Welding process ship repair at floating dry dock in shipyard

Cruise Vessel Reactivation Procedure

Cruise sector has definitely been hit the most during the two year pandemic era.Nevertheless, we were privileged to act as Husbandry Agent for a German owner during the reactivation of a laid up cruise vessel lady. Our team was responsible to bring on board all new crew members, present all necessary formalities to local Port Authorities and the vessel’s Classification Society in regards to the vessel’s reactivation as well as to arrange the smooth transport of all necessary equipment on board the vessel. In addition, we got them full package of bond stores and provisions for their first months on board the vessel. What a great project for all parties involved and we can’t wait for the next cruise vessel lady next winter to welcome her for a nice winter time at the Meditteranean sea.

In the wake of a war

The war in Ukraine has delivered a shock to global energy markets with the planet facing a deeper crisis: a shortage of food. Prices for food, fertilizer, oil, gas, and even metals like aluminum, nickel, and palladium are all rising fast, and experts expect worse as the effects cascade. While a crucial portion of the world’s wheat, corn, and barley is trapped in Russia and Ukraine, the Ukrainian government has already warned that the country’s planting and harvest have already been severely disrupted by the war.

European fertilizer plants are significantly cutting production because of high energy prices and farmers are cutting back on fertilizer, threatening the size of the next harvests. With that not being enough, the ICS has warned that the supply chain disruptions are set to be worsened by a shortfall in shipping crew due to the war. 

The ongoing war has the shipping industry bracing for new shocks to its labor force which relies on experienced crew from both countries. Ukrainian and Russian seafarers account for 15% of the global shipping workforce. To maintain this unfettered trade, seafarers must be able to join and disembark ships (crew change) freely across the world. However, flights have been canceled to and from the region, making this increasingly difficult. Several crew members have already abandoned their ships due to security worries and others to reunite with their families or fight for their country.