Barge Capsizes Near Surfside Beach, SC
The U.S. Coast Guard said it is responding to a 30-foot barge which capsized near Surfside Beach, S.C., Wednesday.Coast Guard Sector Charleston is working closely with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and the barge's owner to identify any potential environmental impacts.The cause of the incident is under investigation.
Signs of Recovery in the US Gulf of Mexico
Today's U.S. auction of Gulf of Mexico exploration leases drew tepid response from oil companies, but marked notable progress for an industry still in a state of recovery.“While not a barn burner, Lease Sale 251 tops the previous Gulf sale in terms of increased participation, increased competition for offerings, and bid amounts,” said Randall Luthi, president of the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA).
DFDS Orders New Freight Ferry
DFDS has exercised an option to order an additional freight ferry (ro-ro) newbuilding from the Chinese Jinling Shipyard.Similar to the five previously ordered large capacity freight ferries, the newbuilding is designed to carry 6,700 lane meters of freight equivalent to around 450 trailers.The new ferries will increase DFDS’ operational efficiency in the route networks in northern Europe and the Mediterranean.The first two new ferries are expected to be received in the beginning of next year…
Konecranes to Deliver RTGs to Slovenia
The Port of Koper operator in Slovenia, Luka Koper d.d., has ordered five electric Konecranes RTG cranes. The cranes will be equipped with cable reels featuring an auto plug-in system.They will be delivered in the summer of 2019. The contract was signed in June and the order was booked in Q2 2018.Luka Koper’s new Konecranes RTGs will offer important environmental benefits thanks to their electric operation: regenerative power feedback to the local grid…
Yang Ming Orders Ten 2,800 TEU Containerships
Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp. (Yang Ming) signed a contract with CSBC CORPORATION, TAIWAN (CSBC) for the construction of a total of ten 2,800 TEU class full container vessels. The contract was signed by Yang Ming’s Chairman Bronson Hsieh and CSBC’s Chairman Cheng Wen-Lon.The new ships are due for delivery starting in the second quarter of 2020 and will help to meet the future demand for medium and long-term vessel deployments…
Davie Delivers LNG-powered Ferry
Canadian operator Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ) has taken delivery of MV Armand-Imbeau II, a new environmentally friendly, 92-meter-long ferry built by Chantier Davie Canada.The new vessel will operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel, enabling STQ - Québec Province ferries operator - to minimize the environmental impact of its operations. The decision is also in line with the Québec’s Maritime Strategy…
HudsonAnalytix Grows Security and Cyber Risk Management Team
HudsonAnalytix, Inc. has hired Chronis Kapalidis in London to focus on the enhancement and expansion of the firm’s strategic partnerships in Europe.An innovative researcher from one of the world's leading think tanks who is currently examining maritime cyber risk, Kapalidis brings with him his extensive field experience in maritime security operations in both the physical and cyber domains.“Chronis…
Another Ship Carrying US Soybeans Enters Dalian Port
A vessel carrying U.S. soybeans entered China's port of Dalian after sitting off coast since July 24, according to shipping data on Thomson Reuters Eikon on Thursday.The movement of the ship, the Star Jennifer, suggests it is preparing to unload its cargo, the second to enter China this week and incur hefty import tariffs Beijing imposed on U.S. products last month amid an escalating trade row.The…
Blockchain Benefits Still Murky for Most Commodities Trading
Commodity firms and banks have been diving into blockchain pilot schemes over the last two years but the new technology's application for most trading has likely been over-hyped, a report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) said.Blockchain, originally the platform behind cryptocurrency Bitcoin, is viewed by some as a solution to inefficiencies, improving transparency and reducing to the risk of fraud.
