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Ukraine grain export cargoes might soon start flowing more rapidly. In a hopeful sign the Turkish Ministry of National Defense reports that the first ship to depart Ukraine with an export cargo of grain since the Russian invasion is on its way to Lebanon after passing inspection.

The Sierra Leone-flagged Razoni arrived in Istanbul’s waters on Tuesday evening, after sailing from Ukraine’s main Black Sea port of Odesa on Monday.

“A joint civilian inspection team comprising officials from the Russian Federation, Türkiye, Ukraine and the United Nations visited the merchant vessel Razoni this morning,” the Black Sea Grain Initiative Joint Coordination Center (JCC) said in a statement.

“This marks the conclusion of an initial ‘proof of concept’ operation,” the statement continued, adding that three ports in Ukraine were due to resume the export of millions of tonnes of wheat, corn and other crops “at a time of global food insecurity.”

In addition to shipping millions of tonnes of Ukraine grain export cargoes, the initiative also envisages the export of fertilizer needed by the world’s farmers, “under close monitoring,” the Joint Coordination Center statement said.

It noted that the inspectors had spoken to the Razoni’s crew and gained “valuable information” about the vessel’s journey along the maritime humanitarian corridor in the Black Sea that was agreed by the signatories of the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

“The JCC will use this voyage in its ongoing work on fine-tuning procedures and processes to enable the continuation of safe passage of commercial vessels across the Black Sea under the Initiative,” the statement said.

HOW MANY SHIPS WILL FOLLOW?

After the first successful inspection, Reuters reports a senior Turkish official, who requested anonymity, as saying three ships may leave from any of the three Black Sea ports of Odesa and nearby Pivdennyi and Chornomorsk every day, instead of the previously planned one.

The news agency quoted U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric as saying that more outbound movement was being planned from Ukraine for today (Wednesday), adding that about 27 ships were covered by the export deal.

Source: https://www.marinelog.com/legal-safety/safety-and-security/video-ukraine-grain-export-ship-passes-inspection-heads-for-lebanon/

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has concluded its investigation of the incident this year that first came to light when leading marine fuel testing provider VPS said it had identified 60 vessels that had bunkered high sulfur fuel oil (HFSO) contaminated with chlorinated hydrocarbons. Each of these deliveries were made from two suppliers and 12 delivery barges in the Port of Singapore, between mid-February to mid-March 2022. They contained up to 2,000 ppm of chlorinated hydrocarbon contaminants

As a result of its investigation of the incident, MPA has taken actions that include a two months suspension of the bunker supplier license of one of the two companies that supplied the contaminated fuel, Glencore Singapore Pte Ltd, for two months.

Back on May 5, MPA reported that the source of the affected HSFO fuel — which had been supplied to ships by both Glencore and PetroChina International (Singapore) Pte Ltd — had been traced to fuel loaded on a tanker at the Port of Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates.

FORENSIC FINGERPRINTING

Forensic fingerprinting analysis of the fuel samples taken from the tanker showed a match with samples taken from several affected ships that had received HSFO from both Glencore and PetroChina.

MPA also established that both Glencore and PetroChina, as MPA-licensed bunker suppliers, had carried out tests on the fuel supplied to ships prior to their sale based on the international standards of petroleum products of fuel – International Organization for Standardization 8217 (ISO 8217).

MPA found no evidence that Glencore or PetroChina had intentionally contaminated the HSFO.

Nonetheless, MPA found Glencore in contravention of MPA’s bunkering license terms and conditions

Today, MPA said that, between March 21 and 23, 2022, the fuel oil testing laboratory engaged by Glencore reported results showing that the samples taken from the parcels of fuel oil Glencore purchased, contained concentrations of COCs that ranged from approximately 2,000 ppm to 15,000 ppm. COCs are not commonly present in bunker fuel, especially at such elevated levels.

MPA’s investigation found that despite this, Glencore continued to supply bunkers blended with the fuel contaminated with high levels of COC to vessels in the Port of Singapore from March 22, 2022 to April 1. 2022.

By doing so, says MPA, Glencore contravened the terms and conditions of its bunkering license (bunker supplier) in failing to ensure that no bunkers supplied by it were contaminated. Glencore was given the opportunity to comment on these findings before MPA finalized its conclusions.

