Crew of Ship Seized by Iran Are Safe, Operator MSC Says
The 25 crew members of the MSC Aries, which was seized by Iran on April 13, are safe, shipping firm MSC said on Wednesday, adding that discussions with Iranian authorities are in progress to secure their earliest release."We are also working with the Iranian authorities to have the cargo discharged," the Swiss headquartered company said in a statement.Iran's Revolutionary Guards seized the container vessel in the Strait of Hormuz days after Tehran vowed to retaliate for a suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Damascus on April 1.
Portugal Urges Iran to Release Containership MSC Aries
Portugal's foreign ministry summoned Iran's ambassador on Tuesday to condemn Saturday's attack on Israel by Tehran and to demand the immediate release of a Portuguese-flagged container ship, the MSC Aries, that was seized by Iran on April 13.The ministry said in a statement after the meeting that it "will await the results of this formal measure and evaluate any additional steps, depending on those".It said Portugal had demanded the release of the crew "as explanations provided so far have not been considered consistent"âŠ
Iran Says MSC Aries Vessel Seized for 'Violating Maritime Laws'
A Portuguese-flagged container ship, the MSC Aries, was seized by Iran on April 13 for "violating maritime laws", Iran's foreign ministry said on Monday, adding that there was no doubt the vessel was linked to Israel.Iran's Revolutionary Guards seized the cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz days after Tehran vowed to retaliate for a suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Damascus on April 1. Iran had said it could close the crucial shipping route."The vessel was divertedâŠ
Vessel Seized by Iran is Managed by MSC
MSC is the manager and commercial operator of a vessel seized on Saturday by Iranian authorities, international shipping company Zodiac Maritime said in a statement."MSC is responsible for all vessel activities including cargo operations and maintenance. Title to the vessel is held by Gortal Shipping Inc as financier, and she has been leased to MSC on a long-term basis. Gortal Shipping Inc is affiliated with Zodiac Maritime," said the company, partly owned by Israeli businessmanâŠ
OMSA Announces New Board Members
Industry trade group the Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA) announced the addition of four CEOs to its board of directors.The new board members include Wes Bordelon, Chief Executive Officer, Bordelon Marine; Stacy Jo Stanley, Chief Executive Officer, Offshore Oil Services, Inc.; David Dantin, Chief Executive Officer, Odyssea Marine; and Lasse Petterson, Chief Executive Officer, Great Lakes Dredge and Dock."With the addition of these four executive leaders, OMSA pays homage to its roots while welcoming expanded opportunities in emerging energy frontiersâŠ
Maritime Charity Launches New Ship to Promote Literacy and Education
An international maritime charity based in Germany has unveiled a new ship to promote literacy, education and cross-cultural cooperation across Southeast Asia.The vessel, Doulos Hope, is the fifth in GBA Shipsâ fleet, recently launched following a technical refit and outfitting. At 85.5 meters long and 14 meters wide, with a gross tonnage of 3,370 grt and a maximum speed of 13.5 knots, the vessel is the first of a planned fleet designed to reach new regions and operate in shallower watersâŠ
Holland Shipyards Group, AYK Energy in Zero-emission Container Ship Retrofit Collaboration
Holland Shipyards Group (HSG) and AYK Energy have signed a deal for AYK Energy to make batteries for the zero-emission container ship FPS Waal.AYK Energy founder Chris Kruger said the company was increasing production at its factory in Zhuhai, China, to supply the retrofit project at HSG's shipyard in Werkendam. Under the contract, AYK will supply two high-density DNV-approved Aries 88 lithium batteries to the vessel. Kruger confirmed the 125-watt hour/kilogram (Wh/kg) batteries will be installed on Future Proof Shippingâs FPS WaalâŠ
Western Baltic Engineering to Unveil New Electric Pusher Vessel Models at WorkBoat Show
Lithuanian ship designer Western Baltic Engineering (WBE) is to unveil two new models of its electric 'pusher' vessel series, known as the Electric Eel, at the WorkBoat trade show in New Orleans.The vessels are the latest editions to the first series of battery powered 'pushers' ever designed. Known as EE20 and EE26 the latest vessels are being adapted from the original model EE27 launched by WBE in August. According to WBE, they offer different functionality including the ability to âpullâ as well as greater power and range capabilities.
