InterManager Daily News 31.08.2023.

1. Columbia Shipmanagement strengthens commitment to investment in people with expansion into Indonesia. The Columbia Group is delighted to announce its expansion into Indonesia with the aim of delivering its first-class manning solutions directly. Columbia Shipmanagement (CSM) Indonesia will offer manning solutions in Indonesia and its surrounding regions, diversifying the crew pool on Columbia managed vessels and utilising the vast wealth of personnel resources that can be found there. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/08/29/columbia-shipmanagement-strengthens-commitment-to-investment-in-people-with-expansion-into-indonesia/
2. SAVE THE DATE for the 1st CSN Greece Crewing Conference “Maritime HR challenges in 2023” 28 September Athens. Recruitment and Crew wellbeing will be at the heart of the 1st CSN Greece Crewing Conference this year – outlining the impacts of recent global events within the industry and how the lives of crew members and their families have been affected by COVID-19. The conference will also welcome topics surrounding various developments within Maritime HR such as changes in regulations and policies, advancements in technology, and the strategies required for promoting and retaining a multicultural crew.https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/08/29/save-the-date-for-the-1st-csn-greece-crewing-conference-maritime-hr-challenges-in-2023-28-september-athens-2/
3. Klaveness and Lauritzen demonstrate collaboration as key to success. Torvald Klaveness and Lauritzen Bulkers, leading global dry bulk shipping companies, are pleased to announce a collaboration move that sees Lauritzen Bulkers testing Market Manager by Klaveness for better decision-making. Niels Josefsen, CEO at Lauritzen comments: “Over the past four years, Lauritzen Bulkers has transformed from a traditional ship owner and operator to a company with increasing focus on active portfolio management. We strive to refine our knowledge-based business model and data driven approach.” https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/08/29/klaveness-and-lauritzen-demonstrate-collaboration-as-key-to-success/
4. Hot spots for accidents – the risks and locations to be aware of Navigating a ship has always involved risks, but it is near the shore and in ports where the danger is greatest. A new analysis based on Gard claims data reveals where vessels are most likely to be involved in groundings or collisions. Human error is usually listed as the root cause of most collisions and groundings but claims data from Gard clearly shows that other factors also play a key role. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/08/29/hot-spots-for-accidents-the-risks-and-locations-to-be-aware-of/
5. Mixed performance for the Capesize and Panamax Markets. In the Pacific, the week began with promising involvements from all three majors, yet this enthusiasm did not translate into substantial market gains, yielding a relatively stagnant atmosphere. As the week unfolded, Pacific trading maintained a decent cargo volume, although the presence of surplus tonnage limited potential gains and led to a relatively stable market. In the Atlantic, a pattern emerged where increasing offers were noted, particularly from South Brazil and West Africa to the Far East, despite relatively thin enquiry in the North Atlantic. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/08/29/mixed-performance-for-the-capesize-and-panamax-markets/
6. ‘Critical work remains’: UN renews FSO Safer crowdfunding campaign. With the first phase complete in a mission to avoid a catastrophic environmental tanker disaster in the Red Sea, the United Nations is crowdfunding once again to get a decrepit vessel sent for safe recycling. Carrying over 1.1m barrels of oil, the FSO Safer was abandoned off Yemen’s Red Sea port of Hudaydah after the civil war broke out in the country in 2015. Since then, the vessel has deteriorated significantly in absence of any servicing or maintenance, prompting fears of a major environmental disaster that would be four times the scales of the Exxon Valdez disaster off Alaska in 1989. https://splash247.com/critical-work-remains-un-renews-fso-safer-crowdfunding-campaign/
7. OceanPal makes chemical tanker play. Greek bulker owner OceanPal is entering the chemical tanker segment with an investment in Norwegian entity, RFSea Infrastructure II, which has a pair of 6,600 dwt methanol-ready stainless steel vessels contracted at Wuhu Shipyard in China. The Nasdaq-listed spinoff of Diana Shipping, which counts two capesize bulkers and three panamaxes in its fleet, has teamed up with London-based alternative investment and commercial management firm RFOcean and other partners and investors on the deal in which Fearnley Securities acted as the project arranger. https://splash247.com/oceanpal-makes-chemical-tanker-play/
8. Conrad Shipyards to Build Four Cargo and Passenger Ferries for Puerto Rico. Morgan City, Louisiana-based Conrad Shipyard says it has been awarded a contract for the construction of four cargo and passenger ferries for the Puerto Rico Maritime Transit Authority (PRMTA). The ferries are designed to carry 300 passengers and 300 short tons of cargo, and will operate between the Ceiba and the islands of Vieques and Culebra in Puerto Rico. The ferries are designed with passenger comfort and convenience in mind, featuring modern propulsion systems and advanced space utilization. https://gcaptain.com/conrad-shipyards-to-build-four-cargo-and-passenger-ferries-for-puerto-rico/
9. First Offshore Wind Sale in Gulf of Mexico Attracts Paltry Interest. The Biden administration’s first ever auction of offshore wind development rights in the Gulf of Mexico ended with a single $5.6 million winning bid on Tuesday, reflecting meager demand for the clean energy source in a region known for oil and gas production. Germany’s RWE won rights to 102,480 acres (41,472 hectares) off Louisiana for $5.6 million, while the other two lease areas on offer off Texas received no bids, according to results posted on the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management web site. https://gcaptain.com/first-offshore-wind-sale-in-gulf-of-mexico-attracts-paltry-interest/
10. Higher rates across vessel segments prop up Baltic index. The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index, tracking rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, snapped a six-session long streak of declines on Tuesday, on a pickup in rates across all vessel segments. The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, gained 27 points or 2.5% to 1,107. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Higher+rates+across+vessel+segments+prop+up+Baltic+index