Coastal and Inland News

APM Terminals, an international container terminal operating company, said that its Moín Container Terminal celebrated the movements of its 1 millionth TEU on 11 December 2019.This milestone, achieved in less than 10 months of operation, is particularly significant, as the next phase of the terminal will be built when an annual volume of 1.5 million TEUs is reached, said a press note. APM Terminals has a 30-year concession to operate the terminal.The millionth TEU was unloaded…

Texas-based, family-owned dredging business Callan Marine has  recently launched the General MacArthur, one of the largest cutter suction dredges in the U.S. market.At 290 feet in length and a 9 foot draft, the General MacArthur boasts 24,000 total installed horsepower.Powered by 3 Cat-MAK diesel engines, the dredge has a fuel capacity of over 300,000 gallons, giving it the capability to work on all U.S. coasts and waterways, as well as globally.The 32” cutter dredge General MacArthur is designed to perform capital…

The majority of NY Waterway ferries taken out of service for safety violations last month have returned to regular operations, the U.S. Coast Guard said.On November 24, the Coast Guard revealed that Sector New York marine inspectors determined that 23 of NY Waterway's 32 ferries had damage or discrepancies significant enough to warrant a suspension of service. Findings included inoperable fixed fire extinguishing systems and bilge alarms; expired lifesaving equipment; and structural damage affecting watertight integrity.As of December 12…

In December Nauticor's “Kairos” received the first license to conduct LNG ship-to-ship bunkering operations in the port of Rostock. The long-term permit was issued by the port authority of Rostock.The permit to conduct ship-to-ship LNG bunkering operations in the largest German Baltic Sea port was awarded in a timely manner and will be the basis for the supply of LNG to a variety of customers. The preparations for the supply of LNG to their vessels are already ongoing and the first operations will be conducted within the next weeks.

The a unified command team has completed the oil pumping of all accessible tanks from the M/V Golden Ray, a roll-on, roll-off car carrier that overturned near the Port of Brunswick in Georgia in September, the U.S. Coast Guard said.Salvage workers and divers gained access to 26 fuel tanks inside the Golden Ray, some of which were submerged and could only be reached by rappelling and conducting dive operations inside the wreck. Fuel was pumped from the tanks into a barge for proper disposal.

MV Swift was launched December 11, 2019 into the waters of  Windermere in the Lake District National Park.Damen Shipyards Group is building the vessel on location via the Damen Technical Cooperation (DTC) for Windermere Lake Cruises.At 34m, the vessel is slightly shorter than the company’s existing flagships, MV Swan and MV Teal. This will enable the vessel to dock at smaller jetties in the area, thereby providing economic stimulus to a wider pool of local businesses.Windermere Lake Cruises operates a fleet of 16 vessels currently.

The La Quinta Channel has been reopened to vessel traffic Thursday evening, after a vessel sank near Ingleside, Texas on Tuesday, the U.S. Coast Guard said.The closure began Tuesday when the vessel Cristi sank with two crew memmbers aboard approximately 100 yards north of Ingleside Point. Due to the location of the sunken vessel, the La Quinta Channel was closed to vessel traffic.One crew member was rescued by a good Samaritan vessel, and the other is still missing. Coast Guard aircraft and vessel assets scoured more than 143 square miles in search for the missing crew member, but the search was called off on Wednesday evening after approximately 31 hours.The vessel was successfully raised and removed from the channel, the Coast Guard said.

Sustainable, energy-efficient working practices and environmental regulatory compliance are among the hot-button topics driving the spread of maritime digitalization.The benefits of a digital strategy for companies working within the maritime industry soon stack up. In addition to providing operational/logistical streamlining, data-based insights, a competitive edge and a reputational leg-up, connecting operational systems and consolidating interfaces also drives the levels of…

The international container terminal operating company APM Terminals (APMT) said it has opened a new container terminal in Vado Ligure, on the Italian Riviera, which will be capable of handling 900,000 TEUs of containerized cargo.APMT has a 50.1% share in the “Vado Gateway,” while Cosco Shipping Ports has a 40% share and Qingdao Port International has a 9.9% share. APMT said the project is part of the “New Silk Road.” Chinese firms have invested in more than a dozen European ports…

The White House has reached a "deal in principle" with Beijing to resolve the 17-month U.S.-China trade war, according to a source briefed on the trade talks.The White House was expected to make an announcement later on Thursday, the source said."The written agreement is still being formulated, but they have reached an agreement in principle," the source said. No details were immediately available.In an attempt to secure a "phase one" trade deal, U.S. negotiators offered to cut…

It's that time of year.The US Coast Guard announced it has commenced icebreaking operations in response to expanded ice growth in the commercial ports of western Lake Superior.Operation Taconite, launched by Coast Guard Sector Sault Sainte Marie on Wednesday, is one of two icebreaking operations that support the Great Lakes. It encompasses Lake Superior, St. Marys River, Straits of Mackinac, Georgian Bay, Green Bay, northern Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan.The authority for Coast Guard domestic icebreaking was created in 1936, by Executive Order 7521 signed by President Franklin D.

