InterManager Daily News 24.01.2024.

1. Starlink offers all ships free internet for two months The widespread, rapid adoption of Elon Musk’s Starlink internet service on hundreds of ships was arguably the biggest onboard tech development of 2023, something that is set to snowball this year. https://splash247.com/starlink-offers-all-ships-free-internet-for-two-months/
2. Ocean Alliance agreement makes any liner switch unlikely Lawyers at global liners have been busy poring over the fine print of their alliance set-ups in the week since Hapag-Lloyd shocked its peers by ditching THE Alliance to form the Gemini Cooperation with Maersk. https://splash247.com/ocean-alliance-agreement-makes-any-liner-switch-unlikely/
3. Geneva Dry: 100 days to go There’s just 100 days to go until the inaugural Geneva Dry kicks off at the Hotel President Wilson. The two-day summit has quickly cemented its position as the single, must-attend global event for dry bulk shipping, a place to seal deals and find solutions to many of the industry’s most pressing issues. https://splash247.com/geneva-dry-100-days-to-go/
4. Container Sector Maintaining Panama Canal Transit Levels as Others Exit Despite a decline in transits through the drought-hit Panama Canal for most shipping sectors, containerships are maintaining transit levels largely due to the reduction in competition from other sectors, according to UK-based Drewry Shipping Consultancy. https://gcaptain.com/container-sector-maintaining-panama-canal-transit-levels-as-others-exit/
5. The World’s Largest Cruise Ship is a Climate Liability When Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas embarks on its first official voyage on Jan. 27, the journey is sure to make waves. The world’s largest cruise ship, the Icon is over 1,000 feet long (360 meters) and weighs in around 250,000 gross registered tons. It boasts 20 different decks; 40 restaurants, bars and lounges; seven pools; six waterslides and a 55-foot waterfall. Royal Caribbean says its boat will usher in “a new era of vacations.” https://gcaptain.com/the-worlds-largest-cruise-ship-is-a-climate-liability/
6. Baltic Index Climbs For Third Straight Session On Firm Rates For Larger Vessels. The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk sea freight index gained for a third straight session on Monday, buoyed by a rise in capesize and panamax vessels rates. The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, was up 15 points, or 1%, to 1,518, its highest since Jan. 11. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Baltic+Index+Climbs+For+Third+Straight+Session+On+Firm+Rates+For+Larger+Vessels
7. Suez Canal diversions pile pressure on Egypt’s distressed economy A sharp downturn in revenue after sea attacks by Yemen’s Houthis diverted away shipping away from the Suez Canal has struck a painful new blow to Egypt’s already deteriorating economy, adding urgency to the need for reforms and help from abroad. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2024/01/23/suez-canal-diversions-pile-pressure-on-egypts-distressed-economy/
8. Skuld Circular issued by International Group clubs Five US agencies (the Department of Justice, Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security, Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations, State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, and Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control) released a joint compliance note “Know Your Cargo” (“the Compliance Note”), highlighting tactics commonly deployed by malign actors in the transportation sector and best practices for the maritime and other transportation industries as well as examples of enforcement actions. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2024/01/23/skuld-circular-issued-by-international-group-clubs-2/
9. Red Sea attacks – ECSA welcomes European Parliament call for immediate EU action “We are grateful for the support of the Parliament on the very concerning developments in the Red Sea. The attacks on ships put the safety and lives of our seafarers at risk. They also have a direct impact on imports and exports, and energy prices in Europe. We urgently need more concerted efforts at EU level to keep seafarers safe and trade routes secure. This is key for the security of the continent” said Sotiris Raptis, ECSA Secretary General. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2024/01/23/red-sea-attacks-ecsa-welcomes-european-parliament-call-for-immediate-eu-action/
10. Guidance on ballast water record-keeping and reporting The IMO has released BWM.2/Circ.80 – Guidance on ballast water record-keeping and reporting. The circular aims to bring clarity to the record-keeping and reporting process under the BWM Convention, including guidance on completing the Ballast Water Record Book. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2024/01/23/statutory-alert-guidance-on-ballast-water-record-keeping-and-reporting/