Coastal and Inland News

Canada's Transport Minister Marc Garneau announced he is expanding the requirements for the use of face coverings by workers and others involved in the country's transportation industry to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.Transport Canada and the transportation industry had already implemented measures such as increased sanitization, health checks for passengers, and allowing passengers to remain in their vehicles on ferries. The new measures requiring face masks are aimed at points in the transportation system where workers must be in close proximity to co-workers and travelers…

T&T Salvage installed the final lifting lug on the M/V Golden Ray, a roll-on, roll-off vessel that ran aground and overturned near the Port of Brunswick in Georgia in September.The 16 lugs welded to the frame of the Korean-owned car carrier will provide connection points for the 255-foot tall Versabar VB 10,0000 twin-gantry crane catamaran to fasten to in order to secure sections of the hull as they are cut from the wreck during the Golden Ray’s removal from St. Simons Sound.Weighing over 38 tons…

An explosion injured several firefighters battling a blaze on board car carrier Höegh Xiamen at berth in Jacksonville, Fla. Thursday.The eight responders have been transported to the hospital for serious injuries, including two taken by air and two by ground to to Shands Gainesville burn unit. They are all in stable condition.All of the ship's 21 crew members are off the ship, uninjured and accounted for, the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) said.The U.S. Coast Guard said its watchstanders at Sector Jacksonville were notified at 3:53 p.m.

Carnival Corp’s Princess Cruises on Thursday extended the suspension of some of its voyages in Australia, Canada and Taiwan as ports around the world remain shut due to the coronavirus crisis.Cruise lines, hammered by a crisis which has seen some ships develop into high-profile infection hotspots, in recent days have been steadily pushing back cancellations well into the second half of 2020.Princess Cruises, long a favorite of older travelers, said it has extended the delay of operations on all cruises sailing in and out of Australia through mid-September on the Sea Princess…

The number of ships arriving in British ports in late May rose to the highest since the start of the country’s coronavirus lockdown, Britain’s statistics office said on Thursday.The Office for National Statistics, which publishes short-term data to track the economic impact of the COVID crisis, said there was an average of 341 daily ship visits between May 25 and May 31, the highest rolling average since March 23.(Writing by William Schomberg, editing by Andy Bruce)

The world's largest containership HMM Algeciras made its first European port call this week, entering Rotterdam’s Amaliahaven Wednesday on its maiden voyage to transfer containers at the Rotterdam World Gateway (RWG) terminal.The most recent vessel to hold the world’s largest containership crown, HMM Algeciras at maximum capacity carries slightly more 20-foot containers than its predecessor MSC Gülsün: 23,964 TEU versus 23,756 TEU. During its maiden voyage, HMM Algeciras is carrying a total of 19…

The technology group Wärtsilä said it has been contracted by the City of Duisburg, Germany, to provide the latest in simulator technology for inland waterway navigation. The simulator will consist of seven full mission bridges in two locations within Duisburg; six at the Schiffer-Berufskolleg Rhein vocational college, and one at the DST Development Centre for Ship Technology and Transport Systems.The technology will enable inter-connectivity with other simulators, a universal hardware interface for future developments, and can be used for R&D purposes, Wärtsilä said.

U.S. shipbuilding company Vigor has selected ABB to supply the hybrid-electric propulsion and energy storage systems for the newest additions to the Washington State Ferry fleet, setting the largest U.S. ferry system on course to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fuel use.The new Olympic Class ferries, each with a capacity of 144 cars and 1,500 passengers, with the planned addition of charging capability at terminals, would reduce fuel consumption by up to 95%. Upon delivery in 2024…

A new monohull landing craft will be one of two support craft on the U.K.'s polar research ship RRS Sir David Attenborough. Designed by Incat Crowther and built by Exeter Fabrication, she packs a lot of functionality into a compact platform.The Incat Crowther 14 Terror will play a critical role in the operations of RRS Sir David Attenborough which, in addition to its scientific role, will support the resupply of the five Antarctic research stations operated by British Antarctic Survey.

Australian shipbuilding group Austal announced its Chief Operating Officer Patrick Gregg will take over as Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2021, following a six-month transition from current Managing Director and CEO David Singleton.Gregg was appointed as COO 3.5 years ago with a view to him being a natural successor for the CEO role in the future, said John Rothwell, Chairman of Austal Limited. Since Gregg's appointment Austal has set up operations in Vietnam, expanded…

The Port of Aarhus and UZMAR Shipyard connected May 29 via video conference to finalize a contract for the construction of a new RAmparts 3000 series tugboat for delivery in summer 2021.Denmark's largest container port said it invested approximately 45 million DKK, or roughly $6.8 million, to acquire the newbuild, which will be far more eco-friendly, efficient and powerful than the vessel it will replace. The port cited strength, precision and environmental sustainability as key reasons behind its decision to replace the 40-year-old Hermes, which will be sold once its replacement arrives.

New Zealand's state-owned KiwiRail has issued a request for proposal to find a preferred shipyard to build two new RoPax ferries for operator Interislander.The international tender follows a NZ$400 Million (US$256.1 million) contribution to the 2020 Budget that enables KiwiRail to procure two new modernized vessels for service between capitol Wellington on the North Island and Picton on the South Island. When entering into operation in 2024 and 2025, the new ferries will replace the existing fleet of three ships…

A pair of new contract wins is helping Maersk's towage services arm Svitzer strengthen operations in Africa.Svitzer announced Tuesday it recently signed a five-year contract with Nacala Logistics in Mozambique for harbor towage, occasional pilot transfer and potential salvage work in the Port of Nacala. At the same time, Svitzer also secured a five-year extension of its current contract with Egyptian LNG assisting the land-based Idku liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant with four tugs…