Alewijnse Marine has won the contract for the electrical fit-out of two additional Damen Combi Freighter 3850s currently in build at Damen Yichang Shipyard for delivery in January 2020.The contract is based around the design, build and delivery of the main and emergency switchboards that form the core of the vessels’ electrical systems including those for alarm monitoring, fire alarms and public address. Alewijnse personnel will also oversee the installation and commissioning of the systems undertaken by the yard’s technicians.Damen’s Combi-Freighter range is comprised of eco-friendly…

Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding, the classic Maine boat designer and builder will build to Baltic Workboats design for the domestic workboat market.Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding, the classic Maine boat designer and builder will announce at this year’s International WorkBoat Show that it has entered into the domestic workboat market as the Jones Act builder for the Estonian, Baltic Workboats wave piercing pilot boat, currently popular with Danish and Belgian pilots.How do you feel about taking on something as unusual as building a pilot boat designed and built in Estonia…

A Unified Command was established on Wednesday afternoon to oversee the safe removal of fishing vessel Sea Angels, which ran aground in the vicinity of Browns Inlet, North Carolina.On Dec. 9, 2019, fishing vessel Sea Angels ran aground near a restricted navigation area in Browns Inlet, where the potential of unexploded military ordnance exists due to active live fire training in the area dating back to World War II.There is an estimated 15,000 gallons of diesel fuel onboard the fishing vessel…

SCHOTTEL's Azimuth Thrusters will propel two environmentally friendly vessels for the Norwegian ferry operator Norled.The first ferry to sail on liquid hydrogen was designed by LMG Marin and is currently under construction at Westcon Yards, Norway.Sigvald Breivik, technical director at Norled: “Our goal is to create a new icon among eco-friendly ferries. Hydrogen, as a zero-emission fuel, will be the alternative energy for ferry propulsion systems in cases where longer sailing distances are required and charging batteries is not possible.

An oil tanker, which shipping data showed was managed by a Chinese company under U.S. sanctions, refused to allow an inspection by maritime authorities while anchored in Malaysian waters, Malaysia's maritime agency said.Silvana III's commercial manager is Kunlun Shipping Co Ltd, according to shipping transparency website Equasis.org.Kunlun is one of several firms placed under U.S. sanctions this year for alleged involvement in transporting oil from Iran.The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said the Silvana III, which anchored off Kuala Kurau on Malaysia's west coast on Dec. 5, did not follow instructions to drop its ladder to allow officers to conduct checks."After several attempts to instruct the ship to drop ladder were not heeded…

WORK Microwave has announced the results of its technology demonstration with Intellian and Telesat to increase the reliability, performance, and throughput of broadband for maritime applications. Recently, the companies successfully tested a high-throughput data link from Mount Jackson, Virginia to Pompano Beach, Florida using WORK Microwave's AX-80 wideband modem, the Intellian v150NX 1.5m Ka-band wideband antenna, and the Telesat T19 VANTAGE High Throughput Satellite (HTS).

Seabulk Towing Holdings Inc., a subsidiary of SEACOR Holdings Inc., announced Wednesday it has contracted with Alabama-based Master Boat Builders, Inc. for the construction of four 80 metric ton bollard pull harbor tugs with an expected delivery beginning in the second half of 2021 through early 2022.Two of the newbuilds will augment the company’s existing Rotortug fleet and feature updates to the Rotortug design, Seabulk said.The other two Azimuth Stern Drive newbuilds will be equipped with diesel mechanical and electric motor propulsion systems. These vessels represent Seabulk’s initial investment in hybrid power towing assets and will operate alongside the company’s existing harbor fleet in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and the U.S. East Coast.

The US Coast Guard said it is searching for a crew member missing from a vessel that sank in the La Quinta Channel near Ingleside, Texas, Tuesday morning.Two men were reported to be working on board the vessel Cristi when it sank approximately 100 yards north of Ingleside Point at 10:30 a.m.One crew member was recovered by a good Samaritan vessel with no reported medical concern, the Coast Guard said.Coast Guard air and boat crews are searching for the second crew member with…

UK-based A&P Group its shipyard in Falmouth is refitting the Wightlink RO-RO ferry Wight Light. Wightlink is a passenger and vehicle  ferry company operating routes between Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in southern England.Wight Light visited A&P Falmouth for its two-yearly refit period. Vessels from the Wightlink fleet have been visiting A&P Falmouth since the early 2000s for dry-dockings and maintenance work.During Wight Light’s recent refit, a new engine was fitted and commissioned…

Amsterdam IJmuiden Offshore Ports (AYOP), a networking organization, has appointed Sylvia Boer as director effective from 1 February 2020. In this new position within the association for offshore companies in the North Sea Canal Area, Boer acts as a link between the members, government and stakeholders.AYOP sees great opportunities for the offshore wind, but certainly also for oil & gas, in the region and wants to take full advantage of this with the arrival of Boer.Boer has been working for Damen Shipyards Group over the past eight years…

Artemis Technologies has announced a joint venture with Denmark’s Tuco Marine Group to produce the world’s first zero emissions workboat.Artemis Technologies will collaborate with Tuco Marine Group to integrate its new electric eFoiler propulsion system into an 11m carbon fiber vessel.This will serve as a demonstrator vessel as proof of concept for the innovative technology that will be marketed to the marine trade by Artemis Technologies and Tuco Marine Group, which supplies the ProZero high performance Workboat range.  The hydrofoils and propulsion system for the proof of concept vessel will be manufactured and assembled in Belfast Harbour, following a multi million pound investment in the project.

Damen Shipyards Group has won an order from maritime services company EMS Offshore Service GmbH & Co. KG for a Shoalbuster 2711. The 2711 is the latest addition to the Shoalbuster range, having made its debut in June this year.The new Shoalbuster 2711 design changes will enable it to comply with new MLC regulations stipulating additional accommodation capacity. By increasing the width of the existing Shoalbuster 2709 by two meters, Damen has boosted the accommodation capacity from six to seven personnel.

This month, listen in as Sean Fernstrum weighs in on how his firm arrived at its enviable market position, what comes next, and why.Sean Fernstrum is a third-generation owner of R.W Fernstrum & Company. He graduated from Michigan Technological University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Scientific and Technical Communications. After college, he came home to Menominee, Michigan and began working as a Technical Writer at R.W. Fernstrum & Company. He has been President of the company for the last 8 years.

Brunswick Corporation today announced the formation of its Advanced Systems Group and appointed Brett Dibkey President – Advanced Systems Group. The new appointment is effective on January 1, 2020. The Advanced Systems Group consists of the 11 leading Power Products brands from the acquisition completed in August of 2018 in addition to the Attwood Group of businesses with its industry-leading brands, including Attwood, Garelick, MotorGuide, and Whale - all supported by a comprehensive, industry-leading systems design and integration capability.

