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Sunday, February 9, 2025
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Infrastructure News

07 Feb 2025

Canada Invests Over $17M to Modernize Halifax Port Authority's Infrastructure

(Credit: Halifax Port Authority)

The government of Canada has allocated $17.4 million to accelerate the development of the infrastructure at the Halifax Port Authority, most of which will go to the roll out of Halifax – Hamburg green shipping corridor.This investment is aimed at bolstering environmental sustainability and supply chain efficiency while actively supporting decarbonization efforts in the transportation sector and strengthening infrastructure resiliency.Up to $15.7 million will go for the development of the Halifax – Hamburg green shipping corridor, under the Green Shipping Corridor Program.

07 Feb 2025

Lithuanian Port Goes Forward with Quay Reconstruction for Offshore Wind

(Credit: Klaipėda Port Authority)

Klaipėda Port Authority in Lithuania has signed an agreement for the infrastructure buildout for the offshore wind energy projects, starting with the reconstruction of quays on Smeltė peninsula, which will ensure assembly, handling and transportation of offshore wind turbines.The successful tenderer UAB Tilsta has been tasked with reconstructing the quays at the former International Ferry Port under the $37.9 million contract.As the reconstructed quays will be used for assembly…

05 Feb 2025

Hoegh Ready for FID for Hydrogen Deliveries to Germany

Source: Deutsche ReGas

Norwegian shipping firm Hoegh Evi expects to take a final investment decision (FID) this year on an ammonia-derived hydrogen project to deliver clean fuel into dedicated German grids, chief executive Erik Nyheim said.The company operates three of its nine floating storage and regasification units (FSRU) for LNG along the German coast, diversifying the country's supply origins since the 2022 energy crisis.With an eye on Germany's long-term decarbonization goals, Hoegh and private firm Deutsche ReGas are jointly developing a floating hydrogen import terminal at Lubmin on the Baltic Sea with an a

02 Feb 2025

Summing Up the U.S., the Panama Canal and China

copyright Solarisys/AdobeStock

Some U.S. lawmakers and officials are touting a nearly half-century-old treaty between the United States and Panama to justify the Trump administration's threat to reclaim the Panama Canal - provided it can show the strategic waterway's operation is under threat.Others, however, say hurdles would loom for any bid to use the 1977 Panama Canal Neutrality Treaty, which took effect in 1999 and guarantees that the canal would remain neutral and open to all ships from all countries, as a pretext for the U.S. to seize it.The 82-km (51-mile) waterway's construction was completed by the U.S.

31 Jan 2025

U.S. Shipping Invests $150 Million in Great Lakes Region

Great Lakes Shipyard Work (c) LCA

With winter in full swing, the U.S.-flagged fleet of Lakers have tied up in ports across the Great Lakes region to perform critical maintenance before the navigational locks in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan reopen on March 25th.Hundreds of skilled shipyard workers will flock to the area to support the nearly $150 million maintenance investment being made on these massive ships. The state receiving the largest amount of work is Ohio with $51.5 million, followed closely by Wisconsin at $51 million…

31 Jan 2025

US: China's Panama Canal presence "a security concern"

The Panama Canal (c) diegograndi / Adobestock

China's presence around the Panama Canal is a national security concern that Panama's government has to deal with, Mauricio Claver-Carone, the U.S. special envoy for Latin America, said on Friday, ahead of U.S. top diplomat Marco Rubio's visit to the country.Rubio will depart on Saturday on his first foreign trip, with a scheduled visit to the canal and a meeting with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino, the first talks between the countries since President Donald Trump's threat to take control of the U.S.-built canal.Rubio will also visit El Salvador…

31 Jan 2025

Maersk to launch its new ocean network

A Maersk boxship alongside in port, working cargo. (c) Maersk

On February 1, Maersk A/S (Maersk), an entity under A.P. Moller - Maersk, and Hapag-Lloyd AG (Hapag-Lloyd) launch their operational collaboration Gemini Cooperation. The ambition is to deliver a flexible and interconnected ocean network with industry-leading schedule reliability above 90 percent once fully phased in.Around 340 vessels will be phased in and be a part of Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd’s shared ocean network with the first sailings taking place on February 1, and more vessels will gradually sail on the new schedules.“We are now ready to commence the phase-in of the new network.

