Macau News

Oslo-listed Borealis Finance said Thursday it had sold 10 container ships for $203,550,000 in total and that it had informed Nordic Trustee it would prepay $188,000,000 outstanding under its Bond Issue.The company did not say who the buyers were but said the vessels were on Thursday delivered to new owners. It is possible that the buyer is Global Ship Lease, as Borealis in June said it had agreed to sell twelve container vessels to Global Ship Lease, Inc. for a total consideration of $233.89 million. Borealis at the time said the delivery of the vessels was scheduled for the 3rd quarter of 2021, and that following a successful delivery of the vessels, the company was contemplating a repayment of the outstanding bond.

The number of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins seen around Hong Kong has jumped as the pause in high-speed ferry traffic due to the coronavirus allows the threatened species to make something of a comeback, scientists said.Marine scientist Lindsay Porter of the University of St. Andrews said the mammals - also known as Chinese white dolphins and pink dolphins - were moving back into parts of the Pearl River Delta that they typically avoided due to the ferries that connect Hong Kong and Macau.Dolphin numbers in the area had jumped by up to 30% since March when the ferry traffic was suspended…

While COVID-19 has proven to be the biggest business disruption event in generations, for the once-booming cruise shipping industry it has meant a hard stop. Getting back to cruising will be neither fast nor easy. We reached out to Captain Havard Ramsoy, Vice President, Marine Operations and Safety, Genting Cruise Lines for insights on the path forward.Please give an overview of the Genting Cruise Ship fleet today, and COVID-19 and its impact on the Genting Cruise business.Throughout the unprecedented suspension of the global cruise passenger services due the COVID-19 situation…

The Coast Guard Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy has published an update March 16, 2020 to MSIB: Novel Coronavirus – Update (Change 2)An outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) may affect mariners and maritime commerce. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated their Interim Guidance for Ships on Managing Suspected Coronavirus Disease 2019 (see https://go.usa.gov/xdfyG) and Cruise Ship Travel (see https://go.usa.gov/xdfVP).Illness…

The plight of the cruise ship off Japan with more than 200 coronavirus infections and the shunning of another by five ports despite no known cases has led to a sharp change in tack for an industry in shock: avoid Asia.To that end, many cruises in the region are being cancelled while others currently sailing are being re-routed, skipping originally scheduled stops in China, Hong Kong and Singapore.Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd on Thursday canceled 18 cruises in Southeast Asia after calling off eight trips to China last week.

The Philippines said on Wednesday its ports remain open to all ships, even those from China, in order not to disrupt the cargo supply chain, but the crew of vessels arriving from the coronavirus-hit nation will be barred from disembarking.All foreigners traveling from China and its two special administrative regions - Hong Kong and Macau - are currently barred from entering the Philippines amid a fast-spreading coronavirus outbreak that has killed nearly 500 people in China.A Chinese man who arrived from China's Wuhan city, where the virus emerged last year, has also died in the Philippines.Co

A test carried out on Thursday on a passenger from Macau aboard a cruise ship in Italy proved she did not have the new coronavirus, an Italian health ministry spokesman said.The Costa Crociere company’s ship Costa Smeralda docked in Civitavecchia, north of Rome, with about 6,000 people aboard. The mayor of the town had asked authorities to prevent passengers from disembarking until it had been confirmed the virus was not present.The 54-year-old woman, who boarded the ship on January 25 in the port of Savona, had come down with a fever and flu-like symptoms.

The global trade association for shipowners and operators, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) opened its China Liaison Office in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) on Tuesday, 21 November, during a reception hosted by the Hong Kong Shipowners Association.Liu Xiaoming, the Deputy Minister of Transport from the People’s Republic of China, Huang Liuquan, the Deputy Director of Hong Kong, Macau Affairs Office of State Council of the People’s Republic of China, and Frank Chan, Secretary for Transport and Housing Bureau of Hong Kong SAR were present to help oversee proceedings.On 20 November 2019, Mrs Carrie Lam, Chief…

The deep-water port of Nansha in Guangzhou, a city of 15 million people in the vicinity of Hong Kong, has doubled the number of direct connections with North Europe and West Africa, following the arrival of the Elly Maersk.The Elly Maersk departed from Nansha for Rotterdam on 28 July; the first departure of the new 2M service, doubling the number of direct departures from Nansha to Rotterdam. The Ocean Alliance also already has direct connections with this fastest growing port in the south of China.Nansha port started international departures ten years ago, quickly becoming the most important port for ‘Africa Trades’ from the south of China.Direct departures to and from Europe (NWC and MED) and the west coast of North America were only added in recent years.