Dutch heavy lift and transport specialist Mammoet was hired to help shipbuilder Austal Philippines carry out a full scope load-out and float-off of its largest ever high speed catamaran ferry launched earlier this year.During its conceptualization phase, Mammoet’s engineers proposed a revised methodology that reduced the volume of heavy lifting equipment required to complete the maneuver, helping to bring down costs for the operation. With this, there was not a need to include a long list of equipment…

DEME Group's newbuild trailing suction hopper dredger Meuse River has completed sea trials in the North Sea and will join the Belgium-based contractor's fleet in June 2020.Built by Royal IHC in the Netherlands, the 7,950-cubic-meter Meuse River has the same design as DEME's existing hopper Scheldt River, which entered service in 2017. The dredgers feature several energy smart technologies developed by DEME and Royal IHC, such as a hybrid dredge pump drive system to reduce the effect of load variations.For automation of the dredging process…

The Costa Atlantica cruise ship, which docked in southern Japan with over 100 crew members testing positive for COVID-19, has left the country and is en route to the Philippines, local government officials said on Monday.The ship departed Nagasaki on Sunday over a month after it became the second virus-stricken cruise ship to dock in Japan. Lax control on the movement of crew whilst docked highlighted Japan’s patchy response to the pandemic.The 86,000 tonne Costa Atlantica docked for maintenance in late April carrying no passengers and 623 crew…

Classification society DNV GL launched a custom infection prevention certification aiming to help the maritime industry resume operations better prepared for COVID-19 or other emerging pathogens. Genting Cruise Lines is the first customer working toward the CIP-M certification for its cruise ship Explorer Dream under the Dream Cruises brand.As the coronavirus crisis begins to recede and the world begins moving to return to business, the cruise industry is sharpening its already strong focus on passenger health and safety.

A group of partners in Europe aims to use battery containers on board barges to supply environmentally friendly fully-electric propulsion in lieu of diesel for inland waterway shipping.Supported by the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, the concept is being spearheaded by the Zero Emission Services B.V. (ZES), a consortium including technology group Wärtsilä, ING Bank, energy and technical service provider Engie and the Port of Rotterdam Authority. The project will launch first in the Netherlands, where inland navigation accounts for 5% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

Ferry shipping company Stena Line reports it is 10 years ahead of international shipping's emissions reduction targets thanks to measures such as new, larger and more energy efficient vessels, AI assisted captains and an increased punctuality.The Sweden-based operator says that during 2019 it reduced its total CO2 emissions 1.7 %, corresponding to 24,000 metric tons of CO2 in total, while CO2 emissions per transported ton freight and passenger vehicles on board the vessels fell…

Greenbrier Marine announced Tuesday it has delivered OSG 204, the first of two new 581-foot, 204,000-barrel-capacity oil and chemical tank barges for Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc. (OSG). The second barge is schedule to be delivered during the fourth quarter of 2020.The new barge OSG 204 will be operated for dual-mode integrated tug-barge (ITB) service pursuant to U.S. Coast Guard NVIC 2-81, Change 1. The unit is paired with an existing tug within the OSG fleet, the OSG Endurance, and will travel to the Gulf of Mexico to service the Jones Act trade.

Miclyn Express Offshore, a Singapore-based offshore vessel provider to the offshore energy industry, has secured contracts for 14 of its crewboats.The company on Monday said that 14 of its crew boats have been contracted for a long term charter "with a leading E&P company in Thailand for 1,095 days from May 2020.""This fleet of crew boats will support oil & gas production activity i.e. inter-field transfer of personnel and cargo, evacuation and emergency response," Micyln Express Offshore said.Miclyn Express Offshore did not provide any details on the identity of the client…

Shipbuilder PT. Graha Trisaka Industri, in Batam, Indonesia is building a pair of new TRAktor V-3200 tugs for China Petroleum Corporation (CPC), of Taiwan.The shipyard, with support from Robert Allan Ltd., was awarded the construction contract by CPC following an international bid process. A steel cutting ceremony was held for the newbuilds on April 15.Upon delivery, the custom designed tugboats will operate at the CPC liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal at Shenao in Taiwan.The TRAktor V design by Robert Allan Ltd.

Marine News magazine is now accepting entries for its annual MN100 awards edition. Each year, the publication's August issue profiles 100 of the top firms in the shallow-draft, brown water, workboat space. Is your company one of the best? Apply now.The 100 companies selected will be featured in the largest BPA-audited b-to-b publication in this genre. OEMs, service providers, shipyards, operators and the full gamut of marine-related businesses are eligible. But, only those who apply before July 1, 2020 will be considered for inclusion.Click here to apply.Let us know if you have questions.

Dozens of seaports across Asia, Oceania, Middle East, Africa, Europe and Americas have pledged to remain open to merchant vessels to ensure the flow of essential goods throughout the coronavirus pandemic.To date, more than 50 port authorities have signed on to support the Port Authorities Roundtable (PAR) COVID-19 declaration, initiated by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore for ports to commit to staying open to merchant vessels and work together to share best practices in ensuring that port operations can remain undisrupted.“Now is the time…

Turkish tugboat builder, towage and pilotage operator Med Marine said it has signed a deal with Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) to build and deliver a new 42-meter tugboat for the Port of Mombasa.The vessel is scheduled to enter service in East Africa’s largest port in 2021 as part of the KPA’s equipment modernization and maintenance program aiming to enhance efficiency at the port.The vessel design is from the RAstar ASD tug series by Canada’s Robert Allan Ltd. The new RAstar 4200 with a bollard pull of 120 metric tons, ranking it among the most powerful tugs Robert Allan Ltd.

