First, issues around ship safety made an unwelcome return this week with a series of casualties reported. The highest profile of these was the collision between the 35,362-dwt handysize bulker OS 35 (built 1999) and an LNG carrier off Gibraltar. The incident is ongoing with fears that the bulker is about to break up. A heavy fuel oil leak has already been reported.
Meanwhile, a Transpetrol aframax that grounded for several hours in the Suez Canal yesterday was successfully refloated, causing disruption to marine traffic in the process.
This week also saw the loss of the seafarers following a blast on a supply ship off the southern Italian port of Crotone. Two of the dead were found at the quayside while the third died at sea. A fourth crew member of the Palau-flagged Asso was hospitalised.
In major mergers and acquisitions news, Taylor Maritime Investments (TMI) swooped for dry bulk competitor Grindrod Shipping this week, offering close to half a billion dollars to seal the deal. TMI already owns just over a quarter of the company and has opted for a cash offer a rare all-cash offer of $26 per share. One analyst was less than impressed with the offer though. Noble Capital advised shareholders to hold out for at least $31 a share and expected the initial bid to be rejected.
The impending ban on Russian oil imports to the European Union is set to create a huge demand for MR product tankers, said Hafnia’s Mikael Skov this week. He calculates that 100 MRs will be needed from early next year to import diesel from the Middle East or US Gulf, double the 50 vessels that currently ply those routes.
Greek shipowner Thenamaris has traditionally ordered its ships, but attractive markets and the higher cost of newbuildings have prompted it to make its debut foray into the secondhand market this week. The tanker player snapped up an LNG carrier from BP this summer with more vessels potentially on the way.
Another Greek shipowner is taking the unusual move of trying to seize a charterer’s website following a dispute over unpaid bills. Almi Marine-Management-controlled Anima Shipping is seeking court action to take over Singapore-based Sinco’s website following delays caused by a grounding. Sinco is counter-suing the Greek owner.
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- ‘Back on track’: vindicated James Gundy clears decks for growth at shipbroker Braemar
- George Procopiou strikes sale-and-leaseback deal for three LNG carrier newbuilds
- Shipping magnate Fredriksen counts on fossil fuel demand to fill his ships
- Trafigura tanker trip to Ecuador may herald new outlet for Russian fuel
