Smooth Sailing News

Technology group Wärtsilä has signed a 15-year Lifecycle Agreement covering three LNG carriers for China LNG Shipping (International) (CLSICO).The agreement is designed to ensure operational reliability, enable flexibility in maintenance scheduling and optimize the ‘time between overhauls’ (TBO) for each of the vessels.The three vessels that will be covered by the agreement are the Al TUWAR, Al MAS’HABIYYAH, and FAT'H AL KHAIR.They are approximately 300 meters in length and have a capacity of 174,000 m3.

Kongsberg Maritime has strengthened its 15-year partnership with Chesapeake Shipbuilding in the United, through the supply of its Aquarius retractable stabilizers that will be installed on the latest newbuild cruise ships for American Cruise Lines (ACL).The Aquarius retractable stabilizers offer high-performance roll damping, compact and lightweight design, and advanced control systems.They are specifically engineered for smaller vessels, and feature a one-piece high-lift fin…

President Joe Biden's administration on Thursday announced final approval of a wind project off the coast of Maryland, bringing the U.S. halfway to its goal of deploying 30 gigawatts of the clean energy technology by 2030.The project is the 10th approved by Biden's Interior Department. He has made offshore wind a cornerstone of his climate change agenda.The Maryland Offshore Wind Project, which is being developed by US Wind, could one day generate enough electricity to power 718,000 homes, Interior said in a statement.

The shipping industry's pledge to limit its carbon footprint may suffer a setback as the current Red Sea crisis prompts it to use more vessels and take longer routes to ensure the smooth sailing of global maritime trade.Iranian-backed Houthi militants' attacks on vessels passing through the southern Red Sea have choked trade through the Suez Canal, driving many container shipping companies to add 10-14 days to the voyages between Asia and Europe and add more vessels.The disruption…

Andrea Mather's plans for a long-awaited summer cruise around the Hawaiian islands with her financial analyst husband unraveled after her booking with Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America was canceled due to a staffing shortage.It was the second time this year that the 55-year-old homemaker's plan to go on a cruise was scuppered.The cruise industry is sailing in choppy waters yet again as it has to deal with a storm of labor problems, red-hot inflation and recessionary threat…

As ports and hinterland transport struggle to keep up, delays at ports are soaking up capacity leading to frustration on the shippers’ side and leaving carriers struggling to keep up all the while making record profits, shipping organization BIMCO reports.Drivers of demand and freight ratesThe container shipping market has frequently appeared in the headlines over the summer as freight rates and port congestion levels continue to reach record highs. Port closures caused by COVID…

For many, the path to Subchapter M compliance has been anything but smooth sailing. And while progress has been made through the growing pains, some feel it’s time for the U.S. Coast Guard to pump the brakes.A funny thing happened on the way to compliance. We all learned that nobody was quite ready for Subchapter M.Sure, we had gone through the law with a fine-toothed combed and had self-inspected vessels and trained crews, but we were all surprised by interpretations.Third party organizations (TPO) have done their best to set up systems and satisfy paying customers and the U.S.

Norwegian offshore support vessel owner Island Offshore has awarded a contract to Kongsberg Maritime to supply turnkey hybrid battery solutions for three platform supply vessels.Two vessels Island Crusader and Island Contender, previously operated with a combination of Bergen LNG engines and Bergen Diesel engines, while the Island Commander deploys four diesel engines. Now, they will be equipped with battery packs and shore connections."The conversion of all three into hybrid…

Seven months after the United Nations' shipping agency brought in hotly anticipated new rules to curb emissions, the raft of technical issues and leap in fuel prices that were expected to result have failed to materialize, ING Bank said on Tuesday.Global shipping and oil firms had flagged major concerns over potential disruptions from International Maritime Organization (IMO) rules implemented at the start of 2020, which capped marine fuels' sulphur content at 0.5% against 3.5% previously.However, shipping and marine fuel suppliers say expected technical issues, such as damage to engines from

In today’s environment, the overarching challenge for the American tugboat, towboat and barge industry is to continue transporting the vital commodities that help keep our nation’s economy moving during a highly uncertain time, while taking all necessary measures to ensure the health and safety of our workforce as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve – in other words, to ensure business continuity, while recognizing we are not, nor can we be, going about business as usual.

The search for the Argentinian submarine was like hunting for the proverbial needle in a hay stack, except that it was a piece of straw. Elaine Maslin reports. At 7.19am, local time, on November 15, 2017, the last message was received from the San Juan submarine. She belonged to the Argentinian navy and was on a routine mission from Ushuaia in the Patagonia region to Mar del Plata in Buenos Aires province when she lost contact with the military. Fifteen days later, neither the submarine nor any debris had been found and the crew of 44 sailors were presumed dead.

The Stena Jutlandica has  completed its first month of operation as a battery hybrid vessel. Experiences from these first weeks have exceeded expectations.“It's really exciting to be running with electrical power on the Stena Jutlandica. This project is an important part of our focused efforts to find ways of reducing our impact on the environment. As both the size and cost of batteries decrease, battery operation is becoming a very attractive alternative to traditional fuel for shipping since emissions should be possible to completely eliminate in the future,” says Erik Lewenhaupt, Head of Sustainability at Stena Line.The project to convert Stena Jutlandica on the Gothenburg-Frederikshavn route to a battery hybrid vessel is being carried out in steps.Step one…

The world’s first  liquefied natural gas (LNG) cruise ship, AIDAnova, was christened on August 31 at Meyer Werft  shipyard in Papenburg.The spectacular naming ceremony took place at the completely sold-out AIDA Open Air at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, attended by 25,000 spectators. The highlight of the evening was the biggest solo headline show by star DJ / producer David Guetta.“AIDAnova’s naming ceremony was a special event in a special place: We are delighted that we were able to stage the AIDA Open Air in Papenburg at the Meyer Werft shipyard, so that we could share our enthusiasm about our new ship with so many people.

