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Screening News

03 Apr 2024

South African Court Rules on Sheep Inspections

lambs on a livestock carrier (Source: Dr Lynn Simpson)

South African animal welfare organization NSPCA has applauded a Judgment from the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court, Makhanda, affirming the NSPCA’s ability to screen all animals being readied for loading on the Al Messilah livestock carrier which docked in the East London Harbour on April 2.The exporter, Al Mawashi, working through Page Farming Company, made an application in the High Court on March 29 designed to prevent the NSPCA from marking compromised animals to prevent them from being loaded and to stop NSPCA from screening for pregnant ewes.“Al Mawashi…

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.

20 Oct 2023

Australia Says 'Not Necessary' to Cancel Chinese Firm's Lease on Darwin Port

© Peter / Adobe Stock

Australia said a security review of a 99-year lease held by Chinese company Landbridge on the northern port of Darwin, a key focus of its defense strategy, found it was "not necessary to vary or cancel the lease".In a statement, the prime minister's department said: "Australians can have confidence that their safety will not be compromised, while ensuring that Australia remains a competitive destination for foreign investment".It added that monitoring of security arrangements would continue around the northern port…

25 May 2023

Lloyd's Register Drops Ships of Top Indian Carrier of Russian Oil

© komi$ar / Adobe Stock

Lloyd's Register has told India's Gatik Ship Management, which has become a major carrier of Russian oil since the Ukraine war, that it will withdraw certification of 21 of its vessels by June 3, the maritime services company told Reuters.It is the latest setback for Gatik, which was also been forced to find new flags for 36 of its ships after they were deflagged by the St. Kitts & Nevis International Ship Registry."Lloyd's Register is committed to facilitating compliance with sanctions regulations on the trading of Russian oil," it said in an email to Reuters.

05 May 2023

China's Aircraft Carriers Play 'theatrical' Role But Pose Little Threat Yet

©PictMotion/AdobeStock

When China sailed one of its two active aircraft carriers, the Shandong, east of Taiwan last month as part of military drills surrounding the island, it was showcasing a capability that it has yet to master and could take years to perfect.As Beijing modernizes its military, its formidable missile forces and other naval vessels, such as cutting-edge cruisers, are posing a concern for the U.S. and its allies. But it could be more than a decade before China can mount a credible carrier threat far from its shores…

03 Apr 2023

Sembcorp Marine Proposes Name Change Following Merger with Keppel Offshore & Marine

©Sembmarine (File photo)
/AdobeStock

Singapore-based Sembcorp Marine said Monday it was proposing to change its name from “Sembcorp Marine Ltd” to “Seatrium Limited."This follows the completion of the combination of the company's businesses and Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd on February 28, 2023, and will adopt a new branding for the enlarged entity."The proposed change of name is subject to shareholders’ approval and will not affect the identity of the Company or any of its rights and obligations, nor will it affect any of the rights of shareholders or the Group’s daily business operations and financial standing…

01 Apr 2022

Multiple Ships Suffer 'Blackouts' Due to Tainted Bunker Fuel from Singapore

©anekoho/AdobeStock

A major bunker fuel contamination has affected at least 14 shipping vessels that received high sulfur fuel oil (HSFO) from Singapore, fuel, and oil testing firm Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) said.The company said an increasing number of ships were getting affected by the tainted bunker fuel after 34 vessels were identified to have received HSFO deliveries from two unnamed Singapore suppliers over the last two months that were contaminated with up to 2,000 parts per million…

04 Mar 2022

Maersk Curbs Belarus Cargo Due to Ukraine Sanctions

© Fotokon / Adobe Stock

Shipping and logistics group Maersk will sharply curtail its transport of goods to Belarus to comply with sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, it said on Friday."Only bookings for foodstuff, medicines and humanitarian supplies (except dual use) will be accepted after extensive screening," Maersk said in a statement.Denmark-based Maersk added that it would be unable to receive payments from or make payments to any bank that is under sanctions imposed on Russia.Belarus is a close ally of Russia and some Russian forces that entered Ukraine came from Belarusian territory for what Russia ha

