Category Archives: High Seas

A file photo of Xuelong 2, Chinas first domestically-built icebreaker, during a launch ceremony at a shipyard in Shanghai on September 10, 2018. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)

The Xue Long 2 (Snow Dragon 2) is on its second Arctic voyage during which it will conduct scientific surveys in the Gakkel Ridge.

The 122 meter long vessel on the 12th of July set out from Shanghai on an odyssey across Arctic waters. In the course of 3,5 months, the icebreaking ship will sail about 15,000 nautical miles.

It is the first scientific voyage to the region during Chinas 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), state media company CGTNinforms.

On the 4th of August the ship was sailing north of Russias New Siberian Islands and two days later north of Severnaya Zemlya.

According to the Chinese, theSnow Dragon 2will sail across the North Pole. On its way, it will explore the Gakkel Ridge in order to learn about the formation of rocks and magma and the geomorphic features there, CGTN reports.

The Chinese vessel is this week believed to have sailed south through theGreenland Sea, the waters that separate Greenland with the archipelago of Svalbard. The vessel is no longer visible on ship tracking services.

The researchers on board are reported to engage inmonitoring of sea and sea-ice, atmosphere, microplastics and ocean acidification in the high seas of the Arctic, and carry out navigation observation, cross-sectional survey and satellite remote sensing.

TheXue Long 2(Snow Dragon 2)is owned and managed by the Chinese Polar Institute. The institute has been instrumental in all of the countrys previous 10 research expedition to the Arctic.

It is thesecond timethat the Xue Long 2 takes part in the expedition. The ship is Chinas first full domestically madevessel of the kind. Construction was competed in 2019.

The ship has advanced oceanographic and research equipment and can carry out a wide range of scientific expedition tasks.

Until now, it has been sister shipXue Long that has been applied on the Chinese Arctic expeditions, that have proceeded along Russias Northern Sea Route, across the central Arctic Ocean and through Canadas Northwest Passage

In acomment made during the Arctic Circle China conferencein 2019, Chief of Chinas State Oceanic Administration underlined that protecting the Arctic environment is a common responsibility and China will make its contribution to this.

He also stressed that China sees itself as a near-Arctic state and it will actively participate with wisdom and strength to future protection and development.

In early 2018, the country adopted andArctic policy document. Ithighlights joint efforts and cooperative approaches, and at the same time underlines that China is determined to participate in Arctic governance and that it has legitimate interests and rights in the region.

Related stories from around the North:

Canada:44 per cent increase in unique ships entering Canadas Northwest Passage, says report, Eye on the Arctic

Estonia:Estonian president favorable towards Arctic railway project, cautious about future of Arctic shipping, Eye on the Arctic

Finland:Lapland Regional Council in Finland rejects Arctic railway, The Independent Barents Observer

Norway:Shipping, climate & business opportunities in the North: Q&A with the Arctic Economic Council, Eye on the Arctic

Russia: Russian nuclear-powered cargo ship returns to Arctic after troublesome year, The Independent Barents Observer

United States:Cruise ship arrives in Skagway, Alaska after passenger flown home with COVID-19, CBC News

The rest is here:

Chinese icebreaker sails to North Pole, explores remote Arctic ridge - Eye on the Arctic

The best co-op games mean that playing with your mates is the most fun youve ever had. OK, maybe not quite the most fun ever but the kind of experience that youll end up talking and laughing about for a while to come. Plenty of games offer co-operative experiences these days although the focus is generally on playing online rather than locally on the sofa, but it can be hard to know which games are worth your time. Thats where were here to help.

Weve played countless co-operative games so we know whats genuinely fun and whats only really fun because youre having a laugh with your friends. Weve focused on games that are available for different formats so whatever console (or PC) you own, theres something here thats worth playing alongside someone. Of course, you can play most of these games co-operatively with a stranger but thats not really the point. Youre creating memories here (no matter how cringeworthy that phrase may feel to you) and were confident youll remember some key events.

Without further ado, here are the best co-op games to play with your friends, either online or on the sofa.

