News blog: Brokers prepared amid UK in lockdown; remote inspections get OK

</div></div>Uncertainty from Royal Caribbean chief executive over coronavirus impactRoyal Caribbean Cruises chief executive <a href="https://www.tradewindsnews.com/cruise-and-ferry/richard-fain-no-one-knows-how-coronavirus-will-play-out/2-1-750778">Richard Fain couldn't offer analysts</a> much in the way of a forecast at a conference call today.After reporting earnings, he said: "Obviously the biggest issue of the day is the Wuhan coronavirus."Unfortunately, no one knows how this outbreak will play out, and we don’t know how it will ultimately impact us."Major headache at repair yards as coronavirus slams refit queueIn a TradeWinds exclusive, <a href="https://www.tradewindsnews.com/shipyards/coronavirus-creates-perfect-storm-at-shiprepair-yards-amid-high-demand-for-refits/2-1-750028">we are reporting that repair shipyards</a> that are facing a perfect storm. The coronavirus has hit just as they were working through long queue of vessel refit projects aimed at meeting emissions and ballast water regulations.Shanghai correspondent Bob Rust writes: "The result is chaos to dry-docking schedules, as yards cut off from their workers face a queue of vessels in urgent need of repairs and retrofits."The story takes a yard-by-yard look at how the outbreak of a deadly strand of the coronavirus is slamming the repair sector.Posted 5 February 1040 GMTForce majeure hits offshore production vessels at yardsUpstream, our sister publication covering the oil and gas industry, is reporting that a slowdown in fabrication work at Chinese yards is leading to delays in oil and gas production vessels.<article itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/NewsArticle/facts" itemref="urn:newsml:dn.no:20200205:750701-fact-box" class="dp-plugin-element dp-fact-box dp-plugin-fact-box"><div itemprop="headline" data-element-type="head-facts" data-element-label="Tittel" data-element-data-type="xml">China in lockdown as coronavirus cripples yards</div><div itemprop="associatedMedia" data-element-type="image-facts"><figure itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" itemref="urn:newsml:dn.no:20200205:750707-image" class="dp-picture"><img itemprop="image" src="https://drp-fotoweb-plugin.aptoma.no/preview.php?fwUrl=https://pictures.dn.no&href=/fotoweb/archives/5033-UP_Pix_In/GLOProduction/LYuOp8JDdRw.jpg.info&rendition=preview" width="" height="" /><figcaption><div itemprop="headline" /><div itemprop="description" /><div itemprop="byline">Scanpix</div></figcaption></figure></div><div itemprop="articleBody" data-element-type="body-facts" data-element-label="Brødtekst" data-element-data-type="xml">Sister publication Upstream reports that China's efforts to contain the outbreak have affected activity at many offshore shipyards, making delays likely for oil and gas vessels.<a href="https://www.upstreamonline.com/rigs-and-vessels/china-in-lockdown-as-coronavirus-cripples-yards/2-1-748889">Read the story here.</a></div></article>Posted 5 February at 1030Fearnley Securities issues raft of LPG carrier share downgrades<a href="https://www.tradewindsnews.com/gas/fearnley-securities-downgrades-vlgc-owners-as-coronavirus-creates-uncertainty/2-1-750539">Gary Dixon reports that analysts at</a> investment bank Fearnley Securities have downgraded shares of several owners of VLGCs. <p class="dp-plugin-element dn-related-article-container article-container" lantern-rel-id="2-1-750539" lantern-type="news" lantern-rel-source="drpublish" lantern-source-id="750539" data-native-source-id="urn:newsml:dn.no:20200205:750539-text" id="plugin-element-fb3d43cc9dd67" contenteditable="false"><a data-dp-editable-type="textfield" data-dp-editable-name="Title" href="#">Fearnley Securities downgrades VLGC owners as coronavirus creates uncertainty</a>The main concern: demand uncertainties as a result of the coronavirus crisis. Those worries have already pushed oil prices down."Though the sell-off could be temporary, the recent commodity turmoil has already added severe pressure on Asian LPG prices which in turn has trimmed product differentials substantially," the analysts added.Posted 5 February 0934 GMTTanker quarantined but crew clear of coronavirusA South Korean tanker crew has been confirmed free of the coronavirus after their vessel was quarantined in Indonesia, Gary Dixon reports.It was originally reported that seven seafarers had coronavirus-like symptoms and the 12,400-dwt Awasan Pioneer (built 2009) had diverted from Kendawangan to an anchorage of Pontianak.Pontianak port health office official Rahmat Subakti was cited by Tribun News as saying it was not true the crew had coronavirus.<figure itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" itemref="urn:newsml:dn.no:20200205:750538-image" class="dp-picture dp-plugin-element dp-plugin-fotoweb"><img itemprop="image" src="https://drp-fotoweb-plugin.aptoma.no/preview.php?fwUrl=https://pictures.dn.no&href=/fotoweb/archives/5034-TW_Pix_In/GLOProduction/awa.jpg.info&rendition=preview" width="" height="" /><figcaption><div itemprop="headline" /><div itemprop="description">Awasan Pioneer's crew were cleared of coronavirus.