For the sixth year running, Singapore has clinched the top spot among the world's maritime centers in the Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development Index.The island city-state in Southeast Asia beat 42 other cities such as Hong Kong, which ranked second, as well as London, which ranked third.Based on the evaluation scores, Singapore shows strength in ship management and shipbroking services, while Hong Kong is benefiting from China’s Belt and Road Initiative and economic opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area.London’s first-class services in shipbroking, legal and shipping finance were highlighted.

Destructive winds, waves batter Hong Kong, south China. Typhoon Hato, a maximum category 10 storm, slammed into Hong Kong on Wednesday lashing the Asian financial hub with wind and rain that uprooted trees and forced most businesses to close, while in some places big waves flooded seaside streets. There were reports of 34 people injured in Hong Kong while in the city of Macau, across the Pearl River estuary, three people were killed, authorities there said. In Hong Kong, more than 450 flights were cancelled, financial markets suspended and schools closed as Hato bore down, the first category 10 storm to hit the city since 2012. "I've never seen one like this," Garrett Quigley, a longtime resident of Lantau island to the west of the city, said of the storm.

The amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) departed Hong Kong April 11, following a scheduled port visit. The four-day visit allowed nearly 2,500 Sailors and Marines assigned to the ship and embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit the opportunity to experience Hong Kong's culture and engage with the community. The ship hosted a reception for distinguished guests April 10, to recognize the prosperous partnership between the United States and the People's Republic of China and Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong. Distinguished visitors included Consul General of the United States to Hong Kong and Macau Kurt W. Tong and Senior Captain Fang Yuxin, deputy chief of staff of the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison.

Aulong Shipbuilding, a joint venture company formed by Austal Limited and Guandong Jianglong Shipbuilding of Zhuhai, China, has won the first ferry contract to build a 42 metre high speed aluminium ferry for Chinese mainland operator Blue Sea Jet. Less than two months after the announcement of the joint venture, Aulong Shipbuilding has been awarded a A$10 million (RMB49.99 million) contract to design and build the ferry. The contract was awarded following a competitive evaluation based on product performance, price and commercial terms. The ferry is based on a proven Austal design developed in Australia to world class standards. The design optimises performance…

A boom in shipping is aggravating air pollution in China and other nations in East Asia, causing thousands of deaths a year in a region with eight of the world's 10 biggest container ports, scientists said on Monday. Often overlooked compared to cars and factories that are far bigger causes of smog, ship traffic has more than doubled off East Asia since 2005 and some pollution from the fuel oil of ships wafts inland, they said. The Chinese-led study estimated that sulphur dioxide…

Leading global ocean transport operator, serving the breakbulk, heavy lift and project cargo industry AAL is set to strengthen its growing presence in the China region, with the appointment of specialist project and steel cargo freight forwarder Central Oceans, as Commercial Agent for Hong Kong and South China. Wolfgang Harms, Deputy Managing Director of AAL commented, "Central Oceans took the decision a decade ago to specialise in this very tough sector and has been at the forefront in terms of service quality and reliability ever since. The timing of the announcement is significant, with Beijing making clear in its recent 13th five-year plan that it will provide greater economic support to Macau and Hong Kong and help the latter further develop as a global financial…

Captain Valerie Lyzhyn and his 45 crew are stranded in Hong Kong, big losers in a gambling slump triggered by a Chinese crackdown on corruption that has scared off the high-rollers. Lyzhyn, 62, a Russian-born Ukrainian and veteran seaman, and his colleagues, refuse to leave their 140 metre (460 foot) casino cruiser the New Imperial Star until they get the six months of pay they say they are owed. Hong Kong's Marine Department has impounded the ship due to what it called "serious deficiencies" found during an inspection. Rations are running low, the ship's owners can't be reached and the cobalt blue felt covering the 16 baccarat tables is gathering dust.

