China

CMC Berger Wants to Retool Kit for Leaner, Lethal Marine Corps

Gen. David H. Berger addresses an audience of senior enlisted Marines and Sailors about Force Design at the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Symposium in Quantico, Va. on Oct. 17, 2019. US Marine Corps Photo

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. David Berger previewed a shift in focus for the Marine Corps soon after taking over the job this summer, with his Commandant’s Planning Guidance. Now, he’s previewing what that shift will mean for the gear the Marines use and how they...

https://news.usni.org/2019/12/06/cmc-berger-wants-to-retool-kit-for-leaner-lethal-marine-corps

U.S. Indo-Pacific Diplomacy Efforts Hinge On FONOPS, Humanitarian Missions

Ships from Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group and Boxer Amphibious Ready Group sail in formation while conducting security and stability operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in October. Navy photo.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Navy’s stepped-up freedom of navigation transits in the South China Sea sends an unmistakable message to China and other nations in the region, a State Department official said this week.

Officials in Beijing and other capitals see the transits as the “demonstrated...

https://news.usni.org/2019/12/04/u-s-indo-pacific-diplomacy-efforts-hinge-on-fonops-humanitarian-missions

Carriers’ void sailings boost container spot rates from China

The comprehensive Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) improved 7.1% from the previous week to 819.63 points in the week of Nov. 18. As the slack season has set in, transport demand is on the decline. However, some operators have reduced tonnage supply, leading to the lower index.

Spot rates from Shanghai to Europe increased 9.1% to $766 per TEU, while those to the Mediterranean grew 6% to $730 per TEU.

On the trade route to North America, spot rates from Shanghai surged 19% to $2,684 per...

https://container-news.com/carriers-void-sailings-boost-container-spot-rates-china/

U.S. Navy Has Been Shut Out of Hong Kong Since July

Two aviators assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 look out onto the Hong Kong skyline as the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) in 2013. US Navy Photo

Shortly after protests began rocking Hong Kong over a controversial extradition bill, the Chinese government quietly started denying U.S. Navy ships permission to visit the port city.

On Monday, the Chinese government formalized what had been in practice since at least July, suspending until further notice the review of U.S. military...

https://news.usni.org/2019/12/03/u-s-navy-has-been-shut-out-of-hong-kong-since-july

Marine Fuel Switch on the Rise Ahead of IMO 2020

According to an Argus Media report, demand for 0.5pc sulphur marine fuel oil is building up in most of the world’s largest ports, and the grade could account for 65pc of all marine fuel oil bought globally this month.

Grades in demand 

Singapore

In Singapore, the world’s largest bunkering hub, more than 43pc of delivered marine fuel deals so far in November have been for 0.5pc fuel oil, and 0.1pc sulphur marine gasoil (MGO) accounted for 21pc.

Demand for these two grades have been rising because...

http://mfame.guru/marine-fuel-switch-on-the-rise-ahead-of-imo-2020/

Report: U.S. Shoulders Steep Price to Protect Merchant Ships in Strait Of Hormuz

USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) transits the Strait of Hormuz on May 7, 2019. US Navy Photo

The Navy pays a steep price keeping an aircraft carrier with escorts on station to deter attacks on oil tanker traffic operating in and around the Persian Gulf as part of the United States’ “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, according to a new report. The ongoing carrier operations in the region are not only pricey for the U.S. Navy but also creates the potential to disrupt energy markets if a confrontation...

https://news.usni.org/2019/11/29/report-u-s-shoulders-steep-price-to-protect-merchant-ships-in-strait-of-hormuz

China Issues Guideline For Developing Intelligent Shipping

According to an article published in Xinhua Net, Chinese authorities unveiled a guideline to further develop intelligent shipping as a new business model.

Guideline approved by the government

The guideline, jointly released by seven government agencies including the Ministry of Transport and the National Development and Reform Commission, stressed the deep integration of high technologies with the shipping industry.

By 2025, China aims to become a global shipping development and innovation center...

http://mfame.guru/china-issues-guideline-for-developing-intelligent-shipping/

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