Contracted Rates to Fall Long-term Due to Conoravirus -Xeneta

The container shipping segment appears to have caught coronavirus, with the industry suffering its first monthly fall in long-term contracted ocean freight rates since October 2019. According to the latest XSI Public Indices report from Xeneta, March 2020 saw a small dip of 0.5% in rates after a sustained period of growth. Although these symptoms look mild, the future is characterized by growing uncertainty, with widespread economic disruption and looming global recession likely…

Outlook for India's Ship-breaking Turns Negative

The outlook for India's ship-breaking industry has turned negative amid volatile scrap prices and a falling rupee, says ICRA.The country's ship-breaking activity, while tepid during CY2019 due to subdued demand and depressed scrap prices, gathered momentum at the start of CY2020 following the implementation of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) sulphur cap regulations from January 2020. But weakness in the international shipping markets further aggravated by the coronavirus has since dampened sentiments.

Remote Training with Vessel-specific Software

Kongsberg Maritime announced an integrated strategy to deliver remote, targeted training for its customers. Providing this service through digital platforms reduces travel, cost, time away from home and climate footprint. Three products – Remote Training, e-Learning and K-CAT (Kongsberg Competence Assessment Tool) – combine to ensure that vessel crews can fully benefit from Kongsberg’s expertise from the convenience and safety of their homes or offices.Remote Training is delivered through established virtual classrooms and online training tools.

The Art of Maritime Manning

“Transparency creates trust and trust creates an environment in which people are more likely to be honest, share ideas and knowledge and collaborate towards common goals.” -Dr. Binay SinghShips cannot run on fuel, fresh and sophisticated equipment, these should have to be operated by sufficient number of adequately trained, qualified and experienced seafarers, these should be manned properly to reach its destination. Dr. Singh, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Singh Marine Management Ltd.…

Managing a Crisis: Covid-19 and the Threat to Critical National Infrastructure

In the midst of uncertainty and significant risk to people’s health, it is clear that the need for robust and accurate screening and testing of Covid-19 is needed now more than ever.The social and health implications of Covid-19 have already been well documented. However, what still remains largely unclear, is how badly Critical National Infrastructure and supply chain is going to suffer and what measures can be put in place to preserve it, especially offshore.It is imperative that workers involved in the energy industry are supported in their efforts to keep operations running.

Opinion: Getting Ahead of the Reality

In a few short months, the mayhem wrought by coronavirus has changed the world. Our response to the epidemic [more than the virus itself] has the potential to permanently alter the balance of the global economy. But it might be the kind of Black Swan event that we need to trigger real change in the shipping industry – and in particular its approach to digitalization of vessel operation.Like the worldview bubbles created by social media algorithms and fake news, the maritime industry is living in its own digitalization fantasyland - one fueled by vendor delusion and media misinformation.

Hanseaticsoft Urges Companies to Help Seafarers Reduce Stress

This year as Stress Awareness month (April) coincides with a global pandemic Hanseaticsoft, a provider of maritime software is urging shipping companies to tackle stress and depression amongst seafarers by ensuring connectivity at sea.During the coronavirus crisis this is even more imperative. Global travel restrictions and changes to crew change over frequencies could start to have a negative impact on seafarer’s health and well being if they have to stay on their ship longer…

Cargo Shipping to Keep EU Antitrust Exemption until 2024

Cargo shipping companies will be exempt from antitrust rules against anti-competitive agreements for a further four years until 2024 because this leads to lower prices and better consumer services, EU antitrust regulators said on Tuesday.First adopted in 2009 and extended for five years in 2014, the consortia block exemption regulation will be prolonged for four more years to April 2024, the European Commission said in a statement.It allows liner shipping operators with a combined market share below 30% to cooperate to provide joint liner shipping services…

E-Navigation is the Future of Shipping

Trading worldwide without electronic tools is no longer an option, young navigators and crew are switched on to digital technology and they want to have this new technology at their fingertips rather than the messy, slow and labour and paper-intensive methods of the past.Tor Svanes, the founder and CEO of NAVTOR, believes that electronic chart and display information systems (ECDIS) is now a must have navigational tool in the modern era.ECDIS has become the modus operandi on all ships…

