InterManager Daily News 05.09.2023.

1. Baltic index slips as capesize dip outweighs smaller vessel gains. The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index declined on Wednesday, as lower rates for capesizes outweighed gains in smaller vessel segments. The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels carrying dry bulk commodities, fell 13 points, or about 1.2%, to 1,094. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/09/01/baltic-index-slips-as-capesize-dip-outweighs-smaller-vessel-gains/
2. Ships drop anchor around Gabon as country shuts down after coup. At least 30 commercial ships dropped anchor on Wednesday around Gabon’s waters after military officers said they had seized power in the Central African country, according to data and maritime sources. Military officers in the oil-producing country said they had put President Ali Bongo under house arrest, after the country’s election body announced that he had won a third term. Borders were closed and state institutions were dissolved. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/09/01/ships-drop-anchor-around-gabon-as-country-shuts-down-after-coup/
3. Panama Minister of Foreign Affairs Tewaney calls out social media misinformation regarding Panama Canal operations. The Government of Panama reenforced that Panama remains open for business despite misinformation spread on social media this past weekend alleging the closure of the Panama Canal. The Ministry called on its network of ambassadors around the world to assist in setting the record straight. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/09/01/panama-minister-of-foreign-affairs-tewaney-calls-out-social-media-misinformation-regarding-panama-canal-operations/
4. Asia Fuel Oil-cst drops as lower offer emerges. Asia’s 180-cst high sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) market retreated on Wednesday as a lower offer emerged.The cash differential for 180-cst HSFO dropped to a premium of $11.95 a metric ton, down by more than 25% day-on-day.The sharp decline followed a recent collapse in the 380-cst HSFO market, which has since steadied.https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/09/01/asia-fuel-oil-cst-drops-as-lower-offer-emerges/
5. First-of-a-kind ammonia powered gas carriers could be commercially viable from 2026, new study finds. A new analysis from the Global Maritime Forum lays out an ambitious but feasible set of actions for lowering the operating costs of ammonia-powered ships.”With the completion of this latest project phase, we not only have a detailed ship design that could be used for a shipyard tender but also a feasible commercialisation pathways.” https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/09/01/first-of-a-kind-ammonia-powered-gas-carriers-could-be-commercially-viable-from-2026-new-study-finds/
6. The dual-fuel farce. I asked Sam if I could write this. It’s an attempt to stand back and take a long view of where our industry is, now. It may seem absurd to some readers, but then there is something absurd about ships being built to transport carbon dioxide “captured” from exhaust gas emissions when we have neither a reliable and cheap way of capturing that carbon, nor a reliable way of storing it. https://splash247.com/the-dual-fuel-farce/
7. Northern Lights adds another liquified CO2 carrier at DSIC. State-run Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co (DSIC) has received a third order for a 7,500 cu m LNG dual-fuel capable liquified CO2 (LCO2) carrier from owner Northern Lights, a joint venture between Shell, TotalEnergies and Equinor which plans to transport and sequester CO2 in the North Sea. https://splash247.com/northern-lights-adds-another-liquified-co2-carrier-at-dsic/
8. Panama Canal latest: how each shipping segment is being impacted. Vessels in queue for transit across the Panama Canal stand at 128 ships today, some 42% above the 90 average, but 21% below the figure a month ago. While containerships, which have fixed schedules, tend to have reserved slots, the voyage plans for the tramp trades continue to be hit hard by the ongoing congestion brought about by drought and subsequent draft and transit restrictions put in place by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP). https://splash247.com/panama-canal-latest-how-each-shipping-segment-is-being-impacted/
9. South African Inquiry Found No Evidence Of Arms Shipment To Russia. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Sunday that an independent inquiry has found no evidence that a Russian ship had collected weapons from the country late last year destined for Russia. In claims that sparked a diplomatic row, the U.S. ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety, told local journalists in a May briefing that Russian cargo ship Lady R had uploaded weapons at a naval base near Cape Town in December. https://gcaptain.com/south-african-inquiry-found-no-evidence-of-arms-shipment-to-russia/
10. Russian Drone Attack Hits Danube Port Infrastructure – Ukraine. Russian drones hit Danube River port infrastructure that is critical to Ukraine’s grain exports, injuring at least two people in the attack on southern parts of the Odesa region on Sunday, Ukrainian officials said. The Danube has become Ukraine’s main route for exporting grain since July, when Russia quit a U.N. and Turkey-brokered deal that had given safe passage to Kyiv’s exports of grains, oilseeds and vegetables oils via the Black Sea. https://gcaptain.com/russian-drone-attack-hits-danube-port-infrastructure-ukraine/