September 1, 2022 Maritime Safety News
Fire erupted on board of container ship SHAMIM on Aug 31, she’s docked at Haydarpasa, Istanbul, since late 2021, understood under repairs. Firefighting teams and tug responded, fire in the aft section of the ship was extinguished. No other details available presently.
Source: https://www.fleetmon.com/maritime-news/2022/39373/iranian-container-ship-fire-istanbul/
September 1, 2022 BIMCO
GSL reported that the new charters comprise a first period of five years, followed by two 12-month periods at the option of the charterer, and are scheduled to commence between late 2023 and late 2024 – following the expiration of existing charters to a different counterparty.
The charters are expected to generate average adjusted EBITDA of approximately $13.1 million per ship, per year, and total adjusted EBITDA of around $393 million for the six ships over the firm charter period.
As of 30 August 2022, GLS owns 65 containerships, ranging from 1,118 to 11,040 TEU, with an aggregate capacity of 342,348 TEU.
“We are pleased to announce that we have chartered these high-quality post-Panamax containerships at rates that reflect the current market, but particularly the long-term need by liner operators for these well-specified vessels,” said George Youroukos, Executive Chairman of Global Ship Lease.
“These new forward charters provide a significant extension of our contracted revenue streams through nearly the end of the decade, and we are delighted to deepen our relationship with Hapag-Lloyd.
“So far this year, through three charter extension options, one prompt fixture, and eleven forward fixtures, we have added almost $920 million of contracted revenues, and we continue to pursue additional attractive, long-term employment for our in-demand fleet.”
The new devices will supply location data based on GPS, measure ambient temperature within the container, and monitor any sudden shocks to it. They also integrate energy-harvesting technology and low-power consumption techniques.
Source: https://www.porttechnology.org/news/hapag-lloyd-inks-new-7000-teu-ships-charter-agreement/
September 1, 2022 GENERAL
The CBG 500 E crane combines drive technologies with Liebherr’s own crane control system “Master V”.
Another highlight is the energy recovery system LiCaTronic®, which makes optimum use of the energy available.
The new all-electric crane CBG 500 E expands the transshipment solutions portfolio with a reliable machine that offers a handling performance of up to 2,000 tonnes per hour.
The all-electric drives inside the crane in combination with the supercapacitors turn the rope luffing CBG 500 E into a unique handling solution in the market.
The supercapacitors used as standard in Liebherr’s own LiCaTronic® energy recovery system support the increasing requirements regarding energy efficiency.
The boom of the CBG 500 E was designed as a lattice boom. This makes it particularly stiff and light, which further improves the turnover performance and at the same time reduces the energy need.
The result is a lifting capacity of up to 105 tonnes in hook operation and a maximum grab capacity of up to 90 tonnes.
The extension of the cabin and the high positioning ensure that the crane operator has an optimal viewing angle of all processes. The crane operator is supported operationally by the new, integrated “Master V” crane control system.
Together with a more efficient software architecture, it forms the basis for integrating future assistance and automation systems into the crane in the long term.
The crane can be configured with 43 metre and 50 metre boom. The longer boom variant offers the decisive advantage of enabling direct transshipment between two vessels in sheltered and open water.
The modes of operation range from bulk to container handling and are independent of the area of operation.
For installation on a barge, the crane can be equipped with additional counterweights, enabling safe cargo handling. Optional configuration options such as a comfort ascent or additional platforms and boom walkways for maintenance purposes can also be configured.
Source: https://www.porttechnology.org/news/liebherr-unveils-first-all-electric-transshipment-crane/
The 20th annual Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) exercise concluded Aug. 20, following 10 days of in-person and at-sea engagements that enhanced collaboration among Indo-Pacific partners and focused on shared maritime security challenges of the region.
SEACAT is a multilateral exercise that brought together 21 partner nations, interagencies, international and non-government organizations, designed to provide mutual support and a common goal to address crises, contingencies, and illegal activities in the maritime domain using standardized tactics, techniques, and procedures.
Ashore, the exercise involved a command post exercise at Singapore’s Changi Naval Base that served as a centralized hub for information sharing in the tracking of contracted merchant vessels simulating suspicious vessels of interests (VOIs) in seas throughout Southeast Asia.
Capt. Tim LaBenz, deputy commander of Destroyer Squadron 7 (DESRON 7), served as the Officer in Tactical Command, overseeing the operations in Singapore.
