Daily Briefing January 19 2021
Free to read: Transatlantic product tankers divert as US refined products demand stalls | Volume surge, not blankings, behind supply chain problems | Australia tipped as top LNG exporter in 2020
Good morning. Here’s our quick view of everything you need to know today.
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What to watch | Analysis | Opinion | In other news
What to watch
High product inventories on the US east coast have seen product tankers shipping gasoline, gasoil, diesel and jet fuel divert to Caribbean storage destinations or other countries mid-way through their transatlantic voyage.
A large transfer of volumes from the first half of 2020 into the second half of the year is a substantial element of the current crisis in container shipping rather than any carrier-imposed restrictions on capacity.
Australia exported record volumes of liquefied natural gas last year despite outages at key projects, even exceeding Qatar’s designed output.
Analysis
Data will be the key to unlocking smarter shipping, for both existing vessels and newbuildings, says Tor Svanes, chief executive of Norwegian e-navigation provider Navtor.
Ship recycling is in a state of flux. The Hong Kong Convention has not yet been ratified. However, the European Commission’s Ship Recycling Regulation has now fixed its list of approved yards.
Opinion
The Lloyd’s List Podcast: David Hammond, the founder and chief executive of Human Rights at Sea, explains why the crewing crisis has helped highlight wider abuses in the maritime sector and why we can’t let that attention fade along with coronavirus once the vaccination programme kicks in.
In other news
A group of maritime companies has announced a project to help develop solid oxide fuel cells to power ships.
China Merchants Port Group said its vice-president and board secretary Huang Chuanjing has resigned.
Shanghai Dingheng Shipping, a Chinese chemical tanker specialist, has ordered six stainless steel tank vessels as part of its efforts to build a 100-ship fleet.
Avance Gas, an Oslo-based tanker owner, has placed an order for two dual-fuelled very large gas carriers as it looks to cut emissions.
Uniper Global Commodities SE has agreed to double the volume of liquefied natural gas supply it has committed to lift from Woodside Energy’s global portfolio.
Emissions from vessels anchored off Southern California are undermining the air quality controls of local ports and boosting the risk of coronavirus infections along the regional supply chain.