The master of Singapore-flagged APL England is facing charges in Australia after the vessel under his command lost dozens of containers overboard in rough seas off the coast of Sydney last week.The offences relate to pollution and/or damage of the marine environment as a result of poor cargo loading, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said.The 5,510 TEU capacity APL England had been en route from Ningbo, China to Melbourne last Sunday when a temporary propulsion loss left the 277-meter vessel rolling in heavy seas…

Turkish tug building specialist Sanmar Shipyards followed up on recent deliveries of the two Sirapinar class ASD tugs to Oman's Port of Sohar with the delivery of the first of a three part order of the larger and more powerful Bigacay class ASD tugs. The arrival of this tug to the Port of Sohar, alongside its two sisters due shortly, will conclude the fleet development aims of the operator Svitzer and Port of Sohar; agreed as part of the 15 year renewal of the former's marine services contract, awarded in early 2019.

Wärtsilä said it will provide the propulsion solutions for a new 115-meter high-speed ferry being built by Austal at the Australian shipbuilder’s yard in the Philippines for Danish operator Molslinjen.The newbuild will feature four Wärtsilä 31 engines, recognized by Guinness World Records as being the world’s most efficient four-stroke diesel engine, and four Wärtsilä WXJ1500SRI waterjets. Wärtsilä will also supply its ProTouch bridge controls system. The order with Wärtsilä was placed in May this year.“This combination of the Wärtsilä 31 engine and WXJ waterjets is unique for fast ferries…

The coronavirus lockdown has accelerated a digitalization drive in a global shipping and logistics sector that still routinely delivers many documents by bike messenger in some countries, according to industry leaders.Ports operator DP World said on Thursday it would join shipping company Maersk and other peers in a blockchain platform aimed at limiting the sector's costly paper trail."The situation around the coronavirus is a very good catalyst for making sure everyone in the supply chain can communicate with each other digitally," Mike Bhaskaran, DP World's chief operating officer for logist

Towage operator Svitzer announced its Board of Directors has appointed Kasper Friis Nilaus, VP and current Managing Director (MD) of Svitzer Europe, to succeed Henriette Thygesen as global CEO of Svitzer A/S, effective June 15.Going forward, Nilaus will continue to report to Thygesen in her capacity as CEO of Maersk Fleet and Strategic Brands. Svitzer A/S remains a fully-owned AP Moller-Maersk company.Nilaus joined Svitzer as Business Development Manager in 2007 and has since held various global and regional positions within commercial and general management…

A Singapore-flagged containership that lost at least 40 containers overboard off the coast of Sydney has been detained by authorities in the Port of Brisbane after Australian inspectors found inadequate lashing arrangements for cargo and heavily corroded securing points for containers on deck.APL England had been en route from Ningbo, China to Melbourne on Sunday when it rerouted to Brisbane after a temporary propulsion loss left the 277-meter vessel rolling in heavy seas and caused several container stacks to topple over about 73 kilometers south east of Sydney.

Unifeeder containership SCA Tunadal on Wednesday claimed the maiden call at Sweden’s newest freight port, Stockholm Norvik Port, following the completion of a long port construction project.The container terminal is now open, both for vessel calls and for shore-based business operations at the port. The 32 hectare container terminal is run by Hutchison Ports, one of the world’s largest container terminal operators, with 52 ports in 27 countries.Nine goods in 10 arrive in Sweden by sea, and the Stockholm region accounts for half of Sweden’s entire consumption.

Dutch marine services and dredging contractor Boskalis has secured 32 million euros ($35 million) worth of dredging works in Finland's Port of Helsinki.Under the contracts awarded by the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, the Port of Helsinki, and the City of Helsinki, Boskalis will deepen de Vuosaari fairway and harbor basin from eleven to thirteen meters in the Port of Helsinki.The Dutch company will then use and utilize a part of the dredged material for the development of Helsinki’s Hernesaari area, which is close to the center of the city.

Soybean loading operations were set to resume late on Tuesday at a berth at Brazil's Paranaguá port after a ship was ordered into quarantine following a positive COVID-19 test on a crew member, authorities said.Loading at the berth was halted after the positive test, the Williams shipping agency said, adding that it was the first confirmed case of the disease at the port since the coronavirus outbreak began.All other berths at the port continued to operate as normal.Brazil's health surveillance agency ANVISA later authorized the ship to leave berth 214 after all other crew members were tested,

Buckley McAllister, President of McAllister Towing & Transportation, weighs in on the coronavirus pandemic and its impacts on the maritime sector.McAllister Towing & Transportation is a long and storied organization based in New York, the original U.S. COVID-19 hot spot that has been transformed from the city that never sleeps into a surreal ghost town. Describe the view from your perspective.All McAllister administrative personnel who can work from home are doing so. Luckily, most office personnel do most of their work online, so the need for actual visits to the office are infrequent.

The coronavirus pandemic has not caused Italian shipbuilding giant Fincantieri to lose any of its existing orders, CEO Giuseppe Bono told a Senate defense committee.While the company has not received any order cancellations to date, the company—one of the world's top cruise ship builders—said in its first quarter report that it is in talks with clients and subcontractors to discuss potentially stretching out order delivery times for vessels currently under construction and on…

Surgical masks and other items have been found washing up onto Australian beaches Tuesday after the Singapore-flagged APL England lost at least 40 containers overboard in heavy seas off the coast of Sydney.The medical supplies have been found on shores between Magenta Beach and The Entrance, according to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), which said the locations and contents are consistent with its debris drift models and items listed on the ship’s cargo manifest.