Wärtsilä Simulation Technology for SAMK

The technology group Wärtsilä has delivered a navigation simulator and specific mathematical models to the Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK) in the city of Rauma, Finland. These will be used as an essential enabler in the Intelligent Shipping Technology Test Laboratory (ISTLAB) project, which aims at creating a technically precise testing environment for remotely controlled, autonomous vessels. The contract with Wärtsilä was signed in the 4th quarter of 2019.The test laboratory project is the first of its kind in the world…

UAE Bans Ship Over Fuel Breach

The world's number two container line MSC is in talks with the United Arab Emirates after the Gulf country banned one of their vessels from entering its waters over what authorities said was a breach of tough new sulphur emissions rules for ships.This is one of the first punitive actions taken by a jurisdiction since regulations came into effect in January which make it mandatory for ships to use fuel with a sulphur content of 0.5%, down from 3.5% previously, or install devices that strip out the toxic pollutant - known as scrubbers.Ships were no longer able to even carry high sulphur fuel fro

Video: IMO Secretary General Kitack Lim Weighs in on COVID-19

International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General stressed vital need to maintain commerce by sea and protect seafarers' welfare in face of coronavirus shutdown.IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim issued the following statement addressing the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on the shipping industry and the global supply chain:The spread of the coronavirus has placed the entire world in an unprecedented situation. To slow the spread of the disease and mitigate its impacts, travel is being curtailed and borders are being closed. Transport hubs are being affected.

Remote Working: Tips for Shipping Companies to Sustain Business During the Coronavirus Pandemic

As companies globally are increasingly shifting to remote working to help stop the spread of Coronavirus, Hanseaticsoft has put together a series of tips to help shipping companies keep their business and workforce agile.Some of the biggest companies in the world including Oracle, Apple, Google and Amazon have already restricted travel and asked employees to work remotely[i]. With the situation changing daily shipping companies need to prepare as much as they can to minimize business disruption.

COVID-19: South Africa Bans Cruise Ships

South Africa banned all passenger vessels from its ports on Wednesday due to the coronavirus outbreak, leaving tourists on a cruise ship docked in Cape Town in limbo following tests for possible COVID-19 cases on board.The MV AidAmira's more than 1,700 passengers and crew have been unable to leave the ship since Monday, after a crew member on a cargo ship who shared a plane with six passengers on the liner showed symptoms of the coronavirus.Port authorities quarantined the Italian-flagged AidAmira while the six passengers were tested for coronavirus.All those tests came back negative, South Af

Indonesia Revokes Rule Requiring Domestic Ships for Some Exports

Indonesia's government will revoke rules requiring exporters of coal and palm oil to use domestic shipping companies for shipments, Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan told reporters on Wednesday.Indonesia, the world's biggest thermal coal exporter, issued regulations in 2018 requiring its coal and palm oil exporters to use domestic shipping companies, which were due to come into force this May.The government has since concluded that the rule would be disruptive for exports and President Joko Widodo has ordered it to be revoked…

COVID-19 and Supply Chain Implications for Ocean Shipping

Only 10 days ago, reports indicated that China cargoes were returning to pre-coronavirus levels, and there appeared to be light at the end of the tunnel. Today, however, a barrage of new headlines has underscored the impact on the rapidly changing global supply chain, including in the United States. In addition to the aggressive spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), new economic developments indicate a decreased trend in global manufacturing. Changes in local economies negatively impacting employees reflect corresponding changes in consumer buying patterns.

NYK Intros World’s 1st Onboard Digital Currency

Japanese shipping giant NYK unveiled what it claims to be the world’s first onboard use of digital currency through the MarCoPay fintech platform, which is operated by NYK and the Philippine-owned Transnational Diversified Group (TDG).Using MarCoPay, onboard purchases of daily necessities have been successfully performed digitally and hassle-free on a number of vessels, including those operated by other companies, and even in an unstable onboard communication environment.NYK and TDG will continue to prepare for a full launch…

Baltic Exchange Authorized as Benchmark Administrator in the EU

The Baltic Exchange’s subsidiary, Baltic Exchange Information Services Ltd (BEISL), has been authorized by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as a benchmark administrator under EU Benchmark Regulation. This means that the Baltic Exchange’s daily dry bulk, tanker and gas freight indices are regulated by an EU National Competent Authority.“We are very pleased to have received authorization from the FCA,” commented Baltic Exchange Chief Executive Mark Jackson. “This status ensures that financial institutions…

