InterManager Daily News 16.08.2023.

1. Mine explosion near Romania’s Constanta port spooks Ukrainian grain exporters. Russia’s efforts to strangle Ukrainian grain exports are seeing it come ever closer to bringing a NATO member into the conflict. Since quitting a United Nations-brokered grain shipping pact last month, Russian forces have targeted Ukrainian ports and grain export facilities including sending drones to attack ports on the Danube , just a couple of hundred of metres away from the shoreline of Romania, a NATO member. https://splash247.com/mine-explosion-near-romanias-constanta-port-spooks-ukrainian-grain-exporters/
2. FMC expands its investigation into charges levied by MSC. Not for the first time in recent months, lawyers for Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC) find themselves battling a case at the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) in Washington DC. MSC, the world’s largest containerline, faces charges over its detention and demurrage charges as well as its billing procedures, potential violations of the Shipping Act. https://splash247.com/fmc-expands-its-investigation-into-charges-levied-by-msc/
3. Wallenius Wilhelmsen signs for up to a dozen methanol-fuelled newbuilds in China. Norwegian car carrier operator Wallenius Wilhelmsen has lined up up to 12 9,350 ceu vessels for construction in China which will be capable of running on methanol and ammonia-ready. The Oslo-listed company has signed a letter of intent with Jinling Shipyard Jiangsu for delivery of four firm ships from mid-2026, with options for an additional eight units. https://splash247.com/wallenius-wilhelmsen-signs-for-up-to-a-dozen-methanol-fuelled-newbuilds-in-china/
4. Endless takes over energy logistics group ASCO. Aberdeen-based energy logistics group, ASCO, has been acquired by UK private equity firm Endless for an undisclosed sum. With over 1,000 employees in the UK with a further 500 across its international operations, ASCO operates from 60 locations in nine countries across six continents. https://splash247.com/endless-takes-over-energy-logistics-group-asco/
5. U.S. and UK Collaborating on Green Shipping Corridors to Achieve Zero Emissions by 2050. In a joint effort to combat climate change, the United States and the United Kingdom are embarking on the development of green shipping corridors to help accelerate the adoption of cleaner fuels and steer the shipping sector towards full decarbonization. The corridors, envisioned as routes connecting multiple ports, will serve as showcases for cutting-edge zero- and near zero-emission fuels and technologies. The ultimate aim is to achieve a complete elimination of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from these corridors by no later than 2050. https://gcaptain.com/u-s-and-uk-collaborating-on-green-shipping-corridors-to-achieve-zero-emissions-by-2050/
6. Singapore Bunker Sales Rebound as Container Throughput Firms. Singapore‘s marine fuel sales, also known as bunker sales, rebounded in July after a sharp decline in June, while monthly container throughput hit a year-to-date high, official data on Monday showed. Bunker sales at Singapore are a key indicator of sentiment at the world’s largest refuelling hub for ships, which is also one of the busiest shipping lanes globally. https://gcaptain.com/singapore-bunker-sales-rebound-as-container-throughput-firms/
7. SFL Secures Offshore Drilling Contract with Equinor in Canada. SFL Corporation (NYSE: SFL) has secured a drilling contract in Canada with Equinor ASA for the semi-submersible rig Hercules, with an estimated value of $100 million for one well plus one optional well. The contract is expected to commence in Q2 2024 and will be managed by Odfjell Drilling on behalf of SFL. It’s duration is approximately 200 days, including transit to Canada. https://gcaptain.com/sfl-secures-offshore-drilling-contract-with-equinor-in-canada/
8. DP World Chennai berths biggest vessel MV Navios Constellation. End-to-end logistics provider DP World Chennai has berthed ‘MV Navios Constellation’, the biggest vessel ever handled at the Chennai Container Terminal in Chennai, the company said on Sunday. The vessel measuring 350 metres in length, has the capacity to handle 9,954 TEUs (Twenty-foot equivalent units) cargo and has become the biggest vessel that has ever berthed at DP World Chennai since its inception in 2001, a company statement said. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/DP+World+Chennai+berths+biggest+vessel+MV+Navios+Constellation
9. Record temperatures are driving food prices higher. Here are some of the crops facing the biggest impacts. What’s in your regular shopping basket? What are the foods you can’t live without? And what are your occasional treats? Whatever they are, it’s pretty likely you’ve noticed a change in their price over recent months – some more than others. Shortages and supply issues caused by events including the pandemic and war in Ukraine have been felt through food price inflation for some while now. But for some foods, a more recent event is making itself felt: record high temperatures. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Record+temperatures+are+driving+food+prices+higher.+Here+are+some+of+the+crops+facing+the+biggest+impacts
10. SEACOR Marine posts highest Q2 vessel utilisation in a decade. The Houston-based OSV owner had consolidated operating revenues for Q2 2023 of US$66.9M, operating income of US$2.9M, and direct vessel profit (DVP) of US$30.6M. This compares with consolidated operating revenues of US$54.0M, operating loss of US$15.5M, and DVP of US$9.9M in Q2 2022, and consolidated operating revenues of US$60.0M, operating income of US$0.2M, and DVP of US$22.7M in Q1 2023. During Q2 2023, SEACOR Marine showed a 24% improvement in revenues from Q2 2022 and a 11% increase from Q1 2023. https://www.rivieramm.com/lead-stories-brand/seacor-marine-posts-highest-q2-vessel-utilisation-in-a-decade-77377