1. Ecochlor announces USCG Type Approval for its Filterless EcoOne™ BWMS
Ecochlor, Inc. is pleased to announce that their filterless EcoOne™ and EcoOne™ Hybrid has received United States Coast Guard (USCG) Type Approval. The EcoOne™ BWMS has been tested extensively to ensure that it works effectively as a single-step treatment, without a filter, under all operating conditions in brackish and marine waters in accordance with the USCG, Standards for Living organisms in Ship’s Ballast Discharged Waters, Final Rule (Final Rule). The IMO Type Approval Certificate was awarded in September 2021 demonstrating compliance with one of the most recent, stringent testing standards available in the industry. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/12/20/ecochlor-announces-uscg-type-approval-for-its-filterless-ecoone-bwms/
2. Addressing seafarers’ challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic
At its 32nd session, the IMO Assembly adopted a resolution on comprehensive action to address seafarers’ challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the 32nd session of the IMO Assembly (A 32) from 6-15 December 2021, the Assembly adopted a resolution on comprehensive action to address seafarers’ challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, consolidating issues related to crew change, access to medical care, ʺkey workerʺ designation and seafarers’ prioritization for COVID-19 vaccination. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/12/20/addressing-seafarers-challenges-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/
3. Inmarsat gives a gift of free connectivity to seafarers worldwide this holiday season
Inmarsat, the world leader in global, mobile satellite communications, is giving free connectivity to maritime crews around the globe that use its Fleet Hotspot service. Given the critical role connectivity plays in crew welfare, Inmarsat will deliver 250MB of free data to active Fleet Hotspot accounts on 24 December 2021.The seasonal gift will be automatically topped up to active crew accounts. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/12/20/inmarsat-gives-a-gift-of-free-connectivity-to-seafarers-worldwide-this-holiday-season/
4. Panama’s Cabinet Council approves Panama Canal Tolls Structure for Passenger Ships
The Cabinet Council of the Government of the Panama has approved the modifications to the waterway’s toll structure and the admeasurement regulations for passenger ships, following a recommendation from the Panama Canal Board of Directors. The proposal eliminates the billing unit on a per berth basis and establishes the tolls for all passenger vessels based on PC/UMS (Panama Canal Universal Measurement System) capacity. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/12/20/panamas-cabinet-council-approves-panama-canal-tolls-structure-for-passenger-ships/
5. MSC makes $6.4bn bid for Bolloré’s African logistics business
Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC) has made a $6.4bn bid to buy out Bolloré Group’s African logistics business, a notable departure for the Swiss container line that has tended to grow organically in its 51-year existence. Cash rich MSC has tabled a bid to take over Bolloré’s port, rail and logistics entities in Africa as well as port concessions in India, East Timor and Haiti. Bolloré Logistics in the rest of the world and Bolloré Energy are not part of the proposed deal. https://splash247.com/msc-makes-6-4bn-bid-for-bollores-african-logistics-business/
6. US transportation and agriculture secretaries urge end to reduced and poor service for US agricultural commodities
US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack have sent a letter to 12 of the world’s leading ocean carriers, urging them “to help mitigate disruptions to agricultural shippers of US exports and relieve supply chain disruptions created by the COVID-19 pandemic by restoring reciprocal treatment of imports and exports and improving service,” according to a statement released by the two departments.
7. Mayflower Wind Wins Massachusetts Offshore Wind Energy Procurement Agreement
Offshore wind developer Mayflower Wind has announced the award of a 400 MW Power Purchase Agreement by the state of Massachusetts and its three biggest utilities. Combined with an earlier 804 MW award, the company is not set to provide more than 1200 MW of clean energy electricity to customers throughout Massachusetts and represents a first phase of its federal lease area. https://gcaptain.com/mayflower-wind-wins-massachusetts-offshore-wind-energy-procurement-agreement/
8. US Coast Guard Publishes Report on Fatal Lifeboat Drill Accident on Shell’s Auger Platform
The U.S. Coast Guard has issued its reportfrom its investigation into a fatal lifeboat accident on Shell’s Auger tension leg platform in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico in 2019. The incident took place during a routine lifeboat launch and retrieval drill on June 30, 2019. Two people inside the lifeboat were killed when it fell 80 feet, landing upside down in the water. Another person, who was exiting the lifeboat when it released, was seriously injured. https://gcaptain.com/us-coast-guard-publishes-report-on-fatal-lifeboat-drill-accident-on-shells-auger-platform/
9. Baltic Index Hits 8-Month Low As Smaller Vessels Weigh
The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk sea freight index slipped for an eighth straight session to its lowest level since mid-April, hurt by a decline in rates across its smaller panamax and supramax vessel segments. The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels, was down 8 points, or 0.3%, to 2,371, its lowest since April 15. The capesize index added 80 points, or 2.9%, to 2,807, snapping an eight-session losing streak. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Baltic+index+hits+8-month+low+as+smaller+vessels+weigh
10. ClassNK Will Make Electronic Certificates And Reports As Standard
Leading Classification Society ClassNK will make electronic certificates and reports issued for ships as standard service from 30 January 2022. For the convenience of clients, ClassNK has been providing an environment in which documents can be used in electronic data upon request since the early 2000s for survey records and since 2017 for class certificate and statutory certificates issued on behalf of flag states. Electronification has become widespread due to its benefits in reducing the burden of handling papers, preventing loss, damage, and falsification of papers, and facilitating information sharing among stakeholders such as crew and management companies. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/ClassNK+will+make+electronic+certificates+and+reports+as+standard
