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Sea Transportation News

17 Nov 2023

Bringing the Capital Construction Fund Program Ashore

© William A. Morgan / Adobe Stock

On May 5, 2023, the White House announced that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was “taking the next step to invest $3 billion in its Clean Ports Program to fund zero-emission port equipment and technology and to help ports develop climate action plans to reduce air pollutants, improve air quality and public health in neighboring communities, and advance environmental justice.” That “next step” was the issuance of a Request for Information to inform EPA of the availability…

17 Nov 2023

Capital Construction Funds: A New Opportunity For Vessel Financing On The Inland Waterways

© Carisa Mitchell / Adobe Stock

Recent changes have opened up the Capital Construction Fund program to owners and operators of vessels on the U.S. inland waterways.Among the programs offered by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Maritime Administration (MARAD) to promote the growth and modernization of the U.S. maritime industry, the Capital Construction Fund (CCF) program is one that has remained largely unavailable to the owners and operators of vessels on the inland waterways—until now.Created by the Merchant Marine Act of 1936…

01 Jun 2023

Asia Shipbuilding Lays Keel for Innovative Sailing Cargo Ship for Marshall Islands

©Asia Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.

South Korea-based Asia Shipbuilding recently held the keel laying ceremony for hull number ASB – 1245 of the Pacific Island Supply Vessel, an innovative sailing cargo ship for the needs of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.The consortium of Asia Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., and the naval design company Kostec Co., Ltd., last year signed a contract with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH to deliver an innovative sailing cargo ship for the needs…

26 Sep 2022

Navigating Climate Change: How Shipping is Adapting in the St. Lawrence

© Delphotostock / Adobe Stock

When compared to other major river navigation routes around the world, the St. Lawrence River is a favored waterway.It flows from the mouth of Lake Ontario, at an altitude of 250 meters. From its source to the Gulf, the river travels 1,197 kilometers, and is fed by several tributaries including the Ottawa, Richelieu, Saint-François and Saguenay rivers.But the effects of climate change are being felt. The marine industry is adapting. It is currently embarking on a shift towards…

10 Jun 2022

US Names New Members to Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee

© Llstock / Adobe Stock

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg this week announced the appointment of 25 new members to the Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee (MTSNAC). The MTSNAC Charter will advise the Secretary, through the Maritime Administration (MARAD) Administrator, on ways to identify and address impediments hindering the effective use of short sea transportation. The MTSNAC’s counsel comes as the Biden-Harris Administration takes aim at tackling inflation and reducing the cost of goods in the country…

02 May 2022

Suggestions for Making America’s Marine Highway Program More Effective

© Ed Metz / Adobe Stock

The America’s Marine Highways Program is one of several grant programs administered by the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) to promote more effective use of the nation’s navigable waterways. This particular program was established by Congress in 2007 to provide grants for projects that would promote water-borne alternatives to available landside transportation services, especially for freight carried by trucks.Consistent with this specific goal, the program’s statutory authority…

10 Mar 2022

Zinus' Shore Power for Shell's Electric Catamarans in Singapore

Caption 1: Zinus’ autonomous charging solution will provide fully electric sea transportation for workers going to and from Shell Energy and Chemicals Park in Singapore.

Norway-based Zinus, a supplier of shore power products and autonomous solutions for ports and vessels, has secured a contract with Penguin Shipyard International in Singapore for the delivery of a fully automatic charging solution to three electric passenger catamarans Penguin is building for Shell.Zinus' autonomous charging solution will enable fully electric and sustainable sea transportation for workers going to and from Shell Energy and Chemicals Park in Singapore.Zinus’ scope includes three charging towers for installation on land…

11 Jan 2022

Indonesia Considers Coal Levy as Easing of Export Ban Calms Markets

Credit: Ibenk.88/AdobeStock

Chinese thermal coal futures fell on Tuesday after Indonesia, the world's biggest thermal coal exporter, eased a ban on overseas shipments that surprised buyers at the start of the year, alleviating concerns about supply disruptions.The export ban was introduced after state power utility Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) reported critically low coal stockpiles amid complaints miners were not fulfilling their responsibilities to supply fuel to the company. Driven by concerns about the impact to their economies which depend on coal-fired power generation…

27 Jul 2021

McAllister to Operate ATB for Polaris New Energy LNG Bunkering Ops

A line drawing of ATB Polaris/Clean Canaveral. Source: McAllister

McAllister Towing LNG Services, LLC will serve as technical manager for the Polaris New Energy LNG bunkering operation in Florida, operating the Articulated Tug Barge (ATB) Polaris/Clean Canaveral for Polaris New Energy. “We are excited to work with McAllister Towing because, as one of the oldest marine transportation companies in the US, they bring a tradition for providing unsurpassed operational excellence," said Tom Sullivan, COO, Seaside LNG Holdings, the parent company of Polaris New Energy.