James J. White, Executive Director, Port of Baltimore, announced his resignation effective December 31, 2019.White led operations for 18 years as the Port of Baltimore improved its national rankings, upgraded security procedures and completed infrastructure projects that made it one of the few ports in America capable of receiving the largest ships in the world.Under Executive Director White, the Port of Baltimore leads the nation in handling autos and light trucks, roll on/roll off heavy farm and construction machinery, as well as imported sugar and gypsum.

Tramarsa has taken delivery of a Damen Cutter Suction Dredger (CSD) 450. Tramarsa will be providing the tools to its subsidiary company Salaverry Terminal Internacional (STI), which will be using the new vessel for maintenance dredging tasks in the Port of Salaverry, Peru.The purchase of the new Damen CSD450 relates to the 30-year contract that STI was awarded for delivering port services at the Port of Salaverry. This contract includes maintenance dredging to keep the harbor at a suitable depth…

The commercial shipping world can benefit from greater range of communications and reduced satellite costs. Domestic brown water operators know all too well that’s easier said; than done. Until now.In the fast moving world of blue water, deep draft shipping, the availability of reliable ship-to-shore communications has been a non-issue for at least two decades. More than ever, they need it. These longtime users of so-called ship management software and now, sophisticated remote monitoring systems that watch over even the most obscure minutia on board far flung 1…

Dutch dredging and heavylift company Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. (Boskalis) has received the Provisional Letter of Acceptance for the Design and Construction contract for the Pasay Reclamation Development Project in Manila Bay, Philippines in cooperation with CHEC from China.The award was made by the publicly listed company SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPHI), one of the largest property developers in Southeast Asia. The development will create a new commercial and residential area in a densely populated part of Manila.

Northern China  Port of Tianjin has taken delivery of Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) Tug Jin Gang Lun 33 from the Shanghai Harbour Fuxing Shipping Service Company shipyard.The ASD 35/50 Tug is joining the Port’s tugboat fleet and serves the main roles of harbour towing, berthing and unberthing visiting vessels.Following Jin Gang Lun 31 and Jin Gang Lun 32 which were delivered to Tianjin Port early this year, Jin Gang Lun 33 is also custom designed in Canada by the Vancouver based naval architects Robert Allan Ltd.

Swedish container facility Port of Gothenburg is aiming to be a fossil free terminal by 2020, said its owner-operator Danish-owned APM Terminals.APM Terminals Gothenburg  launched environmental strategy  “Green Gothenburg Gateway”  which sees its terminal in the port aiming to become fossil-fuel free next year.Gothenburg Gateway is to accelerate the development of Sweden’s goods transports, having identified the need for Sweden to keep pace as global goods transports grow in scale…

Boston-based Sea Machines Robotics announced it has commissioned an SM300 autonomous control system aboard a HamiltonJet-powered workboat in New Zealand. HamiltonJet is now trialing this marine technology and has offered to provide on-demand customer demonstrations in the Southern Hemisphere.The combination of Sea Machines and HamiltonJet systems for commercial vessels will help enable autonomous control of commercial vessels executing nearshore or coastal missions. The integration of water-jets delivers increased maneuverability, precise station-keeping and even emergency stops. The internal nature of a water jet drive also increases confidence when running autonomously and allows shallower-water operation.

Boston-based Sea Machines Robotics announced has successfully commissioned an SM300 autonomous control system aboard a HamiltonJet-powered workboat in New Zealand.HamiltonJet is now trialing this marine technology and has offered to provide on-demand customer demonstrations in the Southern Hemisphere.The combination of Sea Machines and HamiltonJet systems for commercial vessels gives owners greater operational capability by enabling autonomous control of commercial vessels executing nearshore or coastal missions.The integration of water-jets delivers increased maneuverability…

Jan De Nul Group, the international  dredging company, said that the maintenance dredging works in the marinas of Nieuwpoort on the Belgian coast got underway.“What makes this project so unique, are the CO2-reducing measures taken by Jan De Nul Group. An example for the industry and future dredging works in Europe,” said a press release from the company. "Its an example for the industry and future dredging works in Europe."The maintenance dredging works in Nieuwpoort entail the dredging works in the port access channel and in the marinas.

Philippines-based port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) will more than double the capacity of its container terminal in Congo as part of a $100 million expansion, the company said on Thursday.Located on the Congo River, the port city of Matadi, where ICTSI operates the Matadi Gateway Terminal (MGT) under a joint venture with Congolese property management company SIMOBILE, is the Democratic Republic of Congo's primary shipping hub.The planned expansion will bring MGT's throughput capacity up to 400…

“In God we trust. All others must have data.”When Ed Grimm took the helm of Southern Towing Company (STC)as President and CEO, he inherited an enviable team of leaders, engineers, mentors, communicators and analysts. Today STC is a clear leader on the inland waterways, pioneering and proving the business and safety value of Z-Drives on the river towboats.How did you come to the top spot at Southern Towing Company?I started in the energy industry at 16 working at an oil storage depot in New York Harbor, working there through high school and putting myself through college.

Three ‘megamax’ quayside ship-to-shore (STS) cranes sailed up the River Mersey, destined for the Liverpool2 container terminal, UK, completing the final stage of their voyage from China.The cranes are part of work on the second phase of the Liverpool2 project to provide additional capacity for growing volumes of cargo.Their arrival follows Peel Ports announcing a record-breaking month for its container operations at the Port of Liverpool. Quayside and landside throughput in October at exceeded all previous figures on record with year on year growth of 12%.Mark Whitworth…

Intellian has unveiled the world’s first 1.5 m Global Xpress terminal, GX150NX at the International Workboat Show in New Orleans ahead of its commercial launch in 2020.As the largest terminal that will be available for the Inmarsat Fleet Xpress service following type approval and successful sea trials in 2020, the GX150NX will unlock the full power of the Global Xpress network for users with high bandwidth demands seeking the most resilient platform for digital and cloud-based…

SCHOTTEL has secured a contract with Cheoy Lee Shipyards, Hong Kong, for the supply of propulsion units for a total of four azimuth stern drive (ASD) tugs. Each of the new vessels ordered by Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) will be equipped with two SCHOTTEL Rudderpropellers.Three of the four tugs will each be equipped with a pair of SCHOTTEL Rudderpropellers type SRP 460 featuring fixed-pitch propellers measuring 2.60 m in diameter and each driven by a 2,210 kW diesel engine at 750 rpm. This configuration will enable a bollard pull of 70 tonnes.

