1. Cyprus voted for Nikos Christodoulides as new president in tight runoff election
Nikos Christodoulides has won and is now the 8th president of the Republic of Cyprus. The independent candidate received over 51.91% of the votes over the AKEL-backed independent candidate Andreas Mavroyiannis. Mavroyiannis, however, did win a respectable number of votes at just over 48.09%, proving he has a strong show of support from the public. Out of 561,273 registered voters, 406,626 (72.45%) voted in this election. A strong turnout at 72.2%. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/02/12/cyprus-voted-for-nikos-christodoulides-as-new-president-in-tight-runoff-election/
2. La Poste Group and the CMA CGM Group sign a memorandum of understanding to step up their cooperation in their respective areas of expertise in parcel delivery transportation and storage
A memorandum of understanding was signed in Paris on February 7, 2023, by Philippe Wahl, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of La Poste, Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the CMA CGM Group, Yves Delmas, Chief Executive Officer of GeoPost, and Mathieu Friedberg, Chief Executive Officer of CEVA Logistics. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/02/13/la-poste-group-and-the-cma-cgm-group-sign-a-memorandum-of-understanding-to-step-up-their-cooperation-in-their-respective-areas-of-expertise-in-parcel-delivery-transportation-and-storage/
3. Crew restrictions return in India and Japan following China easing
The Global Maritime Forum (GMF) reports that the rise in Covid-19 infections, following the lifting of restrictions in China, has led to some countries, including India and Japan, to introduce new test requirements and restrictions for seafarers arriving from certain Asian countries. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/02/13/crew-restrictions-return-in-india-and-japan-following-china-easing/
4. Potential for delays in the Contracting and Engagement of Salvage services in Marine Casualties
In 2020, the use of traditional LOF contracts was reported to be at a historic low confirming a continued decline in its use over recent decades. There was also evidence of parties entering into alternative contractual arrangements leading to delays in the engagement of salvage services and, in some cases, pollution and wreck liabilities that might otherwise have been avoided. In light of this concern, the Group commissioned the former SOSREP, Hugh Shaw, to conduct an independent, neutral and objective review that investigated the possible direct and root causes for delay in these circumstances and what changes might be made to improve use of LOF. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/02/13/potential-for-delays-in-the-contracting-and-engagement-of-salvage-services-in-marine-casualties/
5. Two boxships badly damaged in southern Vietnam
Two containerships were severely damaged early Saturday morning when they collided on the Long Tau river in southern Vietnam. The 2021-built, 2,038 teu Wan Hai 288 came off worse in the incident with many containers also hit hard as the port bow of the vessel felt the full impact of the SITC-owned, 920 teu Resurgence. The smaller vesselâs bow was crunched in the collision. https://splash247.com/two-boxships-badly-damaged-in-southern-vietnam/
6. Chatbot technology and shipping
Recent announcements regarding a now famous AI app called ChatGPT, soon to be made available for access by anyone, created huge publicity yet confusion. Personally, I couldnât agree more that this is big news, even though little of the regular worldwide media has picked up on the real disruption caused by the pronouncement. The full impact of this upcoming access is going to be darned significant. https://splash247.com/chatbot-technology-and-shipping/
7. Michelin moves a step closer to commercialising inflatable wing sails
The WISAMO (Wing Sail Mobility) system, said to be the first to be awarded to an inflatable wing sail design, is currently being fitted for testing on the 1999-built conro MN Pelicanowned by compatriot Maritime Nantaise (MN), a subsidiary of Sogetrans. The 155 m long vessel is under charter to Brittany Ferries and sails between Poole, Great Britain and Bilbao, Spain. https://splash247.com/michelin-moves-a-step-closer-to-commercialising-inflatable-wing-sails/
8. China Says Unidentified Flying Object Threatens Major Port
China is getting ready to take down an unidentified object flying over waters near the port city of Qingdao, which is home to a major naval base for the Peopleâs Liberation Army, Chinese news outlet The Paper reported. An employee at the marine development authority of Qingdaoâs Jimo district said ârelevant authoritiesâ are preparing to bring down the object, the report said. The employee was not informed about what the object was. https://gcaptain.com/china-says-unidentified-flying-object-threatens-major-port/
9. Movie Critics Turn On James Cameronâs Titanic
When it was released 25 years ago, James Cameronâs Titanic was enormous. It made stars of its two leads, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. Reviews overwhelmingly heaped praise not only on the technical aspects of the film but also the acting and storyline. In 1997, Titanic was, in the oft-quoted line from the film, âking of the world!â https://gcaptain.com/movie-critics-turn-on-james-camerons-titanic/
10. Q&A with Nick Fell, Chairperson of BIMCOâs Documentary Committee
Nick Fell of BW Group was officially elected Chairman of the Documentary Committee at BIMCOâs General Meeting on 20 May last year. When Fell took over, the industry was in many ways still confronted with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic while, at the same time, the need for contractual solutions in key areas such as environmental compliance was growing. Below, Fell answers seven questions about his and the Committees work. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Q%26A+with+Nick+Fell%2C+Chairperson+of+BIMCO%E2%80%99s+Documentary+Committee
