InterManager Daily News 13.04.2023.

1. Scorpio Tankers to purchase six product tankers. The Company has given notice to exercise its purchase options on one 2019 built LR2 product tanker (STI Lobelia) and five 2019 built MR product tankers (STI Magic, STI Mystery, STI Marvel, STI Mythic, and STI Magister). The leases bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 3.50% per annum. The purchases, which are expected to occur in June 2023, will result in a debt reduction of $147.3 million for the Company. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/04/12/scorpio-tankers-to-purchase-six-product-tankers/
2. New report from ITF argues that governments are obliged to learn pandemic supply chain lessons. Governments should learn lessons from the pandemic and its aftermath to secure reliable maritime supply chains for their citizens and the climate, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has argued in a new report. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/04/11/new-report-from-itf-argues-that-governments-are-obliged-to-learn-pandemic-supply-chain-lessons/
3. Addressing ship-to-ship oil transfers and tankers in the “dark fleet”. The dangerous practice of ship-to-ship transfers in the open ocean, as well as the methods used to obscure ship identities and turning off AIS transponders, were discussed by the Legal Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The committee was meeting for its 110th session (LEG 110) at IMO Headquarters in London (27-31 March). https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/04/11/addressing-ship-to-ship-oil-transfers-and-tankers-in-the-dark-fleet/
4. Kazakhstan, Abu Dhabi Ports Group to procure tanker fleet. KazMunayGas, Kazakhstan’s national oil company, and Abu Dhabi Ports Group plan to procure a tanker fleet with deadweight from 8,000 to 12,000 tons. This issue was discussed between Magzum Mirzagaliyev, the CEO of KazMunayGas, and Mohamed Juma al-Shamisi, the CEO of the Abu Dhabi Ports Group. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/04/11/kazakhstan-abu-dhabi-ports-group-to-procure-tanker-fleet/
5. A European first: hump yard in the port of Antwerp operated neutrally for the first time. Moving more goods, faster and more economically by rail because it’s good for the economy and good for the environment. That’s the essence of this story. The neutral operation of the automatic hump yard at the Antwerp-North marshalling yard in the port is an important factor in achieving that goal. Thanks to this rail infrastructure in Belgium’s largest and busiest freight station, trains can be assembled more efficiently. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/04/11/a-european-first-hump-yard-in-the-port-of-antwerp-operated-neutrally-for-the-first-time-2/
6. Risky business – commodities traders and financiers, it’s time to re-think your vessel screening process. The world is getting riskier for commodity trading stakeholders – especially at sea. Between wars, extreme weather, and energy price shocks, uncontrollable risks are mounting – making it more important than ever to manage risks that can be controlled.
A prime example of such a risk is an outdated or underweight vessel screening process. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/04/11/risky-business-commodities-traders-and-financiers-its-time-to-re-think-your-vessel-screening-process/
7. Diana Shipping fixes out latest ultramax purchase. Greek bulker owner Diana Shipping has secured a time charter deal for the 2016-built ultramax acquired in February this year. The Semiramis Paliou-led New York-listed company has fixed the DSI Drammen, formerly Nord Potomac, to Singapore-based IMC Shipping for around one year at $18,250 per day. The charter starts on April 15, 2023 and comes with options to extend up to June 10, 2024. https://splash247.com/diana-shipping-fixes-out-latest-ultramax-purchase/
8. Peninsula adds to Middle East bunker tanker fleet. Bunkering specialist Peninsula has added another tanker to bolster its supply operations in UAE’s Fujairah, the third largest bunker fuel market in the world.The Gibraltar-based company has expanded its fleet with the Hercules Comet, ex-Pearl Majestic.According to VesselsValue data, the 2019-built 8,000 dwt ship has been acquired from Singapore’s Consort Bunkers for $14m. https://splash247.com/peninsula-adds-to-middle-east-bunker-tanker-fleet/
9. Drug smuggling on the increase in Mexican ports. Mexico has seen an increase in the number of cases involving illegal narcotics being smuggled on merchant vessels calling Mexican ports in the past 12 months, reports our local correspondent.Mexico remains one of the main transit hubs for illegal drugs according to international reports. The recent rise in incidents where drugs have been found on vessels has been experienced in ports located both in the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean coastline. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/04/12/drug-smuggling-on-the-increase-in-mexican-ports/
10. Baltic Index Falls On Weak Capesize, Supramax Demand. The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index, tracking rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, snapped a four-session winning streak on Tuesday, pressured by lower rates for capesize and supramax vessel segments.The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, lost 53 points, or 3.4%, at 1,507 — its biggest dip in two weeks. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Baltic+Index+Falls+On+Weak+Capesize%2C+Supramax+Demand