Maritime Law & Regulations News

Belgium-headquartered EXMAR Ship Management has selected the LuminUltra Quench-Gone Aqueous (QGA) test kit to monitor the quality of the drinking water produced onboard the LPG FSO NKOSSA II.The decision follows the success of the QGA solution in analysing the quality of the water produced by reverse osmosis aboard accommodation barges operating offshore West Africa.Paul-Philippe Halleux, who is a Technical Superintendent from EXMAR Ship Management’s Offshore Services division…

ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) has launched at the Kiel shipyard the the largest ever built in Germany submarine. Named Invincible, the submarine will be part of the ongoing submarine program in the Republic of Singapore.Prof. Ivy Ng, wife of Dr. Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Defence of the Republic of Singapore, named the boat in the presence of high-level representatives from the Singapore government and Navy, as well as high-ranking German officials.In addition to representatives from thyssenkrupp, there were also representatives from suppliers in attendance for the ceremony.

The dry bulk operator Oldendorff Carriers has entered into an agreement with GSR Services and Korean Register (KR) for the development and certification of Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) for their fleet for meeting tight EU - deadlines.From the end of 2020 onwards, the EU-Ship Recycling Regulation requires that all EU-visiting or EU-flagged ships have a certified IHM on board. With 30,000 to 40,000 ships being affected, IHM-Expert resources are expected to become scarce in the near future.Nils-Ole Vollmer…

As a meeting of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR 6) opened yesterday in London, the Clean Arctic Alliance called on Member States to remain focussed to the goal of developing a ban on the use and carriage of heavy fuel oil (HFO) by shipping in the Arctic.“While IMO delegates gather to discuss ways to mitigate the impacts of heavy fuel oil (HFO) – the dirtiest of ships’ fuels – on Arctic ecosystems, IMO member states must keep their sights firmly on the need for a ban…

The international rating agency Moody’s has upgraded the German cargo container shipping line, Hapag-Lloyd AG's corporate family rating (CFR) to B1 from B2 and its senior unsecured bond rating to B3 from Caa1. The outlook remains stable.According to Moody's release, the improved rating acknowledges Hapag-Lloyd’s progress in integrating United Arab Shipping Company Limited (UASC) while reducing leverage and generating positive free cash flow on the back of tight cost management and increased efficiencies…

International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR) meets this week (18-22 February) at IMO headquarters.According to the UN body, the meeting will focus on finalizing draft Guidelines on consistent implementation of the 0.50% sulphur limit under MARPOL Annex VI. The aim of the Guidelines is to assist in the preparations for and uniform implementation of the lower limit for sulphur content in ships’ fuel oil, which will take effect…

The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has extended discounts concerning dry bulk vessels operating between American and Asian ports after considering “new changes in the global shipping market and the world economy”."SCA pays more attention to its users best interest, and has recently taken steps towards being the safest, most secure, most reliable and most competitive compared to other routes," said a press release.It said that the rebate granted to (Laden/Ballast) Dry Bulk Vessels operating between Americas' ports and Asian ports…

The troubled South Korean shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Co said that it has reached an agreement with Philippine banks on debt-rescheduling for its Philippine affiliate HHIC-Phil, Southeast Asia’s largest shipyard by area size.Philippine creditors agreed to acquire shares of Hanjin Heavy, HHIC-Phil Inc., which operates the yard in Subic Bay, in return for solving surely obligations. This means the scheme includes a debt-for-equity swap with Philippine lenders, it added.Hanjin said the deal would be submitted to a Philippine court by the end of this month.

Maritime law enforcement officials from Kenya are taking part in a two week training course on best practices for visit, board, search and seizure of vessels, in Mombasa, Kenya (11-22 February).The multi-agency course brings together 30 officials to learn skills for effective coordination in combating maritime crimes and procedures used to successfully board and search a vessel of interest.The training is part of International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s support for implementing the Jeddah Amendment to Djibouti Code of Conduct 2017…

The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) announced that it has launched a new initiative aiming to mitigate bills of lading (B/L) fraud conducted by non-vessel owning common carriers (NVOCCs).The IMB NVOCC Register provides a business solution to a business problem impacting parties involved in international shipping and trade.B/Ls are crucial documents relied upon by many stakeholders in the trading chain including banks, shipping companies, carriers and charterers.IMB - which conducts B/L checks for its members - says while the vast majority of NVOCCs issue B/Ls correctly…

Philippine's Udenna Corporation has broken off negotiations over a potential investment of $73 million in struggling Singapore-based offshore vessel company Emas Offshore.The ailing Singaporean contractor Emas Offshore announced in a regulatory filing that Udenna had informed the company that it would no longer be injecting $73.29 million into the offshore services provider. No reasons were given in the announcement for Udenna's decision.Dennis Uy-led Udenna is the parent company of Pheonix Petroleum and Chelsea Logistics Holdings.Udenna and Emas inked a non-binding term sheet last October…