A Kuwaiti livestock ship, without animals aboard, was being held off Australia’s west coast after six crew members tested positive for the new coronavirus, authorities said on Tuesday, heightening concerns over how arrivals by sea are handled.The Al Kuwait left the Middle East on May 7 and docked near the city of Perth on May 22 after telling the Australian immigration and agriculture authorities that some crew members had raised temperatures, Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan…

Damen Shipyards Group unveiled its first Electric Cutter Suction Dredger (ECSD) 650. With electric motors powering the dredge system, the ECSD 650 makes possible zero emissions dredging projects. The electric power provides a significant reduction in noise, adding an extra tier of sustainability and ensuring the dredger’s suitability for projects in densely populated and environmentally sensitive areas.On the conventional CSD 650, the rear side pontoons serve only to provide buoyancy; in the ECSD the starboard side pontoon becomes an electrical nerve center.

Australia-based shipbuilding group Austal Limited said its Vũng Tàu, Vietnam shipyard launched its first vessel, a 94 -high-speed catamaran for the National Infrastructure Development Company (NIDCo) of Trinidad and Tobago.The vehicle-passenger ferry, to be known as APT James, is the first vessel to be constructed by Austal Vietnam following the official opening of the shipyard in November 2018.The Austal Auto Express 94 is an all-new aluminium catamaran design, with capacity for 926 passengers and 250 cars, travelling at speeds up to 37.5 knots.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has given his government a week to process some 24,000 repatriated Filipino workers stuck for weeks on cruise ships or in coronavirus quarantine, so they can finally go home.Thousands are aboard cruise vessels off Manila Bay or stuck in hotels and crowded health facilities, some growing frustrated having tested negative for the coronavirus and completed the mandated 14-day quarantine.Overseas Filipino Workers, or OFWs, are breadwinners and a key support base of Duterte.

A Singapore-flagged containership lost at least 40 containers overboard in heavy seas off the coast of Sydney, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said.Just after 6:10 a.m. Sunday, the APL England experienced a temporary loss of propulsion and began rolling heavily, causing container stacks to collapse and several containers to fall overboard in about 2,000 meters water depth, about 73 kilometers southeast of Sydney.The ship's power was restored within a few minutes…

Dutch heavy lift and transportation company Mammoet has said it has won its largest-ever contract at the Arctic LNG 2 project in Russia.Mammoet said Monday the contract was awarded by Technip-led joint venture NovArctic in cooperation with Saipem and NIPIgas. Under the contract, Mammoet will be responsible for unloading, transportation, and installation for the Novatek-operated Arctic LNG 2 project.The $21.3 billion Arctic LNG 2 project, sanctioned in 2019, will develop the Utrenneye field on the Gydan Peninsula.

This Memorial Day, as we rightfully honor the military men and women who gave their lives winning and protecting our freedoms, let us not forget an often-overlooked remembrance for the thousands of U.S. merchant mariners who also died serving our country in their own selfless ways.In 1933, by a joint Resolution of Congress and by Proclamation of the President of the United States, May 22 was set aside as National Maritime Day to honor the sacrifices of U.S. merchant mariners during wartime and in peace.

Arthur F. Mead, Vice President and Chief Counsel at Crowley Maritime Corporation, has been elected Chairman of the American Waterways Operators (AWO), succeeding outgoing Chairman Scott Merritt, former Chief Operating Officer with Foss Maritime Company, LLC.Members of the national tugboat, towboat and barge industry association elected a new slate of leaders this week during the association's Spring Board of Directors / Annual Membership Meeting, which was held virtually due to COVID-19 precautionary measures that resulted in the meeting not taking place in Washington…

Several companies within Japan's NYK Group have partnered to test the remote navigation of a tugboat in Tokyo Bay.The tugboat, operated by NYK's Shin-Nippon Kaiyosha Corporation, was equipped with a manned remotely controlled system and put to the test by NYK and its group companies MTI Co. Ltd., Keihin Dock Co. Ltd., and Japan Marine Science Inc. (JMS).During the trials, the tug was operated remotely from an operation center in the city of Nishinomiya, approximately 400 kilometers away.

U.K. shipbuilder SMS Group reports it has delivered a newbuild aquaculture vessel to a Tuna farm operator in Malta.The new vessel, Emmaya, has 24m LOA, 8.5m beam and a 3m draft, and it is built to the MCA-MGN-280-Catergory 1 (150nm from safe haven) workboat code. Designed by Walker Marine Design, the workboat will provide tuna harvesting and aquaculture/fish farm logistical and maintenance support services.David Azzopardi, Director of Fish and Fish Ltd, said, “This represents a major investment for Fish and Fish Ltd…

Israel appears to be behind a cyberattack earlier this month on computers at Iran’s Shahid Rajaee port that caused massive backups on waterways and roads leading to the facility, the Washington Post reported on Monday.Citing unnamed U.S. and foreign government officials, the Post said the May 9 disruption of Iranian computers was presumably in retaliation for an earlier attempted cyberattack on rural water distribution systems in Israel.The Israeli Embassy in Washington did not…

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd on Wednesday extended the suspension of voyages by another month until July 31 amid sailing curbs imposed to check the spread of the coronavirus.The cruise industry has faced the brunt of the health crisis as major outbreaks in ships were blamed for spreading the disease, resulting in government-mandated “no-sail” orders and trip cancellations.Royal Caribbean, which warned of a second-quarter loss in the face of a mounting debt…

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) said it will initiate an investigation into whether ballast water regulations proposed by the Government of Canada discriminate against U.S. flag vessel operators in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.The FMC commissioners voted unanimously to accept a petition filed by trade group the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA) asking the commision to perform the investigation and examine the detriment and harm to the U.S. flag fleet resulting…

