Boluda Towage Starts Operations in Egypt
In January 2024, Boluda Towage commenced towage operations in the Egyptian Abu Qir’s container terminal with three tugs.Vicente Boluda Fos, President of Boluda Corporación Marítima, said, “Abu Qir is a port in full motion, and the port developments perfectly fit with the ambitions of the Boluda Towage Division. The presence in Egypt and the Middle East is a further step towards strengthening and expanding our global activities. We are proud to be part of the developments and that…
Performance Shipping Orders Two LR2 Tankers
Greek shipowner Performance Shipping Inc. announced it has signed two shipbuilding contracts with China Shipbuilding Trading Co. Ltd. (CSTC) and Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. (SWS) for the construction of two 114,000 DWT LNG-ready LR2 Aframax product/crude oil tanker vessels.The newbuilds, expected to be delivered in January and April of 2026, were ordered at a purchase price of US$64,845,000 per vessel, net of third-party commission. 15% of the purchase price is payable upon receipt of a refund guarantee…
French Strikes Continue to Block Refinery Shipments and LNG Terminals
Shipments of refined products from French refinery and depots were blocked on Monday by a 13th day of strike action, though some refineries operated with a reduced flow, a company spokesperson said.The industrial action is part of a nationwide movement against pension system changes that lift the retirement age two years to 64. The changes were forced through parliament without a vote last week.There is an increasing expectation of diesel supply shortages in France and Europe as a result of the strike-caused outages…
Boluda to Acquire Smit Lamnalco, Tugboat Fleet to Top 600
Boluda Corporación Marítima, through its Boluda Towage division, has reached an agreement to acquire Smit Lamnalco, the world's fifth-largest towage operator.With the acquisition of Smit Lamnalco, Boluda Towage will boast a fleet of 600 tugboats with its tendrils reaching 50 countries and 148 ports around the world.Smit Lamnalco is 50% owned by Boskalis Group and Rezayat Group currently employing more than 1,600 people and owning 111 vessels."Boluda is a company that has never stopped growing and transforming itself," said Vicente Boluda Fos, Chairman of Boluda Corporación Marítima.
Performance Shipping Takes Delivery of Secondhand Tanker
Greek shipowner Performance Shipping announced on Thursday that it has taken delivery of a 2013-built LR2 Aframax oil product tanker that it agreed to purchase in November 2022.The 105,408 dwt P. Long Beach (formerly Fos Hamilton) was acquired for $43.75 million, partially financed through a term loan facility with Alpha Bank S.A.Long Beach is equipped with an eco-electronic engine and fitted with a ballast water treatment system (BWTS).The vessel is the fourth vessel delivered to the company during the course of this year, bringing the Performance Shipping’s current fleet to a total of eight Aframax tankers.Andreas Michalopoulos, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “The delivery of our second LR2 Aframax tanker, the M/T P.
Performance Shipping Buys Secondhand Aframax Tanker
Greek shipowner Performance Shipping on Thursday announced it has signed a memorandum of agreement to purchase a secondhand 105,408 dwt LR2 Aframax oil product tanker for $43.75 million.The vessel, Fos Hamilton, was built by South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries in 2013 and is equipped with an eco-electronic engine and ballast water management system (BWMS). It is scheduled to be delivered to the company in mid-December 2022 and will be renamed P. Long Beach.Performance Shipping said it will finance the acquisition with cash proceeds from the previously announced sale its oldest vessel, P. Fos, as well as a new senior secured facility.Andreas Michalopoulos…
Brassavola LNG Bunker Vessel Named in Singapore
TotalEnergies Marine Fuels has moved closer to starting its LNG bunkering services in Singapore, following a ship naming ceremony of the Brassavola LNG bunker vessel that was held at Sembcorp Marine’s Tuas Boulevard Yard on Tuesday.Measuring 116.5m in length and 22m in width with a capacity of 12,000m3, the ship will be the largest LNG bunker vessel for use in service in the Port of Singapore. The Brassavola is scheduled to be operational in the first quarter of 2023. Louise Tricoire…
Three Injured in Containership Engine Room Blast
Three crewmembers were injured by an explosion in the engine room aboard a containership off the coast of France on Tuesday.The blast on board the Panama-flagged MSC Rachele occurred while the vessel was about 20 nautical miles south of Cape Cépet, en route from from Napoli, Italy to the port of Fos-sur-Mer.The three injured crewmembers were medevaced by the French Navy for immediate medical treatment aboard the amphibious assault helicopter carrier Tonnerre. The mariners, including two reportedly in serious condition…
