operating over 74,000 vessels around the globe. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/07/29/new-bimco-ics-seafarer-workforce-report-warns-of-serious-potential-officer-shortage/
2. Grandweld Shipyards completes the delivery of the Surfer 2 crew boat for Allianz Middle East Ship Management LLC
Grandweld Shipyards, a leading UAE-based shipbuilding and ship repair facility, successfully delivered the second of the three new 42-meter crew boats (GrandSuperior), built for Allianz Middle East Ship Management LLC, a leading provider of offshore support vessels and marine logistics services. Named Allianz Surfer 2, the crew boat is expected to join the charter contract for ADNOC offshore projects, as part of the UAE’s strategy to increase its oil and gas production capacity. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/07/29/grandweld-shipyards-completes-the-delivery-of-the-surfer-2-crew-boat-for-allianz-middle-east-ship-management-llc/
3. ONE offers free transportation of oxygen tanks to India to fight the COVID-19
Ocean Network Express (ONE) supports India’s ongoing fight against the second wave of COVID-19 with free freight transportation of empty ISO tank containers from Taiwan to Mundra for their consignee, Reliance Industries, according to ONE’s release. The tank containers, upon reaching their destination, will contribute towards addressing the oxygen supply shortage that hampers COVID care. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/07/29/one-offers-free-transportation-of-oxygen-tanks-to-india-to-fight-the-covid-19/
4. Freight association sees no change in container shipping fundamentals for months … possibly years
In response to concerns expressed by its members, the trade association that represents UK freight forwarding and logistics companies has been monitoring conditions in the global container market for some time, liaising with international organisations in order to compare market conditions around the world.
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/freight-association-sees-no-change-in-container-shipping-fundamentals-for-months-possibly-years/
5. Containers are being built at a record pace. It’s still not enough
When will the container capacity crunch finally ease? For an early indicator, keep an eye on production of the humble 40-foot dry cargo box. If the volume and cost of new containers pull back, supply chain pressures are abating.
Unfortunately for beleaguered cargo shippers, these bellwethers now imply the opposite: that the scramble for container capacity is growing even more intense. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/containers-are-being-built-at-a-record-pace-its-still-not-enough/
6. ETF and ECSA welcome WHO decision to prioritise seafarers’ vaccination
On July 16, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released its updated guidance for the organisation’s vaccine roadmap in order to provide a framework for overall programme priorities, listing seafarers on cargo ships as a key group that should be prioritised in the case of limited supplies. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) – which had repeatedly advocated for a fair global distribution of vaccines as to include seafarers – praised the WHO recommendations.
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/etf-and-ecsa-welcome-who-decision-to-prioritise-seafarers-vaccination/
7. A guide to mental health at sea
Seafarer wellbeing has been a focal topic for Standard Club in recent years, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic and we are always heartened when we see other organisations echoing this belief and doing more for seafarers in this aspect. Mental Health Support Solutions have recently published a new pocket book on A Guide to Mental Health at Sea. Specifically targeted at seafarers, it will present seafarers with helpful tips and easy ways to improve their wellbeing on board and ashore. Through simple methods, theories and illustrations seafarers can learn how to always stay on top of their mental health. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/a-guide-to-mental-health-at-sea/
8. Baltic Index Slips On Weaker Panamax, Capesize Rates
The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index fell on Wednesday, as weaker demand for panamax and capesize vessels weighed. The index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels carrying dry bulk commodities, fell 12 points, or 0.4%, to 3,154. The capesize index lost 3 points to 3,841, its lowest since July 22. Average daily earnings for capesizes, which typically transport 150,000-tonne cargoes of iron ore, inched $24 lower to $31,856. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Baltic+index+slips+on+weaker+panamax%2C+capesize+rates
9. DNV Backs Crew Change Programme In South East Asia
DNV, the world’s leading classification society and risk management expert, is embarking on an instrumental role in helping to facilitate safe crew changes amid South East Asia’s COVID crisis as an auditor in the multi-party backed CrewSafe programme.CrewSafe is the creation of the Singapore Shipping Tripartite Alliance Resilience (SG-STAR) Fund Task Force (SFTF), which was established by the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), Singapore Maritime Officer’s Union (SMOU) and the Singapore Organisation of Seamen (SOS) and later joined by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), the International Maritime Employers’ Council (IMEC) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS). https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/DNV+backs+crew+change+programme+in+South+East+Asia
10. Container Crisis, High Freight Charges Hit Exports From Kolkata
A shortage of containers and increased freight charges are adversely affecting exports from Kolkata causing apprehensions of huge financial and business loss, exporters said on Tuesday. The crisis of vessel space and containers is nationwide but the situation is worse in Kolkata, they said. “Availability of containers is less than half of the demand causing disruptions in exports and delivery schedule has gone haywire. Predictability of availability of container and freight rates is not there anymore. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Container+crisis%2C+high+freight+charges+hit+exports+from+Kolkata