Higher Rates Lift Baltic Index to One-week Peak
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, which tracks rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, rose to its highest in a week on Wednesday as vessel rates improved across all segments.The Baltic dry index, tracking rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels ferrying dry bulk commodities, was up 62 points, or 3.5%, at 1,828, a one-week high.The capesize index climbed 170 points, or 5.8%, at 3,082.Average daily earnings for capesizes, which typically transport 150,000-tonne cargoes
World’s Largest VLEC Loaded in Texas. Sets Sail for China
Dallas-based Energy Transfer said Tuesday it had loaded the first Very Large Ethane Carrier (VLEC) - the world's largest at that - under its previously announced joint venture with Satellite Petrochemical USA Corp. called Orbit Gulf Coast NGL Exports.The Seri Everest, the world’s largest VLEC, departed from JV Orbit’s newly constructed export facilities at Energy Transfer’s Nederland Terminal in Nederland, Texas, on Jan.
New Kitsap Transit Ferry Completes Sea Trials
A new BMT design 140-ft. catamaran passenger ferry has reportedly passed its sea trial and is due to enter the Kitsap Transit fleet in the next few weeks. Dubbed Enetai, the boat was built by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) in Seattle, with a sister vessel, Commander, due to be launched later in 2021.The ferry is designed to carry 255 passengers on a single deck, with space for up to 26 bicycles.
Belgium: In a First, Dredging Work in Flanders Powered by LNG
Belgium-based marine contractor DEME, on Wednesday, announced "a first" in Flanders, a region in the northern part of Belgium.Namely, its dual fuel trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) ‘Scheldt River’ is currently carrying out maintenance dredging work on the Scheldt river and during this work, the vessel is operating on LNG.In another milestone, DEME said that the ‘Scheldt River’ last week became the first dredger to be bunkered with LNG in the Port of Antwerp, near the Kallo lock.
Gilmore Names New CEO. Targets Acquisitions
Gilmore, a U.S.-based flow control solutions provider for the oil and gas industry, has appointed David Nemetz as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).The company is a subsidiary of Aberdeen-headquartered Proserv and provides flow control products and equipment for the drilling, downhole, production, and wider industrial sectors.Gilmore said that under Nemetz, who has 25 years' experience in the energy industry…
U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Vessel Bound for Nord Stream 2 Pipeline
The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on a ship involved in building the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to take Russian natural gas to Europe, as the Trump administration…
Herbosch-Kiere Orders Bawat's Containerized BWMS
Marine construction specialist company Herbosch-Kiere has chosen Bawat’s Mobile containerized ballast water management system (BWMS) for its reception facility to serve its entire fleet of vessels and barges. Herbosch-Kiere tested the world’s first Mobile BWMS from Bawat in the spring of 2020, and the company has now decided to purchase one of its own to serve a fleet of multiple ships and barges.Pieter Nagels…
Svitzer Orders New Tug for Port of London
Damen Shipyards Group said it has signed a contract with Svitzer for the delivery of an ASD Tug 3212. The vessel, to be named Svitzer Thames, will operate in the Port of London and will be the fourth Damen ASD Tug 3212 in the company’s U.K. fleet.Damen and Svitzer signed the contract for the vessel in December last year. Thanks to Damen’s practice of building proven, standardized vessels for stock…
RSC Bio Solutions Grows Its Team and Distribution
RSC Bio Solutions announced team expansions in several key geographic areas, as well as expanded distribution coverage. Hideki Tominga and Alhareth Shahen are joining as business development managers…
Arklow Chooses Satcom Global Aura VSAT
Ireland headquartered ship owner and charterer Arklow Shipping has contracted communications solutions provider Satcom Global to install Aura VSAT across 17 newbuild vessels due for delivery from 2021 onward.The new vessels will be activated on a range of Aura service packages, all with Committed Information Rate for guaranteed service quality, and companion options to suit their different sailing patterns.
US Blacklists Tankers, Oil Traders Undermining Venezuela Sanctions
The United States on Tuesday sanctioned a network of oil trading firms, individuals and vessels that have helped Venezuelan state-run oil company PDVSA sell crude…
Drew Marine Begins Distribution Deal with ExxonMobil
Drew Marine said it has signed an agreement with ExxonMobil Marine Lubricants to expand the availability of ExxonMobil’s range of high performance lubricants. Drew…
Port Milwaukee Cargo Volumes Rise in 2020
Port Milwaukee finished 2020 with its highest annual cargo volume in the past seven years.Despite the unusual year's historic and unprecedented difficulties, including pandemic- and flooding-related challenges, overall tonnage for the municipal port and the adjacent private docks in Milwaukee Harbor rose more than 5%, led by agricultural exports and handling of cement.“Port Milwaukee’s resilience was on full display in 2020.
Royal Caribbean to Sell Azamara Brand for $201 Million
Cruise operator Royal Caribbean Group said on Tuesday it reached a deal to sell its Azamara brand to private-equity firm Sycamore Partners for $201 million in cash…
MARAD Green Lights Two More NSMV Builds
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) on Tuesday authorized the construction of two additional National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMV), marking a key milestone for one of America's most high-profile shipbuilding programs.The new vessels will replace aging training ships at Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, Maine, and Texas A&M Maritime Academy in Galveston, Texas.
BV Uses ROV to Complete First Underwater Ship Survey
Testing, inspection and certification body Bureau Veritas (BV) said it has completed the proof of concept project for underwater remote surveys using the Seasam remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV technology eco-system from Notilo Plus on a Corsica Linea car ferry Mediterranée. Efficient underwater inspection of shipping vessels is important for the industry as a substitute for docking surveys at agreed intervals or to inspect hull damage.
Brix Marine Building Research Vessel for Northrop Grumman
Boatbuilder Brix Marine (formerly Armstrong Marine USA) has been contracted by aerospace and defense technology company, Northrop Grumman, to build a catamaran survey-research vessel, slated for fall 2021 completion.The 44- by 16-foot vessel is Brix’s third IPS-drive catamaran; the first two were 4216-CTC models, both delivered in 2019, to UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography (R/V Bob and Betty Beyster) and Orca Maritime, Inc.
New Suezmax Tanker is First Deemed Ammonia-fuel Ready
An ABS-classed Suezmax tanker ordered by Avin International LTD, the first vessel of a potential order of three vessels, is to be the first ammonia-fuel ready vessel in the world.The landmark 274-meter-long vessel is now under construction at China's New Times Shipbuilding Co., Ltd (NTS), with options for two further vessels. Currently conventionally fueled, the vessel complies with the ABS Ammonia Ready Level 1 requirements…
Scotline Newbuild Delivered from Royal Bodewes
U.K.-based shipping company Scotline Marine Holdings said it has taken delivery of Scot Ranger, the third vessel in a newbuild series from Dutch shipbuilder Royal Bodewes.This ship is a close sister to the previous two, Scot Carrier and Scot Explorer, but with one key difference. Scot Ranger has ice class 1A (Finnish and Swedish Ice Class Regulations 2010), meaning that the ship can continue to sail from the Baltic during the winter months.Scot Ranger was launched on November 6…
GreenSteam Signs On to Offer KVH Watch Service
KVH Industries, Inc. announced Tuesday that GreenSteam, developers of vessel performance optimization solutions for a sustainable shipping industry, has joined the KVH Watch Solution Partner program and will offer the KVH Watch service as part of its enhanced performance platform for improved data mobility. KVH Watch’s dedicated connectivity will support GreenSteam’s core services, facilitating the…