Anglo-Eastern Launches Fleet Performance Center in Mumbai
Hong Kong-based ship management company Anglo-Eastern announced it has opened a fleet performance center within its Mumbai office.The Anglo-Eastern Fleet Performance Center (AEFPC) has been established to drive optimal performance by identifying trends and translating data into proactive human interventions aimed at improving overall fleet safety, performance, regulatory compliance, predictive maintenance, and safe navigation, the company said.The center will leverage data gathered from day-to-day vessel performance monitoring by technologies such as Wӓrtsilӓ’s Fleet Operations Solution (FOS)…
Vicente Boluda Fos to Receive France's Knight of the Legion of Honor Medal
Boluda Corporación Marítima CEO Vicente Boluda Fos will receive the Knight of the Legion of Honour medal in Paris on June 16, in recognition of outstanding services rendered to France by the Valencian businessman. The distinction will be awarded by former president of France Nicolas Sarkozy.Boluda France was created in 2007 after the purchase of the French company Les Abeilles, a company whose activity dates back to 1864.“It is with great pride that I accept this award from the French Republic: I cannot begin to express my gratitude towards the country.
First Ship-to-Containership LNG Bunkering Ops in Port of Marseille Fos’
TotalEnergies and CMA CGM launched Marseilles’ inaugural ship-to-containership Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunkering operation in the Port of Marseille Fos, Southern France.CMA CGM BALI, a 15,000 TEU LNG-powered containership is deployed on the MEX 1service, connecting Asia and South Europe. The ship was refuelled by TotalEnergies’ Gas Vitality, the first LNG bunker vessel based in France, with around 6,000 cu. m. of LNG, by means of a ship-to-ship transfer alongside the Eurofos container terminal, while the containership carried out cargo operations simultaneously.
Boluda Towage Acquires Caledonian
Boluda Towage and GEG (Holdings) Ltd have signed an agreement for Boluda to acquire Caledonian’s towage activities and marine operations, together with the management, office staff and crew, based in Invergordon, Scotland.After the official closing of the transaction, Caledonian will be part of Boluda Towage’s organization in the United Kingdom. The local management team of Caledonian Towage will be headed by Andrew Murray as Operations Director, who will report to Phil Dulson - General Manager of Boluda Towage in the UK.Caledonian owner Roy MacGregor…
France’s First LNG Bunker Vessel Named
The first LNG bunker vessel to be based in France has been named “Gas Vitality”, at a ceremony held today at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, China. The 18,600-m³ newbuild bunker vessel is TotalEnergies Marine Fuels’ second collaboration with shipowner Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd (MOL) and shipbuilder, Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding following the signing of a long-term charter contract in November 2019. Classed by Bureau Veritas and operated by V.Ships France under the French flag, the Gas Vitality will enter operational service in December 2021 and be based in the Port of Marseille- Fos…
LNG Bunker Vessel Marseille Completes Sea Trials Ahead of Deployment in France
The first LNG bunker vessel to be based in France has successfully completed sea and gas trials, marking another step towards the delivery and operational start-up.The new vessel, named Marseille, is TotalEnergies Marine Fuels’ second collaboration with shipowner Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and shipbuilder, Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding. TotalEnergies Marine Fuels and MOL signed a long-term charter contract in November 2019 and construction started in April 2020. The 18,600-m³ capacity vessel was first launched from the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding in China at the end of April 2021.
Wärtsilä Teams Up With Weathernews
Wärtsilä Voyage and Japan based weather routing provider Weathernews Inc (WNI) have signed a strategic partnership agreement enabling the integration of WNI’s weather forecasting data and Optimum Ship Routeing (OSR) service with Wärtsilä’s products and solutions. According to Wärtsilä, the move aims to increase navigational safety and support the decarbonization efforts of ship owners and operators.By automating navigation and route planning functions with weather avoidance technology, owners can reduce risks and allow seafarers to concentrate on other operational requirements.
