Greece News

SPII Holdings Finalizes Acquisition of DryShips

The shareholders of the dry bulk shipping company based in Athens, Greece, DryShips,  voted in favor of the proposal to authorize and approve the previously announced agreement and plan of merger with SPII Holdings.SPII, a company controlled by DryShips’ chairman and CEO, George Economou, would acquire the outstanding shares of common stock, USD 0.01 par value, of the company that it does not already own for USD 5.25 per share in cash, without interest.In connection with the completion of the transaction…

Greece Trims Piraeus Port investment plan

Greece has trimmed an investment plan by Piraeus Port Authority (PPA) to boost operations at one of Europe's largest harbours, rejecting proposals for a new container terminal.PPA, majority owned by China's COSCO Shipping , had submitted to Greece's shipping ministry an 800-million-euro plan, which included a new cruise ship terminal, a mall and four hotels in the port.PPA had also proposed to build a fourth container terminal that would boost Piraeus' total throughput to 10 million…

Containership Strikes Tanker in Greece

Japanese carrier Ocean Network Express (ONE) confirmed reports that its chartered containership ONE Blue Jay came into contact with a chemical tanker near Port of Perama, Piraeus, Greece, at around 2 p.m. local time on Thursday."There are no reports of pollution from ONE Blue Jay, and we can confirm our crew are safe," ONE said in a statement. Local authorities said there were 23 crew on board the containership at the time of the incident. The Japanese flagged vessel is currently berthed at the Port of Permana while investigations are ongoing…

ChartCo Opens New Office in Greece

ChartCo, the global provider of digital navigation and compliance solutions, has expanded its global network of offices to Piraeus, Greece to help provide dedicated support for customers in this region for the shipping industries.The global leader in digital navigation services is currently supplying and supporting customers in commercial shipping, offshore, cruising and superyachts all around the world and has a prominent presence of offices in the UK, Europe and Southeast Asia.Over the past decade…

Hill International to Develop Thessaloniki Port

A consortium led by Hill International has won a contract from Thessaloniki Port Authority (THPA) in Greece to support major expansion works at Thessaloniki port.Hill International, a player in managing construction risk, announced that it has signed an agreement with THPA as leader of a consortium including Rogan Associates SA, to provide design and project management services for the planned expansion of the marine works infrastructure of Pier 6.The Port of Thessaloniki is the…

Piraeus Port Beefs Up Investment Plan, Awaits Greece's Approval

Piraeus Port Authority (PPA), operator of Greece's largest port, has increased its investment plans to attract more business at one of Europe's largest harbours, a government spokesman said on Wednesday.PPA, majority owned by China's COSCO Shipping , has submitted to Greece's shipping ministry an 800-million-euro plan, government spokesman Stelios Petsas told reporters.A PPA official told Reuters that a ministerial committee will discuss the plan on Sept. 25 and is likely to approve it…

Iranian Tanker Deviates from Turkish Destination

Iranian tanker Adrian Darya, at the centre of a dispute between Washington and Tehran, has changed course away from the Turkish coast, Refinitiv ship tracking data showed on Thursday.The tanker, formerly called Grace 1, was released from detention off Gibraltar in mid-August after a five-week standoff over whether it was carrying Iranian oil to Syria in violation of European Union sanctions.A Turkish official told Reuters earlier on Thursday that the Iranian tanker had not entered Turkish waters.

Tanker Owner, Operator & Officers Guilty in ECA Crimes

The owner and operator will pay a total criminal fine of $3,000,000.00.U.S. Attorney Gretchen Shappert for the District of the Virgin Islands announced that IONIAN SHIPPING & TRADING CORP., LILY SHIPPING LTD., STAMATIOS ALEKIDIS, ATHANASIOS PITTAS and REY ESPULGAR have been convicted and sentenced for various pollution, recordkeeping, and obstruction of justice crimes on the Motor Tanker (“M/T”) Ocean Princess in St. Croix, U.S.V.I. The defendants’ conduct included using fuel that exceeded the maximum allowable sulfur concentration in the U.S. Caribbean Emission Control Area (“U.S.