02 Dec 2020

Streamlining and Simplifying US Government Guaranteed Vessel Financing

© wi6995 / Adobe Stock

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) has taken several steps to streamline and simplify the Federal Ship Financing Program under Chapter 537 of Title 46 of the U.S. Code (commonly referred to as Title XI). The Title XI program provides for a full faith and credit guarantee by the United States government to promote the growth and modernization of the U.S. merchant marine and U.S. shipyards. The Title XI Program supports U.S. shipowners obtaining new vessels from, or reconstructing and reconditioning vessels in, U.S. shipyards. It also aids U.S.

04 Aug 2020

Stena Rederi Opens New Baltic Route

Stena Gothica is one of the vessels operating Liepaja-Karlskrona-TravemĂĽnde. Photographer: Stena Line/Ann-Charlotte Ytterberg

From August 13, 2020, Stena Line will start a new freight focused connection between Latvia, Sweden and Germany by adding a port-call in Karlskrona on the existing ferry route between Liepaja and Travemünde.Stena Line today offers seven routes in the Baltic Sea for freight and passenger transportation. The additional service to freight customers a port-call in Karlskrona on the existing route between Liepaja and Travemünde, enabling more effective trade and transport opportunities…

15 Jan 2020

The Good, the Bad and the Undeniably Ugly

© SunnyS / Adobe Stock

The end of 2019 promises to be a busy, and potentially discordant, legislative and regulatory period for the United States maritime industry as both Congress and the Executive Branch look to take decisive action, with both positive and negative potential impacts depending on your perspective. With appropriation and authorization bills still pending, and various open regulatory actions, there are significant opportunities for maritime stakeholders to influence policy outcomes.Funding Fights Continue in CongressOn October 31…

27 Dec 2019

INSIGHTS: Niels Aalund

Niels Aalund was elected President of the International Propeller Club at their 93rd International Convention and Conference. The prominent maritime industry stakeholder will serve a two-year term, commencing from October 17th. Aalund, a well-known maritime subject matter expert and executive, also serves as an Officer and as Senior Vice President of the West Gulf Maritime Association (WGMA). WGMA communicates and coordinates with various governmental entities throughout the West Gulf…

17 Nov 2019

AG&P Invests in Kanfer Shipping, Eyes LNG

Global downstream gas and LNG logistics company Atlantic Gulf & Pacific (AG&P) has made a strategic equity investment in Norway-based Kanfer Shipping.Kanfer is a developer of small-scale LNG sea transportation, maritime break-bulk solutions, floating storage facilities as well as LNG bunkering. Together, Kanfer and AG&P will make LNG more accessible and commercially viable for downstream customers in new and growing natural gas markets."Kanfer has captured the attention of the global LNG maritime infrastructure industry with its patented, barge design that makes breaking bulk cargoes of LNG easier, faster and more efficient," said a…

08 Oct 2019

Two U.S. Flag Tugs Recently Sold

Photo: Marcon International

Marcon International has announced to report the recent sales of the following two U.S. flag tugs as sellers continue to upgrade their fleets.The U.S. flag, 4,800 HP twin screw, flush-deck, articulated pusher tug “Java Sea” has been sold by Kirby Offshore Marine of Houston, Texas to private buyers. The tug was originally built by the well-respected Main Iron Works of Houma, Louisiana as the “Patriot” (Hull 360) - a 3,000 HP, EMD 12-645E6 powered, conventional twin screw tug with a raised 49.3’ height of eye pilothouse.

20 Sep 2019

Höegh Increases its Frequency to Australia

Nowegean provider of Ro/Ro (Roll On/Roll Off) deep sea transportation services Höegh Autoliners announce an increased frequency in its service to Australia. Starting in November, the company will offer five sailing per month to Australia from Europe.Previously, Höegh offered up to four regular sailing per month, and with the increased frequency, the company will strengthen its position in the region.Thomas Ramdahl, Chief of Sales said: "To accommodate the growing demand from breakbulk, high and heavy and car manufacturers, we will increase our frequency to Oceania by offering our customers additional sailings from Europe."Höegh Autoliners currently deploy the New Horizon Vessel series in the service to Oceania.

