Daily Briefing February 15 2021
Free to read: Panama de-flags five tankers for sanctions-evading practices | Sanctions-busting tankers are an issue for the industry as a whole | The Lloyd’s List Podcast: Why Africa should be higher up shipping’s investment agenda
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 | Opinion | Markets | In other news
What to watch
Panama’s registry has de-flagged five tankers and is investigating missing vessel-tracking signals for a further 17 suspected to be involved in shipping US-sanctioned Venezuelan or Iranian crude.
The Lloyd’s List Podcast: Why Africa should be higher up shipping’s investment agenda.
Analysis
Sky-high spot rates have been sustained on container shipping’s trunk trades in 2021 so far, but there are finally signs of respite ahead of the post-Chinese New Year period.
From the News Desk: The bill for 2020’s spate of huge casualties is due on February 20, the deadline for P&I contract renewal talks. Shipowners can expect some haggling as always, but this year the clubs are serious about rate rises.
The week in charts: Pool claims to top $500m, box spot rates cool and dim tanker hopes.
Opinion
A Lloyd’s List investigation has revealed how one tanker in 12 may be circumventing US sanctions on Iran and Venezuela. The corporate veil has enabled those involved to get away with it so far, but that level of secrecy may not obtain forever.
Markets
US ports saw an increase in container traffic in January, a developing trend that is visible along the Atlantic coast, with Virginia, South Carolina and Florida all reporting higher numbers.
In other news
Filipino seafarer deployments fell by almost 60% in the past year, prompting fears the country is in danger of losing its market share as a crew provider.
Eagle Bulk has announced it has bought three more supramaxes, taking its fleet above 50 bulk carriers.
Eneti, the successor to Scorpio Bulkers, is selling another five ultramaxes.
Containership carrier Ocean Network Express has identified biofuels as a viable decarbonisation pathway after a successful trial on one of its vessels.
Qatar’s recent move to sanction the $30bn North Field Expansion project puts it on track to be the world’s largest liquefied natural gas producer by 2030, according to Rystad Energy.
Container shipping group CMA CGM has added four freight aircraft to its fleet to expand its airfreight logistics services.
Castor Maritime, a dry bulk owner, has diversified into the wet market with a deal to acquire two aframax long-range tankers for $27.2m.
Okeanis Eco Tankers has voiced confidence in a stronger tanker market over the next two years after posting profits for the last quarter and full-year 2020.