Germany News

Carnival Maritime GmbH has announced  that Dr Hermann J. Klein has been appointed as its new Managing Director, starting September 1st, 2018. Klein is currently Managing Director and Group COO of CPO Holding (Offen Group) in Hamburg, Germany. He will be succeeding Lars Ljoen, who will join Carnival Cruise Lines in Miami, USA, as Head of Marine Operations. Carnival Maritime is the marine service unit for Costa Group with its brands AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, and Costa Asia. “Hermann Klein is a long-standing, well recognized executive of the maritime industry and has the perfect background and profound marine experience to further drive innovation and operational excellence across our fleet,” said Michael Thamm, Group CEO, Costa Group and Carnival Asia.

The new pilot transfer tenders ‘Dithmarschen’ and ‘Steinburg’ were named in Brunsbüttel at the 3rd of July. Of a new type and identical design, these will be deployed by the Elbe and NOK I pilots’ associations in the heavily frequented entrance to the Kiel Canal. Around the clock and in all weather and all seas, these steel-hull craft with an aluminium superstructure ensure a rapid and safe transfer service. The shape of these ships has been adapted to the special conditions in their area of operations, e.g.

At SMM 2018 in Hamburg, Alfa Laval will focus on lifetime vessel performance – achieved through equipment, cooperation and services in applications throughout the ship.Over the course of more than 100 years, Alfa Laval has become a full-scope partner to ship owners, ship operators and shipyards. At this year’s SMM, taking place September 4–7, in Hamburg, Germany, the company will showcase a breadth of equipment innovation, but also the depth of understanding and commitment needed to keep customers competitive in a changing industry.

Indian refiners cut imports of Iranian oil last month as they started weaning their plants off crude from the country to avoid sanctions by the United States that are set to take effect in November.India's monthly oil imports from Iran declined to 592,800 barrels per day (bpd) in June, down 16 percent from May, according to data from industry and shipping sources.The United States in May said it would reimpose the sanctions after withdrawing from a 2015 agreement with Iran, Russia…

With digitalization technologies sweeping through maritime, Henrik Segercrantz, Maritime Reporter’s correspondent in Helsinki, explores latest developments in the quest to harness the power of 'big data.'Wärtsilä's Smart Marine EcosystemWärtsilä continues to build its leadership resume in marine and energy markets, boasting net sales of $5.7 billion last year, supported by 18,000 employees with operations in more than 80 countries. Increasingly Wärtsilä is using ‘smart’ technologies in its growing scope of products for the maritime industry…

Norway has awarded 12 oil and gas exploration licences to Equinor and 10 other companies focused mostly on the Arctic, where Oslo believes it has the greatest potential for significant new discoveries.Nine of the licences are located in the Barents Sea and three in the Norwegian Sea off central Norway, the Ministry of Oil and Energy said on Monday."This licensing round confirms that the oil companies see opportunities for further profitable petroleum activity in the north," Oil and Energy Minister Terje Soeviknes said in a statement.Equinor…

Bolidt Synthetic Products & Systems' position for decking and flooring in mainstream cruise ship and superyacht markets has been quickly converted into a series of business wins in the fast-emerging polar expedition cruise ship sector.The most recent contract for the Dutch manufacturer’s hardwearing, environmentally friendly and visually attractive products covers the Hurtigruten newbuildings, Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansens, two hybrid propulsion expedition cruise ships under construction at Kleven shipyard in Norway.

KVH Industries, Inc. announced today that global ship manager Nordic Hamburg has chosen KVH’s new advanced TracPhone V7-HTS antenna equipment and the AgilePlans subscription-based Connectivity as a Service (CaaS) program to bring fast, global connectivity to its vessels. Installations for 13 vessels have been completed, with plans for an additional 12 through 2018.“The AgilePlans program provides the highest flexibility for our fleet and we were also attracted to KVH’s global coverage…

Parties involved in the transport of goods by rail have reached agreement with State Secretary Stientje van Veldhoven on a package of measures designed to make goods transport by rail more sustainable and more attractive. The measures include a large reduction in the user fee, deployment in relation to the European rail safety system ERTMS and improving environmental conditions for those living near the railway. The package will enable a modal shift and is thus in line with the climate targets and the coalition agreement.

Water levels on the Rhine and Danube in Germany have fallen after recent dry weather and freight vessels cannot sail fully loaded on some sections of the rivers, traders said on Wednesday. The Rhine is too shallow for normal sailings around Cologne, traders said. All of the German section of the Danube is too shallow for full loads, they said. Shallow water means vessel operators impose surcharges on freight rates, increasing costs for cargo owners. The Rhine is an important shipping route for commodities including grains, minerals, coal and oil products including heating oil.

Italy and Malta are refusing to allow charity ships in ports; governments say charity ships help people smugglers. Charities counter that policy will cause more deaths at sea. For the second time in a week, Malta on Monday detained a humanitarian vessel that normally rescues boat migrants off the coast of Libya, where two shipwrecks have claimed the lives of as many as 200 people in recent days. The Sea Watch 3 vessel, operated by a German charity, requested to leave port after undergoing maintenance and the port authority refused, a Sea Watch spokeswoman said.