</div><div itemprop="byline" /></figcaption></figure>"In fact, based on the results of intense examinations, it is certain that the [crew's] condition is slowly beginning to stabilise," he said."There is no question of corona. Until now it has been monitored and [their] health is getting better."The vessel will be kept off Pontianak until the crew has completely recovered.He asked the public to remain calm and observe the usual health precautions of washing hands thoroughly and using a mask.The tanker is operated by Heung-A Shipping of South Korea.AIS data shows the vessel had left Onsan in South Korea on 21 January.Posted 5 February 0747 GMTGAC reports normal port operations in ChinaGAC’s China office has also advised that except for river ports in Hubei province, operations at other ports in China remains normal, <a href="https://www.tradewindsnews.com/ports/low-sulphur-bunkers-said-to-be-running-low-in-china/2-1-750496">Dale Wainwright reports.</a>“Vessel berthing and unberthing in Chinese ports is not affected by the novel coronavirus,” it said.“However, in most ports, vessels must conduct self-inspection and declare non-infection on board before pilot and tugboat application.”Posted 5 February 0530 GMTCruise nightmare as coronavirus strikes on Diamond PrincessTen people on board a Princess cruiseship quarantined in Japan have <a href="https://www.tradewindsnews.com/cruise-and-ferry/cruise-nightmare-as-coronavirus-strikes-on-diamond-princess/2-1-750475">tested positive</a> for the Wuhan coronavirus reports TradeWinds Asia correspondent Jonathan Boonzaier.The infected passengers have been transferred to medical facilities ashore. The Diamond Princess will remain under quarantine for another two weeks.Posted 5 February 0222 GMTVLCC earnings collapse by 32% as virus hits China's oil demandSpot earnings of crude tankers <a href="https://www.tradewindsnews.com/tankers/vlcc-earnings-collapse-by-32-as-virus-hits-chinas-oil-demand/2-1-750419">collapsed Tuesday</a> amid oil demand worries in China, reports TradeWinds' Max Tingyao Lin.<figure itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/SoftwareSourceCode" itemref="urn:newsml:dn.no:20200205:750483-script-asset" class="dp-script-asset dp-plugin-element dp-plugin-embedScriptPlugin" width=""><code><![CDATA[<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Most significant <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/oil?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#oil</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tanker?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#tanker</a> spot movements today:<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VLCC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VLCC</a> -41% to $15k/d<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Suezmax?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Suezmax</a> -19% to $26k/d<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SR?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SR</a> +15% to $14.5k/d<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/shipping?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#shipping</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OOTT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OOTT</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24FRO&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$FRO</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ADSCME&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ADSCME</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24DHT&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$DHT</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24EURN&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$EURN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24TNK&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$TNK</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24OET&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$OET</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24HUNT&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$HUNT</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24NAT&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$NAT</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24STNG&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$STNG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24INSW&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$INSW</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24TNP&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$TNP</a> <a href="https://t.co/J4WqR09uzh">pic.twitter.com/J4WqR09uzh</a>&mdash; Joakim Hannisdahl (@JHannisdahl) <a href="https://twitter.com/JHannisdahl/status/1224749351748194306?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>]]></code><figcaption><div>Embed: CleavesTankerRates</div></figcaption></figure>Chinese oil demand is reported to have fallen by 3 million barrels per day – or 20% of its total consumption.Posted 4 February 1939 GMTQuarantine clarity from AustraliaAfter reports that Australia would quarantine ships that visited China, authorities have now clarified that the new rules apply only to crew members that have visited the Asian country.