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Martinique News

23 Feb 2024

EU Clears CMA CGM's Acquisition of Bollore Logistics, Subject to Conditions

Š JHVEPhoto / Adobe Stock

The EU Commission on Friday said it had cleared the acquisition of the logistics operations of conglomerate Bollore by shipping group CMA CGM, subject to a number of conditions proposed by the companies.The commission, which oversees competition policy in the 27-nation European Union, said that the acquisition had been approved after its investigation found a number of concerns.To address them, the parties agreed to divest all of Bolloré Logistics' activities in Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin and French Guiana, as well as a number of assets in metropolitan France linked to these activiti

10 Jan 2023

UK Navy Rescues Five from Sinking Tug

(Photo: U.K. Royal Navy)

Five mariners were rescued by the crew of a U.K. Royal Navy patrol ship after their tug started to sink in rough seas last week in the Caribbean.The oceangoing tug began taking on water after suffering an engine failure some 20 miles west of Sint Maarten. The vessel's crew sent out a distress call around 1 p.m. on Friday and took refuge on the large sand barge their vessel had been towing.Patrol ship HMS Medway, the Royal Navy’s permanent presence in the region, was slightly more than a dozen miles away and promptly responded to the Mayday call.

17 Sep 2020

Fit for Fight: Navies challenged by COVID at sea, ashore

Fit for the COVID Fight: Sailors stand in ranks before manning the rails of Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Photos: U.S. Navy Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Christian Huntington

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, navies adjusted how they operate at home and while deployed, to keep their forces ready for any missions as they keep their Sailors, families, communities, as well as allies and partners safe from the coronavirus.Navies have taken a number of prudent preventative measures to limit outbreaks, mitigate cases of infection and reduce the community spread of the virus.Speaking during his May 29 “On The Horizon: Navigating the European and African Theaters” podcast, Admiral James G. Foggo III, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa, said The U.S.

11 Sep 2020

Sanmar Delivers Tug to Somaliland Port Authority

M JEEX (Photo: Sanmar)

P&O Maritime Logistics (P&OML), the marine services arm of global port operator DP World, has taken delivery of a Sanmar Shipyards-built tug for the DP World managed Berbera Port on behalf of Somaliland Port Authority (SPA). The M JEEX (ex. Dogancay XXV) arrived Berbera Port under P&OML management and crew on September 10, 2020. The delivery follows a previous purchase from Sanmar, the EGAL (ex. Dogancay XXVI), delivered in the summer of 2018.Powered by a pair of Caterpillar 3212B diesel engines (two 1…

20 Oct 2019

Damen, Maris Join Forces to Tackle Seaweed

Dutch shipbuilding giant and Maris Projects, a player in marine and oceanographic data management services,  have joined forces to tackle the issue of invasive Sargassum seaweed in the Caribbean region – including the Dutch Caribbean Islands.The partners are working towards the developments of a holistic solution. The work of the two companies is expected to greatly increase knowledge of bio-processing, leading to the design of efficient and scalable technologies with the capability to deliver both environmental and socio-economic benefits.A significant – and to date, inexplicable – rise in the quantity of Sargassum in Caribbean waters and along its shores, has been recorded in recent years. The weed is causing considerable problems in the region.

02 Oct 2019

Three Confirmed Dead in Bourbon Rhode Sinking

A French Navy plane is assisting in the search for eight crew still missing from sunken offshore tug supply vessel Bourbon Rhode. Three of the 14 crew members on board at the time of the sinking have been rescued, and three have been confirmed deceased. (Photo: Marine Nationale)

The bodies of two more crew members from sunken offshore tug supply vessel Bourbon Rhode have been recovered by search teams in the Atlantic Ocean, the vessel's owner Bourbon announced on Tuesday. Three crew members are confirmed deceased, three have been rescued and eight are still missing after the vessel sank in heavy seas with 14 on board near a category 4 hurricane on Thursday.The bodies of two mariners were recovered at sea Monday night and transferred on the French navy Ventôse frigate…

30 Sep 2019

Offshore Vessel Sinks: 3 Rescued, 1 Dead, 10 Missing

Three of Bourbon Rhode's 14 crew members were located in a lifeboat and rescued on Saturday. Resonders are searching for 11 that are still missing. (Photo: Marine Nationale)

French offshore vessels owner Bourbon confirmed that its tug supply vessel Bourbon Rhode sank in middle of the Atlantic Ocean while navigating heavy seas near a category 4 hurricane on Thursday. Three crew members have been rescued, the body of one deceased has been recovered, and responders are searching for 10 crew still missing.The body of one crew member was located by an aircraft and recovered by a vessel in the search area, Bourbon said on Monday. The seafarer's family has…

26 Sep 2019

Bourbon Vessel Taking on Water Near Hurricane Lorenzo

Satellite image of Hurricane Lorenzo in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean on September 25 (Photo: NASA/NRL)

