The Economic Development Canada's biannual Trade Confidence Index shows a 19 per cent increase over the start of the year, the largest jump in the survey's history. The index came in at 80.5, the highest in two decades and a 44-per-cent increase from this time last year. Canadian exporters in all sectors expressed higher levels of confidence, led by the information and communication technology and transportation industries. Miners and oil and gas companies were the least optimistic. To read more about the results, click here.

Leading ship owners, builders, charterers, financiers, classification organizations, port authorities, government and non-government organizations across the United States and Canada have come together to launch the Blue Sky Maritime Coalition. As a non-profit strategic alliance whose members represent all aspects of the maritime value chain in North America, the Blue Sky Maritime Coalition is developing and taking action on projects to achieve a commercially viable net zero emissions waterborne logistics sector. Founding Members of the Coalition include ABS (American Bureau of Shipping), Bay Houston Towing Co., Caterpillar, Centerline Logistics, Chamber of Shipping of America, Citi, Crowley, Green Marine, Holland & Knight LLP, Kirby Corp., Lloyd’s Register, Marine Money, Marsoft Inc., MIT Sea Grant, Moran Towing, OSG, Port Houston, Purus Marine, Shell, The American Waterways Operators, The Water Institute of the Gulf, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Wärtsilä North American, Inc., and Washington Maritime Blue. Additionally, DNV, Matson and Seaspan are Supporting Sponsors, and the Getting to Zero Coalition is a Knowledge Partner of the Coalition. Click here to learn more about the Coalition.

Global Container Terminals (GCO), the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Environment and Climate Change Canada and a number of local communities and Indigenous groups are voicing concerns about the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority's proposed Roberts Bank Terminal 2 (RBT2) project. Marko Dekovic, Vice President Public Affairs for GCT says the new landmass will not only disrupt the grounds but also block the path of many juvenile Chinook salmon from the Fraser River to the Pacific Ocean, depriving the southern resident killer whales access to their primary food source. Additionally, the proposed new terminal would encroach on mud flats used by migrating Western Sandpipers, part of a region that is considered one of Canada’s top Important Bird Areas. (Source: Vancouver Sun)

Cruise Lines International Association – North West & Canada (CLIA-NWC)  has issued a statement urging the Canadian government to send a a clear and timely statement that Canada does not intend to extend the current ban on cruise ships which is scheduled to last until February 2022. Further, CLIA would notes it would be helpful to align Transport Canada’s Interim Order #5 with the U.S. Center for Disease Control’s Conditional Sail Order, which is set to expire on November 1, 2021. Cruises to Alaska from Seattle are scheduled to begin in the 3^rd week of July. The request for clarity notes the time involved involved to prepare for the resumption of cruise, including re-establishing supply chains with local businesses such as tour operators, hotels, farmers and food suppliers, transportation, technical support providers and travel agents. It also takes time to effectively market cruise itineraries that involve stops in Canada.

With the generous assistance of Canoe Cove Marina, the Maritime Museum of BC has run a thrift store called All Things Marine at Canoe Cove for the past four years. The store has sold donated used marine goods to both reduce unnecessary waste going to the landfill and to raise money for the Museum. In a new partnership, the Maritime Museum of BC has teamed up with Tradewinds Boaters Exchange who will assume day to day operations of the store. A percentage of sales will continue to support the Maritime Museum of BC, so every dollar spent there helps to preserve and promote BC’s diverse maritime histories and cultures. The updated store will be open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. People can find the store at Canoe Cove Marina through the boat yard and to the left.

The Honourable Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport, has released a statement recognizing the vital role of seafarers in the safe and efficient transportation of goods and people that is critical to the success of the Canadian economy. In honour of the International Maritime Organization’s annual Day of the Seafarer, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, applauds the essential role seafarers play. A video message from the Minister can be found here.

Transport Canada is implementing new Ballast Water Regulations for Canadian ships travelling abroad and those coming into Canada from abroad. Vessels are now required to meet the new standards by 2024. The regulations align with the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 (BWM Convention), including requirements for vessels to plan their ballast water management and reduce the number of organisms in their ballast water, typically by installing a ballast water management system; and carry a valid certificate, keep records, and be regularly surveyed and inspected. Smaller vessels may follow an equivalent approach tailored to their operations and size. Chamber of Shipping Members should refer to the Circular issued on June 23 for additional information.

From June 23-30, 2022, the Fifth International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5) will be held under the auspices of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Congress will be presented by the Host First Nations—xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)—together with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) and the governments of Canada and British Columbia. IMPAC Congresses are global forums that welcome marine protected area professionals, Indigenous leaders, conservationists, policy makers, young professionals and ocean friends and advocates.  Participants will share their knowledge, experience, best practices and best ideas for future ocean protection in five thematic areas spanned by three cross cutting streams: Innovation and Transformational Change, Indigenous Peoples Leadership, and The Voice of Young Professionals.

The Canadian Coast Guard has announced that a total of eight icebreakers are scheduled to deploy to Canada's Arctic from June into November to support northern communities and operational and program commitments. The CCGS Terry Fox, which departed on June 17, will be followed by the CCGS Des Groseilliers, the CCGS Jean Goodwill, and the CCGS Amundsen for the remainder of June. The CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent, and the CCGS Pierre Radisson will depart in July, and the CCGS Henry Larsen will be deployed at the beginning of September.