A smart shipping survey conducted in January 2018 found that, while the majority of maritime industry executives believe digitalization and big data will transform the sector, only 8.7 percent  currently see it as a major part of their operations. Unpredictability and disruption have made the past decade anything but smooth sailing for the global shipping industry. Volatile trade patterns and policies, low freight rates, fluctuations in commodity prices and within global demand have all contributed to a highly competitive environment which requires careful navigation by shipowners.

New routes, new challenges and plenty of newbuilding as 2017 gives way to the New Year. A year ago, the maritime industry could be found clinging to the edge of their seats to see what the coming year had in store. 2017 was set to be a telling year and indeed it was. With the elections finalized, the political impact, if any, was sure to be seen. While fuel prices have remained low and continuing to hamper the offshore workboat market, consumer confidence has held high and new vessel construction is strong – particularly in the ferry segment.

The recent visit to the Philippines, by two Australian Navy ships of the Indo-Pacific Task Group has significantly reinforced the strong defence relationship between Australia and the archipelago. Led by HMAS Adelaide in company with HMAS Darwin, both ships were welcomed to the Port of Manila by the Philippines Navy for a full day of engagements including the visit by the Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Australian Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin. The Task Group later sailed to Subic Bay for a four-day visit, where both ships received over several hundred visitors eager to view the new capabilities the Australian Defence Force had on offer.

P&O Cruises, part of Carnival Corporation & PLC, has chosen GE’s Marine Solutions once again to provide upgrades on board its 77,499-ton cruise vessel Oceana. Formerly known as Ocean Princess, the cruise ship was built in 1998 and had GE’s Syconum 2 electronic controller on board. GE will now be responsible for replacing existing controllers with the new generation of power electronics controllers on the four propulsion drives. Enabled by a decentralized architecture, the new digital propulsion controller benefits from a compact design…

Navy people come from all walks of life, bringing different perspectives and traditions to the modern service – a fact not lost on many on 21 March – Harmony Day. The day aims to celebrate Australia’s cultural diversity, emphasising inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging. Like many Navy ships, HMAS Success celebrated Harmony Day whilst at sea acknowledging their own spread of cultures, races and religions onboard. The day began with reciting an Aboriginal poem over the main broadcast system with afternoon tea bringing an opportunity for sharing of cuisines and the stories that come with the food. Commanding Officer Commander Grant Zilko said despite the pace of life at sea there were always ways to bring home comforts to the ship.

GE’s Marine Solutions is showcasing its latest technologies and offerings to date at SMM 2016. Staggering oil prices, strict environment regulations and volatile economic conditions are among the key factors that add uncertainty to the marine industry. Calling for industry-wide collaboration, GE is taking up the challenge to build more cost-efficient vessels through close partnership with industry leaders. GE and Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co. Ltd. have received approval in…

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or “drones” in common parlance, are not a part of the historical maritime vocabulary. At least not yet. While the term “drones” may conjure images from science fiction, the reality is that companies are designing commercial UAS for the private sector, and they are gradually permeating our daily life. Henry Ford is rumored to have opined on his invention of the automobile that if he had asked people what they wanted, they would have said “faster horses.” In the case of UAS…

The research vessel Neil Armstrong arrived to its home port at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) dock for the first time Wednesday, escorted by the WHOI coastal research vessel R/V Tioga, two Coast Guard vessels and fireboats from neighboring towns. “What a wonderful day for Woods Hole, for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, for Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and the entire ocean science community,” enthused WHOI President and Director Mark Abbott. “We’re very proud to have been selected by the Office of Naval Research to operate the Neil Armstrong. Six years ago, the U.S.

Bouchard Transportation Co. celebrated the naming of the M/V Donna J. Bouchard and the B. No. 272 at the christening ceremony held on Thursday, February 18 in New Orleans. The ceremony began with remarks from Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. President/CEO, Morton S. Bouchard III, followed by VT Halter Marine and ExxonMobil/SeaRiver Maritime. Vessel sponsor Joan Lesniewski, wife of Robert Lesniewski of ExxonMobil/SeaRiver Maritime, performed the ceremonious breaking of the champagne bottles as executives from Bouchard, VT Halter Marine and several of Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc.

The tall ship Tenacious has left her home port in the UK for an epic voyage to Australia. Over the next eight months, she will sail more than 17,000 NM and call at 26 ports en route to her final destination, Sydney. And at every stop along the way, she will be supported by the GAC global network. The three-masted square rigged 586 GT tall ship is one of two specially designed sailing vessels owned and operated by the Jubilee Sailing Trust, which was set up in 1978 to give people of all physical abilities the chance to experience sailing first hand. The Trust’s mission is to empower both able-bodied and disabled individuals to focus on what they can do rather than what they can’t, and to correct misconceptions about disability.