US Fines Greek Ship Owner for Environmental Crimes
The U.S. has imposed a $2 million fine on the owner and operator of a bulk carrier that knowingly committed pollution crimes on the Mississippi River. Greek-based Empire Bulkers and related company Joanna Maritime were sentenced Thursday for committing "knowing and willful violations" of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) and the Ports and Waterways Safety Act related to their role as the operator and owner of the bulk carrier Joanna.A March 2022 inspection of the…
Euronav Reports Earnings; Pushes Fuel Economy
Belgium's Euronav reported a net loss of US$ 31-million in its Q4 2012 financial report. The result of the fourth quarter is affected positively by the revaluation at marked-to-market levels of non cash items (unrealized) such as hedge instruments on interest rates for a total of US$ 600,000. After successfully implementing a strict slow and super slow steaming policy whenever possible, Euronav continues to apply measures to reduce fuel consumption across its spot fleet. The company has already retrofitted a VLCC, with a Mewis Duct, improving propeller efficiency, which demonstrated to be the most efficient energy saving device. The same retrofitting will be done on at least 4 Suezmax vessels this year.
USN AEGIS Cruiser Modernization Program
frigate USS Ingraham (FFG 61) during a leap frog training exercise. The exercise allows ship handlers to practice the approach and stabilization alongside and a breakaway in a simulated underway replenishment environment. Ingraham and Antietam are part of the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Carrier Strike Group on deployment in the Western Pacific Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Jeremie Kerns. By Edward H. The U.S. Navy’s “Cruiser Modernization” program will extend…
Feature: Adding Combat Power; Extending Ship Life
By Edward H. The U.S. Navy's "Cruiser Modernization" program will extend the service life and enhance the combat capability of 22 of the Navy's 27 multi-mission AEGIS cruisers (CG-52 through CG-73). The Cruiser Modernization is necessary to enable the CG-47 class to participate effectively in support of joint littoral campaigns. Missions include land attack, littoral undersea warfare, force protection, and anti-air defense, as well as allowing for a possible future Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) mission. The program extends the service life of each ship to 35 years. Combat systems will be upgraded while crew size and maintenance requirements will be reduced.
NTSB Reveals Details on Norway Investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has updated information on its investigation of the boiler explosion aboard the Norwegian Cruise Line vessel NORWAY while moored in Port of Miami in Miami, Fla. They have confirmed that 2,135 passengers and 911 crew aboard the vessel. The explosion killed 7 crewmembers and injured over a dozen others. All passengers were evacuated safely. The NTSB investigation into the boiler room explosion on board the Bahamian cruise ship Norway continues in the data collection phase, but investigators have completed nearly 200 personal interviews with ship's officers, crewmen and company officials.
