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Sea Ports News

29 Feb 2024

Barge Fuel Exports Help Russia Negotiate Tanker Shortage

© Yulia / Adobe Stock

Russia exported more than 700,000 metric tons of oil products from the Black Sea port of Novorossiisk in 2023 using small river barges because of a lack of bigger tankers owing to EU sanctions and price cap limitations, market sources said and LSEG data showed.Some ship owners have avoided Russian ports since the EU embargo and price cap on Russian refined oil products went into effect in February last year, forcing shippers to turn to a so-called shadow fleet of ageing tankers.The shadow fleet has supported the flow of Russian barrels…

09 Feb 2024

Israel Intercepts 'Suspicious Target' off Haifa

© maratr / Adobe Stock

Israel's military said it had intercepted a "suspicious aerial target" on Friday off the northern port city of Haifa amid high tension along its frontier with Lebanon.The seaports of Haifa and Ashdod are crucial gateways for Israel's trade.An Israeli military spokesperson said the target had not caused any damage or injuries."I cannot confirm exactly how close it was to the port, but the fact that, according to protocol, no sirens were sounded means that it was far enough," the spokesperson said, declining to say whether the target or its source had been identified.In December, the Israeli mil

24 Jan 2024

Ukraine's Black Sea Grain Export Success Tested by Red Sea Crisis

© wifesun / Adobe Stock

Ukraine has managed to boost its Black Sea grain exports to a level not seen since before Russia's invasion, although the Red Sea shipping crisis poses a new challenge to its crucial agricultural trade.Kyiv's success in replacing a UN-backed Black Sea export deal with its own shipping scheme has brought relief for Ukrainian farmers and importing countries while representing a naval breakthrough for Ukraine's military as a land counteroffensive has stalled.The export turnaround…

19 Jan 2024

Wagenborg Installs Shore Power Connection on Kroonborg Vessel

(Credit: Wagenborg Offshore)

Wagenborg Offshore has installed and commissioned a shore connection system on the Kroonborg walk-to-work (W2W) vessel in collaboration with NAM/Shell UK, and the support of Dutch province of North Holland.The shore power system was developed and engineered by Dutch company Eekels Technology.Additionally, Eekels Technology, in partnership with the Port of Den Helder, is advancing a hydrogen shore power generator project in cooperation with the Port of Harlingen and Groningen Seaports.The hydrogen generator is set to become operational by the end of 2023.

17 Jan 2024

EU Report Recognizes Need for Port Investment Stability

Source: ESPO

The European Parliament has officially adopted the Berendsen report, an own-initiative report on “building a comprehensive European Port Strategy” (585 in favor, 21 against, 26 abstentions).The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) welcomed the support for the strategic and vital role that Europe’s ports play for European society and economy. ESPO supports the Parliament’s plea to further harmonize the measures to strengthen the resilience and protection of Europe’s critical infrastructure, including ports.

13 Dec 2023

Tacoma, Seattle Ports Ink Deals for Navigation Improvement Projects

(Photo; The Northwest Seaport Alliance)

Pacific Northwest seaports Seattle and Tacoma have signed design agreements with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for a pair of waterway navigation improvement projects.The Seattle Navigation Improvement Project, authorized by Congress in 2018, and the Tacoma Harbor Navigation Improvement Project, authorized in 2022, are part of a comprehensive modernization initiative for The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) gateway that began nearly a decade ago.Containerships navigating in the trans-Pacific trade are increasing in size…

07 Dec 2023

SOFEC Earns ABS AIP for Electric Charging Buoy

Image courtesy SOFEC

cutSOFEC_EBUOY_DETAIL_01_20231206As the need for electrical power for vessels at sea grows, SOFEC announced that ABS awarded the newly developed Electric Charging Buoy (ECB) an Approval in Principle (AiP). Traditional SOFEC CALM buoy designs have integrated electrical power cable management solutions that allow vessel(s) mooring while utilizing externally supplied power. By using this proven concept, SOFEC can leverage its buoy designs and modify them to accommodate offshore electric power transfer from seaports or offshore wind farms substations to Electric Vessels.

06 Dec 2023

Singapore, Los Angeles and Long Beach Develop Plans for Green Corridor

Photo courtesy of the Port of Los Angeles.