31 Jan 2025

Lake Victoria's First Ro/Ro Vessel Sets Sail

The new Lake Victoria Ro Ro underway (c) Grindrod

East Africa Marine Transport has taken a significant step towards creating a more sustainable and efficient logistics solution for Lake Victoria with the commissioning of M.V. MPUNGU, the lake’s first scheduled roll-on / roll-off freight vessel.Offering faster and safer crossings and reduced carbon emissions, the fuel-efficient vessel is set to transform regional trade by cutting journey times from days to hours and supporting the decarbonisation of the region’s transport sector.Owned by East Africa Marine Transport (EAMT) and operated by Grindrod Logistics Africa - Uganda (GLAU)…

31 Jan 2025

Xeneta: Ocean Box Rates to Fall Again in February

(c) aishzwn / Adobestock

Middle East ceasefire and Lunar New Year will see ocean container freight rates fall further in February - with carriers now taking action to slow the market decline.Latest data from Xeneta – an ocean and air freight intelligence platform – shows average spot rates from the Far East stand at USD 3 795 per FEU (40ft container) into North Europe and USD 5 085 per FEU into the Mediterranean – down 22% and 13% respectively since 1 January.Early data suggests spot rates will fall further on 1 February…

31 Jan 2025

Port of Oakland records 2.26 million TEUs in 2024

an aerial shot of the Port of Oakland CA (c) Port of Oakland

The Port of Oakland experienced a solid 2024, processing 2.26 million TEUs (twenty-foot containers), representing a 9.5% increase over 2023.The 2024 cargo data reflects a long-term growth trend in consumer spending in the San Francisco Bay Area and in the rest of the country.“Consumer demand has remained resilient, driving higher import volumes through the Port,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director Bryan Brandes. “This performance underscores the port’s strong foundation for continued growth and its critical role in global trade.”On the full container side…

31 Jan 2025

Germany: Heinrich Rönner and Lürssen Place Their Bids for FSG and Nobiskrug Shipyards

Nobiskrug shipyards (Credit: Nobiskrug)

The future of the two insolvent German shipyards, Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG) and Nobiskrug, looks brighter as Lürssen Group moves to place a formal bid to take over the facilities of the Nobiskrug shipyard, while Heinrich Rönner Group agrees to buy the FSG.The insolvency administrators, Christoph Morgen of Brinkmann & Partner and Hendrik Gittermann of REIMER, said they would accept the offers in the week following the official opening of insolvency proceedings.Lürssen…

30 Jan 2025

Germany's Mosel River set to reopen after lock repairs

The Mosel River (c) Petrus / Adobestock

The Mosel river in western Germany could reopen to cargo shipping later this week as repairs to a damaged lock are making fast progress, navigation authorities said on Monday.The river, an important transit route for grains and rapeseed between Germany and France, was closed to inland waterways shipping in December after an accident which damaged a lock at Mueden south of Koblenz.New lock gates have now been installed and are being prepared for the first test vessel transits expected on Thursday to Friday…

30 Jan 2025

Germany builds up LNG import terminals

(c) Mike Mareen / Adobestock

Germany is expanding its natural gas import options to replace Russian supply, a drive intensified by the latest suspension of Russian flows via Ukraine and U.S. President Donald Trump targeting Europe with liquefied natural gas exports.Plans also include shore-based regasification terminals and facilities to import and produce ammonia and green hydrogen under decarbonization strategies. A synopsis of changes and additions to Germany's energy plans and infrastructure is listed below:MUKRANMukran…

30 Jan 2025

Rubio's LatAm, Panama Trip to Prioritize 'America First'

(c) diegograndi / Adobestock

When Marco Rubio arrives in Latin America this weekend on his first foreign trip as Donald Trump's secretary of state, he'll find a region reeling from the new administration's shock-and-awe approach to diplomacy.In the first days of Trump's second term, the new president has doubled down on his intention to reclaim the Panama Canal, angered Brazilians by returning migrants in shackles and briefly imposed crushing sanctions and tariffs on Colombia in a tussle over deportee flights.Rubio's…

30 Jan 2025

Navantia Wraps Up Harland & Wolff Acquisition

(Credit: Navantia)

Navantia UK, a subsidiary of Spanish shipbuilder Navantia, has completed the acquisition of Harland & Wolff’s facilities in Belfast, Appledore, Methil and Arnish.Under Navantia UK’s management, all four facilities will benefit from extensive expertise in shipbuilding, fabrication and complex program management, supporting both a highly skilled workforce and robust supply chain.The transaction ensures the continuation of the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) program, comprising three ships…

29 Jan 2025

Glosten Designing Floating Nuclear Power Plant for US Ports Barge-Based Infrastructure