Gujarat Pipavav Port Organizes Training at the Port

Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd (GPPL), and Pipavav Customs Brokers association (PCBA), in partnership with the Logistics Sector Skills Council; organized a daylong seminar cum training titled ‘Recognition of Prior Learning of Logistics (RPL)’, at the port on March 7th, 2020. The training program was inaugurated by Mr. P.M. Tripathi, Dy. Commissioner of customs and Capt. P. Ravindranath, Head of Port Infrastructure GPPL.The training program was attended by around 160 candidates representing Customs House Agents, port, shipping lines, Container Freight Station etc.

CG Medevacs Woman From Cruise Ship Off New Jersey Coast

The U.S. Coast Guard medevaced a 53-year-old woman approximately 120 miles off the coast of New Jersey, Sunday evening.The captain of the cruise ship Norwegian Gem contacted watch standers at Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay’s command center at 2:30 p.m. and notified them that a passenger was suffering from abdominal issues and needed a higher level of care.An aircrew aboard and HC-130 Hercules airplane from Air Station Elizabeth City, N,C. launched to sustain communications due to distance…

Forth Ports Orders Harbor Tug

Damen Shipyards Group has signed a contract with Forth Ports Limited for an ASD Tug 2312. The new vessel will operate as part of the Forth Estuary Towage operation, conducting towage work at various Forth Ports locations as well as providing towage services to other external customers in Scotland.Forth Ports has a range of existing operations in the Forth and Tay Estuaries that will benefit from the acquisition of this new vessel, however, the new vessel will also provide opportunities to service new emerging markets such as decommissioning and offshore wind.

Booking Frenzy Sends Tanker Rates Soaring

The cost to transport oil on supertankers soared on Thursday as major producers scrambled to secure vessels to ship more crude in a bid to regain market share and buyers took advantage of plunging oil prices.Freight charges to ship oil in very large crude carriers (VLCCs) from the Middle East, which is home to the largest OPEC producers, to China, the world's top crude oil importer, nearly doubled overnight.VLCC tanker rates along the busy Middle East Gulf to China route jumped to about $160…

Ship Hull Cleaning: Shipowners Should Be Proactive to Improve Hull Performance

While owners have long recognized the link between clean hulls and lower fuel costs, lack of reliable data has slowed investments in optimizing hull performance. But with improved sensor technologies and data analysis tools, hull performance is getting a second look. Owners seeking to lower fuel costs and comply with pending regulations on emissions and invasive species often look to equipment manufacturers to meet their needs. From new efficient engine designs to alternative fuels, scrubbers to ballast water treatments systems, owners face some expensive decisions.

SHI Wins $314M Orders for 3 Shuttle Tankers

South Korean shipyard giant Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) has won a 361.1 billion won ($314.4 million) deal to build three shuttle tankers in Asia.The shipbuilder disclosed in a regulatory filing that Suezmax shuttle tankers will be delivered to the unnamed Asian shipper by July 2022.A shuttle tanker is a ship designed to transport oil from an offshore oil field to a storage tank and is equipped with a variety of offloading equipment.Samsung Heavy said it is the leading player in the global shuttle tanker market…

Interview: Toyohisa Nakano Discusses "K" Line Green Initiatives

Last year Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line) – one of the world’s largest and most influential ship owners with 478 ships comprising 40.5 million DWT and more than 6,000 employees – celebrated its 100th anniversary. Toyohisa Nakano, Executive Officer, in charge of Ship Technical and Environmental Affairs for “K” Line, is a 30+ year veteran of the company. He discusses with Maritime Reporter & Engineering News the ship owner’s strategy to meet ever-tightening ship emission regulations.Please provide an overview of the ships you have on order today.We placed an order for 210…

