71-year-old Tug Sinks off Puerto Rico
Three people were rescued from a 71-year-old tugboat that sank south of Puerto Rico on Thursday.The U.S. Coast Guard said its watchstanders at Sector San Juan fielded a mayday call from the crew of the 112-foot U.S.-flagged tug Proassist III, stating they were taking on water approximately two miles south of Yabucoa Harbor.A good Samaritan embarked the three people from the 1949-built tug and took them ashore with no reported injuries.On Friday…
Construction of RoRo Ferry Powers Relaunch of Germany's FSG Shipyard
In a traditional keel-laying ceremony at Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG), the first hull segment of the newbuilding number 782, weighing more than 50 tons, was lowered by crane onto the blocks. In accordance with maritime custom, a 1-euro coin was placed under the keel for good fortune. The keel laying of the RoRo ferry to be built was performed by Philipp Maracke, CEO of FSG, Klaus Müller…
Cosmic Rays, the 'Unseen Menace' for Maritime
Most people these days are aware of risks inherent in our increasingly electronic maritime industry. There is malware, ransomware, and spear phishing to name a few. But a new one has been recently identified – cosmic rays.Cosmic rays are high-energy protons and atomic nuclei which move through space at nearly the speed of light. They originate from the sun, from stars outside of the solar system, and from distant galaxies. They are capable of penetrating and passing through almost any material.
Bollinger to Build Four More Fast Response Cutters for U.S. Coast Guard
Bollinger Shipyards will build four more Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters (FRC) for the United States Coast Guard after U.S. President Trump last Sunday signed into law the omnibus spending bill for Fiscal Year 2021, which included funding for four more such vessels.This increases the total number of funded boats to 64, Bollinger said.“It’s a great honor to have the confidence of the U.S. Congress to continue the work we’re doing in support of the U.S.
CNOOC Leads First LNG Group Purchasing on Shanghai gas exchange
Chinese state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC) has led the first group purchasing order for liquefied natural gas (LNG) on the Shanghai Petroleum and Natural Gas Exchange, the bourse said in a statement on Wednesday.The 120,000-tonne LNG cargo will arrive in April 2021 via CNOOC's terminals and other approved hubs in Shenzhen and Guangdong, the exchange said. Buyers will have until the…
Petrobras Moves European Commercial Activities from London to Rotterdam
Brazilian oil giant Petrobras will concentrate its European commercial activities in Rotterdam. This will result in the transfer of Petrobras Europe Ltd.’s commercial activities from London, England to Petrobras Global Trading B.V. in Rotterdam. The change will start in the next quarter and must be completed by the second half of 2021.The focus on Rotterdam is in line with the Petrobras policy of rationalizing its international presence in 2021…
All Jackets Installed at Moray East Offshore Wind Farm
Belgian offshore installation contractor DEME Offshore has completed the installation of offshore wind turbine jackets for the 950 MW Moray East offshore wind farm in Scotland.The offshore wind farm is being developed by Moray Offshore Windfarm East Ltd (MOWEL), which is a joint venture company owned by Ocean Winds ( 56.6%) Diamond Green Limited (33.4%) and CTG (10%).DEME Offshore was awarded the full…
Deadline Looms Over Fincantieri-Chantiers Deal
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri's planned acquisition of state-controlled French rival Chantiers de l'Atlantique to create a European "Airbus of the Seas" is facing collapse barring last-minute political intervention from Paris or Rome.With the offer due to expire in two days after repeated deadline extensions over competition concerns, the deal is still awaiting European antitrust approval in a market…
Liberty National Golf Club Gets its own Brix-built Water Taxi
Port Angeles, WA-based Brix Marine delivered a new 4615-CTC luxury water taxi, Liberty National I, to Liberty National Golf Club after launch and sea trials in Port Angeles Harbor. Liberty National Golf Club selected the Brix Marine design last year and will use the planing catamaran to transport passengers between North Cove Marina in New York and the private club’s dock in New Jersey.Liberty National I carries a USCG COI for 30 passengers + 2 crew…
Sen. Schumer Calls for Offshore Wind Turbine Assembly Site to be Built in Brooklyn
