1. Saudi shipowners commit 100+ vessels to Columbia Shipmanagement
A leading group of progressive Saudi owners and operators have committed over 100 offshore assets to Columbia Shipmanagement Saudi Arabia. Hadi Hamad Al-Hammam, ATCO, BGMS, BAAS, High Seas and Naghi Marine have all confirmed their intent to engage with CSM Saudi Arabia on a third-party management, crew management or franchise basis. “We have demonstrated our long-term commitment to the Kingdom, our total belief and support for Vision 2030, and the top quality of our vessel management services to our valued partner Saudi Aramco,” said Mark O’Neil, Group CEO and President of Columbia Shipmanagement, part of the Columbia Group along with CSM Saudi Arabia. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/12/16/saudi-shipowners-commit-100-vessels-to-columbia-shipmanagement-saudi-arabia/
2. Lloyd’s Register signs Greek Diversity Charter
Lloyd’s Register Greece has signed the Greek Diversity Charter, which lays the foundations for the promotion of social inclusion and equal opportunities in companies and organisations in the country. By signing the Charter at a ceremony held at the offices of KEAN-Cell of Alternative Youth Activities, LR hopes to endorse diversity and a sense of wellbeing across its organisation, incorporating into its daily operations practices of efficient inclusion of diverse employees with multifaceted benefits. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/12/17/lloyds-register-signs-greek-diversity-charter/
3. Winners of the 2021 ILO Global Media Competition on Labour Migration
To mark International Migrants Day on 18 December the International Labour Organization has announced four winners of its 2021 Global Media Competition on Labour Migration.This year, specific coverage of issues related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on migrant workers was encouraged, as well as stories about migrant domestic workers to mark the 10th anniversary of the ILO Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189) . https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/12/17/winners-of-the-2021-ilo-global-media-competition-on-labour-migration/
4. 56th Cyprus Shipping Chamber Blood Donation Drive
The Cyprus Shipping Chamber, as the trade association of the Shipping Industry in Cyprus, held its second blood donation drive for the year, with the supportive participation of its Shipping Member-companies employees, on Wednesday, 15 December 2021 at the Agios Georgios Havouzas Reception Hall, in Limassol. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/12/16/56th-cyprus-shipping-chamber-blood-donation-drive-continuing-the-solid-support-to-the-society/
5. South Korean bulker owner set to enter liner trades
South Korean bulk carrier owner SW Shipping will enter the liner trades next year, connecting Donghae with Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City. The company has struck a deal with the government of Gangwon province, Donghae port and Donghae Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries setting the stage for the first direct service to Vietnam from Donghae port with two 1,000 teu ships and for at least five years. Local media reports an estimated 20% savings compared to using the Busan port if this route is connected to the inland logistics network. https://splash247.com/south-korean-bulker-owner-set-to-enter-liner-trades/
6. Subsea 7 and Schlumberger alliance scores major EPCI deal with Woodside
Subsea Integration Alliance, a strategic partnership between Subsea 7 and Schlumberger’s OneSubsea, has secured a major contract from Australian operator Woodside for the Scarborough project, located approximately 380 km offshore northwest Australia. The project, developed by Woodside and BHP joint venture, reached a final investment decision in November. https://splash247.com/subsea-7-and-schlumberger-alliance-scores-major-epci-deal-with-woodside/
7. Baltic Index Marks Worst Week In Nearly Three Years As Vessel Rates Sink
The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk sea freight index declined on Friday, posting its biggest weekly fall since early February 2019, as demand waned across its vessel segments.
* The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels, was down 119 points, or 4.8%, to its lowest level since mid-April at 2,379.
* The main index lost 27.3% this week.
* The capesize index shed 167 points, or 5.8%, to an over six-month low of 2,727. It posted a 43.5% weekly decline, its worst week since May-end 2020. https://gcaptain.com/baltic-index-marks-worst-week-in-nearly-three-years-as-vessel-rates-sink/
8. Shell Looks To Biomethane LNG For Heavy Vehicles And Maritime Transport
Trucks in Germany could soon be running on fuel that’s made partly from manure at one of Europe’s biggest oil refineries.
Royal Dutch Shell Plc is aiming to produce liquefied natural gas with a bio-component for use in heavy vehicles within about two years. Trucks using the fuel can travel for 1,500 kilometers without refilling, according to Shell, which will make the new product at Rheinland, the biggest oil-processing complex in Germany. https://gcaptain.com/shell-biomethane-lng-heavy-vehicles-maritime-transport/
9. Container Imports Tumble At Los Angeles, Long Beach Ports
Container imports at the largest U.S. gateway for seaborne goods trade fell sharply in November, even as backups of ships waiting to unload cargo at the Southern California ports have been growing. The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach together handled the equivalent of 765,963 loaded inbound containers last month, the lightest traffic since June 2020. The import volume was down 9.6% from a year ago and off 10.1% from October. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Container+Imports+Tumble+at+Los+Angeles%2C+Long+Beach+Ports
10. South Korea Set To Register Record Volume Of Norwegian Crude Imports In 2021
South Korea is set to receive a record volume of Norwegian crude of close to 20 million barrels for the full year 2021 as major refiners extend efforts to reduce their carbon footprint from feedstock procurement by fixing regular shipments of carbon-neutral Johan Sverdrup crude oil.
