InterManager Daily News 16.01.2024.

1. Cyprus CBA for Seafarers renewal highlights country’s strong maritime labour relations The Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSC), acting also under its capacity as an employers’ association, signed with the two Cyprus seafarers trade unions, “SEK” and “PEO”, the renewal of the Cyprus Collective Bargaining Agreement for Seafarers employed on Cyprus flag ships, on 12 January 2024. The Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation (OEB) also co-signed the Agreement. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2024/01/15/cyprus-cba-for-seafarers-renewal-highlights-countrys-strong-maritime-labour-relations/
2. P.G. Economides evolves, rebrands and becomes PGE&Co After more than five decades of solid commitment to excellence, we are thrilled to unveil the next chapter in our journey. P.G. Economides & Co Ltd, a cornerstone in the professional services industry in Cyprus and abroad, proudly announces a comprehensive rebranding initiative, becoming PGE&Co, to better reflect our evolution and dedication to our clients and industry. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2024/01/15/p-g-economides-evolves-rebrands-and-becomes-pgeco/
3. ‘MOL Scholarship’ program etablished to aid International Students at IUJ Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, announced the establishment of the “MOL Scholarship” for international students at the International University of Japan. MOL Scholarship is a part of MOL’s corporate citizenship program that provides financial support to international students, primarily from African countries. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2024/01/15/mol-scholarship-program-etablished-to-aid-international-students-at-iuj/
4. Belgian shipowners welcome the country’s EU Council Presidency On behalf of its members, the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association welcomes Belgium’s takeover of the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which lasts six months until the end of June 2024 https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2024/01/15/belgian-shipowners-welcome-the-countrys-eu-council-presidency/
5. US Ambassador to Latvia visits the Port of Riga U.S. Ambassador to Latvia Christopher Robinson and his team arrived at the Port of Riga for an introductory visit. The ambassador visited the Vessel Traffic Service Centre of the Port of Riga, where he met with the management of the Freeport of Riga Authority. During the visit, the port’s activities and development scenarios were discussed, considering the current geopolitical challenges in the cargo logistics sector. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2024/01/15/us-ambassador-visits-the-port-of-riga/
6. Vietnam’s top shipbuilder faces bankruptcy Vietnam’s top shipbuilder, SBIC, formerly known as Vinashin, is set to be declared bankrupt after multiple efforts to restructure the sprawling company have failed. The government in Hanoi is now working out the bankruptcy process for the state-owned entity whereby it will be able to continue to build ships. The bankruptcy process is expected to be completed by the end of Q1. https://splash247.com/vietnams-top-shipbuilder-faces-bankruptcy/
7. Santos to resume Barossa gas pipeline construction after court win Australian energy major Santos has been permitted to continue work on laying an underwater pipeline for its $5.7bn Barossa gas project in the Timor Sea.The company won a legal battle against a group of Tiwi Islands elders who argued that laying the pipeline would impact submerged Tiwi cultural heritage, creating a new environmental risk. https://splash247.com/santos-to-resume-barossa-gas-pipeline-construction-after-court-win/
8. Cost To Jump Panama Canal Line Just Got A Whole Lot Cheaper The cost for shippers to jump ahead of congestion at the Panama Canal has significantly dropped from multimillion-dollar record highs in recent months, as the backlog of vessels to cross has lessened as tankers avoid the canal altogether. https://gcaptain.com/cost-to-jump-panama-canal-line-just-got-a-whole-lot-cheaper/
9. Iran Seized Tanker Located Off Iran’s Qeshm Island The Marshall Islands-flagged tanker seized by Iran in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday has been located east of Iran’s Qeshm Island, monitoring service TankerTrackers.com said in a post on social media platform X. Iran seized the St Nikolas, loaded with Iraqi crude destined for Turkey, in retaliation for the confiscation last year of the same vessel and its Iranian oil cargo by the United States, Iranian state media reported. https://gcaptain.com/iran-seizes-oil-tanker-previously-seized-by-us/
10. What an ‘India Club’ means for the country’s shipping industry India plans to set up its own protection and indemnity (P&l) entity—the India Club—for providing insurance to ships operating in Indian coasts and waterways. Currently, the shipping industry relies on global firms for insurance. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/What+an+%E2%80%98India+Club%E2%80%99+means+for+the+country%E2%80%99s+shipping+industry