<p class="dp-plugin-element dn-related-article-container article-container" lantern-rel-id="2-1-749803" lantern-type="news" lantern-rel-source="drpublish" lantern-source-id="749803" data-native-source-id="urn:newsml:dn.no:20200204:749803-text" id="plugin-element-4042263a2b504" contenteditable="false"><a data-dp-editable-type="textfield" data-dp-editable-name="Title" href="#">Australia clarifies restrictions on ships from China, 'no quarantine'</a>Australia is denying entry to anyone who has left or transited mainland China from 1 February in order to minimise potential spread of the virus, the Australian Border Force said on Saturday, <a href="https://www.tradewindsnews.com/ports/australia-clarifies-restrictions-on-ships-from-china-no-quarantine/2-1-749803">as we report in this story.</a>Australia's Department of Agriculture told Bloomberg that enhanced screening measures will apply to vessels that left China since Saturday, but there will not be a two-week quarantine period.Posted 4 February 1352 GMTUK tells citizens to leave China if they canBritish foreign secretary Dominic Raab has told all UK citizens to leave China if they are able as the threat of coronavirus continues to escalate.<figure itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/SoftwareSourceCode" itemref="urn:newsml:dn.no:20200205:750479-script-asset" class="dp-script-asset dp-plugin-element dp-plugin-embedScriptPlugin" width=""><code><![CDATA[<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/coronavirus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#coronavirus</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/foreignoffice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@foreignoffice</a> will charter another civilian aircraft to help British nationals and their dependants leave <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Wuhan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Wuhan</a> for the UK. All British nationals in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hubei?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Hubei</a> province who want to leave on this flight should contact us: <a href="https://t.co/jVmJCGOA58">pic.twitter.com/jVmJCGOA58</a>&mdash; Foreign Office (@foreignoffice) <a href="https://twitter.com/foreignoffice/status/1224834478251446272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>]]></code><figcaption><div>Embed: TWForeignOffice</div></figcaption></figure>"We now advise British nationals in China to leave the country if they can, to minimise their risk of exposure to the virus. Where there are still British nationals in Hubei Province who wish to be evacuated, we will continue to work around the clock to facilitate this," Raab said in a statement.Essential consular staff will remain to give assistance, while other officials and their families are being withdrawn.Posted 4 February 1628 GMTChina prepares new economic stimulus measures – ReutersBeijing is readying plans to make even stronger market interventions as the Chinese economy battles with the impact of coronavirus, Reuters reports.<a href="https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-china-health-economy-exclusive/exclusive-as-virus-fallout-widens-china-readies-more-measures-to-stabilize-economy-sources-idUKKBN1ZY103">China's central bank is likely to loosen its monetary policy</a> and lower its key lending rate to help businesses struggling with the slowdown caused by measures to contain the virus, the news agency said citing Chinese policy sources.Posted 4 February 1303 GMTChinese yards declare force majeure on newbuilding delaysShipyards in China have declared force majeure on delays to under-construction newbuildings after the government extended the Lunar New Year holiday period through to 10 February.Yard managers are working from home informing owners about their newbuilding contracts and at present are expected to return to work on Monday.<article itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/NewsArticle/facts" itemref="urn:newsml:dn.no:20191218:727471-fact-box" class="dp-plugin-element dp-fact-box dp-fact-box-small dp-plugin-fact-box dp-float-right"><div itemprop="headline" data-element-type="head-facts" data-element-label="Tittel" data-element-data-type="xml">New TradeWinds tool offers fresh market insight</div><div itemprop="associatedMedia" data-element-type="image-facts"><figure itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" itemref="urn:newsml:dn.no:20191219:727691-image" class="dp-picture"><img itemprop="image" src="https://pictures.dn.no/fotoweb/cache/5034/GLOProduction/TW%20Markets%20Campaign-600x280.t5dfb3a59.m800.xJ29TevU6.jpg" width="" height="" /><figcaption><div itemprop="headline" /><div itemprop="description" /><div itemprop="byline" /></figcaption></figure></div><div itemprop="articleBody" data-element-type="body-facts" data-element-label="Brødtekst" data-element-data-type="xml">TradeWinds has launched a new markets data platform as the latest step in improving our services to subscribers.