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Residence News

29 Feb 2024

Germany Opens Remote-Controlled Center for Inland Shipping

© SEAFAR

SEAFAR, a Belgian technology and service provider for remote-controlled inland waterway shipping operations, has set up the first Remote Operations Center in Germany; a project completed in conjunction with HGK Shipping and Reederei Deymann.The Remote Operations Center, opened on February 28, 2024, enables captains to navigate vessels on inland waterways from dry land, a development seen as central to stemming problems from the shortage of specialist workers. The partners are working with the public authorities to use the permits…

23 Dec 2022

Founded in 1806, SSH Continues Serving Retired Merchant Mariners

Stained glass at SSH’s former facility in Staten Island. Credit SSH.

The Sailors’ Snug Harbor (SSH) is a charity based out of New York that provides assistance to retired merchant mariners. In 2022, SSH helped more than 400 mariners in 33 states and Puerto Rico. SSH helps mariners live more comfortably by assisting them with their living expenses such as rent, mortgages, and utilities. SSH also helps them find other assistance and local services. In recent years, SSH has expanded its eligibility criteria to include inland mariners as well as deep sea mariners.SSH was incorporated in 1806 as the result of a bequest made by Captain Robert Richard Randall.

25 Mar 2022

Ship Engine Makers Cut Ties with Russia

© Vladimir Drozdin / Adobe Stock

Finland's Wärtsilä, a leading ship engine maker, has suspended business with Russia including equipment training while German counterpart MAN Energy Solutions is reviewing contracts, adding further trade pressure on Moscow.Russia's maritime sector is already grappling with the winding down of other services including ship certification by leading foreign providers - vital for accessing ports and securing insurance - shipping companies pulling out and Western sanctions being imposed on its leading ocean transporter Sovcomflot after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

20 Jul 2021

VIDEO: American Jazz Riverboat Set Free after Grounding in Kentucky

American Jazz - Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Gabriel Wisdom
U.S. Coast Guard District 8

The American Jazz riverboat, which ran aground near Canton, Kentucky on July 8 with 120 passengers and six crewmembers aboard, has finally been set free.The Lake Barkley Grounding Unified Command freed the riverboat, American Jazz, Friday from Lake Barkley in Cadiz, the U.S. Coast Guard said Saturday.At 3:22 p.m., salvage crews and the riverboat crew were able to free the riverboat from being ground by using a combination of a tug and barge setup along with the ship’s propulsion."Thanks to the amazing support of American Cruise Lines…

17 Mar 2021

Carbon Emissions from Trawler Fishing on Par with Aviation -Report

© Andrei Stepanov / Adobe Stock

Trawling of the ocean floor by fishing fleets releases roughly the same amount of carbon emissions into the water as aviation puts into the atmosphere each year, researchers said on Wednesday, calling for greater protection of the planet's seas.In a study published in the journal Nature, a team of 26 scientists and conservationists said marine protected areas (MPAs) are an effective tool for restoring biodiversity, expanding seafood supplies and storing climate-heating carbon.But at present…

09 Feb 2021

Cyprus Shipping Deputy Ministry Proposes Seafarer Vaccination Program

© moodboard / Adobe Stock

A global approach to delivering COVID-19 vaccinations to seafarers proposed by Cyprus' Shipping Deputy Ministry (SDM) aims to help alleviate the global crew change crisis.Over the past year, the need to class seafarers as key workers has received widespread support, with Cyprus now taking this one step further in suggesting the foundation of a feasible solution to inoculations.In letters to the EU Transport and Health Commissioners and IMO Secretary-General, Cyprus SDM, Vassilios Demetriades…

29 Jan 2021

Body Found in Search for Missing Texas A&M Maritime Academy Cadet

(File photo: Texas A&M Maritime Academy)

Authorities in Galveston, Texas say they have found what is believed to be the remains of a Texas A&M Maritime Academy cadet who has been missing since Wednesday.Texas A&M-Galveston officials said they were notified by the Galveston Police Department Friday afternoon that a body found on Pelican Island near the Galveston Campus is believed to be missing cadet Brandon Lee Perlowski, though the identification has not been confirmed.The news comes less than 24 hours after another student was found deceased in his residence hall room Thursday night.

22 Dec 2020

IMO Condemns Charterers’ 'No Crew Change' Clauses

© Pascal Bourgier / Adobe Stock

The head of the United Nations' shipping agency has spoken out against “no crew change” clauses in charterparties, stating such clauses exacerbate the dire situation of stranded seafarers and undermine the efforts undertaken to resolve the ongoing crew change crisis.So-called “no crew change” clauses, which are demanded by certain charterers, state that no crew changes can occur whilst the charterer’s cargo is onboard – hence not allowing the ship to deviate to ports where crew changes could take place.