Overcooked 2. Credit: Team 17

Playable on: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Want to ruin a lifelong friendship in the most bizarre way possible? Cook with them. I mean, you can cook with them in person but Overcooked 2 is far zanier than rustling up a regular dinner. A cooking simulator, teams of up to four players have to prepare and cook orders in weird restaurants. Theres the usual need to gather, chop, and cook ingredients before combining them on a plate but the restaurants themselves offer some challenges.

These can include moving walkways, portals, and even impassable fires so its important you all plan carefully to work out how to avoid these perils. And, of course, everything is timed and customers get grumpy if you mess up or take too long. Its frantic but great fun too. Teamwork is essential so dont be surprised if you fall out briefly from time to time. Youll still end up laughing and thats what the best co-op games need to make you do.

Sea of Thieves. Credit: Microsoft

Playable on: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S

If you and your friends have ever wanted to become pirates, we wont judge. Well direct you to Sea of Thieves instead where you can do exactly that. Groups of players can encounter each other in an open-world environment so its important you work well together to avoid being plundered. Theres a lot of freedom here with the ability to be as nasty as you want or simply explore the high seas.

Looking good with the ability to track down treasure, form alliances, complete quests, or simply attack everyone going, theres a lot of freedom here. Sea of Thieves doesnt quite work solo but with some friends, its oddly liberating.

Diablo III. Credit: Activision Blizzard

Playable on: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch

A classic hack and slasher, Diablo III is almost mindless fun. Sure, you can pick classes carefully and dive into complex statistical analysis and so forth, but mostly, its just a lot of fun to team up with your mate and beat up a demon. Gear is dropped liberally so youve always got the sense of satisfaction that comes from feeling like youre getting somewhere plus its easy to achieve quite a lot in a short space of time.

A hardcore mode is available if you fancy the challenge of not being able to resurrect yourself after a death, but you really need to both be pretty confident of your abilities to risk this mode. Either way, Diablo III is satisfyingly loot-gaining based fun.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection. Credit: Microsoft

Playable on: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Halo: The Master Chief Collection offers every single game in the main Halo franchise which means Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2: Anniversary, Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST, Halo: Reach and Halo 4. Thats a lot of co-op Halo action and the games come into their own when you team up with friends, easily making this one of the best co-op games out there. Besides being great first-person shooters in their own right, they defined a lot of the genre in recent years and provide plenty of nostalgia too.

When teaming up with friends, bump up the difficulty level and youll really appreciate the adrenaline rush of wrapping up the frantic end to Halo 3 or taking on a fearsome boss in Halo 4. Its these kind of experiences that stick in your mind for a long time to come and you certainly wont run out of options any time soon.

A Way Out. Credit: EA

Playable on: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S

Unlike most games, you can only play A Way Out co-operatively which means its well-designed for the purpose. Players control Leo and Vincent, two convicted prisoners, who must break out of prison and stay on the run. Working together is, predictably, vital to success here with scenarios where one player must form a distraction while another works on their escape requiring some careful teamwork.

Theres a storyline to pursue too along with a series of minigames to participate in. The key here is it truly feels like an experience that you wont get elsewhere and the person you choose to team up with really will make a difference to how much you enjoy A Way Out. Pick a good and reliable friend, and youll get to enjoy the bizarre twists and turns of this

It Takes Two. Credit: EA

Playable on: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S

Another co-op only game, It Takes Two has you play a married couple on the brink of divorce. That might not sound like fun but things change rapidly with different levels offering different challenges. For instance, one character is able to rewind time during one portion while the other can replicate themselves.

By using these abilities to solve puzzles, you and your friend progress the story and work on rebuilding the relationship between the two characters. Its a lovely change of pace from so many other co-operative experiences and one that may just draw couples closer together.

Monster Hunter Rise. Credit: Capcom

Playable on: Nintendo Switch, PC

Fancy taking on ridiculously massive monsters with your bestie? Thats the premise of Monster Hunter Rise. It wont be easy as the monsters are suitably huge. Youll need to master complex weapon types, tools, and environmental challenges along the way but the sweet sense of satisfaction is vast afterwards.