10 Jan 2022

Yara Seeks Tech Start-Ups for its Accelerator Program

Image courtesy Yara Marine

Yara Marine Technologies is accepting applications for the second edition of its 3-month tailored startup accelerator program, Yara Marine X, a program that offers companies a opportunity to develop and pilot their innovative solutions while supported by Yara Marine.To apply for Yara Marine X, Click Here.“We are committed to enabling a clean transition to a decarbonized future. We are innovators at heart and always pursuing the improvements we need to make real sustainable change," said Thomas Koniordos, CEO of Yara Marine Technologies.

15 Dec 2021

ABS Grants AIP for Anglo-Eastern’s Ammonia-fueled Newcastlemax

(Image: ABS)

Anglo-Eastern Technical Services' (AETS) ammonia-fueled Newcastlemax bulker design has been granted Approval in Principle (AIP) by classification society ABS.The dual-fuel vessel design sacrifices no cargo space by using deck-mounted IMO Type C tanks under the accommodation block on each side of the vessel. AETS has designed the system for retrofit to existing vessels as well as ammonia-fueled and ammonia-ready newbuilds.“Ammonia is a fuel with high potential as a solution for shipping companies looking to decarbonize their operations.

15 Sep 2021

DNV Doubles Down on Infection Protection

© Mariakray / Adobe Stock

As the global cruise industry returns to service, DNV delivers a project for a UVD Robot from Green Instruments and prepares for further demand increase of its Product Assurance service tailored to infection prevention and control for the maritime industry as the benefit of the service is realized.COVID-19 hit the maritime industry hard, in particular, the cruise sector. Since the start of the pandemic, DNV had been called on by vessel owners and operators to support their efforts to address the safety of their passengers, crew, and destinations.

21 Jul 2021

AI Specialist Launches Container Tracking to Alleviate Shipping Risks

Credit: Blue Planet Studio/AdobeStock

Predictive intelligence tech company Windward has launched Container Insights, a capability that provides live screening and tracking of containers and Bill of Lading (BOL) verification.The new capability, which Windward says enhances the company’s current Cargo Insights, optimizes and increases the efficiency of screening processes for trade finance transactions and enables government agencies to investigate suspicious containers, providing them with a "holistic" view of vessels…

07 Jul 2021

Windward Launches Company Risk Insights

© corepics / Adobe Stock

Windward, the Predictive Intelligence company applying AI to the maritime industry, announced the launch of Company Risk Insights, providing risk insights into every company in the maritime domain.The capability utilizes a new ownership data repository, risk indicators, data sets and behavioral models to provide Windward users with a complete risk assessment of all maritime related entities including a beneficiary list up to and including the Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO), Windward said…

12 May 2021

theDOCK to Launch New Fund Focused on Maritime Tech

(Photo: theDOCK)

Israeli maritime tech venture capital firm theDOCK said it plans to launch a second fund—Navigator II—that will focus on investments in digital solutions attending to the needs of maritime, supply chain and offshore operations.The maritime-focused startups backer, which closed its first fund, Navigator I, in 2018, said it has seen an accelerating deal flow of startups and compelling investment opportunities in the domain alongside impressive performance of past investments and more strategic investors expressing interest to become limited partners (LP) in the fund.

04 May 2021

Australian Coal Port's Loan Terms Linked to Social, Emissions Goals

Coal Ship entering Newcastle Port  - Credit; jeayesy/AdobeStock

Australia's Port of Newcastle has signed a A$515 million ($398 million) loan with National Australia Bank (NAB) that links interest payments to non-mandatory social and environmental targets, the companies said.The world's largest coal port will pay less if certain targets are met, including reducing its direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions and screening all customers for modern slavery risks, they said in a joint statement.The loan also contains metrics focused on mental health first aid…

01 Apr 2021

Mozambique: Ferry Carrying Survivors from Deadly Militant Attack on Gas Town Arrives in Pemba

