InterManager Daily News 08.05.2023.

1. Greece warned shipowners days before Iran seized tankers according to industry sources. Greece issued a series of warnings to shipowners to avoid sailing close to Iranian waters days before Tehran seized two tankers amid heightening tensions in the region, according to documents and industry sources.Iran seized a second oil tanker in a week on Wednesday in Gulf waters, the U.S. Navy said, the latest escalation in a series of seizures or attacks on commercial vessels in Gulf waters since 2019. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/05/05/greece-warned-shipowners-days-before-iran-seized-tankers-according-to-industry-sources/
2. MSC’s ScanBaltic to USA service begins calling JAXPORT. The first ship in MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company’s European ScanBaltic to USA service began calling JAXPORT with the arrival of MSC England on Sunday. SSA Atlantic provided stevedoring services at the SSA Jacksonville Container Terminal (JCT) at JAXPORT’s Blount Island Marine Terminal.https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/05/05/mscs-scanbaltic-to-usa-service-begins-calling-jaxport/
3. Seafarers Happiness Index Q1 2023 reveals a decline in overall satisfaction levels among seafarers. Survey reveals growing frustrations and challenges faced by seafarers, highlighting the need for collaborative industry-wide action to improve welfare and wellbeing in shippingThe Mission to Seafarers has published the latest Seafarers Happiness Index report for Q1 2023, revealing a decline in overall happiness levels among seafarers during the first three months of the year. The survey, which captures seafarers’ sentiments worldwide across a wide range of welfare issues, shows a fall from 7.69 to 7.1 out of 10, compared to Q4 2022. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/05/05/seafarers-happiness-index-q1-2023-reveals-a-decline-in-overall-satisfaction-levels-among-seafarers/
4. Draft revised Biofouling Guidelines approved at PPR 10th session. The Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response has approved the revised Guidelines for the control and management of ships’ biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species. It came during the Sub-Committee’s 10th session (PPR 10, 24-28 April) and follows a comprehensive review of the Guidelines. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/05/05/draft-revised-biofouling-guidelines-approved-at-ppr-10th-session/
5. Hong Kong arbitration clauses. Hong Kong is fast becoming a popular destination for maritime dispute resolution centres. This is due to its unique geographical location, business friendly policies and broad areas of international maritime expertise. An increasing number of shipping contracts provide for Hong Kong to be the seat of arbitration in their arbitration clauses.https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/05/05/hong-kong-arbitration-clauses/
6. PDVSA’s tanker fleet in urgent need of overhaul “The tanker fleet is showing a decline in the quality of its operations due to advanced physical deterioration, which implies higher maintenance and repair costs. Planning for sending the tankers to dry docks has been very affected by lack of payment to shipyards and providers,” the report said. https://splash247.com/pdvsas-tanker-fleet-in-urgent-need-of-overhaul/
7. Nor-Shipping: ‘Collaboration is the true fuel of the future’ After the upheaval of the last few years, Norway’s largest maritime event, Nor-Shipping, is back to its regular schedule. Running from June 6, a four-day exhibition and conference in Oslo will once again host leading maritime players, technology innovators, investors, and all the stakeholders interested in realising ocean opportunities. https://splash247.com/nor-shipping-collaboration-is-the-true-fuel-of-the-future/
8. COSCO offloads cape at the second attempt In mid-March, COSCO attempted to sell the 2006-built CHS Splendor, built at IHI Marine in Japan. Sources say the price at the time was $17.5m. The ship was first fixed but sources tell Splash the Middle Eastern buyer failed to log its deposit and the ship had to re-invite offers. The same ship is now sold for $16.3m.https://splash247.com/cosco-offloads-cape-at-the-second-attempt/
9. US Planning More ‘Robots at Sea’ In Middle East To Combat Iran The US, which leads two international maritime coalitions out of Bahrain, wants to have more than 100 unmanned surface vehicles — sometimes called robots at sea — in operation by the end of the summer, Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, who commands the coalitions and the Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet, said in an interview. An initial target of 50 was met in February and the technology delivers a cost-effective and efficient way of deepening US partnerships, he said. https://gcaptain.com/us-planning-more-robots-at-sea-in-middle-east-to-combat-iran/
10. Black Sea Grain Deal: No New Ships Authorized Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the United Nations on Friday failed to authorize any new ships under a deal allowing safe Black Sea exports of Ukraine grain, which Moscow has threatened to quit on May 18 over obstacles to its own grain and fertilizer exports. Daily inspections of previously authorized ships continue, deputy U.N. spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters. Officials from the four parties make up a Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) in Istanbul, which implements the Black Sea deal agreed in July. https://gcaptain.com/black-sea-grain-deal-no-new-ships-authorized/