1. Piracy has decreased in 2021 but the threat remains
According to the annual piracy report published recently by the ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB), piracy and armed robbery at sea last year has reached an all-time low since 1994. But the threat remains. The report shows that in 2021, the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre recorded a total of 132 incidents against ships. Out of these, 115 vessels were boarded, 11 were attempted attacks, 5 vessels were fired upon and 1 vessel was hijacked. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2022/02/01/piracy-has-decreased-in-2021-but-the-threat-remains/
2. Teekay’s Emerald Spirit team going above and beyond the call of duty
On Dec 19, Emerald Spirit was called to assist Smile, a single-occupant rowing boat that was in distress off the coast of Manzanillo, Mexico. The rower on board had been out of food for over two weeks on his expedition. After confirming the details, the vessel diverted towards the location of the craft to assist. Upon arrival, the crew onboard established contact with the distressed occupant and assessed his condition. The team then packed and provided sufficient provision of food, water, and medical supplies to last for 2-3 weeks. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2022/02/01/teekays-emerald-spirit-team-going-above-and-beyond-the-call-of-duty/
3. Jan De Nul launched the world’s tallest Next Generation Jack-Up Installation Vessel Voltaire
Just twenty days after Les Alizés, Jan De Nul Group launched the Voltaire, a Next-Gen Offshore Jack-Up Installation Vessel for offshore renewables and decommissioning, at the COSCO Shipping Shipyard in Nantong, China. This vessel will be the second and largest jack-up vessel in Jan De Nul’s fleet, and able to support the renewable energy industry to build next generation offshore wind farms. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2022/02/01/jan-de-nul-launched-the-worlds-tallest-next-generation-jack-up-installation-vessel-voltaire/
4. Stena Drilling awarded new contract for Stena Don by Petrofac
The hire of the Stena Don, which will commence in Q4 2022 lasting an estimated 80 days, has been awarded in support of a one firm well campaign on Tailwind Energy’s Gannet E field in the UK Continental Shelf. The contract with Petrofac includes an option to extend for up to three optional wells on behalf of other clients with an estimated total option scope duration of 55 days. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2022/02/01/stena-drilling-awarded-new-contract-for-stena-don-by-petrofac/
5. Wisby sends latest ship into Thun Tankers’ pool
Wisby Tanker has sent its latest product tanker into Thun Tankers’ Gothia Tanker Alliance network. The 7,000 dwt Wisby Argan becomes the fourth Wisby ship to be commercially managed by Thun Tankers. “With Wisby Argan in our fleet we can further increase our client offering with another modern high quality tanker that is able to carry all sorts of biofuels and reach ports and terminals with restricted accessibility,” commented Joakim Lund, CCO, Thun Tankers. https://splash247.com/wisby-sends-latest-ship-into-thun-tankers-pool/
6. New CO2 carrier to be launched in Japan next year
The Japanese are pressing ahead with the development of liquefied CO2 carriers. The Engineering Advancement Association of Japan (ENAA) and local owner Sanyu Kise have signed a bareboat charter contract for a demonstration test ship. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has been tasked with building the ships, which will feature special tanks designed by ENAA. https://splash247.com/new-co2-carrier-to-be-launched-in-japan-next-year/
7. Iranian Supertanker Expected to Discharge in Venezuela -Document
An Iranian supertanker carrying about 2 million barrels of condensate this week began discharging at Venezuelan state-run oil company PDVSA’s main oil port, according to a company document and tanker tracking services. PDVSA and state-run National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) in the second half of last year started a swap deal to exchange Iranian condensate for PDVSA’s heavy crude. The pact has proven to be key for sustaining Venezuela’s oil output, which needs diluents including condensate for transportation and exports. https://gcaptain.com/iranian-supertanker-expected-to-discharge-in-venezuela-document/
8. Brexit Boon for Belfast Harbour
Northern Ireland’s main port enjoyed a record year in 2021 as the U.K.’s departure from the European Union created more trade through the territory and pandemic pressures eased. Belfast Harbour handled 25.6 million tons last year, an increase of 9% from pandemic-hit 2020, it said in a statement on Tuesday. Container traffic rose 15% to the highest level since 2008, while the number of ferry passengers jumped 69% as authorities loosened travel restrictions. https://gcaptain.com/brexit-boon-for-belfast-harbour/
9. Every penny counts
Transparent, data-driven voyage costs can help protect the bottom line, says Harbor Lab chief executive and founder Antonis Malaxinakis. Container lines have never had it so good. Shipping heavyweights are posting huge Q3 2021 profits spurred on by closures, congestion at ports and box shortages. Drewry reported it expects average Q4 container rates to have increased by 126% over the previous quarter.
https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/every-penny-counts-69445
10. Baltic Index Rises For Fourth Day On Firm Capesize Demand
The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk sea freight index rose for a fourth straight session on Tuesday as higher capesize rates offset losses in the panamax and supramax segments. The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels, gained 22 points, or 1.6%, to 1,440. The capesize index rose 89 points, or 7.4%, to 1,297, its highest level in two weeks. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Baltic+index+rises+for+fourth+day+on+firm+capesize+demand