Furgo Backs Australia’s Hydrographic Program

The Australian Government has selected Fugro to join the HydroScheme Industry Partnership Program (HIPP) to increase Australia’s hydrographic industry capability.The panel of industry partners was chosen as part of a long-term strategy to ensure safe shipping routes, commercial ports and maritime approaches within the Australian Charting Area.Panel members will acquire marine environmental data to produce digital maps of Australia’s sea and coastal areas that will improve the safety of maritime vessels operating in Australia’s sea charting area…

LA, Long Beach Ports Strengthen Collaboration

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach Sign MOU to enhance competitveness. The newly approved memorandum of understanding (MOU) is an opportunity to explore five areas of additional cooperation that will enhance competitiveness: cargo transfer predictability, digital connectivity, cybersecurity, establishing metrics and workforce development.“Our two ports are the fastest way to move goods between Asia and U.S. markets and manufacturers,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero.

Northland Expands Offshore Wind Pipeline in Asia

Canadian power producer Northland Power will acquire Dado Ocean Wind Farm, a development company with multiple early-stage offshore wind development sites in South Korea.Dado Ocean is currently owned by Eui Jeong Hwang, a wind power developer who will continue to support the project as a local partner, working together with Northland to achieve key milestones for the project. The acquisition is expected to close in the coming weeks, subject to customary closing conditions.According to Northland, the acquisition builds on the company's presence in Asia and specifically in South Korea.

DP World Buys North American Terminal

Dubai-based port operator DP World announced it has completed the acquisition of Fraser Surrey Docks in Canada from Macquarie Infrastructure Partners (MIP) alongside its partner Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ).The enabler of global trade said in a press release that said the acquisition complements its footprint in Canada, which also includes terminal operations in Vancouver, Nanaimo, Prince Rupert and St John’s, without disclosing the value of the purchase.The integrated coast-to-coast platform provides customers with bulk…

GTT Acquires Marorka

French LNG containment specialist  Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT) has acquired 100 percent of the share capital of the Icelandic smart shipping specialist Marorka.Based in Iceland and specialized in Smart Shipping, Marorka designs maritime energy monitoring and optimization systems for vessels, allowing them to reduce their environmental footprint. The company’s systems have been installed on more than 600 vessels.The shipping industry has started its environmental transition in January 2020…

Green Bunker Demand Jumps at Rotterdam

Low-sulfur fuel sales rose sharply in Rotterdam in the last quarter leading up to the implementation of International Maritime Organisation (IMO) 0.5pc sulfur cap on 1 January.According to Port of Rotterdam, the demand for LNG, bio and low-sulfur bunkers has increased enormously in Rotterdam over the past year. Total sales in this largest European bunker port fell from 9.5 million m3 to 9 million m3.In the last quarter of 2019, sales of low-sulfur bunker oil with a maximum sulfur content of 0.5% – the so-called VLSFO, very low sulfur fuel oil – increased enormously.

Global Container Demand to Grow by 1-3% in 2020

For 2020, global container demand is projected to grow by 1-3%, as per forecast by A.P. Moller - Maersk.The continued weak global sentiment above all in the manufacturing sector reduces the likelihood of a material growth pick-up in 2020, although sentiment brightened a bit at the end of 2019, and some improvement can be expected on the back of stabilizing inventory dynamics, said the shipping giant.Aside from the cyclical slowing of the global economy, substantial risk to global container demand comes from the effectiveness of fiscal and monetary policy in major economies…

New Digital Platform for Marine Fuels and Lubricants

A new online platform has been developed to help ship operators source marine fuels and lubricants in ports across the world.Bulugo said its purpose-built platform is easy to use and aims to provides fast and transparent pricing globally to simplify business for buyers and sellers.Bulugo enables ship operators to reduce the time and cost involved in sourcing fuel and lubricants by searching an online database of potential suppliers across several criteria – including fuel type, port, date of availability and compliance with IMO sulphur regulations.

Shipping Industry Faces $370 mln Hit From New Panama Canal Charge

A new "freshwater" charge that came in this month to help the Panama Canal cope with climate change will cost the shipping industry up to $370 million a year, marking another blow for maritime companies already hit by fallout from the coronavirus.The Panama Canal, one of world's busiest shipping routes, which handled nearly 14,000 transits last year, said last month it would introduce a charge from Feb. 15 of $10,000 for any vessel more than 125 feet long.The canal, which relies on water from nearby Gatun Lake, has been hit by drought which affects water levels in the chokepoint.