“Integrating U.S. Navy personnel and liaison officers from across the region and beyond, the multilateral collaboration required during SEACAT continues to build on well-established relationships in the maritime domain,” said LaBenz. “Exercises like these showcase the daily strides and highlight our shared focus to promote maritime security, all in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
By aggregating information through maritime domain awareness (MDA) tools, cueing was provided to participant countries’ operations centers and maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft or surface assets. These assets made use of that information across the region to track, find and simulate boarding of the VOIs, with the goal of practicing and advancing a collective ability to enforce international rules, laws, and norms.
The exercise scenarios were designed to encourage countries to share information to enhance understanding of the operational environment, build capacity for humanitarian support missions, and uphold international laws and norms. As Indo-Pacific Command’s executive agent for counter-narcotics, Joint Interagency Task Force (JIATF) West provided intel support to participating countries, demonstrating their shared commitment to the international rules-based approach to address transnational organized crime.
“As the U.S. Department of Defense lead agency for counternarcotics in the Indo-Pacific, Joint Interagency Task Force West remains honored to participate in SEACAT year after year,” said Rear Adm. Charles Fosse, director, JIATF West. “SEACAT 2021 strengthened our intelligence-sharing partnerships with other military and law enforcement operational centers, enabling a unified effort to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
Signifying the largest iteration to date, 21 nations participated, including Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Canada, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, New Zealand, Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, United Kingdom, United States, and Vietnam.
In all, SEACAT included 10 ships and more than 400 personnel. U.S. Navy participants included USS Tulsa (LCS 16), staff of DESRON 7, P-8A Poseidon aircraft assigned to Task Force 72, and personnel from Task Forces 73, 76, U.S. 7th Fleet, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and JIATF West. Other organizations included United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC), EU Critical Maritime Route Wider Indian Ocean (CRIMARIO), and Global Fishing Watch, with application of Women, Peace, and Security (WPS).
As the U.S. Navy’s destroyer squadron forward-deployed in Southeast Asia, DESRON 7 serves as the primary tactical and operational commander of littoral combat ships rotationally deployed to Singapore, functions as Expeditionary Strike Group 7’s Sea Combat Commander, and builds partnerships through training exercises and military-to-military engagements.
Under Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with 35 maritime nations in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Source: https://maritimefairtrade.org/southeast-asia-maritime-exercise-puts-cooperative-maritime-security-first%EF%BF%BC/
M1, one of Singapore’s leading Mobile Network Operators (MNO), August 30 announced that it will undertake an ambitious multi-year project that aims to provide ubiquitous 5G standalone (SA) offshore coverage for the Southern coast of Singapore, including the surrounding waters of the southern islands.
Extending 5G offshore coverage enhances connectivity in the larger maritime ecosystem and unlocks new use cases and applications. This is an important step in the maritime industry’s digital transformation efforts, and its goal of becoming the next engine of growth for Singapore.
In collaboration with, and co-funding from, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), M1 will provide a 5G standalone (SA) network to trial, develop and deploy new maritime 5G use cases under the IMDA Innovation and Ecosystem Testbed Program and the MPA Innovation Lab – making this the world’s first public and largest Maritime testbed at sea.
The potential 5G use cases are targeted at enhancing the efficiency and safety of maritime operations and management. The use of 5G connectivity includes telemedicine to enable crew welfare at sea, delivery drones, maritime surveillance, and autonomous vessels, as well as remotely controlled task-based robots, such as ship inspection and autonomous fire-fighting robots, that are used for more dangerous and labor-intensive tasks.
Manjot Singh Mann, CEO of M1, said: “The launch of M1’s 5G standalone network provides low-latency, responsive, secured and high-throughput mobile connectivity to ensure more precise and reliable communications between the ships and the port.
“5G has the capability to resolve long-standing pain points and it will become the natural technology of choice for the maritime industry. As the first country to extend 5G standalone coverage to sea for maritime operations, M1 is excited to partner MPA and IMDA to co-develop 5G solutions that will not only transform the industry but benefit the whole of Singapore’s maritime economy.”
September 1, 2022 GENERAL
Legazpi City—In an effort to intensify maritime interoperability in the world’s most disaster prone countries, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the United States Coast Guard will conduct a joint weeklong search and rescue drill in the country.