New Partnership Aims to Electrify Inland Waterway Transport
Battery maker AYK Energy and Western Baltic Engineering strike partnership to electrify inland waterway transport.Lithuanian ship designer Western Baltic Engineering (WBE) is accelerating the development of its recently unveiled electric âpusherâ vessel with the signing of a new partnership with battery maker AYK Energy, an agreement that will see the companies collaborate on building the first electric pusher vessel, named the Electric Eel for the Lithuanian Inland WaterwaysâŠ
Saga Sells Cruise Ship to Turkey's Anex Tour
Saga announced it has completed the sale of cruise ship Saga Sapphire to Anex Tour, a family-run Turkish tour operator. The ship is scheduled to reenter service as Blue Sapphire operating for Anex Tourâs new cruise line in 2021.While many cruise ships are currently being sold or scrapped due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Saga Sapphire sale is unrelated to COVID-19. Anex Tour had announced in August 2019 it would acquire the vessel.Neset Kockar, Chairman of Anex Tour, said,âŠ
BY THE NUMBERS: the OSV Markets
US Offshore Support Vessel Analysis 2018 and 2019. The US GOM Offshore Support Vessel (OSV) market is suffering, utilization remains poor, and many owners are still squeezed financially. However, a poor market forces people to adapt and for those willing to take risks, the upside can be extremely large.US Owners 2018 vs. 2019: Within the US GOM, 2018 saw a period of strategic thinking and tactical business decisions. Tidewater Marine completed their merger with GulfMark Offshore to create the worldâs largest OSV player.
NYK Conducts Japanâs First Carbon-Neutral Voyage
NYK has become the first Japanese shipping company to realize a carbon-neutral voyage by offsetting 5,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), equivalent to the CO2 emitted by NYKâs environmental flagship car carrier Aries Leader during one voyage between Japan and the Middle East.Aries Leader is equipped with the latest energy-saving technologies, reducing CO2 emissions per unit by 30% compared with existing large pure car carriers (i.e., comparing emissions on a per car basis). In this initiativeâŠ
OMSA Announces Formation of Wind Committee
Open to all OMSA Members, the Committee Seeks to Further the Domestic Offshore Wind Industry and the Jones Act.New Orleans, LA â Today, the Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA) announced the formation of the OMSA Wind Committee and announced that membership on the Committee is now open to all OMSA members.OMSA President, Aaron Smith said, âOver the past 46 years, OMSA has done a tremendous job in promoting public policy that benefits the vessels, operators, and mariners engaged in the offshore oil and gas industry.
Chinese VP Visits Hamburg Terminal
Chinaâs Vice President Wang Qishan visited the HHLA Container Terminal Tollerort (CTT) at the Port of Hamburg.Wang was greeted by the Chairwoman of the Executive Board of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA), Angela Titzrath, Hamburgâs First Mayor, Dr Peter Tschentscher, and representatives of the Chinese container shipping company Cosco Shipping Lines. Wang headed a 40-strong party of high-ranking Chinese government officials, and the terminal operator said the visit emphasizes Hamburgâs importance as a global trade gateway.The largest container vessels of Chinese shipping company Cosco Shipping Lines are handled at the facility of Container Terminal Tollerort every week. On Thursday, for instance, the Cosco Shipping Aries was docked at the CTT quayside.
Cautious Consolidation for OSV Companies Brings Market Change
Will a rising tide in the offshore oil markets float all the boats? In the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, that remains to be seen.Offshore services, exploration and production are on a roll. In early October, yet another business combination of big drillers was announced. In a sign of optimism, Ensco announced its plan for an all-stock acquisition of Rowan Offshore, worth around $2.4 billion. The new company will be domiciled in the United Kingdom, but will have a large presence in Houston.
