InterManager Daily News 30.10.2023.

1. India says ‘energy security’ guiding factor for future Venezuelan oil imports India’s crude imports from Venezuela in the future will be guided by the country’s overall policy related to energy security as New Delhi is looking at options to widen supply sources to absorb any potential supply shock arising out of geopolitical turbulence, government officials said. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/10/27/india-says-energy-security-guiding-factor-for-future-venezuelan-oil-imports/
2. Ukraine exports 700,000 T grain via new Black Sea corridor – minister About 700,000 metric tons of grain have been exported through Ukraine’s new Black Sea export corridor since it began operating in August, the Ukrainian agriculture minister said. Ukraine launched a “humanitarian corridor” to release ships bound for African and Asian markets, and to circumvent a de facto blockade after Russia abandoned a deal this summer that had guaranteed its exports during the war. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/10/27/ukraine-exports-700000-t-grain-via-new-black-sea-corridor-minister/
3. Asia Fuel Oil-VLSFO cash premium extends slide for sixth session Asia’s cash premium for 0.5% very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) eased for a sixth consecutive session on Tuesday, after a short-lived rally towards eight-month highs. The premium fell to $15 a metric ton as the product traded lower, though refining margin closed slightly higher at a premium of $10.07 a barrel. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/10/27/asia-fuel-oil-vlsfo-cash-premium-extends-slide-for-sixth-session/
4. Baltic index falls for fourth straight day on weaker capesize rates The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index, tracking rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, fell for the fourth consecu-tive session on Tuesday, following a retreat in the capesize segment. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/10/27/baltic-index-falls-for-fourth-straight-day-on-weaker-capesize-rates/
5. Cross-UKC Aframax freight rate hits YTD high amid North Sea tonnage crunch Aframax dirty tanker freight rates for cross UK-Continent voyages rose sharply on the day Oct. 23, with market sources citing a tightening tonnage list, increasingly confident owner ideas and the knock-on effect from the recent strengthening of the Mediterranean market. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/10/27/cross-ukc-aframax-freight-rate-hits-ytd-high-amid-north-sea-tonnage-crunch/
6. Clipper CEO outlines plans to add 100 ships One of Denmark’s most famous shipowning brands is readying to head back to previous glories, announcing plans to add 100 ships to its fleet. Speaking with Borsen, a Danish business daily, Amrit Peter Kalsi, the CEO of Clipper Group, has outlined plans to more than double the size of his fleet in the coming years, now that it has finally solved all the debt issues it faced for years following the global financial crisis. https://splash247.com/clipper-ceo-outlines-plans-to-add-100-ships/
7. Israel will compensate any ships damaged during its war with Hamas Aware of the risks to its supply chains from ships diverting from its risky coastline, Israel has said it will compensate any ships that are damaged in its waters due to the ongoing war with Hamas. https://splash247.com/israel-will-compensate-any-ships-damaged-during-its-war-with-hamas/
8. Taking the market pulse in Monaco It’s time to start thinking about 2024. As we enter the glide path towards the end of 2023, Maritime CEO’s gathering at the Yacht Club de Monaco in mid-October was well timed to gauge the pulse of how many of the great and the good of shipping see the prospects for the coming year. https://splash247.com/taking-the-market-pulse-in-monaco/
9. Race To Fix Crumbling Ship Threatens Conflict In South China Sea Even as concerns mount in the US over a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan, the flashpoint most likely to spark a conflict between the world’s largest economies is currently an immobile World War II-era ship sitting in waters further to the south. https://gcaptain.com/race-to-fix-crumbling-ship-threatens-conflict-in-south-china-sea/
10. U.S. Coast Guard Launches Lead Offshore Patrol Cutter USCGC Argus The lead ship of the U.S. Coast Guard’s highly anticipated Heritage-class offshore patrol cutter (OPC), the USCGC Argus, was successfully launched at Eastern Shipbuilding’s Nelson Shipyard in Panama City, Florida on Friday. This marks a significant milestone in the Coast Guard’s mission to enhance its fleet and capabilities. https://gcaptain.com/u-s-coast-guard-launches-lead-offshore-patrol-cutter-uscgc-argus/