U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Loss Carlson joined with Coast Guard Fleet Commander, CG Rear Admiral Charlie Rances as they welcomed the USCG officers and crew participating in the PCG – USCG joint search and rescue exercise this week.
The Cutter (USCGC) Midgett (WMSL-757) seacraft arrived in the waters off Manila Bay today, 30 August 2022 in preparation for the joint maritime exercises to hone disaster preparedness, security and interoperability.
The PCG and USCG personnel will simulate communication exercises, maneuvering, technical demonstrations, flight operations, small boat operations, medical assistance, and resolution within the weeklong maritime drill.
Representing the PCG during the joint SAR exercise will be the 83-meter offshore patrol vessel, BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301), BRP Malabrigo (MRRV-4402), BRP Boracay (FPB-2401), and a Coast Guard Aviation Force (CGAF) helicopter.
Rear Admiral Rances said the initiative aimed to address maritime safety challenges by assessing the PCG and USCG’s capability for information exchange and interoperability at sea.
“As we want to maximize this opportunity for growth and development of our human resource, we make sure to capitalize on the subject matter exchange with a focus on search and rescue operations,” Rances said.
“Due to climate change and our archipelagic nature, our country is prone to maritime accidents. Thus, we are striding to minimize loss of lives at sea and prevent sea mishaps,” he said.
While US Amb. Carlson expressed high hopes that the joint SAR exercise will intensify cooperation between the Philippines and the United States, specifically in upholding maritime safety and maritime law enforcement.
“As allies, strengthening our ability to work together in critical areas, such as search and rescue and maritime law enforcement, contributes to advancing our shared goals of a more connected, open, and secure Indo-Pacific,” she said.
“It will also enable us to advance our training in information exchange with the PCG by supporting consultations and demonstrations on vital capabilities, such as shipboard helicopter operations, reviewing its sea procedures, engineering evolutions, and command and control processes. These activities will provide immediate benefits for all participants and help shape the evolution of our cooperative efforts,” the U.S. Ambassador added.
Before the PCG – USCG joint SAR exercise, the men and women of two Coast Guards will participate in the Brigada Eskwela 2022 program at Jose Rizal Elementary School in Tayuman, Tondo, Manila.
This is to assist in providing for the needs of the students and teachers who commenced school year 2022-2023 last week. (Raydes B. Barcia)
Source: https://rapidnewsonline.com/pcg-usgs-set-for-joint-maritime-drill/
September 1, 2022 GENERAL
A.P. Moller-Maersk said on Monday it has agreed to sell its 30.75% stake in Russian port operator Global Ports Investments to Russia’s largest container operator Delo Group, which also owns a 30.75% stake in the firm.
After the divestment, which needs regulatory approval, Maersk’s port unit APM Terminals would “no longer be involved in any entities operating in Russia or own any assets in the country,” Maersk said in a statement.
Maersk put its stake in Global Ports up for sale in March as it decided to quit Russia because of its invasion of Ukraine.
Source: https://www.maritimeprofessional.com/news/maersk-agrees-sell-stake-russian-379030
A United States Coast Guard vessel was unable to enter Solomon Islands for a routine port call because the Solomon Islands government did not respond to a request for it to refuel and provision, a U.S. official said.
The islands’ government did not immediately answer a Reuters request for comment. The Solomon Islands has had a tense relationship with the United States and its allies since striking a security pact with China in May.
The USCGC Oliver Henry was on patrol for illegal fishing in the South Pacific for a regional fisheries agency when it failed to obtain entry to refuel at Honiara, the Solomons’ capital, a U.S. Coast Guard press officer told Reuters in an emailed statement.
The U.S. vessel was diverted to Papua New Guinea instead, the official said.
The British navy declined to comment on social media reports that patrol vessel HMS Spey, also taking part in Operation Island Chief to monitor for illegal fishing in the economic exclusion zones of Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, was declined port access by the Solomon Islands.
“Ships’ programs are under constant review, and it is routine practice for them to change. For reasons of operational security we do not discuss details,” a Royal Navy spokesman said in an emailed statement.
The Solomons’ government and Beijing have ruled out a Chinese military base on the islands, although a leaked draft showed the security agreement would allow the Chinese navy to dock and replenish.
The fisheries agency for the Pacific Islands Forum, a block of 17 Pacific nations, has a maritime surveillance center in Honiara, and holds annual surveillance operations for illegal fishing with assistance from Australia, United States, New Zealand and France. read more
The USCGC Oliver Henry was scheduled for a routine logistics port call in the Solomon Islands, Kristin Kam, public affairs officer for the U.S. Coast Guard in Hawaii told Reuters in an emailed statement.
