Shipping Trade and Transport News 28th October 2015

Vessel News

M.V. Los Llanitos

Vessel considered to be a total loss

27 crew members of the "Los Llanitos" were rescued by a MI 17 helicopter near Punta Graham, Barra de Navidad, 23 nautical miles north-northeast of Manzanillo, Colima, the ship was considered a total loss after serious crqacks in the machine room were found.

M.V. Elixir   Bonga southwest Ethiopia

Up to nine crew members of the "Tank" (IMO: 8681460) were killed in the collision with the "Elixir" early in the morning of Oct 19, 2015, 65 miles from the shore and 10 nautical miles south west of the Bonga

 M.V. Quadrans 2

The vessel had a fire in the engine room while the ships was on the  Hollandsch Diep. The fire was under control in a short time.

M.V Fjord Visjon (Norway)

Ferry in danger of sking as the M.V. Fjord Vision started to list on the quay in Fardal
Between ten and 15 firefighters from the Sogn fire rescue and the police were involved in the operation.

 M.V. Runner

The disabled container ship was stowed to green after suffering engine failuire and was eventually taken to the Greek coast for repair

 Trade News (EU)

Paving the way to join the EU

The European Union signed a long-awaited accord with Kosovo on Tuesday that will lead to closer ties and could open the way to EU membership for the small Balkan country.

Inflation

 There are "no taboos" for the European Central Bank when it comes to finding ways to push up the chronically low level of inflation in the euro area, says the ECB's chief economist Peter Praet.

Phone roaming charges to be abolished

Members of the European Parliament on Tuesday approved an end to loathed mobile phone roaming charges in the EU by 2017 and adopted rules to ensure open internet access.

Possible suspension of aid in Africa

The EU on Monday called in Burundi for "consultations" on rights violations in the impoverished central African country, a step that could lead to a suspension of aid.

Transport News

Road Haulage Association says the industry is tens of thousands of drivers short of the number that is needed

Consumers could see empty shelves this Christmas because of a lack of lorry drivers, the Road Haulage Association (RHA) has warned.

The industry is tens of thousands of drivers short of the number that is needed, according to the organisation, which represents more than 8,000 trucking companies.

Chief executive Richard Burnett said: "We are short of between 45,000 and 50,000 drivers and the situation is getting worse. Thousands of older drivers are leaving the industry and younger people can't afford the £3,000 it costs to get a truck licence. The Government could help but won't.