Cruise Shipping’s Historic Rebound
Battered by Covid, the cruise industry was down but not out. Today it is setting records in passenger count + the size and cost of a new fleet.Post-Pandemic, the fortunes of the big cruise companies have brightened dramatically. A late December, 2024 earnings release from Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE: CCL), encompassing brands including Carnival Cruise, Holland America, Cunard, Princess Cruises and others, says it all: “This has been an incredibly strong finish to a record year,” said CCL’s CEO Josh Weinstein, in its statement.
Meyer Werft Floats Out New Ship for Silversea Cruises
German shipbuilder Meyer Werft has floated out its latest newbuild for Royal Caribbean's luxury cruise line Silversea Cruises.After water had filled the drydock at Meyer Werft's shipyard in in Papenburg, tugboats maneuvered the vessel Silver Nova from one of the world’s largest enclosed construction halls into the adjacent harbor, where the fitting out phase will continue. Meyer Werft’s craftspeople cleaned the ship’s hull, attached its funnel, and installed its liquefied natural…
Pittsburgh Selects Lake Assault Boats
The City of Pittsburgh River Rescue Unit selected Lake Assault Boats to build a 30-ft.EMS river rescue vessel, for delivery later this year.The boat’s catamaran style hull is engineered for enhanced stability and maneuverability, and it is powered by two Yamaha 425 hp outboard engines . Slow speed maneuvering is controlled by Yamaha’s Helm Master joystick steering and digital anchoring system. The vessel also will feature a 74-in. hydraulically operated bow door, a heated front deck…
China-bound Norwegian Joy Sets Sail
Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Cruise Line’s first custom-designed ship for the Chinese cruise market, began her journey to her home port of Shanghai, China this week, as she departed the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany on Sunday, March 26 for her approximately 14-hour long conveyance along the Ems River. Measuring 1,094 feet long and 136 feet wide, the ship is the second in the line’s Breakaway-Plus class and the first that was purpose-built for China. “We are thrilled Norwegian Joy has officially begun her journey to China…
Piracy in the Indian Ocean
Somali based pirates continue to cause serious challenges to merchant vessels transiting the Indian Ocean. At the time of writing, EU NAVFOR statistics indicate that there are 26 vessels and 582 crew held captive off the coast of Somalia (not taking into account an unknown number of smaller dhows and fishing vessels that have been seized). Moreover, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) reported that Somali pirates hijacked 49 vessels in 2010, an increase from 47 in 2009. With the use of hijacked mother ships, Somali pirates proved that they are capable of operating for extended periods of time in areas further out to sea; a trend that has continued in the first months of 2011.
Piracy in the Indian Ocean
Somali based pirates continue to cause serious challenges to merchant vessels transiting the Indian Ocean.At the time of writing, EU NAVFOR statistics indicate that there are 26 vessels and 582 crew held captive off the coast of Somalia (not taking into account an unknown number of smaller dhows and fishing vessels that have been seized). Moreover, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) reported that Somali pirates hijacked 49 vessels in 2010, an increase from 47 in 2009. With the use of hijacked mother ships…
MV EMS River Released from Pirate Control
The MV EMS River, which was pirated on 27 December 2010, was released from pirate control on 1 March 2011. The Antigua/Barbuda flagged and German owned vessel was on her way to San Nicolas, Greece from Jebel Ali in the UAE at the time of the attack. According to the owner of the vessel, all crew members are well and unharmed.
MV EMS River Pirated in Indian Ocean
In the early hours of 27 December, the MV EMS River was pirated approximately 175 nautical miles North East of the port of Salalah, Oman. The 5,200 tonne general cargo ship, which is Antigua/Barbuda flagged and German owned, was on her way to San Nicolas, Greece from Jebel Ali in the UAE at the time of the attack. She has a crew of 8 (1 Romanian, 7 Philipinos) and is carrying a cargo of Petroleum Coke. The pirated vessel MT Motivator was in the vicinity of EMS River throughout the attack which further enforces the current pirate modus operandi of the use of motherships.
