Florida Ports Drop Plans to Ink Pacts with Cuba
The news comes as Cuba watchers are looking closely for signs of how the United States' fragile detente with Cuba will fare under President Donald Trump. "Disappointed some (Florida ports) would enter into any agreement with Cuban dictatorship," Scott wrote on Twitter on Wednesday. "I will recommend restricting state funds for ports that work with Cuba in my budget. Port authorities along the U.S. Southern coast are strong proponents of increased trade and travel with Cuba, and some have expressed interest in using Mariel, located on the northwest coast of the Caribbean island, as a transshipment hub. The Ports of Everglades and Palm Beach had been planning to sign agreements with Cuba during the visit of a Cuban trade delegation this week but said they decided to withdraw the deals.
New Miami Office for Crowley Logistics
Crowley and Subsidiary Customized Brokers Relocating to New Miami Office and Warehouse Facility; Joint Move Offers Customers a Faster, More Secure, Single-Stop Solution. To better serve customers, Crowley Maritime Corporation's Miami-based liner services and logistics personnel, along with those from subsidiary Customized Brokers, are relocating to a new office and warehouse in the heart of the Miami import-export community at 10205 NW 108 Avenue, Suite 1 effective Jan. 30. The groups will continue offering their full suite of shipping and logistics services in a collaborative…
Good Fuel = Good Profits
More than ever, emphasis on fuel quality — what goes in and what comes out — is a top agenda item of lawmakers and vessel owners alike. With ever tightening pressure on vessel owners to lower consumption and emission numbers, similar pressure has been applied to the maritime supply market to make engines, systems and products that help achieve this end. Algae-X offers a line of fuel conditioning products that it touts as helping owners, both large and small, to meet and exceed the rigors of running profitable, environmentally compliant vessel. "The Port of Everglades Pilots have been using the Algae-X unit for almost two years, and we can honestly say it works," said a letter from the Pilot Association's Boat Maintenance Department, distributed by Algae-X.
Coast Guard to Conduct Investigation of QM2 Incident
The Captain of the Queen Mary 2 reported to the Coast Guard the ship had experienced a noise and unusual vibration in the engine room, five miles outside of the Port of Everglades and had reason to believe they may have struck a submerged object. According to a statement released by Princess Cruises, bridge instruments indicated a problem with one of the ship’s four propulsion motors. A Captain of the Port Order was issued by the Coast Guard requiring the Queen Mary 2 to use tug-boats to assist in returning to port. The vessel will be required to remain at the pier until the Coast Guard determines if the vessels and its passengers are safe. There have been no reports of injury or pollution as this time. The cause of the noise and vibration are not known at this time.
