InterManager News 15.05.2019
1. Container lines forgot their customers in their rush to cut costs
As the world’s fifth-largest shipping line, Hapag-Lloyd itself participated in the consolidation wave that has characterized the sector in recent years. But the sector forgot the customers in its unilateral focus on cutting costs and achieving synergies, says the company’s COO. https://shippingwatch.com/secure/carriers/Container/article11379881.ece
2. Five shipping lines join container sector’s new association
The container sector’s new association aimed at creating industry standards is now backed by another five shipping lines. The new names include CMA CGM, which was also part of the initial discussions. https://shippingwatch.com/secure/carriers/Container/article11379391.ece
3. Five Ocean Carriers Join Digital Container Shipping Association
Five ocean carriers have joined the Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) as members: CMA CGM, Evergreen Line, Hyundai Merchant Marine, Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation and ZIM Integrated Shipping Services. They join A.P. Moller – Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, MSC and ONE in the association which aims to enable digital standardization in the container shipping industry. https://www.maritime-executive.com/
4. Limpet mines suspected in Fujairah attacks
Initial inspections of the four ships that UAE authorities said were “sabotaged” on Sunday points towards the use of limpet mines. Sources at Fujairah port who yesterday inspected three of the four hit tankers tell Splash the damage done on each vessel looks very much like limpet mines were used, a type of naval mine attached to a target by magnets. All four ships suffered damage to their sterns. https://splash247.com/limpet-mines-suspected-in-fujiarah-attacks/
5. German yards hit out at ‘fantasy prices’ on offer in China
Amid subsidies and protectionism from Asian rivals and “fantasy prices” offered by Chinese yards, European shipbuilders must stand firm and work together to protect their high tech expertise, Germany’s shipbuilding association, VSM, stated in a release today. https://splash247.com/german-yards-hit-out-at-fantasy-prices-on-offer-in-china/
6. Expansion of Sweden’s Port of Ystad Kicks Off
The EU-funded project to expand the Swedish Port of Ystad and enable it to accommodate larger ferries kicked off with a sod-turning ceremony early May. https://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/276741/expansion-of-swedens-port-of-ystad-kicks-off/
7. Damen Shipyards Group Expands Presence to Finland
Dutch shipbuilder Damen Shipyards Group has opened a new engineering center in Helsinki, establishing its presence in Finland for the first time. As informed, the new office has been set up in order for Damen “to take advantage of the depth of engineering expertise that exists in the country”. https://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/276747/damen-shipyards-group-expands-presence-to-finland/
8. Diana Shipping Inc. Announces Increase of Purchase Price and Extension of Tender Offer for Shares of Common Stock
Diana Shipping Inc., a global shipping company specializing in the ownership of dry bulk vessels, announced that the Company has increased the purchase price to be paid in its tender offer to purchase up to 3,125,000 shares, or about 3.1%, of its outstanding common stock using funds available from cash and cash equivalents (the “Offer”) to $3.40 per share and extended the Offer until the end of the day, 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on May 28, 2019, to allow additional time for stockholders to tender their shares. Except as set forth herein, the terms and conditions of the Offer remain the same. https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/diana-shipping-inc-announces-increase-of-purchase-price-and-extension-of-tender-offer-for-shares-of-common-stock/
9. First companies gain UK Women in Maritime Charter certification
Maritime UK has announced the first four companies to gain Charter Company certification as part of the Women in Maritime programme. In September, Maritime UK launched the Women in Maritime Charter as the centrepiece of its efforts to boost gender diversity across the maritime sector. Companies were invited to come forward to pilot the charter process, and four pilot companies have now completed the process, by formally agreeing their action plans at a panel meeting hosted at Norton Rose Fulbright on Monday (13 May). https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/first-companies-gain-uk-women-in-maritime-charter-certification/
10. IMO chief urges shipping industry collaboration on emissions reduction
International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Kitack Lim Monday opened a weeklong meeting at the UN body’s London headquarters with a call for the shipping industry to collaborate on its preparations for tougher sulfur restrictions next year.
This week’s meeting of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee is the last one before the global sulfur emission limit drops from 3.5% to 0.5% at the start of next year. The MEPC was the IMO body that took the final decision in October 2016 on the 2020 start date for the new limit. https://www.shippingtribune.com/newsdetails.php?s_id=11875