Thanks to the challenge, youll need solid teamwork skills here, especially if you choose to team up with up to four hunters at a time. Besides being one of the best co-op games, it works well as a single-player experience too providing youre up to the challenge.

Among Us. Credit: Innersloth

Playable on: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S

Trust no one? Youll love Among Us. Theres a reason its one of the best co-op games of the last few years. Up to 15 players take part with up to three of those being randomly chosen to be an imposter. Its down to you and the others to figure out whos the imposter and who isnt. There are tasks to complete in the form of minigames with imposters given a fake list of instructions to attempt to blend in.

Its all a bit of a sociological experiment in terms of figuring things out and you may be surprised to learn that your friends are better at lying and hiding things than you thought they were. Discussions of who might be the imposter can turn lively which is where the fun is most had. Its a fun way of doing things a little differently.

Streets of Rage 4. Credit: Dotemu

Playable on: Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5

The Streets of Rage series may have been your first experience of co-operative gaming if you owned a Sega Mega Drive. Now you can recreate that experience with the sublime Streets of Rage 4. Seriously, its a dream to play. The combat is similar to before with it being simple to learn yet complex to master as you figure out the rhythm that works for each character. Combo attacks are everything for building up a strong high score with a huge sense of satisfaction when you take down a boss together without taking a blow.

Besides the main story mode, theres also Arcade mode that requires you to survive the game on one credit plus a series of difficulty levels means you can up the challenge to a quite fearsome level if you want. Just look out for accidentally punching your buddy. It can turn into quite the brawl, and thats not what you want from one of the best co-op games

More:

The best co-op games to play with your mates in 2021 - NME

If youre in the market for a superyacht with a view, Nick Stark Design may have just the solution. The Australian studio has unveiled a new concept, dubbed Project Grace, which is designed to immerse seafarers in prime ocean vistas while under sail.

The striking vessel spans an imposing 210 feet and is characterized by a large amount of glazing detail. Central areas, such as the main saloon on the main deck, feature floor-to-ceiling glass windows through which guests can soak in the seascape. Think of it as your very own floating observatory.

Its easy to forget that owners experience the yacht from the inside outa stunning silhouette is a thing of beauty, but for most of your time on board you will be looking out, not in, Stark, the founder and naval architect, said in a statement.

The superyachts upper deck comes complete with a jacuzzi and bar.Nick Stark Design

At the same time, the swathes of glass serve to let in plenty of natural light and connect the indoor world with the out. Spanning three decks, the vessel can sleep up to 12 guests and boasts two full-beam VIP suites on the main deck plus a separate owners suite on the upper deck.

Outside, Project Grace is equipped with a sprawling beach club, a wellness area with a large swimming pool, and a private sundeck with a jacuzzi and bar. Theres even a dedicated party deck that comes complete with a custom sound system, DJ booth and integrated lighting for seaside soires. Naturally, theres also a helipad and a storage garage for the requisite toys and tenders.

The vessel sports a helipad and storage garage for toys and tenders.Nick Stark Design

As for performance, the tri-deck superyacht sports a sharp bow and a sleek hull thats been optimized for greater efficiency on the high seas. The vessel will likely be forged from aluminum to save on weight and fitted with lithium batteries and controllable pitch propulsion. This will result in faster speeds while lowering the vessels running costs.

Nick Stark Design has garnered a rep for its envelope-pushing designs. Earlier this year, the studio presented a 308-foot hybrid superyacht known as Project Crystal, which features a crystalline lattice that glows in the dark. Both vessels remain concepts at this stage, but we certainly hope Project Grace will grace us with her presence soon.

Check out more renders below:

Nick Stark Design

Nick Stark Design

Nick Stark Design

Nick Stark Design

Nick Stark Design

Nick Stark Design

Nick Stark Design

More here:

Loaded With Floor-to-Ceiling Windows, This 210-Foot Superyacht Concept Is Like a Floating Observatory - Robb Report

By Steven Freeland,Danielle Ireland-Piper,Dan Jerker B. Svantesson,

What do cyberspace and outer space have in common? As we make clear in a new report to the Department of Defence, both are new frontiers for national security that blur traditional ideas about borders, sovereignty, and defense strategy.

