Daily Briefing March 23 2021
Free to read: Seafarers can’t be forced to accept vaccination, ICS warns | Insurer of Israel oil-spill tanker cancels cover | Aegean Shipping fixes ‘green’ aframaxes for at least two years
Good morning. Here’s our quick view of everything you need to know today.
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What to watch | Analysis | Opinion | Markets | In other news
What to watch
Seafarers cannot be compelled to get vaccinated against coronavirus even where states insist all crew members must be inoculated prior to making port calls, the International Chamber of Shipping says.
The insurer of the aframax tanker accused of an oil spill that closed Israeli beaches has retrospectively terminated the vessel’s cover, raising questions about liability and who will pay for clean-up costs.
Aegean Shipping has clinched time charters for as many as six aframax tankers, including four upcoming newbuildings from Cosco Yangzhou Shipyard.
Analysis
The new US administration remains committed to sanctions on Venezuela’s oil and shipping sector, according to a leading figure in Venezuela’s opposition party.
High levels of consumer demand and low inventory quantities mean congestion bottlenecks in the US are unlikely to clear for some time.
Opinion
Even amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has created almost overwhelming amounts of cargo around the globe, GCT Global Container Terminals is confident it has more than enough capacity to serve shippers.
The Lloyds List Podcast: Why sustainable shipping is about more than just carbon reduction
Markets
There are signs that equipment availability may be improving after a long period of container shortages at China’s main export hubs.
Qatar Petroleum has floated a tender to shipowners for chartering up to 100 liquefied natural gas carriers to support a major expansion of its LNG exports.
In other news
Zim, the Israel-based container line, has delivered a record-breaking performance in its first results as a listed company.
The marine and decarbonisation heads of Cargill and Trafigura will lead the steering committee of green charterer initiative the Sea Cargo Charter.
The first ship-to-ship liquefied natural gas bunkering for an aframax tanker serving US–Europe trades has taken place in Florida.
The US has charged 10 Iranian nationals with operating a nearly 20-year-long scheme to evade sanctions, including efforts to buy two oil tankers valued at more than $50m.
More than 20 ports in the US, Mexico and Canada will be joined together by a single railroad network after the approval of a proposed $25bn merger of Canadian Pacific Railway and Kansas City Southern rail.
The UK has announced a £20m ($27.7m) fund for innovations in greener shipping.