1. Seaspan announces delivery of first of five 12,200 TEU newbuild containerships, first of seventy newbuilds announced
Seaspan Corporation ,a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlas Corp. , announced that it has accepted delivery of one 12,200 TEU containership, which will immediately begin an 18-year charter with a major liner customer. This vessel is the first of five newbuild containerships in this class. Bing Chen, Chairman, President and CEO of Seaspan, commented, “This delivery marks a major milestone in Seaspan’s continuing quality growth and unmatched ability to best serve our customers. About two months ahead of the scheduled delivery during a global pandemic is testament to how Seaspan creates value for our customers in a current vessel shortage market. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/10/06/seaspan-announces-delivery-of-first-of-five-12200-teu-newbuild-containerships-first-of-seventy-newbuilds-announced/
2. Kawasaki receives an order for an 86,700 m³ LPG-fueled LPG/ LAG Carrier
Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. announced that it has concluded a shipbuilding contract for an 86,700 m3 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and liquefied ammonia gas (LAG) carrier powered by LPG fuel for ENEOS Ocean Corporation. This is the 2nd LPG/LAG carrier for ENEOS Ocean Corporation. The vessel is equipped with separate cargo tanks designed to carry LPG and LAG at the same time. This contract represents their 73rd LPG carrier, 10th LPG-fueled LPG carrier and 3rd LPG/LAG carrier to be constructed by Kawasaki. Kawasaki plans to complete the construction of the vessel at its Sakaide Works in 2023. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/10/06/kawasaki-receives-an-order-for-an-86700-m³-lpg-fueled-lpg-lag-carrier/
3. Concordia Maritime signs agreements on new loan terms and conditions
Concordia Maritime has entered into binding agreements with lending banks regarding new loan terms and conditions for eight of the Company’s ten P-MAX vessels. The new terms and conditions are valid until the end of Q4 2024. The new agreements are fully in line with the term sheet that was announced on 12 July 2021. The main elements of the agreements are lower repayment rates and new covenant levels. Concordia Maritime intends shortly to enter into binding agreements with corresponding loan terms with the lender for the Company’s remaining two P-MAX vessels. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/10/06/concordia-maritime-signs-agreements-on-new-loan-terms-and-conditions/
4. Covid drives big demand for crew-change specialists
Crew change specialists are in big demand from shipping companies struggling to get seafarers on or off vessels because of Covid-19 travel restrictions, an industry figure has revealed. Authorities around the world have either closed ports or introduced entry measures to prevent potential coronavirus carriers from entering their country – making it difficult for ship owners to get crew in or out, according to Peter Smit, Co-CEO of Boers Crew Services. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/10/06/covid-drives-big-demand-for-crew-change-specialists/
5. MSEA Group, Arkview Capital and Scorpio Tankers form JV to acquire methanol pioneer Marinvest
Crew change specialists are in big demand from shipping companies struggling to get seafarers on or off vessels because of Covid-19 travel restrictions, an industry figure has revealed.
Authorities around the world have either closed ports or introduced entry measures to prevent potential coronavirus carriers from entering their country – making it difficult for ship owners to get crew in or out, according to Peter Smit, Co-CEO of Boers Crew Services. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/10/06/covid-drives-big-demand-for-crew-change-specialists/
6. Bangladesh shipbreaking sector sees highest quarterly death toll
Bangladesh shipbreaking yards have seen a record-breaking number of fatalities this quarter. According to the NGO Shipbreaking Platform, at least seven workers lost their lives while scrapping vessels on the beach of Chattogram – the worst quarter in terms of the number of accidents in Bangladeshi shipbreaking history. A few weeks ago, seven separate accidents that killed five workers were reported by the platform. Since then, two more fatalities have occurred. The fatalities were caused by explosions, falls from height, falling steel plates and exposure to toxic fumes. https://splash247.com/bangladesh-shipbreaking-sector-sees-highest-quarterly-death-toll/
7. NTSB Reports Probable Cause of Engine Room Fire Aboard Fishing Vessel ‘Master Dylan’
Failure of a diesel generator caused an engine room fire aboard a commercial fishing vessel in the Gulf of Mexico, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. No injuries were reported in connection with the December 1, 2020, fire aboard the 85-foot-long commercial fishing vessel Master Dylan, but the incident resulted in the total loss of the $300,000 vessel. https://gcaptain.com/ntsb-reports-probable-cause-of-engine-room-fire-aboard-fishing-vessel-master-dylan/
8. New York Lawmakers Call for Investigation of Merchant Marine Academy Cadet’s Alleged Sexual Assault
U.S. Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-Long Island, Queens) and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) have called for an immediate investigation after an unidentified female Midshipmen at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY alleged she was sexually assaulted during her Sea Year training on board a U.S. flag Maersk LIne, Limited ship. The victim told her story in an article published by a whistleblower websitewhich works to expose incidents of sexual assault and sexual harassment within the U.S. merchant marine. In her article, she details how she was raped by her supervisor, the ship’s First Engineer, during her Sea Year training in the Middle East. https://gcaptain.com/new-york-lawmakers-call-for-investigation-of-merchant-marine-academy-cadets-alleged-sexual-assault/
9. Baltic Index Extends Rally As Capesize Benchmark Breaches 10,000 Points
The Baltic Exchange’s main dry bulk sea freight index extended its rally on Wednesday as robust demand and port congestion propelled the capesize index above 10,000 points for the first time in more than 13 years. The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax, supramax and handysize vessels, rose 238 points, or 4.4%, to 5,647, its highest since September 2008. The gains in the main index were mostly driven by a jump in the capesize segment, which added 723 points, or 7.4%, to 10,475, a more than 13-year peak. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Baltic+index+extends+rally+as+capesize+benchmark+breaches+10%2C000+points
10. BIMCO Supports IMO Development Of Global Remote Inspection Guidelines
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the shipping industry has faced challenges when it comes to conducting surveys and inspections physically on board ships. As a result of social distancing requirements during the pandemic, remote surveys and inspections for the certification of materials and components have been successfully used and have proven to be a helpful alternative to on-site surveys. Now, global guidelines are needed. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/BIMCO+Supports+IMO+Development+Of+Global+Remote+Inspection+Guidelines
