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25 Mar 2024

US Dredging: Plenty of Issues, New WRDA on the Way

(Photo: Janet Meredith / U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

2024 marks another year for development of a biennial WRDA bill—Water Resources Development Act, critical legislation for the Nation’s waterways, ports and harbors. WRDA encompasses a range of issues, from environmental regs to energy use to agriculture and, of course, a focus on projects critical for economic growth.Because these are dynamic and timely issues, Congress and the maritime sector like to keep WRDA on a two-year reauthorization timeline. Indeed, the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, December and January, held three WRDA information hearings.

12 Mar 2024

Cosco Shipping Enhances Safety with Iridium GMDSS

Source: Iridium Communications

Iridium Communications has announced Cosco Shipping (CSSC), the world's largest fleet of commercial vessels with 1,417 ships, has begun installation of Iridium® Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) terminals.The recent installation of the Lars Thrane LT-3100S terminal on the Cosco Tengfei is a testament to CSSC always prioritizing the safety of its crew, ships, and cargo, says Iridium.The Cosco Tengfei is a modern pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) vessel capable of transporting up to 5,000 vehicles.

21 Feb 2024

Demand for Maritime Shaft Generators Increasing

Controllable pitch propeller.
Source: MAN Energy Solutions

30 years ago shaft generators with PTI capability kept container ships sailing at top speed. That purpose gone, PTI/PTO is making a new comeback in more cargo shipping segments, this time for reducing emissions.Retrofitting a shaft generator is not an insignificant undertaking. Around 50 tons of equipment needs to be installed into the engineroom through a hole in the hull. A new section of shaft is usually required.That a few shipowners are undertaking such projects - Klaveness Combination Carriers on the Ballard…

08 Feb 2024

Insights: Blake Powell, JMS Naval Architects

Blake Powell, President, JMS Naval Architects (Photo: JMS Naval Architects)

Blake Powell, president at JMS Naval Architects, discusses his career, company and latest trends in naval architecture and marine engineering.Please give a brief professional bio, including education, experience and overview of current duties as president of JMS Naval Architects.I earned my degree in Naval Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley where I attended on a Navy ROTC scholarship and was commissioned as a Diving and Salvage Officer after I graduated.

07 Jan 2024

2023 Coast Guard Engineer of the Year Named

Source: US Coast Guard

Lt. Lena “Lexie” Royster, a mechanical engineer in the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Center, in Washington, has been selected as the 2023 Coast Guard Engineer of the Year.The Coast Guard Engineer of the Year Award recognizes Coast Guard active duty and civilian engineers for their accomplishments and achievements. The award’s selection panel considers many factors including engineering accomplishments, awards, honors and educational achievements.“I am extremely thankful for the opportunities the Coast Guard has given me,” said Royster.

13 Dec 2023

Twelve Rescued After Cargo Vessel Capsizes

(Photo: Carnival Corp)

Twelve mariners were rescued after a small cargo vessel capsized near the Dominican Republic.Carnival Corp said the crew aboard its cruise ship Carnival Vista rescued six from the water early Wednesday morning after the cargo vessel Two Brothers capsized about 30 miles north of Puerto Plata overnight.Carnival Vista’s officers under the direction of Captain Paolo Severini immediately altered the ship’s course, in coordination with Carnival’s Fleet Operations Center in Miami, when…

11 Dec 2023

Ship Recycling Market Remains Slumped

Source: GMS

The lackluster end to the year in subcontinent recycling markets continues for another week as disappointed owners and cash buyers face selling their inventory into markets where prices have slumped, reports cash buyer GMS.Several dry bulk sales were below USD 500/LT LDT into India in the lowest confirmed deals for several months.Steel prices have declined in India by almost 10% in a shock to many, particularly as international steel prices have pushed on to an impressive extent over the last month.

14 Nov 2023

Chevron's Lubricating Oil Enables Fuel Flexibility in Marine Engines

Wartsila 34 dual fuel engine test cylinder - Credit: Chevron Marine Fuels

Chevron Marine Products said Tuesday that four-stroke engine operators could benefit from its new lubricating oil's versatility.HDAX 9700 was created to provide a solution for engines that run on multiple liquid and gaseous fuels and applications that require a low-sulfated ash lubricant, Chevron said.According to the company, the HDAX 9700t is also suitable for dual-fuel marine engines, as HDAX 9700 has successfully completed more than 20.000 hours of testing on a Wärtsilä dual-fuel power plant.“HDAX 9700 brings many benefits for operators of four-stroke engines.

07 Nov 2023

Oldendorff and MIT Report on Biofuel Contamination Study

Dr. Patricia Stathatou courtesy of Oldendorff Carriers

In 2019, Oldendorff Carriers signed a research agreement with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Center for Bits and Atoms to investigate disruptive improvements in ship design, propulsion, and alternative energy sources to help achieve the enhanced decarbonization targets to 2050. As part of their agreement, Oldendorff Carriers asked MIT to conduct a study on the long-term stability and degradation of a B20 advanced biofuel blend.Biofuels offer a drop-in fuel option, reducing GHG emissions from a life-cycle perspective.

