1. New Hybrid Ferry ‘P&O Pioneer’ docks at DP World Limassol for bunkering
P&O Ferries’ newly commissioned Fusion Class vessel ‘P&O Pioneer’ has docked at DP World Limassol port on its journey from Guangzhou, China to Dover, United Kingdom. The industry leading P&O Pioneer arrived on Wednesday for bunkering, as it makes its way towards Dover, where it is expected to become fully operational on the English Channel route to Calais in May 2023. The vessel’s first trip to its new home has been aided by DP World’s vast global network of terminals allowing it to dock in one of its own terminals where it will be fully serviced by various specialist teams from within the global firm’s group of companies. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/03/24/new-hybrid-ferry-po-pioneer-docks-at-dp-world-limassol-for-bunkering/
2. Maritime mining steel and energy industry leaders join forces to develop first ever concept for a green corridor between South Africa and Europe
A new consortium will explore the options for developing a maritime green corridor for the zero-emission shipping of iron ore between South Africa and Europe. This ground breaking initiative is the first of its kind from Africa and represents an important step in the region’s involvement in shipping’s decarbonization. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/03/24/maritime-mining-steel-and-energy-industry-leaders-join-forces-to-develop-first-ever-concept-for-a-green-corridor-between-south-africa-and-europe/
3. Finland’s North Ostrobothnia could produce at least 10% of the EU’s zero emission hydrogen
According to a study by the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, North Ostrobothnia in Finland should be able to produce at least 10% of the EU’s zero-emission hydrogen in 2030. Its significant wind power capacity makes North Ostrobothnia a very promising region for hydrogen production. Decentralised hydrogen production in connection with wind farms and the transmission of hydrogen through pipelines could also free up electricity transmission network capacity and rationalise land use. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/03/24/finlands-north-ostrobothnia-could-produce-at-least-10-of-the-eus-zero-emission-hydrogen/
4. FuelEU Maritime: a step forward towards shipping’s energy transition
Following months of intense discussions, negotiations on the FuelEU Maritime Regulation came to a close earlier this morning. European shipowners welcome the climate ambition of the new Regulation and consider it as an essential stepping stone towards establishing the right conditions for the energy transition of shipping. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/03/24/fueleu-maritime-a-step-forward-towards-shippings-energy-transition/
5. Port Authority of Valencia president Aurelio Martínez says “Renewables will prevail when they produce 1 kWh cheaper than fossil fuels; and we are already there”
In his speech, Martínez explained to port officials coordinated by the United Nations the main lines of action of Valenciaport in environmental matters The PAV is investing more than 131 million in decarbonisation projects The president of the PAV took part in the workshop on the challenges facing ports in the 21st century organised by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Buenos Aires (Argentina) https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/03/24/aurelio-martinez-renewables-will-prevail-when-they-produce-1-kwh-cheaper-than-fossil-fuels-and-we-are-already-there/
6. Flex LNG wraps up fleet refinancing
John Fredriksen-backed Flex LNG has completed its fleet refinancing programme, which resulted in a total cash position boost of $387m. The New York and Olso-listed company with a fleet of 13 LNG carriers has finalised the process with a new $290m loan deal to refinance the 2021-built Flex Freedom and Flex Vigilant. https://splash247.com/flex-lng-wraps-up-fleet-refinancing/
7. Car carrier orderbook surges by 30% in opening three months of 2023
The car carrier orderbook is surging, up by 30% in the year-to-date, and now represents 25% of the fleet on the water, according to data from Gersemi Asset Management. Another notable trend in this booming sector is the reentry of global container carriers. https://splash247.com/car-carrier-orderbook-surges-by-30-in-opening-three-months-of-2023/
8. Policy Shift Causes Developers to Hit the Brakes on Irish Offshore Wind Projects
Barry Kilcline, Ireland head of offshore at SSE Renewables, said he was aware of “at least two” significant investment decisions that had been abandoned as a result of the policy change, although he declined to say who the firms were. His company also spent “several millions” of euros on plans for a wind farm off the coast of Louth on Ireland’s eastern seaboard which is now in doubt. https://gcaptain.com/policy-shift-causes-developers-to-hit-the-brakes-on-irish-offshore-wind-projects/
9. Growing Support for Zero-Emission Shipping Target Ahead of Critical IMO Meeting
The United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO) has concluded its latest round of talks ahead this summer’s critical Marine Environment Protection Committee meeting (MEPC 80) which will decide the shipping industry’s strategy to mitigate the sector’s impact on climate change. During the meeting this week of the IMO’s Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships (ISWG-GHG 14), delegates met to discuss and finalize the draft Revised IMO Strategy on the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships, concluding with a majority of member states agreeing that shipping must reach absolute zero-emissions by 2050. https://gcaptain.com/growing-support-for-zero-emission-shipping-target-ahead-of-critical-imo-meeting/
10. Oil spills and near misses: more ghost tankers ship sanctioned fuel
An oil tanker runs aground off eastern China, leaking fuel into the water. Another is caught in a collision near Cuba. A third is seized in Spain for drifting out of control. These vessels were part of a “shadow” fleet of tankers carrying oil last year from countries hit by Western sanctions, according to a Reuters analysis of ship tracking and accident data and interviews with more than a dozen industry specialists. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Oil+spills+and+near+misses%3A+more+ghost+tankers+ship+sanctioned+fuel
