InterManager Daily News 13.09.2023.

1. AD Ports Group secures 12 prestigious Stevie International Business Awards. AD Ports Group, the leading facilitator of global trade, logistics and industry, has emerged triumphant by taking home twelve Stevie Awards across various categories in The International Business Awards 2023. Recognised as the world’s premier business awards, The International Business Awards honour organisations and individuals for their exceptional accomplishments and contributions to the global economy. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/09/11/ad-ports-group-secures-12-prestigious-stevie-international-business-awards/
2. MOL becomes the 1st Japanese shipping company to join Washington Maritime Blue a non profit strategic alliance for a sustainable maritime industry. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, announced that MOL has become the first Japanese shipping company to participate in the non-profit organization “Leadership Initiative to Promote Maritime Cluster Innovation and the Blue Economy ,” organized by Washington Maritime Blue , a strategic alliance for the collaborative creation of a sustainable maritime industry. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/09/11/mol-has-become-the-1st-japanese-shipping-company-to-join-washington-maritime-blue-a-non-profit-strategic-alliance-for-a-sustainable-maritime-industry/
3. Carriers drive up ocean freight rates on main Far East to US West Coast trade with savvy capacity cuts. After a year of plunging ocean freight rates, carriers appear to have turned the tide on the key China to US West Coast trade, driving up spot rates by 73% since the end of June. In a blow to shippers, many of whom have been reluctant to sign new contracts in an atmosphere of uncertain US consumer demand, long-term rates appear to be following suit. The latest market data from Oslo’s Xeneta shows that contracted rates on the corridor are also on a firm upward trajectory, having climbed 25% since the lows of June. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/09/11/carriers-drive-up-ocean-freight-rates-on-main-far-east-to-us-west-coast-trade-with-savvy-capacity-cuts/
4. MOU signed for feasibility study to establish a Japan Australia CCS value chain. Sumitomo Corporation, Toho Gas, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, and Woodside Energy have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to jointly conduct a feasibility study to establish a CCS value chain between Australia and Japan. This study is to investigate the feasibility of establishing an entire CCS value chain among the four companies, whereby CO2 emissions from various industries and companies in the Chubu region, Japan, are hoped to be captured/accumulated, and liquefied by using such technology as CO2 separation and capture using unutilized LNG Cryogenic Energy” being developed by Toho Gas and transported to Australia by a low-temperature, low-pressure liquefied CO2 carrier for injection/storage at Australian storage site. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/09/11/mou-for-feasibility-study-to-establish-a-japan-australia-ccs-value-chain/
5. KR approves LCO2 cargo tank design developed by Hyundai Mipo and HD KSOE KR has granted an Approval In Principle for a liquefied carbon dioxide cargo tank design, developed by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, during GASTECH 2023, held in Singapore on 7 September. This AIP is the outcome of a successful collaborative joint project involving KR, HMD and HD KSOE. HMD designed the cargo tank, HD KSOE conducted an engineering critical assessment (ECA), and KR ensured the design’s suitability by reviewing classification rules and international regulations. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/09/11/kr-approves-lco2-cargo-tank-design-developed-by-hyundai-mipo-and-hd-ksoe/
6. Grieg Maritime exercises options for two more open hatch bulkers. Norway’s Grieg Maritime Group has signed an order for two open hatch vessels at Huangpu Wenchong Longxue taking its newbuild tally at the yard to four. The Matt Duke-led company has exercised an option for two more ammonia-ready 82,300 dwt units after placing firm orders for two vessels at the CSSC-affiliated yard in May. https://splash247.com/grieg-maritime-exercises-options-for-two-more-open-hatch-bulkers/
7. Ukraine claims control of offshore drilling rigs near Crimea. Ukrainian forces have regained control of oil and gas drilling rigs off the coast of Crimea, the country’s Defense Intelligence said Monday. In a statement on the Telegram messaging app, Kyiv authorities said the drilling rigs known as the Boyko Towers were recaptured. Russia occupied the rigs in 2015 soon after it annexed the Crimean peninsula in 2014 and had used them for military purposes since the start of Moscow’s full-scale invasion on Ukraine in February 2022. https://splash247.com/ukraine-claims-control-of-offshore-drilling-rigs-near-crimea/
8. OSV charter rates to break records in 2024. Oslo, Norway-listed vessel owner Standard Supply expects rates for PSVs to reach all-time highs in the North Sea in 2024. Charter rates are already on the march with expectations term-charter prices will continue climbing during the rest of this year. Standard Supply achieved time charter equivalent (TCE) earnings of US$16,900 per day and fleet utilisation of 94% in August 2023. Standard Supply chairman of the board Martin Nes expects average daily rates of US$19,400 per day from its charters during Q4 2023. https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/osv-charter-rates-to-break-records-in-2024-77649
9. State-of-the-art battery technology can cut fire risk. New battery technologies can increase energy density and reduce risk compared with lithium (Li)-ion batteries. With growing demand for onboard energy storage on tugs, alternatives to Li-ion technology, which has fire risks both as an energy source and during transport, need to be found. https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/state-of-the-art-battery-technology-can-cut-fire-risk-77605
10. Shipping could face shortage of carbon-neutral fuel by 2030, DNV says. An expected shortfall in the availability of carbon-neutral fuel means the shipping industry should widen its scope to include onboard carbon capture and nuclear options, Norwegian ship certifier DNV said on Thursday. The industry has been testing a number of cleaner fuel options, including ammonia and methanol, as well as trialling wind sails in an effort to look for new solutions away from dirtier bunker fuel. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Shipping+could+face+shortage+of+carbon-neutral+fuel+by+2030%2C+DNV+says