Hurtigruten’s new hybrid battery powered expedition cruise ship MS Fridtjof Nansen has completed sea trials and will be completed earlier than expected. As a result, Hurtigruten is adding a series of shorter pre-inaugural voyages.MS Fridtjof Nansen is packed with green technology and large battery packs and is, alongside her sister ship MS Roald Amundsen, the world’s first battery-hybrid powered cruise ship.The Vessel is set for delivery by the end of 2019, well ahead of her April 1 inaugural voyage from Hamburg to the Norwegian coast.Departing from London (March 7)…

Container shipping firm CMA CGM will use the French Mediterranean port of Marseille for refueling some of its planned gas-powered vessels, backed by a supply partnership with energy group Total.Total will supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) and a refueling barge to enable CMA CGM to refuel LNG-powered vessels at the Marseille-Fos hub starting in 2021, the companies said in a joint statement on Wednesday.The initiative covers five vessels with a capacity of 15,000 twenty-foot equivalent…

U.S. offshore wind farm support company Atlantic Wind Transfers (AWT) has signed a multi-million-dollar, market-first order for two state-of the-art Chartwell 24 Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs), developed by Chartwell Marine.The vessels, to be deployed in support of new wind farms off the East Coast, will be built by Blount Boats, with delivery scheduled for 2020."Meeting the demands of U.S. offshore wind developers and asset owners - many of whom have a background in the European sector - requires domestic supply chain firms to capitalise on existing technology…

Ardea, a 20-meter catamaran crew transfer and support vessel, was delivered to Cape Preston in Western Australia earlier in 2019, Australian marine engineering design company Incat Crowther announced.Built by Echo Marine Group, the Incat Crowther 20 design has proven speed, robustness and seakeeping capabilities beyond its size, said a press release from the naval architect and engineering services firm.With twin Cummins QSK19s, each producing 597kW at 2,100rpm and twin Kamewa S45-3 waterjets it reaches a maximum speed of 25 knots.

China-based Qingdao Port International Development has agreed to purchase a 33% stake in COSCO Shipping Ports (Abu Dhabi), a deepwater terminal located in Khalifa Port, for US$59m.Abu Dhabi Terminal is a joint venture company established in the United Arab Emirates.The investment, which will be made through Qingdao Port's Hong Kong subsidiary QDP International Development, will give the port operator a 30 percent holding in the CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal at Khalifa Port in which the Hong Kong-based firm holds a 90 percent stake…

Volvo Penta to power three hybrid and hybrid-ready ferries currently being built at GS Marine Production AS. GS Marine is currently building a new ferry for Faroe Island operator, Standfaraskip Landsins. This ferry will have a speed of 20 knots and be powered by two of Volvo Penta’s engines. The D13-700 IMO III engines have a power output of 515kW at 2,250 rpm and will be coupled with a Brunvoll hybrid control system – allowing the vessel to run on the engines or electric alone, and even both in unison.

Wilhelmsen has launched an early adopter program for 3D printed marine spare parts. A strategic move by the six early adopters, Carnival Maritime, Thome Ship Management, OSM Maritime Group, Berge Bulk, Executive Ship Management and Wilhelmsen Ship Management have all signed up with Wilhelmsen’s Marine Products division to begin utilizing on-demand additive manufacturing.Wilhelmsen, in cooperation with Ivaldi Group, will provide spare parts on demand to the selected six customers’ vessels around the globe.

One Year In: Industry SME (Captain) Pat Folan weighs in from the front lines.It has been an interesting year for towing industry. As the new Subchapter M towboat rule rolled out, it didn’t take long to discover that the regulation wasn’t perfect. As stakeholders look ahead to what comes next, it is also helpful to take a look back at what went right, what didn’t, and more importantly – why.The U.S. Coast GuardThe US Coast Guard does not have the manpower to add more than 5,000 vessels to its workload.

Fears about a shortage of diesel and other middle distillates stemming from new marine pollution regulations have receded, with distillate premiums falling to some of the lowest levels for two years.From the start of 2020, ocean-going ships will be required to use low-sulphur fuels or employ exhaust gas cleaning systems, known has scrubbers, under pollution control rules approved by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).Fuel traders and shipowners have warned for several…

APM Terminals Moín made history when it welcomed the MSC Sara Elena, the largest container ship to ever berth in Costa Rica, measuring 300m long and a capacity of 8,000 TEUs.In 337 lifts, exports of key Costa Rican exports, included pineapples and bananas, were loaded onto the Sara Elena destined for Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The vessel was in port for just under nine hours, including the obligatory first call celebrations.This successful call once again validates the opportunity to serve Costa Rica’s economy with larger vessels.

British shipbuilding company Wight Shipyard Co. has secured an order for four vessels for Malta’s Captain Morgan Holdings Ltd, a subsidiary of Fortina Investments Ltd.The order is for two 20 m and two 33 m catamarans, all to be designed by One2Three Naval Architects, said the shipbuilding company based in East Cowes on the Isle of Wight in the UK.Peter Morton, CEO, Wight Shipyard, said: "We have been working with One2Three to develop lighter, more fuel-efficient ferries with the subsequent reduction of fuel costs.