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) on Wednesday met separately with groups representing major container lines and retail importers, saying afterward the federal government is looking at possible solutions to mitigate the capacity crunch as cargo volumes are expected to stay elevated through year-end. The DOT met with John Butler, president and CEO of the World Shipping Council (WSC), which represents top ocean carriers; and with the National Retail Federation (NRF) and its members from the Tractor Supply Company, The Michaels Companies, American Signature, and Macy’s. In its meeting with WSC, DOT officials discussed US export delays, detention and demurrage practices, and ways to better share data tied to port performance. DOT said it and the WSC had agreed to “stay in touch and coordinate on supply chain disruptions.” (Source: JOC.com)

The Port of San Diego is formally partnering with Canada's Ocean Supercluster to support and expand its pursuit of innovative and sustainable projects that support the Port’s mission to enhance and protect the environment while also promoting fisheries and commerce. Since 2020, with support from the Consulate of Canada in San Diego, the Port’s Aquaculture and Blue Technology team has been exploring collaborative partnership opportunities with Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC). On June 15, 2021, the Board of Port Commissioners approved a Memorandum of Understanding that enables the Port and OSC to formally work together to seek funding and investment opportunities to support blue economy and aquaculture projects, to exchange knowledge of challenges and opportunities in the blue economy sector, to align and raise awareness of Port and OSC programs, and to seek new opportunities to support each other’s goals.

In his message on the Day of the Seafarer, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said, "Our 2021 Day of the Seafarer campaign builds on the progress to support seafarers on pandemic-related challenges. It aims to draw global attention to all areas where fairness is important. This includes a safe, secure environment on ships, reasonable working conditions, fair treatment in all situations, as well as respect for the rights of all - regardless of race, gender and religion. I am especially pleased that IMO will be amplifying the voices of seafarers themselves as they discuss what a fairer future would look like to them under the hashtag #FairFuture4Seafarers. Seafarers, we are listening – and we will make sure you are heard." Click here to watch Mr. Lim's video message.

Seaspan has forward fixed contracts, extending current lease terms for 17 container ships with COSCO SHIPPING Lines. The vessels, representing approximately 117,700TEU, were previously scheduled to conclude current charters with COSCO for two vessels in 2021, 13 vessels in 2022, and two vessels in 2023, which have now all been extended for a three-year term beginning at the end of their current charter period. Over the course of the charter terms between 2023 and 2027, these contracts will generate approximately US$700 million of gross contracted cash flow, according to a statement. Additionally, Seaspan has announced that it has entered into agreements with a major shipyard for two 12,000TEU newbuildings. The new vessels are anticipated to be delivered during the fourth quarter of 2022, and upon completion will enter long-term charters with an undisclosed global liner.

After a month of disruptions due to an outbreak of COVID-19 in southern China, the operators of the Yantian International Container Terminal announced that they are resuming normal terminal operations. The major shipping lines and industry analysts however continue to warn of significant delays and backlogs that could continue to impact global supply chains for weeks or months to come. Hutchison Ports Yantian reported that after proactive measures to control COVID-19 in the port area, the operational capacity of the terminals has steadily recovered. With the full support of relevant government departments, it was agreed that the Yantian terminal will resume full operations as of midnight local time on June 24.

Representatives for shipowner Shoei Kisen Kaisha have reached a tentative agreement with the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) to secure the release of the boxship Ever Given, which has been held in Egyptian custody ever since she ran aground in the Suez Canal in March. The vessel is carrying more than 18,000 TEU of containerized cargo with a combined value exceeding $600 million, and Egyptian authorities have prohibited her from offloading the goods or departing her anchorage. The SCA filed a claim against Shoei Kisen for about $900 million in damages - not for the grounding and salvage, which cost far less, but for alleged effects on business operations and reputation. (Read more from Maritime Executive.)

Officials in South Korea confirmed that an investigation has been launched into a potential cyber attack targeting the computer systems of shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) last week. The investigation announcement comes just one week after one of South Korea’s largest shipping companies, HMM, was targeted by a cyber attack which accessed the company’s email servers, though HMM has insisted that no sensitive customer data were compromised.

The Grimaldi Group took delivery of the Grande California, a new Pure Car & Truck Carrier (PCTC), on June 8 from the Chinese Yangfan shipyard in Zhoushan. She is the seventh and last PCTC vessel ordered by Grimaldi and is among the largest and most eco-friendly car carriers in the world. With her four hoistable decks, Grande California is an extremely flexible vessel: besides cars, she is able to transport any type of rolling freight (cars, vans, trucks, tractors, buses, excavators, etc.) up to 5.3 metres high. With respect to environmental sustainability, she is equipped with devices that allow her to reduce harmful emissions and achieve high energy efficiency. These include an electronically-controlled Man Energy Solutions main engine, as required by the new regulations for the reduction of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, as well as an exhaust gas cleaning system for cutting sulphur oxide (SOx) and particulate emissions. In addition, she complies with the latest ballast water treatment regulations.

Flag: Italy
Gross Tonnage: 66,704
DWT: 15,580 t
Length Overall: 199.9m
Breadth Extreme: 36.45m
Year Built: 2021