S&P Global Analysis: Baltimore bridge collapse disrupts local traffic, global shipping...

posted on: Mar 28, 2024

On March 26, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed after being struck by a containership operated by AP Moeller Maersk A/S on an international route between the US east coast and Asia. The collapse blocks the main access to the port of Baltimore and traps six bulk carriers and two navy vessels. According to Mr. Chris Rogers, Head of Supply Chain Research, S&P Global Market Intelligence: “The bridge collapse is the latest challenge for northeast US supply chains, including access to the Red Sea and Panama Canal as well as the prospect of port strikes later in mid-2024. Both bridge reconstruction and cargo delays are likely to be extensive. However, some freight across containerized and bulk modes could reroute to nearby ports in Wilmington, Delaware and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. “The port handled around 3% of all US east and gulf coast imports and 10% of US northeast imports...

East Mediterranean hubs suffer as Red Sea crisis persists...

posted on: Mar 28, 2024

The re-routing of mainline vessels via the Cape of Good Hope has resulted in a steep downturn in vessel call capacity across East and Central Mediterranean hub ports, but West Mediterranean ports have shown more resilience. With no resolution to the security situation in the Red Sea, carriers continue to divert mainline vessels trading between Asia and Europe via the Cape of Good Hope. After an initial period of disruption when scheduled arrival dates were missed due to the longer diversion route, port calls in West Med have largely stabilised. Although container throughput fell 1.4% YoY at Algeciras in January 2024, volumes were up 11% YoY at both Valencia and Barcelona. In contrast, East and Central Med hubs have seen steep reductions in average weekly vessel capacity during 1Q24 ranging from 18% decline at Gioia Tauro to 31% drop at Piraeus (see left map). In January 2024, volumes handled...

India’s Maritime Muscle: Countering Threats and Strengthening Geopolitical Standing in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea...

posted on: Mar 28, 2024

Prathamesh Mendki India’s recent foray into the Red Sea and Arabian Sea with a substantial naval deployment marks a watershed moment in its maritime strategy. This unprecedented peacetime mobilization reflects a multi-pronged approach – countering emerging threats, bolstering regional security, and strategically elevating India’s geopolitical standing. To fully understand the significance of this deployment, let’s delve deeper into the context, the threats India seeks to address, and the potential benefits it reaps. Troubled Waters: A Sea of Threats The Arabian Sea and Red Sea have become breeding grounds for several security concerns that directly impact India’s economic and strategic interests: Resurgent Piracy: Once a major concern in the early 2000s, piracy has shown signs of resurgence in the Arabian Sea. With eight hijacking attempts and one successful hijacking since November 2023, this poses a direct threat to vital trade routes for India and other nations. Disruptions in these routes can...

Houthis could partner with Iran, Somali pirates on Indian Ocean attacks...

posted on: Mar 28, 2024

Yemen-based Houthi militants could keep the promise to extend their attacks to merchant ships in the Indian Ocean, potentially with drones and assisted by Iran and Somali pirates, security specialists said. Since the war between Israel and Iran-backed Hamas broke out on Oct. 7, the Houthis have launched more than 60 attacks on commercial ships around the Bab al-Mandab Strait — mainly with missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles — and claimed those were in support of the Palestinians. The rebel group, also backed by Iran, earlier this month vowed to target Israel-linked ships sailing to the Cape of Good Hope in what it described as an “advanced and major” step, putting the shipping industry on alert. “We perceive the threats to be credible on the basis that until now, the Houthis have generally followed through on the threats they have issued,” said Jakob Larsen, head of maritime safety and...

posted on: Mar 27, 2024

March 27, 2024 Corps supporting recovery operations following Baltimore bridge collapse Written by Heather Ervin Marine Log U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff onboard hydrographic survey vessel Catlett observe the damage resulting from the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, March 26, 2024. The Baltimore Engineer District activated its Emergency Operations Center March 26, clearing the way for more than 1,100 engineering, construction, contracting and operations specialists to provide support to local, state and federal agencies following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. In accordance with federal authorities, the Corps of Engineers says that iy continues the effort to clear the federal channel as part of the larger interagency recovery effort. Together with local, state, and federal partners, it is working closely to determine the actions required to remove the fallen debris. As of March 27, the Corps is providing: Certified underwater assessment capabilities by Structural Professional...

VIDEO: White House briefing on Baltimore bridge response...

posted on: Mar 27, 2024

VIDEO: White House briefing on Baltimore bridge response Written by Nick Blenkey Marine Log Vice Admiral Peter W. Gautier, U.S. Coast Guard Deputy Commandant for Operations spoke at White House briefing ”It’s my intention that the federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstructing that bridge and I expect the Congress to support my effort,” President Biden pledged yeserday as he delivered remarks on the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Today House Press Secretary Karine Jeanne-Pierre was joined by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Vice Admiral Peter W. Gautier, U.S. Coast Guard Deputy Commandant for Operations, for a press briefing on thr efforts to reopen the Port of Baltimore and rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge. No transcript is yet available, but some key information was released, including that a unified command has been set up with Resolve Maritime appointed as the salvor of the ship that...