A total of 24 vessels were supplied with the affected fuel by Glencore from March 22 to April 1, 2022, and at least three vessels have reported issues with their fuel pumps and engines.

BUNKER SUPPLIER LICENSE SUSPENDED

MPA will suspend Glencore’s bunkering license (bunker supplier) for two months with effect from August 18, 2022. MPA has also asked Glencore to improve its internal procedures to ensure that prompt action is taken in future when it becomes aware of, or reasonably suspects, any irregularity in fuel quality.

MPA’s investigation also revealed that PetroChina had stopped delivery of the contaminated fuel promptly by March 19, 2022 once it received its own test results that the fuel it supplied was contaminated with COC. MPA has therefore decided not to take any action against PetroChina.

MPA has reminded all licensed bunker suppliers to adhere strictly to the terms and conditions of their licenses. MPA takes a serious view of contraventions of the bunker supplier licence terms and conditions, and will not hesitate to suspend or cancel the relevant licenses, where necessary. MPA has also reminded licensees to immediately report to MPA any irregularity in any bunker operation or contravention of any provision under the terms and conditions of their bunker supplier licence.

MPA TO WORK WITH INDUSTRY TO STRENGTHEN FUEL QUALITY CHECKS

To guard against contaminated fuel, MPA’s quality fuel assurance measures comprise the Bunker Quality Inspection System (BQIS) and the Intensified Bunker Quality Checks (IBQC). The BQIS tests the quality of bunkers supplied to vessels while the IBQC tests bunkers carried by bunker tankers before supply to vessels. On average, over 1,300 bunker samples are tested annually under the BQIS and IBQC to verify compliance with ISO 8217. While the occurrence of COC is rare in bunkers, MPA has now included that COC be tested for under both BQIS and IBQC.

MPA and the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) will co-chair an industry expert group to establish a list of chemicals to be tested and their corresponding concentration limits. The expert group is expected to make its recommendations on additional measures to strengthen quality assurance of bunkers delivered in Singapore. The Chemical Metrology Division from Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA), the International Council on Combustion Engines (CIMAC) and the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) have expressed support for MPA’s efforts to strengthen fuel quality checks and have confirmed their participation in the expert group. In addition, experts from testing laboratories and other relevant bodies will also be involved in the expert group.

MPA will also continue to share relevant information with the ISO, as part of the ISO’s ongoing review of the ISO 8217 standards.

Source: https://www.marinelog.com/legal-safety/shipping/contaminated-fuel-mpa-suspends-bunker-suppliers-license-for-2-months/

Key officials from Kenyan Government Ministries and Agencies responsible for maritime security have attended a workshop (25-29 July) to review and finalize the country’s draft National Maritime Security Risk Register.

Efforts to safeguard the region against strategic threats in line with the objectives of the Jeddah Amendment to the Djibouti Code of Conduct 2017, remains a high priority. If left unchecked, the problems would undermine the value of a well-developed maritime sector and blue economy. The specific threats include: maritime terrorism, illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing; trafficking of drugs, weapons and people; illegal wildlife trade; the threat to ships posed by new and emerging threats particularly cyber security, aerial drones, boat borne IEDs, and attack on ships using limpet mines.

Twenty-five participants attended the workshop, which was supported by IMO, and The workshop follows a workshop in May 2022 (read story here).

Speaking at the workshop launch, Ms. Nancy Karigithu, Principal Secretary, State Department for Shipping and Maritime Affairs of Kenya, highlighted the importance of the National Maritime Security Risk Register in managing Kenya’s national level risks to maritime security interests, which will enable the Maritime Security Committee to prioritize and co-ordinate programmes of work to mitigate risks. “By developing a National Maritime Security Risk Register coupled with a National Maritime Security Strategy, Kenya will have fulfilled her individual strategic responsibility and well on her way to realize the maritime sector’s collective vision on national maritime safety and security, thus fully securing her maritime interests”, Ms. Karigithu said.

Following the establishment of a National Maritime Committee, and the NMSRR, Kenya is now set to start developing its National Maritime Security Strategy.

Source: https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/Pages/WhatsNew-1739.aspx

The German-built LHM 550 cranes sailed into Newcastle Harbour on Tuesday morning, August 2, onboard the general cargo ship UHL Fighter, after leaving the Port of Rostock in late June.