These areas are important elements of Australias critical infrastructure and are vital to our ability to defend our nation and keep it secure. They also have a dual-use character: both areas (and often even individual pieces of equipment) are used for both military and civilian purposes.

Sovereignty is a legal and political concept. It generally refers to the authority of a country (nation-state) to exercise control over matters within its jurisdiction including by passing laws and enforcing them. Historically, this jurisdiction was based primarily on geography. However, cyberspace and outer space are not limited by borders in the same way as territorial spaces. Sovereignty also includes the power to give up certain sovereign rights, such as when countries agree to limit their own actions so as to cooperate internationally on human rights and national security.

Cyberspace and outer space enhance our defense and national security capabilities, but our increasing dependence on continuous access to both also makes us vulnerable. These domains can be a source of unity and vision for humanity, but they can also be a source of tension and discord and could easily be misused in the conduct of war.

The worlds dependence on the internet has outpaced efforts at effective cybersecurity. For every solution, another threat arises. This can create serious vulnerabilities for defense and national security.

There is a general understanding that international law applies to cyber activities. However, the details of precisely how are not agreed upon. The debate generally concerns what military cyber activities are acceptable or peaceful, and which are prohibited or might be considered acts of war.

For example, during peacetime, international law is largely silent on espionage. Nation-states can generally engage in cyber espionage without clearly violating their legal obligations to other countries.

However, it can be hard to tell the difference between a simple espionage cyber operation (which might be permitted) and one carried out to prepare for a more disruptive operation (which might count as an attack). Both involve unauthorized access to computer systems and networks within another nation-state, but working out who is responsible for such intrusions and their intentions can be an imprecise art.

Different countries have suggested various approaches to the problem. France and Iran say any unauthorized penetration of their cyber systems automatically constitutes a violation of sovereignty, irrespective of the reason.

Others, such as the United Kingdom and New Zealand, say a cyber operation must be sufficiently disruptive or destructive to count as a violation of sovereignty principles. These might seem like legal niceties, but they matter they can determine how the impacted country might retaliate.

Outer space is no less challenging. The militarisation and possible weaponisation of space represent a significant defence and national security challenge for all countries.

Outer space, like the high seas, is often seen as a global commons: it belongs to everyone and is governed by international law. A key tenet of international space law is that space may not be appropriated, which would prevent plans such as colonising the Moon or Mars.

The 1967 Outer Space Treaty, ratified by almost every spacefaring country, provides that the Moon and other celestial bodies are to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes. It also forbids the placement of weapons of mass destruction in outer space and the militarisation of celestial bodies.

The treaty also imposes international responsibilities and liabilities on the countries themselves even for transgressions carried out by a private entity. Everything revolves around the imperative to promote responsible behavior in space and minimize the possibility of conflict.

Initially, there were different views as to whether the peaceful use of space meant that only non-military rather than non-aggressive activities were permissible. However, the reality is that outer space has been and continues to be used for terrestrial military activities.

The 1991 Gulf War is often referred to as the first space war. The use of satellite technology undeniably represents an integral part of modern military strategy and armed conflict for Australia and many other countries.

The situation is made more complex by the increasing interest in possible future mining in space and the potential rise of space tourism. There is also no clear international agreement about where to draw the line between sovereign airspace and outer space, or about what (and whose) criminal law applies in space.

At present, some 70-80 countries have some degree of sovereign space capability, including an ability to independently launch or operate their own satellites.

On the other hand, this means nearly two-thirds of the worlds countries do not have any national space capability. They are completely dependent on others for access to space infrastructure and to space itself. Their ability to enjoy the benefits of space technology for development and well-being relies on strategic and geopolitical networks and understandings.

Even Australia, which is a sophisticated space participant, currently has a relatively limited sovereign capability for space launches, Earth observation, GPS, and other critical space activities.

However, it is not economically feasible for Australia to be wholly independent in every aspect of space. For this reason, Australias twin policy of ensuring access to space through strategic alliances with selected spacefaring nations, while also developing further sovereign space capability in specific areas, is essential to Australias defense and national security interests.