Credit: Yarr65/AdobeStock

A boat carrying more than 1,000 survivors of a highly organized, deadly attack by Islamic State-linked insurgents in northern Mozambique arrived in the port of Pemba on Thursday, a Reuters reporter and a diplomatic source said.Aid workers were at the crowded port to give food to those disembarking from the green and white ferry, while police and soldiers kept control of crowds of people excited to see their relatives rescued after the attack that began last week in Palma, the reporter said.Islamist insurgents have been increasingly active in the surrounding province of Cabo Delgado since 2017…

15 Mar 2021

Hornblower to Resume DC Passenger Vessel Service

(Photo: Hornblower Cruises and Events)

Hornblower Cruises and Events announced Monday it will restart its Washington D.C. passenger vessel operations, including dinner cruises and water taxi service.Water taxi service will resume starting Friday, March 19, and dining experience offerings with brunch, lunch and dinner cruises will return beginning Saturday, March 27.The company said cruises have been adapted to ensure heightened cleanliness and to maintain social distance, which includes reduced passenger numbers and the wearing of face coverings on board.

03 Mar 2021

DNV Supports Hapag-Lloyd’s Green Financing

© Wolfgang / Adobe Stock

Hapag-Lloyd's efforts to obtain financing for six of its highly efficient containership newbuilds according to the Green Loan Principles of the Loan Market Association (LMA) are being supported by classification society DNV.The German shipping company announced in February it concluded two debut transactions according to the Green Loan Principles of the Loan Market Association (LMA), and DNV said Wednesday it has provided a second party opinion to confirm compliance with the requirements as an independent expert.

18 Feb 2021

Inside Cruise Shipping's Fight for Survival

Photo Source: Port Everglades

In early 2021, the somber news from the cruise sector continued. For some cruise brands, their own version of “lockdowns” will have spanned an entire year. By late January, 2021, Carnival and others were hesitantly pegging their restarts for April/May 2021, and for some markets, late summer, under a Conditional Sail Order promulgated late last year by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).What else to do but look ahead?In preliminary earnings guidance, Carnival Corporation (NYSE: CCL)…

09 Feb 2021

Hapag-Lloyd Secures 'Green Financing' for LNG-powered Newbuilds

(Photo: Hapag-Lloyd)

German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd has joined the shift to green financing, securing funds for six liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered, 23,500 TEU containerships it ordered in December 2020.The firm said it concluded two transactions according to the Green Loan Principles of the Loan Market Association (LMA), as verified by independent secondary party DNV GL, as the shipping industry increasingly turns toward financing linked to measurable sustainability targets."Our first green financings are a major milestone for us…

21 Oct 2020

Cruise Industry Compliance Tips: Facial Recognition Technology

© Pixelmania / Adobe Stock

In the past few years, the commercial use of facial recognition technology has advanced at an explosive rate, expanding into numerous industries and trades. For instance, facial biometrics is increasingly relied on by airlines and airports across the globe; a similar trend is starting to take hold in the maritime industry, particularly the cruise sector.While this expansion is occurring, states and cities across the country—as well as the federal government—are attempting to enact strict laws regulating the use of facial recognition technology by commercial entities.

21 Sep 2020

Cruise Lines File Health Protocols to CDC Looking to Set Sail Again

Image by EdNurg/AdobeStock

A panel set up by Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd said on Monday it had submitted a report to the U.S.

17 Sep 2020

Damen Launches Dredger for Hanson

(Photo: Damen)

On September 11, Damen Shipyards Group launched a Marine Aggregate Dredger (MAD) 3500 at its Galati yard in Romania. Damen is building the MAD for UK-based Hanson, who will use the vessel to conduct offshore aggregate extraction in water depths up to -55 metres in the North Sea and English Channel.Following the launch, Damen will complete work on the vessel, to be named Hanson Thames, and afterwards undertake commissioning, including of dredge equipment and screening installation…