Genco Shipping & Trading Adds Two Vessels to its Fleet
Genco Shipping & Trading announced that it has taken delivery of the Genco Endeavour and the Genco Resolute, both of which are 2015-built 180,000 dwt Capesize vessels.The Genco Endeavour and the Genco Resolute are the second and third of six vessels to be delivered to Genco as part of its recent agreements to acquire six high specification, fuel efficient Capesize and Ultramax vessels, which, together with the recent or expected sale of three older vessels…
DryShips Sells Panamax Drybulker
Greece-based DryShips announced that it has entered into an agreement with an unaffiliated buyer for the sale of one of its 2001-built Panamax drybulk carrier.The vessel is scheduled for delivery to its buyer no later than the end of this month.The diversified owner and operator of ocean going cargo vessels expects to realize a gain on vessels sales compared to the book value of this asset.DryShips operates worldwide.
Qatar Signs Pact to Expand Maritime Transport Sector
Qatar signed the Indian Ocean Memorandum of Understanding (IOMOU) on Portal State Control during its participation in the 21st Port State Control Committee Meeting held last week in Australia, where a delegation from Qatar’s Ministry of Transport and Communications took part.“Qatar’s membership in the Indian Ocean Memorandum of Understanding will take Qatar’s maritime transport sector from local arena to the international one, leading the region in portal state control field,” said Dr.
ASA Names First Honorary Maritime Academy Member
On July 20, 2018, The American Salvage Association (ASA) welcomed Dr. Richard J. Burke, of SUNY Maritime College as the Association’s very first honorary maritime academy faculty member representative. This initiative is designed to broaden the knowledge about the marine salvage and emergency response industry, and the academic community’s access to it.The ASA’s Education Committee was established…
Boskalis Rethinks Loss-making Transport Operations
Boskalis will terminate loss-making transport activities at its offshore energy division, the Dutch marine and engineering company said on Thursday after posting lower than expected first-half earnings.A resulting one-off charge of 397 million euros ($451.6 million) pushed Boskalis to a net loss of 361.4 million euros, compared with a profit of 75.1 million euros in the first half of 2017. The consensus…
USACE Approves Mississippi River Channel Deepening
The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Director of Civil Works signed a memorandum to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) requesting concurrence with…
Vertom-Bojen Chooses IP@SEA VSAT
Independent satellite communications provider NSSLGlobal has signed a deal to roll out its VSAT IP@SEA service to the worldwide trading part of Vertom-Bojen’s fleet.Based in Nermoor…
Stena Blue Sky Bags Safety Achievement Award
The award was recently given for the professional seamanship and conduct when Stena Blue Sky effected a rescue operation after spotting a fisherman and recovering him from wreckage between the waters of North Korea and Japan 26th October 2017.“Events of this nature are subject to international laws and for us, acting in accordance with these laws is a matter of course. Nevertheless, it is important that attention is drawn to them – in this case, by the Chamber of Shipping of America.
New Fuel Rules Push Shipowners to Go Green with LNG
Tough new rules on marine fuel are forcing shipowners to explore liquefied natural gas as a cleaner alternative and ports such as Gibraltar are preparing to offer upgraded refueling facilities in the shipping industry's biggest shake-up in decades.From 2020, International Maritime Organization rules will ban ships from using fuels with a sulphur content above 0.5 percent, compared with 3.5 percent now, unless they are equipped to clean up sulphur emissions.
Maersk Signs on to Help Clean up Ocean Plastic
Offshore services provider Maersk Supply Service has signed onto a project that aims to collect tons of plastic waste littering the world's oceans.In the comping months, the Denmark based firm will provide marine support to the Dutch nonprofit The Ocean Cleanup, which will install its first cleanup system in the North Pacific as part of the planet’s first large-scale initiative for collection of floating ocean-plastic debris.Global plastic production has risen steadily since the 1950s.
Baltic Index Edges Lower on Weaker Capesize Vessel Rates
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, which tracks rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, inched lower on Thursday, as weaker capesize rates offset gains by panamax and supramax vessel segments.* The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, was down 7 points, or 0.4 percent, at 1,720 points.* The capesize index fell 84 points, or 2.4 percent, to 3,476 points.* Average daily earnings for capesizes, which typically transport 170,000
