Daily Briefing November 29 2019
Free to read: Shipping used to police sanctions, forum hears | Investor shuns Qatar newbuilding investment on governance concerns | ‘Rebooted’ Ince seeks Asian partnerships | The Lloyd’s List Outlook 2020 Survey
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
Washington has entered ‘phase two’ of its Iran sanctions enforcement program that involves targeting marine insurers and shipowners, using them to police Iranian shipping and oil exports, a seminar heard.
A fund that considered investing in LNG shipping project ‘would not accept Qatar on the back of human rights issues’, International Maritime Industries Forum in London is told.
Fitch Ratings is maintaining a negative sector outlook for shipping mainly due to forecasts of slowing global economic growth combined with risks to the downside.
Ince Group has sharply improved profitability since its merger with generalist Gordon Dadds and is looking for Asian partnerships, according to its chief executive.
What will be the key issues shaping shipping during the next 12 months? Take part in the Lloyd’s List annual market survey and have your say on the big questions that will determine the shipping market outlook for 2020.
Analysis
The shift in manufacturing from China to other Asian nations has helped mitigate some of the effects of the Sino-US trade war, but the dispute is still putting pressure on the sector, according to analysts at BIMCO.
A lack of standardisation is said to be impeding the maritime industry’s ability to take advantage of digitalisation.
The vast majority of vessels in the German fleet plan to use low-sulphur fuel to meet new sulphur requirements despite concern about cost and availability, according to a survey.
Opinion
Maritime UK and the British Ports Association — mindful of the challenges of Brexit — have been banging the drum loudly for UK shipping, which is necessary if any new government is to realise the value of the industry, writes Michael Grey.
Markets
The future for US exports of oil and natural gas is ‘bright’ as the country’s domestic energy supply begins to exceed demand, according to predictions by Rystad Energy.
In other news
Maersk has confirmed it is to cut a number of jobs from both its head office in Copenhagen and around the world.
K Line has agreed to manage a liquefied natural gas bunkering vessel owned by FueLNG.
Maersk Growth, the corporate venture division of AP Moller-Maersk, has invested in Danish cellular networking start-up Onomondo, with Maersk set to deploy the company’s technology across its business.
Shanghai Shipping Exchange and CargoSmart have launched a liner shipping schedule reliability index.
CMA CGM has completed a trial of biofuels that it undertook with IKEA Transport & Logistics Services and the GoodShipping Program, following trials of heavy fuel oil-equivalent biofuel on the 16,000 teu CMA CGM Alexander Von Humboldt during a Europe-Asia voyage in October.
Atlantic Bulk Carriers, a bulk carrier operator, has ordered a pair of ultramax newbuildings from Hyundai Vinashin Shipyard in Vietnam.