InterManager Daily News 05.03.2024.

1. Fleet Management hosts a high-level networking event promoting seafarer wellbeing and sustainability Fleet Management Limited (FLEET) successfully hosted a networking event at ITC Maratha, Mumbai, on 26 February, bringing together key figures in the maritime industry to discuss seafarer wellbeing and broader sustainability topics. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Fleet+Management+hosts+a+high-level+networking+event++promoting+seafarer+wellbeing+and+sustainability
2. Trafigura inks debut VLCCs order One of the world’s largest charterers Trafigura is addressing the market shortage of modern supertanker tonnage by signing up to build its first VLCCs. The Singapore-headquartered global commodities trader has contracted Jiangsu New Hantong Ship Heavy Industry in China for the construction of two 319,000 dwt crude carriers, delivering in July and September of 2026. https://splash247.com/trafigura-inks-debut-vlccs-order/
3. Secondhand ship prices and sales volumes scale heights Secondhand tanker and bulker prices are at highs not seen for more than a decade, with owners scrambling for all available tonnage, pushing secondhand prices close to newbuild levels. According to Clarksons Research, secondhand tanker prices are at a 15-year high, while secondhand bulk carrier prices are at close to the peak experienced in the wake of the global financial crisis. https://splash247.com/secondhand-ship-prices-and-sales-volumes-scale-heights/
4. Live Animal Export: An experimental double take as the Bahijah tries again This past weekend the Dareen rounded Yemen within missile range, then passed the Rubymar as she slid under the sea forever after being hit by missiles weeks ago. She finally passed through Babel Mendab within waving distance of shore and the Houthi nilitia, while carrying about 26,000 Australian sheep, permitted by the Australian government. https://splash247.com/live-animal-export-an-experimental-double-take-as-the-bahijah-tries-again/
5. Ray Car Carriers splurges $268m on pair of Korean newbuilds Ray Car Carriers has boosted its orderbook with two more newbuilds contracted in South Korea.The Abraham Rami Ungar-controlled owner has returned to Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in Ulsan for a 7,500 ceu pair, delivering by May 2028. https://splash247.com/ray-car-carriers-in-for-268m-worth-pair-at-hyundai-mipo/
6. Rising Sea Levels Increase Threat Of Arsenic In Drinking Water Rising seas due to climate change could exacerbate the threat of arsenic in drinking water, according to a study published in PLOS ONE in January. Researchers focused on arsenic in well water in Bangladesh, where up to 97% of the population relies on such water for drinking. https://gcaptain.com/rising-sea-levels-increase-threat-of-arsenic-in-drinking-water/
7. Netherlands to Spend Billions on Ships to Boost Defense Capacity The Netherlands has earmarked several billion euros to replace most of its large surface ships over the next 15 years, as the country seeks to boost its military capacity in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.The nation has four air defense and command frigates that will reach the end of their service life in the next decade. The ships’ anti-aircraft missile armament will also need to be renewed, the Defense Ministry said in a statement Friday. It did not give a precise spending figure. https://gcaptain.com/netherlands-to-spend-billions-on-ships-to-boost-defense-capacity/
8. Yemen’s Houthis Blame UK And US For ‘Glitch’ In Red Sea Undersea Cables The Houthi Transport Ministry in Yemen said on Saturday there had been a “glitch” in undersea communication cables in the Red Sea as a result of actions by U.S. and British naval vessels.The actions “endangered the security and safety of the international communications and the flow of information,” the ministry said in a statement, reported by the Houthi-run Saba news agency, without giving details. https://gcaptain.com/yemens-houthis-blame-uk-and-us-for-glitch-in-red-sea-undersea-cables/
9. Viking Line launches sustainable ‘Green Sea Conference’ Each year, about 600,000 passengers travel with groups or conferences on Viking Line’s vessels, and all aspects involved in a sea conference have now been subject to a comprehensive sustainability assessment. https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/viking-line-launches-sustainable-green-sea-conference-79789
10. Freight rates on notice after Rubymar sinks, first ship casualty of Red Sea crisis The sinking of the UK-owned bulk carrier Rubymar after a Houthi missile strike off the coast of Yemen threatens to cause an environmental crisis in the southern Red Sea and heightens once again the risks of commodities shipping through the critical Bab al-Mandab Strait. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Freight+rates+on+notice+after+Rubymar+sinks%2C+first+ship+casualty+of+Red+Sea+crisis