Daily Briefing October 21 2019
Free to read: DNV GL thinking said to be too ‘fossil-centric’ | LNG marine fuel ‘no better than gasoil or fuel oil’ | The Lloyd’s List Podcast: Asia’s trade outlook | Minor bulk forecast to be a hotspot in the dry bulk market
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What to watch | Analysis | Opinion | Markets | In other news
What to watch
DNV GL’s recent outlook papers on maritime and energy issues reflect ‘fossil-centric thinking’ and are too optimistic about likely industry uptake of LNG as a fuel, according to an academic who was one of the key architects of the Poseidon Principles.
Opposition to the use of liquefied natural gas for marine propulsion is intensifying as environmental groups denounced the fuel as no better than marine gasoil and attacked groups positioning it as a viable alternative with a better carbon footprint.
China is still providing lots of business opportunities to the dry bulk sector, according to Rhodium Investments chief executive Ojas Doshi. Other nations, such as Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam are also forecast to provide fresh bookings for minor bulk shipping.
Analysis
A spate of containership fires has highlighted the problem of misdeclared cargoes. But the vessels themselves could be better designed to prevent casualties, according to one union.
Opinion
The Lloyd’s List Podcast: We come from Singapore this week, where Lloyd’s List hosted the Asia Trade Outlook Forum, casting a critical eye over the market trends shaping shipping business decisions in the next 12 months. Joining Lloyd’s List Editor Richard Meade to discuss the key takeaways from the forum are the Asia editorial team: Cichen Shen, Vincent Wee, Hwee Hwee Tan and Inderpreet Walia.
Eastern Pacific, Rizhao Port Jurong, Ocean Network Express, Pacific Basin Shipping, Swire Pacific and Sinanju Tankers walk away with Excellence awards at Asia shipping’s Oscars.
Students achieving the highest marks in the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers exams continue to impress and inspire. Let’s hope the profession is safe in their hands, writes Richard Clayton.
Markets
Asia Pacific Exchange has launched a new futures contract in Singapore relating to bunkers complying with the International Maritime Organization’s 0.5% sulphur limit for marine fuels.
In other news
Japan will send its own forces to the Strait of Hormuz, after declining in September to join a US-led joint protection force.
Dredging works to deepen the channel at Nouadhibou port, Mauritania’s iron ore terminal, have begun, potentially allowing the West African nation to capitalise on increased exports.
Britannia P&I club is to stop general increases for both protection and indemnity and freight, demurrage and defence cover, and will from now on price vessels individually, it said.
Energy efficiencies could drive the majority of shipping’s decarbonisation as low-carbon fuels play a smaller role, according to a projection from the International Energy Agency.