1. Joint ILO-IMO meeting adopts guidelines on seafarer abandonment
New measures to improve conditions for seafarers, including those who have been abandoned, have been adopted at a meeting involving governments and maritime workers and employers’ organizations. Guidelines on how to deal with seafarer abandonment have been adopted by the first meeting of a joint International Labour Organization (ILO)–International Maritime Organization (IMO) Tripartite Working Group. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2022/12/21/joint-ilo-imo-meeting-adopts-guidelines-on-seafarer-abandonment/
2. Ukraine, Russia plane and ship insurance at risk from Jan 1
Insurers may refuse to cover planes flying to Ukraine or ships sailing through the Black Sea as reinsurers – who insure the insurers – propose excluding the region from policies from next month, four industry sources said. Reinsurers typically renew their 12-month contracts with insurance clients on Jan. 1, meaning they have the first opportunity to scale back exposure since the war in Ukraine started, after being hit this year by losses related to the conflict and from Hurricane Ian in Florida. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2022/12/21/ukraine-russia-plane-and-ship-insurance-at-risk-from-jan-1/
3. UK Maritime Skills Commission launches Skills Intelligence Model with Port Skills and Safety
In March 2022, the Maritime Skills Commission (MSC) endorsed and launched the Future Ports Workforce report which recommended clarity on which body is leading on port skills and a more joint working within the ports and maritime sector to drive improvements in diversity. It also recommended that the MSC undertake a systematic review of how skills are used now, and anticipated changes in skills/job requirements in the future and investigate priority near-term skills gaps/shortages, including learning lessons from other sectors. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2022/12/21/uk-maritime-skills-commission-launches-skills-intelligence-model-with-port-skills-and-safety/
4. Fincantieri and ONEX Shipyards sign an agreement for the creation of a corvettes manufacturing line
The two groups have agreed upon the creation of corvettes manufacturing & maintenance line, located at Elefsis Shipyards, with multiple benefits for the national economy and defense
Fincantieri together with ONEX Shipyards & Technologies Group signed an official agreement for the creation of a corvettes manufacturing line & their life-cycle support base, that will be located at Onex Naval and Maritime Elefsis Shipyards. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2022/12/21/fincantieri-and-onex-shipyards-sign-an-agreement/
5. IMO progress on revised GHG strategy Mediterranean ECA adopted
Marine Environment Protection Committee progress on GHG Strategy and next set of GHG reduction measures, adopts SOx control area. The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 79) of the International Maritime organization (IMO) has made progress towards revising the Initial IMO GHG Strategy, working towards adopting a strengthened revised Strategy in mid-2023 at MEPC 80. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2022/12/21/imo-progress-on-revised-ghg-strategy-mediterranean-eca-adopted/
6. Shareholders back Frontline’s move to Cyprus
Iris House at 8, John Kennedy Street in Limassol will serve as the new headquarters for the tanker giant, from where Fredriksen will now plot out the moves to combine his company with rival Euronav, something that is scheduled to happen within the next few month following a protracted battle for control of the Belgian tanker firm with the Saverys family. https://splash247.com/shareholders-back-frontlines-move-to-cyprus/
7. MOL and GAIL strengthen gas partnership
Japan’s Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) GAIL, India’s largest public utility, have signed a time charter contract for a newbuilding LNG carrier and a joint ownership of an existing LNG carrier. The newbuilding vessel will be the second MOL Group LNG carrier serving GAIL; the parties signed a contract for the first vessel in 2019. https://splash247.com/mol-and-gail-strengthen-gas-partnership/
8. U.S. and China Trade Barbs Over South China Sea
China’s embassy in Manila accused the United States on Tuesday of driving a wedge between the Philippines and Beijing, deploring Washington’s “unfounded accusations” that it said sought to stir up trouble in the South China Sea. The South China Sea has become one of many flashpoints in the testy relationship between China and the United States, with Washington rejecting what it calls unlawful territorial claims by Beijing in the resource-rich waters. https://gcaptain.com/u-s-and-china-trade-barbs-over-south-china-sea/
9. “K” Line Secures Long-Term Charter Contracts with Northern Lights Carbon Capture Project
Japanese shipping company “K” LINE has announced long-term charter contracts for two liquefied CO2 vessels to support of the world’s first industrial-scale carbon capture and storage project. The contracts were signed with the Northern Lights joint venture, which is developing the project, and cover the bare boat charter and time charter of two 7,500 cbm liquified CO2 ships on order with delivery planned in 2024. https://gcaptain.com/k-line-secures-long-term-charter-contracts-for-northern-lights-carbon-capture-project/
10. Baltic index gains as capesizes hit over 10-week high
The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk sea freight index rose on Tuesday, as a jump in capesize segment to its highest in over 10 weeks offset a decline in rates for the smaller vessel segments. The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels carrying dry bulk commodities, gained 48 points, or about 3.1%, to its highest since late October at 1,596. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Baltic+index+gains+as+capesizes+hit+over+10-week+high
