Dear Readers, we wish you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2024. All the best for you, we will be back after holiday season, 2nd January
1. Island Oil establishes Hong Kong presence with new office Island Oil announced the establishment of its Hong Kong trading office in a press release circulated on Wednesday. With more than 30 years of experience since its inception in Cyprus, the company continues its latest expansion into the Chinese and Far Eastern markets. The office becomes the groupâs 6th trading desk alongside offices in Cyprus, Greece, Singapore, UK and Shanghai (rep. office). https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/12/21/island-oil-establishes-hong-kong-presence-with-new-office/
2. CSC welcomes the launch of Operation Prosperity Guardian by various countries The Cyprus Shipping Chamber , welcomes the announcement from the US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin of the initiation of Operation Prosperity Guardian, to address the security challenges in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, further to the increasing number of attacks against merchant ships in the region. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/12/21/csc-welcomes-the-launch-of-operation-prosperity-guardian-by-various-countries/
3. Tototheo Maritime certified as great place to work in Cyprus and Greece Tototheo Maritime has been certified as a Great Place to WorkÂź in both Cyprus and Greece, for the period from October 2023 to October 2024. This recognition holds significant value, positioning the company as an employer of choice within two highly competitive markets, as it comes directly from its employees. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/12/21/tototheo-maritime-certified-as-great-place-to-work-in-cyprus-and-greece/
4. Asia Break Bulk and CSL Shipping sign strategic partnership COLI Groupâs subsidiary Asia Break Bulk has entered a Strategic Partnership with CSL Shipping . CSL & ABB will work closely together to market CSLâs multipurpose carrier âJian Yang Hua Qingâ. The vessel has 2 x 250 mt cranes for loading breakbulk, heavy lift and project cargo and is active for both companies as of now. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/12/21/asia-break-bulk-and-csl-shipping-sign-strategic-partnership/
5. Houthi Hijacking in the Red Sea: A Disturbing Escalation The Bahamian flagged M/V Galaxy Leader was the target of a Houthi insurgent hijacking, approximately 50 nautical miles west of Hodeida in the Red Sea on November 19. The 189-metre car carrier, which was transiting empty, was en-route from Körfez, Turkey to Pipavav, India. The vessel was intercepted by several small fast boats and boarded by uniformed, armed personnel, who rappelled from a Mi-17 helicopter to the deck, and subsequently ordered the crew to alter course to the port of Hodeida.https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/12/21/houthi-hijacking-in-the-red-sea-a-disturbing-escalation/
6. Dry bulk owners pop the bubbly but will the bubble burst in 2024? âTis the season for good cheer in the dry bulk market, as entrenched disappointment over lacklustre earnings has finally given way to a far more positive mood. The month of November saw sharp improvements in freight markets, led by the Baltic Capesize Index which almost trebled over the month and accelerated to a peak of close to $55,000/day in mid-December, a level not seen since October 2021. https://splash247.com/dry-bulk-owners-pop-the-bubbly-but-will-the-bubble-burst-in-2024
7. Eyal Oferâs Zodiac Maritime eyes nuclear-powered ships Eyal Oferâs Zodiac Maritime has partnered with classification society Lloydâs Register (LR) and South Koreaâs HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) and KEPCO E&C to develop nuclear-propelled ship designs. https://splash247.com/eyal-ofers-zodiac-maritime-eyes-nuclear-powered-ships/
8. Mixed Results for Port Houston as Imports Fall Import volumes softened to 137,631 TEUs in November, a 16% decline compared to last year and an 8% decline year to date. The decline comes as U.S. East and Gulf ports are starting to feel the impact of drought-driven transit restrictions in the Panama Canal. Data recently released by Descartes shows total U.S. container imports up more than 7% in November. https://gcaptain.com/mixed-results-for-port-houston-as-imports-fall/
9. Houthis Threaten to Attack US Warships if Washington Targets Yemen The leader of Yemenâs Houthis warned on Wednesday they would strike U.S. warships if the Iranian-backed militia was targeted by Washington, which this week set up a multinational force to counter Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. https://gcaptain.com/houthis-threaten-to-attack-us-warships-if-washington-targets-yemen/
10. Experts focus on life cycle GHG intensity of marine fuels An Expert Workshop on the life cycle GHG intensity of marine fuels (GHG-EW 4) was organized by IMO on 14 and 15 December 2023 to support the further development of the IMO Life cycle GHG intensity assessment (LCA) framework. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Experts+focus+on+life+cycle+GHG+intensity+of+marine+fuels
