1. Taiwanese freighter collided with Navy ship, allegedly Chinese.
Taiwanese general cargo ship YU TAI NO.1, connecting Kaohsiung with Kinmen island, Taiwan, was engaged in collision at around 2100 LT Jul 31 south of Kinmen, shortly after leaving Kinmen bound for Kaohsiung. Master reported collision or contact with unidentified Navy or Patrol ship, allegedly Chinese Navy. Navy ship didn’t stop and sailed away, YU TAI NO.1 returned to Kinmen, understood she sustained slight damages. China Maritime or Navy authorities, so far, didn’t report any accident, or request detention/investigation. http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/07/31/taiwanese-freighter-collided-with-navy-ship-allegedly-chinese/?fbclid=IwAR3U07JoAWpk_F0fD-5JwebhW8HNb13EVx49iZYoe17ExZXoVLSoqppEQnY
2. Container ship collided with ferry in Strait of Gibraltar
Ferry NAPOLES, linking Algeciras Spain with Tanger Morocco, contacted container ship CAROLINA STAR at around 0100 UTC Jul 31 in vicinity of Tanger, both ships reported to sustained slight superficial damages and were berthed at Tanger. As of 1630 UTC Jul 31, both ships were still berthed at Tanger, probably damages weren’t that superficial, after all. http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/07/31/container-ship-collided-with-ferry-in-strait-of-gibraltar/?fbclid=IwAR3pM0bPtRlokGQAbF0LiUkl3C_mUp2foeQZypWg23p6tjtGn0ACMYzMSTg
3. Ultra Large Container Ship disabled, anchored off Piraeus
Container ship MCS LONDON reportedly suffered engine failure while leaving Piraeus, Greece, in the afternoon Jul 30. The giant ship was taken to anchorage to fix problem and undergo inspection, as of 0400 UTC Jul 31 she was still at anchor. Next port of call is Suez. http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/07/31/ultra-large-container-ship-disabled-anchored-off-piraeus/?fbclid=IwAR3I3ROGD4S5z-jwZs3HFqsiQOw_yLMIaRDfNph4CMwmnqgKzr6M-xu95kM
4. Strange story of Iranian container ship and Iranian VLCC in Red sea
Iranian container ship SHAHR E KORD suffered fire on upper deck on Jul 25 in southern Red sea, reported Lloyd. Fire was extinguished by the crew with the help of tug MISSISSIPPI, which happened to be nearby. Some interesting moments in this story:
SHAHR E KORD left Bandar Abbas on Jul 20, bound for Suez. After fire accident, the ship interrupted her voyage and lingered in the area until Jul 27. On Jul 27 SHAHR E KORD turned back, new port of call being Bandar Abbas. As of 1400 UTC Jul 30, SHAHR E KORD was steaming full speed along Oman coast, heading for Gulf of Oman. http://maritimebulletin.net/2019/07/30/strange-story-of-iranian-container-ship-and-iranian-vlcc-in-red-sea/?fbclid=IwAR00mwdlcBpcWgsszw1nOh8MPgPGAAHNhnUM3gc_t1LmtFC8v1lbJaGTEqU
5. Mark Robertshaw to drive European expansion of Direct Search Global
Singapore-headquartered recruitment firm Direct Search Global has appointed Mark Robertshaw as a non-executive director to drive the company’s expansion into Europe. Robertshaw is current a director at Dominion Marine Corporate Services and Tapiit Maritime, and is best known for heading up Faststream Recruitment’s move into the Asian market. He commences the new role with Direct Search Global on August 1. https://splash247.com/mark-robertshaw-to-drive-european-expansion-of-direct-search-global/
6. GC Rieber Shipping secures contracts with Nexans
Norwegian owner GC Rieber Shipping has entered into a ship management agreement with Nexans for the cable laying vessel Nexans Skagerrak. The agreement is expected to be executed in the third quarter and ship hand over will take place in September. It also includes management of cable laying vessel Nexans Aurora upon delivery from Ulstein yard in 2021. https://splash247.com/gc-rieber-shipping-secures-contracts-with-nexans/
7. “Challenging” Market Pushes Eagle Bulk into Loss
US-based ship owner and operator Eagle Bulk Shipping ended the second quarter of 2019 in loss. The company reported a net loss of USD 6 million for the period against a net income of USD 3.5 million seen in the same quarter in 2018. Revenues during the three months reached USD 69.4 million, representing a decrease of USD 5.5 million or 7% compared to the same period in 2018, while time charter equivalent (TCE) revenue for the quarter equated to USD 38.9 million, marking a drop of 18% year-on-year. https://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/280941/challenging-market-pushes-eagle-bulk-into-loss/
8. VesselsValue: 201 Cargo Ships Scrapped in First Half of 2019
The number of ships sold for demolition in the first half of 2019 fell for almost all sectors, compared to the same period a year before, a VesselsValue scrapping roundup has revealed. A total of 201 cargo ships were sold for demolition in the period, with 75 percent of them being scrapped at either Bangladesh or India, with Bangladesh receiving the majority share. https://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/280926/vesselsvalue-201-cargo-ships-scrapped-in-first-half-of-2019/
9. Scorpio Tankers lost USD 30 million in second quarter
After having finally achieved a positive bottom line in the first quarter, Scorpio Tankers is back in the red with a deficit in the second quarter. The market experienced headwinds, says the company. https://shippingwatch.com/secure/carriers/Tanker/article11526860.ece
10. Global Shipping Industry Delivers Comments to Official Consultation on Proposed Modifications to Panama Canal Tolls
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is conducting a public consultation on a proposal to adjust the Panama Canal tolls for containerships, vehicle carriers, dry bulk carriers, tankers, chemical carriers, LPG and LNG vessels, passenger vessels and small vessels. The proposed new toll charges are anticipated to enter into effect on 1 January 2020, the same day as the IMO ‘Global Sulphur Cap’ regulation. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Global+Shipping+Industry+Delivers+Comments+to+Official+Consultation+on+Proposed+Modifications+to+Panama+Canal+Tolls