Addressing the intersection between cyberspace and outer space is vital for Australias defense and national security policies. Both civilian and military actors participate in these domains, and the range of possible activities is rapidly developing.

We will need to understand the increasingly close intersection between cyberspace and outer space technologies to be in the best possible position to develop effective and integrated defense and national security strategies to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

This article is republished fromThe Conversationunder a Creative Commons license. Read theoriginal article.

Declaration:

Steven Freeland is a Director of the International Institute of Space Law

Danielle Ireland-Piper was part of a research team that received funding from the Australian Department of Defence. However, the views expressed herein are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Australian Government or the Australian Department of Defence.

Wendy Bonython was previously employed by the Department of Defence. She is a current member of the Defence Department of Veterans' Affairs Human Research Ethics Committee.

Overall, this research was supported by the Australian Government through a grant by the Australian Department of Defence. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Australian Government, the Australian Department of Defence, or the universities or other institutions the authors are affiliated with.

Read the original:

Experts: Cyberspace and Outer Space are New Frontiers for National Security - IndraStra Global

Since the days of Cleopatra's pleasure-boat, the super-rich have taken to the high seas to showcase their wealth. From warring monarchs flexing their muscles through their armadas, to playboy billionaires entertaining supermodels in Cannes, there has always been a glamorous cachet attached to owning the waves.

Indeed, some yachts are as famous as their owners, like the Christina O, Aristotle Onassis's party ship, which entertained the likes of Jackie O and her sister Lee Radziwill, as well as hosting Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly's wedding party. Or Roman Abramovich's 430 million Solaris, well-known for being amongst the most extravagant (and well-travelled) in the world.

The history of the glamorous vessel is explored in a new coffee table tome, Yachts: The Impossible Collection - Legendary Yachts That Define Time & Design, out this month. From the original J Class yachts of the 1800s to the mega-yachts of the 2020s, kitted out in the latest technology and streamlined to make less of an environmental impact.

Excerpt from:

This new coffee table tome explores the history of the yacht - the ultimate status symbol - Tatler

Dr. Rob Moir

To meet the ravages of climate change, Congress has introduced the Ocean Based Climate Solutions Act (HR.8632). The ocean covers nearly three-quarters of the planet. Nothing has more of an impact on the climate than does the ocean. About one out of every four carbon dioxide molecules emitted into the atmosphere are drawn down into the ocean. Sea water along our shores buffer the rise of land temperatures during the summer and the cold of temperatures during the winter. The ocean fuels rainfall, drives local water cycles, is one with weather systems, and with waters warming, gives much more energy to hurricanes. Yet, we know very little about the ocean. We are not very good at making long term predictions to prepare for whats to come.

To increase our understanding, accelerate ocean monitoring, enhance data management, and to better coordinate across agencies, the Ocean Based Climate Solutions Act features the BLUE GLOBE Act or the Bolstering Long-Term Understanding and Exploration of the Great Lakes, Oceans, Bays, and Estuaries Act. This bill gives NOAA a stronger focus on technology advancements and adds innovative technology components to better address illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

An Ocean Innovation prize is in the bill to catalyze the rapid development and deployment of research vessels, unmanned vehicles, and sensors. Federal agencies will be directed to develop careers in oceanic and atmospheric data collection. This will result in better informed alerts necessary for navigation, resource managers, fishermen, and the general public to forecast ocean acidification, harmful algal blooms, hypoxia, and marine heat waves.

The Ocean Based Climate Solutions Act features $10 billion for shovel-ready restoration grants for coastlines and fisheries. $3 million will go to work within 90 days and will include compensation for fishermen labor and vessel use. $300 million per year for four years will provide grants to non-federal entities to restore and protect fish and wildlife habitats. Coastal restoration work will result in tens of thousands of new jobs.

Protecting spawning, breeding and nesting nurseries are nature-based climate solutions. More sea grass beds, salt marsh grasses, seaweed forests and mangrove stands provide natural buffers that protect inland ecosystems and reduce sea level rise. Meanwhile, reducing storm damage benefits the hospitality and tourism sector, which employs over 7 million U.S. workers and produces $450 billion in GDP annually a good return on a $10 billion investment by the government.

