InterManager Daily News 23.10.2023.

1. SAVE THE DATE for the 2nd CSN Greece Shipping Information Communication Technologies (ICT) Conference 22 November Athens “Exploring the Digital Frontier: Bridging Theory and Practicality in Maritime Technology” The second CSN Greece Shipping ICT Conference is taking place in Athens on 22nd November. The conference is under the auspices of the AMMITEC and supported by the Propeller Club, HELMEPA and WISTA Hellas. The event is taking place at the the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre – Lighthouse. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/10/20/save-the-date-for-the-2nd-csn-greece-shipping-information-communication-technologies-ict-conference-22-november-athens/
2. Green Marine Europe: A growing commitment from the European maritime industry Green Marine Europe (GME), a European environmental certification program dedicated to the maritime industry, unveiled its 2022 results and certified ship owners on October 17 during a day of discussions organized in Bilbao, Spain. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/10/20/green-marine-europe-a-growing-commitment-from-the-european-maritime-industry-2/
3. Russian oil freight rates jump as US boosts scrutiny of price cap compliance Oil freight rates from Russia’s Baltic ports to India are up some 50% since last week as more shipowners quit the market after the first U.S. sanctions on shipowners carrying Russian crude priced above a G7 cap, three sources said on Tuesday. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/10/20/russian-oil-freight-rates-jump-as-us-boosts-scrutiny-of-price-cap-compliance/
4. Baltic index hits over 14-month high on capesize gains The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index, tracking rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, scaled its highest in more than 14 months on Tuesday, aided by a jump in capesize rates. The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, gained 86 points, or 4.4%, to 2,058. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/10/20/baltic-index-hits-over-14-month-high-on-capesize-gains/
5. Romanian Black Sea port shipped 10.5 mln T of Ukrainian grain Jan-September Ukraine exported 10.5 million metric tons of grain through the Romanian Black Sea port of Constanta in the first nine months of the year, the port authority told Reuters on Tuesday. Ukraine is one of the world’s biggest grain exporters and Constanta is the main route out for Kyiv’s crops since Russia quit a deal allowing safe passage from Ukraine’s own Black Sea ports. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/10/20/romanian-black-sea-port-shipped-10-5-mln-t-of-ukrainian-grain-jan-september/
6. Chinese yard selected for landmark Maersk methanol retrofit Maersk has selected a yard it has sent many of its ships to in the past to carry out the world’s first methanol engine retrofit. Zhoushan Xinya, located to the south of Shanghai, will carry out the operation which will transform the six-year-old, 15,282 teu Maersk Halifax next summer in a three-month stay at the yard. Maersk has selected an initial 11 ships to retrofit with MAN methanol engines. https://splash247.com/chinese-yard-selected-for-landmark-maersk-methanol-retrofit/
7. European Ports Alliance formed to fight vast quantities of drugs arriving by ship With drugs flowing through the continent’s ports in vast quantities, the European Commission has decided to create the European Ports Alliance bringing together all relevant public and private actors in the fight against drugs smuggling and criminal infiltration of logistics hubs. https://splash247.com/european-ports-alliance-formed-to-fight-vast-quantities-of-drugs-arriving-by-ship/
8. Nigeria Turns To Tiny Tankers To Replace Big Broken Oil Pipeline Nigeria is turning to a fleet of tiny river-going tankers to boost its oil production because one of its key oil pipelines has been broken for months. Africa’s top producer, racing to lift output before OPEC decides new oil-production quotas, has started using the tiny vessels to get a new grade of oil, Nembe Creek, up the Niger river delta and onto an ocean-going ship that’s stationed off the nation’s coast. https://gcaptain.com/nigeria-turns-to-tiny-tankers-to-replace-big-broken-oil-pipeline/
9. China Says It ‘Lawfully’ Blocked Philippine Ships China’s coast guard said on Sunday it “lawfully” blocked Philippine vessels transporting “illegal construction materials” to a warship at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. Over the past few months, China and the Philippines have had numerous run-ins in areas of the South China Sea, most notable the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands. https://gcaptain.com/china-says-it-lawfully-blocked-philippine-ships/
10. St. Lawrence Seaway Seeks To Avoid Strike The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) has remained committed to negotiating with the Canada-based union, Unifor, representing more than 350 St. Lawrence Seaway workers, but as of early Saturday morning, an agreement between the parties looked bleak. A fair wage agreement has been sought by SLSMC while the union continues to seek wage increases patterned after the recent automotive industry negotiations. https://gcaptain.com/st-lawrence-seaway-seeks-to-avoid-strike/