InterManager Daily News 08.01.2024.

1. Isle of Man Ship Registry (IOMSR) welcomes world’s most powerful sailing cargo ship to its fleet The world’s most powerful sailing cargo ship has gone into service under the Isle of Man flag. The pioneering Berge Olympus was officially unveiled in October after its retrofit by Berge Bulk, one of the world’s leading dry bulk ship owners. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/isle-of-man-ship-registry-iomsr-welcomes-worlds-most-powerful-sailing-cargo-ship-to-its-fleet/
2. Russian LNG exports to Europe fell 1.9% in 2023 – LSEG data Russian exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Europe fell 1.9% to 15.8 million metric tons in 2023, and LNG exports to Asia fell 11% to 14.9 million tons, LSEG data showed on Tuesday. Europe increased purchases of LNG from global producers in 2023 while sharply cutting its imports of Russian pipeline gas in response to the conflict in Ukraine. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2024/01/05/russian-lng-exports-to-europe-fell-1-9-in-2023-lseg-data/
3. Container shipping rates spike as Red Sea crisis draws first blood Maersk, the world’s second-largest ocean carrier, gambled that a U.S.-led military force, Operation Prosperity Guardian, would allow safe passage through the Red Sea. That gamble has failed. On Tuesday, Maersk said it will suspend Red Sea transits indefinitely and reroute ships around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope. The decision followed attacks on the container ship Maersk Hangzhou, which was struck by a Houthi rebel missile on Saturday and threatened by four Houthi boats on Sunday.https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2024/01/05/container-shipping-rates-spike-as-red-sea-crisis-draws-first-blood/
4. Baltic index edges down as demand for smaller vessels slips The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk sea freight index eased on Wednesday, as falling rates for panamax and supramax vessels overshadowed gains in the capesize segment.The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, was down 2 points, or 0.1%, at 2,091. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2024/01/05/baltic-index-edges-down-as-demand-for-smaller-vessels-slips/
5. Impact of Red Sea unrest on Rotterdam throughput expected to be slight The recent disruptions at the Red Sea entrance are anticipated to exert additional strain on the container terminals in January 2024. However, the overall impact on the port of Rotterdam’s throughput is projected to be minimal. The Port of Rotterdam Authority foresees a decrease of approximately 1.25 million tonnes in the 2023 throughput figures, primarily due to the delays around the year-end transition. This anticipated decline is expected to positively influence the results for 2024 https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2024/01/05/impact-of-red-sea-unrest-on-rotterdam-throughput-expected-to-be-slight/
6. Seafarers encounter growing mental health struggles as drone attacks and pirate threats escalate in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Seafarers once again find themselves on the frontline of one of the world’s conflicts as they pass through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, with potential attacks coming by both air and sea; all on top of an escalation of the risk already posed by pirates. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2024/01/05/seafarers-encounter-growing-mental-health-struggles-as-drone-attacks-and-pirate-threats-escalate-in-the-red-sea-and-gulf-of-aden/
7. Bulk carrier secured after hijack attempt off Somalia India’s navy said its commandos have secured a bulk carrier after its attempted hijack in the Arabian Sea. The Liberian-flagged capesize Lila Norfolk was boarded on January 4 by six armed people while underway in waters some 460 nautical miles off Somalia. https://splash247.com/bulk-carrier-secured-after-hijack-attempt-off-somalia/
8. IMO Secretary-General condemns attacks against international shipping Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General, IMO, addressed the United Nations Security Council Maintenance of international peace and security – United Nations Security Council, 9525th meetingStatement by Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General, IMOThank you, Mr. President, and distinguished members of the Security Council. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2024/01/05/imo-secretary-general-condemns-attacks-against-international-shipping/
9. MOL fixes ammonia carrier to Yara Japan’s Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has inked a time charter contract with Yara Clean Ammonia Switzerland part of part of Norwegian fertilizer maker Yara for the ammonia carrier Green Pioneer.The 2010-built 34,500 cu m vessel is expected to be engaged in the transportation of ammonia, mainly in the Pacific region. The unit, managed by MOL Tankship in Singapore was recently delivered, but no further details about the contract have been disclosed. https://splash247.com/mol-fixes-ammonia-carrier-to-yara/
10. CMA CGM Says No Changes to Red Sea Plans French shipping firm CMA CGM said on Friday it had not changed plans announced last month to gradually raise the number of vessels transiting through the Suez Canal, unlike Denmark’s Maersk, which has said it would divert all vessels from Red Sea routes. https://gcaptain.com/cma-cgm-no-changes-red-sea-plans/