07 Nov 2023

US-flagged Laker Grounds in the St. Clair River

(Photo: U.S. Coast Guard)

A U.S. registered laker ran aground in the St. Clair River near Marine City, Mich. on Tuesday, the U.S. Coast Guard said.The Coast Guard said it was notified at 7:21 a.m. that the 617-foot-long vessel American Courage grounded with a cargo of 20,000 tons of stone on board. No injuries or pollution have been reported.The river remains open to navigation, though a marine safety broadcast has been issued urging mariners to use caution while transiting the area.The Coast Guard said it is coordinating with the vessel's owner—Traverse City…

31 Oct 2023

Grounded Cargo Ship Refloated in the Caribbean

(Photo: U.S. Coast Guard)

A cargo ship that ran aground off St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands earlier this month has been refloated and towed to a safe mooring location at the Crown Bay Sandfill dock, the U.S. Coast Guard said.Vessel owners and salvors will now coordinate further operations to remove the damaged cargo, remaining oil and conduct further salvage or repair operations for the Bonnie G.The Vanuatu-flagged vessel began taking on water and ran aground on October 4, leading the 12 people on board to be rescued after abandoning ship. No injuries were reported.To refloat the Bonnie G, DonJon-SMIT, Inc.

09 Oct 2023

WinGD Issues NOL for Chevron's Taro Ultra Advanced 40

Clean piston - it is vital for high performance 40 BN cylinder oils to have excellent performance, centred on their cleaning ability. The test was done on WinGD 9X82 for over 4300h VLSFO. The feed rate during the test was 0.8 g/kWh. (Photo: Chevron)

Chevron Marine Products’ Taro Ultra Advanced 40 oil has successfully passed NOL (No Objection Letter) requirements by engine manufacturer WinGD. This follows the earlier NOL award for Taro Ultra Advanced 40 from MAN Energy Solutions. This latest test validates the suitability of the oil for use in WinGD engines operating with liquid fuels containing sulphur in the range 0.00<1.50 % m/m, which includes very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO). The test also approved the general usage…

11 Sep 2023

GMS: Ship Recycling Market Bullish

Source: GMS

Another week of speculation has passed in the Indian sub-continent ship recycling markets, as sales continue to register at ever increasing numbers to increasingly bullish cash buyers who certainly seem to be banking on a Q4 revival, says cash buyer GMS.The chief proponents of this most recent and ongoing resurgence are India and a re-merging Pakistan market that is back and bidding once again after almost a year on the sidelines amidst political, financial, and disastrous economic…

27 Aug 2023

India’s Ship Recycling Deals Suggest Market Recovery

© Mulderphoto / Adobe Stock

Cash buyer GMS reports that the ongoing complications experienced in the Indian sub-continent ship recycling markets have shown few signs of dissipating this week.The company says the lack of vessels and financing approvals in Bangladesh and Pakistan has seen market prices reach new lows with each concurrent sale into the sub-continent destinations.“Notwithstanding, despite being moderately placed in the market rankings, India remains a beacon of hope amidst a dire 2023 recycling landscape…

25 Aug 2023

US Coast Guard Joins Papua New Guinea Maritime Security Operation

USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) hosts operational planning and subject matter exchange with partners in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Photo by Chief Warrant Officer Sara Muir.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) has invited the USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) to join their lead in maritime operations to combat illegal fishing and safeguard maritime resources during August 2023.This marks the first time a joint patrol effort will be executed at sea since the signing and ratification of the recent bilateral defense agreement between PNG and the US, which allows the US to embark shipriders from PNG agencies aboard the ship to conduct at sea boardings on other vessels operating in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).The move emphasizes PNG’s commitment to maritime domain awareness…

21 Aug 2023

Lethargy Continues in Ship Recycling Market

© Nightman1965 / Adobe Stock

The lethargy in subcontinent recycling markets continues for another week as owners and cash buyers continue to offload tonnage at spiralling prices, chasing down rates seemingly by the day, reports GMS.“We have seen prices decline from over USD 600/LT LDT earlier this year, to seeing several standard (albeit poor condition) dry bulk sales below USD 500/LDT recently.”Therefore, a fall of over USD 100/LDT has been realized in recycling markets since the start of the summer and the problems persist of strained lines of credit and lack of financing…

18 Jul 2023

Ever Given: “The Captain Has Command of the Ship at All Times”

© Corona Borealis / Adobe Stock

The Panama Maritime Authority has submitted its accident investigation report on the Ever Given to the IMO which includes the conclusion that “the Captain has command of the ship at all times.”On 23 March 2021, the Suez Canal was blocked for six days after the grounding of Ever Given between March 23 and March 29, 2021. The 20,000 TEU container vessel was struck by strong winds and ended up wedged across the waterway with its bow and stern stuck in the canal banks, blocking all traffic until it could be freed.A critical time period in the incident occurred at about 07:38 HRS / LT.

