InterManager Daily News 24.05.2023.

1. The largest ship management merger ever OSM Thome gets green light from authorities. “This is a big day for OSM Thome. Our merger is now formally and finally approved. The merged company combines proud traditions with high ambitions. Our business is based on Norwegian maritime skills and with skilful employees in leading shipping locations across the world, we will strengthen our position as an innovative and world-leading supplier of ship management services. We have built a company for the future, with safe, efficient and sustainable management of ships as our DNA. That will give added value for our customers and for our colleagues,” says CEO of OSM Thome, Finn Amund Nordbye. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/05/22/the-largest-ship-management-merger-ever-osm-thome-gets-green-light-from-authorities/
2. Russia and Iran sign rail deal for corridor intended to rival Suez Canal. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday oversaw, via video-link, the signing of a deal to finance and build an Iranian railway line as part of an embryonic international North–South Transport Corridor. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/05/22/russia-and-iran-sign-rail-deal-for-corridor-intended-to-rival-suez-canal/
3. Global Oil demand climbs to a record high in March as recorded in JODI Data. Global oil demand rose by 3.0 mb/d month-on-month in March to the highest level ever recorded by JODI-reporting countries, driven by growth in China and the US. China’s total product demand increased by 1.6 mb/d month-on-month to 16.79 mb/d – the third-highest level ever reported for the country in JODI. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/05/22/global-oil-demand-climbs-to-a-record-high-in-march-as-recorded-in-jodi-data/
4. Baltic index nears one-month low as vessel demand weakens. The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index fell for a sixth straight session on Thursday to its lowest level in almost a month, pressured by lower rates across all vessel segments. The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels carrying dry bulk commodities, fell 23 points, or 1.6%, to 1,402 points – its lowest since April 19. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/05/22/baltic-index-nears-one-month-low-as-vessel-demand-weakens/
5. US, UK, others seek to target illicit oil shipping transfers at sea. The U.S., UK, Denmark and other countries have called for more action, including increased surveillance, over the booming practice of unregulated oil transfers at sea, as fears grow over potential pollution, according to a paper submitted to the U.N. “These transfers undermine the rules-based international order and increase the risk of pollution to nearby coastal States. This threatens global efforts to prevent pollution from ships,” the paper said. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/05/22/us-uk-others-seek-to-target-illicit-oil-shipping-transfers-at-sea/
6. Number of containers lost at sea falls to record low. A total of 661 containers were lost overboard in 2022, out of 250m transported, representing the lowest losses in percentage since the Washington-based liner lobby group, the World Shipping Council (WSC), started the survey in 2008. The number is less than one-thousandth of 1% (0.00026%) of the containers currently shipped each year, with cargo transported valued at more than $7trn, WSC said. https://splash247.com/number-of-containers-lost-at-sea-falls-to-record-low/
7. Japan’s top shipbuilders set to build liquified CO2 carriers by 2027. Leading shipbuilders in Japan have joined forces to design a liquified CO2 carrier, with the goal of finishing construction by 2027. With a growing number of carbon capture and storage projects expected in Asia, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding and Nihon Shipyard are looking to establish a shipbuilding framework to meet the demand for vessels facilitating the large-scale transport of liquified carbon dioxide. https://splash247.com/japans-top-shipbuilders-set-to-build-liquified-co2-carriers-by-2027/
8. National Maritime Day Celebrates its 90th Anniversary. National Maritime Day has been celebrated on May 22 across the United States since its creation in 1933, making 2023 the 90th annual celebration. May 22 was chosen to honor the anniversary of the day a steamship called the Savannah set sail on the first transoceanic voyage under steam power back in 1819. https://gcaptain.com/national-maritime-day-celebrates-its-90th-anniversary/
9. Multiple Bodies Recovered from Chinese Fishing Capsized in Indian Ocean. Seven bodies were recovered from a Chinese fishing vessel that capsized in the central Indian Ocean, according to state media on Monday, days after China President Xi Jinping ordered an all-out search to rescue and recover missing crew members. Several countries, including Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Maldives, and the Philippines, joined in rescue efforts for 39 missing crew members after the Chinese distant-water fishing vessel “Lupeng Yuanyu 028” capsized early last Tuesday, state-run CCTV reported. https://gcaptain.com/multiple-bodies-recovered-from-chinese-fishing-capsized-in-indian-ocean/
10. Transworld to take Shreyas private. Dubai’s Transworld Holdings has announced ts intention to voluntarily delist the equity shares of its Indian subsidiary, Shreyas Shipping & Logistics, a container feeder operator. Transworld cited the enhanced operational flexibility, and less costs as reasons to take the boxline private. Under Indian stock market rules, Transworld can take the line private once it accrues 90% of the shareholding. It currently controls 70.44%. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Transworld+to+take+Shreyas+private+