ClassNK Amends Shipbuilding Class Rules
Classification society ClassNK released amendments to its Rules and Guidance for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships on December 25, 2017.
Polish Sailor Survives 7 Months Adrift
A Polish sailor told local media that he survived seven months adrift in a broken-down vessel in the Indian Ocean. The 54-year-old Zbigniew Reket said he and his…
Ailing Bulker Crewman Medvaced in Annapolis
A crewmember reportedly experiencing stroke-like symptoms was medevaced from the bulk carrier Kang Hong in the Annapolis anchorage Tuesday. A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crew from U.S.
Cruise Ship Collides with Bridge in Germany
River cruise ship Swiss Crystal struck a motorway bridge over the Rhine River in Germany, injuring at least 25 on board, according to local media. The 100-meter-long Swiss river cruiser was carrying 129 passengers from Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg when it struck a pillar of the bridge head on near Duisburg on Tuesday evening. The vessel’s bow suffered significant damage. Police said most of the injuries were minor, and the four people taken to the hospital were released on Wednesday.
Italy Rescues More Than 250 Migrants in Mediterranean
More than 250 migrants were rescued in the central Mediterranean during the night between Monday and Tuesday, Italy’s Coast Guard said. A statement said the migrants, in one large rubber dinghy and two small boats, were rescued in three missions by two ships, one from a non-governmental organization. Migrant arrivals to Italy have fallen by two-thirds year on year since July after officials working…
Eni Begins Drilling Oil Well in Alaska's Beaufort Sea
Italian oil producer Eni this week began drilling a new well in U.S. waters off the north coast of Alaska, becoming the first company to do so since 2015, federal regulators said on Wednesday. The oil and gas firm is working from an artificial island in the Beaufort Sea about three miles off Oliktok Point in the Arctic Ocean. The well is expected to run more than 6 miles (10 km) long. The project could result in 20,000 barrels a day of oil production, according to regulator U.S.
AIS, AtoN, MTS – and you
USACE and USCG collaborate to make inland waterways safer. The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), supported by Alion Science and Technology (Alion), has put forth considerable effort during the last two years to further extend the capabilities of the existing Automatic Identification System (AIS) network to improve the safety and efficiency of navigation along the inland rivers. The USACE…
What Hurricanes Teach Us About Energy Security
After a few years of relative calm, the 2017 hurricane season wreaked havoc in the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, causing widespread damage and human suffering, and exposing the vulnerabilities and strengths of American energy security. As the flood waters from Hurricane Harvey receded and Gulf coast residents embarked on the arduous road to recovery, the offshore energy industry took stock and counted its losses and blessings.
Rescuers Help Dolphins Escape Indonesian Circus
A dolphin protection group has helped to facilitate the confiscation, rehabilitation and release of illegally caught dolphins bound to be sold for Indonesia’s traveling circuses. The California based organization Dolphin Project said it received reports in mid December that three wild dolphins – two spinners and a bottlenose – were being held with more than 30 reef sharks in Karimunjawa, Indonesia in a shallow pool known for allowing visitors to take selfies with sharks.
Chinese Ships Illegally Selling Oil to North Korea
U.S. spy satellites have caught Chinese and North Korean ships illegally trading oil on the West Sea 30 times in the last three months, according to South Korean government sources. The reported smuggling comes in the wake of United Nations sanctions banning ship-to-ship trades with North Korea on the high seas since September. But according a report from The Chosun Ilbo, satellites images have since…
Davie Delivers Canada’s New Naval Support Ship
Commissioning and sea-trials have been completed for Canada’s first Resolve-Class Naval Support Ship, Asterix, the first new naval support ship to enter service with the Royal Canadian Navy in more than five decades. The ship, which is also the first large naval platform to be delivered from a Canadian shipyard in over 20 years and the first naval ship to be delivered since the launch of the National Shipbuilding Strategy…
El Faro and Perceived Deficiencies in the ACP
The October 1, 2015 loss of the U.S. cargo vessel El Faro along with its 33 member crew led to the convening of a Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation charged with determining as closely as possible the cause(s) of the casualty; whether there is evidence that any failure of material was involved; whether there is evidence of misconduct, inattention to duty, negligence, or willful violation of law; and whether there is evidence that government personnel contributed to the casualty.
Japan Considers Refitting Its Largest Warship
Japan is considering refitting the Izumo helicopter carrier so that it can land U.S. Marines F-35B stealth fighters, government sources said on Tuesday, as Tokyo faces China’s maritime expansion and North Korea’s missile and nuclear development. Japan has not had fully fledged aircraft carriers since its World War Two defeat in 1945. Any refit of the Izumo would be aimed at preparing for a scenario in which runways in Japan had been destroyed by missile attacks…
Severe Gales to Hamper Russian Vessel Save
A Russian flagged vessel reportedly with 13 crew still aboard is listing 'significantly' outside of Portsmouth Harbor may have to await further rescue attempt, as the weather forecast is poor with severe gales and rough seas expected later today according to various local media reports. The ship MEKHANIK YARTSDEV as identified in locla images from the scene reportedly has power and is reported stable, at anchor in the Solent.
Sinopec Tianjin Terminal to Receive First LNG Cargo
China Sinopec's new Tianjin terminal will receive first LNG cargo of 30,000-35,000 tonnes from Australia on Jan. 10, a source with the direct knowledge of the project said.
Sembcorp Marine to Sell West Rigel
Sembcorp Marine announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Jurong Shipyard Pte Ltd (JSPL) has signed an agreement for the sale of the semi-submersible rig West Rigel…
Vietnam Sets Up Shipping Alliance
The maritime shipping crisis has forced shipping firms worldwide to join alliances to improve their competitiveness. Such alliances have also been set up in Vietnam.
Hyundai Heavy to Raise $1.2B Via Rights Offering
South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) plans to raise about 1.29 trillion won ($1.2 billion) in an initial public offering (IPO) and list its refining subsidiary Hyundai Oilbank.
China to Roll Out Smart Crude Oil Carrier
China's Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co (DSIC) is working on China's first smart crude oil carrier - a special project named "smart ship 1.0 R&D - which will incorporate…
Improving ZIM’s Greece Turkey Service
In order to improve our current service levels and provide customers in the region with the best solutions, ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd introduced changes starting January 2018.
