InterManager Daily News 19.04.2023.

1. 24-hour strike by Argentina’s grain inspectors stops shipments, more stoppages planned this week. Grain inspectors in Argentina held a 24-hour strike on Monday to protest high taxes that are cutting into their wages. According to Guillermo Wade, head of the country’s Chamber of Port and Maritime Activities (CAPyM), the job action by the Urgara union “is affecting absolutely all the ports” in Rosario, a hub for agricultural transportation, 300 km northwest of Buenos Aires, on the Paraná River. https://splash247.com/24-hour-strike-by-argentinas-grain-inspectors-stops-shipments-more-stoppages-planned-this-week/
2. New research finds charging of recruitment fees most common illegal practice experienced by seafarers. The results of a new study of seafarers launched today finds that over two thirds (70%) of seafarers who have experienced violations of their workers’ rights say they were either charged recruitment fees – an illegal practice that can result in significant levels of debt leading to forced labour conditions – or were victims of fake job offers after making advance payments. https://splash247.com/new-research-finds-charging-of-recruitment-fees-most-common-illegal-practice-experienced-by-seafarers/
3. Splash launches in-depth shipmanagement magazine. The results of a new study of seafarers launched today finds that over two thirds (70%) of seafarers who have experienced violations of their workers’ rights say they were either charged recruitment fees – an illegal practice that can result in significant levels of debt leading to forced labour conditions – or were victims of fake job offers after making advance payments. https://splash247.com/new-research-finds-charging-of-recruitment-fees-most-common-illegal-practice-experienced-by-seafarers/
4. Rotterdam floats site for 1 GW green hydrogen plant. The Port of Rotterdam Authority is developing a site on the Maasvlakte suitable for the construction of a very large green hydrogen plant as part of the tender for the IJmuiden Ver wind farm later this year. In late March, Dutch Minister for Climate and Energy Rob Jetten announced the draft ministerial regulations for IJmuiden Ver Wind Farm Zone Beta. It will have a capacity of 2 GW and should be ready around 2028. The formal tender process will start in the second half of 2023 and various parties have already indicated their interest. https://splash247.com/rotterdam-floats-site-for-1-gw-green-hydrogen-plant/
5. ‘Extensive’ Deep-Sea Coral Reef Discovered in Galápagos Marine Reserve. Scientists have announced the discovery of an extensive deep-sea coral reef in Ecuador’s Galápagos Marine Reserve, marking a first-of-its kind discovery in the marine reserve.The undocumented reefs were discovered at a depth of 1,310 to 1,970 feet on the summit of a previously unmapped seamount in the central part of the protected area. https://gcaptain.com/extensive-deep-sea-coral-reef-discovered-in-galapagos-marine-reserve/
6. Bourbon Creates Guyana’s First Domestic OSV Operator. Offshore vessel operator Bourbon Offshore has announced a deal to create Guyana’s first domestic offshore support vessel (OSV) operator.Bourbon’s Marine & Logistics division on Monday announced a partnership with the Guyanese company Tethys Marine & Logistics, where TML will become 51% shareholder of the Bourbon Guyana Joint Venture. https://gcaptain.com/bourbon-creates-guyanas-first-domestic-osv-operator/
7. Nor-Shipping launches Ocean Campus in partnership with World Maritime University. Nor-Shipping is launching a fresh initiative to strengthen and support the pipeline of new talent entering the world of maritime and ocean business.Christened Ocean Campus, the dedicated ‘island’ of exhibition booths will showcase the world’s leading maritime universities and colleges, highlighting opportunities for potential students, while working to bridge the gap between employers and the talent of tomorrow. The World Maritime University (WMU) in Sweden, the IMO’s centre of excellence for postgraduate education, is the main Ocean Campus partner for both this year’s event, running from 6-9 June, and Nor-Shipping 2025. https://gcaptain.com/nor-shipping-launches-ocean-campus-in-partnership-with-world-maritime-university/
8. Carbon Chronicles: Voluntary Carbon Credits. In a recent press release, shipping industry participants Greenheart, Njord, and Marsoft announced that they have entered into a “Green Tech Partnership Underpinned by Carbon Credits,” where Njord will design a package of fuel-saving technologies on four Greenheart-owned vessels. Marsoft role will be to quantify and certify the CO2 savings through carbon credits. https://gcaptain.com/carbon-chronicles-voluntary-carbon-credits/
9. Norden looks to drive down emissions using carbon insetting. Norden will begin to issue carbon inset tokens with the aim of supporting the decarbonisation of customer supply chains. Carbon insetting is the transfer of environmental benefits derived from initiating low-carbon transport activities to other players in the supply chain, regardless of physical operations (Scope 3). https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Norden+looks+to+drive+down+emissions+using+carbon+insetting
10. Union actions continue to disrupt operations at LA-LB terminals. Trade concerns over an impasse between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) regarding contract negotiations at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are heightening.PMA represents employers of the shipping community using the US West Coast.“ILWU Local 13, the union’s largest local on the West Coast, has continued to disrupt operations at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the nation’s largest port complex,” PMA said in its latest advisory. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Union+actions+continue+to+disrupt+operations+at+LA-LB+terminals