Offshore Optimism is Cautiously on the Rise
Following the path of oil prices, consolidation also follows myriad financial crises. What happens next isnât altogether clear, but the long, deep trough for offshore energy may finally be in our choppy wake.In mid 2017, financial turnaround and financial repairs specialist Alix Partners made a bold statement regarding the beleaguered Offshore Service Vessel (OSV) marketplace. In a July 2017 report, following an analysis of 44 participants in the business, the restructuring team wrote: âThe industry faces grave financial pressureâŠ
Gibdock Completes Complex BWTS Retrofit
Gibraltar-based Gibdock has been gearing up to meet increased shipowner demand for ballast water treatment system (BWTS) retrofits and has recently completed a complex BWTS retrofit on board the 179m, 34,500dwt bulk carrier Zambesi.The 2013-built, DNV GL classed vessel, owned by Hamburg-based John T. Essberger, arrived in Gibraltar on June 4 for a month-long overhaul program. The vessel departed the yard on July 5 with its new ballast water treatment installed and ready for commissioning, having spent 16 days in Gibdockâs No.
Harvey Gulf Receives Court's Confirmation of Reorganization Plan
Harvey Gulf International Marine issues statement on status of Chapter 11 Reorganization. Today, the United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas - Houston Division, confirmed the final Plan of Reorganization submitted by Harvey Gulf International Marine. The approval comes just 77 days following Harvey Gulfâs prepackaged filing, considerably faster than all previous Chapter 11 proceedings for vessel operators over the last five years. Following the hearing, Harvey Gulf CEO, Shane Guidry, commented, âWe really appreciate the diligent and collaborative efforts of all involved in this process â both within the company and from the legal and financial support teams.â Mr.
Global Ports to Run Havanaâs Cruise Ship Port
Independent cruise port operator Global Ports Holding announced that it has signed a 15-year management agreement with the Cuban company Aries S.A., for the operation of the cruise port in Havana, Cuba.Under the terms of the Agreement, the Group will from June 21, 2018 manage all of the cruise port operations over the life of the agreement. As consideration, the Group will be paid a management fee that is based on a number of factors including passenger numbers, with growth based incentives. In addition to operating the cruise port operations, the Group will continue to work with its Cuban partners on the design and technical specification of the cruise port investment program, including proposed new terminals.
First Containership Receives LR Cyber Notation
The newly built containership MV COSCO Shipping Aries, recently delivered to COSCO Shipping Lines, is the first ever containership to receive Lloydâs Registerâs (LR) cyber-enabled ship (CES) descriptive note âCyber AL3 SECURE PERFORMâ for its energy management system. The 20,000 TEU ship was built by Nantong COSCOS KHI Ship Engineering Co., Ltd (NACKS). âMV COSCO Shipping Aries is the first 20K TEU level ultra large containership built in Chinese shipyard owned by COSCO Shipping Container Lines.
Interview: Rear Adm. Mark Buzby, US Maritime Administrator
Insights: Rear Admiral Mark H. Buzby, USN (Ret), Maritime Administrator, U.S. Rear Adm. Mark H. Buzby was appointed by President Donald Trump and sworn in as Maritime Administrator on August 8, 2017. Prior to his appointment, Buzby served as president of the National Defense Transportation Association, a position he has held since retiring from the U.S. Navy in 2013 with over 34 years of service. A 1979 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Buzby earned his Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science and U.S. Coast Guard Third Mate License. He was commissioned in the U.S.
Recent Vessel Sales: October 2017
Vessel sales for October 2017 (as of November 1) as prepared by Shipping Intelligence, Inc., New York. 10/29 - COASTAL NO.
Buzby Sworn in as Maritime Administrator
Rear Adm. Mark H. Buzby, USN, Ret. has been sworn in as the Administrator of the Maritime Administration by U.S Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao. As Maritime Administrator, Buzby will lead the agency tasked with promoting the use of waterborne transportation and its seamless integration with other segments of the transportation system; and the development and maintenance of an adequate, well-balanced U.S. merchant marine, sufficient to carry a substantial portion of the Nationâs waterborne commerce, and capable of service in time of war or national emergency.