Transportation is a large contributor of greenhouse gasses warming the globe. Bunker fuel, the dirtiest fossil fuel on the planet, is used by much of the global shipping fleet. 800,000 tons of fuel oil sludge and other oily waste is dumped from ship bilges each year. Compliance with speed restrictions when in the presence of whales increases fuel efficiency and will reduce fuel costs. Reducing diesel emissions and electrifying operations will result in less toxic air exposure for adjacent, mostly low-income communities.

For offshore energy, the bill prohibits oil, gas or methane hydrate exploration on the Continental Shelf, except for the western and central Gulf of Mexico planning area, much of which is already riddled with wells. An ambitious national offshore wind goal for the Continental Shelf is set at not less than 12.5 gigawatts by 2025, and not less than 30 gigawatts by 2030. Offshore wind leasing and development will be allowed in American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.

The Ocean Based Climate Solutions Act brings together more than a dozen worthy efforts. Some are specific, such as strengthening marine mammal conservation, $5 million a year for oyster conservation, restoration and management, $12.5 million a year for harmful algal bloom forecasting, $30 million increasing annually by $5 million to $50 million for ocean acidification research, and placing a five-cent excise tax on virgin plastic in manufactured single-use products such as packaging (no tax on medical products or personal hygiene products).

More broadly, the U.S. should be party to the Law of the Sea Convention (1982). If climate had been defined as the continuation of the oceans by other means, instead of the interactions of the natural system, the Convention would have been the most powerful tool to force nations into action. With passage of this bill, we would finally be better able to negotiate international issues such as deep seabed mining, Arctic claims, high seas, and migratory fish stocks, and ocean protection.

A tribal and Indigenous communities resilience subgroup would be created in the White House and a resilience liaison position created within the Department of the Interior to coordinate with tribes. This bill authorizes $200 million for each fiscal year 2022-2026.

Finally, harking back to the Ocean River Institutes first year advancing bioregional ecosystem-based management and the Massachusetts Ocean Planning Act, the Ocean Based Climate Solutions Act would enact into law and fund with $10 million a year Regional Ocean Partnerships to manage and restore coastal areas and ocean resources across state boundaries. States and tribes would be empowered to take a lead role in ocean and coastal management. Just as Massachusetts did in 2008.

Dr. Rob Moir is a nationally-recognized and award-winning environmentalist. He is president & executive director of Ocean River Institute, a nonprofit providing expertise, services, resources, and information unavailable on a localized level to support efforts of environmental organizations. Please visit http://www.oceanriver.org for more information.

Read more from the original source:

Together We Can: Collaborative Ocean-Based Climate Solutions - E/The Environmental Magazine

After the strong fluctuations over the last month, August started on a positive point. From August 3, the companys stock is noticeably rising. Yesterday it was trading at $23.81; the next day, it reached $23.98. Overall in a week, stock gains 14%. The market capitalization is equal to 26.83 billion dollars. Major brand Carnival Cunard announced that its luxury cruise ship Queen Elizabeth would return to the high seas on Friday after 17 months in the water. She will initially put her paddles in the water for a series of cruises around the UK. After a series of other flights in the United Kingdom, the international sailing of Cunard Queen Elizabeth on board will begin in October.

Cunard is the operator of the luxury cruise liners Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth. Known for White Stars impeccable service, fine dining, and world-class entertainment, all three Queens offer luxury accommodations in Britannia, the Britannia Club, the Princess Grill Suite, and the Queens Grill Suite.

Finance and Tech Contributor

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Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL)Stock Gains 14% Within A Week: Luxury Cruise Ship Queen Elizabeth About To Return. Own Snap - Own Snap

A cargo container ship sailing. Kalyakan

The maritime industry and ports are capital-intensive sectors. Theyve transitioned over the decades, based on the principle of economies of scale, massification and the integration of several key players into giant logistics supply chains.

The quest for optimization has made the just-in-time concept king of the game. The big question remains: Is this model relevant in responding to the current (exceptional) pandemic-induced circumstances and beyond?