COVID-19 Could Impact Indian Shipping

India’s shipping and ports industry is likely to be negatively impacted by the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) across China and South-East Asia, according to credit rating agency ICRA.China has been a major driver of global shipping trade in tanker, dry bulk and container segments. The tanker rates had witnessed a spike in Q4 CY2019 due to several factors, including supply correction arising from sanctions on a major Chinese company and Iranian vessels, prospects of US-China…

Hapag-Lloyd: Asia Business 'Overall Stable' Amid Virus Outbreak

German container shipping line Hapag-Lloyd said on Tuesday its business in Asia was "overall stable," although the coronavirus outbreak had extended the traditionally slack period around China's Lunar New Year holiday.China's efforts to control the virus had extended the normal factory shutdowns for the New Year festivities to anywhere between Feb. 8 and Feb. 14, depending on the region, a spokesman for the world's fifth largest container carrier told Reuters.However, Hapag-Lloyd's fleet was operating largely as normal…

EU Clears OLT Takeover by SNAM and FSI

The European Commission has approved the acquisition of OLT Offshore LNG Toscana by SNAM and the UK’s First State Investments International (FSI), under the EU merger regulation.According to the Commission, OLT is active in the management of a floating storage and regasification unit for liquefied natural gas in Italy.SNAM is the holding company of the Snam group, which is active in the development and integrated management of gas infrastructures and, in particular, in the transmission…

Transocean Drilling Revenues up at $792M

Transocean, the world's largest offshore drilling contractor, said that its total contract drilling revenues were $792 million (total adjusted contract drilling revenues of $839 million), compared with $784 million in the third quarter of 2019 (total adjusted contract drilling revenues of $832 million).Contract drilling revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2019, increased sequentially by $8 million, primarily due to rig reactivations, including of the ultra‑deepwater…

Sembcorp in Offshore R&D Pact with A*Star

The global marine and offshore engineering group Sembcorp Marine and Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star) have agreed to deepen their research and development (R&D) collaboration for the offshore marine and clean energy sectors.By signing a master research collaboration agreement (MRCA) the two parties aim to “shorten the development cycle and time-to-market of new offshore, marine and clean energy solutions achieved through their research efforts”.Sembmarine and A*Star will set up Joint Lab@TBY…

Wärtsilä to Supply Scrubbers to NCL

European technology giant Wärtsilä will be supplying hybrid scrubber system packages for Norwegian Cruise Line's (NCL) Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway.According to a press note from Wärtsilä, the scrubber systems have been ‘specially customized to meet the specific needs’ of the two cruise ships – which included adapting ‘to meet the ships’ restricted space availability’.The scrubber systems will enable the 325 meters long cruise vessels to be in compliance with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) sulfur restriction legislation while operating on heavy fuel oil (HFO).

Ships to Face 30% Higher Costs at Panama

The Panama Canal will begin collecting a freshwater surcharge from ships using the waterway from 15th February, as part of actions to address a scarcity of rainfall after the surrounding area recorded its fifth driest year of the last seven decades in 2019.The charge will be set at $10,000 for any vessel over 125 feet long. There will also be a variable surcharge based on the level of the Gatun Lake at the time of transit.The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) calculate this move will increase costs to ships passing through the Panama Canal by up to 15%.

IMO's Women in Port Management Course

To encourage More women are joining the maritime ranks in a variety of professions within the industry and with a view to continuing the momentum to empower women in the maritime community, International Maritime Organization (IMO) is supporting a training course aimed at female officials from maritime and port authorities.Twenty-two women from 10 francophone countries in Africa - Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon,  Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Guinea, Madagascar, Senegal, Seychelles and Togo -…

Shell, Qatargas Sign LNG Deal for Kuwait

The world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) producer Qatargas has signed a new, long-term LNG sale and purchase agreement (SPA) with Shell to deliver 1 million tons per annum of LNG to Kuwait, commencing this year.Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs said, “We are pleased to announce this new long term agreement between Qatargas and Shell for the supply of LNG to the State of Kuwait, following the recent agreement signed between Qatar Petroleum and Kuwait Petroleum Corporation.

