Cyprus News

Who Owned the Chemicals that Blew up Beirut? No One Will Say

In the murky story of how a cache of highly explosive ammonium nitrate ended up on the Beirut waterfront, one thing is clear—no one has ever publicly come forward to claim it.There are many unanswered questions surrounding last week's huge, deadly blast in the Lebanese capital, but ownership should be among the easiest to resolve.Clear identification of ownership, especially of a cargo as dangerous as that carried by the Moldovan-flagged Rhosus when it sailed into Beirut seven years ago…

Deadly Explosion Rips Through Beirut Port Area

A powerful blast in port warehouses near central Beirut storing highly explosive material killed 78 people, injured nearly 4,000 and sent seismic shockwaves that shattered windows, smashed masonry and shook the ground across the Lebanese capital.Officials said they expected the death toll to rise further after Tuesday's blast as emergency workers dug through rubble to rescue people and remove the dead. It was the most powerful explosion in years in Beirut, which is already reeling from an economic crisis and a surge in coronavirus infections.President Michel Aoun said that 2…

Cyprus Names New Shipping Deputy Minister

Vassilios Demetriades has been appointed as Cyprus' new Shipping Deputy Minister, the country's president Nicos Anastasiades announced as part of a cabinet reshuffle. The seasoned maritime policy expert, known for his extensive work within the shipping industry and contributions to the European Union (EU), joins the Cyprus Shipping Deputy Ministry effective July 10.Since the ministry's inception in March 2018, the Cyprus flag has grown to become the 11th largest merchant fleet worldwide and the third largest fleet in the European Union.

Isle of Man Ship Registry’s QUALSHIP 21 Status Confirmed by USCG

The Isle of Man Ship Registry has retained its place within the United States Coast Guard’s QUALSHIP 21 program, designed to recognize foreign-flagged vessels that maintain the highest safety and quality standards.Isle of Man Ship Registry director Cameron Mitchell said continued inclusion in the scheme through to July 2021 was great news for the registry and its clients, representing further independent verification of the quality of the Manx fleet.Entry into the program is based on data gathered during Port State Control inspections in the United States.

Opinion: Government Intervention Needed to Keep Shipping, Energy Businesses Moving

In times of crisis sometimes the easiest response is to be heads-down. One of the responses to the COVID-19 pandemic that history will look back on as key to the resilience of people and commerce, has been cooperation. As a specialist travel management company (TMC), it is a privilege for ATPI Marine & Energy to be part of unprecedented collaboration in the shipping and energy industries.Right now, these sectors are joining forces in ways never seen before to ensure that ships can sail, rigs can operate and people can be relieved and get home safely.

Cyprus Adopts Formal Crew Change Process

The Cyprus Shipping Deputy Ministry (SDM) formally announced it has adopted a new process to facilitate crew changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Crew changes for vessels are possible in Cyprus provided certain conditions are met. The relevant decrees issued by the Ministry of Health also permit the long-term stay in anchorage of vessels, including cruise ships (warm lay-up).Cyprus is actively supporting and implementing such measures, in support of recommendations from the International Maritime Organization (IMO)…

Detention Rates Decline for Cyprus-flagged Vessels

The Cyprus Shipping Deputy Ministry (SDM) has announced that based on the outcome of the US Government’s 2019 Annual Report on Port State Control, Cyprus is no longer part of the Targeted Flag List of the United States Coastguard (USCG) in relation to the safety performance of flag administrations.The three-year average detention ratio of Cyprus for the period 2017-2019 was 0.96% compared to an average USCG ratio of 1.08%. In 2019, the annual detention ratio of Cyprus ships was reduced to 0.55%…

IRClass Foreign Flag Fleet Reg. Up 16%

The Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) said that the classed fleet registered approx. 3% growth in the past year.The ship classification society said that its foreign flag fleet continued to grow at a robust pace with 16% more vessels added during 2019 demonstrating strong global acceptance of IRClass services.IRClass received several flag authorizations in 2019 including key flags like Cyprus and Denmark and is now recognized by 45 flag states worldwide. It opened a new office in the Netherlands to add to its other European offices in the UK…