The U.S. Navy’s first Yard Tug (YT) 808 class vessel was launched at Dakota Creek Industries' (DCI) shipyard on May 16. The Navy and DCI plan to conduct acceptance trials for the vessel in July, followed by planned delivery in August.The new tug is the first in a series of six being built by the Anacortes, Wash. shipbuilder for scheduled delivery through early 2022. The YT 808 vessels are designed by Robert Allan Ltd. after the Navy’s existing YT 802 Valiant-class tugs to perform towing and ship-handling duties for carriers, surface ships, submarines and barges.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd forecast a loss in the second quarter on Wednesday as the cruise operator struggles with mounting debt amid trip cancellations due to travel curbs imposed to check the spread of the coronavirus.The company, which posted a bigger-than-expected loss in the first quarter, has faced the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic as major outbreaks in cruises were blamed for spreading the disease.In the past few months, Royal Caribbean has borrowed more than $5 billion, some by pledging its ships, and now expects to pay between $590 million and $610 million in interests for the rest

Port of Gulfport (Mississippi) executive director Jonathan Daniels will move east and take the top spot as the Chief Executive & Port Director at Port Everglades, as announed by Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry. Broward’s seaport is a gateway for cargo, cruise and petroleum that is undergoing a $1.6 billion port expansion effort. Daniels comes to Port Everglades from the Port of Gulfport, Mississippi where he has been the executive director since 2013.In addition to his maritime experience in Gulfport…

Royal Caribbean's Silversea Cruises says it is preparing to take delivery of its newest ship, Silver Origin, following a unique set of COVID-19-related challenges overcome by the shipbuilder and innovative sea trials that included world-first remote operations.The new 100-passenger ultra-luxury cruise ship was built by Dutch shipyard De Hoop, which completed construction despite setbacks brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.Silver Origin was still under construction on March 15…

A  recently completed a $2 million capital improvement project aims to attract more cargo to one of the nation’s largest inland ports.Situated 153 miles from the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, the Port of Indiana-Mount Vernon connects the Ohio River Valley region’s agriculture, coal and manufacturing industries to the rest of the world via year-round access to the Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes through the inland waterways system.Each year, more than 3,600 barges…

Dutch shipyard Royal Niestern Sander has begun building a new aft for a passenger ferry that will be converted to liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion for German operator AG Ems.The shipyard is designing and building a completely new stern section to replace the one existing on the 1986-built passenger ship Münsterland, which will be fited with dual fuel engines, LNG storage tanks, propulsion systems, all LNG installations, pipelines and other systems.Niestern Sander was awarded the contract to undertake the project in July 2019…

John Waterhouse is a ubiquitous character in the U.S. maritime industry, a deep-thinker, a signature bow tie and more than three decades of naval architecture and marine engineering experience and success as co-owner of the Seattle-based Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG).While growing up, John Waterhouse spent some time in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and it was as a young boy standing on the shores of English Bay, watching ships come in from around the world to load and unload their cargos, when he realized that a maritime career could be his future.

Nairana, a new all-aluminium ferry, is equipped with Schottel propulsion solutions.“The brief was to provide two unique, new vessels that are highly maneuverable to facilitate rapid turnaround times, have multiple engines for redundancy, and are economical," said Roger Janes, Sales and Marketing Manager of Australian shipbuilder Richardson Devine Marine. "Overall, they needed to be uncomplicated and reliable.The Incat Crowther-designed Nairana is constructed entirely from aluminium.

Finland's marine technology firm Wärtsilä has won a deal to provide a complete LNG-package for what will be the first LNG-powered ferries built in Japan.Under the deal, Wärtsilä will provide a complete LNG package, comprising the Wärtsilä 31DF engine, gearbox, and LNGPac storage, supply, and control system for two new ferries being built on behalf of Ferry Sunflower, a subsidiary of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL). The ships are being built at Mitsubishi’s Shimonoseki shipyard in Japan and will be the first LNG-fuelled ferries to be built in Japan.

Callan Marine's new Jones Act cutterhead suction dredge (CSD) General MacArthur and its accompanying idler barge have entered service in Texas, heading to work on several projects before transiting to Corpus Christi for the second phase of the deepening and widening project.The newest and largest dredger in Callen Marine's fleet, the General MacArthur represents the next generation of dredging technology and crew comfort, said Maxie McGuire, President of Callan Marine.“The General MacArthur is a complete game-changer for the dredging industry,” McGuire said.

The U.S. Coast Guard announced in the Federal Register that it is seeking public comment on a proposal to expand regulations on vessel financial responsibility for all tank vessels greater than 100 gross tons as required by statute, and to make other amendments that clarify and update reporting requirements, reflect current practice and remove unnecessary regulations.The proposed rule would ensure that the Coast Guard has current information when there are significant changes in a vessel’s operation…

Brazil recorded a $19.7 billion maritime trade surplus in the first four months of the year as imports by value fell as the real currency weakened and exports of agriculture goods remained strong, a port operators group said on Monday.The surplus is 14.56% wider than in the same period of 2019 despite the crisis caused by the novel coronavirus, which has disrupted transport systems worldwide, said ATP, which represents Brazilian private-sector terminal operators including miner…

Geraldton-based Dave Perham, an operator from Australia’s Western Rock Lobster fishery, has taken delivery of a new lobster boat from Dongara Marine designed to have much lower fuel consumption than comparable vessels.Completed in late April 2020, some 12 months after contracts were signed, Force of Nature is a 22.4-meter Southerly Designs monohull which, like other recent Dongara Marine fishing and pilot boat newbuilds, combines an aluminum hull with a composite superstructure.The new boat is an upgrade from Perham’s current vessel…

Two of Svitzer’s senior UK-based executives will take up leading roles to support the voice of the British towage sector, the company  announced. Scott Baker, Svitzer’s Head of Marine Standards, becomes Chairman of the British Tugowners Association (BTA), taking over from outgoing Chair Nick Dorman. Meanwhile, Ita Dickson, Cluster Managing Director of UK North, joins the BTA’s Executive Committee.