KSOE Wades into the Red

South Korean manufacturer of oil tankers, cargo and passenger vessels, and warships, Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE) reported its fourth-quarter net loss of 26.2 billion won (US$ 22.2 million), remaining in the red compared with a year ago.The KSOE is an intermediate holding firm controlling Hyundai Heavy Industries and two other Hyundai Heavy Industries Group shipbuilders.According to a regulatory filing, operating profit for the October-December period last year was 169.9 billion, compared with a loss of 246.4 billion won a year ago.

Australia Ship Sim Center Opens

The Western Australian Minister for Ports, the Hon. Alannah MacTiernan MLC opened the expanded facilities of HR Wallingford’s new Australia Ship Simulation Center.HR Wallingford has added two new purpose-built simulators to its center in Fremantle, bringing the total number of simulators that it owns and operates there to six. This makes it one of the largest ship simulation centers in Australia and allows a full maneuvering team (including pilots, tug masters and vessel traffic service (VTS) operators) to conduct integrated and immersive full port scenarios.In her speech…

Oakland Port Appoints McKenney COO

Port of Oakland has appointed veteran aviation executive Kristi McKenney as its Chief Operating Officer (COO).Executive Director Danny Wan announced the appointment today after the Port’s governing Board created the new position last month. Ms. McKenney had been serving as Assistant Director of Aviation at the Port’s Oakland International Airport.“I’m grateful to the Board for establishing the COO position and pleased that Kristi is joining our executive team,” said Wan. “We’re…

Coronavirus Disrupts Global Container Shipping

China's fast-spreading coronavirus is throwing the global container shipping trade out of sync, with lines re-routing cargoes and reducing calls to Chinese ports, setting the scene for months of delivery delays ahead, industry sources said.The spread of the deadly virus has shut down cities and factories in China and disrupted global air travel.China's decision to extend its Lunar New Year holiday period until Feb. 10 has compounded logistical complications, despite its ports staying open.

Finnlines Ferry Trio to Go with Wärtsilä

Finnish corporation Wärtsilä will supply its hybrid power conversion system for three new roro ferries being built at the Nanjing Jinling shipyard in China for Finnlines, part of the Italian Grimaldi Group. The order with Wärtsilä was placed in Q4 2019.The hybrid solution, which includes a 5000 kWh energy storage system, will enable these ships to operate with zero emissions while in port, and to meet the Registro Italiano Navale (RINA) Green Plus class notation. They will also…

Capesize Index Turns Negative for the First Time Ever

Capesize index plummets to -133, the first time ever in negative territory – is it all up from here?The Baltic Exchange Capesize Index (BCI) dropped to -133 index points on February 4, 2020, turning negative for the first time ever on January 31, 2020. The composite BDI index (BDI), which has excluded the more stable handysize segment since March 2018, also dropped on February 4, 2020 to settle at 453 index points.The BCI has been on a freefall through the entirety of December, but the descent started to pick up more steam during the past couple of weeks.

MarTID 2020: A Call to Action

The 2020 Maritime Training Insights Database (MarTID) survey has just been launched. The industry needs you to take 20 minutes to complete the survey at www.MarTID.org before it closes. Your contribution will enable the creation of 2020’s comprehensive, freely distributed, global maritime training practices report that members of our industry rely on more heavily each year.Take the SurveyVessel Operator survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2020MarTIDOperatorMETI survey…

USMMA Board of Visitors to Convene

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao has announced the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy’s (USMMA) new 16 member Board of Visitors will convene for the first time at Kings Point on Monday, February 3 at 9:00 a.m. (click here for additional information). The Board will serve through October 2021.“The Department is dedicated to providing midshipmen with the finest possible education, preparing them to excel as mariners and military officers,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L.

Polar Research Ship Commissions Lifeboats

UK’s new polar research ship being built at Cammell Laird in Birkenhead RRS Sir David Attenborough has achieved another important milestone with the commissioning and testing of the ship’s lifeboats and lifeboat davits.The lifeboats, each capable of carrying 90 people, are now in position on both sides of the vessel, along with the operational davits that allow for the safe deployment and recovery of the boats.RRS Sir David Attenborough is the first International Maritime Organisation’s Polar Code-compliant ship to have been built in the UK.

