Author Archives: just2bruce

ExxonMobil to expand biofuel bunkering

ExxonMobil is working with the Port of Rotterdam and Stena Bulk to provide 0.5% marine biofuel made with second-generation waste. It will be available later this year.

This renewable fuel on a commercial scale is a noble effort. It won’t be a large part of the world requirement, but it shows the concept can be workable in a major setting. Apparently the shipboard trial was quite successful; hence this news report.

September 10, 2020 | Meghan Sapp

Link: https://www.biofuelsdigest.com/bdigest/2020/09/10/exxonmobil-to-expand-biofuel-bunkering-after-successful-trial/

Here’s the press release: https://www.exxonmobil.com/en/marine/technicalresource/press-releases/marine-bio-fuel-oil

How much wood would a container manufacturer chuck?

Good old fashioned Operations Management; saving money by reducing the amount of wood used in container floors.

 Chris Gillis Thursday, September 10, 2020

Link: https://www.freightwaves.com/news/how-much-wood-would-a-container-manufacturer-chuck

Flag states attacked for weakness on crew change

The crew change crisis continues. Some very strong remarks by  Hugo De Stoop, CEO of Belgian tanker giant Euronav, at the International Chamber of Shipping webinar indicated that ship owners’ desire to hide out from problems like crew welfare means they have no power to force governments to let their nationals back in. Their flag states have little influence on the world stage.

It’s the worst crisis in 200 years. And it’s a humanitarian crisis, as so many of the COVID-19-induced crises are. Who will step up and take action?

By Sam Chambers September 10, 2020