The Briefing on the maritime industry

The news, views and numbers you need to know this month

News in numbers

60%-70%

After changing tariff rates for cruise ships, India’s Ministry of Shipping said that the net effect of the changes would lead to a reduction in port charges of approximately 60% to 70%

2,750t

Lebanese officials claimed that the explosions at the port of Beirut in August were caused by 2,750t of ammonium nitrate, which has been left in a warehouse for six years

13

A total of 13 countries pledged to facilitate crew changes and achieve key worker designation for seafarers after a virtual summit hosted by the UK Government on 9 July

98

In total, the International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre recorded 98 incidents of piracy and armed robbery in the first half of 2020, up from 78 in Q2 2019

1,000t

The Japanese oil tanker MV Wakashio, which struck a reef off the coast of Mauritius at the end of July, reportedly leaked more than 1,000t of oil into the sea

In quotes

Ambassador of Norway to Bangladesh Sidsel Bleken, after Norway committed approximately $1.5m (14 million kr) to support improved ship recycling in Bangladesh:

Through [the] IMO, we will continue to support the authorities, the industry and other stakeholders in strengthening their efforts to develop Bangladesh's ship recycling industry and the country's economy. We hope to see more yards complying with the requirements of the Hong Kong Convention, so that Bangladesh can be ready to accede to the convention in the soonest possible time.

International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) secretary-general Guy Platten, prior to the launch of ICS and BIMCO’s latest Seafarer Workforce Report:

With the challenges and changes wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, decarbonisation, and rapid technological developments, ship operators now more than ever need a management tool that provides them with an understanding of both today’s and tomorrow’s crewing landscape.

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