Greece News

The Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) announced its acceptance as member to the Arctic Economic Council (AEC), the independent organization acting as the primary forum for interaction between the Arctic Council and the wider circumpolar and non-Arctic business communities.“Greek shipowners, who are hands-on operators and control 20% of the total world tonnage in deadweight and about 50% of the total European Union fleet, are primarily involved in cross trading activities carrying…

The world's first liquid natural gas (LNG) carrier tanker was named 'Boris Sokolov' and delivered by Guangzhou Shipyard International in Guangzhou City.According to Chinese state media, the Arctic condensate tanker carrier designed to traverse the world's icy northern polar region.With a load capacity of 44,550 tons, the vessel, which is built for for Dynacom of Greece, can sail in the Arctic region without icebreaker-piloting, it said. The vessel is mainly used for transporting condensate oil for the Yamal LNG project in northwest Siberia…

The provider of seaborne crude oil and petroleum product transportation services Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited (TEN) said that though the tanker market showed upward trajectory, management will keep a close eye on developments and refine its employment approach.The Greece-based tanker company said in a stock exchange annoucement that "As we approach the end of 2018, the signs that the worst is behind are becoming increasingly evident. Global oil demand is continuing its upward…

Energean Oil and Gas announced that first steel was cut on the Karish and Tanin floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel at the COSCO yard in Zhoushan, China, on Monday. The FPSO is scheduled to be delivered to the Karish field offshore Israel in late 2020, ahead of first production in the first quarter of 2021.The FPSO, which will be installed 90 kilometers offshore, will be the first FPSO to operate in the Eastern Mediterranean. It will have a gas treatment capacity of 800 MMscf/day (8 BCM/per annum) and liquids storage capacity of 800…

United Kingdom Ambassador to Greece Ms. Katherine Smith visited Energean offshore drilling facilities at Prinos.The Delegation of the British Embassy toured by boat the Prinos Oil Field Platforms and “Energean Force”, the Energean owned drilling rig, which is currently drilling an extended reach well into the Epsilon Oil Field. The Delegation circumnavigated the jack-up rig “GSP Jupiter”, which is currently drilling the first of the three vertical development wells in the Epsilon Oil Field.After concluding her visit to Prinos…

Seanergy Maritime Holdings reported  the successful completion of the previously announced sale and purchase agreements.The Greece-based  shipping company with specialization in dry bulk cargo shipping said that on November 22, 2018 the Company took delivery of the M/V Fellowship, a 179,759 deadweight ton (dwt) Capesize dry bulk vessel, built in 2010 at Daewoo Shipbuilding in South Korea.Seanergy entered into the agreement to acquire the M/V Fellowship in August 2018.Furthermore, the Company has completed the sales of two Chinese built Supramax vessels.

Ro/Ro traffic between Sweden and the continent are increasing, as volumes between Gothenburg and Belgium have risen for the ninth consecutive year. During this period volumes between Belgium during have doubled, and the number of departures has risen from 12 to 16.Shipping companies are also in the process of expanding their networks from Gothenburg across large parts of Europe – often via the Belgian ports in Ghent and Zeebrugge, which act as hubs for intra-European ro-ro traffic.During 2017…

Greece-based Diana Shipping announced that, through a separate wholly-owned subsidiary, it has entered into a time charter contract with BG Shipping Co., Limited, Hong Kong, for one of its Post-Panamax dry bulk vessels, the m/v Alcmene.The global shipping company specializing in the ownership of dry bulk vessels said in a press note that the gross charter rate is US$11,500 per day, minus a 5% commission paid to third parties, for a period of minimum 11 months to maximum 14 months.

The global shipping company focusing on the transportation of dry bulk cargoes Star Bulk Carriers Corp announced the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 marks the fourth consecutive profitable one.The Marousi, Greece-based company said that the total revenues for the third quarter of 2018 increased to $188.5 million from $80.8 million in the third quarter of 2017.Petros Pappas, Chief Executive Officer of Star Bulk said: "we achieved $128.7 million in TCE Revenues, $80.1 million in Adjusted EBITDA and Net Income of $26.1 million.

Marshall Islands-based Global Ship Lease (GSL) announced that it has completed the proposed merger deal with Greece's Poseidon Containers.According to a release from GSL, the combined company will have a fleet of 38 vessels with a total capacity of 198,793 TEU, and, as of September 30, 2018, an average fleet age weighted by TEU of 10.7 years, and with the recently announced new charters, contracted revenue of approximately $720 million. "The closing of the merger creates a market leader with an asset base of more than $1.3 billion…

The dry bulk cargo shipping company Seanergy Maritime Holdings announced has successfully concluded the refinancing of the 2011-built Capesize M/V Championship through a leasing agreement with Cargill International.The Nasdaq listed shipping company based in Greece informed that the refinancing has released approximately $7.8 million of liquidity for the Company.Pursuant to the agreement, the Company has chartered back the Vessel on a bareboat basis and subsequently entered it…

Langh Tech has secured a large deal in Greece for the delivery of 10 shipset scrubber systems for Bulk Carriers and Product Tankers.Shipping companies Marmaras Navigation and Delta Tankers, owned by Mr. Diamantides, one of the most reputable Greek shipowners, have selected Langh Tech’s systems for their continuing fleet upgrade program.Marmaras and Delta Tankers belong to the first movers among the Greek ship owners, that have selected during early 2018 to entrust scrubber technology…

