InterManager Daily News 03.03.2023.

1. New regulations relating to air pollution from vessels

On 1 January 2023, new regulations relating to air pollution from vessels came into effect. Marine Order 97 (MO97) deals with the prevention of air pollution from vessels and gives effect to the MARPOL Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from ships (Annex VI). MO97 applies to regulated Australian vessels, domestic commercial vessels, recreational vessels and foreign vessels. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/03/02/new-regulations-relating-to-air-pollution-from-vessels/

2. Companies must act to abandon dirty ships: New research names top brands responsible for shipping pollution

New research released today by the Ship It Zero campaign finds that Walmart, Target and Home Depot were the largest ocean import polluters of 2021, as e-commerce demands skyrocketed in the U.S. and globally. The report takes an in-depth look at the nation’s largest major companies that import goods into the U.S. — including Walmart, Home Depot, LG Electronics, Nike, Target, Amazon and IKEA —and reveals new data on ocean shipping emissions generated from the transportation of goods from the technology, furniture and fashion sectors. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/03/02/companies-must-act-to-abandon-dirty-ships-new-research-names-top-brands-responsible-for-shipping-pollution/

3. ABS issues World’s first main engine Control System ABS CyberSafety Equipment Certification to Nabtesco

“In vessel operations today, more and more components are connected and reliant on digitally enabled systems that introduce new risks and vulnerabilities into the maritime supply chain. By addressing the risks early at the individual component and equipment levels, equipment manufacturers can help mitigate potential negative impacts. This PDA for Nabtesco provides a comprehensive certification solution that demonstrates their commitment to cybersecurity,” said Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/03/02/abs-issues-worlds-first-main-engine-control-system-abs-cybersafety-equipment-certification-to-nabtesco/

4. The heightened need to fight piracy amidst the current Energy Crisis and War in Ukraine

Exactly a year ago, Russia invaded Ukraine. This major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War plunged Europe and the rest of the world into an energy and food crisis. This invasion surprised many who thought that armed conflicts of this degree would nowadays not be possible on European soil. Especially after a global pandemic that had just brought the whole world to its knees by incapacitating the supply chain of goods and raw material. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/03/02/the-heightened-need-to-fight-piracy-amidst-the-current-energy-crisis-and-war-in-ukraine/

5. ClassNK adds standards to ensure safe and efficient operation of containerships

ClassNK has released “Guidelines for Container Stowage and Securing Arrangements ” and “Guidelines for Parametric Roll Countermeasures” to achieve and safer and more efficient marine transportation of containers. Responding to rapid increases in the size of container ships and advances in lashing technology, the Guidelines for Container Stowage and Securing Arrangements, which have provided evaluation methods for loading and lashing containers, incorporate the latest trends and ClassNK’s R&D outcomes to ensure both safety and economy. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/03/02/classnk-adds-standards-to-ensure-safe-and-efficient-operation-of-containerships/

6. Geared dry bulk market ‘on fire’

Supramaxes, especially geared ones, are hot property this week with rates the envy of all other bulk classes as strong demand in both basins propels earnings. Broker Fearnleys has recorded an all-time high count of vessels heading to load and discharge countries in the North Atlantic. At the same time, demand is recovering strongly in Asia. https://splash247.com/geared-dry-bulk-market-on-fire/

7. Concern grows about size of spill from sunken product carrier off Philippine island

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Manila has warned that Tuesday’s product tanker sinking off the coast of Mindoro island could lead to an oil spill with a radius of 40 km, harming up to 21 protected marine areas. The laden ship’s engine overheated early on Tuesday morning, having encountered rough weather on a domestic trip. The ship then drifted and sank off the northeast coast of Mindoro with the 20 crew safely picked up by a nearby general cargo ship. The submerged ship is operated by local firm RDC Reield Marine Services. https://splash247.com/concern-grows-about-size-of-spill-from-sunken-product-carrier-off-philippine-island/

8. Earnings Season: Big Tankers Rake In Big Bucks

The listed companies running the big fleet of tankers have now reported earnings for 2022’s Q4. As last year ended, the market had seen a huge run-up. Though spot TCE’s for VLCCs and Suezmaxes eased somewhat around early December as the price caps on Russian crude were kicking in, the quarterly results were still off-the-charts good. https://gcaptain.com/earnings-season-big-tankers-rake-in-big-bucks/

9. New Report Reveals Ocean Shipping Emissions of Top U.S. Importers

The top U.S. importers emitted 3.5 million metric tons of greenhouse gases from shipping during the height of the pandemic-driven imports surge in 2021, according to new researchreleased today by the Ship It Zero campaign. The research reveals that Walmart, Target and Home Depot were the largest ocean import polluters in 2021 due to increased demand for e-commerce. https://gcaptain.com/new-report-reveals-ocean-shipping-emissions-of-top-u-s-importers/

10. Baltic Index marks best month in five on stronger vessel demand

The Baltic Exchanges main sea freight index posted its biggest monthly percentage gain in five months, supported by higher rates across vessel segments. The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, rose 55 points, or 5.9%, to 990, on Tuesday. The main index was up 45.4% for the month, the most since September 2022. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Baltic+Index+marks+best+month+in+five+on+stronger+vessel+demand