With developments in the current health crisis almost entirely consuming nearly all news reporting, one could be forgiven for thinking that the members of Congress are thinking about and working on little else, and that even if they were, the divisive partisanship of recent years would doom the prospects of much else getting done. Happily, that is not the case for the nation’s inland waterways. Both houses of Congress are diligently working on maintaining the momentum of passing a Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA) every two years…

Gazpromneft Marine Lubricants said it has expanded its network in the Mediterranean to 27 ports in Greece, seven ports in Egypt, and 20 ports in Turkey.Partner’s production facilities in Turkey and Greece, as well as a warehouse in Egypt, allow the company to maintain product availability and provide short notice in the region, it said. Gazpromneft Marine Lubricants product portfolio includes 15 branded engine lubricants for use with various kinds of fuel, and also hydraulic, compressor, gear, turbine oils, special greases.

Venezuela's state-run oil company Petroleos de Venezuela has created a new unit to run its oil terminals, according to a copy of the government's official gazette seen by Reuters and a person with knowledge of the matter.The launch of the new unit, PDV Puertos S.A., comes after socialist President Nicolas Maduro last month named a new PDVSA president and oil minister to try to revive the once-prosperous OPEC nation's crude output, which has fallen to decades-lows due to years of underinvestment and mismanagement as well as U.S.

The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a safety alert highlighting the importance of accurate Automatic Identification System (AIS) data entry and display to safe navigation following a recent towboat collision on the Mississippi River.Although the investigation into this casualty is not yet complete, the Coast Guard said the incident shows the hazards created by inaccurate AIS data and should prompt owners and operators to review and update their procedures to prevent similar casualties from occurring.Before sunrise, two towing vessels were approaching a bend on the Mississippi River.

Trade association Interferry says it welcomes the European Commission’s guidance on the gradual relaxation of travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic and relaunching of transportation links that will go into effect in advance of this summer’s travel and tourism season.“We welcome the growing signs in Europe and beyond that COVID-19 lockdown restrictions are starting to be eased,” says Interferry CEO Mike Corrigan. “The global ferry industry is prepared to contribute to…

Dutch shipbuilder Royal IHC on Friday launched a new cutter suction dredger (CSD) Mohab Mameesh for the Suez Canal Authority (SCA).The 29,190kW heavy-duty rock CSD built at at IHC’s shipyard in Krimpen a/d IJssel has been designed in cooperation with SCA, and will be used to maintain and improve the Suez Canal, which connects the Mediterranean and Red seas. The vessel, characterized by its long slender shape and high spud towers, will have an overall length of 147.4 meters and provide a maximum dredging depth of 35 meters.

U.S.-based passenger vessel operator Hornblower Group announced it has appointed Kevin Rabbitt has CEO. Rabbitt is expected to take up the role in July, while founder, Chairman and current CEO Terry MacRae will continue as Executive Chairman.Rabbitt’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for industry-leader Hornblower as many parts of the Group’s operations prepare to resume operations when current pandemic restrictions are lifted.“In these unprecedented times, there will be challenges alongside opportunities,” Rabbitt said.

Belarusian state energy company Belneftekhim said on Friday it had bought 80,000 tonnes of oil from the United States that would be delivered by tanker to the Lithuanian port of Klaipėda at the beginning of June.Belarus has said it wants to diversify its oil supplies after a dispute with Russia over oil prices earlier this year. (Reporting by Andrei Makhovsky; writing by Tom Balmforth; editing by Jason Neely)

New Jersey-based Rand Logistics said Thursday it has completed its $260 million acquisition of rival Great Lakes shipping company American Steamship Company (ASC) from GATX Corporation.The combination of Rand and ASC moves almost 50 million tons annually of dry bulk commodities such as iron ore, coal and limestone on vessels ranging in size from 634 feet to over 1,000 feet, the company said."This transaction is a game-changer for both Rand and our customers. Our combined 24-vessel fleet gives us the capability to meet almost every type of dry bulk transportation need on the Great Lakes…

Dozens of containers lost from a ship at sea have been recovered off the coast of Australia as the country's maritime authority continues to press the vessel's owner to pay the $11 million cleanup costs.The 63 boxes plucked from the bottom of the Tasman Sea are among more than 80 lost from Yang Ming's containership YM Efficiency about 20 miles from shore in June 2018. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) says it stepped in to handle the cleanup operations after the…

Walt Disney Co announced on Wednesday it has suspended all new departures on its Disney Cruise Line through July 27 as the coronavirus outbreak continues.On its website, the company said guests currently booked on affected cruises will be offered either a credit to be used for a future sailing within 15 months of their original sail date, or a full refund.As a result of the “No Sail Order” issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cruises in the United States are banned until July 24.On a May 5 conference call to discuss the company’s second-quarter results…

Pascagoula, Miss. shipbuilder VT Halter Marine Inc., a company of ST Engineering North America, said it has cut first steel for the fourth Auxiliary Personnel Lighter–Small (APL(S)) that the company is designing and building for the U.S. Navy. The contract award is $39,906,609 for a firm, fixed-price option for the detail design and construction of the vessel.Halter Marine is currently constructing the first three APLs. In September 2018, the company received the initial contract to design and build two units, with options for four additional units. Construction on the fourth vessel is expected to be complete in the summer of 2021. The company expects to deliver the first two APLs this fall…

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd swung to a quarterly loss on a $1.6 billion impairment charge as the COVID-19 pandemic brought the global cruise industry to a virtual standstill.Cruise operators have been hammered by the curbs to contain the spread of the virus, with extended port quarantines in Japan and California due to deadly outbreaks on some cruise ships adding to the worries.The company said on Thursday it posted a net loss of $1.88 billion, or $8.80 per share, for the three months ended March 31…

Marine News magazine is now accepting entries for its annual MN100 awards edition. Each year, the publication's August issue profiles 100 of the top firms in the shallow-draft, brown water, workboat space. Is your company one of the best? Apply now.The 100 companies selected will be featured in the largest BPA-audited b-to-b publication in this genre. OEMs, service providers, shipyards, operators and the full gamut of marine-related businesses are eligible. But, only those who apply before July 1, 2020 will be considered for inclusion.Click here to apply.Let us know if you have questions.