17 Sep 2019

BP Awards Caspian ACG Contracts

The upstream consortium, led by UK enerrgy giant major BP, announced that the Azeri-Central-East (ACE) project is moving forward at pace with the awards of key contracts.BP as operator of the Azeri-Chirag-Deepwater Gunashli (ACG) field development, revealed that the contracts, covering engineering, fabrication and construction, project management and other services follow the project final investment decision (FID) announced on 19 April 2019.The contract awards underpin the schedule for project delivery and complement the progress being made across the multiple areas and fabrication yards involved in this major development project.The scope of work under this contract includes collection of the materials and equipment from the suppliers’ locations and delivery to Baku sites…

30 Aug 2019

UPM to Charter 7 LNG-fueled Newbuilds

Helsinki-headquartered UPM Logistics says that it has entered into a long-term charter agreement with the Finnish Bore Ltd and the Dutch Wijnne Barends, both affiliates of the Dutch Spliethoff Group.Together, the companies will design and build seven state-of-the-art vessels for sustainable sea transportation for UPM in Europe.“This arrangement is a consistent step in UPM’s logistics strategy. It will safeguard a sustainable, competitive and reliable shipping solution for our businesses and customers on long term,” said Lauri Rikala, Director, Global Break Bulk Shipping, UPM Logistics.Bore Ltd will build three (3) RoLo vessels for transporting…

11 Jul 2019

SCF Celebrates the Day of Russian Sea

Russian maritime shipping company specializing in petroleum and LNG shipping, PAO Sovcomflot (SCF Group) held a traditional meeting of the company’s management with masters of Sovcomflot vessels on the eve of Russia’s Day of Marine and River Fleet Workers, celebrated on the first Sunday of July.The state-owned corporation said in a press note that in the lead-up to this day, Russian Ministry of Transport has awarded 43 masters and 48 chief engineers of Sovcomflot vessels its Badge for Accident-Free Work in Maritime Transportation.During the meeting, Sergey Frank, President & CEO of Sovcomflot, expressed his gratitude to the company’s senior fleet officers for their operational excellence and significant contribution to ensuring safe and reliable sea transportation of cargo for the company'

20 Jun 2019

GAIL Hires LNG Carrier from MOL

India's state-run natural gas firm GAIL (India) Ltd has hired a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier on short-term charter from Japan's shipping giant Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL).MOL, the world’s largest operator of LNG carriers, in its press release, did not disclose further details of the charter deal, including the duration of the contract, the name of the ship and the day rate.GAIL is the largest natural gas Company of India with approx. 11,400 Km of cross country existing trunk pipeline network and another 4,000 Km pipelines in advance stage of completion. GAIL is ranked no. 1 gas pipeline company in India and among the top gas utilities in Asia.GAIL currently holds a LNG / RLNG portfolio of about 14 MTPA from various long and short-term contracts.

20 Jun 2019

FESCO Opens Routes to Ports of Chukotka

The largest intermodal transport operator in Russia FESCO Transportation Group started seasonal transportation to Anadyr and Egvekinot, the ports of the Chukotka Autonomous Region, under the Northern Supply Haul.General cargo ship “FESCO Pioner” set sail for Anadyr on June 13, 2019. FESCO vessel will deliver to Anadyr about 4 500 tons of containerized and general cargo.The approximate date of arrival of this general cargo ship to Chukotka is June, 22. Delivery of the goods on linear service "FESCO Anadyr Direct Line" (FADL) is to last until the end of October.FADL service provides transportation all kinds of cargoes, such as dry and general cargoes…

17 Jun 2019

CRCT Signs Pact with SITC

China Railway Container Transport (CRCT), a provider of international and domestic railway container transportation services, has signed strategic cooperation agreement with SITC International Holdings at Beijing.According to a press release from SITC, a shipping logistics company headquartered in Hong Kong, both parties expressed the desire of win-win cooperation, and exchanged ideas of promoting railway containers for overseas and intermodal rail-sea transportation business.Han boling, General Manager of CRCT, and  Yang Xianxiang, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of SITC, participated in the agreement signing ceremony, together with the delegates of both firms…

28 May 2019

Kirby’s Secret Sauce

Image Credit: Kirby Corporation

Another year; another major fleet takeover by Kirby Corporation. But the leader of the inland tank-barge sector is not growing for growth’s sake: a deeper look at the numbers shows a disciplined strategy at work.“Kirby is definitely the big gorilla in the inland barge market,” affirmed Jefferies analyst Randy Giveans. Indeed, Houston-headquartered Kirby Corp has been extremely active buying fleets over the past few years, most recently acquiring the 63 tank barges of Cenac Marine in March for $244 million.