Daily Briefing January 27 2021
Free to read: US to seize Iranian oil aboard Marinakis-owned tanker | Hazmat study finds asbestos ‘on most ships’ | Australia-China LNG shipments defy diplomatic trade rows
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
Greek owners of a Liberia-flagged very large crude carrier that unknowingly loaded Iranian oil are co-operating with US authorities following legal action to seize the cargo.
Many ships still contain asbestos despite tough safety restrictions on its use which were introduced years ago, an industry event was told.
China’s deep energy trading ties with Australia remained unaffected in 2020 despite diplomatic ructions, as preliminary data showed the Asian nation sourced some 45% of its liquefied natural gas imports from Australia.
Wan Hai Lines has announced more than $700m of orders for ships and containers.
Analysis
Digital technology and satellite communications have become the driver of shipping efficiency. Looking to the end of the decade, shipbuilding designs will likely be fully digital and connected.
Reported suspicious approaches off West Africa soared in 2020 as crews responded to threats both real and imagined, while other piracy and security incidents were steady.
Markets
More than 50 laden bulkers remain stranded in Chinese anchorages with Australian coal because of the political standoff between the two countries, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence vessel tracking data.
US President Joe Biden has signed an executive order underlining his administration’s staunch support for the Jones Act, including it as part of a broader effort to support the revitalisation of the country’s manufacturing base.
In other news
Singapore continues to boost the development of future fuels with ABS, Nanyang Technological University, and the Ammonia Safety and Training Institute collaborating on a study of the potential of ammonia for Singapore.
A number of ships anchored in San Pedro Bay have been forced to put to sea to avoid dragging during a storm.
German’s Oldendorff Carriers, the largest European bulker operator, has joined a project to develop a wind propulsion solution for the sector.
BP has started supplying regasified liquefied natural gas to customers in China.
Cosco Shipping Energy Transport has joined Mitsui OSK Lines in the construction of three ice-breaking liquified natural gas carriers worth $923.3m for the Arctic LNG 2 project in Russia.
DFDS, the Danish shipping and logistics company, has agreed to buy cold chain logistics provider HSF Logistics Group in a deal worth DKr2.2bn ($358.8m).
Key Malaysian transhipment centre Port of Tanjung Pelepas posted a record 9.8m teu in throughput in 2020 despite the global economic uncertainties caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Samsung Heavy Industries has clinched orders for two post-panamax containerships worth Won229.2bn ($208m).
Tanger Med said it recorded a 20% increase in container volumes during 2020, despite a decline in total vessel traffic to the Moroccan port by a third.
New digital ship finance platform Infinity Maritime has enlisted four leading shipbroking houses to support its acquisition and trading plans.