Bourbon said a mission has been launched to rescue 14 crew from one of its vessels taking on water in heavy seas near a category 4 hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean.The French offshore vessels owner said water is entering the stern of the 49.5-meter tug supply vessel Bourbon Rhode, about 60 nautical miles south-southeast from the eye of hurricane Lorenzo.The US National Hurricane Center said on Thursday morning the category 4 storm is packing maximum sustained winds of 130 miles per hour and moving west-northwest at 13 miles per hour.As of Thursday afternoon…

05 Apr 2019

CMA CGM Boxship for French West Indies Christened

Photo courtesy of CMA CGM

CMA CGM Group announced that the CMA CGM Fort de France, the first vessel belonging to its new fleet dedicated to the French West Indies, was christened on April 4th, 2019 in Martinique by Mrs. Annick Girardin, French Minister for Overseas Territories.This inauguration took place in the presence of Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the CMA CGM Group, Tanya Saadé Zeenny, Executive Officer, Alfred Marie-Jeanne, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Martinique Regional Authority…

10 Jan 2019

CMA CGM's First Vessel Dedicated to the French West Indies Delivered

CMA CGM Fort de France (Photo: CMA CGM)

The CMA CGM Group has announced it has taken delivery of the CMA CGM Fort de France, the first of an order for four container ships dedicated to the French West Indies.With a capacity of 3,500 TEUs (Twenty-foot equivalent units) and a length of 219 meters, the CMA CGM Fort de France stands out by its draft which is adapted to the West Indies ports. It is also equipped with a large number of plugs for refrigerated containers (“Reefers”) which allow the transport in optimal conditions of perishable goods such as bananas…

18 Sep 2017

Maria Seen Strengthening into Major Hurricane

A second powerful storm in as many weeks was bearing down on a string of battered Caribbean islands, with forecasters saying Maria would strengthen rapidly into a major hurricane as it ripped into the Leeward Islands on Monday night. Maria's strength was building as it approached the Lesser Antilles, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said, estimating its winds near 90 miles per hour (145 kph). "Maria is expected to become a major hurricane as it moves through the Leeward Islands," the forecaster said, marked by "rapid strengthening" during the next 48 hours. Maria is approaching the eastern Caribbean less than two weeks after Irma hammered the region before overrunning Florida.

27 Jul 2016

This Day In Naval History: July 27

Guests arrive for the commissioning of the nuclear-powered attack submarine Providence (SSN-719) on July 27, 1985. (U.S. Navy photo by Joan Zopf, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection)

1776 - During the American Revolution, the Continental brig, Reprisal, commanded by Capt. Lambert Wickes, transports the newly appointed commercial and naval agent, William Bingham, to Martinique. While en route, the British sloop-of-war, HMS Shark, approaches the brig at the entrance to St. Pierre Harbor. After a sharp encounter and inconclusive action, HMS Shark withdraws and Reprisal enters port. 1862 - During the Civil War, the side-wheel steamer, USS Yankee, commanded by William Gibson, and the side-wheel tug, USS Satellite, commanded by Master Amos Foster, capture schooner J.W.

14 Jun 2016

Hapag-Lloyd Warns of Preventive Actions by China

Further to Hapag-Lloyd's information to their Customer circular issued in 4th March 2016 on the preventive actions of Zika virus for all cargoes entering China, the company has now provided an updated list of origin countries. All shipments from the following countries (indicated below) shall be subject to anti-mosquito treatment. Inbound shipments without proof of anti-mosquito treatment will be fumigated at the port of discharge in China by the authorities without prior notice. It is the Consignee’s responsibility to inform Shipper (at origin) to provide a certificate proof of treatment before loading. Please note that the Carrier is not involved in this procedure and all relevant costs as a result of required measures by the authorities shall be borne by the customer.

19 Jan 2016

Container Service to Connect Port Canaveral

GT USA, the US arm of UAE-based global ports and logistics company Gulftainer, announced the new ‘Blue Stream Service’, a weekly container cargo service connecting Port Canaveral to Europe, the French West Indies, and Central America. Blue Stream Service, operated by StreamLines, part of the SeaTrade Group, will provide refrigerated and dry container service to and from GT USA’s Canaveral Cargo Terminal, with a focus on fresh produce and perishable cargo. The Blue Stream Service will feature five ships with 1,300 TEU capacity and 250 reefer plugs on a weekly rotation. The new line will serve Central America to Port Canaveral in just three days and will offer the fastest transit time between Florida and Europe, just 11 days.

15 Jan 2016

New Container Terminal Opens at Port Canaveral

Photo courtesy of Canaveral Port Authority

The Canaveral Port Authority welcomes the start of StreamLine’s Blue Stream weekly liner service at its new Canaveral Cargo Terminal, which GT USA manages and operates. The service adds Port Canaveral to this valued trade route that includes Central America, Europe and the Caribbean. The first call at Canaveral is scheduled for January 31, 2016 with the arrival of the M/V Norderoog. StreamLines N.V. part of the Seatrade Group, is a container line providing refrigerated and dry container service specializing in fresh produce and perishables.

