1. OSM Thome taps Odfjell Technology for Equinor FSU modification work Odfjell Technology, a spinoff of Odfjell Drilling that specialises in offshore operations, has been awarded a contract from OSM Thome to provide upgrade and modification services on the Equinor-owned Heidrun B FSU. https://splash247.com/osm-thome-taps-odfjell-technology-for-equinor-fsu-modification-work/
2. US Strikes Back After Genco Bulk Carrier Hit by Houthi Attack Drone The Iranian-backed Houthis have hit another US-owned bulk carrier in the Gulf of Aden after the Biden Administration re-designated the group as a “terrorist” organization. The U.S. retaliated by destroying Houthi missile launchers in Yemen in its latest round of military strikes. https://gcaptain.com/bulk-carrier-hit-by-houthi-attack-drone/
3. Suez Canal Transits Fall to Lowest Level Since Ever Given Grounding Commercial ship transits through the Suez Canal dropped to the lowest level since the Ever Given blocked the waterway nearly three years ago, highlighting the extent to which attacks on vessels near the Red Sea are redirecting global trade to a longer, costlier route. https://gcaptain.com/suez-canal-transits-fall-to-lowest-level-since-ever-given-grounding/
4. Red Sea shipping slumps after US airstrikes in Yemen trigger retaliation fears Commercial shipping entering the Bab al-Mandab Strait to exit or transit the Red Sea slumped sharply early Jan. 12, after major shipping bodies urged operators to avoid the Red Sea for up to 72 hours amid risks of retaliatory attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen following US-led airstrikes overnight. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2024/01/18/red-sea-shipping-slumps-after-us-airstrikes-in-yemen-trigger-retaliation-fears/
5. Trafigura signs long-term LNG agreement with Tourmaline Trafigura, a market leader in the global commodities industry, has signed a long-term LNG agreement with Tourmaline, Canada’s largest natural gas producer. This marks the first time that Trafigura and Tourmaline have signed an LNG agreement together. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2024/01/18/trafigura-signs-long-term-lng-agreement-with-tourmaline/
6. Singapore Maritime Foundation marks 20 years of building strong public-private partnership at the SMF new year conversations 2024 SMF to continue building on strong foundation to promote Singapore as an international maritime centre and to develop a talent pipeline to meet the evolving needs of the sector The Singapore Maritime Foundation marked 20 years of building strong public-private partnership at the SMF New Year Conversations 2024 held at Pan Pacific Singapore. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2024/01/18/singapore-maritime-foundation-marks-20-years-of-building-strong-public-private-partnership-at-the-smf-new-year-conversations-2024-2/
7. Capesizes retreat The capesize market concluded the week on a relatively sombre note. The Pacific market struggled with limited participation from the miners throughout the week, resulting in declining rates driven by tonnage build-up and an overall shortage of coal enquiry. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2024/01/18/capesizes-retreat/
8. New biofouling requirements for ships calling at Australian ports As per a recent notice from the Australian Government, there are new biofouling management requirements for ships calling at Australian ports.An introductory period for these new requirements ended on 15 December 2023. Implementation is now focusing on transitioning to a business-as-usual approach, where operators of all ships will need to provide information on biofouling management practices prior to arriving in Australia. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2024/01/18/new-biofouling-requirements-for-ships-calling-at-australian-ports/
9. From the Houthi rebels A ‘Pass’ for ships carrying oil? The Houthi rebels’ offensive in Yemen was highly predictable attacks when one considers that in 2015 the Houthi rebels occupied the island of Permin, in the middle of the Bab el Mandeb strait , and before being driven out of it by Saudi Arabia, seized an oil tanker declaring their Yemeni sovereignty over the Bab el Mandeb strait. Today, the island has become an advanced military and air base for anti-Houthi forces. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2024/01/18/from-the-houthi-rebels-a-pass-for-ships-carrying-oil/
10. Number of ships waiting for Panama transit slashed in half The queue of ships waiting at both ends of the Panama Canal stands at just half the historical average since the waterway expanded back in 2016, highlighting the dramatic shift in seaborne trades in the western hemisphere seen in recent months since authorities slashed daily transit numbers as well as the maximum draft. https://splash247.com/ships-waiting-for-panama-transit-slashed-in-half/
InterManager Daily News