Image courtesy Glosten

CORE POWER (US) Inc. has engaged with Glosten to help its team design a floating nuclear power plant (FNPP) to power U.S. ports. Created by CORE POWER, the FNPP concept is a nearshore infrastructure system that includes a barge-based nuclear power plant, barge support services, electrical grid integration, and operational teams. Easy to transport and rapidly deploy, the FNPP will provide an estimated 175GWh of clean electricity per year. The FNPP connection will allow ports to achieve zero-emissions electrical generation for visiting ships…

29 Jan 2025

MEGA INFRASTRUCTURE: Inside the Chickamauga Lock Upgrade Project

The sun rises Jan. 5, 2022 over Chickamauga Lock on the Tennessee River in Chattanooga, Tennessee, which is operated and maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District. (USACE Photo by Leon Roberts)

This episode of Maritime Matters: The MarineLink Podcast, delves into the critical importance of the inland waterways infrastructure in the U.S., focusing on the Chickamauga Lock Project on the Tennessee River. A trio of experts – Tracy Zea, President & CEO of WCI; Elizabeth Burks, USACE Nashville Division Chief; and Capt. Joe Cotton, Project Manager, Chickamauga Lock Project – discuss the current state of the inland waterways, the history and significance of the Chickamauga Lock…

28 Jan 2025

Live! ... from the PVA Maritrends 2025 Convention

PVA's Keynote Address inspires the gathered throng. Leadership is USCG VADM Wm Dean Lee's (ret) passion. It isn't hard to see why. (c) Joseph Keefe

The Passenger Vessel Association's annual Maritrends Convention is underway in Savannah, GA against a backdrop of melting snow (really!) and an impressive gathering of industry elite. The event never disappoints, and this year's version has something for everyone. It has been five years since I was fortunate enough to attend the Passenger Vessel Association's annual signature event known as Maritrends. That's five years too long. Always well attended, and a virtual "who's who" of the workboat OEM and services sector…

27 Jan 2025

MEGA INFRASTRUCTURE: Inside the Chickamauga Lock Upgrade Project

This episode of Maritime Matters: The MarineLink Podcast, delves into the critical importance of the inland waterways infrastructure in the U.S., focusing on the Chickamauga Lock Project on the Tennessee River. A trio of experts discusses with MarineNews magazine the current state of the inland waterways, the history and significance of the Chickamauga Lock, and the ongoing efforts to modernize this essential infrastructure. The conversation highlights the economic impacts, efficiency gains…

27 Jan 2025

Port of Savannah Receives Four New Ship-to-Shore Cranes

Photo Stephen Morton/GPA

Port of Savannah received four new electric ship-to-shore cranes on January 25, 2025, bringing Ocean Terminal’s fleet to eight Super Post Panamax cranes, all designed by Finland-based Konecranes.Once all cranes are commissioned and berth construction is completed, the eight ship-to-shore cranes at Ocean Terminal will have the capability to service two vessels simultaneously. "The completion of this project in 2028 will enable Ocean Terminal to accommodate the largest vessels serving the U.S. East Coast," said Ed McCarthy, Chief Operating Officer of Georgia Ports.

23 Jan 2025

Baltic index extends fall to 23-month low

Bulk Carrier (c) woodpencil Adobestock

The Baltic Exchange's dry bulk sea freight index .BADI, which tracks rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, extended losses to a 23-month low on Thursday, dragged by weaker rates across all vessel segments.The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, dropped 69 points to 824 points, hitting its lowest since February 2023.The capesize index slipped 155 points to 1,081 points, dropping to over five-week low. Average daily earnings for capesize vessels…

24 Jan 2025

Rubio to visit Panama, source says

The Panama Canal (c) diegograndi Adobestock

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Panama during his first overseas trip in the post, a source told Reuters on Thursday, as President Donald Trump makes a push for the United States to take back the Panama Canal that has angered the Central American country.Rubio is expected to depart on Jan. 31 and travel during the first week of February, making additional stops in Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica and El Salvador, according to the source who was familiar with the plans.Planning for the trip is still ongoing and the itinerary is subject to change…

22 Jan 2025

Wallenius Wilhelmsen Opens its Brunswick Terminal

Illustration (Credit: Wallenius Wilhelmsen)

Wallenius Wilhelmsen has marked the official opening of its South Atlantic hub - the Brunswick terminal, Equipment Processing Center (EPC) and Vehicle Processing Center (VPC). The grand opening marks another strategic investment for the Wallenius Wilhelmsen group with the signing of a 20-year lease with the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA), with options of up to 30 years. With this investment, Wallenius Wilhelmsen has enhanced its position to serve the American market and expanded the scope of our South Atlantic operations.“Brunswick…