Greece-based ship-owning company TOP Ships announced that it has agreed a new time charter employment contract for 2 years with BP Shipping Ltd for its product/chemical tanker M/T Eco Revolution.The international owner and operator of modern, fuel efficient “ECO” tanker vessels currently focusing on the transportation of crude oil and petroleum products, said in a press release that the new time charter will commence in January 2019 immediately after the expiry of the present…

The United States has granted exemptions to eight countries allowing them to temporarily continue buying Iranian oil, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday, as Washington reimposed sanctions on Iran's banking, energy and shipping industries.Some of the eight countries - China, India, Greece, Italy, Taiwan, Japan, Turkey and South Korea - include OPEC member Iran's top customers.Pompeo said more than 20 countries have already cut their oil imports from Iran, reducing purchases by more than 1 million barrels per day.(Reporting by Lesley Wroughton, Susan Heavey and Humeyra Pamuk; Editing

Leading Greek shipping industry stakeholders joined ABS, a global provider of classification and technical advisory services to the marine and offshore industries, for a workshop on drafting 2020 sulfur limit Ship Implementation Plans (SIP).Intended to help shipping companies and crew ready their vessels for compliance with the required sulfur content limit of 0.50% by 1 January 2020, the ABS workshop identified risks associated with design and operations of vessels in relation to the IMO regulation, including a HAZID study.

Turkey warned Greece on Tuesday it would not tolerate a shift in Greece's maritime border, drawing a sharp rebuke from Athens that it would decide when and how it exercises its sovereign rights.The statements from both sides came a few days after Greece's former foreign minister said Greece planned to extend its territorial waters to 12 miles to the west of the country.Territorial waters are a sensitive issue between the two neighbors and NATO allies, who are separated by the Aegean Sea and have been at odds over airspace, ethnically split Cyprus and offshore mineral rights for decades.Turkey has previously warned it could not preclude military action to defend its interests.Former Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias…

A tanker caught fire at the Gadani shipbreaking beach that holds a deplorable record of life threatening accidents on 11 October.Fortunately, no casualties were recorded. Only a few days later, on 14 October, yet another oil tanker named KRITI (IMO 9270737) caught fire, this time injuring seven workers, three of which are in a critical condition.The Platform has reported a series of accidents following the catastrophic explosion that killed at least 29 workers and injured 58 on the 1st of November 2016. Since then, there have been at least five more fires caused by unsafe cutting operations.

A Turkish energy exploration ship will continue to operate in the Mediterranean Sea, the energy minister said on Friday, after Ankara said the navy stopped a Greek frigate from harassing the ship due to territorial disputes.Turkey, Greece and Cyprus's internationally recognized Greek Cypriot government have long disputed their overlapping claims of jurisdiction for offshore oil and gas research in the Mediterranean."Turkish Petroleum's exploration ship will continue its activities in line with Turkey's rights," Energy Minister Fatih Donmez told reporters in the western coastal province of Izmi

The Project Forward initiative led by Athens-Based Arista Shipping, with Wärtsilä as one of the participants, demonstrates that with LNG as fuel, an advanced hull design, and highly efficient propulsion machinery, it will be possible to meet the IMO’s target for a 40 percent reduction in carbon intensity by 2030.Model tests of the Project’s concept vessel indicate that the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) is well below the currently most stringent Phase III level. The EEDI reflects the CO2 emissions per transport work and is a measure of carbon intensity.

Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency said on Thursday that the navy had stopped a Greek frigate from harassing a Turkish ship in the Mediterranean. It did not give further details.Turkey, Greece and Cyprus's internationally recognized Greek Cypriot government have long disputed their overlapping claims of jurisdiction for offshore oil and gas research in the Mediterranean.The ship Barbaros Hayreddin Pasa was carrying out seismic research activity, the foreign ministry said earlier.It…

Three European Commission co-funded initiatives – Poseidon Med II, CYnergy and Elemed – are driving forward the uptake of alternative fuels in the Eastern Mediterranean region.Poseidon Med II: Creating a comprehensive and sustainable supply chain for LNG bunkeringThe Poseidon Med II project is a practical roadmap that aims to promote wide adoption of LNG as a safe, environmentally efficient and viable alternative fuel for shipping and help the East Mediterranean marine transportation propel towards a low carbon future.The project…

Mechanica Utilities Ltd has formed a new company to specialize in supporting the maritime sector in the U.K. and overseas.Having worked nationally in partnership with several marine engineering companies for very many years, Mechanica Utilities has stepped into to fill the void generated by ship repairer Burgess Marine’s recent sale and the vast reduction in its Dover footprint.The newly formed company Mechanica Marine, which acquired and redeveloped a marine engineering purposed 25…

Archaeologists in Greece have discovered at least 58 shipwrecks, many laden with antiquities, in what they say may be the largest concentration of ancient wrecks ever found in the Aegean and possibly the whole of the Mediterranean.The wrecks lie in the small island archipelago of Fournoi, in the Eastern Aegean, and span a huge period from ancient Greece right through to the 20th century. Most are dated to the Greek, Roman and Byzantine eras.Although shipwrecks can be seen together in the Aegean…