<a href="https://www.tradewindsnews.com/markets/#/" style="">Click here to check out the new page</a></div></article>But there are concerns that construction delays could extend beyond this – possibly for months, either as a result of new restrictions from the Chinese government or from the difficulties of migrant workers returning to work and the need for any that have visited Wuhan to be quarantined.Shipbuilding players and newbuilding brokers said they are not expecting owners to walk away from contracts immediately, particularly as some were placed at rock-bottom prices.“If you are a dry cargo owner you are probably delighted and hope it [the situation] goes on for months,” one broker commented.The full story will appear in TradeWinds shortly.Posted 4 February 1105 GMTCMA CGM reveals coronavirus response plan<a href="https://www.tradewindsnews.com/containerships/cma-cgm-reveals-coronavirus-crew-and-office-restrictions/2-1-749728">Gary Dixon has reported on restrictions</a> that liner giant CMA CGM has put in place for shipboard and office staff.The company said its leadership teams in the region are closely monitoring the situation in Hubei province. Except for Wuhan, where the outbreak started, operations including terminals, warehousing, depots and offices are continuing as normal.Posted 4 February 1101 GMT<figure itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" itemref="urn:newsml:dn.no:20200204:749899-image" class="dp-picture dp-plugin-element dp-plugin-fotoweb"><img itemprop="image" src="https://drp-fotoweb-plugin.aptoma.no/preview.php?fwUrl=https://pictures.dn.no&href=/fotoweb/archives/5034-TW_Pix_In/GLOProduction/CMA_CGM_AMAZON.jpg.info&rendition=preview" width="" height="" /><figcaption><div itemprop="headline" /><div itemprop="description">CMA CGM is taking steps on ships and in its offices.</div><div itemprop="byline" /></figcaption></figure>Ensure new contracts have force majeure clause to navigate virus problems, says ClydeOperational problems for shipowners, operators and charterers risk triggering legal problems unless existing contracts are followed precisely, and relevant clauses inserted into new contracts, Clyde & Co has said.In a <a href="https://www.clydeco.com/insight/article/novel-coronavirus-outbreak-implications-for-international-trade-shipping?utm_source=vuture&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=apac%20-%20novel%20coronavirus%20outbreak%3a%20implications%20for%20international%20trade%20and%20shipping">guidance note published today</a>, the law firm's Nicholas Lum and Iain Clayton recommended checking any new contracts have an appropriate force majeure clause.The BIMCO Infectious or Contagious Disease Clause may also clarify some important matters and give additional options.Posted 4 February 1041 GMTCoronavirus death toll reaches 425Various news outlets are reporting that the death toll from the coronavirus outbreak has now reached 425.Hong Kong reported its <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https:%2F%2Fclick.newsletters.ft.com%2Ff%2Fa%2FzdrYbk2mUlY5rEvPaWoDNA~~%2FAAAAAQA~%2FRgRgG5EEP0Q6aHR0cDovL2Z0LmNvbS9jb250ZW50LzhmM2Y1OTcyLTQ2ZjYtMTFlYS1hZWIzLTk1NTgzOWUwNjQ0MVcIZmludGltZXNCCgAwYQw5Xtc2todSHmVyaWMubWFydGluQHRyYWRld2luZHNuZXdzLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~&data=02%7C01%7C%7C6df60afbb4164257bf4408d7a939dca3%7C5a5999b8e5a34db5ac13ee8741def64b%7C0%7C0%7C637163938334970515&sdata=wyuuktzjxauapD3vMB4lPrpzCiFjIRtA%2F5hFjMpbDSU%3D&reserved=0">first death from the virus</a> today and the city closed its borders with China, according to the FT.The newspaper is reporting that Goldman Sachs estimated that the virus could clip 0.1 to 0.2 percentage points from global economic growth.<figure itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" itemref="urn:newsml:dn.no:20200204:749607-image" class="dp-picture dp-plugin-element dp-plugin-fotoweb"><img itemprop="image" src="https://drp-fotoweb-plugin.aptoma.no/preview.php?fwUrl=https://pictures.dn.no&href=/fotoweb/archives/5004-DNProduksjon/DNProduksjon/1580801198-ViUt1UqMBDw.jpg.info&rendition=preview" width="" height="" /><figcaption><div itemprop="headline" /><div itemprop="description">A small boat navigates near a cruise ship Diamond Princess anchoring off the Yokohama Port. Japanese health officials are conducting extensive medical checks on all 3,700 passengers and crew of the cruiseship that returned to the country after one passenger tested positive for the new coronavirus.</div><div itemprop="byline" /></figcaption></figure>Posted 4 February 0813 GMTPrincess cruiseship quarantined as coronavirus cruise havoc continuesTradeWinds Asia correspondent Jonathan Boonzaier <a href="https://www.tradewindsnews.com/cruise-and-ferry/princess-cruiseship-quarantined-as-coronavirus-cruise-havoc-continues/2-1-749532">reports</a> that a Princess Cruises vessel has been placed under a 24-hour quarantine order in Japan after a previous passenger on the ship tested positive for the coronavirus.