Over the last few months, a series of negative shocks that have rippled in a short period at an unprecedented scale have exposed serious weaknesses in global supply chains.

The global transport and logistics system is built on taking advantage of optimal costs of inputs and creating added value around the world with the lowest possible maritime transport costs.

Moving components several times through different vessels on various maritime routes until they reach their final destinations has been the standard procedure since containerization began in the 1960s.

The maritime industry has witnessed numerous disruptive factors created by the COVID-19 pandemic and the trade war between the United States and China.

These include trade imbalances, lockdowns (full and partial), quarantines, shortages of critical staff, scarcity of medical supply, high dependency on self-limited factories around the world, operational challenges beyond existing scenarios and sophisticated cyberattacks.

Another challenge is the critical financial state of the worlds shipping titans that need high volumes to justify their economic models and the sheer size of their operations at global scale.

But how much of it is a self-fulfilling prophecy and to what extent are some operators taking advantage of this window of opportunity to earn excessive profits during lean times for others?

So far, 2021 has fallen well short of growth and recovery expectations around the world except for China.

While the ongoing delivery of COVID-19 vaccines is good news, most economic operators are working below their production capacity and postponing activities in the hope of a miracle to solve their problems.

Every sector was hoping to bounce back in 2021 and recover lost profits. But looking at the losses in the tourism sector that collapsed in the wake of the pandemic, its certain that we havent seen the bottom of it yet!

The knock-on effects of ongoing price hikes in the maritime industry and logistics transportation of everyday merchandise could continue for the rest of 2021.

Could a new dramatic event such as the Evergreen-operated ship jamming the Suez Canal or the Port of Yantian (in China) being bypassed due to COVID-19 cases send new shockwaves through the already overstretched logistics system?

Operators are now looking at alternative solutions such as developing air-sea transport models, loading non-container vessels, creating buffer stocks and areas. But supply chain transformation will not happen overnight. And in this case, size matters.

The one and probably only positive effect of the pandemic increased digitalization will certainly improve operations and make the various and complex mechanisms of merchandise trade by sea more efficient in pure arithmetical terms.

Complex algorithms and models calculate optimal voyages and the related cargo movement through different operative modes. But this is not enough to mitigate the exceptional challenges facing the industry right now and likely to persist for a long time.

Frighteningly, no one knows if and when the world will be declared pandemic free and when wed need to work backwards on the steps to get back on our feet.

The one road to recovery and to get over the worst effects of the pandemic is through learning to live with COVID-19 as fast as possible to give time for normal flows of international merchandise trade to operate in calm waters and alleviate the self-imposed constraints to the system.

We are all operating under one global system and there is no back-up!

To boost recovery efforts, the UNCTAD TrainForTrade programme is providing capacity-building support to a large network of port operators around the world, with 870 participants from 99 countries taking part in online activities to share their experiences and mitigation measures to cope with the pandemic.

Originally posted here:

Turbulent prices on the high seas: Are calmer waters on the horizon? - UNCTAD

Mark Assaf | Published: July 28, 2021 20:50:45

The maritime industry and ports are capital-intensive sectors. They've transitioned over the decades, based on the principle of economies of scale, massification and the integration of several key players into giant logistics supply chains.

The quest for optimisation has made the just-in-time concept "king of the game". The big question remains: Is this model relevant in responding to the current (exceptional) pandemic-induced circumstances and beyond?

Over the last few months, a series of negative shocks that have rippled in a short period at an unprecedented scale have exposed serious weaknesses in global supply chains.

The global transport and logistics system is built on taking advantage of optimal costs of inputs and creating added value around the world with the lowest possible maritime transport costs.

Moving components several times through different vessels on various maritime routes until they reach their final destinations has been the standard procedure since containerisation began in the 1960s.

The maritime industry has witnessed numerous disruptive factors created by the Covid-19 pandemic and the trade war between the United States and China.

These include trade imbalances, lockdowns (full and partial), quarantines, shortages of critical staff, scarcity of medical supply, high dependency on self-limited factories around the world, operational challenges beyond existing scenarios and sophisticated cyber-attacks.