26 Jun 2023

Uzmar Delivers New Tug to Svitzer

(Photo: Uzmar)

Uzmar’s shipyard in Turkey has delivered a new tug to Svitzer, the towage arm of Danish shipping group A.P. Moller-Maersk.The newly completed RAstar 3200-W, named Svitzer Elizabeth, was designed by Robert Allan Ltd. and will be the first Uzmar tug to be part of Svitzer’s European fleet, operating in the Port of Liverpool, England.The combination of 80+ tonnes bollard pull, escort, Fi-Fi 1, exceptional seakeeping and < 500 GT of this design has proven successful for Uzmar and Robert Allan Ltd., the designer said.

23 May 2023

Strategically Located, Guam's Defense Posture is Growing

The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Springfield (SSN 761) departs Apra Harbor, Guam, Oct. 5. Springfield is one of five submarines assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron (SUBRON) 15. SUBRON 15 is responsible for providing training, material, and personnel readiness support to five forward-deployed Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarines and is located at Polaris Point, Naval Base Guam. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Eric Uhden)

With the rise of China and her global ambitions, the military importance of Guam in the Indo-Pacific theater has become apparent. The force levels on the island had drawn down from a peak of about 26,000 at the height of the Vietnam War to a tenth of that—just 2,500 people in the early 2000s. Today, that's changing. Guam's defense posture is growing.Guam's proximity to major population centers in East Asia underscores its strategic importance. The island is just 1,400 miles from Tokyo, Manilla or Port Moresby. All of the armed services have a presence on Guam.

06 Jun 2023

US Coast Guard Cutter Maurice Jester Commissioned

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Maurice Jester (WPC 1152) in Newport, R.I., June 2, 2023. (Photo: Lyric Jackson / U.S. Coast Guard)

The U.S. Coast Guard’s newest cutter, the Coast Guard Cutter Maurice Jester (WPC-1152), was commissioned on Friday at Fort Adams State Park, R.I.Lt. Terry Netusil, assumed command of the cutter during a ceremony presided over by Vice Adm. Kevin Lunday, the Coast Guard Atlantic Area commander. The Maurice Jester is the third of six Fast Response Cutters that will be homeported in Boston, serving along the 1st Coast Guard District.Built by Bollinger Shipyards, the Sentinel-class fast response cutter (FRC) is designed for multiple missions…

19 Apr 2023

US Navy Sends a USV Through the Strait of Hormuz

An L3Harris Arabian Fox MAST-13 unmanned surface vessel transits the Strait of Hormuz accompanied by USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141) and USCGC John Scheuerman (WPC 1146) on April 19, 2023. (Photo: Vincent Aguirre / U.S. Coast Guard)

The U.S. Navy on Wednesday sent an uncrewed surface vessel (USV) through the Strait of Hormuz as it ramps up its use of high-tech unmanned assets for patrols and monitoring at sea.The transit was reportedly the Navy's fist for a USV through the busy and strategically important strait, demonstrating the continued operational integration of unmanned and artificial intelligence systems by U.S. maritime forces in the Middle East.The L3 Harris Arabian Fox MAST-13 USV was accompanied by a pair of Sentinel-class Coast Guard cutters…

01 Jun 2023

U.S. Coast Guard Calls Off Search for 35-Year-Old Who Fell from Carnival Magic Cruise Ship

The U.S. Coast Guard on Wednesday suspended the search for a missing 35-year-old man who went overboard from a cruise ship 186 miles east of Jacksonville, Florida.Coast Guard crews searched more than 5,171 square miles and 60 hours. Missing is Ronnie Peale.Carnival Cruise Lines personnel contacted Coast Guard watchstanders at 6:36 p.m., Monday, reporting that a passenger fell off the cruise ship Carnival Magic and entered the water.Coast Guard watchstanders launched air crews and diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba (WMEC 907) to conduct search and rescue efforts from the air and on the water. U.S. Navy ships and aircraft in the…

12 Jun 2023

Work Starts on New Navy Floating Dry Dock

Austal USA began construction on the Navy’s Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock Medium (AFDM) at the company’s Gulf Coast ship manufacturing facility. Image courtesy Austal USA

Austal USA began construction on the Navy’s Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock Medium (AFDM) at the company’s Gulf Coast ship manufacturing facility last week. AFDM is the third program to begin construction on Austal USA’s steel assembly line following T-ATS 11 and 12 - the first two of four U.S. Navy Towing, Salvage, and Rescue (T-ATS) ships the company is under contract to build. The AFDM is a “Rennie”-type floating dry dock which means it has continuous wing walls and several sectional…