13 Apr 2015

CMA CGM Upgrades Gulfbridge, Hispaniola Lines

Container shipping company CMA CGM Group announced its Gulfbridge service upgrade, and its Hispaniola feeder service optimization. To adapt the group’s offer to its clients’ demand, CMA CGM decided to improve its Gulfbridge service by decreasing its transit times to Colombia. The service first rotation will start on April 29, in New Orleans, with the vessel Frisia Loga. 2,500 TEUs capacity vessels will call ports in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea and East and West South American coast calls through its Kingston transshipment. To complete its regional coverage, the CMA CGM Group uses feeder services. Those services dispatch the containers transported on the main services via transshipment ports. Calls frequency will be increased. Transit times from Kingston will be reduced.

06 Mar 2014

ASRY Slipway Repairs 6 Vessels Simultaneously

Photo: ASRY

ASRY, a ship and rig repair yard in the Arabian Gulf, recently saw six vessels under repair simultaneously on its dual slipways in a sign that the yard’s small and medium sized vessel repair business continues to flourish since the opening of the its state-of-the-art slipways. Slipway occupancy at ASRY has risen year on year since they were opened in 2008, with 2013’s revenues attributed directly to slipway work increasing 7.24% on 2012. The contribution to ASRY’s overall revenue has also seen gains since they were launched.

17 Oct 2012

Precious Cargo Returns to S. Florida

The 686-foot Yacht Express in Martinique.

Every October at Port Everglades, one of the most active cargo ports in the United States, Dockwise Yacht Transport (DYT) reminds the world that its semi-submersible ships are among the most extraordinary in the world, and the cargo they carry is as precious as any delivered around the globe by the thousands of ships that pass through there. This year, not one but two Dockwise ships, the 686-foot (209-meter) Yacht Express and the smaller 555.93-foot (169.49-meter) Super Servant 4…

01 Aug 2012

Dockwise Offers Southbound Superyacht Discount Deliveries

Photo credit Dockwise

DYT offers an attractive discount on southbound shipping for the 2013 as well as 2014 and 2015 editions of the popularNew Zealand Millenium Cup superyacht event. The discounted  DYT voyage for 2013 will sail from Palma de Mallorca, Spain at the end of November and stop in Le Marin (Martinique),  Port Everglades (Florida) and Golfito (Costa Rica) in December before arriving in Auckland in perfect time for the regatta’s February 14 start. The New Zealand Millennium Cup, hosted by the New Zealand Marine Export Group from February 14-17, 2013.

05 Jan 2012

Austal chooses Survitec for new Fast Ferries

Survitec Zodiac Small Inflatable Slides (SIS)

Austal Ships has selected Survitec Zodiac escape slides for the Perle Express and the Liberty vessels. Both are newly constructed 47m fast ferries and were completed at the Austal yard in Henderson, Western Austalia. Perle Express and Liberty entered service in October with their owner L’Express des Iles and are in use on routes between Guadeloupe, Les Saintes, Marie Galante, Dominique, Martinique and St Lucia. Four Survitec Zodiac Small Inflatable Slides (SIS), developed specifically for fast ferries with low freeboard have been installed on the Liberty…

29 Aug 2011

AUSTAL High speed Catamaran Ferries Depart for Guadaloupe

AUSTAL 47 metre high speed catamaran ferries

Two 47 metre high speed catamaran ferries departed Austal’s Henderson shipyard this week bound for Guadeloupe, where they will shortly commence operations for long-standing Austal customer L’Express des Iles. Austal was selected by L’Express des Iles in June 2010 for the design and construction of the two vessels – one vehicle-passenger ferry and one passenger ferry, marking the company’s third contract with Austal since 1997. L’Express des Iles previously operated the Austal-built fast ferries “Opale Express” and “Jade Express”…

04 Jun 2010

Guadeloupe Operator Orders Repeat Austal Ferries

Photo courtesy Austal

Guadeloupe-based ferry operator L’Express des Iles has selected Austal to design and construct two 154-ft high speed catamaran ferries. The order consists of one vehicle-passenger ferry and one passenger ferry, and is the company’s third contract with Austal since 1997. The vessels are intended to operate from Guadeloupe to the Caribbean islands of Marie Galante, Dominique, Martinique and St Lucia, where they will provide an important inter-island link for tourism and trade. The vehicle ferry will have the capacity for 364 passengers and 10 cars.

25 Mar 2009

DYT Makes Large Yacht Shipments

In late February, Dockwise Yacht Transport’s (DYT) 456 ft Super Servant 3 left Port Everglades for Toulon, unloading 18 yachts and loading one in St. Thomas, then moved on to Martinique where it loaded 18 more yachts, totaling 32 power and sailing yachts for a final cargo value of $140m. In early March, the second of DYT’s fleet of semi-submersible transport ships, the 556 ft Super Servant 4, departed from Port Everglades, heading to Palma de Mallorca with another $140m worth of yachts.