To mark the grim anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, that has driven up rates, bolstered the global “dark fleet” and will force oil to travel further to reach its customers in the coming years via a series of charts. It is part of a package of stories compiled by TradeWinds’ reporters that can be accessed here.

TradeWinds’ Lucy Hine spoke to TotalEnergy’s main shipping man Jerome Cousin as the company regroups its shipping activities into one unit under his leadership. The French energy major will be operating 10 LNG dual-fuelled tankers out of the 50 it has on long-term time charter by the middle of this year. The company already boasts three LNG dual-fuelled VLCCs.

The Navios Group has parted ways with the London P&I Club in one of the biggest moves at this year’s 20 February protection and indemnity renewal. TradeWinds understand that Navios, which divides its P&I cover among several clubs, has transferred its London P&I entry to Norway’s Skuld. Another major owner to part ways with the London club is its long-time shipowner committee board member International Andromeda Shipping, which has joined NorthStandard. The departures follow a tough round of renewal negotiations at London P&I.

Costamare Bulkers has signed a big-ticket deal to charter in six newcastlemaxes from RWE Supply & Trading for long-term periods. Market sources told TradeWinds the vessels are all fitted with scrubbers and have been chartered for three to four years in an en-bloc deal.

Liner shipping newcomer Focus Container Line is the latest newcomer to fall victim to the sharp market downturn amid fierce competition from established players. The Australian operator has called in the administrators barely four months after launching its China to Australia and New Zealand container service. Focus is the second small liner shipping start-up to fall victim to the collapse in container freight rates after UK-based Allseas Global Project Logistics went into administration in October last year.

John Fredriksen’s Frontline has sold its first tankers in seven years. The Oslo-listed shipowner appears to have been tempted by increasing asset prices, as demand for vessels rises. The 321,000-dwt VLCC Front Eminence (built 2009) has gone to the floating production storage and offloading group Yinson in Malaysia for an unknown price.

A 30-year-old steam turbine LNG carrier has been sold for demolition, marking the first scrap sale for this sector in 2023. Cash buyer Wirana Shipping Corp said the vessel would be heading to Alang for Hong Kong Convention-compliant recycling. Its 3,678 tonnes of aluminium content is said to have contributed to the strong price.

After recent incidents of plastic pellets washing ashore in France and Dubai, our environment newsletter Green Seas explores shipping’s efforts to tackle ’nurdles’.