Caribbean Sea News

Panama Canal starts Speed Limits to Protect Whales

Starting August 1 and until November 30, 2019, the Panama Canal will promote the implementation of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) annual recommendations on speed and maritime transit aimed at protecting cetaceans, which include whales, dolphins and other large aquatic mammals, during their nearby seasonal migration.With these measures, ships should proceed at a speed of not more than 10 knots in specified areas. Panama has monitored this requirement since December 1…

Suez Canal Extends Bulker Toll Discounts

The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has extended discounts concerning dry bulk vessels operating between American and Asian ports after considering “new changes in the global shipping market and the world economy”."SCA pays more attention to its users best interest, and has recently taken steps towards being the safest, most secure, most reliable and most competitive compared to other routes," said a press release.It said that the rebate granted to (Laden/Ballast) Dry Bulk Vessels operating between Americas' ports and Asian ports…

For JAXPORT, LNG Spells Success

‘A thousand firsts’ and a constantly growing list of players underscores the rapid development of LNG as a fuel – especially along the East Coast of the United States.Click on the headlines for the phrase “LNG Bunkering” and you immediately learn that it is an industry of a thousand firsts and a constantly growing list of players.“Russia's Novatek ships first LNG cargo to China via Arctic; Yamal LNG ships first LNG cargo to Spain; Qatar ships first LNG to Japan, signs accord; Japan orders its first LNG bunker vessel…

The Global 0.50% Sulfur Cap: 30 months and counting down …

Industry frets about the coming deadline. Shipping desperately wants to be ready, but will global shore-based infrastructure and refining capacity match the demand that is sure to come? And … are regulators listening to industry’s concerns?In early June, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held a public workshop in Washington to help the agencies prepare for the January 1, 2020 deadline for worldwide implementation of very low sulfur marine…

REGULATORY WATCH: The Global 0.50% Sulfur Cap: 30 months and counting down …

Industry frets about the coming deadline. Shipping desperately wants to be ready, but will global shore-based infrastructure and refining capacity match the demand that is sure to come? And … are regulators listening to industry’s concerns? In early June, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held a public workshop in Washington to help the agencies prepare for the January 1, 2020 deadline for worldwide implementation of very low sulfur marine fuel that meets the new 0.50% sulfur cap as set forth by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Second Delivery of Cranes Arrives in APM Terminals Moin

With this latest delivery of cranes, the APM Terminals Moin remains on schedule for completion in February 2019, when it is expected to raise commerce in Costa Rica by 23% according to Qbis Socioeconomic Impact Study. This second delivery of Ship-to-Shore and Electric Rubber-Tire Gantry Cranes (ERTGs) to APM Terminals Moin, Costa Rica brings the total on site to six and 23 respectively. The commissioning of the equipment was completed this week. “APM Terminals Moin is proud to celebrate this milestone…

FMC's Doyle Weighs in on U.S. Merchant Marine, 2017 Hurricane Relief Efforts

Today's address by FMC commissioner William P.Doyle brought transparency to the massive U.S.-based efforts expended during this hurricane season at the 17th Annual Port Industry Day conference in Jersey City, NJ. Good Morning New York and New Jersey. It’s a great day here in Jersey City. I know that Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao really wanted to attend the 17th Annual Port Industry Day conference today. Even with a long-standing commitment, she tried to make her schedule work. Secretary Chao is a good friend. Before I begin, I want to address this year’s hurricane season.

Windstar Cruises Appoints Inman as Director

New expert hire reflects that traveler safety is at the forefront for the cruise line. Windstar Cruises has announced that they are welcoming seafaring safety specialist Michael Inman as the newest member of the boutique cruise line’s highly accredited leadership team. Bringing with him a diverse spectrum of experience from both the U.S. Coast Guard and the cruise industry, Inman will report directly to Windstar President John Delaney and work alongside fleet and technical operations officials to further maintain and enhance the luxury line’s high standards for safety and traveler welfare.

First Ocean Vessel of 2017 Arrives at Port of Indiana

The first ocean vessel of the year arrived at the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor marking the official opening of the international shipping season. Port officials welcomed the 413-foot general cargo carrier BBC Mont Blanc and presented the captain with the Ports of Indiana Steel Stein. "The arrival of the first ocean ship of the new year is an exciting time not only for our port, but also for our port companies and numerous other regional businesses that rely on the cargoes these vessels carry," said Port Director Ian Hirt. "For northwest Indiana, the opening of the St.