<figure itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/SoftwareSourceCode" itemref="urn:newsml:dn.no:20200204:749751-script-asset" class="dp-script-asset dp-plugin-element dp-plugin-embedScriptPlugin" width=""><code><![CDATA[<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Although the risk to our guests &amp; crew is low, we&#39;re closely monitoring the evolving <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Coronavirus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Coronavirus</a> response. Our medical experts are coordinating with <a href="https://twitter.com/CDCgov?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CDCgov</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/WHO?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WHO</a> to implement enhanced screening, prevention &amp; control measures for our ships. Learn more: <a href="https://t.co/Wc5tvW0Zt7">https://t.co/Wc5tvW0Zt7</a>&mdash; Princess Cruises (@PrincessCruises) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrincessCruises/status/1223330220184240129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>]]></code><figcaption><div>Embed: Tweet2</div></figcaption></figure>Posted 4 February 0309 GMTCoronavirus boosts tonne miles as South Korean jet fuel heads to USExports of <a href="https://www.tradewindsnews.com/tankers/coronavirus-boosts-tonne-miles-as-korean-jet-fuel-heads-to-us/2-1-749522" target="_blank">jet fuel</a> from South Korea increased almost three-fold in the second half of January due to drop in aviation demand in China due to the coronavirus outbreak, said oil analytics firm Vortexa.Posted 4 February 0118 GMTCruise industry bans travellers who have been to China in past two weeksThe Cruise Line Industry Association (CLIA) and its 60 cruise line members are banning voyagers who have been to China in the past two weeks from boarding their cruiseships, in light of the global coronavirus outbreak. The ban went into effect on 31 January.The full TradeWinds story can be seen <a href="https://www.tradewindsnews.com/cruise-and-ferry/cruise-sector-bans-travelers-who-have-recently-been-to-china/2-1-749512">here</a>.<figure itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" itemref="urn:newsml:dn.no:20200203:749148-image" class="dp-picture dp-plugin-element dp-plugin-fotoweb"><img itemprop="image" src="https://drp-fotoweb-plugin.aptoma.no/preview.php?fwUrl=https://pictures.dn.no&href=/fotoweb/archives/5004-DNProduksjon/DNProduksjon/1580731912-iSiDjnWJL1c.jpg.info&rendition=preview" width="" height="" /><figcaption><div itemprop="headline" /><div itemprop="description">Pedestrians wear face masks as they cross a road in Hong Kong, as a preventative measure following a virus outbreak that began in the Chinese city of Wuhan.</div><div itemprop="byline" /></figcaption></figure> Posted 3 February 2310 GMTBuenos Aires requiring vessels' medical reports Buenos Aires is requiring all ships coming from China or to the country within last 10 ports of call to show their medical logbooks before coming ashore.Sanitary authorities with the country's Maritime Agency must receive "in advance" such a report that includes the body temperatures of each crew member.Records must also contain photocopies and possibly a health declaration from each seafarer."The National Department of Borders and Transport Terminals has requested that as from today, in order to have more information on the health status of crew members and passengers of vessels coming from China or that have operated in a port of that country, when requesting the Free Pratique by the Distance Procedure System (TAD), photocopies of the last 48 hours of the Medical Record on board must be attached, as well as the latest body temperature report of crew members and passengers," the agency said in a bulletin released Monday."We will keep you updated on this delicate matter." Posted 3 February 2207 GMTChina stock market sees $393bn wiped off value by virus fearsShanghai's composite index plunged nearly 8% today and the yuan plunged in value as investors ran scared of the impact of the coronavirus on the Chinese economy.News agency Reuters <a href="https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-china-markets/virus-fears-wipe-393-billion-off-chinas-stock-market-despite-government-support-moves-idUKKBN1ZW0VI">reported a range of commodities also plunged</a> despite China's central bank making the biggest cash injection into the economy since 2004.Posted 3 February 1525 GMTOil demand in focus as coronavirus hits global economyOil demand uncertainty is a risk for the tanker sector, and the industry is watching to see how Opec responds.