Iran: Oil Sold from Tanker Released by Gibraltar

Iran has sold the oil from a tanker released by Gibraltar after weeks in the custody of British Royal Marines and the vessel's owner will decide on its next destination, IRIB news agency quoted an Iranian government spokesman as saying on Monday.Separately, Tehran - embroiled in a spiralling confrontation with Washington over U.S. sanctions meant to strangle Iranian oil exports - announced that it had deployed a naval destroyer with cruise missiles to help secure Iranian ships.The Iranian government spokesman did not identify the recipient of the oil carried by the Adrian Darya tanker.

APC Announces Retirement of Harrington

Advanced Polymer Coatings (APC) has announced the retirement of Joseph F. Harrington after 25 years with Advanced Polymer Coatings. In 1994 he was approached by Don Keehan, Chairman of Advanced Polymer Coatings, to further develop the Marine Coatings industry with APC’s MarineLINE high-performance coating. Today MarineLINE is the industry leader in high performance coatings for the chemical tanker industry.APC President David Keehan says, “Joe Harrington has had a remarkable track record of 59 years in the coatings industry.

UAE Presence Grows in the Maritime World

Over recent years the United Arab Emirates has emerged as an important maritime hub with grand ambitions. Mark Venables visited the region to discover what is driving that growth.When the UAE was elected to the IMO Council as a Category B member, it immediately raised its profile within the maritime community. The Emirates have taken a significant step forward in the maritime world.Despite this success, the region remains a challenging market for shipping and logistics. One of…

Shanghai Ports Tops in Connectivity

The Shanghai port has topped UNCTAD’s 2019 ranking of the world’s best-connected ports, released yesterday (7 August).The Chinese port garnered a connectivity score of 134 points, followed by the ports of Singapore (124.63 points), Pusan (114.45 points) in Korea and Ningbo (114.35 points), also in China. The index is set at 100 for the best-connected port in 2006, which was Hong Kong, China.Besides the Asian ports, the other ports on the top 10 list are those of Antwerp (94 points) in Belgium and Rotterdam (93 points) in the Netherlands.

Glencore's Shipoil to Digitalize IMO 2020 Ops

The Greece-based global bunker fuel and marine lubricants trader Shipoil has appointed Inatech, a unit of Glencore, to digitalize its trading and supply operations as part of a strategy to prevent new low-sulphur emissions rules from 2020 eating into profits.Shipoil offers worldwide bunker supply. The company, based in Piraeus, has been expanding its operations, most recently in the Mediterranean and Middle East.Inatech’s energy trading and risk management (ETRM) system for the bunker industry uses cloud-based computing to reduce operational and counterparty risk…

Piraeus Bank mulls Asian Pacific partner for Shipping Financing

Piraeus Bank is looking into a strategic partnership with a major Asian Pacific financial conglomerate that will help it provide financing to Greek shipping companies, Greece's largest lender by assets said on Friday.Piraeus did not name the Asian partner, nor provide details of what form such a deal would take."This pioneering initiative forms part of Piraeus Bank’s continued commitment to the shipping community, through investment of international capital into existing opportunities and new financing to the shipping industry…

Light Sweet Crude Exports Jump at LOOP

The Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP) exported a record 283,333 barrels per day of light sweet crude last month, according to trade sources, as prices weakened against global Brent.LOOP, which exports mostly medium sour grades produced in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, last month exported more than twice the amount of light sweet from the prior month. Overall exports of U.S. crude hit a record 3.77 million barrels per day (bpd) one week in June, U.S. government data showed.A decline in oil imports at the facility, stemming from record U.S.

Telenor Maritime, Anek Lines Sign Pact

Greek passenger shipping company Anek Lines has partnered with Telenor Maritime, which builds 4G coverage offshore to support the oil & gas industry,  to upgrade the mobile ecosystem onboard all its ships.The connectivity platform with Mobile, Premium Wi-Fi, Ka-VSAT and mobile broadband backhaul improves the complete digital value chain with services enhancing operational efficiency and the passenger’s onboard experience.Lars Erik Lunøe, CEO of Telenor Maritime said: "This is an important step for Telenor Maritime’s service-expansion into the Mediterranean…

Cruise Ships Emits More Pollution into Europe

Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest luxury cruise operator, emitted nearly 10 times more sulphur oxide (SOX) around European coasts than did all  260 million European cars in 2017,  said Transport & Environment.Royal Caribbean Cruises, the world’s second largest, is second, yet four times worse than the European car fleet, revealed a new analysis by sustainable transport group.SOX emissions form sulphate (SO4) aerosols that increase human health risks and contribute to acidification in terrestrial and aquatic environments.In absolute terms…

