Odfjell SE and Japan’s Nissen Kaiun Co., Ltd. have launched a joint venture, Odfjell Hakata Maritime AS, in Bergen. This partnership enhances their collaboration in the chemical tanker market, operating ten stainless-steel tankers. Odfjell CEO Harald Fotland emphasized its commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability, aiming for increased trading capacity by 2026.
On November 3, the Cayman Islands-flagged chemical tanker MV Stolt Sagaland was attacked by pirates 330 nautical miles east of Mogadishu. The assailants, aboard a small craft, were repelled by armed security personnel. The attack reflects a concerning resurgence of piracy in the region, prompting maritime authorities to issue warnings.
A pirate attack occurred on the chemical tanker Endo Ponente off Togo’s coast in the Gulf of Guinea, known for maritime hijackings. The vessel, which had recently departed Lomé, made a sudden turn and slowed significantly before its last AIS transmission. Maritime security remains a pressing issue in the region.
The Public Prosecutor in Singapore is charging the master, chief officer, and pump master of the Vietnamese tanker GT Win after crewmember Hoang Van Chau died in an inadequately vented tank. Pump master Le Thanh Dung pleaded guilty to endangering a crew member’s life, while the others await trial.
Maersk Tankers, a leading player in the shipping industry, will launch a new pool of chemical tankers on 1 October. The Maersk Tankers Chemicals pool aims to optimize returns for partners with J19 vessels, offering a transparent revenue model and efficient onboarding processes. This expansion follows the acquisition of Penfield Marine, positioning Maersk Tankers for growth.
Chemship, a Netherlands-based company, has launched the MT Chemical Challenger with wind-assisted propulsion for its transatlantic route. The ship is equipped with VentoFoils, creating a direct wind area of 180 square meters. Chemship expects a 10% CO2 reduction and plans to equip more ships if results are positive.
