InterManager Daily News 19.12.2023.

1. Baltic index declines for 2nd straight week on weak vessel rates The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk sea freight index marked a second straight weekly fall on Friday as rates declined across all vessel segments.The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, was down 63 points, or 2.6%, at 2,348. It shed about 5.4% for the week. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Baltic+index+declines+for+2nd+straight+week+on+weak+vessel+rates
2. MOL to Become World’s 1st Shipping Company to Issue Blue Bonds Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. announced that it has decided to issue “blue bonds” through a public offering in Japan’s domestic market in January 2024.The bonds are the world’s first blue bonds in the shipping industry, which refer to the guidance (Note 1) provided by the International Capital Markets Association (ICMA) and other organizations. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/MOL+to+Become+World%E2%80%99s+1st+Shipping+Company+to+Issue+Blue+Bonds
3. COSCO SHIPPING Lines debuts Hi ECO sustainable shipping product
4. Based on their utilization of the new green shipping product, the first green shipping certificate was presented to VolvoShanghai, China, 15.12.2023 – COSCO SHIPPING Lines has presented the first green shipping certificate at Volvo’s Asia Pacific headquarters on 5th December, based on their utilization of COSCO SHIPPING Lines’ green shipping product Hi ECO. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/COSCO+SHIPPING+Lines+debuts+Hi+ECO+sustainable+shipping+product
5. Panama Canal transits plunge as larger ships are turned away The official Panama Canal transit numbers for November are out — and they’re ugly. November could be the tip of the iceberg. Reservation slots are being slashed further this month and in January.The total number of transits declined 22% in November versus October, according to just-released data from the Panama Canal Authority (ACP). And for the first time since the drought began, the numbers are not just falling at the older, smaller Panamax locks. They’re also declining sharply at the larger Neopanamax locks, which debuted in 2016. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Panama+Canal+transits+plunge+as+larger+ships+are+turned+away
6. Egypt Reports 55 Ship Reroutes Since November Amid Tensions Egypt’s Suez canal authority said on Sunday it was closely monitoring the impact of tensions in the Red Sea after recent attacks by Yemen’s Houthis on vessels in the southern part of the basin. Since November 19, 55 ships have rerouted via the Cape of Good Hope, while 2,128 have crossed the canal in the same period, the authority said. https://gcaptain.com/egypt-suez-canal-55-ship-reroutes-since-november-2023/
7. Philippines To Grant Japan Access to Military Bases The Philippines and Japan have started talks on a reciprocal access agreement that would allow the deployment of military forces on each other’s soil, amid growing tensions in the region. Japan also has maritime disputes with China. “It is not sufficient actually with just Japan and the Philippines to enter into this agreement. We really must get more of these kind of arrangements in place,” Marcos said. https://gcaptain.com/philippines-to-grant-japan-access-to-military-bases
8. Philippines Wants To Drill The South China Sea Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said his country is working to resolve “exploration issues” in the South China Sea so it could start new energy exploration projects in the resource-rich waterway to meet his nation’s energy needs.Marcos, in an interview with Japanese media on Saturday, said tensions in the South China Sea have “increased rather than diminished” in recent months, warning that a “more assertive China” posed a “real challenge” to its Asian neighbors. https://gcaptain.com/philippines-wants-to-drill-the-south-china-sea/
9. Veson Nautical acquires Shipfix shipping software platform Veson Nautical described Shipfix as a collaborative data platform for the maritime and trade sectors driven by advanced AI-enabled tools.”As Veson’s second acquisition this year, Shipfix will further Veson’s pursuit to deliver quality, contextual data to the industry. Veson will continue to offer Shipfix’s suite of maritime solutions and bring the full Shipfix team onboard,” the company said. https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/veson-nautical-acquires-shipfix-shipping-software-platform-78970
10. Terminal developments in Germany and the Netherlands; Snam finalises FSRU acquisition The Elbehafen LNG Import Terminal project, located at the port of Brunsbüttel near Hamburg, took a significant step towards securing Germany’s energy future using two floating LNG tankers commissioned by German utility RWE.EnerMech and its alliance partner, Offshore Technical Services, have been contracted by Worley, and provided with a range of precommissioning, commissioning execution, start-up support and specialist services including flange management, N2 leak testing, boroscopic inspection for pipeline cleanliness, and strength testing of the newly constructed temporary oil pipeline. https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/terminal-development-in-germany-and-netherlands-snam-finalises-fsru-aip-for-steam-to-dual-fuel-engine-conversion-and-finance-and-agreement-updates-78896