InterManager Daily News 15.04.2024.

1. Posidonia 2024 marks the rebirth of the Greek shipbuilding industry Greece’s revitalised shipbuilding industry will be prominently represented during Posidonia 2024, signalling a strong recovery following decades of decline and disrepair. The sector’s Greek renaissance is on the cards after the completion of the consolidation of the country’s shipbuilding units in Syros and in Elefsina, and also due to the restart of Skaramangas shipyard and the increased activity in Halkida. Posidonia 2024 marks the rebirth of the Greek shipbuilding industry – Cyprus Shipping News
2. WAF VLCC market stabilises following volatile first quarter The West African market for Very Large Crude Carriers has seen freight rates flatline over the past two weeks following a period of heightened volatility in February and March, with sources pointing to a readjustment of the tonnage dynamics in the Atlantic and Persian Gulf loading regions. WAF VLCC market stabilises following volatile first quarter – Cyprus Shipping News
3. Chinese economy’s recovery, elevated interest rates and ongoing political tensions add to an atmosphere of uncertainty by Veson Shipping Market Outlook There are several elements of unpredictability affecting our shipping market forecasts for the second quarter of 2024. The Chinese economy’s recovery currently teeters on instability, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the industry due to China’s pivotal role as a major demand driver. Elevated interest rates in Western economies heighten the risk of a severe downturn, potentially stalling prospective growth. Chinese economy’s recovery, elevated interest rates and ongoing political tensions add to an atmosphere of uncertainty by Veson Shipping Market Outlook – Cyprus Shipping News
4. March U.S. Import Container Volume continues strong trajectory In March 2024, U.S. container import volumes increased 0.4% from February, but jumped 15.7% when compared to the same month last year, indicating exceptional growth when considering the impact of the Chinese Lunar New Year on the second half of March. March U.S. Import Container Volume continues strong trajectory – Cyprus Shipping News
5. Human Capital Management is the key to delivering a sustainable future for maritime, says Thetius Report A new report by maritime research specialist Thetius, with insights and analysis of anonymised data from Ocean Technologies Group (OTG), has highlighted that having a robust Human Capital Management (HCM) strategy in place is vital to attract and retain the talent the industry needs. Human Capital Management is the key to delivering a sustainable future for maritime, says Thetius Report – Cyprus Shipping News
6. Iran seizes Zodiac and MSC linked containership Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has seized a containership belonging to Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer’s Zodiac Maritime and operated by Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC) near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran seizes Zodiac and MSC linked containership – Splash247
7. Greenpeace targets vessel accused of fuelling Russia’s shadow fleet Friday morning saw activists from Greenpeace Nordic launch a protest against a bunker vessel accused of fuelling the Russian so-called shadow fleet in open seas off the Swedish island, Gotland. The activists approached the vessel in two ribs and painted Oil is war – People want peace on the side. Greenpeace targets vessel accused of fuelling Russia’s shadow fleet – Splash247
8. Insurance pay-outs from Baltimore bridge disaster in the spotlight Cargo insurer WK Webster is reporting that general average looks to have been declared by the owners of the wrecked Dalicontainership which destroyed Baltimore’s largest bridge and crippled the city’s port operations last month. Insurance pay-outs from Baltimore bridge disaster in the spotlight – Splash247
9. Worker Shortage Hobbles Construction of U.S. Navy Frigates The shipyard producing the US Navy’s new frigate has been hobbled by a failure to “achieve engineering and skilled workforce levels” for the medium-sized vessel, according to a service document on the project that’s now forecast to run as much as three years late. Worker Shortage Hobbles Construction of U.S. Navy Frigates
10. Philippines Says it Will Assert South China Sea Rights in Meeting with U.S. The Philippines is determined to assert its sovereign rights in the South China Sea, its foreign secretary said on Friday at a meeting with U.S. allies to show support for Manila over an increasingly fraught standoff with China in the strategic waterway. Philippines Says it Will Assert South China Sea Rights in Meeting with U.S.