InterManager Daily News 26.07.2023.

1. Russia bombards Ukraine ports, threatens ships, jolting world grain markets. Russia jolted world grain markets with an escalation in the Black Sea, mounting a third straight night of air strikes on Ukrainian ports and issuing a threat against Ukraine-bound vessels to which Kyiv responded in kind. At least 27 civilians were reported hurt in the air strikes on the ports, which set buildings ablaze and damaged China’s consulate in Odesa. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/07/24/russia-bombards-ukraine-ports-threatens-ships-jolting-world-grain-markets/
2. Capital Gas announces the order of the two first-ever 22,000cbm liquid CO2 (LCO2) carrier newbuildings. Capital Gas Ship Management Corp. announces the order of the two first-ever state-of-the-art 22,000-cbm liquid CO2 (LCO2) carriers at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, S.Korea to be delivered in 2025-2026. The order of two state-of-the-art, largest CO2 carriers ever contracted constitutes not only a historical milestone for the Capital Group (‘Capital), but for the industry as a whole. It also underscores the company’s commitment to playing a leading role in the global decarbonization efforts, as actions always speak louder than words. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/07/24/capital-gas-announces-the-order-of-the-two-first-ever-22000cbm-liquid-co2-lco2-carrier-newbuildings/
3. Risk of rising congestion looms at San Pedro Bay ports. Transit times and productivity are back to normal at USWC ports, and with a new labour agreement finally in place between the PMA and ILWU, the ports are set for a normal peak season – all that’s missing are the volumes. But potential cargo diversion from strike-hit Canadian ports could bring back unwanted congestion.After over a year of negotiations, the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) finally announced an agreement on a new six-year contract covering all 29 USWC ports. However, the Canada branch of the ILWU rejected a four-year wage deal and resumed strike action, raising fears of resurgent disruption to North American maritime supply chains. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/07/24/risk-of-rising-congestion-looms-at-san-pedro-bay-ports/
4. Singapore fuel oil stocks at 8-week lows; net imports nearly halve. Residual fuel oil stocks at key trading hub Singapore eased for a second straight week, while net imports nearly halved, official data showed on Thursday.Onshore fuel oil stocks fell 3% to 17.81 million barrels (2.80 million metric tons) in the week to July 19, data from Enterprise Singapore showed. Weekly net imports, calculated by subtracting total exports from total imports, nearly halved week-on-week at 563,000 metric tons. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/07/24/singapore-fuel-oil-stocks-at-8-week-lows-net-imports-nearly-halve/
5. Teekay partners withSulNOx to pilot greener fuel conditioner. Teekay Corporation, the 2023 ShipTek Tanker Operator of the Year, has agreed to pilot SulNOxEco Fuel Conditioner, developed by the UK’s SulNOx Group PLC. Last month Constantine Logothetis, co-founder of Lomar Shipping owner Libra Group, acquired a 16.3% stake in SulNOx. The pilot highlights Teekay’s ambition to decarbonise and lead shipping’s immediate efforts in the global energy transition. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/07/24/teekay-partners-withsulnox-to-pilot-greener-fuel-conditioner/
6. Eastern Pacific Shipping enters green energy agreement with China Power. Idan Ofer-controlled Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) has signed a Framework Cooperation Agreement (FCA) to collaborate on the production of green energy and renewable fuel solutions with China Power International Development Limited. Under the agreement, EPS and China Power will cooperate to advance the development and adoption of energy solutions for the maritime industry, including green ammonia and green methanol. https://splash247.com/eastern-pacific-shipping-enters-green-energy-agreement-with-china-power/
7. Prices for older VLCCs falling fast. For older VLCCs, prices are falling fast. The latest rusty tanker deal filling up broking reports is a sale by South Korea’s SK Shipping which has offloaded the 19-year-old, 314,000 dwt, Samsung-built C.Champion for $37.8m. The ship has been under negotiations for weeks, with brokers monitoring the deal closely. https://splash247.com/prices-for-older-vlccs-falling-fast/
8. UAE and DNV to Launch Middle East Maritime Decarbonization Center. For older VLCCs, prices are falling fast. The latest rusty tanker deal filling up broking reports is a sale by South Korea’s SK Shipping which has offloaded the 19-year-old, 314,000 dwt, Samsung-built C.Champion for $37.8m. The ship has been under negotiations for weeks, with brokers monitoring the deal closely. https://splash247.com/prices-for-older-vlccs-falling-fast/
9. Maersk Line ordered to pay $700,000 to sacked whistleblower. Maersk’s American unit has been ordered to pay over $700,000 to a former employee who was fired after complaining about vessel safety to the US Coast Guard. In December 2020, a chief mate aboard the 4,154 teu Safmarine Mafadi, now Maersk Tennessee, reported a list of concerns about the ship’s condition. https://splash247.com/maersk-line-ordered-to-pay-700000-to-sacked-whistleblower/
10. Baltic index slips to over 1-1/2 month low on weaker vessel rates. The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index, tracking rates for ships ferrying dry bulk commodities, fell to its lowest since early June on Monday on lower rates for all vessel segments. The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, dropped 11 points to 967, its lowest since June 5. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Baltic+index+slips+to+over+1-1%2F2+month+low+on+weaker+vessel+rates