The French government is in favour of Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri's acquisition of rival Chantiers de l'Atlantique, foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told the newspaper Corriere della Sera in an interview."It's a good deal ... As far as the French government is concerned, we're in favour of this accord," Le Drian said.(Reporting by Valentina Za, editing by Larry King)

Russia's second-biggest bank VTB is buying one of the biggest grain terminals at the Black Sea port of Novorossiisk, in a surprise move that gives the state lender more control over the country's main deep-sea grain export hub.VTB, which already owns a stake in another grain terminal at the port, said on Thursday that it was buying 100 percent of Novorossiysk Grain Terminal from Novorossiysk Commercial Sea Port (NSCP).Its deal to buy the terminal from NSCP, which is controlled…

A court delivered a painful nip to European Union fishermen on Thursday by tightening Norway's grip on snow crab catches in the Arctic, a ruling that may also let Oslo claw more control of oil and gas from other nations.Fishermen from the European Union must ask permission from Oslo to catch snow crab — whose meat is a delicacy for gourmets from Canada to Japan — in Arctic waters north of Norway, the Norwegian Supreme Court said in a unanimous ruling.The court dismissed an appeal…

MAN Energy Solutions won the contract to supply the engines for a new harbor tug in Spain, unique in that it is reportedly the first IMO Tier III compliant tug operating in the Mediterranean.P&O Reyser will operate the 27-m, 75T bollard-pull-rated Asymmetric Tractor Tug (ATT) in the Port of Barcelona, which is expected to enter service from mid-2020.The tug will feature 2 × MAN 12V175D MM, IMO Tier III engines, each rated at 2,220 kWm. The engines will be connected to FPP azimuth thrusters for propulsion…

Schulte Group acquires TecHullClean to expand its range of IMO-compliant underwater inspection, repair and maintenance solutionsSchulte Group, Hamburg, Germany, acquired a majority stake in TecHullClean Limited (THC), a Singapore registered underwater inspection, repair and maintenance (IRM) technology company headquartered in Singapore and Algeciras, Spain and with further subsidiaries in Spain, Gibraltar and Ghana.THC specializes in underwater hull cleaning, inspection and propeller…

A consortium led by asset manager Commerz Real AG, WPD Invest, KGAL and IKEA franchisee Ingka Group will acquire an 80% stake in the 402-MW Veja Mate offshore wind park in the German North Sea.Veja Mate offshore wind park in the North Sea  is the second-largest German offshore wind farm with 67 turbines and a capacity of 402 megawatts. The total investment comes more than two billion eurosCommerz Real and Ingka Group said in a joint statement today that they will each invest more…

Italian worldwide leading broker for marine insurance Cambiaso Risso Group has signed a strategic partnership agreement with French insurance broker Siaci Saint Honore to foster a strong positioning in their markets.The deal will be subject to approval by the competition authorities in some of the 42 countries in which the two companies are active and will come into effect in the second quarter. It will give birth to the world’s top three marine insurance broker in the world,…

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) informed that crew members aboard a ship at a BHP terminal in Queensland are being neglected and underpaid."Crew aboard a ship at a BHP terminal in Queensland claim they are being starved and underpaid, in yet another instance of the coal giant’s veil of secrecy over its operations in Australian waters," said an ITF release.A seafarer aboard an 80,000-tonne bulk carrier, the Villa Deste, contacted ITF pleading for help. The starving crew claims to have no food and no onboard wages…

Japanese shipping giant Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced that its group company MOL Techno-Trade has joined a Green Award Program aimed at promoting high-quality shipping.The program is run by the nonprofit Green Award Foundation, which was established with the objectives of protecting the marine environment and enhancing safe operation.The program aims to improve the quality of vessels and mariners and protect the marine environment by certifying vessels for excellence in safety and low environmental impact.

BIMCO, the largest of the international shipping associations representing shipowners, has proposed that the Fourth International Maritime Organization (IMO) Greenhouse Gas Study does not include unrealistically high gross domestic product (GDP) growth projections to predict future transport demand - and thereby emissions - of the shipping industry.“It is imperative that the industry – and the world – base discussions and actions to reduce emissions from shipping on credible and realistic projections.

Danish shipping giant A.P. Moeller-Maersk A/S has acquired Vandegrift, a US-based customs house broker,  as the ocean container line pushes further into land-based logistics services and operations. This is the first acquisition of the year in the fast-growing logistics sector.“Vandegrift’s expertise and reputation enables us to place a trusted advisor in front of our customers to design and build individualized Customs Brokerage and Compliance programs that identify risk and provide solutions.