Total to Supply LNG to MSC Cruises' Ships in Marseille
French oil and gas major Total has struck a deal with cruise line MSC Cruises to supply around 45,000 tons per year of LNG to MSC Cruises’ upcoming LNG-powered cruise ships to make calls in the port of Marseille (France).According to the statement on Thursday, MSC Cruises’ LNG-powered vessels will be amongst the most technologically advanced cruise ships in the world, bringing a range of environmental innovations to the market, including a 50-kilowatt, LNG-powered solid oxide…
Zeaborn to Integrate Wärtsilä Fleet Operations Solution
Hamburg-based third-party ship manager Zeaborn Ship Management (ZSM) has chosen Wärtsilä Voyage’s Fleet Operations Solution (FOS) as the digital navigation platform for its managed tanker fleet. Each of its 12 vessels will deploy the system, enabling ZSM to benchmark voyage execution, support the safety of the fleet and reduce crew workload.FOS integrates Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) with voyage planning functions as well as enabling a ship-to-shore link from the system.
UltraShip to Install Wärtsilä FOS Across Its Fleet
Wärtsilä said its Fleet Operations Solution (FOS) will be employed by UltraShip for the Denmark-based shipowner's entire fleet of 18 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier vessels.The solution by Wärtsilä Voyage is designed to save costs while increasing safety by automatically optimizing the route and speed of the vessel. It also provides the fullest and latest voyage data, keeping both onboard and onshore personnel informed and notified.The contract was signed in Q4 2020 and roll-out will take place during the first and second quarter of 2021.
CMA CGM Ramps Up Asia-Europe Capacity Amid 'Unprecedented Demand'
One of the world's top container shipping companies said it is ramping up its capacity between Asia and Europe in response to unprecedented demand.The French-based CMA CGM Group said Monday it has accelerated the redeployment of its capacity, increasing tonnage assigned to lines between Asia and Europe by 6% for the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to the same period of 2019. It will also make further additions in the first quarter of 2021, when capacity will be 10% higher than in the current quarter.The Asia-Europe trade will be serviced by CMA CGM's new class of nine 9 23…
Wärtsilä Delivers LNG Training Solutions for Anglo-Eastern
Anglo-Eastern has partnered with technology group Wärtsilä to further enhance its simulator training for crew, with the delivery and installation of state-of-the-art, customized LNGPac bunkering and liquid cargo handling simulators at the ship management group’s largest maritime training center in Mumbai this October.Developed by Wärtsilä Voyage, this is a new product for the marine market, reflecting the increasing adoption by fleet owners of LNG fuel and the consequential need…
World's Largest LNG-fueled Containership Bunkers In Rotterdam
The world’s largest containership powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) began its first gas bunkering operation in Rotterdam on Thursday, French shipping company the CMA CGM Group said.The CMA CGM Jacques Saadé, which has an 18,600 cubic meter tank, will be refueled with LNG while port handling operations are underway, marking the largest LNG bunkering operation ever undertaken for a containership.Once bunkering is complete, CMA CGM’s flagship will continue its maiden voyage…
World’s Largest LNG Bunkering Vessel Named in Rotterdam
The world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker vessel was officially named during a ceremony held Friday in Rotterdam. The 135.5-meter-long, 18,600-cubic-meter-capacity GTT Mark III Flex membrane vessel has been named Gas Agility.The first LNG bunker vessel owned by Emerald Green Maritime Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), she is chartered by Total’s affiliate Total Marine Fuels Global Solutions (TMFGS).In February 2018, TMFGS and MOL signed a time charter party for the vessel…
Wärtsilä to Supply Bridge Systems for Five Icebreaking Gas Carriers
Finland-based marine engine and technology provider Wärtsilä said it has been contracted to deliver a complete bridge systems installation for five icebreaking liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fueled tankers to be constructed for the Arctic LNG-2 project. The navigational systems are delivered by Wärtsilä Voyage, the new business responsible for digital solutions and decision support tools to enhance safety and reliability of shipping operations.The order with Wärtsilä Voyage was placed in the first quarter of 2020 and now is in process of execution…