Neo-Panamax Container Market Looks Better

Neo-Panamax container vessels experienced increased activity during the first quarter of 2019, compared to the fourth quarter of 2018, said  Capital Product Partners.While charter rates for feeder and panamax vessels remained relatively flat due to, among other things, the overhang of idle tonnage, charter rates for Neo-panamax vessels, especially 8,000 TEU designs or larger, saw marked increases, with 12-month charters being contracted at average daily gross rates of approximately $24…

ShipMoney Crew Payment Solutions for Tsakos

Seafarers employed on Tsakos-owned vessels operated under its management arrangement with Columbia Shipmanagement will now be paid electronically as opposed to by ‘Cash-by-Master’, under an agreement signed with ShipMoney.The deal means crew members will have control and access to their wages while onboard ship, including the timing and currency of remittances sent home. It will  reduce the need for large amounts of cash to be delivered to ships and eliminate the need for Tsakos to administer individual crew wire payments sent to home bank accounts.

GasLog, GasLog Partners Name COO Designate

GasLog and GasLog Partners announced that Paolo Enoizi has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer (COO) Designate of GasLog and GasLog Partners.Paolo, who will be based in Piraeus, Greece, will take up his role in August 2019 and initially work alongside current COO Richard Sadler to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities.On joining GasLog in August 2017 and in addition to his day-to-day responsibilities, Richard indicated his desire to work with the rest of the senior leadership team to identify a long-term successor for the COO role.

ShipMoney Rolls Out Crew Payment Solutions

Seafarers employed on Tsakos-owned vessels operated under its management arrangement with Columbia Shipmanagement will now be paid electronically as opposed to by ‘Cash-by-Master’, under an agreement signed with global maritime payments provider ShipMoney.The deal means crewmembers will have complete control and access to their wages while onboard ship, including the timing and currency of remittances sent home. It will also dramatically reduce the need for large amounts of cash…

Intermarine UK Names Agent for Greece, Cyprus

UK-based maritime engineering company Intermarine UK has appointed the shipping agent Olimpic as its representative in Greece and Cyprus.Intermarine President Slawomir Kalicki said the new agreement will see Olimpic charged with bringing Greek and Cypriot-owned and registered ships into its 2400 sqm ship repair facility in Portland Port on England’s south coast.Olimpic president Georgios Orfanos, who was born in Poland to Greek parents, said he will be bringing an extensive contact…

Cruise Meet at Posidonia Forum

The biennial Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum will be held from May 28-29, 2019, at the Domotel Kastri Conference Center, in Athens’ northern suburbs. Here there will be more than 30 senior cruise executives responsible for ports and destinations from the world’s biggest cruise lines, including MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Holland America Group, Disney Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines and Celestyal Cruises among others.Elisabetta De Nardo, VP Port Development…

ARC Loads Cargo in Thessaloniki

The largest U.S.-flagged roll-on roll-off (Ro-Ro) carrier American Roll-on Roll-off Carrier (ARC) said that its M/V Patriot loaded equipment for the Army’s 4th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) at the port of Thessaloniki.M/V Patriot moved a mix of helicopters, vehicles, containers and support equipment used to take part in Operation Atlantic Resolve for 4th CAB, which is returning to Fort Carson, Colorado. 4th CAB is being replaced by 1st CAB from Ft. Riley, Kansas, said a press release.Operation Atlantic Resolve has been ongoing in Europe since 2014…

Piraeus Port Wins Environment Award

Piraeus Port Authority SA (PPA) was honored with a Special Award in the "Environment" category for the "Environmental Quality Monitoring Programs in collaboration with Academic Institutions and Special Scientific Associates” during the 4th Annual Sustainability Summit 2019, organized by the Centre for Sustainability and Excellence (CSE) in cooperation with the MBA International of the Athens University of Economics and Business.Upon receipt of the award, Mr. Nektarios Demenopoulos…

American Club: Four Senior Appointments

Shipowners Claims Bureau, Inc. (SCB), Managers of the American Club, has announced several senior appointments which have been made to enhance the capabilities of its global service teams.At the Club’s headquarters in New York, Margaret Lee has been appointed as Lead Counsel. With 20 years of experience in the industry, Lee is a New York-admitted attorney who worked in private practice before joining the Club’s management several years ago. Lee has particular expertise in occupational disease claims and…