Ship’s Mayday Call Before Baltimore Bridge Crash Saved Lives...

posted on: Mar 27, 2024

A satellite image shows the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S., May 6, 2023. Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. MANDATORY CREDIT. DO NOT OBSCURE LOGO. Ship’s Mayday Call Before Baltimore Bridge Crash Saved Lives Bloomberg March 26, 2024 By Nacha Cattan (Bloomberg) A mayday warning from the ship that slammed into a Baltimore bridge saved lives by prompting officials to stop cars from crossing, Maryland Governor Wes Moore said. “We’re thankful between the mayday and collapse we had officials that were able to begin stopping the flow of traffic,” Moore told reporters Tuesday.“Many of the vehicles were stopped before they got onto the bridge, which saved lives in a very, very heroic way.” Moore said he didn’t yet have information about whether any vehicles were on the Francis Scott Key Bridge when the Dali, a...

BREAKING: MV Dali Cited for Propulsion Issues Before Baltimore Incident...

posted on: Mar 27, 2024

A view of the Dali cargo vessel which crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge causing it to collapse in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S., March 26, 2024. REUTERS/Julia Nikhinson TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY BREAKING: MV Dali Cited for Propulsion Issues Before Baltimore Incident John Konrad March 26, 2024 According to records from the public ship safety database Equasis, MV Dali – the ship that collided with Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge this morning – was cited by port state officials in San Antonio, Chile, on June 27 for a deficiency related to “propulsion and auxiliary machinery.” According to the report, the deficiency was described in detail as issues with “gauges, thermometers, etc.” but there was no detention resulting from this single detected deficiency. Three months later the ship was subject to a follow-up inspection by the United States Coast Guard in New York but no deficiencies were recorded. A...

BALTIMORE BRIDGE COLLAPSE LIVE UPDATESRecovery efforts to begin as 6 are presumed dead...

posted on: Mar 27, 2024

BALTIMORE BRIDGE COLLAPSE History of Key Bridge Live updatesPhotos NTSB releases close-up aerial footage of Key Bridge collapse On March 26, the National Transportation Safety Board released drone footage of the scene after a container ship crashed into the Key Bridge in Baltimore. (Video: National Transportation Safety Board) BALTIMORE BRIDGE COLLAPSE LIVE UPDATESRecovery efforts to begin as 6 are presumed dead Authorities are aiming to recover the remains of at least six missing people who are presumed dead in the collapse of a major bridge in Baltimore after a search and rescue operation was suspended Tuesday. It was unclear whether there were more victims beyond eight members of a construction crew who were repairing masonry and potholes on the Francis Scott Key bridge when a massive container ship plowed into it, officials said; two were rescued. An urgent “mayday” call from the skyscraper-length ship Dali allowed first responders to shut down most of the...

Sustainable fuels could cost the same as fossil fuels by 2035, says Wärtsilä report...

posted on: Mar 27, 2024

Sustainable shipping fuels could reach cost parity with fossil fuels as early as 2035 with the help of decisive emissions policy such as carbon taxes and emissions limits, according to a new report launched today by technology group Wärtsilä. The report, titled ‘Sustainable fuels for shipping by 2050 – the 3 key elements of success’, reveals that the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and FuelEU Maritime Initiative (FEUM)[i] will see the cost of using fossil fuels more than double by 2030.[ii] By 2035, they will close the price gap between fossil fuels and sustainable fuels for the very first time.[iii] Transporting 80% of world trade, shipping is the engine room of the global economy. However, despite being the most efficient and environmental way to transport goods, it emits 2% of global emissions, equivalent to the annual emissions of Japan. Without action, this could increase by more than 45% by 2050.[iv] In 2023,...

India Brings Back 35 Somali Pirates As Part Of Operations Near Red Sea...

posted on: Mar 27, 2024

By Krishn Kaushik NEW DELHI, March 23 (Reuters) – The Indian navy handed over 35 Somali pirates to the police in Mumbai on Saturday, after 100 days of anti-piracy operations east of the Red Sea, where piracy has resurfaced for the first time in nearly a decade. India, the largest national force in the Gulf of Aden and northern Arabian Sea region, captured the pirates from the cargo ship Ruen last week, three months after it was hijacked off the Somali coast. Taking advantage of Western forces’ focus on protecting shipping from attacks in the Red Sea by Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi militants, pirates have made or attempted more than 20 hijackings since November, driving up insurance and security costs and adding to a crisis for global shipping companies. With the attacks by the Houthis, who claim solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza during Israel’s war against Hamas, and the surge in piracy, commercial traffic through the region has halved since November as ships take the longer route around southern...

As Australia Rebuilds its Merchant Fleet, Industry Groups Want More Input...

posted on: Mar 27, 2024

Australia is currently in the initial stages of procuring a strategic merchant shipping fleet, which will include up to 12 Australian-flagged and crewed vessels. Last week, three Australian industry groups issued a joint letter asking transport minister Catherine King for more transparency and collaboration as the plan unfolds. The industry coalitions – Shipping Australia, the International Forwarders & Customs Brokers Association of Australia (IFCBAA), and the Australian Meat Industry Council – have complained that the existing process is not transparent. The coalition noted there was no open, public, application process to apply to be a member of the Strategic Fleet Task Force, with the composition of the Task Force fully determined by the government. Further, the coalition said that there has been little-to-no meaningful consultation with the broader industry on how the strategic fleet policy will be implemented, or how it will work in practice. Last year, the transport...