Approximately 120 people were injured when a high-speed jetfoil heading from Macau towards Hong Kong hit an “unidentified object” last night south of Lantau Island. The injured, aged between six and 83, were sent to seven hospitals, with 87 discharged as of this morning. In addition to the five patients in critical condition, five were categorised as serious and 27 stable. Over 170 people on board the ferry lost power after colliding with an "unidentified object" in the water, according to the boat's operator, Shun Tak. The local media quoted passengers who described there being chaos after the crash. The Turbojet lost power after the accident and water began seeping in as passengers scrambled in the dark for lifejackets. "It went dark.

Yacht races between Hong Kong and Macau will take place on 26 September (Saturday) and 28 September 2015 (Monday). About 25 sailing boats are expected to participate in the races. The outbound trip from Hong Kong to Macau will start at 1000 hours on 26 September 2015 in an area south-east of Lamma Island (in the vicinity of Yuen Kok Light). (b) Course 2 – a south-westerly route through the southern boundary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, thence to Macau if the wind is coming from the south. (b) Course 2 – a route through south of Xiaozhi Zhou, the southern boundary of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region and to complete the race at a position east of Cheung Chau if the wind is coming from the south.

Thordon Bearings Inc. of Canada announced that CY Engineering Co. Ltd. will take over as the new authorized distributor for the People’s Republic of China, including Macau and Hong Kong, effective August 28, 2015. With this agreement, CY Engineering becomes Thordon’s stocking distributor for manufacturer of nonmetallic marine bearing systems. A company with over 25 years’ experience in seawater lubricated propeller shaft bearing systems, Thordon Bearings designs and manufactures a complete range of nonmetallic sleeve bearing solutions for marine…

Yacht races between Hong Kong and Macau will take place on 19 February 2015 (Thursday) and 21 February 2015 (Saturday). About 20 sailing boats are expected to participate in the races. The outbound trip from Hong Kong to Macau will start at 1000 hours on 19 February 2015 in an area south-east of Lamma Island (in the vicinity of Yuen Kok Light). (b) Course 2 - a south-westerly route through the southern Boundary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, thence to Macau if the wind is coming from the south. (b) Course 2 - a route through south of Shek Kwu Chau and to complete the race at a position east of Cheung Chau if the wind is coming from the south.

CoCo Yachts B.V. Xunlong Shenzhen Ferry Company has ordered a Coastal Cruiser 300 ferry from CoCo Yachts, a Dutch design company specializing in the design of aluminum catamarans. The ferry’s hull and superstructure, which the designer said has been optimized for high speeds in combination with good sea keeping performance, will be made of marine grade aluminum. The vessel’s interior will be made of lightweight materials, and luxuriously outfitted, CoCo Yachts said. A semi ducted fain coil split type high capacity air-conditioning system will provide either cool or warm air.

The fund, which will take effect on April 1st, 2014, and run for three years, will be made up of contributions from participating ports and used to subsidize cruise companies to develop and market their cruise products. A major requirement is that cruise lines must deploy vessels to at least two participating ports or territories in a single itinerary. HKTB Executive Director Anthony Lau said, "The launch of the fund marks a significant step towards regional cruise co-operation…

In the same week of the launching of fast ferry Peng Xing 15, the first Coastal Cruiser 200 designed by CoCo Yachts and built by AFAI Southern Shipyard, Peng Xing ferry company decided to sign the contract for another three Coastal Cruiser 200 fast ferries. The new contract was signed on January 10, 2014 in the main office of the Peng Xing Group. The fast ferries shall be delivered to Peng Xing Ferry company in 2015, and shall be deployed to run services in the Pearl River delta between Shenzhen – Zhuhai – Hong Kong – Macau P.R.