Port of Newcastle CEO Craig Carmody said the $28.4-million investment marks a significant increase in container handling capabilities at the port’s Mayfield 4 berth.

“Industry has been very clear – they don’t want to have to pay more to send their container exports to Port Botany or Port of Brisbane when they could be taking advantage of Port of Newcastle’s enviable road and rail network and potentially save millions of dollars a year,” Carmody said.

“These two new mobile harbour cranes will allow us to move cargo and containers within the limits that the Port Commitment Deeds (PCD) bind us, so that we can give our customers a viable alternative.

“As a global trade gateway and the world’s largest coal export port, diversification isn’t an option, it’s a must, so we are taking what action we can while continuing to advocate for the removal of the PCD.”

The 550-tonne Liebherr mobile harbour cranes feature can handle a diverse mix of project cargo, including wind turbines, timber, steel coils, transformers, and mining equipment.

They also have the capability to work in tandem for heavy lifts and lift two 20ft or one 40ft container in a single move. The cranes will undergo testing over the coming month and are expected to begin operations in September.

Diversification agenda

The crane investment is seen as a critical step forward in the ports’ diversification agenda to unlock trade opportunities within regional and rural New South Wales.

The port’s diversification plans are deeply rooted in the need to adapt to the ongoing global energy transition, pushing it to move away from coal by becoming a deep-sea terminal and a green hydrogen hub.

Source: https://www.offshore-energy.biz/port-of-newcastle-pushes-forward-on-its-diversification-agenda/

Pope Francis said on Wednesday he hoped the people of Lebanon can be comforted by justice over the Beirut port blast that killed at least 215 people two years ago, saying “the truth can never be hidden”.

Speaking at his weekly general audience, Francis noted that Thursday would be the second anniversary of the blast, which also wounded thousands of people and damaged large swathes of the capital.

“My thoughts go to the families of the victims of that disastrous event and to the dear Lebanese people. I pray so that each one can be consoled by faith and comforted by justice and by truth, which can never be hidden,” he said.

Despite the devastation wrought by the blast, one of the biggest non-nuclear explosions ever recorded, a judicial investigation has brought no senior official to account.

With the probe frozen for months, many Lebanese see this as an example of the impunity enjoyed by a ruling elite that has long avoided accountability for corruption and bad governance, including policies that led to financial collapse.

Francis said he hoped that Lebanon, helped by the international community, could see a “renaissance” and be a land of peace and pluralism where members of different religions can live together in fraternity.

The pope was to have visited Lebanon in June but the trip was postponed, partly because of his health and partly because of the political situation in Lebanon.

Source: https://www.marinelink.com/news/truth-beirut-port-blast-cannot-hidden-498465

Jointly developed by CRAIN and its partner REEL (Rationnel Economique Esthétique Léger), the SW270 is a solid thick wing, fitted with a rear flap.

As explained, grids located on both sides of the wing section create a suction force that draws the air stream around the wing section from the outside to the inside of the wing. The wing is mounted on a structural foundation which contains the suction fan required to operate the system.

Based on the principle of boundary layer suction, the concept delivers a very high lift coefficient, which reduces the size of the device needed to achieve a given pull force.

Thanks to the shape of the system, the drag remains moderate. Therefore, the lift-to-drag ratio provides a good performance in upwind conditions and for ships sailing at relatively high speeds, using the wind to propel the ship in combination with the main engine, the developers said.

Furthermore, the wing section can rotate around a vertical axis to adjust to wind direction and optimize performance.

While the suction wing concept can be derived in a range of sizes in order to fit various vessel sizes, the device considered in this AiP was a wing with a span of 27 metres.

According to CRAIN, this AiP assures that the technology can be safely used and is ready for the next phase of its development and installation on board.

Laurent Leblanc, senior vice president of Technical & Operations at Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, said: “The suction wing concept appears to be a very promising option to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cargo ship operations. We are pleased to deliver this AiP to CRAIN, and we are proud to help build trust for innovative wind propulsion solutions, which are a key component of shipping’s decarbonisation transition. We look forward to seeing the system in operation.”

