Asia’s hydrogen gas demand will increase as its oil refineries use the gas to produce low-sulphur fuel to comply with new environmental regulations. Asian countries have tightened their fuel standards by decreasing the amount of allowed sulphur, thus pushing refiners to upgrade facilities, in order to produce compliant diesel and gasoline supplies.
In collaboration with the Kontinentalist, Stable Seas have released ‘Troubled waters: piracy and maritime security in Southeast Asia’. This is an interactive experience on how piracy and armed robbery affect the safety of waterways.
During 13 – 19 August 2019, four CAT 41 incidents of armed robbery against ship were reported to the ReCAAP ISC. The four incidents took place on 31 July 19 at Belawan Anchorage, Indonesia; 9 August 19 northeast of Pulau Bintan, Indonesia; 12 August 19 at Phuoc Long Mooring Buoy No 3, Vietnam; and 15 August 19 southeast of Tanjung Piai, Johor, Malaysia.
Cruise Lines International Association released the 2019 Asia Cruise Deployment and Capacity Report. In the report, the organization details Asia’s planned cruise activity in 2019, providing stakeholders with information to keep pace with the dynamic cruise industry in this area.
Port of Tanjung Pelepas became the first port in Southeast Asia to welcome Mediterranean Shipping Company latest and largest container vessel as part of its maiden voyage in the South East Asia region. PTP also became the first port in the world to achieve back to back record for highest utilisation of a container vessel when the ship left the port with the record load of 19,574 TEUs.
Reuters reports that Taiwanese and South Korean refineries are testing the market for fuels, that are compliant with IMO’s sulphur cap, starting next year, by exporting cargoes of very low-sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO). For the time being, refiners have a hard time deciding on which fuel to produce due to the fact that shipowners are able to choose between LSFO or MGO to comply with IMO’s 2020 sulphur regulations.
Royal Boskalis has created a joint venture with Hwa chi, to undertake the transport and installation of submarine foundations for CIP’s Chang Fang and Xidao projects. In addition, Boskalis aims to expand in Taiwan’s emerging wind industry in the next five to 10 years. The construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2023, with the wind farms have a combined capacity of 600 megawatts.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed with leaders in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates about the possibility of countering the military threat from Iran by establishing a wide, global coalition that includes Asian and European countries.
According to research by natural resources consultancy Wood Mackenzie, Malaysia provides some of the most material and attractive upstream investment opportunities in Southeast Asia, primarily because of the need for additional gas supply.
Port of Oakland reported that its containerized agricultural exports are boosting, despite the trade war. The farm good shipments in the first four months of 2019 saw a 12% increase from the previous year. According to the port, the majority of its shipments are sent to Asia, despite US’s tariffs.