USCG Offloads $11.6 mln of Cocaine in Miami

The Coast Guard offloaded approximately 350 kilograms of seized cocaine Monday from the Coast Guard Cutter Richard Etheridge at Coast Guard Base Miami Beach. During an Operation patrol on October 27, a Joint Interagency Task Force South marine patrol aircraft detected a go-fast vessel suspected of smuggling contraband in the Caribbean Sea. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary Wave Knight and an embarked Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment diverted to intercept the vessel. The RFA Wave Knight crew launched a helicopter and a smallboat with a Coast Guard LEDET aboard and boarded the go-fast…

Atlantic Hurricane Season to be Stronger than Expected

In its updated 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook, NOAA calls for a higher likelihood of a near-normal or above-normal season, and decreases the chance of a below-normal season to only 15 percent, from the initial outlook issued in May. The season is still expected to be the most active since 2012. Forecasters now expect a 70-percent chance of 12–17 named storms, of which 5–8 are expected to become hurricanes, including 2–4 major hurricanes. The initial outlook called for 10–16 named storms, 4–8 hurricanes, and 1–4 major hurricanes.

CMA CGM to use Kingston As Transshipment Hub

French shipping giant CMA CGM plans to use Kingston Container Terminal,  Jamaica as a strategic Caribbean transshipment hub for an enlarged Panama Canal. The Port connects to US East Coast, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean and northern Brazil. Kingston hub is centrally located in the Caribbean Sea, opposite the Panama Canal just one day’s sailing away, CMA CGM decided long ago to make this a strategic location. “Establishing a hub in Panama would have lengthened the route for certain lines plying the region…

Kongsberg Maritime Opens Office in Panama

Kongsberg Maritime has established a new country office in the Republic of Panama. Opened in January 2016 and situated in the ‘Canal Zone’ close to Panama City, Kongsberg Maritime Panama will service merchant fleet customers transiting the Canal and the extensive tug sector in the region, in addition to providing support for ongoing or planned land reclamation dredging and new port and terminal construction projects. Kongsberg Maritime Panama expands the Norwegian headquartered maritime technology company’s global presence to 65 offices…

C&W Networks Selects Xtera for Submarine Cable Upgrade

C&W Networks, part of Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC), the largest telecommunications service provider across the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico and United States with more than 48,000 miles of subsea fiber-optic network has selected Xtera Communications, Inc., a leading provider of high-capacity, cost-effective optical transport solutions, for upgrading its submarine cable systems in the western Atlantic ocean and the Caribbean Sea to 100G. By introducing Xtera’s 100G coherent solution…

Tourist Boat Sinks off Nicaraguan Island Killing 13 Costa Ricans

Thirteen people died on Saturday after a small tourist boat sank amid strong winds off a remote island in the Caribbean sea, Nicaraguan government spokeswoman Rosario Murillo said. The victims, all from Costa Rica, died when the "Caribbean Queen" sank near Little Corn Island, a remote island 45 miles (70 kilometers) off the coast of Nicaragua. There were 21 people rescued, 13 from Costa Rica, three from Nicaragua, two from Britain, two U.S. citizens and one Brazilian, Murillo said.

NOAA to Explore Depths of Caribbean Sea

Public can watch seafloor discoveries live online April 9-30. Beginning April 9, scientists aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer will begin a series of 20 dives to investigate previously unseen depths of the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean – and the public can follow along online. During dives that are expected to go as deep as 3.7 miles, a sophisticated unmanned submarine, called a remotely operated vehicle, or ROV, will broadcast live video from the seafloor, allowing anyone with Internet access to watch the expedition as it unfolds.

CBP P-3 Crews Disrupt Drug Smuggling

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Air and Marine agents and interagency partners disrupted two separate drug smuggling attempts off the coast of Costa Rica resulting in the interdiction of more than $74 million in illegal drugs. Fla. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Air and Marine agents and interagency partners disrupted two separate drug smuggling attempts off the coast of Costa Rica resulting in the interdiction of more than $74 million in illegal drugs. On Jan.