At COP28, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach unveiled a strategy for a green and digital shipping corridor across the Pacific Ocean.The strategy follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding by MPA, Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach during Singapore Maritime Week in April 2023. The signing formalized the partnership, which is supported by C40 Cities, with the aim of establishing a green and digital shipping…

29 Nov 2023

Oil Loadings from Black Sea Ports Remain Suspended

© Vladimir / Adobe Stock

Oil loadings from the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk and the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal have not resumed due to an ongoing storm forcing exporters to look for alternative routes, three sources familiar with exports told Reuters on Wednesday.Novorossiysk and the CPC terminal account for about 2 million barrels of oil per day (bpd) from Russia and Kazakhstan."A storm warning is in effect in Novorossiysk. It is raining, and the wave height is from two to four meters…

03 Nov 2023

US Awards More than $653 Million for Port Projects

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The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced over $653 million to fund 41 port improvement projects across the nation under the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP).The investments—part of the largest dedicated funding for ports and waterways in history, nearly $17 billion through the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—are intended to help grow capacity and increase efficiency at coastal seaports, Great Lakes ports and inland…

27 Oct 2023

Cargo Ships Moving via Ukraine's Black Sea Corridor after 3-day Pause -STC

Credit: Denis Rozhnovsky/AdobeStock

Four vessels left Ukrainian Black Sea ports in the Odesa region on Friday as shipping via a new export corridor resumed after a three-day pause, independent transport sector consultancy STC said."On October 27, vessel traffic in the temporary Black Sea corridor announced by Ukraine resumed," STC said in a report. It said the Propus, Iasos, Gloria G and Manassa Queen had sailed from Odesa ports while the tanker Mavka, bulk carrier Golden Arrow, and general cargo vessel Maranta were currently heading to Ukrainian ports.

26 Oct 2023

Israel to Pay Compensation for Ships Damaged in Gaza War

© maratr / Adobe Stock

Israel will provide compensation for ships that are damaged due to the war in Gaza and the government is taking steps to minimise risks for vessels using the country's ports, government advisories said.Israel has vowed to annihilate the Hamas Islamist group after its fighters stormed through Israeli towns from Gaza on Oct. 7, killing 1,400 people and seizing more than 220 hostages in the worst attack on civilians in Israel's history.The country relies on its seaports for its trade…

26 Oct 2023

Ukraine Suspends New Black Sea Grain Corridor Due to Threat from Russian Warplanes

Credit: glebzter/AdobeStock

Ukraine has suspended the use of its new Black Sea grain corridor due to what it sees as a threat from Russian warplanes, the Kyiv-based Barva Invest consultancy said on Thursday."We would like to inform you of a temporary suspension of vessel traffic to and from (the ports). The current ban is in force on October 26, but it is possible that it will be extended," the consultancy said on the Telegram messaging app.Ukrainian officials were not immediately available for comment.The consultancy said a de facto suspension had already been in place for two days at the behest of the military…

19 Oct 2023

AAPA Urges Swift Adoption of Stauber Amendment

© rabbit75_fot / Adobe Stock

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) has voiced strong support of Representative Pete Stauber’s (R-Minn.) amendment to the Transportation Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations bill which, if implemented, would restore funding for the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP).“The Feds have made a serious, laudable, bipartisan down payment on port infrastructure modernization with $1.45 billion awarded through PIDP so far. Don’t stop now, Congress,” said Cary Davis, AAPA President and CEO.

18 Oct 2023

Russia's Western Sea Port Oil Exports Seen Falling as Refinery Runs Rise

© AUUSanAKUL+ / Adobe Stock

Russia's oil exports via its western sea ports in November may fall by some 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) after ample supplies in September-October as domestic refineries are expected to raise runs as seasonal maintenance ends, three sources familiar with the plans said.Urals, Siberian light and KEBCO crude oil exports from Primorsk, Ust-luga and Novorossiisk ports are set to decline by some 300,000 bpd from October to slightly above 2 million bpd, according to the sources familiar…

16 Oct 2023

Tanker Hits Mine in Black Sea

A Liberian-flagged oil products tanker hit a mine on Sunday in the Black Sea off the coast of Romania and sustained minor damage, but the crew was safe, sources said on Monday.It is the second vessel this month to have been hit by a floating mine in the Black Sea, in a reminder of the continued perils faced by commercial ships in the region.The Ali Najafov tanker was sailing near to the Sulina channel near Romania when the blast occurred on Sunday, Yoruk Isik, head of the Bosphorus Observer consultancy, told Reuters.A Ukrainian source separately confirmed the vessel had struck a mine.The vessel's Istanbul-based manager Palmali, listed in shipping databases, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

