1. Thome Group partners with ShipMoney to introduce digital payment solutions for crew wages
“It is very rewarding to be working with Thome, a company unwaveringly committed to both helping seafarers and to finding innovative means to achieve that objective,” said Stuart Ostrow, President of ShipMoney. “We care deeply about the struggles that seafarers face every day—and which have been exacerbated by the current crew change crisis. Their wellbeing is our top priority and maritime payments for seafarers are our only focus. This enables us to devote 100% of our attention, resources, and expertise to helping crew and their employers.” https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/02/17/thome-group-partners-with-shipmoney-to-introduce-digital-payment-solutions-for-crew-wages/
2. Shipboard Cyber Security – an interview with Mike McNally, Global Commercial Director, GTMaritime
Mike McNally has more than 25 years’ experience working in the maritime industry both at sea and in senior maritime communications management positions. He began his career at sea, working on offshore tugs and commercial fishing vessels before becoming a deck officer on Getty product tankers. After coming ashore, he joined Globe Wireless, a major global maritime satellite service reseller. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/02/17/shipboard-cyber-security-an-interview-with-mike-mcnally-global-commercial-director-gtmaritime/
3. Who is responsible for the cargo when force majeure is declared?
The starting point is that while a vessel is carrying cargo there is no right for either party to terminate the contract. This approach has been taken to avoid that the provision acts as a weapon in the hands of the party claiming force majeure. It should be noted that if a contract is terminated while the ship has cargo on board, the owners will remain responsible at law as bailees of the cargo and will have to bear the costs of discharge with no contractual rights vis á vis the charterers. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/02/17/who-is-responsible-for-the-cargo-when-force-majeure-is-declared/
4. Maritime Authority of Jamaica warns of potential seafarer shortages if crew change crisis isn’t resolved
The global crew change crisis could lead to a shortage of seafarers if exhausted crew choose to leave the shipping industry rather than risk another long period trapped at sea, warns the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ). https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/02/17/maritime-authority-of-jamaica-warns-of-potential-seafarer-shortages-if-crew-change-crisis-isnt-resolved/
5. IMO Tackles Shipping’s Decarbonization
Decarbonization is indeed “a thing”, as Millennials might say. The problem that I have writing on the topic- and presumably that readers have, is that the timeframes can be very lengthy, like 30 years out. Indeed, many promising technologies for achieving shipping’s ambitious reduction targets for carbon emissions are on the drawing boards. But they are not yet there- nor is it clear who will pay for them. https://gcaptain.com/imo-tackles-shippings-decarbonization/
6. Wakashio’s Stern Removal Kicks Off in Mauritius
Six months after the scuttling of the Wakashio’s bow, the dismantling of the stern has finally kicked off in Pointe d’Esny, Mauritius. The parts will be transported on a special barge to Port-Louis’ harbor before being handed over to a local scrap metal recycling specialist.
The operation kicked into gear on Monday with experts from the Chinese company Lianyungang Dali Underwater Engineering on-site for the dismantling of the 75-meter bow of the Wakashio, which has been stuck on the reef since last July. https://gcaptain.com/wakashios-stern-removal-kicks-off-in-mauritius/
7. A Rarity Among U.S. Ports, Seattle Still Has Room for More Ships
The trade gateways in the U.S. Pacific Northwest that handle the flow of containers, cars and commodities are standing out for their calm relative to the congestion bedeviling ports from Los Angeles to Savannah, Georgia. Currently, there are no vessels waiting to enter the Northwest Seaport Alliance, which runs the neighboring ports of Seattle and Tacoma. https://gcaptain.com/a-rarity-among-u-s-ports-seattle-still-has-room-for-more-ships/
8. Maersk Tankers spin-off ZeroNorth opens Greek office to support maritime digitalisation
ZeroNorth Greece will provide a direct link to one of shipping’s most important regions, enabling greater engagement with Greek tramp shipping operators and allowing them to have first-hand experience with ZeroNorth’s vessel optimisation software, Optimise. https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/technology/maersk-tankers-spin-zeronorth-opens-greek-office-support-maritime-digitalisation
9. Govt Eases Steel Usage Curb For Highway Construction; Allows Using Steel Produced By Secondary Steelmakers
For the construction of highways, the Modi government has allowed the usage of steel produced by secondary steel makers. Earlier, in highway construction, road developers were required to use steel produced by the primary steel producers only. The decision has been taken in the wake of rising prices of steel supplied by primary steelmakers, according to a PTI report. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Govt+eases+steel+usage+curb+for+highway+construction%3B+allows+using+steel+produced+by+secondary+steelmakers
10. New DNV GL White Paper Looks To Close Looming Safety Gap
DNV GL, the world’s leading classification society, released a white paper – “Closing the safety gap in an era of transformation” – at a press conference today. The white paper identifies a looming “safety gap” between shipping’s existing approach to safety risks and its ambitions for greater digitalisation and the adoption of alternative fuels. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/New+DNV+GL+white+paper+looks+to+close+looming+safety+gap