IMO: New ECA Sulfur Limits FAQ

Ships trading in designated emission control areas will have to use onboard fuel oil with a sulfur content of no more than 0.10% from January 1, 2015, against the limit of 1.00% in effect up until December 31, 2014. To help provide further clarification on the new regulations, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has published a frequently asked question (FAQ) list, available here: http://www.imo.org/MediaCentre/HotTopics/GHG/Documents/sulfur%20limits%20FAQ.pdf. The stricter…

Marine Lubricants Engineer Solves Problems

As a high school track and basketball star and power forward for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Mariners basketball team, Shell Marine Products engineer MayMarie Culton understands a thing or two about coaching. Moreover, she combines six years’ experience sailing around the globe as a marine engineer with her professional career at Shell Marine Products (SMP) to advise customers how to get the best performance from their lubricants. Like sports excellence and coaching, it’s a natural fit.

CBP P-3 Disrupts Attempt to Smuggle cocaine

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Air and Marine P-3 aircrew operating out of National Air Security Operations Center (NASOC)-Jacksonville, Florida, detected a suspicious vessel carrying more than 1,100 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of more than $82.3 million. While patrolling the Pacific Ocean on Nov. 9 during a counter-drug mission, an aircrew aboard a P-3 Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft spotted a high speed vessel moving through an area routinely used by drug smugglers.

USCG, EPA Preparing for ECAs Enforcement

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will soon take action to ensure compliance with the forthcoming 0.10 percent fuel sulphur limits in the North American and U.S. Caribbean Sea Emmission Control Areas (ECAs), the USCG’s Maritime Commons said. “We will be coordinated in our efforts to ensure compliance with the new requirements effective January 1, 2015,” said Rear Adm. Paul Thomas, assistant commandant for Prevention Policy at U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters.

CMA CGM to Apply Low Sulfur Surcharge

CMA CGM said it will implement a low sulfur surcharge on all its trades in Emission Control Areas (ECAs) and for all cargos as of January 1, 2015. MARPOL Annex VI regulations for the prevention of air pollution from ships assign Sulfur Oxides (SOx) Emission Control Areas (ECA) with more stringent controls on sulfur emissions. Stricter regulations covering the sulfur content of fuel oil will be strengthened by local regulators in the European Union, U.S. and Canada. First implemented in the Baltic Sea more than 10 years ago…

USCG Cutter Diligence Returns

The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Diligence returned to Wilmington following a 45-day patrol in the Caribbean Sea. While on patrol, Diligence served as the operational commander for all Coast Guard assets supporting Operation Southeast Watch in the Windward Pass between Cuba and Haiti. As the operational commander, Diligence maintained an overt presence in the Windward Pass to prevent and respond to any overloaded or unseaworthy vessels with persons attempting to reach the United States shoreline.

Kortenoeven Wins UKHO Award

Captain Peter Kortenoeven, Hydrographer of the Royal Netherlands Navy, has been presented with the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office’s (UKHO’s) Alexander Dalrymple Award at a ceremony in London. The award is dedicated to Alexander Dalrymple who was the first Hydrographer of the Navy when the office was founded in 1795. The award was instituted in 2006 to coincide with the annual World Hydrography Day and is made to an individual who, in the opinion of the Senior Leadership team at UKHO, has shown outstanding dedication and delivered major contribution to world hydrography.

Preparations Needed for 2015 Sulphur Regulations

With six months until the January 1, 2015 deadline, owners and operators urged to plan ahead to manage their ECA fuel needs. With exactly six months to go until the 2015 ECA regulations take effect on January 1 next year, marine fuel trading company Dynamic Oil Trading has called on ship owners and operators to prepare now to ensure that they can still meet their supply requirements for compliant products within Emission Control Areas (ECAs), and to work collaboratively with their fuel suppliers in order to minimize the impact on their operations and profitability.

IMO’s MEPC Meets for 66h Session

The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) meets for its 66th session from 31 March to 4 April 2014, at IMO Headquarters in London. Items on the agenda include the consideration of proposed amendments to the MARPOL to make the audit scheme mandatory;  the review of environmental provisions in the draft Polar Code and associated draft amendments to make the Code mandatory, and the implementation of energy-efficiency regulations and the Ballast Water Management and Ship Recycling Conventions.