Another challenge is the critical financial state of the world's shipping titans that need high volumes to justify their economic models and the sheer size of their operations at global scale.

But how much of it is a self-fulfilling prophecy and to what extent are some operators taking advantage of this window of opportunity to earn excessive profits during lean times for others?

So far, 2021 has fallen well short of growth and recovery expectations around the world except for China.

While the ongoing delivery of Covid-19 vaccines is good news, most economic operators are working below their production capacity and postponing activities in the hope of a miracle to solve their problems.

Every sector was hoping to bounce back in 2021 and recover lost profits. But looking at the lossesin the tourism sector that collapsed in the wake of the pandemic, it's certain that we haven't seen the bottom of it yet!

The knock-on effects of ongoing price hikes in the maritime industry and logistics transportation of everyday merchandise could continue for the rest of 2021.

Could a new dramatic event - such as the Evergreen-operated ship jamming the Suez Canal or the Port of Yantian (in China) being bypassed due to Covid-19 cases - send new shockwaves through the already overstretched logistics system?

Operators are now looking at alternative solutions such as developing air-sea transport models, loading non-container vessels, creating buffer stocks and areas. But supply chain transformation will not happen overnight. And in this case, size matters.

The one and probably only positive effect of the pandemic - increased digitalisation - will certainly improve operations and make the various and complex mechanisms of merchandise trade by sea more efficient in pure arithmetical terms.

Complex algorithms and models calculate optimal voyages and the related cargo movement through different operative modes. But this is not enough to mitigate the exceptional challenges facing the industry right now and likely to persist for a long time.

Frighteningly, no one knows if and when the world will be declared pandemic free and when we'd need to work backwards on the steps to get back on our feet.

The one road to recovery and to get over the worst effects of the pandemic is through learning to live with Covid-19 as fast as possible to give time for normal flows of international merchandise trade to operate in calm waters and alleviate the self-imposed constraints to the system.

We are all operating under one global system and there is no back-up!

The piece is excerpted from

http://www.unctad.org

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Turbulent prices on the high seas - The Financial Express BD

Miami (CBS)

A small fleet of Cuban-Americans and their supporters took off from Miami to the high seas on Friday. Five boats departed the Bayside Marina to stop at Key West, refuel, check in to the US Coast Guard, and then sail to Cuba. The group stops just 15 nautical miles from Havana as it shows support for the Cuban people.

U.S. Coast Guard Captain Atom Chammy tells CBS News Manuel Boyorquez that the trip is legal, but traveling to Cuba is not legal and will result in a fine of up to $ 25,000 and five years imprisonment. He said there was a possibility. There are also concerns about the tropical and unpredictable weather in South Florida.

When youre 50 miles off the shore, it may look like a pretty safe ocean just a few miles from the shore, but it looks a lot different, says Chami.

The group of boaters was supposed to leave on Monday, but the event was postponed until Friday. About 100 boats were expected to attend the event.

The planned trip announced new sanctions on the Cuban Defense Minister Alvaro Pesmiera and the Cuban Interior Ministry Special Brigade to curb the peaceful opposition to democratization in Cuba, which began on July 11th. I will come sometimes. About 500 people have been detained since the protest.

The Cubans have the same freedom of expression and the right to peaceful meetings as all, Biden said in a statement.

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez argues that Cuba is not a priority of the Biden administration.

The Cubans protect themselves against guns and clubs with rocks and sticks, so they sought to be as dramatic as keeping the possibility of some military intervention off the table. Suarez said.

Jorge Duany, director of the Cuban Institute at Florida International University, told Boyorquez that the Biden administration is trying to find a midpoint between the Obama administrations more open policies and the rapid reversal of former President Trump. rice field.

Most of the calculations about what to do next in Cuba are related to next years midterm elections here in Florida, and Im sure its part of the debate within the White House, said Duany. rice field.

Mr Duany also said the Biden administrations stated goal of restoring the Internet to Cubans reduced by the Communist government after the uprising could help protesters maintain momentum.

Five boats head to the high seas of the fleet to show support for the Cuban people

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Five boats head to the high seas of the fleet to show support for the Cuban people - Floridanewstimes.com