Daily Briefing January 8 2021
Free to read: Container market recovery extends through November | Container lines set to blank fewer sailings | Crew-change restrictions tightened to combat mutant coronavirus
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
Transpacific box traffic has continued to surge, with headhaul teu totals up by more than a third on the year-ago level in the latest reporting month.
Container lines look set to blank far fewer sailings around Chinese New Year than in previous years as strong ocean freight demand continues on the major trades.
Several countries across the world have tightened restrictions on ships entering their ports to curb the spread of a new, highly contagious variant of coronavirus.
Analysis
Hong Lam Marine’s executive chairman Lim Teck Cheng does not view the coronavirus pandemic as a bane so far for his Singapore-based bunker craft business.
Opinion
Senior officers are said to be under such pressure today that they have no time to share professional knowledge with their shipmates. But mentoring is easy to do, has real value, and can be done by everyone, writes Richard Clayton.
Markets
The Japan Club has confirmed a 10% general increase and higher deductibles for impending renewals, citing the impact of coronavirus, two unspecified ‘significantly large’ claims on its own book, and the record level of major claims on the International Group pool scheme.
In other news
The top global bunkering hub of Singapore has taken a step towards the use of blockchain technology in its bunkering sector and in the process ease some of the transparency concerns that have arisen amid the Hin Leong scandal of 2020.
Imabari Shipbuilding and Japan Marine United have pledged to regain global competitive edge through a new joint venture between the major Japanese shipbuilders.
Maersk is to establish a dedicated team to accelerate the company’s decarbonisation efforts and ensure that the decarbonisation agenda is embedded in the business.
Odfjell, the chemical tanker owner, is considering issuing a sustainability linked-bond as it seeks to rapidly reduce its carbon footprint.
Scorpio Bulkers, the US-listed owner that is exiting the dry bulk market in favour of the renewables sector, is to change its name.
Malaysia’s exports of palm oil are set to reach an all-time high, delegates to a conference have heard.