WISTA Re-elects Theodosiou as President

Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) announced that Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou (WISTA Cyprus), CEO of Tototheo Maritime, was re-elected to a second term as President.WISTA International elected Alexandra Anagnostis-Irons, President of Total Marine Solutions (WISTA USA) as Secretary, and Fabiana Simões Martins (WISTA Brazil), as Board Member, to the WISTA International Executive Committee at the 39th WISTA International Annual General Meeting on Grand Cayman on 30 October 2019.Naa Densua Aryeetey (WISTA Ghana)…

Castor Maritime Acquires Third Panamax Bulker

Cyprus-based dry bulk shipping company Castor Maritime has acquired its third Panamax dry bulk carrier for $10.2mln.The global shipping company specializing in the ownership of dry-bulk vessels informed that through a separate wholly-owned subsidiary, it has entered into an agreement to purchase a 2005 Japan built Panamax dry bulk carrier from a third party  in which a family member of Castor’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer has an interest.The acquisition…

Crystal Announces Near Term Deployment for Esprit

Crystal Yacht Cruises announced the 55-cruise roster of 2022 and early 2023 itineraries for Crystal Esprit.A number of new options punctuate the collection of regionally focused voyages, with dozens of seven- and eight-night options catering to busy travel schedules or easily combined into longer adventures, said a company press release.In addition to exploration of hubs of profound history, featured destinations also capitalize on the 62-guest Crystal Esprit’s adventurous spirit…

ChartCo Opens New Office in Greece

ChartCo, the global provider of digital navigation and compliance solutions, has expanded its global network of offices to Piraeus, Greece to help provide dedicated support for customers in this region for the shipping industries.The global leader in digital navigation services is currently supplying and supporting customers in commercial shipping, offshore, cruising and superyachts all around the world and has a prominent presence of offices in the UK, Europe and Southeast Asia.Over the past decade…

2 Workers Die on Board Greek Ship in Bangladesh

NGO Shipbreaking Platform said that accident at the shipbreaking beach of Chattogram, Bangladesh killed two and severely injured thirteen. The accident occurred in the afternoon of Saturday 31 August at Ziri Subedar shipbreaking yard. During scrapping operations on the ship CSL VIRGINIA a heavy cable collapsed, hitting several workers at once. Aminul Islam, 35 years old, and Tushar Chakma, 27 years old, lost their lives.Thirteen workers  suffered severe injuries and were taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for treatment.

Iranian Tanker Deviates from Turkish Destination

Iranian tanker Adrian Darya, at the centre of a dispute between Washington and Tehran, has changed course away from the Turkish coast, Refinitiv ship tracking data showed on Thursday.The tanker, formerly called Grace 1, was released from detention off Gibraltar in mid-August after a five-week standoff over whether it was carrying Iranian oil to Syria in violation of European Union sanctions.A Turkish official told Reuters earlier on Thursday that the Iranian tanker had not entered Turkish waters.

P&O to Re-flag UK ships to Cyprus ahead of Brexit

British ferry and shipping freight operator P&O will re-flag its entire UK registered fleet to Cyprus ahead of Britain’s departure from the European Union to keep tax arrangements in the bloc, the company said on Tuesday.Last month P&O said it was re-flagging two of its UK ships operating on the English Channel route to France to the Cyprus registry."In advance of Britain leaving the European Union on March 29, 2019, we undertook a review of the flag status of our ships on the English Channel," a P&O spokesman said in a statement on Tuesday."For operational and accounting reasons, we have conc

Chabahar Port Begins Commercial Operations

Commercial operations began at ndia Ports Global Chabahar Free Zone (IPGCFZ), at Chabahar with the arrival of a vessel after Government of India took over the operations.A Cyprus registered bulk carrier had arrived at Chabahar with 72458 MT of corn cargo. The vessel MV MACHERAS berthed at the terminal at 0130 hrs on 30th December 2018. Thus IPGCFZ carried out its first cargo operation by discharging the imported cargo(ex Brazil) using pneumatic un-loaders.India has written a history with its engagement in Chabahar, claimed a governement release.

