InterManager Daily News 21.08.2023.

1. Sailors’ Society crisis team support shipwreck crew and their families. Sailors’ Society’s Crisis Response Network is supporting survivors of a shipwrecked trawler after an urgent search and rescue operation took place off the Southern Cape coast of South Africa. The experienced team from the global maritime welfare charity is also comforting families of the seven-strong crew, four of whom died when the local fishing trawler washed up on rocks in rough seas. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/08/18/sailors-society-crisis-team-support-shipwreck-crew-and-their-families/
2. Drewry’s World Container Index. Drewry’s composite World Container Index increased by 1.7% to $1,790.60 per 40ft container this week.The composite index has increased by 1.7% to $1,790.60 this week, and has dropped by 72.2% when compared with the same week last year. The latest Drewry WCI composite index of $1,790.60 per 40-foot container is now 83% below the peak of $10,377 reached in September 2021. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/08/18/drewrys-world-container-index/
3. Ukraine says its 2023/24 grain exports total almost 3 mln T so far. Ukraine’s grain exports have totalled 2.98 million metric tons so far in the 2023/24 July-June season, Agriculture Ministry data showed on Friday. The ministry gave no comparative figures for the same date a year earlier but said the shipments were at 2.34 million tons as of Aug. 12, 2022. Exports have been affected since Russia quit a United Nations-backed grain deal last month but the ministry’s data did not give a breakdown on exports since the deal collapsed. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/08/18/ukraine-says-its-2023-24-grain-exports-total-almost-3-mln-t-so-far/
4. July import volumes continue to mirror pre-COVID ‘normal’ “Imports unchanged versus pre-pandemic levels” is a less dramatic headline with no double digits, ominous undertones or “plunging” involved. Yet that is the real news: The volume of containerized imports to the U.S. is normal and healthy. There is no sign yet in the import data of consumer weakness or an impending recession. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/08/18/july-import-volumes-continue-to-mirror-pre-covid-normal/
5. Recent developments in the war in Ukraine – the effect on contractual obligations of the cessation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. The Black Sea Grain Initiative that allowed grain products to be shipped from Ukrainian Black Sea ports has now ended. Our article focuses on what that means for owners’ and charterers’ contractual obligations. There have been many developments since we last updated our article on the impact on contractual obligations of the war in Ukraine. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/08/18/recent-developments-in-the-war-in-ukraine-the-effect-on-contractual-obligations-of-the-cessation-of-the-black-sea-grain-initiative/
6. Dry bulk’s malaise ever grander with demise of top Chinese property developer From bad to worse. The sense of despondency that has set in among many dry bulk owners this year has added a further layer of glumness with news from New York where China’s Evergrande Group, an embattled real estate developer, has sought Chapter 15 bankruptcy protection.https://splash247.com/dry-bulks-malaise-ever-grander-with-demise-of-top-chinese-property-developer/
7. Boxship completes landmark voyage out of Ukraine paving way for other vessels to exit The 9,400 teu Jospeh Schulte dropped anchor off Istanbul this morning, completing a hugely significant voyage, becoming the first of some 60 ships to leave having been stranded in Ukrainian waters since war broke out with Russia 541 days ago. Other marooned vessels are now readying voyage plans to make use of Ukraine’s newly created humanitarian corridor to exit the war-torn country. https://splash247.com/boxship-completes-landmark-voyage-out-of-ukraine-paving-way-for-other-vessels-to-exit/
8. Qatar buys into Rotterdam port The reshuffle of operators at Europe’s largest port continues apace with Qatar coming onboard. QTerminals Group and Qatar Navigation have acquired a majority stake in Kramer Holding, a family-run company which runs the Rotterdam Container Terminal. No price has been revealed for the acquisition. https://splash247.com/qatar-buys-into-rotterdam-port/
9. Hurricane Hilary Barrels Towards Baja California Peninsula, Southwest US Hurricane Hilary hurtled towards Mexico’s Baja California peninsula on Saturday, a U.S. government agency said, blanketing the region with heavy rain amid warnings ofcatastrophic and life-threatening flooding on the peninsula and the U.S. Southwest. One man died in the Baja California Sur state when a family of five was swept away into the sea while crossing a stream, according to a Mexican official, who also shared images of flooded and roads that were swept away in the area. https://gcaptain.com/hurricane-hilary-barrels-towards-baja-california-peninsula-southwest-us/
10. Making a Positive Impact – Waypoints Issue 04 The International Maritime Organisation has over many decades developed and adopted mandatory rules, as well as recommendations and guidelines, to protect the marine environment, writes Natasha Brown. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Making+a+Positive+Impact+%E2%80%93+Waypoints+Issue+04