Germany's Thyssenkrupp called a landmark joint venture thrashed out with India's Tata Steel "fair" on Monday, although the updated terms disappointed some shareholders.After two years of at times fraught talks, the two steel firms finally signed a deal on Saturday to create Europe's No.2 steelmaker with 17 billion euros ($20 billion) in sales, marking the sector's biggest tie-up in more than a decade.Thyssenkrupp boss Heinrich Hiesinger had come under pressure from activist shareholders Cevian and Elliott to seek a better deal, who argued that a recent weakness in Tata Steel's European business meant terms needed to be changed in Thyssen's favour.That resulting value gap…

Vard Holdings Limited has announced that it has secured a new contract for the design and construction of one luxury expedition cruise vessel for German cruise company Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. The new expedition cruise vessel will join Hapag-Lloyd Cruises HANSEATIC series, together with the two vessels that VARD already has under construction for the Germany-based cruise company. Developed by VARD in close cooperation with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, the vessels are specially designed for cruises in polar regions in the Arctic and Antarctica…

Germany’s Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) has completed the acquisition of Estonia’s largest terminal operator, Transiidikeskuse AS (TK). The last conditions that the sales contract dated 26 March 2018 was subject to were recently fulfilled, resulting in all shares in Transiidikeskuse AS being transferred to HHLA International GmbH. As a result, the transaction has now been completed. Chairwoman of HHLA’s Executive Board, Angela Titzrath, made this comment during a visit to the Estonian capital of Tallinn: “We’re delighted that the takeover has now been completed.

Guests on board the luxury ship EUROPA 2 will to be enchanted by a unique performance that blends breakdancing and classical music. The internationally renowned “Flying Steps” dance group will make their EUROPA 2 debut in July, and will perform their dynamic “Flying Bach” show on a cruise that started yesterday in Monte Carlo, cruising the Mediterranean Sea to Palma de Mallorca. Under the artistic direction of Vartan Bassil, this breakdancing group from Berlin’s Kreuzberg district has become a network of over 30 world-class athletes who have danced their way to international success.

Bremen-based shipping company Harren & Partner is looking to grow its offshore salvage business with the purchase of the offshore construction vessel MV Blue Giant from English operator OIG Group.“Although the oil markets are currently still recovering, we have deliberately opted for this investment despite its counter-cyclical nature. Alongside our classic offshore activities, we also wish to further strengthen our position in attractive niche markets such as the salvage business…

China accused the United States of bullying and warned it would hit back after the Trump administration raised the stakes in their trade dispute, threatening 10 percent tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods.China's commerce ministry said on Wednesday it was "shocked" and would complain to the World Trade Organisation, but did not immediately say how it would retaliate. In a statement, it called the U.S. actions "completely unacceptable".The foreign ministry described Washington's…

Bremen-based shipping company Harren & Partner announced the acquisition of the offshore construction vessel, MV Blue Giant for an undisclosed price from the English operator, OIG Group. Harren & Partner’s Offshore Department, headed by Robert Fowler (offshore@hp-shipping.de) will be responsible for managing the vessel. Peter Harren, Founder and Managing Director of Harren & Partner, explains the strategy behind the purchase: “Although the oil markets are currently still recovering, we have deliberately opted for this investment despite its counter-cyclical nature.

Water levels on the Rhine and Danube in Germany remain low after recent dry weather and cargo vessels cannot sail fully loaded on some sections of the rivers, traders said on Monday.The Rhine is too shallow for normal sailings from Cologne to south Germany, traders said. All of the German section of the Danube is too shallow for full loads, they said.Shallow water means vessel operators impose surcharges on freight rates, increasing costs for cargo owners.The Rhine is an important shipping route for commodities including grains, minerals, coal and oil products including heating oil.

SAR, the universal designation for Search And Rescue, can appear as a designation on air, land or marine vehicles in many different countries. Always the vehicle and the people who provide the service are treated with respect. For those who are saved from life threatening situations, SAR takes on an even greater value.Among small recreational and fishing boats along Germany’s coastlines, the SAR people have a proud history. This is now being recognized with some excellent and practical new aluminum vessels.

Italy appeared to relent on Thursday after at first refusing to accept 226 migrants on board a German charity rescue ship, saying later in the day it would take them in but would impound the vessel.Anti-immigrant interior minister Matteo Salvini initially said the Dutch-flagged ship Lifeline should take the people it plucked from the Mediterranean to the Netherlands and not Italy.But transport minister Danilo Toninelli, who oversees the coastguard, later said it was unsafe for…

Italy's anti-immigrant interior minister accused a German charity on Thursday of ignoring coastguard orders when its Dutch-flagged ship picked up 226 migrants off Libya's coast and he said they should be taken to the Netherlands not Italy.Earlier this month Matteo Salvini pledged to no longer let charity ships offload rescued migrants in Italy, leaving the Gibraltar-flagged Aquarius stranded at sea for several days with more than 600 migrants until Spain offered them safe haven.On Thursday, Mission Lifeline, a charity based in Dresden, Germany, pulled migrants off two rubber boats in international waters even though it was told by Italy that Libya's coastguard was coming to get them, a spokesman for the charity said.

The logistics surrounding the Port of Rotterdam are daunting. Eight deep sea terminals; 600 barges with 150 different owners; some 150,000 shippers from across Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany all relying on the port. The result is a fragmented and complex area - which especially affects the delivery of fresh produce. Delivering fresh fruit, vegetables and other goods demands efficient, timely and reliable logistics chains. From the terminals to the importers' distribution centres to the local European consumers, clean lines of delivery are key.