06 Oct 2023

Turkish Ship Hits Mine in Black Sea, Sustains Minor Damage

A Turkish-flagged general cargo ship hit a mine on Thursday in the Black Sea off the coast of Romania and sustained minor damage but the crew was safe, maritime and security sources said.British maritime security company Ambrey, citing information it received, said the ship struck a sea mine 11 nautical miles north of Sulina in Romania, near the entrance to the Sulina Canal."The vessel reportedly experienced an explosion at approximately 0920 UTC (GMT). The vessel dropped anchor for a short period to assess the damage," Ambrey said in a note."At 1210, the vessel resumed sailing," Ambrey said adding that no casualties were reported.It was one of the first incidents for some months involving a ship hitting a sea mine.

05 Oct 2023

Britain Says Russia May Target Civilian Shipping with Mines in Black Sea

© Travelstock / Adobe Stock

Russia may use sea mines to target civilian shipping in the Black Sea, including by laying them on the approach to Ukrainian ports, the British government said on Wednesday citing intelligence.Russia pulled out of a deal in July that had allowed Ukraine to safely ship food products out through what is traditionally its main export corridor.Ukraine responded by setting up a temporary "humanitarian corridor" for cargo vessels, and several ships have left Ukraine's Black Sea ports…

04 Oct 2023

Ukraine Expects 12 More Cargo Ships at Its Black Sea Ports

Credit: wifesun/AdobeStock

Ukraine's navy said on Wednesday that 12 more cargo vessels were ready to enter a fledgling Black Sea shipping corridor on their way to Ukrainian ports, as Kyiv steps up a push to defy a de facto Russian blockade on its vital sea exports.Russia, which has a much more powerful and bigger naval fleet in the Black Sea, pulled out of a deal in July that had allowed wartime Ukraine to safely ship food products out through what is traditionally its main export corridor. Ukraine responded by setting up a temporary "humanitarian corridor" for cargo vessels…

03 Oct 2023

Baltic Index Hits Over 11-month peak on Capesize Strength

Credit: cloudvisual/AdobeStock

The Baltic Exchange's main dry bulk sea freight index rose to its highest in over 11-month on Tuesday, steered by robust demand in the capesize vessel segment.The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, extended gains by rising 43 points, or 2.5%, to 1,780 - its highest level since Oct. 24, 2022.The capesize index, scaled an over 9-month peak, adding 163 points, or 6.3%, to 2,773.Average daily earnings for capesize vessels , which typically transports 150…

03 Oct 2023

Ukraine's Grain Exports Fall 10% to 2.1 mln T in Sept m/m - Business Association

Credit: glebzter/AdobeStock

Ukrainian grain exports fell 10% to 2.1 million metric tons in September versus August due to difficulties in export logistics and Russian shelling on key export facilities, the UCAB agricultural business association said on Tuesday. Exports of vegetable oils decreased by 13% to 479,900 tons, the association said in a statement. UCAB said wheat and sunflower oil dominated the export volumes in September. Ukraine exported 2.3 million tons of grain and 549,000 tons of vegetable oils in August, the association said.

02 Oct 2023

Higher Capesize Rates Drive Baltic Index Higher

Credit: cloudvisual/AdobeStock

The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, tracking rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, rose on Monday, aided by firm capesize rates. The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax, and supramax shipping vessels, snapped a two-session losing streak after rising by 36 points, or 2.1%, to 1,737. The capesize index added 136 points, or 5.5%, to hit 2,610- its highest level in nearly five months. Average daily earnings for capesize vessels, which typically transports 150…

02 Oct 2023

Freight Rates for Grain Exports via New Black Sea Route Fall Sharply, Ukraine Says

Credit: Андрій Данилюк/AdobeStock

A new corridor allowing cargo vessels to carry Ukrainian grain and iron ore from Black Sea ports has significantly lowered freight rates and they are likely to fall further, Ukraine's farm minister said on Monday.Kyiv launched what it calls a temporary humanitarian corridor in August to allow agricultural exports as an alternative arrangement after Russia blocked the U.N.-backed Black Sea grain deal that had been in place for a year.Three more cargo ships left Ukrainian seaports on Sunday, while five new vessels came in for loading. "New vessels are coming.

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