Changes are afoot in the Iranian-linked VLCC fleet with less than six weeks until Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th president of the US. The US imposed further sanctions aimed at Iran’s tanker fleet this month, while China has started to ease imports of Iranian oil. Moreover, two shadow fleet VLCCs are being pushed in the market for demolition. If they are scrapped they will be the first VLCCs to go to the breakers since 2022. Idan Ofer unveiled a new ship leasing arm in Singapore. Dynamis Capital has been created by Quantum Pacific, Ofer’s holding company, having just bought Fleetscape Capital from Oaktree Capital Management, a division that has a fleet of around 25 ships. The UK subsidiaries of energy majors Equinor and Shell will combine their offshore oil and gas assets and form a new company which will be the UK North Sea’s biggest independent producer. On deal completion, the new independent producer will be owned 50-50 by Equinor and Shell. Syria became a no-go zone for international merchant shipping following the ousting of the Assad family from power. Ships are giving the Middle Eastern nation a wide berth in the wake of the uprising that saw Bashar al-Assad fly to Russia over the weekend, ending more than 50 years of rule from his family. The Premier Alliance, made up of Yang Ming, Ocean Network Express (ONE), and HMM, was meant to start marketing tomorrow ahead of its official launch on February 1. However, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) in Washington DC has put their plans on hold. The FMC has asked the alliance members for more details. The commission has determined that the Premier Alliance agreement as submitted lacks sufficient detail to allow for a complete analysis of potential competitive impacts and whether the agreement fully complies with all statutory requirements. Onomichi Dockyard is cashing out of Sri Lanka’s largest shipyard. The Japanese company intends to sell its 51% shareholding in Colombo Dockyard and end a management agreement that has been in operation for over three decades. Colombo Dockyard is in preliminary discussions with a number of parties who have expressed interest in investing in the strategically well-located facility. TagsSplash Extra Archive Splash Extra December 2024