Rare cargoes of diesel from China and South Korea have started to arrive in Russia due to a quirk in Russia's tax system which is making fuel shipments from abroad more profitable, data from traders and Refinitiv Eikon showed on Thursday.Because of a local tax scheme, Russian oil firms are due to make higher payments to the government despite a slump in oil prices due to excess supplies and the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.That means the companies have little incentive to cut domestic retail prices for gasoline and diesel.But with prices lower on the global market…

Royal Caribbean Cruises on Wednesday launched a $3.3 billion bond offering, pledging 28 of its ships as collateral and forecast heavy losses for the first quarter as the COVID-19 pandemic brings the sector to a virtual standstill.Royal Caribbean, which was forced to suspend its cruises globally and cut about 26% of its U.S. workforce, said the health crisis has dented its first-quarter net income by about $453 million.The cruise operator’s shares, which have sunk over 72% this year…

Cameroon’s Port Authority of Douala (PAD) has acquired high-tech equipment from Royal IHC to support its dredging activities, an order that builds on the excellent partnership between both organizations.As part of measures to autonomously manage its dredging activities, the Management of the PAD acquired an IHC Beaver 50 cutter suction dredger and a Delta Multi Craft (DMC) workboat, which were both delivered in 2019. This first order will soon be completed by an IHC Easydredge trailing suction hopper dredger with a 3,000-cubic-meter hopper capacity.

Monthly cargo volumes at Port Houston declined in April as the coronavirus outbreak continued to impact commerce in the U.S. and across the world.Port Houston, the 6th largest container port in the U.S., handled a total of 221,540 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in April, down 12% from the 252,693 TEUs in April 2019. For the full year, however, Port Houston handled 994,627 TEUs through April, which is 5% more than the first four months of 2019.Total tonnage at Port Houston’s public facilities was down 10% in the month of April at 3,766,756 short tons, a decrease of 3% year-to-date.

Russian state oil giant Rosneft plans to build a port with maximum annual capacity of 115 million tonnes of oil for its Vostok Oil project in the Russian Arctic, the RIA news agency quoted the company as saying on Tuesday.Rosneft said in a statement previously on Tuesday that the Vostok Oil project could be supplying 25 million tonnes of oil in 2024, 50 million tonnes in 2027 and up to 115 million tonnes in 2030.Vostok Oil unites Rosneft’s projects in northern Russia, including the Lodochnoye…

The Evac Evolution ballast water treatment system (BWMS) will be installed on the ILV Granuaile, an aids to navigation vessel operated by the Commissioners of Irish Lights.The vessel’s primary function is to place and service 150 offshore buoys, which warn mariners of the location of sand banks, reefs and other offshore hazards. The vessel also provides support for the teams tasked with maintaining a further 65 lighthouses and beacons around the coast of Ireland and Northern Ireland. In addition, the ship supports the national response to maritime wreck and new dangers to navigation.

Finland-based Valmet said it has booked an order with Japan's Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. Shimonoseki Shipyard to deliver hybrid scrubber systems and water treatment units to two ferries. Each vessel will be equipped with two identical Valmet Marine Scrubber towers for each main engine and a water treatment unit as well as Valmet’s marine automation system. The order value was not disclosed. The vessels will be delivered from Mitsubishi Shimonoseki shipyard to Meimon Taiyo Ferry Co., Ltd.

Japan’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessel has been launched at Kawasaki Heavy Industries' Sakaide Works shipyard ahead of planned delivery at the end of September 2020.The 3,500-cubic-meter-capacity vessel is scheduled to begin ship-to-ship bunkering for LNG-fueled vessels at at JERA’s Kawagoe Thermal Power Station starting this autumn. It will be the first LNG bunker ship to be operated in JapanIn 2018, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. (“K” Line), JERA Co.

The 86 crew members of the Greg Mortimer cruise ship, stranded in Uruguayan waters since March 27, began their evacuation to Montevideo on Tuesday following an outbreak of the new coronavirus on board, the government said.At least 37 positive cases of coronavirus were detected in the last several days, officials said, preventing plans for the ship to travel to the Spanish port of Las Palmas, the original planned destination for the tourist trip, which is operated by Australian…

Three cruise ships will idle at the Port of Oakland without passengers while cruise operations are suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, the port said Friday. The .Two Norwegian Cruise Line vessels, Regatta and Norwegian Jewel, have tied up at Oakland’s Outer Harbor Terminal, which is currently not in use for the port’s container shipping business. Another, Seven Seas Mariner, is docked at Howard Terminal on the Oakland Estuary, no longer considered large enough for container operations.

Having recently taken delivery of two new RIBCRAFT 5.85 rigid inflatable boats (RIB), the California Department of Fish and Wildlife awarded the Massacusetts-based builder another contract, to supply and deliver shipboard RIBs for its fleet of long range fisheries patrol boats.The RIBs already delivered will be used by the agency's Southern District, which covers all of Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles and San Diego counties. The vessels will be operated by one or two wardens for patrol and enforcement operations.

The Port of Oakland reported "better than expected" cargo volumes in April, but port officials say they are expecting volumes to decline in the months ahead as ships cancel visits due to reduced demand brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.The port reported April loaded container volume were up .4% compared to the same month last year. Export loads rose 3.6%, the port said, while imports dipped 0.9%.The port said its total cargo volume – imports, exports and empty container shipments – declined 6.5% last month.

