Maritime Safety News Archives - Page 17 of 259 - SHIP IP LTD

Widespread container shipping trade recovery in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic has boosted the global terminal capacity outlook, supported by global terminal operators’ (GTOs) increased appetite for higher-risk greenfield projects to deliver long-term growth, according to Drewry’s latest Global Container Terminal Operators Annual Review and Forecast report.

Global container port capacity is projected to increase by an average annual rate of 2.4% to reach 1.38 billion teu by 2026.  However, the worsening economic and geopolitical situation has led to a downgrading of the cargo demand outlook, and as a result container port utilization is now projected to moderate to 70% in 2025 compared to last year’s projection of 75%.

While the majority (70%) of GTO investment plans remain focused on existing assets, there has been a notable increase in the number of greenfield projects – with CMA Terminals, Hutchison and TIL all expected to add 4 mteu or additional greenfield capacity by 2026.

Eleanor Hadland, author of the report and Drewry’s senior analyst for ports and terminals said: “The renewed appetite for greenfield projects shows improved confidence in the market outlook. However, the ability of CMA Terminals and TIL to secure volume guarantees from CMA CGM and MSC gives these companies an advantage over non-carrier affiliated operators.”

Global supply chain disruption resulted in increased cargo dwell times in 2021 which generated additional storage charges, lifting terminal operators’ revenue growth above that which could be justified on the basis of volume recovery alone.

Port congestion does not appear to have adversely impacted financial performance, despite the widespread decline in productivity levels. The revenue raising mechanisms (i.e., paid-for overtime, storage charges) have so far proven to be sufficient to offset the additional congestion-related operating costs. Operators also cite the continuing cost control measures implemented in response to Covid as having a positive impact on margins.

“Once global supply chain disruption eases, which is now expected in 1H23, there is heightened risk that revenue gains will retreat as dwell times return to pre-pandemic levels,” added Hadland.

Capital expenditure bounced back in 2021, rising 31% YoY, but operators now face the twin challenges of longer lead time for handling equipment and rapidly rising costs. Drewry’s research also identifies that the pace of fund raising has slowed since 2020, with rising interest rates putting a brake on the market.

In general, favorable terminal operator financial performance has translated into robust balance sheets. With the exception of COSCO Ports and ICTSI, net debt fell, leading to a reduction in net gearing by 8.5 percentage points to 54.7%.

Looking back at 2021, the number of companies that qualified as GTOs fell from 21 to 20, with K Line dropping out of the rankings following the sale of its US operations in 4Q20. Growth in equity-adjusted throughput for the remaining 20 companies classified by Drewry as GTOs was 7.0%, marginally higher than the 6.8% growth in global port handling recorded in 2021. The leading operators handled over 48% of the global port volumes on an equity-adjusted basis, stable on a like-for-like basis vs. 2020.

APM Terminals reported the largest absolute increase in equity-adjusted volumes, with volumes up 4.7 mteu (10.3%) YoY.

Source: https://maritimefairtrade.org/greenfield-container-port-projects-back-in-favor-with-terminal-operators-says-drewry/

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Momsen (DDG 92) departed Singapore, Aug. 10, after a scheduled port call.

Momsen’s visit to the country is reflection of the longstanding partnership between the United States and Singapore, as well as their combined willingness to protect a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“This was a tremendous opportunity for our crew to be able to further international relations with Singapore on behalf of our country, and I am proud to be a part of it,” said Cmdr. Erik Roberts, commanding officer of Momsen.

“We’re committed to strengthening interoperability with like-minded regional partners to ensure our forces can operate together effectively and reinforce our roles in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific region.”

Sailors aboard Momsen were provided with the opportunity to experience and enjoy Singapore’s vibrant culture. Routine port visits such as this further partnering nations’ mutual interests and build upon longstanding relationships.

“I was glad to have the chance to see Singapore again after visiting almost a decade ago,” said Yeoman 2nd Class Ma Selina Sison, from San Francisco, California.

“It was incredible to see the way in which the country had changed and grown. I would never have expected to be back in Singapore. Coming back to their diverse cuisine was certainly a highlight. Getting away from our usual workdays and taking time for ourselves is much needed, and I think, well deserved. It’s nice to be able to spend some time in port to recharge and be ready to continue our mission.”

The U.S. Navy has a long history of support from the Republic of Singapore. The host nation provides basing and logistics support to U.S. Navy’s rotationally-deployed littoral combat ships (LCS) and, recently, the P-8A Poseidon aircraft. This defense relationship builds upon the credibility of conventional deterrence by enhancing interoperability.

