InterManager Daily News 01.10.2021.

1. BIMCO submits proposal to IMO to extend BWM experience-building phase

The EBP was established when the BWM Convention came into force on 8 September 2017, with the aim of gathering experience from real life situations when the convention is in force. Based on the experience gained, the BWM Convention will be reviewed and, if required, a set of amendments will be made to make it more robust. The EBP is structured in three stages. Data gathering stage, Data analysis stage, and Convention review stage. At the end of the EBP, if applicable, a full set of amendments will be proposed to the BWM Convention. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/09/30/bimco-submits-proposal-to-imo-to-extend-bwm-experience-building-phase/

2. CMA CGM introduces NETWORKING services, the industry’s first business matchmaking marketplace

The new platform developed in collaboration with CEVA Logistics is available to the customers of CMA CGM and of the Group’s brands ANL, CNC, Mercosul Lines, Containerships and CEVA Logistics in 160 countries. It is open to all commodities not subject to specific regulations. Exporters can showcase their products and services, and importers can find new suppliers directly on the platform, which also allows them to negotiate online. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/09/30/cma-cgm-introduces-networking-services-the-industrys-first-business-matchmaking-marketplace/

3. Narcotics smuggling: increasing risk for ships

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) recently released its World Drug Report 2020, revealing that the trafficking of drugs by air to varying degrees has been impacted by the restrictions of movement and the closure of borders to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Due to the restrictions imposed on air travel, the biggest impact on drug trafficking can thus be expected in countries where a large proportion of drugs is trafficked by air. However, although COVID-19 has caused disruptions in global supply chains, cocaine smuggling has thrived with the increased use of commercial shipping and there has been a growth in shipment sizes and the organised criminal gangs (OGCs) behind them have become more inventive. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/09/30/narcotics-smuggling-increasing-risk-for-ships/

4. Port of Melbourne ready to roll on new rail transformation project

Port of Melbourne is a step closer to implementing a critical rail solution to meet the needs of a growing port, having awarded the construction contract to move ahead with the Port Rail Transformation Project (PRTP). The PRTP will enable more containers to be moved by rail more efficiently, by-passing roads in inner Melbourne. The project will increase rail terminal capacity and improve rail terminal operations. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/09/30/port-of-melbourne-ready-to-roll-on-new-rail-transformation-project/

5. Subsea 7 wins new contract worth more than $750m

Subsea 7 said it has been awarded a major contract worth in excess of $750m, without disclosing the project or client. The Oslo-listed player said the new award extends the engineering, project management and procurement scope of the contract announced in March this year. The scope of work includes the provision and installation of infield flowlines, control umbilicals, tie-in connections, associated subsea equipment, a gas export pipeline and a monoethylene glycol injection pipeline. https://splash247.com/subsea-7-wins-new-contract-worth-more-than-750m/

6. Canada pension fund to buy Ports America from Oaktree

Founded in 1921, Ports America has 70 locations in 33 ports across the country. The company annually handles 13.4m teu, 10m tons of general cargo, 2.5m vehicles and 1.7m cruise ship passengers. It has a network of 28 container terminals in 18 ports, including Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey, Baltimore and Miami and holds around one third of the US container market share. https://splash247.com/canada-pension-fund-to-buy-ports-america-from-oaktree/

7. Trade Groups Urge UN to End Humanitarian Crisis for Supply Chain Workers

A group of some of the world’s top trade organizations representing transport workers from across maritime, aviation and trucking are calling on the world’s heads of government to end a ‘global humanitarian and supply chain crisis.’ In an open letter published Wednesday, on the day of UN General Assembly’s General Debate in New York, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) joined the International Road Transport Union (IRU), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), in making an urgent plea to the world’s heads of government to restore freedom of movement to transport workers. https://gcaptain.com/trade-groups-urge-un-to-end-humanitarian-crisis-for-supply-chain-workers/

8. Commercial Fisherman Medevaced After Stingray Sting Off Long Island

A crew member from a Rhode Island-based fishing vessel had to be medevaced over the weekend after being struck by a stingray off Long Island, New York, the U.S. Coast Guard reported. The victim was medevaced from the commercial fishing vessel Shelby Ann approximately 40 miles southwest of Montauk on Sunday evening. Watchstanders from the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound command center received notification on VHF radio channel 16 that a crewmember was struck by a stingray barb below the knee and showing signs of shock. https://gcaptain.com/commercial-fisherman-medevaced-after-stingray-sting-off-long-island/

9. IMO-Singapore Searchable Web Portal Compiles Maritime Transport Decarbonisation Initiatives For Collaboration And Cooperation

The NextGEN web portal, an online collaborative global ecosystem of maritime transport decarbonisation initiatives, has been launched by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). NextGEN – which can be found at NextGEN (imo.org) – brings stakeholders together to identify the gaps and opportunities for decarbonisation in the international shipping community. The portal has been developed to serve as a circle of collaboration and a single portal to bring different stakeholders involved in maritime decarbonisation projects. These include ports, governments, companies, research institutes, to share knowledge on low- and zero-carbon fuels. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/IMO-Singapore+searchable+web+portal+compiles+maritime+transport+decarbonisation+initiatives+for+collaboration+and+cooperation

10. HSFO Demand Firm As Scrubbers Win Over Upgrading Projects – Expert

Contrary to initial expectations and despite the thrust on cleaner marine fuels due to the International Maritime Organization’s global low sulfur mandate, the high sulfur bunker fuel market has remained strong as scrubbing remains a favorable option, global research and consulting company BLUE Insight’s director Adrian Tolson said. Very low sulfur fuel oil currently represents 60%-65% of global bunker demand and sufficient supply exists. But VLSFO demand will likely drop as alternatives enter the market and additional scrubbers will be installed, Tolson said in a pre-recorded video for the 37th Asia Pacific Petroleum Conference, or APPEC 2021, organized by S&P Global Platts from Sept. 27-29.

When IMO 2020 came up, shipowners had two routes to compliance — install scrubbing technology and continue to buy HSFO, or use compliant VLSFO fuel in main engines. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/HSFO+demand+firm+as+scrubbers+win+over+upgrading+projects+–+expert