Oldendorff Chooses PAS ε-ORB Software

Cyprus-based maritime technology & marine risk prevention firm Prevention at Sea Ltd has been awarded a contract from Oldenorff Carriers for switching from the traditional paper Oil Record Book to ε-ORB (electronic Oil Record Book).Oldendorff Carriers’ decision was based on recognition of the burdens arising from the use of the traditional paper version of MARPOL Oil Record Books as well as the complexity and accuracy of recording proper operational entries relating to discharges…

Intermarine UK Names Agent for Greece, Cyprus

UK-based maritime engineering company Intermarine UK has appointed the shipping agent Olimpic as its representative in Greece and Cyprus.Intermarine President Slawomir Kalicki said the new agreement will see Olimpic charged with bringing Greek and Cypriot-owned and registered ships into its 2400 sqm ship repair facility in Portland Port on England’s south coast.Olimpic president Georgios Orfanos, who was born in Poland to Greek parents, said he will be bringing an extensive contact…

VOC Port Sets New Record

South India's VO Chidambaranar Port created a new record by handling 1,80,597 MT of cargo in a single day on July 27 this year, surpassing the previous single day record of 1,77,639 MT on November 16, 2017.The fourth-largest container terminal in India said in a statement that major cargoes of the day include coal (79,230 MT), containerized cargo (52,200 MT / 2,900 TEUs) and general cargo (49,167 MT).The state-controlled port has also handles highest parcel size of 85,224 MT.

Shipping Firms Drop UK Flag as Brexit Looms

Companies are leaving Britain's shipping registry due to uncertainty over Britain's departure from the European Union and future commercial arrangements with the bloc, industry officials say.All commercial ships have to be registered, or flagged, with a particular country partly to comply with safety and environmental regulations. Shipping companies in many so-called "flag states" pay corporation tax based on vessel tonnage rather than profit.Britain's ship registry forms part…

China-led Consortium Bids for Cyprus LNG

The Natural Gas Public Company of Cyprus (DEFA) announced that a Chinese-led consortium has been chosen as the preferred bidder for the construction of a EUR 250 million liquified natural gas (LNG)  import terminal and related infrastructure.The authorities announced that the consortium of JV China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co Ltd, AKTOR S.A. and METRON S.A., with Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding Co. Ltd and Wilhelmsen Ship Management Limited has emerged as the preferred bidder…

DP World buys back P&O Ferries for $421 mln

DP World has bought back British ferry and shipping freight operator P&O Ferries for 322 million pounds ($421 million), more than a decade after it sold it.DP World acquired the British shipping and logistics company in 2006 but soon sold off some assets, including P&O Ferries to its major shareholder, state holding company Dubai World.DP World announced on Wednesday it was buying the company, and a spokeswoman later told Reuters it had bought it back from Dubai World.Dubai World was at the heart of the emirate’s financial crisis at the turn of the decade and was forced to restructure around $

LNG REPORT: LNG Bunkering Vessels Rise to Nine, 30 More to Come

The liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering infrastructure is expanding globally and there are increasing numbers of LNG-bunker vessels which are encouraging other operators to adopt LNG.According to SEA\LNG,  the multi-sector industry coalition aiming to accelerate the widespread adoption of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel, from limited availability at select ports, LNG bunkering has grown to encompass 24 out of the world’s top 25 and all but one of the top ten bunker…

UK Shipping Lobby: 'Get a grip on Brexit'

British businesses implored politicians on Monday to stop quarrelling over Brexit and agree an orderly exit from the European Union, as some big firms set up emergency situations rooms to cope with the possible tumult of a no-deal divorce.With less than nine weeks until the United Kingdom is due by law to leave the European Union on March 29, there is no agreement yet in London on how and even whether to leave the world's biggest trading bloc.Parliament rejected Prime Minister Theresa May's Withdrawal Agreement…

Transport Firms Reviewing UK-registered Ships Ahead of Brexit

Sweden’s Stena and Bermuda-registered Stolt-Nielsen are reviewing their UK-registered ships ahead of Britain’s departure from the European Union, the two leading transport companies told Reuters separately on Wednesday."In the light of the Brexit process we are considering whether the UK flag can become a possible issue for us when it no longer will be an EU flag post the 29th March 2019, but we have taken no decisions and are reviewing different scenarios," said Ian Hampton, chief people & communications officer and Brexit spokesperson for Stena Line.A spokeswoman for Stolt-Nielsen…

2,275 Migrants Perish in Mediterranean in 2018

Six people died each day attempting to cross Mediterranean in 2018, the latest ‘Desperate Journeys’ report, released by the UN Refugee Agency said.According to the report by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), an estimated 2,275 died or went missing crossing the Mediterranean in 2018, despite a major drop in the number of arrivals reaching European shores.In total, 139,300 refugees and migrants arrived in Europe, the lowest number in five years, it said.“Saving lives at sea is not a choice…