Delft-based maritime startup We4Sea has secured new funding to accelerate the development and roll out of its platform for monitoring seagoing ships’ fuel consumption and emissions.The investment by ENERGIIQ, Mainport Innovation Fund II and angel investors was announced by Adri Bom-Lemstra, Regional Minister for Economy and Innovation for the Province of Zuid-Holland at the Maritime Delta dinner in Schiedam.Delft startup We4Sea analyses and reports fuel consumption and associated CO2 emissions from seagoing ships based on a unique Digital Twin concept.

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) has adopted a new agreement on the legal, environmental, economic and social governance of EU vessels’ fishing activities in Morocco and Western Sahara waters.The new Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) includes the waters of Western Sahara and aims to take into account the conclusions reached by the EU Court of Justice on this matter.To this aim, the approved text stresses the results of the consultation process carried out by the European External Action Service and the Commission…

Signing a supply agreement with Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science (Hitachi High-Tech), Wilhelmsen will supply Hitachi High-Tech’s industry-leading handheld XRF analyzers to the maritime market, enabling vessel crews to accurately and efficiently test the sulphur content of their fuel, on the spot.With the International Maritime Organization’s 0.50% global sulphur cap on marine fuels set to come into force on January 1, 2020 and discussions on enforcement strategies and potential penalties for non-compliance gathering pace…

CMA CGM is aiming for Ceva Logistics to break even this year, its finance chief said on Tuesday, as the French shipping group opened a share offer to cement its control of the Swiss freight specialist.CMA CGM's public tender will offer other shareholders 30 Swiss francs ($29.75) per share, valuing Ceva at 1.67 billion francs, a price agreed after Ceva rejected a takeover bid in October from Danish freight firm DSV.Marseille-based CMA CGM, one of the world's largest container shipping lines, became Ceva's core shareholder when the Swiss company floated on the Zurich stock market last year, as p

Samsung Heavy Industries turned down an offer to take over rival shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, the top shareholder of Daewoo said on Tuesday.State-funded Korea Development Bank (KDB), which holds a 56 percent stake in Daewoo, said it aims to sign a deal to sell the shipbuilder to sole bidder Hyundai Heavy Industries once its board approves it in early March.Hyundai Heavy, the world's biggest shipbuilding group, announced a share swap deal worth 2.1 trillion…

It was 6pm when an unusual rainbow-colored boat, made of recycled plastic waste and discarded flip-flops gathered from beaches and roadsides, dropped anchor off the beach at Mtwapa, near Kenya's coastal city of Mombasa.The 9-meter-long dhow, "The Flipflopi", was sailing south along East Africa's coast to raise awareness of the threat plastics pose to the oceans, said chief boat-builder and captain Ali Skanda.Beaches and marine ecosystems have been badly affected by plastics, Skanda said…

Port of Rotterdam Authority, Dutch natural gas infrastructure and transportation company  Gasunie and Energie Beheer Nederland (EBN) are preparing a CCUS (Carbon Capture Usage and Storage) project, in which CO₂ from industry will be transported to storage sites in depleted gas fields deep beneath the North Sea seabed.The three companies are working together on the preparation of this project under the name Porthos: Port of Rotterdam CO₂ Transport Hub & Offshore Storage.The Porthos…

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on Sunday said it had commenced clampdown on vessels that do not comply with the provisions of the Cabotage Compliance Strategy introduced last year to ease the implementation of the Cabotage Act 2003 in Nigeria.The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dakuku Peterside, said in a statement on Sunday in Lagos that the clampdown became necessary after several warnings.He has said the Agency will no longer encourage the application of any form of waivers under the Cabotage Act…

International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) believes that the 2020 global sulphur cap will be the regulatory game changer of the decade with profound implications for the economics of shipping.However, there are even more profound changes to come. "We are rapidly moving into a multi-fuel future to be followed we hope, in the 2030s, by the arrival of commercially viable zero CO2 fuels suitable for global application,” says Esben Poulsson, Chairman of ICS.As the 1 January 2020 deadline for the sulphur cap approaches…

On February 8, 2019, what is touted as the world’s largest LNG bunker supply vessel Kairos was christened in the port of Hamburg. With a tank capacity of 7,500 m³, Kairos is the world’s largest LNG bunker supply vessel. The ice class vessel has several other unique features, including the ballast-free design and installation of a CNG tank to store vapor return gas from customer vessels. The construction of the vessel started in 2016 and in February 2018, steel cutting took place at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) in Ulsan, South Korea, from where the vessel was delivered in October 2018.

Dubai headquartered offshore service company Telford Offshore said it has acquired an additional DP3 pipelay and accommodation vessel, and six offshore support vessels following a legal settlement between Sea Trucks Group (STGL in liquidation) and West African Ventures (WAV).The acquisition nearly triples the Telford Offshore fleet, up from four vessels to 11.The DP3 vessel Jascon 30 is set to be dry docked in the coming months and upgraded in preparation for utilization across the globe under its new name Telford 30.