EIB Fund Greek LNG Bunkering Vessel Construction

European Investment Bank (EIB) and Public Gas Corporation of Greece (DEPA) have signed an agreement to finance with up to 20 million euros the construction of a new liquid natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessel for maritime use in Greece which will be based in Piraeus. EIB said that the first vessel of its kind in Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean will have a capacity of 3,000 cubic meters and will be supplied with LNG at Revithoussa LNG terminal.The bunker tanker will refuel its LNG at Revithoussa LNG terminal and will carry out bunkering both in Piraeus and other Greek ports…

Fueltrax Earns Certification by Verifavia

Verifavia Shipping, the independent accredited environmental verification and auditing body for maritime industry, has certified Fueltrax, against the European Union’s (EU) Monitoring Reporting and Verification (MRV) regulation requirements and IMO Data Collection System (DCS).The EU MRV regulation requires ships of 5,000 gross tonnages or higher to collect data from previous years to monitor CO2 emissions, fuel consumption, and other parameters, such as distance traveled, time at sea, and cargo carried on a per voyage basis.

New CBP Office Opens on NC Ports Terminal

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has opened an office on-terminal at the Port of Wilmington, in North Carolina.North Carolina Ports leaders welcomed CBP officials Tuesday to celebrate the opening of the office which will support the agency’s efforts in the security of cargo movements through the Wilmington terminal. Paul J. Cozza, Executive Director, North Carolina Ports, said, “CBP has long played an important role in the safety and security of our facilities. This new…

Dan-Bunkering Appoints Four Bunker Traders

Dan-Bunkering has announced the employment of four new bunker traders for the office in Dubai: Shiwei Liao, Elise Huang, Farid Babayev, Jinu Jagan.The latest hiring makes the Middle Eastern office the largest office of the Dan-Bunkering group in terms of number of traders.Shiwei Liao was born and raised in southern China and started his career within the Dan-Bunkering group in the Shanghai office in 2013. During an internal desk swap exercise a couple of years back, Liao found himself quite fund of the international environment Dubai had to offer…

IMO, WISTA Join on Gender Diversity

The Women's International Shipping and Trading Association Limited (WISTA International) and International Maritime Organization (IMO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on promoting greater diversity and inclusion through enhanced cooperation activities in the maritime field.According to a press release from the UN body, these activities will lay the groundwork for further discussion on how a diverse workforce will be essential for a sustainable future.Initiatives already under way include a study to collect and analyze data on the number of women employed in the maritime sector…

Tallink to Repair Silja Europa at Turku Yard

Estonian shipping company Tallink Grupp said that its vessel Silja Europa has set sail to Turku Repair Yard in Naantali, Finland for scheduled maintenance and planned renewal works that would make the ship more environmentally friendly.The 1993-built vessel will stay in Turku Repair Yard for two weeks, returning to the Tallinn-Helsinki route on February 9, said a press note from the provider of mini-cruise and passenger transport services in the northern Baltic Sea region.During the scheduled docking, the vessel will undergo considerable renovation of several key passenger areas.

Gasum Performs 200th LNG Bunkering Operation

The Nordic energy company Gasum said its LNG bunkering vessel Coralius has successfully performed its 200th ship-to-ship LNG bunkering operation.The vessel receiving the LNG fuel was Fjord Line’s MS Stavangerfjord. The bunkering took place while Stavangerfjord underwent periodical maintenance at the Fayard yard in Odense, Denmark.“We normally supply LNG to Stavangerfjord by a loading arm on a regular basis directly from our LNG plant in Risavika,” said Gunnar Helmen, Sales Manager at Gasum.“It’s great to get this opportunity to supply the cruise ferry with LNG in dock in Denmark.

OSV Orion Fueled with LNG in Germany

The world’s largest LNG bunker vessel ‘Kairos’, operated by Nauticor, has supplied DEME’s next generation offshore installation vessel Orion, this first such ship-to-ship bunker transfer at the Port of Rostock.Orion is currently at the Liebherr construction yard in the Port of Rostock, where it is being outfitted with a 5,000-ton crane. The new offshore installation vessel is the fifth dual fuel addition to the DEME fleet, following three trailing suction hopper dredgers (Minerva…