02 Sep 2020

Yara Marine Launches Start-up Accelerator Program

© Wojciech Wrzesień / Adobe Stock

Norway-based Yara Marine Technologies says it is running a competition for start-ups to accelerate the growth of technologies and solutions that will contribute to a greener maritime industry.“Our corporate mission is to nurture the next generation of high value, high performance sustainable ocean technologies,” says Yara Marine CEO Thomas Koniordos. “With this new program, we are seeking to position Yara Marine in the global start-up space while developing new opportunities for…

20 Aug 2020

New Firefighting Vessel Built for Copenhagen FD

(Photo: Volvo Penta)

Danish operator Hovedstadens Beredskab (HBR)—part of the Greater Copenhagen Fire Department Association— recently commissioned the build of HBR 1 Copenhagen, a full cabin multi-response vessel that can sail under all weather conditions. The new vessel responds to emergency calls in the Harbor of Copenhagen and the surrounding area, navigating the city’s canals to deliver a fast and effective fire response to the residence.The finished vessel latest model in Tuco Marine Group’s ProZero series of fast workboats.

20 Apr 2020

Russia Files Protest After Accusing Norway of Detaining Trawler

Russia on Friday accused Norway’s coastguards of detaining a Russian fishing trawler near a remote chain of islands in the Arctic earlier this month and said it had filed a protest to Oslo over the incident.The Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, about 850 km (500 miles) north of mainland Norway, is seen as a potential flashpoint between Moscow and the West as climate change has opened up the resource-rich region.Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday Russia was seriously concerned after a Russian fishing vessel named the Borey was detained on April 2, within Norway’s fish protection zone that Russia considers illegal.“We…

25 Dec 2019

NYK Provides Free Transport for Ginkgo Saplings

Japanese shipping giant Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) Group has provided support to a project being conducted by maritime volunteers in the town of Pembroke, which is south of Wales, to return ginkgo saplings linked to Admiral Togo, one of Japan’s greatest naval heroes.Yusen Logistics Co. Ltd. has provided free transport from Britain, and a ceremony for receiving the saplings was held at the Hiroshima Botanical Garden in Japan on December 24.In the 1870s, the Japanese government donated the ginkgo tree to Britain, where Togo was furthering his naval studies, and the tree was planted in the yard of his dormitory. The tree has always been locally known to be linked to Togo…

18 Dec 2019

Scrubbers: A "360-degree solution" for Owners

Photo: Pacific Green Technologies

As part of the IMO’s commitment to reducing the maritime sector’s output of greenhouse gases by 50% over the next 30 years, January will herald the new global 0.5% sulfur cap.This is a major transition for ship operators and owners, but they have several options.Many shipowners are switching to low sulfur fuel oil (LSFO), but this will mean a significant leap in vessel operating costs. The price of LSFO on 1 January 2020 is not yet known, but analysts have estimated that the price could be between $100-300 per tonne more than HSFO.

16 Oct 2019

“Minor” Incident Sends Mariner Down S&R Rabbit Hole

The twists and turns of any marine casualty investigation can be unpredictable, but what is predictable is the potentially crushing cost to defend your license, livelihood and professional reputation.It was early afternoon on a late summer day in a busy commercial and fishing port in coastal New England. The captain of an offshore supply vessel was returning to his company’s dock and was lining up to transit past the harbor’s fixed storm mitigation gate when he decided to ‘bail out’ on his approach because the tide was ebbing and the outbound current of approximately two knots was offsetting his vessel to the east. No stranger to these waters…

10 Jul 2019

Export Licensing: Tips U.S. Exporters Shouldn’t Overlook

The author, By Curt Cultice, U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Department of Commerce.

Export Control Lists Include Key Marine Tech Categories  Each year, the U.S. Department of Commerce receives thousands of inquiries from businesses looking to export, many of which involve licensing questions. The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), together with other USG agencies, is responsible for export licensing and controls. BIS export licenses may be required for items (commodities, software, or technology) with proliferation, military, or terrorist uses, or which warrant control for other reasons.

