Maritime News Round Up – Issue 23

Bunker fuel

Bunker Prices Stabilize Over the Week

Oil market fundamentals continue to be weak especially with increasing COVID-19 cases globally. This surge in infections raises concerns of new lockdown measures on the European continent over the next few months, which may lead to a slower recovery of global oil and fuel demand. The World Bunker Index MABUX has been steady and demonstrated slight irregular changes for a week.

The 380 HSFO index fell from 291.90 to 291.35 USD/ MT (-0.55 USD), VLSFO added 2.00 USD: from 346 to 348 USD / MT while MGO gained 4.60 USD: from 407.70 to 412.30 USD / MT. Hellenic Shipping News

BIMCO calls for ISO 8217 review

We think it is time for ISO 8217 to change from maximum or minimum limits to acceptable value ranges for the relevant parameters, such as viscosity and pour point,’ says Christian Bækmark Schiolborg, Manager, Marine Environment, BIMCO. Bunkerspot 

Pavilion Energy and Gasum partner in global LNG bunker network  

In a Singapore – Nordic tie-up Pavilion Energy and Gasum are to partner in developing a global LNG bunkering supply network. Seatrade Maritime

Distillate blending in VLSFO raises concerns

Blending jet and road fuels into the marine fuel pool could lead to a lower flash point, increasing cleaning costs and risking engine damage, ship testing data has shown. The practice is understood not to be widespread in Europe, but has been a greater concern in Asia-Pacific bunker markets. Argus Media

Decarbonisation

Wärtsilä to supply a major LNG/bioLNG production plant for CO2-neutral transport fuels

The technology group Wärtsilä has been awarded a major contract to supply and construct a plant for production of CO2-neutral liquid transport fuels. The plant will liquefy gas from the natural gas grid to produce carbon-neutral LNG. It will have a capacity of approximately 100,000 tons per year and located in Cologne, Germany. The order with Wärtsilä was placed in September 2020. Hellenic Shipping News

Industry Giants Commit to Transparent Reporting of Shipping Emissions 

A group of the world’s largest energy, agriculture, mining, and commodity trading companies will for the first time assess and disclose the climate alignment of their shipping activities. Maritime Executive 

Hydrogen, biofuels touted as future fuel mix: MSC  

Hydrogen and biofuels are forecast to become key components of container shipping’s future fuel mix, according to Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), which is already pioneering the use of biofuels within its existing fleet. Seatrade Maritime

LNG: a pragmatic path to decarbonisation

By opting for LNG as a fuel now, shipowners can create a pathway to decarbonisation, using existing dual-fuel technologies and drop-in carbon-neutral fuels, while future-proofing their investments. Riviera 

Digitalisation  

C-MAP’s Fleet Management and Bridge Planning Tools Enhance Efficiency 

Shipowners and operators are increasingly incorporating fleet management tools into their operations as they seek to maximize efficiencies, both in the home office and on their ships. As they grow more comfortable with the benefits of the technology, they are looking for more sophisticated solutions. Maritime Executive

SIBCON: MPA Backs Digital Growth for Bunker Sector 

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is putting its weight behind the digitalisation of Singapore’s bunkering sector with a new plan designed to encourage the sector’s own efforts. Ship & Bunker

Indonesia’s Banten port to digitalise towage and pilotage operations 

Indonesia’s port of Banten is looking to digitalise its towage and pilotage operations under a deal to implement Innovez One’s marineM digital technology. Seatrade Maritime 

ShipServ’s new platform gives buyers a view of the sustainability credentials of all suppliers  

Maritime trading site ShipServ has unveiled its new platform today giving the shipping industry another transparent tool to cut its carbon footprint. Splash247 

Maritime

Coronavirus: Coastal areas demand £1bn ‘kick-start’

More than 40 councils in coastal areas of the UK have demanded a £1bn “kick-start” from the government to help recover from the impact of coronavirus. BBC News

Boris Johnson’s Offshore Wind Plan Will Require $58 Billion from Industry 

By William Mathis (Bloomberg) — Boris Johnson’s plan to quadruple the size of the U.K. offshore wind industry will require $58 billion of investment and careful management of what’s a tricky building process in some of the world’s roughest waters. GCaptain

Tapiit Live to launch seafarer mental health live training courses

Maritime digital training firm Tapiit Live will launch a new seafarer mental health training course delivered live to both onshore and offshore, especially for seafarers left stranded onboard vessels due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. Seatrade Maritime 

Events 

Maritime Week Americas 2020 Virtual conference, 21-22 October 2020 

Petrospot are launching the first Maritime Week Americas Virtual Conference, an amazing event designed to recreate the unique sounds, colours and fun of the onsite conferences that hundreds of delegates from all over the Americas have grown to love for more than a decade. Register  

Posidonia Web Forum Week 2020 

The Week replaces the planned live Podisonia event and brings together leading media for a series of web conferences and forums taking place from 26-30 October 2020. Register 

IBIA Annual Convention 2020 – Going Global: Bunkering & Shipping in a New Era: 3 – 5 November 2020

To be held over three days, this dynamic event will include a virtual exhibition hall, access to extensive in-depth on-demand content, and a series of both regional and globally-focused live panel discussions with audience participation. View event details