InterManager Daily News 24.11.2023.

1. NYK Group, Stolt Tankers, and ENEOS Ocean launch Chemical Ship Pool Business Aiming to expand services in Asia and Oceania The NYK Group, Stolt Tankers B.V. (“Stolt Tankers”), and ENEOS Ocean Corporation (“ENEOS Ocean”) launched a chemical ship pool business in the Asia-Pacific region (the “Project”*) in October. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/11/22/nyk-group-stolt-tankers-and-eneos-ocean-launch-chemical-ship-pool-business/
2. LNG floating storage starts to offload in Europe as gas storage withdrawals begin LNG cargoes floating near the shores of Europe have begun to unload in November, as natural gas storages in the EU begin to see net withdrawals, sources said. Charterers looking to wait for higher prices can choose to float their LNG cargoes when the price of maintaining offshore storage is more advantageous than selling it at that point in time or sending the vessel to another market like the Pacific Basin. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/11/22/lng-floating-storage-starts-to-offload-in-europe-as-gas-storage-withdrawals-begin/
3. VLCC tanker market rebounded this week LR’s in the MEG have been subject to some further testing down this week. The 75Kt MEG/Japan TC1 index lost another 11.39 points to WS123.89 where it looks to have plateaued for the moment. The 90kt MEG/UK-Continent TC20 run to the UK-Continent also devalued to the tune of $306,000 to $3.44m. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/11/22/vlcc-tanker-market-rebounded-this-week/
4. Bullish IEA, OPEC oil demand forecasts at odds with modest gains in Asia’s imports The International Energy Agency (IEA) and producer group OPEC are sticking to bullish forecasts for world oil demand growth in 2023, largely led by Asia. But the reality of actual crude imports by the world’s consuming region tell a somewhat different story. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/11/22/bullish-iea-opec-oil-demand-forecasts-at-odds-with-modest-gains-in-asias-imports/
5. China and global trade: Why stimulus is MIA and risks are rising China’s economy has played a central role in ocean shipping for two decades, driving goods exports aboard container ships, fuel imports aboard tankers, and imports of iron ore, coal and grain aboard bulkers. Whenever the global economy flagged over the years, there was China, jumping in with stimulus, saving the day for shipowners. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/11/22/china-and-global-trade-why-stimulus-is-mia-and-risks-are-rising
6. Commencement of operation of new logistics facilities for Finished vehicles in Indonesia China’s economy has played a central role in ocean shipping for two decades, driving goods exports aboard container ships, fuel imports aboard tankers, and imports of iron ore, coal and grain aboard bulkers. Whenever the global economy flagged over the years, there was China, jumping in with stimulus, saving the day for shipowners. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/11/22/china-and-global-trade-why-stimulus-is-mia-and-risks-are-rising
7. Iran seeks to nix dark shipping terminology Iran is proposing amendments to a draft resolution on dark shipping at the upcoming meeting of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Assembly. Several concerns have been raised at IMO meetings about an increase in ship-to-ship (STS) transfers at sea, particularly instances of ships engaging in so-called dark operations to conceal their whereabouts. https://splash247.com/iran-seeks-to-nix-dark-shipping-terminology/
8. Top Ships scores bumper rates in multi-year deal for VLCC pair Greek tanker owner and operator Top Ships has sealed charter extensions at improved rates on two of its very large crude carriers. The Nasdaq-listed company has fixed the 2022-built Julius Caesar and Legio X Equestris to Trafigura for three years at $41,500 per day – up from a dayrate of $36,000 that each ship earned earlier. https://splash247.com/top-ships-scores-bumper-rates-in-multi-year-deal-for-vlcc-pair/
9. NTSB to Determine Cause of Southern California Oil Spill After Anchor Strikes on Pipeline The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will hold a virtual public board meeting next month to determine the probable cause of a crude oil release that occurred after anchor strikes on an underwater pipeline in San Pedro Bay near Huntington Beach, California. https://gcaptain.com/ntsb-to-determine-cause-southern-california-oil-spill/
10. Houthis’ Ship Seizure Is A Threat To International Trade The past several weeks have seen increasing attacks at sea conducted by the Houthis, an Iranian proxy group in Yemen seeking to dominate the southern portion of the Arabian Peninsula and gain control over waterways to and from the Gulf. https://gcaptain.com/houthis-ship-seizure-is-a-threat-to-international-trade/