Daily Briefing October 23 2020
Free to read: P&I pool claims hit record $300m at halfway mark | Australian state threatens to turn away vessels with infected crew | Filipino seafarers test positive for coronavirus in China | US to consider regional emissions regime for shipping
Good morning. Here’s our quick view of everything you need to know today.
The Lloyd’s List Daily Briefing is brought to you by the Lloyd’s List News Desk.
What to watch | Analysis | Markets | In other news
What to watch
International Group pool claims have hit an all-time high for the halfway point in a claims year, and may already have reached three-quarters of the previous full-year outcome, according to senior club sources.
Shipping groups are urging Western Australia to allow crew changes to take place rather than turning away ships believed to have cases of coronavirus on board.
Beijing is raising questions over the integrity of coronavirus testing of seafarers after 29 Philippines crew reportedly tested positive after arriving in China.
A containership off Australia’s east coast with confirmed cases of coronavirus on board is being linked to an infected port worker in New Zealand, according to local reports.
Analysis
US lawmakers will be given the chance to follow the European Union’s lead and introduce the country's own data collection system for shipping’s carbon dioxide emissions.
US west coast container ports saw improved throughput in September but an imbalance of imports over exports that has developed across the country in recent months.
Markets
Safe Bulkers said it had entered into an agreement to acquire a Japanese-built kamsarmax, scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2022. The 82,000 dwt newbuilding vessel was sourced at “an attractive price”, the company said.
The ongoing equipment shortage in China is pushing up pick-up costs in a number of major ports, according to research by Containers xChange.
In other news
International shipmanager V.Group has expanded its partnership with Costamare Shipping by absorbing the Greece-based containership specialist’s management operation in China.
Nearly one third of all cargo-related claims for transport operators over the past three years involve temperature-controlled incidents, according to cargo insurer TT Club.
Cosco Shipping Development has agreed to finance 10 newbuilding pulp carriers worth $350m for a sister company.
Japan has started ship-to-ship liquefied natural gas bunkering operations, making its first such transfer to a car carrier.
Steamship Mutual has been forced to declare a 5% general increase at the next renewal round, according to a statement.