1. Seanergy Maritime announces delivery & immediate period employment of M/V Dukeship
Seanergy Maritime announced the delivery of a previously-announced Capesize vessel acquisition, M/V Dukeship, and the simultaneous commencement of its time charter employment. In addition, the Company has successfully closed the previously- announced sustainability-linked loan facility with Piraeus Bank. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/12/03/seanergy-maritime-announces-delivery-immediate-period-employment-of-m-v-dukeship/
2. The Cyprus cabinet awarded natural gas exploration rights for an offshore block to a consortium made up of ExxonMobil and Qatar Petroleum
The Council of Ministers, during today’s meeting, approved the proposal of the Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry Mrs. Natasa Pilides for licensing of Section 5, of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Republic of Cyprus, to the consortium of companies Exloration Production Cyprus Offshore) Limited (manager, 60%) and Qatar Petroleum International Upstream LLC (40%). https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/12/02/the-cyprus-cabinet-awarded-natural-gas-exploration-rights-for-an-offshore-block-to-a-consortium-made-up-of-exxonmobil-and-qatar-petroleum/
3. European Shipowners call for further action in the Gulf of Guinea
European shipowners are extremely concerned about piracy attacks in the Gulf of Guinea. The latest incident in South Nigeria, which involved a suspected pirate vessel and Danish Frigate Esben Snare and resulted in loss of life, only serves to further highlight the severity of the piracy threat in the Gulf of Guinea. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/12/03/european-shipowners-call-for-further-action-in-the-gulf-of-guinea/
4. Hapag-Lloyd’s AL3 European container service makes first call at JAXPORT
Hapag-Lloyd’s Atlantic Loop 3 European-US container service made its inaugural visit to the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) on Sunday, November 21. The service is calling JAXPORT’s TraPac Container Terminal at Dames Point for at least the next eight weeks to take advantage of Jacksonville’s efficiencies and avoid US port congestion. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/12/03/hapag-lloyds-al3-european-container-service-makes-first-call-at-jaxport/
5. Shell wins seismic court battle in South Africa
A South African court on Friday ruled that Shell can move forward with a seismic survey off the country’s Wild Coast, after dismissing a joint legal application by several activist groups. This week, the Border Deep Sea Angling Association, Kei Mouth Ski Boat Club, Natural Justice, and Greenpeace Africa filed an urgent court interdict seeking to halt the survey, claiming that the work would have an outsized impact on local wildlife, particularly migrating humpback whales in the area. https://splash247.com/shell-wins-seismic-court-battle-in-south-africa/
6. UK North Sea workers will strike next week
Around 300 workers of Ponticelli UK and Semco Maritime employed on TotalEnergies’ North Sea assets in the UK will down tools next week following a dispute over cuts to terms and conditions. Trade union Unite said its members voted overwhelmingly to take strike action, despite an improved offer that was put forward last week but rejected by 85% on an 80% return. https://splash247.com/uk-north-sea-workers-will-strike-next-week/
7. Is Lowering The Age Limit For Truckers In Order To Address The Supply-Chain Crunch Worth The Safety Risks?
Dezjion Henson has wanted to be a truck driver his whole life. When he turned 18 last year he jumped at the chance and signed on as an apprentice with Total Transportation of Mississippi, LLC in Richland, Mississippi. “Growing up, my dad used to drive trucks and I used to always ride with him,” he said. “I said that’s something I really want to do.” https://gcaptain.com/lowering-age-for-truckers-address-the-supply-chain-crunch-worth-the-safety-risk/
8. Lithuania’s Goods Barred From Entering Chinese Ports
Lithuania’s dispute with China escalated after local media reported that goods from some of its companies were barred from entering Chinese ports. Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis described the move as “unannounced sanctions” on Friday and said Lithuania will seek assistance from the European Commission next week to solve the issue. It’s “unprecedented when one EU member state is being partially sanctioned,” he said. https://gcaptain.com/lithuanias-goods-barred-from-entering-chinese-ports/
9. Baltic Index Marks Best Week In Over 3 Months As Vessel Rates Rise
The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk sea freight index advanced on Friday to post its biggest weekly rise since mid-August, propelled by gains across vessels segments. The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels, added 56 points, or 1.8%, to a one-month high of 3,171. The main index gained 14.6% this week, registering its biggest weekly rise since the week ended Aug. 20. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Baltic+index+marks+best+week+in+over+3+months+as+vessel+rates+rise
10. Kawasaki Heavy Says Liquefied Hydrogen Carrier May Leave Japan This Month
The world’s first liquefied hydrogen carrier could leave Japan for Australia to pick up its first cargo of hydrogen late this month though the return date has yet to be set due to COVID-19, Japan’s Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd 7012.T said on Friday.The A$500 million ($353 million) pilot project, led by Kawasaki and backed by the Japanese and Australian governments, was originally scheduled to ship its first cargo of hydrogen extracted from brown coal in Australia in spring. It was delayed to the second half of Kawasaki’s financial year in October to March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Kawasaki+Heavy+says+liquefied+hydrogen+carrier+may+leave+Japan+this+month
