1. Cyprus Shipping Deputy Ministry to organise “SWOT-ing the potential of low- and zero- emission fuels in the maritime sector”
An initiative of the Cyprus SDM in association with the University of Houston hosted by PwC Cyprus Experience Centre, the three-hour webinar will be held on 19 January 2023 starting at 15:30 GMT+2. Live streamed in real-time, experts from industry and academia will assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of fuels including hydrogen, ammonia, biofuel and methanol. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/01/05/cyprus-shipping-deputy-ministry-to-organise-swot-ing-the-potential-of-low-and-zero-emission-fuels-in-the-maritime-sector/
2. China Shipowners’ Association joins International Chamber of Shipping
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is pleased to welcome the China Shipowners’ Association (CSA) as a Full Member from 1 January 2023. The CSA will join the ICS Board, which oversees the policy positions ICS presents on behalf of shipowners’ worldwide with the shipping industry’s global regulators, including the UN International Maritime Organization and the International Labour Organization. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/01/05/china-shipowners-association-joins-international-chamber-of-shipping/
3. United Maritime announced completion of previously announced tanker sale and acquisition of two capesize bulkers
United Maritime, announced that it has successfully completed the delivery of the 2008-built LR2 product tanker, M/T Minoansea, to her new owners. In addition, the Company has entered into definitive agreements to acquire two Capesize vessels from Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp. (“Seanergy”), a related party of the Company, for an aggregate purchase price of US$36.25 million. The aggregate purchase price of the vessels was based on the average of three independent broker valuations. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/01/05/united-maritime-announced-completion-of-previously-announced-tanker-sale-and-acquisition-of-two-capesize-bulkers/
4. IMO progress on revised GHG strategy Mediterranean ECA adopted
The Marine Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime organization has made progress towards revising the Initial IMO GHG Strategy, working towards adopting a strengthened revised Strategy in mid-2023 at MEPC 80. “I note and welcome the progress made on these matters. It cannot be stressed enough how crucial it is that we keep the momentum and deliver an ambitious and fair, revised IMO GHG Strategy at MEPC 80 next year,” said IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim, at the close of the MEPC 79 session, which met 12-16 December at IMO Headquarters in London. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/01/05/imo-progress-on-revised-ghg-strategy-mediterranean-eca-adopted-2/
5. Seanergy Maritime announces acquisition of a Scrubber fitted capesize vessel with immediate period employment and the sale of the two oldest vessels of the fleet
Seanergy Maritime Holdings announced the acquisition of a 2012-built Capesize vessel from a major Japanese company and the simultaneous commencement of its period employment. In addition, the Company has entered into definitive agreements to sell the 2005-built M/V Goodship and the 2006-built M/V Tradership, the oldest vessels in its fleet, to United Maritime Corporation, a related party. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/01/05/seanergy-maritime-announces-acquisition-of-a-scrubber-fitted-capesize-vessel-with-immediate-period-employment-and-the-sale-of-the-two-oldest-vessels-of-the-fleet/
6. Evergreen to pay further fines over Chesapeake Bay grounding
Evergreen, the Taiwanese owner of the 11,850 teu Ever Forward, has been told to pay Maryland more than $676,000 to enhance state oyster bars as a penalty for the boxship running aground in the Chesapeake Bay last March.
The Ever Forward ran aground 24 feet deep into the mud on March 13.
https://splash247.com/evergreen-to-pay-further-fines-over-chesapeake-bay-grounding/
7. Port Houston import dwell fee to take effect February 1
Port Houston will implement its Sustained Import Dwell Fee on February 1 to help maintain fluidity at the Bayport and Barbours Cut Container Terminals and address long-term dwell. The $45 fee will be charged per unit per day starting on the eighth day after the expiration of free time. This fee is in addition to the demurrage charges for loaded import containers and does not replace those charges. Containers will be held until all terminal fees are reconciled. https://splash247.com/port-houston-import-dwell-fee-to-take-effect-february-1/
8. Naval Task Force Holding Somali Piracy Operation as a Reminder to Shipping Not to Let Its Guard Down
A multi-national naval task force tasked with combating piracy in the Somali basin is getting ready to conduct a five-day operation aimed at increasing naval presence and informing the maritime community on the continuing risks to shipping despite a lull in Somali piracy and expiration of a key industry designation. https://gcaptain.com/naval-task-force-holding-somali-piracy-operation-as-a-reminder-to-shipping-not-to-let-its-guard-down/
9. New contracts and surveys for seismic vessel owners
Shearwater GeoServices Holding won contracts to conduct two 3D seismic surveys over oil and gas fields in Brazil, starting this year. These time-lapse geophysical surveys will be over the Jubarte, Baleia Anã and Tartaruga Verde fields in the Campos basin offshore Brazil, with the first set to commence Q3 2023 and the other Q1 2024.
https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/new-contracts-and-surveys-for-seismic-vessel-owners-74418
10. South Korean shipbuilders bet big on green fuels
South Korea’s big three shipyards are accelerating their efforts to build green ships using eco-friendly fuels amid the migration to carbon neutrality worldwide. According to the shipbuilding industry on Tuesday, the profitability of eco-friendly vessels under construction is up to 1.5 times higher than that of their traditional counterparts thanks to green fuels. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/South+Korean+shipbuilders+bet+big+on+green+fuels