The Netherlands based Royal IHC said it has been awarded a contract to design and build a Jones Act compliant dredger for the North Carolina State Ports Authority (NCSPA) for deilvery in 2021.The water injection dredger will be built at a partner shipyard in the U.S.“The construction, procurement of the main components, assembly and testing will be performed in the United States (following the Jones Act regulations) and is being managed by the local IHC operations team based in Houston,” said Projects & Services Director Rafael Vorcaro.

Luxury cruise ship Europa 2, idled by travel restrictions stemming from the coronavirus pandemic, is now using cold ironing at the Cruise Center Altona in Hamburg, Germany. The process provides shoreside electrical power to a ship at berth while its main and auxiliary engines are turned off.In this test phase, the undisrupted use and compatibility had been comprehensively tested and prepared when the Europa 2 was moored in its berth in Altona. The operator said it is targetting certification by classification society DNV GL.The small luxury ship the Europa 2…

Damen Shipyards Group has unveiled its new Utility Vessel 2613 workboat geared for the aquaculture industry.The Damen UV 2613 draws upon other vessels from the shipyard’s portfolio, such as the Multi Cat and Shoalbuster, to deliver versatility to the fish-farming sector, with a work scope that covers everything from harvesting to net cleaning and diving support to de-licing.Damen Sales Manager Mike Besijn said, “We are very confident in the relevance of the UV 2613 for the growing aquaculture industry.

Plans to launch the world’s first all-electric autonomous container vessel Yara Birkeland have been shelved due to the coronavirus pandemic and uncertain market conditions, said Yara International, the Norwegian company behind the project."Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the changed global outlook, Yara has decided to pause further development of the vessel and will assess next steps together with its partners," the company said.In 2017, Yara partnered with technology company Kongsberg to build the fully battery-powered container vessel…

Odfjell announced Monday that Odfjell Terminals (China) Pte. Ltd. (OTC) has today completed a sale of its 50% shareholding of Odfjell Terminals (Dalian) Co Ltd. (OTD) to VTTI Terminals I B.V., a subsidiary of VTTI group, for a total cash consideration of $59 million.Kristian Mørch, CEO of Odfjell said, “The sale of OTD represents another step in the restructuring of our terminal portfolio and is in line with our strategy to focus on chemical terminals where we can harvest synergies with Odfjell Tankers or have another angle for further value creation by Odfjell.”OTC is indirectly owned 51% by Odfjell and 49% by Lindsay Goldberg (LG).

British coastguards rescued more than 120 migrants trying to cross the English Channel on seven small boats, French maritime authorities said on Friday.The rescue took place in the night from Thursday to Friday, a spokesman for the Maritime Prefecture for the Channel and North Sea said.Border and coastguards in Britain and France have intercepted numerous attempted crossings in recent months as migrants have repeatedly tried to travel from destinations in Asia and Africa to Britain.“It’s little wonder people living in France’s refugee camps are desperate to make this dangerous crossing, given the awful conditions they face there,” Clare Moseley…

Following a testing and evaluation program, Singapore-based Penguin International Ltd. has selected SCHOTTEL’s Tunnel Thruster STT 51 FP for its flagship Flex-42X series of eight executive fast crew boats. Penguin is a designer, builder, owner and operator of high-speed crafts as well as a prolific builder of mid-sized crew boats and armored security boats for sales and charter. With a 95 kW electric motor controlled by a variable frequency drive, the STT will be installed in…

Expedition cruise operator Hurtigruten extended an operational pause for its fleet of small, custom built ships until June 15, but hopes to gradually restart cruises from mid-June as restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic begin to ease.Hurtigruten CEO Daniel Skjeldam, said, "There is still a lot of uncertainty in what the next weeks and months will bring. However, we do see international restrictions gradually being lifted. Step by step, the pandemic is being brought under control.

In the past few weeks, Manila Bay in the Philippines has been transformed into the world’s biggest parking lot for cruise ships, none of which have any guests.More than 20 vessels collectively weighing about 2 million tonnes are clustered off the coast of the capital, awaiting coronavirus clearance for more than 5,300 Philippine staff to return home from abandoned cruises, with no guarantee of a job at sea again.More ships are set to join the flotilla, says the coast guard, which has been shuttling between ships to administer 4…

The Port of New York and New Jersey experienced a 4.1% decrease in March container volume compared to March 2019, the Port Authority of NY & NJ said. March cargo volumes were 560,830 TEUs, compared to 585,098 TEUs in March 2019.Throughout the month, the seaport was fully operational and prepared to handle all vessel activity and respond to changes in volume as the regional economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic became clearer, the Port Authority said.

Ships transporting cargo from Argentina's Rosario grain hub through the Parana River are having to reduce their cargoes after a bank collapse obstructed the navigation channel, exporters told Reuters.Dredgers are working in the Parana to the south of the Rosario complex to try to restore the necessary depth of water for export traffic, but at present have no estimate of when normal operations on the grains superhighway can resume."Ships cannot leave because they do not have the adequate safety margin…

China's energy and chemical giant Sinopec has said it has put China's largest petrochemical port into operation with the successful docking and unloading of the New Renown, a very large crude carrier (VLCC) from the Middle East. The tanker was welcomed at the new 300,000-ton crude oil terminal of Sinopec Zhongke Refinery Port, which forms part of the company's "front terminal, rear plant" production model.Located 1,100 meters from Sinopec's refinery, the petrochemical port features eight terminals including a 300…

Olympia Harbor Days Festival and Tugboat Races, the 47th edition, has been canceled for 2020 due to health and safety concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. The announcement comes from the Olympia Kiwanis Club Board of Directors after much discussion about how to keep the festival safe for all – from attendees and tugboat crews to vendors and volunteers. The festival was to be held Labor Day Weekend, September 4 – 6, 2020. The festival is an Olympia Kiwanis Club event.“We want to keep our community…