As dredgers, tug boats and teams of engineers race to dislodge a ship stuck in the Suez Canal, the inhabitants of the agricultural hinterland north of the city of Suez are basking in the novelty.
The hull of Ever Given became wedged lengthways across the canal Tuesday, causing a pileup of at least 100 vessels seeking to transit between the Red Sea and Mediterranean.
Ammonia, hydrogen, biofuels & electrification are some of the many contenders, but most are only in the trial stage. Owners are running out of time to make the choice.
Covid has wrought havoc everywhere, but in the nominally regulated shipping industry it’s fueling a worrying practice: the abandonment of ships, cargo & seafarers.
At least 20 ships are anchored off the Chinese port of Jingtang and unable to offload millions of tons of Australian coal. Fifteen of them have been waiting since June.
The global shipping industry is in the midst of one of its biggest changes with the sector set to remain subdued for the next few years and a revival possible 8-10 years from now.
According to ReCAAP ISC, there have been 51 such incidents in Asian waters during January-June 2020, almost double from last year during the same period.
While Singapore and Hong Kong are easing restrictions to help seafarers get home, most crews remain stranded, increasing risk of mental and physical fatigue.
IAF is firming up plans to revamp airlift capabilities with medium transport aircraft that will be assembled in India & serve as its main workhorse. Embraer is leading contender as of now.
This is the game every nation is now learning to play. Some are finding new allies or seeing value among nations where they’d seen marginal interest. The starkest example is India & Europe.
COMMENTS