InterManager Daily News 25.05.2023.

1. Marlow Navigation selects MORSE-ORB developed by Prevention at Sea. Andreas Alexandrakis, HSSE Manager at Marlow Navigation Co. Ltd stated the following “We are very happy to proceed with the P@S MORSE-ORB for our Fleet. Choosing the right software is a critical decision that requires proper due diligence. After conducting thorough research and analysis, we chose the MORSE-ORB because it met our specific needs and requirements. We evaluated various options based on factors such as functionality, reliability, scalability, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness. We also considered the software vendor’s reputation, customer support, and product roadmap to cover future requirements. Ultimately, we selected the software that provided the best value for our investment and aligned with our business objectives.https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/05/23/marlow-navigation-selects-morse-orb/
2. Gasum has terminated its pipeline natural gas supply contract with Gazprom Export. Gasum has had a long-term pipeline natural gas supply contract with Russian Gazprom Export. In April 2022, Gazprom Export presented Gasum with a demand that the payments agreed in the supply contract should be paid in rubles instead of euros. Gasum did not accept this demand. In addition, the companies had a significant disagreement regarding certain other demands made based on the contract. Due to these reasons, Gasum referred the matter to arbitration in accordance with the supply contract. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/05/23/gasum-has-terminated-its-pipeline-natural-gas-supply-contract-with-gazprom-export/
3. Free money for shipping has ended but banks remain enchanted. Shipping finance markets for the rest of 2023 look positive, with a depth of lenders, banks, leasing houses and alternative credit funds all seeking to grow their portfolios and offer the best terms to win projects. Competition between lenders in the improving Tanker markets is especially fierce. While financing volumes available for each individual vessel have plateaued as asset values rose over the past quarter, margins have been under severe downward pressure as banks have started to explore financing cases further from their previous comfort zones.https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/05/23/free-money-for-shipping-has-ended-but-banks-remain-enchanted/
4. INTERCARGO reaches membership milestone. INTERCARGO, which meets in Dubai this week for its Semi Annual Meetings, now has within its global fleet more than 3,200 bulkers registered by more than 155 dry bulk owners/managers/operators, with its membership supplemented by 90 associate member companies supporting the sector. INTERCARGO’s members, who span 30 countries, predominantly operate bulk carriers in the international dry bulk trades, such as coal, grain, iron ore and other bulk commodities. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/05/23/intercargo-reaches-membership-milestone/
5. HMM enters acquisition race for Hyundai LNG Shipping. HMM, a South Korean shipping giant, has joined the race to acquire Hyundai LNG Shipping, the country’s top liquefied natural gas (LNG) transporter.According to industry insiders on May 18, HMM has expressed its intention to IMM Private Equity to carry out due diligence and participate in the main bidding for Hyundai LNG Shipping. IMM Private Equity is a private investment fund manager holding a 100% stake in Hyundai LNG Shipping. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/05/23/hmm-enters-acquisition-race-for-hyundai-lng-shipping-2/
6. Klaveness Combination Carriers lines up tree newbuilds in China. Norwegian owner Klaveness Combination Carriers (KCC) is set to expand its fleet after signing a deal for three Cabu newbuild vessels in China. The Oslo-listed firm, with eight Cabu and eight Cleanbu combination carriers, has entered into a letter of intent with Jiangsu New Yangzi Shipbuilding to have the trio delivered in 2026. https://splash247.com/klaveness-combination-carriers-lines-up-tree-newbuilds-in-china/
7. PSA and Kazakhstan Railways sign Trans-Caspian rail corridor pact. Singapore-based terminal operator PSA International has formed a joint venture with Kazakhstan’s main rail network operator Kazakhstan Railways (KTZ) to promote the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR). The TITR is a rail corridor route that travels through China, Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan and then Georgia, enabling products to be shipped through Black Sea ports to European countries and Turkey. https://splash247.com/psa-and-kazakhstan-railways-sign-trans-caspian-rail-corridor-pact/
8. National Maritime Day Opinion: U.S. Must Maintain its Merchant Marine Fleet to Protect Our Sovereignty. National Maritime Day, today, May 22, has come and gone over the years with little fanfare. The critical importance of our national maritime capability — both military and domestic — often is not fully appreciated, as it is easy to take for granted the seamless movement of goods and our military strength. Yet this National Maritime Day occurs in the face of increasing international tensions and should remind every American that our status as a maritime nation is a major source of our economic prosperity, security, and resilience. https://gcaptain.com/national-maritime-day-opinion-u-s-must-maintain-its-merchant-marine-fleet-to-protect-our-sovereignty/
9. UN Concerned by Lack of Ships at One Ukrainian Port. The United Nations expressed concern on Monday that Ukraine’s Black Sea port of Pivdennyi (Yuzhny) has not received any ships since May 2 under a deal allowing the safe wartime export of grain and fertilizer. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric did not say who was to blame for the lack of ships traveling to the port, near Odesa, which is also where Russia used to pump up to 2.5 million tonnes of ammonia annually for export via a pipeline from Togliati. https://gcaptain.com/un-concerned-by-lack-of-ships-at-one-ukrainian-port/
10. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways starts its Chintan Shivir in Munnar,Kerala to determine the targets and deliberate upon the ideas of Making India Atmanirbhar in Maritime. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW )embarkedupon its much-anticipated 2 day Chintan Shivir at Munnar in Kerala. The Shivir was Chaired and inaugurated by Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and AYUSH in the august presence of the Shri Shripad Naik, MoS, MoPSW and Tourism, Shri Shantanu Thakur, MoS, MoPSW, Shri Sudhansh Pant, Secretary, MoPSW and others including Chairpersons of all major ports, heads of the other organizations/PSU’s of the Ministry and senior officials. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Ministry+of+Ports%2C+Shipping+and+Waterways+starts+its+Chintan+Shivir+in+Munnar%2CKerala+to+determine+the+targets+and+deliberate+upon+the+ideas+of+Making+India+Atmanirbhar+in+Maritime