Danish international shipping and logistics company DFDS has entered into two mutual space charter agreements with the Luxembourg-based short sea specialist Compagnie Luxembourgeoise d'Navigation (CLdN) CLdN that also operates a freight ferry route between Gothenburg and Zeebrugge.In June 2019, DFDS opened a freight ferry route between Gothenburg, Sweden, and Zeebrugge, Belgium, that currently deploys three freight ferries offering five weekly departures in each direction.However…

The city council of Rotterdam has adopted the revised Port Vision. The creation of economic and societal value and realizing sustainable growth form the core of the revised Port Vision.The revised Port Vision was approved by the Port of Rotterdam Authority’s Supervisory Board earlier this year. Now that the city council of Rotterdam has also adopted the revised Port Vision, this finally replaces Port Vision 2030, which dates from 2011.Allard Castelein, Port of Rotterdam Authority…

MacGregor, the provider of maritime cargo and load handling services, has secured orders to provide MacGregor equipment to a European port development project and TTS products to a naval project.The orders has a total value of approximately EUR 8 million, said the Cargotec group company.The orders were booked into Cargotec's fourth quarter 2019 order intake, with deliveries planned to commence during the fourth quarter of 2020 and completed during the first quarter of 2022.A TTS technical solution is being applied to the port development project…

Yokohama-based Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co has launched a cargo-passenger ship currently under construction for Tokai Kisen Co., Ltd.The new vessel will inherit the name Salvia Maru, replacing the second ship bearing the name that is currently operated by the company.The formal christening was conducted by Tokai Kisen President Junichi Yamazaki, with a ceremonial rope cutting by the fourth Tokai Kisen Mascot Girl, Natsumi Koike.The handover is scheduled for June 2020 upon completion of rigging work…

German maritime waste specialist Jongen GmbH has taken delivery of a Damen InvaSave 300 mobile ballast water treatment system (BWTS), which will protect the Elbe from invasive Species.Jongen can now offer IMO-certified ballast water treatment services to ship operators needing to comply with the latest ballast water regulations that came into effect on 8 September 2019.Jongen GmbH delivers waste oil, waste water, and the waste removal services for maritime traffic in the Port of Hamburg.

In a signed declaration, the Nordic ports have agreed to cooperate, exchange information and share approaches in a number of areas relating to the environment and climate. The Port of Gothenburg has joined a collaboration with ten other Nordic ports. IBy connecting land and sea – and by being connecting nodes of global trade and world economy – ports play a vital role in contributing to e.g. UN’s Global Sustainability Goals (SDGs) and creating a sustainable future in line with the Paris Agreement.Therefore…

The Norwegian-Canadian designer and manufacturer of energy storage solutions for marine propulsion Corvus Energy announced that it has signed a contract with SEC Marine Ltd, UK to supply the energy storage system (ESS) for the world’s first hybrid surface effect ship (SES) for crew transfer.The development of the 22m hybrid SES for use as a crew transfer vessel is in response to an industry-wide push to develop and deploy innovative technologies that reduce CO2 emissions, while…

The Antwerp port community and its various partners are currently on a trade mission to West-Africa, including Benin and Nigeria.A collaboration agreement was signed between Port of Antwerp International (PAI), the consultancy and investment subsidiary of Port of Antwerp, and APEC, its maritime training center, and Nigerian Ports Authority, which manages the 6 ports of Nigeria. This collaboration, which will mainly take the form of training and consulting, underlines the leading…

The reasons for that are many and these realities cater to regulatory, commercial and regional needs.The U.S. dredging market is complex and relies on the diverse fleet of private dredging companies to get the job done. In addition to design and technical capabilities, environmental restrictions and regulations often dictate whether a trailing suction hopper dredge, cutter suction dredge, or mechanical dredge can respond to the coastal protection, wetland restoration, port deepening, and channel maintenance needs of the Nation.

Incat Crowther has announced the launch of Mar de Cies, an Incat Crowther 32 built by Astilleros Armon for Spanish operator Mar De Ons. Designed specifically for the operation, the vessel demonstrates many benefits of a customized design solution.The vessel is designed for a low propeller draft to allow access to shallow docks.The main deck seats 218 passengers at tables, with a large kiosk at the forward end. The open upper deck seats 182 passengers, for a total of 400 passengers.

So many cities are built on rivers for obvious reasons of transport up and down but also as ports for foreign trade. But not all of a port city’s trade is up and down the river. People and vehicles must also cross the river. Bridges are great and most cities have one or more, but they are expensive and they lack flexibility.In Kuching, Sarawak this cross-river traffic created the niche for a ferry. Located on the broad, flat, estuary lands of the Sarawak River the city’s single bridge is some kilometers up from the sea.

On October 10, 2019 the steel cutting ceremony took place at Jiangsu Jinling Shipyard, Co. Ltd. in Yizheng, China (a subsidiary of the Nanjing Jinling Shipyard) for four oil/deck cargo barges being constructed for the Government of the Northwest Territories in Northern Canada.Steel blocks will be constructed at the Yizheng shipyard and then barged approx. 50 kilometers up the Yangtze River to Nanjing Jinling Shipyard for final assembly. Following steel cutting the construction is expected to take 9 months…

Freight rates down from multi-year highs as the market fundamentals make themselves felt.The fundamental balance in the market has worsened in 2019 with supply growth outstripping demand, and BIMCO expects that this will continue into 2020.Demand drivers and freight ratesAfter peaking in September, the fundamentals of the market have begun to drag on freight rates – although the rates remain above the average experienced so far this year, buoyed by a handful of positive developments during Q3.For only the third time this year…

Four migrants have died and up to 16 more are missing after trying to cross into Europe from North Africa on a small raft, Spain's coastguard said on Wednesday.Rescuers saved 58 people from the raft, which was found drifting around 37 miles off the coast of Morocco on Tuesday night. Three bodies were recovered from the water and another migrant died after being taken to shore, a spokeswoman for the coastguard said.Sea-borne migration to Europe has dropped sharply since peaking in 2015 but thousands still attempt the dangerous Mediterranean crossing every year, looking to escape poverty and conflict in their home countries.The latest group was brought to Spain's North African enclave of Melilla…