“The Government of the Solomon Islands did not respond to the U.S. Government’s request for diplomatic clearance for the vessel to refuel and provision in Honiara,” she said.
“The U.S. Department of State is in contact with the Government of the Solomon Islands and expect all future clearances will be provided to U.S. ships,” she added.
HMS Spey had Fiji navy officers on board as it worked alongside long-range maritime patrol aircraft from Australia and New Zealand and the US Coast Guard in the operation to gather information for the Pacific Islands Forum fisheries agency, the Royal Navy said in a statement on Thursday.
It carried out inspections of suspect vessels in ports as well as boardings at sea, the statement said.
The Royal Navy spokesman said it “looks forward to visiting the Solomon Islands at a later date”.
Source: https://www.marinelink.com/news/us-coast-guard-vessel-blocked-bunkering-499118
September 1, 2022 Maritime Safety News
The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index fell for a fourth straight session on Tuesday as weakness in Chinese steel consumption took a toll on capesize demand, while rates for other vessel segments also retreated.
The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, fell 65 points, or about 6%, to 1,017 points, a more than two-year low.
The capesize index fell for the fourth consecutive session, shedding 74 points, or about 18%, to 337 points, its lowest since early June 2020.
A sharp retraction in the overall trend brought about by the “deteriorating conditions faced in the steel market seems to have overshadowed and outplayed any seasonal hike that is typically seen at this point in the year,” Allied Shipping Research said in a weekly note.
“We can hardly expect any robust trend to emerge in the near term,” Allied added, referring to capesize demand from China.
Dalian and Singapore iron ore futures plummeted amid renewed worries over COVID-19 curbs and steel output restrictions in top producer China.
Average daily earnings for capesizes, which typically transport 150,000-tonne cargoes such as coal and steelmaking-ingredient iron ore, fell by $620 to $2,793.
The panamax index fell 88 points, or about 6.4%, to 1,284 points, on its worst day in over eight months. It also hit its lowest since late November 2020.
Average daily earnings for panamaxes, which usually carry coal or grain cargoes of about 60,000 to 70,000 tonnes, decreased by $788 to $11,556.
The supramax index fell for the third day, losing 53 points to 1,691 points, on its worst day in more than three weeks.
September 1, 2022 GENERAL
Supply chain risk company Everstream Analytics said carriers have avoided Felixstowe during the strike, with ship calls dropping by 82% from 29 in the week of August 15 to just five in the following strike week.
“The large-scale vessel diversions have led to higher congestion levels, especially at German ports that have battled labor actions on their own in the last few weeks,” said Everstream.
Waiting times at Hamburg hit a peak for the year of 42 hours last week and at Bremerhaven, 18 vessels per day waited at anchor to berth, another 2022 high and around 63% above the annual average.
The strike at Felixstowe has ended, but the underlying issue of pay is yet to be resolved.
“The ball is now firmly back in Felixstowe’s court. The employer has the opportunity to make a greatly improved offer which will end this dispute. If the employer declines this opportunity, then further strike action is expected to be announced in the coming weeks,” said a spokesperson for Unite the union.
Unions have proposed September 19 as a potential date for more strike action, potentially with fellow dockworkers at the Port of Liverpool striking alongside workers at Felixstowe.
“Knock-on congestion and delays on other European ports are therefore likely to occur in the coming weeks as well as we head into the beginning of Q4 and the holiday season,” said Everstream.
Port owner Hutchison said it offered a “very fair” 7% pay rise to workers along with a one-off £500 bonus.
The threat of further industrial action comes at a time of widespread strikes in the UK, including by rail workers, barristers, council workers, and postal workers. The most prominent reason for strikes is insufficient pay increases in the face of high inflation.
Unite, the union behind the Felixstowe strike, has had recent success in the UK maritime sector. Workers at ferry operator Red Funnel voted to accept a two-year pay deal of between 13.4% and 18.3% covering members including ratings, shunters and customer service staff.
The strikes are the latest in a series of disruptions to the UK supply chain, adding to complications from Brexit regulatory changes, pandemic impacts, and the loss of ferry capacity during the P&O Ferries debacle.
Source: https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/containers/european-ports-feel-strain-after-felixstowe-strike
