CMA CGM: Virus Impact Limited as China Activity Resumes
French shipping group CMA CGM said its operations in China were returning to normal after the coronavirus outbreak crippled traffic last month, forecasting the health emergency would have a limited impact on its results this year.CMA CGM, the world's fourth-largest container shipping firm, expects to return to normal fleet capacity in China from mid-March after seeing signs of industrial production picking up as of late February…
Bath Iron Works Begins Building Next US Navy Destroyer
Shipbuilder Bath Iron Works (BIW) has officially started construction of the future USS Louis H. Wilson Jr. (DDG 126), the U.S. Navy announced. The new warship will be the first Arleigh Burke-class destroyer built in the Flight III configuration at BIW.The milestone was marked by a ceremony on Tuesday at General Dynamics BIW's structural fabrication facility in Brunswick, Maine.Flight III destroyers…
KR Certifies First Cyber Security Compliant Vessel
Korean Register (KR) has completed a comprehensive cyber security survey of the chemical/oil tanker SONGA HAWK and has certified the ship to be fully compliant in all areas, the very first ship to achieve the certification.Songa Ship management manages and operates 18 chemical/oil tankers and five semi-submersible vessels. The company signed a cyber security contract (valid for five years) with KR in 2018…
Baltic Index Posts 4th Weekly Gain
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index rose on Friday to its highest in more than six weeks, marking the fourth straight weekly gain, as earnings increased across all vessel categories.The Baltic index, which tracks rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels that ferry dry bulk commodities, increased by 18 points, or 3%, to 617, its highest since Jan. 22.The index climbed more than 15% this week…
Meyer Turku Partners with University of Turku
Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku Oy said it has signed a strategic partnership agreement with the University of Turku, with the objective to develop and strengthen education and research in engineering.The partnership agreement increases student projects, theses, as well as teaching events, expert lectures and workshops between the university and shipyard. The employment opportunities offered by Meyer Turku in marine industry will become more visible on campus.
MCT Completes 1st Year of Operations
The container port in the Limón province of Costa Rica, Terminal de Contenedores de Moín or Moín Container Terminal (MCT), operated by APM Terminals, completed its…
Amsterdam Port Launches Floating Battery Service
Dutch start-up Skoon Energy and the Port of Amsterdam have launched a floating battery service to bring mobile stored power into the port and inner city of Amsterdam.According…
CMA CGM Reorganizes its SIRIUS Service
French container transportation and shipping company CMA CGM announced the reorganization of its SIRIUS service connecting the Mediterranean with the East Coast of South America…
Seanergy Maritime Gets Refinancing
The Greek provider of marine dry bulk shipping services Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corporation announced that it received approval, in form of commitment letters…
Tidal Turbines Impact on Marine Wildlife Lower Than Previously Thought
Research by HR Wallingford at the SeaGen tidal power project site at Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland has shown that the impact of tidal power turbines on marine…
Schoellhorn-Albrecht Builds Anchor for MSC
Schoellhorn-Albrecht recently completed a contract to manufacture a 23,300 lb AC-14 type anchor for Military Sealift Command.The anchor will serve on a Watson Class Vehicle Cargo Ship used for prepositioning of ground vehicles.The anchor was manufactured to ABS rules and proof tested to 272,000 lbs in the presence of an ABS surveyor in Schoellhorn-Albrecht's St. Louis facility.
Coronavirus Sinks Cruise Stocks
Shares of U.S. cruise operators sunk on Thursday after the Grand Princess ocean liner, owned by Carnival Corp, was barred from returning to its home portof San Francisco on coronavirus fears after at least 20 people aboard fell ill.Shares of Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and Royal Caribbean Cruises fell between 9% and 12% amid a broader sell-off in U.S. stock markets.Two passengers that were on a previous cruise on the ship had contracted the virus…
Brazil Orders Four Naval Frigates
A consortium formed by Germany’s Thyssenkrupp AG and Brazilian planemaker Embraer SA signed a deal on Thursday to deliver four frigates to Brazil’s navy between 2025 and 2028, the companies said in a statement.The contract signed in Rio de Janeiro is part of Brazil’s drive to modernize its navy so it can patrol off-shore resources in the Atlantic, such as Brazil’s vast pre-salt oil reserves.The companies did not disclose the price tag.
California Holds Cruise Ship Offshore for Coronavirus Screening
An ocean liner that previously carried two passengers who contracted the coronavirus was barred on Wednesday from returning to its home port of San Francisco from a voyage to Hawaii after at least 20 people aboard fell ill.California Governor Gavin Newsom said the cruise ship Grand Princess would remain at sea until passengers and crew complaining of symptoms that may be consistent with the coronavirus…
Saga Cruises Hit by Coronavirus Cancellations
Travel and insurance group Saga said it has seen a higher level of near-term cancellations for its cruises and tours due to the coronavirus epidemic.Forward passenger tour bookings were down around 20% versus the prior year, with a more significant impact in recent weeks, the UK group that caters for the over-50s said in a statement on Thursday.It said it had seen a higher level of cruise cancellations…
Bulk Carrier Stranded in Brazilian Port
The vessel Aeolian Grace, loaded with some 65,000 tonnes of soybeans, has been stranded in Brazil's São Francisco do Sul port since Wednesday, authorities said in a statement on Thursday.Authorities s
ICS Issues Coronavirus Guidance
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has issued new guidance for the global shipping industry to help combat the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The comprehensive 22-page document has been produced in collaboration with prominent international bodies including:• The World Health Organization (WHO)• The International Maritime Organization (IMO)• The European Centre for Disease…
MARAD to Award $9.5 Mln for Marine Highways
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration today announced the availability of $9.5 million in grant funding for the America’s Marine Highway Program (AMHP).“Marine highways are an efficient and cost-effective option for moving freight and passengers in America,” said Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao. The AMHP supports the increased use of the nation’s navigable waterways to relieve landside congestion…
UECC to Trial Marine Biofuels
Short sea ro-ro operator UECC and marine biofuel company GoodFuels have launched a joint trial of GoodFuels Bio-Fuel Oil (MR1-100 or BFO) on UECC’s ro-ro vessel M/V Autosky, the companies announced Thursday.The three month trial will test 3,000 metric tons of sustainable biofuel on the 140m, 2,080 vehicle carrier – a step in advancing marine biofuel for the ro-ro segment. The biobunkering, which will take place in the Port of Rotterdam…
Port Canaveral Launches RO/RO Division
The official grand opening of the Port Canaveral vehicle processing facility was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the arrival of 730 new vehicles aboard the 653-foot-long vessel Wisteria Ace, the first vehicle carrier to call at the Port’s facility. The new automobiles were discharged at the Port’s 16-acre auto processing facility located alongside South Cargo Pier 4. Another carrier is scheduled…