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer on Monday joined Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, calling for a creation of a local offshore wind turbine assembly center at Sunset Park, Brooklyn, New York, and calling for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) funding.According to a statement released by the Senator's office, the assembly site would position New York to play a significant role in the offshore wind supply chain…
Rhine River Shipping in Germany Back to Normal After Rain
Shipping on the Rhine in Germany has returned to normal, with cargo vessels able to take on full loads after rain raised river levels in past days, traders said on Monday.The river fell below normal levels this month after dry weather.Shallow water means ships can only sail partly loaded and vessel operators impose surcharges on freight rates, increasing costs for cargo owners.Rain in the past week has now raised water to normal levels, including northern sections around Cologne, traders said.Th
UAE Emerges as Hub for Companies Helping Venezuela Avoid US Oil Sanctions
In June, the United States imposed sanctions on half a dozen oil tankers managed by established shipping firms. It was a major escalation of American attempts to…
Historic Dredging Unlocks the Might of the Mississippi
Humanity will forever remember 2020 as the “Year of COVID-19” fraught with the pains of a pandemic and its impacts on our physical and mental health. Yet, as a navigation representative along the Mississippi River Ship Channel (MRSC), I will always be able to see the bright side. In this case, that is life outside of COVID. The Mississippi River Ship Channel Deepening began in 2020, oddly enough on another date tied forever to a tragic time in our history.
River Dance: Grounding Triggers Breakaway Barges
It was a beautiful mid-summer afternoon in the nation’s heartland. The skies were clear, the sun was shining and the variable southwest breeze barely caused a ripple on the muddy water of the winding river. Optimistic fishermen lined the riverbanks and a few recreational boaters were cruising close to the floating docks lining both shores.This tranquil scene on this busy waterway was about to change…and quickly.A parting of the waysAbout a half mile upriver…
Ocean Yield's Dry Bulk Vessel La Loirais Sold
French shipping firm Louis Dreyfus Armateurs has sold the "La Loirais" bulk-carrier to an unnamed third party. The news of the sale was shared by Ocean Yield.Vessel…
Nord Stream 2 Completes Pipe Laying Works in German Waters
The Russia-led Nord Stream 2 consortium said on Monday it has completed laying pipes for the project in German waters, finishing work on a 2.6 kilometer-long portion of the pipeline…
Centerline Logistics Acquires Saltchuk Marine Services’ California Ship Refueling Ops
Centerline Logistics acquired Saltchuk Marine Services’ California ship refueling business, currently operated by subsidiary Foss Maritime Company. According to a press release from Centerline, this "major acquisition" brings together the combined capabilities of two of the nation’s leaders in petroleum transportation, strengthening Centerline’s position as a provider of around the clock bunkering (ship refueling) services.Through this expansion…
Strike Stymies more than 140 Grains Ships in Argentina
Loading of more than 140 agricultural export ships in Argentina has been stalled by a port-side oilseed workers' strike that started on Dec. 9, the head of the local chamber of soymeal manufacturers said on Monday, on the eve of talks on a new contract.The CIARA-CEC chamber of soy byproduct manufacturers will meet on Tuesday with the two main unions representing oilseed workers to try and hammer out a 2021 compensation package."We seek an agreement with the unions that allows the efficient…
Coast Guard Vessel Spills Oil in Womens Bay, Alaska
The U.S. Coast Guard said on Saturday it was responding to a report of a discharge of hydraulic oil from Coast Guard Cutter SPAR in Womens Bay, Kodiak, Alaska.Coast Guard said it was monitoring the cleanup which has been contracted to Choctaw Defense Services (CDS). Personnel on scene deployed boom systems, absorbent pads, and a skimmer that is pumping to a vac truck.Watchstanders at the Sector Anchorage Command Center received notification from the National Response Center at 9:40 a.m.…
Heerema Taps Techcross for Ballast Water Treatment System
South Korean ballast water treatment system provider Techcross has won a contract to install its ElectroCleen System (ECS) aboard six vessels and barges owned by offshore installation giant Heerema Marine Contractors.According to info on Techcross' website, its Electro-Cleen System disinfects ballast water killing micro-organisms and helps reduce water pollution."The core technology of Techcross is…
