1. Kuba Szymanski to chair Seafarers Hospital Society
The Seafarers Hospital Society (SHS) has appointed Captain Kuba Szymanski as the new Chair of the board of the 200-year-old UK maritime charity, following the retirement of Peter McEwen MBE MNM. Capt. Szymanski is Secretary-General for InterManager, the international trade association for the ship and crew management sector, and has a well-deserved reputation for advocating for seafarers â often bringing his personal experience as a merchant navy officer into play. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2022/01/18/kuba-szymanski-to-chair-seafarers-hospital-society/
2. OCIMF publishes âSIRE 2.0 Question Libraryâ to support industry transition to digitalised vessel inspection regime
The Oil Companies International Marine Forum has this week published the full set of questions that may be asked during a SIRE 2.0 tanker inspection, when its new Ship Inspection Report Programme inspection regime is implemented during Q2 2022. The organisationâs long-established SIRE inspection regime is being overhauled with the introduction of tablet-based inspections, a more comprehensive inspection process and enhanced policies and procedures bringing significant changes to how tankers of all sizes are assessed by inspectors. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2022/01/18/ocimf-publishes-sire-2-0-question-library-to-support-industry-transition-to-digitalised-vessel-inspection-regime/
3. Ballastwater Equipment Manufacturersâ Association recognised by the IMO as an approved voice of the industry
The Ballastwater Equipment Manufacturersâ Association today announced that they received news from the IMO that they have been granted Non-Governmental Organization Consultative Status. This designation allows BEMA to attend IMO meetings and contribute to the work of the IMO by submitting technical input and providing specialized operational and technical expertise on ballast water management systems. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2022/01/18/ballastwater-equipment-manufacturers-association-recognised-by-the-imo-as-an-approved-voice-of-the-industry/
4. Shipping and renewable energy bodies join forces to advance global green fuel transition
The International Chamber of Shipping , representing over 80% of worldâs merchant fleet, has signed a Partnership Agreement with the International Renewable Energy Agency to support the decarbonisation of the shipping sector and its role in the transition towards a global energy sector based on renewables. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2022/01/18/shipping-and-renewable-energy-bodies-join-forces-to-advance-global-green-fuel-transition/
5. Transocean semisub assigned to Norwegian carbon capture project
Offshore driller Transocean will later this year send its 2016-built semisub rig Transocean Enabler to support the Northern Lights carbon capture storage project, a joint venture between Equinor, Shell and TotalEnergies.
As part of the project, the rig, which is under contract with Equinor until 2024, will drill one carbon injection well and a sidetrack for another carbon injection well drilled in early 2020. https://splash247.com/transocean-semisub-assigned-to-norwegian-carbon-capture-project/
6. Castor Maritime seals $55m financing and new charter
Nasdaq-listed Castor Maritime has closed a $55m senior term loan facility with a European bank and secured a new fixture for one of its bulkers. The Cyprus-based firm said it intends to use the net proceeds, secured by five of its dry bulk vessels, for general corporate purposes, including supporting its growth plans. The largest Castorâs financing to date has a tenor of five years and bears interest at adjusted secured overnight financing rate (SOFR) plus 3.15% per year. https://splash247.com/castor-maritime-seals-55m-financing-and-new-charter/
7. ExxonMobil Makes Pledge for Net Zero GHG Emissions by 2050
Exxon Mobil Corp on Tuesday pledged to cut to zero its net carbon emissions from its global operations by 2050, a step in the direction of rivals minimizing their carbon footprints. Exxonâs 2050 plan, first mulled last year, covers emissions from its oil, gas, and chemical production and from the power those operations consume, so-called scope 1 and 2 targets. It made no commitment for emissions from consumers using those products. https://gcaptain.com/exxonmobil-makes-pledge-for-net-zero-ghg-emissions-by-2050/
8. Japan Tests Autonomous Navigation Using Large Ferry
Japanese shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) announced the completion of what it claims is the worldâs first full autonomous navigation demonstration involving a large car ferry. The test took place this week off the coast of Shinmoji in Kitakyushu City, Japan, in support of MEGURI 2040, a project promoting the development of fully autonomous vessels supported by The Nippon Foundation. https://gcaptain.com/japan-tests-autonomous-navigation-using-large-ferry/
9. All-electric tug design unveiled for zero-emissions towage
Holland Shipyards Group developed the battery-powered port tugboat using its EDDY series of designs
Its EDDY 24-50 E design is a 25-m tug with around 50 tonnes of bollard pull with power coming from energy storage systems charged from shore. This tug could operate emissions-free using batteries charged from onshore stations in a few minutes several times a day, or be charged once a day during its rest time over a longer period, depending on the availability of onshore charging stations, the tugâs operational profile and demands on its services in ports. https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/all-electric-tug-design-unveiled-for-zero-emissions-towage-69260
10. DSMEâs Financial Future Uncertain
DSMEâs financial structure remains uncertain following the cancellation of its acquisition by HHI Group. As the planned merger between Hyundai Heavy Industries Group (HHI Group) and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) has been canceled, DSMEâs financial structure remains uncertain. DSME is presumed to have suffered a net loss of 1.3 trillion won in 2021. Sales fell nearly 40 percent in 2021 from a year earlier due to a severe shortage of work three to four years ago. Its deficit snowballed due to the large-scale provisions prompted by a surge in steel plate prices. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/DSME%E2%80%99s+Financial+Future+Uncertain
