THIS ISLAND NATION RADIO PROGRAMME – Tom MacSweeney’s Weekly Blog- June 2
WILL THERE BE A FISHERIES BREXIT DEAL? - There is increasing concern that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is attempting to exclude fisheries from any trade deal with the European Union when Britain exits at the end of the year. Political requirements to deliver on promises made to areas where the Conservative government wants to maximise electoral advantage could be a motivating force. There are indications that Johnson wants to exclude fisheries from any trade deal. The EU has insisted that they must be included and Ireland, for whom an agreement for continued access to UK waters is vital, is heavily dependent on this approach. Mackerel and Prawns are particularly important, with estimates that as much as 40 per cent of Irish catches of these species come from what would be regarded as British waters if there is no deal. The EU maintains that Britain will need a deal to continue to export fish catches to Europe and that, without it, there would not be sufficient marketing opportunities for the catches of their fleet. There is a further complication in that there are considerable numbers of Spanish-owned fishing vessels registered as British. How they will be dealt with is not clear. British negotiators are understood to have indicated to EU counterparts that there is confidence in the UK that they would find markets for all their fleet’s catches. However, no resolution has been indicated for the issue of non-British owned fishing boats registered in the UK.
BIG CHANGE FOR TANKERS --- The biggest change in shipping patterns in the past week has been the queues of tankers reported off China’s East Coast. They have been waiting their turn to offload crude oil for Chinese State refineries amid a rapid rebound in fuel demand according to industry analysts. Vessel tracking early this week showed over 20 laden tankers waiting to discharge. Shipping analysis has also indicated that the demand for tankers for storage has fallen sharply as indications of economic and industrial re-opening increase. US shipping reports say there is an increase in booking of tankers to export U.S. crude oil from the Gulf Coast and suggest demand for oil supplies is "edging up from slump" as countries begin opening up economies from coronavirus effects
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS FOR 15 SHIPPING COMPANIES --- Fifteen international shipping companies have been commended for slowing cargo ships off Californian coast in project backed by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to protect blue whales. Speeds were reduced to 10 knots in San Francisco Bay and Santa Barbara Channel areas. Awards, which include environmental recognition and financial allocations, are to be made to the companies involved which are also commended for reducing pollution. Awards, which include environmental recognition and financial allocations, are to be made to the companies involved which are also commended for reducing pollution.
ANOTHER ORDER FOR SAFEHAVEN MARINE CORK --------Photo shows our newest pilot boat - An Interceptor 42 "San Cibrao" heading for the port of San Ciprian in Spain on rough weather sea trials – From Safehaven Marine.
SCOTLAND GIVES EXTRA HELP TO INSHORE FISHERMEN --- The Scottish Government is giving extra fishing quotas to it inshore sector to help overcome difficulties these boats encountered due to the Covid 19 Pandemic. Boats which usually target shellfish will be allowed diversify into new markets, which it is estimated could be equivalent to a stg￡2m.financial injection to the sector. The additional fish quotas will be allowed in the North Sea and on the West Coast of Scotland. Scotland’s seafood fishing sector has been hard hit due to the collapse of the international shellfish market, causing significant challenges for families, businesses and local communities in some of the most remote rural and island communities, the Scottish Government said in making its announced that an additional 800 tonnes of mackerel – 500 tonnes in the North Sea and 300 tonnes on the West Coast, as well as additional demersal quotas including haddock, anglerfish, whiting, pollack, saithe, ling, lemon sole and skates and rays for the North Sea and West of Scotland would be available.
AUSTRALIA CHARGES MASTER OF CONTAINER SHIP --- The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has filed charges against the Master of the APL England, which lost about 50 containers overboard off Sydney. They accuse him of pollution and/or damage to Australian marine environment as a result of poor cargo loading.
CAPE CLEAR WHISKEY AWARD --- Cape Clear Island Distillery off West Cork is celebrating winning a silver award in the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition with its 3Sq Miles Gin.
NEW CONTAINER SERVICE FROM CORK TO AMERICA --- A new direct container service from Cork to the USA will start this Saturday. The ICL 'Independent Vision' will begin the service taking 10 days to reach the USA East Coast. Cork Port company says it is the first direct container service from Cork to the USA in many years. More details about Cork container developments in THE ECHO this Wednesday.
TITANIC TO BE CUT OPEN --- A federal judge in the United States has given a salvage company permission to cut open the hull of the RMS Titanic to retrieve the ship's Marconi Wireless Telegraph which was used to send out the ship's final distress message in APril 1912 after it hit an iceberg.
BIGGEST LNG ENGINE EVER --- The biggest, most powerful LNG-fueled engine ever built has been approved for use on CMA CGM’s future flagship, Jacques Saadé, which is currently under construction by China State Shipbuilding Corp. According to gCaptain website it will deliver 63,840 kW of power.
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