1. ICS launches new guidance for seafarers and shipowners to navigate ongoing pandemic challenges
On the first day of London International Shipping Week, the International Chamber of Shipping has published new and updated guidance to protect seafarers and shipowners against the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. The free resources include guidance on vaccinations, manning agents, mental health issues, and shore leave. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/09/14/ics-launches-new-guidance-for-seafarers-and-shipowners-to-navigate-ongoing-pandemic-challenges/
2. UK calls for zero global shipping emissions by 2050 as greenest ever London International Shipping Week begins
Marking the start of the greenest London International Shipping Week yet, the UK backs a world leading absolute zero target for international shipping emissions by 2050, the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has announced today (Monday 13th September). This target, which would need to be agreed through the International Maritime Organization, would be a significant increase of ambition for the sector, which is currently accountable for 3% of global emissions. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/09/13/uk-calls-for-zero-global-shipping-emissions-by-2050-as-greenest-ever-london-international-shipping-week-begins/
3. CMA CGM makes the decision to stop all spot rate increases
Since the beginning of 2021, container shipping spot freight rates have continued to rise due to port congestion and the major imbalance between demand and maritime container transport effective capacity. Although these market-driven rate increases are expected to continue in the coming months, the Group has decided to put any further increases in spot freight rates on hold for all services operated under its brands (CMA CGM, CNC, Containerships, Mercosul, ANL, APL). https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/09/14/44267/
4. Associated British Ports signs new 10-year agreement with Island Steel at Newport
Associated British Ports (ABP) has signed a new 10-year agreement with Island Steel, one of the UK’s major steel service centres at the Port of Newport, the only one based on an ABP port. Island Steel, who has been a customer at the Port of Newport since 1994, currently occupies a purpose-built 100,000 sq. ft. facility, which is entirely powered by solar energy, produced on-site. The new agreement sees Island Steel’s site expand an extra 1.2 acres, allowing them to further develop its relationship with the port and the wider steel industry, whilst maintaining its stellar health and safety record. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/09/14/associated-british-ports-signs-new-10-year-agreement-with-island-steel-at-newport/
5. Dockworkers vow to shun autonomous vessels
The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) – speaking for dockworkers at ports in the US and eastern Canada – said that its members will not load or unload autonomous container ships. ILA president Harold Daggett said in a release, “Workers around the world are under assault from the threat of automation by greedy companies only interested in making money and eliminating workers who helped them build their success and companies. It’s got to stop, and my ILA will do what it needs to do to save our jobs and the jobs of maritime workers around the world. https://splash247.com/dockworkers-vow-to-shun-autonomous-vessels/
6. Castor Maritime seals three new charters
Nasdaq-listed Greek owner Castor Maritime has landed time charter contracts for three of its bulk carriers. The charterers have not been disclosed. The 2010-built kamsarmax Magic Nebula has been fixed on a time charter contract at a daily rate of $31,750. The charter commenced on September 4, 2021, and has a minimum duration of six months and a maximum duration of eight months. https://splash247.com/castor-maritime-seals-three-new-charters/
7. New Guidance Helps Seafarers and Shipowners Navigate Pandemic Challenges
Despite improvements in vaccination rates among the world’s seafarers, currently only 25% are fully vaccinated and most are not in line to receive the vaccine through national programs until at least 2022, the International Chamber of Shipping said Monday upon publishing new guidance for seafarers and shipowners address challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://gcaptain.com/new-guidance-helps-seafarers-and-shipowners-navigate-pandemic-challenges/
8. U.S. Energy Firms Face Another Storm Hit
Royal Dutch Shell on Monday began evacuating staff from a U.S. Gulf of Mexico oil platform, and other energy companies began preparing for hurricane-force winds from a second Gulf Coast storm in as many weeks. Tropical Storm Nicholas was off the southern coast of Texas on Monday and moving north with winds of 60 miles per hour (97 kph) and could become a hurricane just ahead of landfall, according to the National Hurricane Center. https://gcaptain.com/u-s-energy-firms-face-another-storm-hit/
9. Visakhapatnam Port Trust Set To Double Cargo Handling Capacity
Visakhapatnam Port Trust is all set to increase its handling capacity from the present 2.5 million tonnes to 4.5 million tonnes with the modernisation of its three cargo berths, for which tendering process will commence in two months. According to Port Chairman K Ramamohana Rao, the port achieved nine per cent growth in cargo operations till August this year compared to previous year despite the pandemic. He said a significant growth was registered in thermal coal (125 per cent), steam coal (65 per cent), containers (8 per cent) and coking coal (6 per cent). The VPT got 4th rank among major ports in terms of cargo handling this year. “We are also exploring alternative cargo such as rice, coking coal, etc, to see there is no shortfall in volume.’’ https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Visakhapatnam+Port+Trust+set+to+double+cargo+handling+capacity
10. Asia Refiners To Get Full Saudi Crude Supplies In Oct, Didn’t Ask For Extra
Saudi Aramco (2222.SE) has notified at least seven buyers across Asia that it would supply full contractual volumes of crude oil in October, though none of them asked for additional supplies despite deep price cuts, sources with knowledge of the matter said on Monday. The full allocation comes as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies including Russia agreed to ease supply cuts by 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) each month between August and December. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Asia+refiners+to+get+full+Saudi+crude+supplies+in+Oct%2C+didn’t+ask+for+extra