“Suction wing SW270 is an innovative wind-assisted propulsion solution that is suited for a large range of cargo ships. Developed using technologies already widely used by the naval industry, it delivers great power proportionally to its surface and is easy to install and use on ships”, says Philippe Pallu De Barriere, CEO of CRAIN.

“Our collaborative work with the Bureau Veritas team based on their new Wind Assisted Propulsion rules enables us to move on to the next step, providing specifications for the industrialization of SW270 by our partner.”

Source: https://www.offshore-energy.biz/crain-technologies-suction-wing-gets-green-light-from-bureau-veritas/

The recently launched consortium is aimed at helping the shipping industry eliminate the wasteful practice of “Sail Fast, then Wait” (SFTW) through a collaborative platform.

It is working on the development of the Blue Visby Solution that uses digital technology developed by software company NAPA to optimise the arrival time of oceangoing vessels and reduce their speed and CO2 emissions.

Solution operation screen. Courtesy of Marubeni

For its part, Marubeni will support the demonstration and implementation of this solution using its fleet of gas and chemical tankers throughout its chemical trading network with the aim of implementing low-carbon transportation of chemical products.

In the shipping industry, vessels typically sail quickly to an area near their destination and then idle there until they can enter the port, resulting in unnecessary CO2 emissions.

According to the various stages of proof-of-concept research, including an analysis of 150,000 voyages by 13,000 freighters worldwide in 2019, using the solution would enable a reduction of cruising speed and standby time in 87% of voyages.

With the Blue Visby solution, vessel operators will be given an optimal arrival time, so that they can then successfully adjust the vessel’s cruising speed and reduce fuel consumption by using the most efficient route and speed to reach the vessel’s destination, with a potential average CO2 emissions reduction of 16%, the developers claim.

Source: https://www.offshore-energy.biz/marubeni-joins-blue-visby-consortium-to-reduce-shipping-emissions-via-digital-solutions/

Meeting the IMO 2023 regulations will have quite a significant impact on the supply of vessels in the container shipping market in the long term, Søren Skou, CEO of A.P. Møller – Mærsk A/S, estimates.

As of 2023, the shipping industry will need to meet a new round of vessel efficiency and carbon intensity regulations applying to existing ships. In practice, this means that ships would have to meet a specific Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI), have an enhanced Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) that lays out the vessel’s energy efficiency improvement steps, and determine Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) rating scheme.

The regulations aim to cut the carbon intensity of all ships by 40% by 2030 when compared to 2008 levels.

“This is relatively new legislation and we are still trying to figure out what the impact will be on the supply. There are different ways of improving the energy ratings of old ships: you can use biofuel or slow down the speed. These are the two most obvious ways of moving the energy rating from a D to a C,” Skou explained, speaking on the likely impact of the regulations on the market.

“At this point, we only have some high-level numbers for our own fleet. It looks like in order to comply we will need somewhere between 5 and 15 percent more capacity up towards 2030 if the way we comply is by lowering the speed.”

“This is quite a significant impact if compliance is based on slowing down the speed, which is the most likely option given the shortage of biofuels, and their price. Of course, this is still outstanding.”

Commenting on the regulation during a conference call on the company’s business performance for the second quarter of 2022, Skou said that the manner of the enforcement, as well as its timelines, remains unclear at this point.

“What we understand is that it would really start being enforced in 2024 and 2025. Therefore, the short-term impact may be very limited, but in the longer term, it will be quite significant,” he noted.

Maersk delivered record results in Q2 2022., as revenue increased by 52pct. and earnings more than doubled compared to same quarter last year. Results were driven by continued exceptional market conditions and sustained momentum from the strategic transformation focused on integrated logistics. Based on the strong performance in the first half of 2022, Maersk has upgraded its guidance for the full year 2022 and increased the current share buyback programme.

In Q2, revenue grew to $ 21.7bn, EBITDA and EBIT increased to $ 10.3bn and $ 9bn respectively, and free cash flow rose to $ 6.8bn. The Q2 net result came in at $8.6bn and $ 15.4bn for the first half of the year. Return on invested capital (ROIC) was at 62.5 pct. for the past 12 months.

