World News

As COVID-19 coverage dominates the world’s news cycle, it’s a pleasure to report on a new ship delivery, Swire Shipping’s first 2400TEU newbuild vessel, MV Changsha. The vessel was built at CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., in China, and will be deployed on Swire Shipping’s South East Asia to Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands service.MV Changsha is part of a wider order book of eight feeder container vessels (four 2,400 TEU vessels and four 2,750 TEU vessels) scheduled for delivery in 2020…

With the United States & China dominating world news with the brewing trade war, it is worthy to note that when you examine the cumulative number and value of U.S. ships on order today worldwide (73 ships, $3.4 billion) Chinese shipyards dominate with a 50% share of the market (36 ships, $1.7 billion).Look for much more in the March 2019 'Cruise Shipping Annual' edition of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News.Source: VesselsValue.com

Danish Maritime Authority (DMA) Director General Andreas Nordseth, signed an agreement with Singapore and Norway on cooperation on digital certificates. The agreement is intended to make more countries migrate from paper certificates to digital certificates. The Danish Maritime Authority made world news when it announced on 24 June last year that from then on Danish ships were no longer to set to sea with heaps of paper certificates. Today the Danish Maritime Authority only issues digital certificates, which are very efficient and save time and money for both shipowners and authorities. Danish Maritime Authority has concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the maritime authorities in Singapore and Norway.

UK's Oceans TV announce that Royal Caribbean International has extended satellite TV channel agreements for two of the cruise line's ships. The first agreement covers the provision of a wide package of satellite TV channels for Serenade of the Seas whilst it cruises in European and Middle Eastern waters in Winter and Spring 2013. Channels include BBC World News, BBC Entertainment and CNBC Europe for English speaking passengers. Italian cruise lovers can watch Rai News, Rai 1 and Mediaset Italia; TF1 and AB1 are available for French passengers whilst TVE Internacional and RTL Schweiz can be viewed by Spanish and German speakers respectively. The second agreement is for the supply of the TV Globo International satellite TV channel onboard Splendour of the Seas.

MTN Satellite Communications (MTN) contract with Norwegian Cruise Line extended 5 years. The contract is for VSAT communications, crew calling, Internet services, access to MTN Worldwide TV™ and related services around the globe. MTN will continue to provide its communications solutions to the entire Norwegian fleet, including its newest ships, Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, launching in 2013 and 2014 respectively. With the extension of the contract, MTN will continue providing Norwegian with a full range of communications services…

Renewed Contract Ensures Guests and Crew Have Access to the Most Advanced Maritime Communications Technology Available. MTN Satellite Communications (MTN) has announces  it extended its contract with Norwegian Cruise Line (Norwegian) for an additional five years for VSAT communications, crew calling, Internet services, access to MTN Worldwide TV™ and related services around the globe. MTN will continue to provide its communications solutions to the entire Norwegian fleet, including its newest ships, Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, launching in 2013 and 2014 respectively. “Throughout our 21-year partnership, MTN has been committed to the highest standard of excellence when it comes to providing reliable and comprehensive communications services to our passengers and crew…

MTN Satellite Communications (MTN) announce MTN Worldwide TV is now available to commercial shipping, ferry, oil & gas and yacht customers. MTN Worldwide TV is the first fully-digital, multi-channel television service for the maritime industry. Leveraging MTN’s global infrastructure, the service utilizes overlapping satellite beams that integrate seamlessly with a vessel’s existing Television Receive-Only (TVRO) antenna and onboard video distribution system. MTN ensures viewers at sea receive reliable, uninterrupted service - regardless of location - by managing the satellite network and content. In addition, MTN Worldwide TV is available in all ocean regions and is a great core TV service to supplement any existing programming that might be lost when the vessel is at sea.

According to 'LNG World News' the ships will be built on a joint class of Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) and Lloyd’s Register (LR) by order of Sovcomflot for Gazprom Global LNG, acting as charterer. RS will act as the leading classification society. The ships are membrane-type LNG carriers with a capacity of 170,000 cubic meters of liquefied gas and will be equipped with a three-fuel diesel-electric propulsion plant, allowing to use LNG as fuel. The use of gas as fuel will significantly reduce emissions of NOx and SOx, which is a necessary requirement for modern ships within the tightening of international air emissions standards.

As part of the Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard, N-KOM has successfully completed marine, offshore and onshore projects for both local and international clients, with LNG repairs making up almost half of these projects reports LNG World News. The seven LNG carriers (Al Jasra, Al Bidda, Al Wajbah, Dukhan, Al Gharrafa , Al Rayyan and Al Thumama) are undergoing drydocking repairs, including the overhauling of the main engine, valves, pumps and other general repairs and maintenance. Most of these vessels are jointly owned by a consortium of Japanese shipping companies: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd (MOL), Nippon Yusen Kaisha Line (NYK), Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd (“K” Line), with Al Gharrafa being technically managed by OSG Shipmanagement (UK) Ltd.

MTN is proud to be celebrating its 30th year in the satellite communications industry. Over the past three decades, MTN has contributed to the evolution of the satellite industry and continues to deliver communications solutions that address the needs of both commercial users and governments. - Built the first 5-meter C-Band transportable satellite antenna made to travel with the presidential administration for Summit meetings and Pentagon press pool required events. - Delivered the industry's first stabilized, "transmit and receive" Ku-Band satellite antenna system for the U.S. Navy deployed on the USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2) during the first Persian Gulf crisis. - Introduced the first onboard Internet cafés for cruise ships leveraging MTN's VSAT technology.

Companies, organisations and individuals that have championed high standards and quality in shipping issues have been honoured in the annual Seatrade Middle East and Indian Subcontinent Awards. The awards, recognising maritime safety and the environment, ship and port operations and efficiency, security and financing, were presented at a gala dinner attended by around 600 senior executives of the region’s maritime and related industries at Al Johara Ballroom, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, on Thursday.

According to a BBC World News report, pirates used rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons to attack another US merchant ship off the coast of Somalia on April 15. The pirates damaged the Liberty Sun, which was carrying a cargo of food aid. The USS Bainbridge arrived some hours later, by which time the pirates had gone. (Source: BBC World News)

According to a report from World News, Somali pirates hijacked a U.S.-flagged cargo ship on April 8, with 21 crew members aboard, a diplomat and a U.S. Navy spokesman said. The Kenya-based diplomat identified the vessel as the 17,000-ton Maersk Alabama and said all the crew members are American. (Source: World News)

Burger Boat's President David Ross announced the formation of a strategic alliance between Burger Boat Company and SAFE (Strategically Armored and Fortified Environments). SAFE is an authority on effective high-end residential and superyacht security. "For over 35 years SAFE has designed control systems and security solutions for Governments, businesses and notable individuals worldwide. SAFE's flawless record is unsurpassed and a testament to the effectiveness of its designs." Corbi's designs and concepts have been featured on more than twenty publications and shows in the U.S., including The Today Show, World News Tonight with Peter Jennings, The Oprah Winfrey Show, ABC, NBC, CNN, Extra, Eye on L.A., PBS and USA Today, along with coverage on five continents worldwide.