InterManager Daily News 26.10.2022.

1. Water level in Mississippi River continues to drop, leading to new vessel draft limitations

The US Coast Guard said that low water in the Mississippi River north of Baton Rouge in Louisiana – the so-called Lower Mississippi, not far from the Gulf of Mexico coast – has led to a new draft restriction of 41 feet, down from 45. The affected area is a 30-mile section of the river. https://splash247.com/water-level-in-mississippi-river-continues-to-drop-leading-to-new-vessel-draft-limitations/

2. Cyber security systems can enhance routine operational safety

It no longer takes a nation state to bring down a company; it can be done easily enough by a teenager with an internet connection. Coding software is increasingly efficient and accessible, and as in the 2008 recession, people with coding skills are turning to hacking for income. https://splash247.com/cyber-security-systems-can-enhance-routine-operational-safety/

3. Performance Shipping eyes younger tankers as it ships out 15-year-old aframax

Greek tanker owner Performance Shipping has sold an ageing aframax as it scouts for younger ships on the market. The Nasdaq-listed firm has offloaded the 2007-built P Fos to an undisclosed buyer for $34m, nearly three years after purchasing the vessel from Zodiac Maritime for $26m. The Japanese-built ship is estimated at $32.4m by VesselsValue. https://splash247.com/performance-shipping-eyes-younger-tankers-as-it-ships-out-15-year-old-aframax/

4. China Merchants preps car carrier for international market

The Shanghai-listed energy transport unit of China Merchants Group has completed modifications to its 2009-built 4,900 ceu vessel, Chang Tai Hong. The process was approved by the China Classification Society and the company is expecting additional certificates to officially put the ship into foreign trade operation. https://splash247.com/china-merchants-preps-car-carrier-for-international-market/

5. Ukraine Accuses Russia of Blocking Full Grain Shipping Capacity

Ukraine said seven vessels sailed off from its ports on Sunday carrying grain bound for Asia and Europe, but accused Russia of blocking the full implementation of Black Sea grain deal. “Russia is deliberately blocking the full realization of the Grain Initiative. As a result, these (Ukrainian) ports in the last few days are working only at 25-30 percent of their capacity,” Ukraine’s Infrastructure Ministry said in a statement via the Telegram messaging app. https://gcaptain.com/ukraine-accuses-russia-of-blocking-full-grain-shipping-capacity/

6. Hospital Ship USNS Comfort Departs on Humanitarian Mission

The USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) departed Naval Station Norfolk on October 19th in support of the Continuing Promise mission. After a brief stop at Port of Miami over the weekend, the ship has now set sail to Latin America and the Caribbean where it will take part in the humanitarian assistance, readiness building and goodwill mission. The first stop will be Guatemala and Honduras before sailing onto the other countries of Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Haiti. https://gcaptain.com/hospital-ship-usns-comfort-departs-on-humanitarian-mission/

7. For the First Time in Four Years There’s No U.S. Crude Going to France

French workers are protesting for higher wages amid soaring inflation, and that’s snarled operations at key oil refineries. The chaos in the nation’s energy industry means that companies including Exxon Mobil Corp. and TotalEnergies SE have been forced to curtail or suspend their local operations. US oil producers normally see steady demand from French plants that take crude and process it into fuels like gasoline. https://gcaptain.com/for-the-first-time-in-four-years-theres-no-u-s-crude-going-to-france/

8. MSC set to acquire Rimorchiatori Mediterranei

Italian shipping group Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC) is set to acquire growing Italian tug owner Rimorchiatori Mediterranei from investors to become one of the largest players in the towage sector

MSC’s wholly owned subsidiary SAS Shipping Agencies Services announced it is purchasing 100% of Rimorchiatori Mediterranei from current owners, Rimorchiatori Riuniti and asset investor DWS Group.

https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/msc-set-to-acquire-rimorchiatori-mediterranei-73445

9. Work starts on new offshore wind facility at Port of Esbjerg

Port Esbjerg in Denmark is constructing a new warehouse facility for the offshore wind industry and has signed a lease agreement with wind turbine OEM Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy. Port of Esberg chairman Søren Gade said, “It is crucial for activity at Port Esbjerg that the right facilities are available. https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/work-starts-on-new-offshore-wind-facility-at-port-of-esbjerg-73435

10. Baltic index ticks down on dip in capesize rates

The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk sea freight index (.BADI) edged lower on Wednesday as the capesize rates slid, although gains in the panamax vessel segment limited losses in the main index. The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels carrying dry bulk commodities, was down 4 points, or about 0.2%, to 1,871. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Baltic+index+ticks+down+on+dip+in+capesize+rates