1. Development of Block 6 in the Cyprus EEZ to proceed with a fast pace Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry Natasa Pilides says
The process concerning the development of natural gas deposits in block 6 in the Cypriot EEZ will proceed with a fast pace, Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry Natasa Pilides has said, announcing the entry of French TOTAL in the field of renewable energy in Cyprus. Pilides who accompanied TOTAL’s vice president Laurent Vivier during a meeting with the President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades, described the meeting as very constructive. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/01/10/development-of-block-6-in-the-cyprus-eez-to-proceed-with-a-fast-pace-minister-of-energy-commerce-and-industry-natasa-pilides-says/
2. China’s new Covid surge is crippling the world’s most important factories and biggest ports
The surge in Covid-19 cases in China is impacting the completion of manufacturing orders, according to CNBC Supply Chain Heat Map data.Logistics managers are warning clients that because of the spike in infections, factories are unable to complete orders — even with U.S. manufacturing orders from China already down 40% due to an unrelenting demand collapse. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/01/10/chinas-new-covid-surge-is-crippling-the-worlds-most-important-factories-and-biggest-ports/
3. WHISPER Energy Transition project receives over 9M EUR in EU funding to reduce emissions in the shipping industry by 15 to 30%
An energy transition project, WHISPER, has been granted 9,2 million EUR in funding from Horizon Europe for a 4-year innovation project. The goal of the project is to develop a solution that can significantly reduce emissions from the long-distance maritime industry, which is responsible for around 2.5% of the world’s total CO2 emissions. WHISPER aims to demonstrate around 30% fuel savings on a retrofit bulk carrier and more than 15% on a retrofit containership. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/01/10/whisper-energy-transition-project-receives-over-9m-eur-in-eu-funding-to-reduce-emissions-in-the-shipping-industry-by-15-to-30/
4. Europe turns to Norway, US, Guyana, Saudi crudes in 2022 to fill Russian supply gap
European refiners turned to crude grades from Norway, the US, Saudi Arabia, Guyana, and Azerbaijan in 2022 to plug the growing gap left by Russian imports sidelined by Western sanctions on Moscow, according to tanker tracking data. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/01/10/europe-turns-to-norway-us-guyana-saudi-crudes-in-2022-to-fill-russian-supply-gap/
5. China coal buyers may be left wanting in Australia even after ban lifted
China is preparing to resume coal imports from Australia after a two year freeze as it looks to stave off a domestic shortage, but it may be forced to pay higher prices given that Australia’s miners have already found new customers. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/01/10/china-coal-buyers-may-be-left-wanting-in-australia-even-after-ban-lifted/
6. US government releases blueprint to decarbonise America’s transportation sector
The US government yesterday released The U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization. Developed by the departments of Energy, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and the Environmental Protection Agency, the Blueprint provides a strategy for cutting all greenhouse emissions from the transportation sector by 2050. https://splash247.com/us-government-releases-blueprint-to-decarbonise-americas-transportation-sector/
7. Fugro and Enviros selected for Norwegian offshore wind site surveys
Dutch surveyor Fugro and UK-based Enviros have won offshore survey contracts from the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) to locate sites that are best suited for the placement of wind turbines. https://splash247.com/fugro-and-enviros-selected-for-norwegian-offshore-wind-site-surveys/
8. U.S. Navy Seizes More Than 2,000 AK-47’s from Fishing Vessel in Gulf of Oman
The U.S. Navy has seized more than 2,000 AK-47 assault rifles believed to be bound for Yemen from a fishing vessel in international waters in the Gulf of Oman, marking the third such weapons seizure in just two months. https://gcaptain.com/u-s-navy-seizes-more-than-2000-ak-47s-from-fishing-vessel-in-gulf-of-oman/
9. Biden Administration Releases ‘Blueprint’ for Decarbonizing the Transportation Sector
The landmark strategy was jointly developed by the Departments of Energy, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and the Environmental Protection Agency following the signing of a memorandum of understanding in September which set out plans to aggressively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve net-zero emissions economy-wide no later than 2050. https://gcaptain.com/biden-administration-releases-blueprint-for-decarbonizing-the-transportation-sector/
10. Will sanctions on Russian diesel pay off for product tankers?
European Union and G-7 sanctions on Russian crude exports kicked in Dec. 5, and contrary to predictions, crude tanker rates didn’t spike following trade disruptions. They sank. Sanctions on Russian exports of refined products begin in just four weeks, on Feb. 5. It has been widely predicted that this will boost rates for product tankers — the ships that carry cargoes such as diesel, gasoline and jet fuel. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Will+sanctions+on+Russian+diesel+pay+off+for+product+tankers%3F