The Port of Baku,  Austrian ÖBB Rail Cargo Group and Cabooter Group (NL) signed an agreement to strengthen and expand the freight traffic from Europe to Central Asia and China via the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor). The Federal Minister of Transport, Innovation and Technology of Austria, Mr. Andreas Reichhardt, and Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Austria, Mr. Galib Israfilov were also present at the signing ceremony.The parties have decided…

Kalmar, part of Cargotec, has signed an agreement with Mexican ferry operator Baja Ferries to supply 20 terminal tractors for use in RoRo port operations.The order, which was agreed through Kalmar’s Mexican distributor Tracsa/Sitsa, was booked in Cargotec's 2019 Q3 order intake, with delivery scheduled to take place during Q1 2020.Baja Ferries is a leading provider of cargo and passenger ferry services in Mexico, offering integrated and multimodal logistics solutions. The company’s…

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of the global port operator DP World, rang the market-opening bell at Nasdaq Dubai to mark the listings of two sukuks (Arabic name for financial certificates) and two conventional bonds worth $2.3 billion.DP World will use the capital raised for debt refinancing and to fund growth opportunities.The listings, carried out during 2019, comprise two Sukuk of one billion US dollars and 500 million US dollars, and two conventional bonds of 500 million US dollars and 300 million US dollars.Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem…

Port authorities tried to right a capsized ship on Monday to rescue thousands of sheep trapped below deck in the Black Sea off Romania.The Palau-registered Queen Hind flipped onto its side shortly after leaving Romania's Midia port en route to Saudi Arabia on Sunday. Its crew, most of them Syrians, were rescued."There are hopes to rescue many sheep, as they are trapped under the deck in air pockets," an officer from Romania's naval authority said, speaking on condition of anonymity."But operations to lighten the ship and refloat it are very difficult and may last several days," the officer added.Drone footage released on the BBC showed the bodies of dozens of drowned animals floating next to the vessel.Just 50 of the ship's estimated load of 14…

Semco Maritime Ltd. has appointed Brian Mercer new Managing Director in the UK. Brian Mercer has taken up the position as Managing Director based on a diverse background with more than 30 years of experience covering oil & gas, aeronautical engineering, project and program management, operations and maintenance management and asset integrity. He holdsa Bachelor of Science degree in physics from the Heriot-Watt University, a Master of Arts degree in defense studies from the King’s College London and is a chartered engineer.Since 2005…

The Republic of Timor-Leste and Damen Shipyards Group signed a contract for a new RoPax Ferry 6716.The vessel will operate a route between the Timor-Leste capital Dili, the Oecusse enclave and the island of Ataúro, providing regular transportation of passengers, vehicles and goods on the north coast of the island.In a project co-financed by Timor-Leste and the Government of Germany, the RoPax Ferry 6716 is scheduled to begin operations in 2021. In preparation for the ferry’s arrival…

USA shipbuilder Metal Shark has delivered its 30th passenger vessel since June of 2017. Built at Metal Shark’s Franklin, Louisiana shipyard, the newest ferry delivery, a 97-foot, 350-passenger, USCG Subchapter “K,” welded-aluminum, high-speed, low-wake catamaran, was handed off to its operator last week and will soon enter service.“To achieve this extraordinarily high volume production of passenger vessels, we adapted and incorporated the now-proven serialized production methods that we initially developed to build patrol boat fleets for the US military…

World growth and trade volumes under pressure, but still positive. A continued slowdown in global growth, as well as a lower trade multiplier will reduce overall demand for shipping for the rest of this year and through 2020.Expectations for global trade growth have also been lowered for 2020; this is now forecast at 2.7%, down from 3%. The WTO cautions that risks to these forecasts are weighted to the downside, with these risks including a potential deepening of trade tensions…

The U.S. Coast Guard said it ordered 23 New York Waterway ferries to suspend service over the last week after a series of inspections found the vessels to be operationally unfit.Coast Guard Sector New York marine inspectors determined the 23 ferries had damage or discrepancies significant enough to warrant suspension of operations. So far, two of those vessels have been reinspected and returned to normal operations.“The safety of the public is our top priority, and we expect our ferry operators to uphold the highest standards,” said Capt. Jason Tama, commander of Coast Guard Sector New York.

Rutter, the solutions provider for radar image processing for the maritime industry, unveiled an innovative complement to its sigma S6 product line, WaveVision,  developed to optimize safety and operational efficiency of fishing and workboat operations.WaveVision is a revolutionary tool that works with navigational x-band radar to give operators visibility into wave fields within a 1km range of the vessel.When a large, obstructive or dangerous wave is detected the system alerts the operator, allowing time to make adjustment to speed or heading – or to allow time to warn deck personnel to seek

Closing the St. Lawrence Seaway in December to accommodate higher water outflow at the Moses-Saunders dam would cost the Canadian and U.S. economies $250 million/per week — impacting farmers’ grain exports, manufacturing plant operations and disrupting deliveries of fuel, construction materials and road salt for winter safety to cites throughout the region.The Chamber of Marine Commerce is issuing today’s comments to provide a wider context of the economic repercussions related…

U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administrator Rear Adm. Mark Buzby joined elected officials and leadership from Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) and SSA Marine on Nov. 22 to break ground on a new state-of-the-art international container terminal at JAXPORT’s Blount Island Marine Terminal.The SSA Jacksonville Container Terminal is an expansion of SSA’s current leasehold at Blount Island and includes $238.7 million in infrastructure and equipment upgrades. Operations will continue throughout the redevelopment…

For the first time, the ports of Antwerp, Barcelona, Hamburg, Los Angeles, Montreal and Rotterdam come together to showcase their most advanced digital transformation and sustainability projects at their dedicated ‘Smart Ports’ exhibitThe 'Smart Ports. Piers of the Future' event brought together six of the world's largest ports and has turned Barcelona into the world capital of port innovation.At the Smart City Expo World Congress, held from 19 to 21 November at the Fira de Barcelona events center on Gran Via…

The Port of Hamburg announced that in the course of the Elbe's river dredging, construction stones to improve usability for shipping, were successfully build into the "Medemrinne" and "Neufelder Sand".Specifically from March until October 2019, around 1,200,000 tons were build in the above mentioned underwater deposit areas (UDAs).Machulez KG, a member of the Cuxhaven Port Authority (HWG), coordinated the logistics requirements between the underwater construction companies, the quarry and the locally responsible institutions.