<article itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/NewsArticle/facts" itemref="urn:newsml:dn.no:20191218:727469-fact-box" class="dp-plugin-element dp-fact-box dp-fact-box-small dp-float-left dp-plugin-fact-box"><div itemprop="headline" data-element-type="head-facts" data-element-label="Tittel" data-element-data-type="xml">Get TradeWinds in your inbox</div><div itemprop="associatedMedia" data-element-type="image-facts"><figure itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" itemref="urn:newsml:dn.no:20191218:727470-image" class="dp-picture"><img itemprop="image" src="https://pictures.dn.no/fotoweb/cache/5034/GLOProduction/48168191152_167bafff5b_o.t5dfa6be8.m800.xOFlMwUx6.jpg" width="" height="" /><figcaption><div itemprop="headline" /><div itemprop="description" /><div itemprop="byline" /></figcaption></figure></div><div itemprop="articleBody" data-element-type="body-facts" data-element-label="Brødtekst" data-element-data-type="xml">TradeWinds News Update is a free, daily email service from the leading international shipping news provider sent out twice daily. To receive a daily email with the latest top and most read stories, <a href="https://tradewindsnews.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=bfc80642db6cf4e29a11d9456&id=919f152c0d">click here to sign up</a></div></article><a href="https://www.upstreamonline.com/production/opec-experts-to-discuss-impact-of-coronavirus/2-1-748838">Our colleagues at sister publication Upstream</a> are reporting that an Opec committee has scheduled a meeting to discuss the slump in oil prices following the coronavirus outbreak.The Joint Technical Committee's recommendation would most likely go before teh next regular meeting of Opec and non-member states in early march.But Russia is open to an emergency meeting.Chinese demand has already slumped by 3m barrels per day during the holidays, according to Bloomberg.Clarksons Platou Securities had this to say about it: "The key question is how quickly business will return and how Opec will respond. If oil demand remains suppressed for longer, and oil producers continue to pump at the same level, then oil inventories will start to swell, leading to a contango situation. So far, Brent future curve is still in backwardation, although less so than a week ago. Expectations in the forward freight market have come sharply down."Posted 3 February 1445 GMTScrubber domino effect as coronavirus could lead to charter problemsThe fallout from the coronavirus epidemic could have ramifications for installation of scrubbers as shipowners turn to the kit to meet the IMO 2020 sulphur cap.<a href="https://www.tradewindsnews.com/insurance/coronavirus-to-cause-scrubber-delays-in-china-as-carriage-ban-nears/2-1-749236">Gary Dixon writes in this article</a> that the Standard Club has warned that shipyards in China could face delays as a result of measures to contain the virus.That in turn could lead shipowners to declare force majeure on charters.Posted on 3 February 1420 GMT12 ships impacted by Australia quarantine ruleWe have updated <a href="https://www.tradewindsnews.com/ports/australia-to-quarantine-ships-coming-from-china-due-to-coronavirus-fears/2-1-749065">this story after</a> receiving data from VesselsValue that shows at last 12 ships could be impacted by Australia's new quarantine.There are 10 bulkers, mostly capesizes, that have left China since Saturday with China as their destination.Another two LNG carriers could also be impacted by the quarantine rule.Posted on 3 February 1247 GMTAustralia may quarantine crewCanberra has taken steps that could impact important trade routes for coal, LNG and iron ore.Australia has imposed a 14-day quarantine on crew that have visited China from 1 February with crew who show symptoms of the virus, as <a href="https://www.tradewindsnews.com/ports/australia-to-quarantine-ships-coming-from-china-due-to-coronavirus-fears/2-1-749065">Holly Birkett reports in this story.</a>The sweeping rule has exceptions only for crew on cruise vessels.Posted on 3 February 12:15 GMTSingapore blocks seafarers that have been to mainland China<a href="https://www.tradewindsnews.com/regulation/singapore-bars-seafarers-with-china-exposure/2-1-748740">Dale Wainwright reports in this story</a> that Singapore is barring entry to the country for any crew members that have been to China in the last 14 days.The move is seen as one of the most far reaching so far to impact the shipping industry as countries around the globe take steps to contain the spread of the virus.Officials are also placing restrictions on ships that have been to the country in the last 14 days, though they will still be able to berth at port terminals.Posted on 3 February at 12:15 GMTThree seafarers in China diagnosed with coronavirus<a href="https://www.tradewindsnews.com/casualties/coronavirus-hits-three-yangtze-river-sailors/2-1-748509">Max Tingyao Lin reported on Friday that</a> three general cargoship crew members in China were infected with the coronavirus.In a web statement from health authorities in Wuhu, the three men – aged between 53 and 57 – began to show symptoms when their vessel transited via the river port city in central China last week.Their ship had been running a Yangtze River shuttle service between Changshu and Wuhan.Posted on 3 February at 12:15 GMT This story has been amended since publication to reflect that crew that have visited China will be subject to the Australian quarantine rules.

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