InterManager Daily News 02.06.2022.

1. Columbia Finance Solutions invests in Ahorn Capital

Columbia Finance Solutions, the financing arm of the Columbia Group, has strengthened the range of financial services it is able to offer its clients and partners, by taking a stake in Ahorn Capital GmbH, a Hamburg-based platform for institutional and professional investors.

The partnership allows Columbia Finance Solutions to provide its clients with flexible financing options for their fleet expansions and individual projects. In turn, Ahorn will tap into Columbia’s market access, internal asset expertise and extensive knowhow. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2022/05/31/columbia-finance-solutions-invests-in-ahorn-capital/

2. EU leaders agree on new sanctions against Russia

The European Council hails the courage and determination of the Ukrainian people and its leadership in their fight to defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and freedom of their country. The European Union is unwavering in its commitment to help Ukraine exercise its inherent right of self-defence against the Russian aggression and build a peaceful, democratic and prosperous future. In this regard, it will continue to work closely with international partners. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2022/05/31/eu-leaders-agree-on-new-sanctions-against-russia/

3. Athens calls Iran’s seizure of two Greek oil tankers ‘piracy’ says POLITICO

Greece’s Foreign Ministry complained to the Iranian ambassador in Athens over the “violent taking over of two Greek-flagged ships” in the Persian Gulf after Iran said it has taken the vessels. Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said on Friday that Iranian forces “seized two Greek tankers for violations in Gulf waters,” according to a statement quoted by Iranian state news agency IRNA. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2022/05/31/athens-calls-irans-seizure-of-two-greek-oil-tankers-piracy-says-politico/

4. Greek ships should avoid waters under Iran’s jurisdiction, says shipping ministry

Greece’s Shipping Ministry issued a “strong recommendation” to Greek shipping companies to avoid waters under Iran’s jurisdiction, ministry sources said on Monday.

It was added that this recommendation should be taken into account when sailing in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2022/05/31/greek-ships-should-avoid-waters-under-irans-jurisdiction-says-shipping-ministry/

5. The growing role of private equity in maritime

Manish Singh has been a leading collaborator with private equity institutions focused on investing in and consolidation within the maritime sector. Over the last two decades he has worked with numerous blue-chip financial institutions and over 200 entrepreneur-backed maritime services businesses. Below he explains why he’s sure the role of PE in maritime is set to grow exponentially. https://splash247.com/the-growing-role-of-private-equity-in-maritime/

6. Suriname to auction deepwater offshore oil blocks later this year

Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname, Suriname’s state-owned oil company, will hold an auction late this year for deepwater offshore blocks, according to Annand Jagesar, the company’s managing director.

Jagesar told Reuters that the company will also auction shallow-water blocks, likely in mid 2023. He noted that the initial tender will focus “particularly in the eastern part of the deep offshore” in the Atlantic Ocean off Suriname’s coast. https://splash247.com/suriname-to-auction-deepwater-offshore-oil-blocks-later-this-year/

7. U.N. Had ‘Constructive’ Talks on Russian Grain, Fertilizer Exports

A senior U.N. official had “constructive discussions” in Moscow with Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov on facilitating Russian grain and fertilizer exports to global markets, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday.

The U.N. official, Rebecca Grynspan, is now in Washington for talks on the same issue “with the key aim of addressing growing global food insecurity,” Dujarric said. https://gcaptain.com/u-n-had-constructive-talks-on-russian-grain-fertilizer-exports/

8. ONE Orders Ten Large Containerships in South Korea and Japan

Japanese shipping line Ocean Network Express (ONE) has placed an order for ten large containerships with delivery in 2025.

Shipbuilding contracts for the vessels have been signed with South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries and Nihon Shipyard of Japan. Each shipyard will construct five vessels.

ONE said the ships will have a nominal capacity of more than 13,700 TEU and designed to be ammonia-, methanol-, or carbong capture and storage-ready. https://gcaptain.com/one-orders-ten-large-containerships-in-south-korea-and-japan/

9. ECSA: FuelEU proposal does not address fuel suppliers’

Working with Brussels-based environmental transport NGO Transport & Environment (T&E), the ECSA said, as written, the proposed FuelEU Maritime Regulation “falls short” on ambition and implied the legislation needed to be aligned with EU Climate Law and Paris Agreement goals.

“If adopted in its current form, the proposal might do more harm than good to shipping’s climate ambition,” the two groups said. “The responsibilities of the fuel suppliers are essential to achieve these ambitious regulatory targets as called for above (shared responsibility).” https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/ecsa-fueleu-proposal-does-not-address-fuel-suppliers-responsibilities-71390

10. First cargo ship leaves Mariupol since Russia took the city – separatist leader

A ship has left the Ukrainian port of Mariupol for the first time since Russia took the city and is headed east to Russia with a load of metal, the Russian-backed separatist leader of the Ukrainian breakaway region of Donetsk said on Tuesday.

Ukraine said the shipment of metal to Russia from Mariupol, whose capture gave Moscow an overland bridge linking mainland Russia and pro-Russian separatist territory to annexed-Crimea, amounted to looting. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/First+cargo+ship+leaves+Mariupol+since+Russia+took+the+city+%E2%80%93+separatist+leader