Source: https://www.offshore-energy.biz/maersk-ceo-we-will-need-5-15-more-capacity-to-meet-imo-2023/

The first grain ship to leave a Ukrainian port in wartime passed through the Bosphorus Strait on Wednesday en route to Lebanon for a delivery that foreign powers hope will be the first of many to help ease a global food crisis.

The Razoni left Odesa on the Black Sea early on Monday carrying 26,527 tonnes of corn and anchored at the entrance of the Bosphorus Strait on Tuesday night.

The shipment was made possible after Turkey and the United Nations brokered a grain and fertilizer export agreement between Moscow and Kyiv last month – a rare diplomatic breakthrough in a drawn-out war of attrition.

The ship entered the Bosphorus Strait around 1130 GMT, following the completion of the inspection by Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish and U.N. personnel working at a Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) in nearby Istanbul.

Ukraine said it had 17 more vessels loaded with agricultural products awaiting approval to set sail.

Ukraine’s ambassador to Lebanon, Ihor Ostash, said the Razoni was expected to arrive in Tripoli port in four to five days.

Three ships a day
The JCC said the ship was cleared after a three-hour inspection. Information from the crew about the Razoni’s journey will be used to fine-tune procedures to continue the safe passage of commercial vessels under the deal, it added.

The U.N.-brokered deal relaunched the export of grains from one of the world’s top producers after they were stalled for more than five months after Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion. The agreement aims to help ease shortages and rising prices.

After the first successful departure, a senior Turkish official, who requested anonymity, said three ships may leave from any of the three Black Sea ports of Odesa and nearby Pivdennyi and Chornomorsk every day, instead of the previously planned one.

The 120-day deal will be extended by a month at a time if exports are not completed due to the weather or problems with inspections, the official said, adding that the initial period appeared sufficient for Ukrainian silos to be emptied.

U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said that more outbound movement was being planned from Ukraine on Wednesday, adding that about 27 ships were covered by the export deal.

Denys Marchuk, deputy chair of the Ukrainian Agrarian Council, said at a briefing on Wednesday that Ukraine would like to include ports in the Mykolaiv region, to the east of Odesa, into the deal.

“The infrastructure ministry and the agriculture ministry are beginning to actively discuss with the coordinating council in Istanbul that it might be worth involving other ports, in particular in the Mykolaiv region,” he said.

Marchuk said Ukraine had exported 5-6 million tonnes of grain per month via its sea ports before the war but it was not possible to reach that level with the conflict and not all ports in operation.

Source: https://www.marinelink.com/news/first-ukraine-grain-ship-cleared-passes-498490

Bulk carrier WEN FENG 18 reportedly suffered fire in engine room in the afternoon Aug 2, while proceeding in Shanghai approach channel with cargo of ore. Bulk carrier had to be anchored in fairway, understood she was disabled. Fire was extinguished by switching on fire fighting CO2 system. She was still anchored as of 2130 Beijing time Aug 3, with at least 3 tugs at her side.

New FleetMon Vessel Safety Risk Reports Available: https://www.fleetmon.com/services/vessel-risk-rating/

Newer Posts

Older Posts

Ukraine grain export ship passes inspection, heads for Lebanon

HOW MANY SHIPS WILL FOLLOW?

Contaminated fuel: MPA suspends bunker supplier’s license for 2 months

FORENSIC FINGERPRINTING

BUNKER SUPPLIER LICENSE SUSPENDED

MPA TO WORK WITH INDUSTRY TO STRENGTHEN FUEL QUALITY CHECKS

One step closer for Kenya’s National Maritime Security Strategy

Port of Newcastle pushes forward on its diversification agenda

Truth About Beirut Port Blast Cannot Be Hidden, Pope Says

CRAIN Technologies suction wing gets green light from Bureau Veritas

Marubeni joins Blue Visby Consortium to reduce shipping emissions via digital solutions

Maersk CEO: We will need 5-15% more capacity to meet IMO 2023

First Ukraine Grain Ship Cleared to Passes Through the Bosphorus

Bulk carrier disabled by fire while approaching Shanghai

IMO Maritime Safety Committee Opens 110th Session – Safety, Technology & Seafarer Protection in Focus

IMO’s ECDIS Cybersecurity Mandate: June 2025 Compliance Status & Enforcement

IMO Mandates Monthly Emergency Drills for Passenger Ships: Full Breakdown of New Safety Rules

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