The U.S. Coast Guard ordered 23 New York Waterway ferries to suspend service over the last week after a series of inspections found the vessels to be operationally unfit. Coast Guard Sector New York marine inspectors determined the 23 ferries had damage or discrepancies significant enough to warrant a suspension of service. So far, two of those vessels have been reinspected and returned to normal operations. “The safety of the public is our top priority, and we expect our ferry operators to uphold the highest standards,” said Capt. Jason Tama, commander of Coast Guard Sector New York.

U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration Administrator, Admiral Mark Buzby formally presented a check for $20 million to Jacksonville for the International Cargo Terminal Modernization Project. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao has announced that the Trump Administration will invest $900 million in American infrastructure through the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Discretionary Grants program. “The Administration is targeting BUILD Transportation grants to repair…

Delta Launch Services has ordered a new pilot boat from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation. This is the sixth St. John’s Class launch built by the Somerset, Mass. shipyard. Delivery of the new 52-footer is scheduled for July 2020.The new launch measures of 52.6’ overall, with a beam of 16.11’ and a draft of 4.8’, the all-aluminum pilot boat features the Ray Hunt Designs Deep-V hull. It will be powered by twin Caterpillar C-18 EPA Tier 3 diesel engines, each delivering 671 Bhp at 2100 rpm and a top speed of 24 knots.

When it comes to shock-mitigation, bigger is truly better.Let’s consider a thought experiment: You must take the wheel of one of two cars speeding along straight tracks with no exits. Both cars are traveling at 100 km/hour, but the first is 100 meters from a brick wall while the second is only 10 meters from an identical wall. There is nothing to do but decelerate before the crash, and assuming your decision is guided by self-preservation the choice is obvious. Why? Because even the best tactical driver can’t overcome physics…

The growth of offshore wind renewable power continues to push investment in marine, port and infrastructure project, the latest an announcement ffrom the Lindø port of Odense which placed an order for an LHM 800 heavy lift unit, a machine with a lifting capacity of up to 308 tonnes at a height of 96.7 meters above quay to cope with the huge offshore wind turbines of the future.“With the purchase of the new mega crane, LINDØ port of ODENSE is cementing its key role as one of the…

Dubai's state-owned port operator DP World said that its port in Egypt, DP World Sokhna marked its 10th anniversary by revealing that its $520m (AED1.9bn) port expansion project is close to completion.The port expansion complements two operational basins, with the expansion into Basin 2 comprising a 1.3km-long quay – with 400m is use in Phase 1 – as well as a 350,000m2 container yard.The expansion comes as the UAE and Egypt agreed to support a $20bn joint strategic platform to invest in a range of vital sectors and assets…

Is Port of Amsterdam in sight? Then it's time to turn the diesel engine off and the electric motor on. That's the agreement that has been made with Sendo Shipping.By 2020, two of their Sendo Liners will be entering the port of Amsterdam emission-free. Port of Amsterdam has a stake in these new ships in the form of a loan.The Sendo Liners are inventive hybrid container ships. Much lower emissions, much lower fuel consumption and more cargo space. No less than 8% extra loading capacity!

Switzerland criticized on Thursday measures the European Union has adopted to curb steel imports amid a global trade spat, saying they harmed the Swiss steel industry.The European Commission last month revised safeguard measures introduced in July 2018 and decided to reduce the annual increase in quota volumes, the government said in a summary of talks on the status of a bilateral free trade deal. "These changes threaten to further restrict bilateral steel trade between Switzerland and the EU and harm the Swiss steel industry…

The Amherst Islander II, a Damen Road Ferry 6819 E3, was launched on November 14 at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania.Amherst Islander II is part of a two vessel order that Damen will deliver to the Ministry of Transportation Ontario. The E3 ferries will be among the first passenger/car ferries in North America with the ability to operate fully electric and promise to reduce the amount of emissions by the equivalent of 7 million kg of carbon dioxide each year.With an overall length of close to 72 meters and a loading capacity of up to 42 cars, the Amherst Islander II is the smaller of the two.

Make a Profit with a Safety Management System (SMS).Organizations in the maritime industry act no differently than any other successful global business unit. Major decisions are made with a certain underlying commitment – a commitment to customers, stakeholders and employees. That commitment can be oversimplified by stating the obvious, to generate revenue, but more specifically generate profits. Without profits, the company will not only fail to thrive, but will fail to survive.

Germany’s largest universal port, the Port of Hamburg, reported a container throughput of 7 million TEUs for the first three quarters of this year, representing a growth of 6.9 percent year-over-year.The climb in container handling is primarily attributable to the four new transatlantic services, plus four new Baltic feeder services. Since the beginning of the year, the new transatlantic services operated by Hapag-Lloyd and ONE have connected Hamburg with ports in the USA, Canada…

Japanese shipping giant Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and its subsidiary Ferry Sunflower Limited have unveiled plans to construct Japan’s first two LNG-fueled ferries.Mitsubishi Shipbuilding will receive the order for the newbuild ferries that are designated to serve the Japanese market.Ferry Sunflower will charter the ferries after delivery and launch them on its Osaka-Beppu route from the end of 2022 through the first half of 2023, as replacements for vessels currently in service.The…

What do successful, well-run ports and female empowerment have in common? Both can make a significant contribution to sustainable economic development.International Maritime Organization (IMO)  provided support to eight female officials from developing countries, with an emphasis on Pacific Small Island Developing States, attended a Port Senior Management Program held at the Galilee International Management Institute (GIMI) in Nahalal, Israel, (6-19 November).The two-week course provides participants with key information and updates on innovations in the port industry.

