The Chinese Ministry of Transport issued a notice to ensure the safety and security of maritime transportation of LNG. Namely, the notice requires all relevant actors to implement safety measures for LNG transport and improve supervisions and inspections.
Greek businessmen and Chinese scholars expressed their optimism regarding the cooperation between the two countries as far as the Belt and Road Initiative is concerned, during a forum on December 10 at Piraeus port. This initiative is considered as an attempt by China to reshape the map of global trade and political influence.
Chinese imports of crude oil reached a new record during November, surpassing the record that was achieved set in October. Namely, China’s crude oil arrivals increased by 8.5% in comparison with the same period last year. This is the first time China imports more than 10 million bpd.
China’s iron ore imports decreased for a second month in November, driven mainly by reduced restocking demand at steel mills due to narrow profit margins. Namely, China imported 86.25 million tonnes of iron, which is a decrease of 2.4% from October.
Imports at US’s major retail container ports have achieved another new record, the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates reported. Namely, they reached 2 million containers in a single month for the first time, during a time when retailers are bringing merchandise into the country ahead of the tariffs against China.
On December 4, the world’s first icebreaker tanker which will, mainly, transport condensate oil was, officially, launched. ‘Boris Sokolov’, 44,500 dwt, was built by Guangzhou Shipyard for a major Greek shipping company. The vessel has a unique ability to operate in harsh Arctic winter even in temperatures below -50 degrees Celsius (-58 Fahrenheit). She is, also, equipped with pod propulsion that allows two-way icebreaking capability.
Medical staff from the EU NAVFOR and the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army completed medical exercises on board the EU NAVFOR flagship ESPS Castilla. There were also realistic simulations with the evacuation of casualties onto helicopter.
US and China reached an agreement to pause their trade war and come up with a deal to give a boost in decreasing global growth. Commenting on the agreement, President Trump called it a bis steps forward for the US-China relations.
China imported its first US crude oil cargo after about two months, since the two countries agreed to stop imposing new tariffs on each other’s products for 90 days. However, Chinese oil traders said they were still cautious.
A feeder container ship loaded with 130 LNG tank containers sailed from the Port of Yangpu of Hainan Province to the Port of Jinzhou in November. This is part of an LNG trial project; China’s first-ever attempt to transport the surplus capacity of Hainan terminal to its northern part via LNG tank containers.