The U.S. Navy has operated in the Indo-Pacific region with the support of partnering nations for more than 70 years. Routinely operating in the region, under the recognition of international law, is essential to the U.S. Navy’s dedication to maintaining peace and allowing all nations to utilize vital sea lanes without fear or contest.

Momsen departed Singapore Aug. 10 to continue operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Momsen is assigned to Task Force 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed DESRON and the U.S. 7th fleet’s principal surface force.

nThe UK’s Department of Transport, through the Maritime & Coastguard Authority (MCA), has set a target date 22 November has been set to pass the Merchant Shipping (Nuclear Ships) Regulations into law.

As shipping seeks zero carbon future fuels there is growing interest around the use of atomic power and MCA consultation in 2021 concluded that there is an appetite for nuclear ships over the next 10 years.

According to Core Power the Regulations will transpose Chapter VIII in the Annex to the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (‘SOLAS’) together with the Safety Code for Nuclear Ships (res. A.491.XII) into UK law.

“This is an important milestone in the regulatory progress for New Nuclear in Maritime,” said Mikal Boe, Founder and CEO of Core Power.

Core Power is seeking to develop and commercialise molten salt reactors (MSRs) for shipping and offshore power production.

Source: https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/regulation/uk-set-pass-maritime-law-nuclear-powered-ships

The deceased body of an employee who fell into the sea was discovered on 24 August, two days after a portion of a concrete pier he was on suddenly collapsed at the Keppel Shipyard based in Tuas.

In a statement published on Wednesday, the Keppel Shipyard shared condolences to the family members of the subcontract worker, who was a Bangladeshi. The firm mentioned that it is in touch and cooperating with relevant authorities to conduct a thorough inspection and review.

The firm mentioned that Keppel Shipyard values the lives and safety of its workers and that they deeply regret the tragic incident.

Per the police, the dead body was recovered on Wednesday around 8.30 am.

The accident occurred on Monday morning when a portion of the concrete pier where a crane was on reportedly collapsed, making the crane topple onto a vessel berthed beside the dock, a spokesperson associated with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said.

The employee (aged 38 years), who was on the pier, fell into the sea. He was reported as missing. Kumaran Marine employed the victim.

The incident at Keppel Shipyard’s 51 Pioneer Sector 1 caused the crane to submerge underwater.

Four other employees – one Chinese national, two Bangladeshis, and one Singaporean – also suffered some minor injuries and are stable, reported the spokesperson associated with the MOM.

MOM mentioned investigating the cause of the accident and stopping activities at the pier.

Source: https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/scdf-found-the-body-of-bangladeshi-subcontract-worker-who-fell-into-the-sea-at-keppel-shipyard-tuas/

A fisherman from Indonesia was shot within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Papua New Guinea (PNG). The report from news sources is that some members associated with the Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF) carried out the shooting that killed the victim on Monday, 22 August. Per reports from the media, an Indonesian-flagged fishing vessel named the KMN Calvin 02 was approached within the PNG territorial waters by a PNGDF patrol boat that reportedly opened the fire, taking the life of one.

While the sequence of events remains unclear until now, media reports in Indonesia initially mentioned that an Australia-based warship had opened fire. However, the Australian Government has denied this.

A member of the Indonesian fishing boat crew, who discussed with KabarPaupa.com, mentioned that if he was not mistaken, the warship PNGDF had a hull number, 401, that corresponds to the HMPNGS Ted Diro.

Sources further confirmed to the Overt Defense that, during this time, works to arm PNG’s Guardian-class vessels are yet to start.

Efforts to track the KMN Calvin 02 and Ted Diro via open-source means, including AIS data, were unsuccessful. However, photos released by the US Coast Guard (USCG) highlight that two of the three Guardian-class patrol vessels were in the port at the Manus Naval Base when the USCGC Oliver Henry reached on 14 August.

Given that Guardian-class patrol boats of the PNG are not so far armed with any big calibre weapons, it seems possible that the shooting was carried out by the PNGDF officers who were empowered with small arms.

Overt Defense tried contacting Australia’s Department of Defence and the PNG government for comments. However, they didn’t reply with answers to questions before the publication.

Illegal fishing carried out by Indonesia’s fishers has exploded within PNG EEZs and Australia with the onset of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, several Indonesia-based Fishing Boats were also burnt off the coast of Australia, resulting in a diplomatic incident.

On 24 August, a Defence spokesperson reported to the Overt Defense that the Defence department knows about the media reports published this week regarding the death of a fisherman from Indonesia off New Guinea’s south coast. Australian personnel and vessels weren’t involved in the incident.

References: Tempo.CO, Indonesia Posts, Overt Defense