The MAN D2676 LE426 will be available in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. It fulfils the latest US EPA Tier 3 Commercial standard and comes with keel cooling.MAN Engines is expanding its range of engines for light-duty workboats in North America by introducing an 800 hp (588 kW) inline-six engine. The D2676 LE426 will be available from the second quarter of 2020. It satisfies the EPA Commercial emissions standards and offers 70 hp greater output than the well-established, 730 hp D2676 model.

On Friday, November 15, 2019, Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. (ESG) launched the SSG MICHAEL H. OLLIS (Hull 219) the first of three new Staten Island “Ollis Class” Ferries for the City of New York Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) Staten Island Ferry Division. The launch took place at Eastern’s Allanton facility in Panama City, Florida with special attendance by Florida’s Governor, Ron DeSantis.The new Staten Island Ollis Class Ferries series are named after fallen soldier of the US Army 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, 'Climb to Glory', Army Staff Sgt. Michael H.

The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, which tracks rates for ships ferrying dry bulk commodities, dipped for a fifth successive session on Wednesday, weighed down by weaker capesize vessel rates.The Baltic index, which reflects rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels, was down by 44 points, or 3.4%, to 1,260.The capesize index dropped 108 points, or 4.3%, to 2,435 points. Average daily earnings for capesizes, which typically transport 170,000-180,000 tonne cargoes such as iron ore and coal…

It just might. And, you’ve got options.The Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) carriage requirements apply to all passenger ships regardless of gross tons or year of build, and to all cargo ships 3000 gross tons or larger built after 2002. A simplified VDR (S-VDR) is allowed on older ships built before 2002. The performance standard was updated in 2014. That said; a full type-approved VDR is not a requirement for inland vessels under 3,000 GT. Nevertheless, a good case to be made for installing a (less costly) data recording device on such vessels…

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement released three vessels and 16 people it had seized, South Korea's Foreign Ministry and a Houthi military source in Yemen said on Wednesday.The seizure on Sunday was the latest incident at sea around Yemen, where Saudi Arabia is leading a Western-backed coalition of Arab states against the Houthis, who control the capital and most population centres and have been accused of attacking shipping.Of the vessels freed on Tuesday, two were South Korean and one was Saudi Arabia-flagged, the South Korean ministry said in a statement, adding that the families of two South Koreans among the crew had been notified."The three ships were released after the necessary legal measures…

Some forecasts expect 10% of the global fleet to be powered by LNG by 2030, a proportion that could rise to just under a quarter of the fleet by 2050. Will your vessels be among them?The year-end sulfur cap on marine fuels and recent industry commitments to reduce its collective carbon footprint are behind a surge of interest in LNG as fuel; widespread adoption, however, still faces strong headwinds on several fronts.After a period where the costs of transitioning to LNG as fuel – at the operational and capital expenditure (Capex) levels – had appeared to constrain demand…

Recent acceptance to operate in Rotterdam and proof of sustainability claims after more than 500 hull cleaning operations help propel ECOsubsea, the robotic hull cleaning system.The Dutch national regulatory body Rijkswaterstaat gave the Norwegian company the green light to start offering hull cleaning services to vessels at all Dutch Ports including Europe’s biggest port, the Port of Rotterdam, a move that is helping the firm solidify its position in Europe following similar permissions in Antwerp…

The world’s largest wind turbine, Haliade-X, is being tested on Maasvlakte at Port of Rotterdam. This ‘test rig’ was realised via innovative cross-pollination between the American GE Renewable Energy, Sif Netherlands and Pondera Consult.Huge 107-meter-long blades have recently started rotating on Maasvlakte. These are part of the Haliade-X12 MW, the world’s most powerful wind turbine.It is 260 meters high and has a 12-megawatt capacity, sufficient to generate energy to supply electricity to some 16,000 households in the region.

Swiss multinational equipment manufacturer Liebherr has delivered its 100th mobile harbour crane to be sold in Spain, an LHM 600 for shipping company Maritima del Principado.The ceremony took place in Gijón, Spain. The new machine is an LHM 600 and belongs to Generation 5, the latest technical development stage in the Liebherr Mobile Harbour Crane program.Spain is now the third country in the world, alongside Russia and India, with a fleet of 100 or more Liebherr mobile harbour cranes.The history of the Liebherr mobile harbour crane in Spain started more than 27 years ago.

More than 30 vessels carrying over 14,000 passengers in total chose to call in at Falmouth Cruise Port, Australia as part of their 2019 programme and even more have already booked for next year.The cruise ship operations are managed by FDEC (Falmouth Docks and Engineering Company) which is part of the A&P Group. FDEC is a statutory harbour authority, responsible for the area of water immediately surrounding Falmouth Docks. FDEC offers a range of services including cruise ship operations…

Port of Hamburg is continuing its dredging projects on the Elbe River as per plan. The second hopper dredger named Bonny River has been conducting dredging operations on the federal stretch and taking the spoil to the UWA - underwater dredged material disposal site at Medemrinne, from October.Built in 2018, the ‘Bonny River’ has a hold capacity of over 16,000 cubic meters; consequently having a highly efficient performance level.The holding area near Brunsbüttel and the widening work on the WSV - federal waterways and shipping stretch are finished.

A tugboat is partially sunk and leaking diesel after alliding with a bridge in North Carolina's Oregon Inlet, the U.S. Coast Guard said.All eight people aboard the tug Miss Bonnie reached shore safely without injury after the vessel struck the Old Bonner Bridge at 11:09 a.m. on Sunday.The Coast Guard said its watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Carolina received report from a local Coast Guard 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew at approximately 10:00 a.m. on Monday that a sheen was coming from the semi-submerged tug.The maximum potential for the discharge is 6…