InterManager Daily News 03.05.2023.

1. MAN 175D Biofuel-Ready. High-speed engine ready to operate on 100% biofuel. MAN Energy Solutions has announced that its MAN 175D engine is formally approved for operation on biofuels, effective immediately. This applies to all standard biofuels such as HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) and FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) fuels up to a content of 100%. Crucially, the engine itself does not require any technical adjustments, following the announcement. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/04/28/man-175d-biofuel-ready/
2. Ocean Technologies Group appoints Chief People and Culture Officer to Promote Inclusion and Diversity. Ocean Technologies Group has appointed Tracy Maraj in a key role as Chief People & Culture Officer to shape and lead OTG’s people strategy. Tracy will be responsible for leading OTG’s people agenda, developing effective strategies that deliver OTG’s business objectives by ensuring it’s global team of over 450 ‘oceaneers’ to maximise their full potential in a culture that cultivates openness, inclusivity, and diversity. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/04/28/ocean-technologies-group-appoints-chief-people-and-culture-officer-to-promote-inclusion-and-diversity/
3. SMART TESTSOLUTIONS presents new Series CVM G6S. SMART TESTSOLUTIONS, the specialist for cell voltage monitoring systems, presented the new product generation of its cell voltage monitoring for series applications at Hydrogen + Fuel Cells Europe, a sub-fair of the Hanover Fair. Compared to its predecessor, the G5S, the G6S product platform is characterised by a more compact design and lower costs. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/04/27/smart-testsolutions-presents-new-series-cvm-g6s/
4. Owners face severe yard bottleneck. Shipowners face a severe shipyard bottleneck if they want to source prompt delivery slots from yards in Asia, a situation that is set to worsen in the coming months.Analysis from multiple broking and banking sources show that available delivery slots are all but dried up for 2025, and rapidly disappearing for 2026 too. https://splash247.com/owners-face-severe-yard-bottleneck/
5. Maritime CEO Forum: Geopolitics driving dry bulk towards a super cycle? Geopolitics were to the fore in the concluding dry bulk session at last week’s Maritime CEO Forum, held at the Fullerton Hotel in Singapore. Debate about the likelihood of another dry bulk super cycle divided panellists and delegates alike at the exclusive by-invite-only shipowner gathering. https://splash247.com/maritime-ceo-forum-geopolitics-driving-dry-bulk-towards-a-super-cycle/
6. AD Ports enters tanker sector. Rapidly expanding AD Ports Group from Abu Dhabi has entered the tanker sector as well as bolstering its dry bulk fleet. The company announced yesterday the purchase of five bulk carriers and three crude oil tankers.The five bulk carriers form part of the long-term agreement with Saif Powertec, signed in April 2022, for the movement of general cargo and dry bulk cargo between Fujairah Port in the UAE and Bangladesh, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and other global destinations. https://splash247.com/ad-ports-enters-tanker-sector/
7. Cambodia starts work on tripling its box handling capacity by 2029 Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen was guest of honour yesterday for the groundbreaking of a major new container terminal expansion at the kingdom’s main port. Sihanoukville Autonomous Port is developing a three-phase expansion through to 2029 to allow larger ships to call at the country, one of the region’s fastest growing economies. https://splash247.com/cambodia-starts-work-on-tripling-its-box-handling-capacity-by-2029/
8. Tanker Seized by Iran Carrying Kuwaiti Crude and has Indian Crew. An oil tanker seized by Iran last Thursday was carrying Kuwaiti crude and had a crew of 24 Indians, according to the operator.The US has demanded the immediate release of the the Marshall Islands-flagged Advantage Sweet, which was travelling in international waters and near the Gulf of Oman when the incident happened, according to the US military. https://gcaptain.com/tanker-seized-by-iran-carrying-kuwaiti-crude-and-has-indian-crew/
9. All American Marine Awarded MARAD Small Shipyard Grant All American Marine, a leading manufacturer of aluminum catamarans and monohulls in the Pacific Northwest, has been awarded a Small Shipyard Grant worth $916,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD).The grant will be utilized to purchase and install a state-of-the-art 60’ router table and a CNC press brake, significantly enhancing the shipyard’s manufacturing capabilities. The company said the new equipment will enable it to cut materials with greater accuracy and speed, allowing for more precise and automated forming of metal parts. https://gcaptain.com/all-american-marine-awarded-marad-small-shipyard-grant/
10. Dredger Involved in Fatal Collision off the Philippines. At least three people have died, and two were reported missing after a Sierra Leone-flagged dredger collided with a product tanker in the waters off Corregidor Island in the Philippines last Friday. The dredger, the MV Hong Hai 189, capsized following the incident.Following reports of the collision, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) dispatched the patrol vessel BRP Capones to the area. Initially, a nearby vessel rescued 16 of the dredger’s 20 crew members. https://gcaptain.com/dredger-involved-in-fatal-collision-off-the-philippines/