07 Jun 2019

Crew and Owners of 293 Vessels Honored

ABS, the global provider of classification and technical advisory services to the marine and offshore industries, said that it has continued its long-standing backing of the Amver Awards by sponsoring a ceremony recognizing the contribution of Norwegian shipping to the unique reporting system supporting search and rescue efforts for those in distress at sea.Hosted at the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence in Oslo, the ceremony saw 293 vessels from 33 Norwegian shipowners and operators honored for their commitment to maritime safety, making themselves available to assist in search and rescue activities anywhere in the world.“The Amver awards are a fantastic way of recognizing the brave men and women who operate the global fleet and assist people in peril at sea.

05 Jun 2019

AAMA Seeks Support for Ocean Economy

Chairman of Association of African Maritime administrations (AAMA), Dr Dakuku Peterside has called on developed nations and corporate bodies to support Africa and other developing nations to build capacity and regulatory enforcement needed to maximize benefits of ocean economy.Dakuku who made the call in Oslo, Norway at the commencement of the world renowned Nor Shipping Conference & Exhibition, holding June 4th - 7th, 2019, noted that Ocean industries will be contributing to Sustainable development goals  only when both developing and developed nations benefit in a sustainable manner.The High level ocean leadership meeting which was organized by United Nations Global Compact and the Norwegian government at the residence of the Prime Minister of Norway…

22 Apr 2019

Export Licensing: Tips U.S. Exporters Shouldn’t Overlook

Each year, the U.S. Department of Commerce receives thousands of inquiries from businesses looking to export, many of which involve licensing questions. The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), together with other USG agencies, is responsible for export licensing and controls. BIS export licenses may be required for items (commodities, software, or technology) with proliferation, military, or terrorist uses, or which warrant control for other reasons. Export licensing requirements can apply to a wide array of products, including marine technologies.

20 Nov 2018

Danish Parliament Includes Offshore Shipping in International Register

The Danish Parliament has approved new regulation following extension of the rules on tax free net wages for seafarers to also include certain specialized vessels.According to Danish Maritime Authority, the Danish parliament adopted an extension of the seafarer tax scheme last spring, making it apply to the crew on certain specialized vessels in the offshore sector."Todays’ new act allows for ship owners and Danish trade unions to enter into agreements that cover all seafarers on vessels primarily engaged in offshore activities in Danish waters regardless of the seafarer’s place of residence," it said.The Danish government recently enacted a new bill to amend the rules on ship registration…

11 Oct 2018

New Seafarer Training Center Opens in Phuket

Anthony Gould AFNI FRGS,  Chairman and CEO  (Photo:Galileo Maritime Academy )

Galileo Maritime Academy has this month announced the completion of its new architect designed professional crew training center and crew residence in Phuket, Thailand.The “T” shaped buildings comprise state-of-the-art training and recreation rooms, a seafarer medical center, a culinary arts and hospitality school, a three meter deep survival training pool and first class accommodation for 30 students.This central complex is located just above Yacht Haven Marina, the largest superyacht marina in Asia…

07 Mar 2019

IBM Canada Joins COVE

COVE has announced that IBM Canada has joined the ocean business park as a tenant, one of 50 currently in residence.IBM is one of Canada’s top 10 private research and development investors and last year contributed more than $478 million to Canadian research activities. In September 2018, it was revealed that IBM, along with COVE, Dalhousie University, the Ocean Frontier Institute, the Government of Canada, local industry and the Province of Nova Scotia, were collaborating on…

09 Oct 2017

San Diego Expecting Larger Cruise Season

The Port of San Diego is preparing to welcome 83 cruise calls during the 2017-2018 cruise season, with a wide variety of itineraries visiting this inspiring destination. This season Holland America Line remains a strong presence on San Diego Bay along with continued growth from Disney Cruise Line. On Thursday, October 5, the Disney Wonder will be in port, along with Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam. Approximately 242,000 passengers are expected this year, up from last year’s 224,000. The number of cruise calls remains about the same. Passengers this season will be able to experience a relaxing California Coast cruise, an adventurous voyage around the globe, South Pacific cruises and much more.

15 Mar 2018

50th Meeting of European Maritime Safety Agency

The Administrative Board of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) finished up its 50th meeting held in Lisbon. As newly elected Chair of the Board, Director-General, Danish Maritime Authority, Andreas Nordseth led the meeting for the first time. The Danish alternate member of the Board, Deputy Director-General Jakob Ejlers, covered the Danish chair during the meeting. One of the main issues of the meeting was a detailed discussion of the activities in next years’ work programme. The Board also approved an action plan for the follow up on the recommendations stemming from the recently finalized external evaluation of EMSA. This will ensure a continuous improvement of the activities of EMSA in the years to come.