The Coast Guard is investigating a ferry grounding near Atlantic Highlands, NJ, Monday morning.At approximately 7:30 a.m., watch standers at Coast Guard Sector New York Vessel Traffic Service were notified that the 140-foot commuter ferry, with 400 passengers aboard ran aground 200-yards from the pier in Atlantic Highlands, N.J.All passengers were safely disembarked at the ferry terminal pier.Sector New York marine investigators and marine inspectors are scheduled to conduct a structural assessment to ensure the integrity of the vessel prior to returning to operations.No injuries or pollution have been reported.

The National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (Bahri) on Sunday clarified that its very large crude carrier (VLCC) tanker Abqaiq was not breaching the US sanctions on Venezuela.Earlier, the US Senator Marco Rubio accused Bahri of trying to sell diluents to the Venezuelan regime."Abqaiq is in ballast condition with no cargo onboard and on her way from the Red Sea to pick up a cargo from the Port of Jose Terminal in Venezuela for one of its regular customers in India," said a statement…

Denmark’s Ørsted is selling a 50% stake in a portfolio of offshore wind assets to New England utility Eversource Energy, for about $225 million."Ørsted and Eversource have been partners in the Massachusetts Bay State Wind offshore wind project and with this announcement, we further strengthen our strategic 50-50 partnership in the North-East," said a press release from the largest energy company in Denmark.The divestment includes the 704MW Revolution Wind project off the coast of Rhode Island that will deliver power to Rhode Island (400MW) and Connecticut (304MW)…

International Maritime Organization (IMO) maritime security and counter-terrorism treaties are key international instruments supporting countries to counter terrorism.The UN body said that to boost implementation of these treaties in South and South-East Asia, IMO and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) conducted a cross-regional workshop in Bali, Indonesia (5-8-February).The workshop was addressing the need to ratify the relevant international counter-terrorism…

Recent research from Woodmac makes some fairly bold and insightful predictions on the future of maritime fuel as the clock ticks toward 2020 and new fuel rules from the IMO that will dramatically reduce the level of sulfur emissions from ships.* Research firm Woodmac sees a rise in the use on ships of "scrubbers", the equipment to clean up sulfur emissions, before the International Maritime Organization imposes new rules from Jan.

Qatar-based maritime transport and logistics company  Qatar Navigation (Milaha) has increased the company’s stake in compatriot liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipping giant Nakilat.Qatar Shipping Company, a subsidiary of Milaha, has entered into an agreement for acquiring the entire stake of Qatar Investment Authority in Qatar Gas Transport Company Ltd (Nakilat) representing 5.9% of Nakilat’s share capital.The Sale and Purchase Agreement was conditional on obtaining the consent…

Bermuda-based owner of product and chemical tankers Ardmore Shipping has refinanced seven vessels under finance lease arrangements during the fourth quarter of 2018.According to a stock exchange announcement, the company has options to repurchase the vessels at various stages prior to maturity and the other terms and conditions of the financings are generally in line with Ardmore's existing debt facilities.The Ardmore Dauntless and Ardmore Defender, two 2015-built 37,000 Dwt Eco-design IMO 2 product / chemical tankers…

Wage theft aboard a BlueScope chartered foreign-flagged ship in Port Kembla has been exposed after intervention from the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).Inspections by ITF inspectors in Western Port and Port Kembla of the Panamanian registered vessel KEN EI, in January, led to $38,384 in coastal wages being paid immediately in cash to the 20 Filipino seafarers crewing the ship.“Upon arriving in Western Port, the crew on the KEN EI immediately asked our inspector…

Publishing data about the emissions of all ships calling at EU ports, as proposed by the European Commission, will incentivise shipping companies to cut their CO2 while also better informing regulations to reduce emissions, green NGO Transport & Environment (T&E) has said in a press release.The EU, under pressure from industry and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to harmonise its monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) system with the IMO’s system, should still require ships registered outside the EU to report their data…

German port operator Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) increased its Group revenue by 3 percent to EUR 1.29 billion in the 2018 financial year (previous year: EUR 1.25 billion). The Group’s operating result (EBIT) of EUR 204 million (previous year: EUR 173 million) represents an increase of 18 percent.In total, 7.3 million standard containers (TEU) were handled at HHLA’s container terminals in the 2018 financial year. Compared to 7.2 million TEU in the previous year, this…

Kitsap Transit’s early test of a passenger-only ferry service between Bremerton and Seattle has proved successful enough that the agency is adding two new fast ferries to its fleet.The passenger-only ships will expand the marine highway being developed to help ease congestion in the Puget Sound area. Nichols Brothers Boat Builders of Freeland, Washington, was hired to build the two ferries, with an option to build a third ship.Each of the 140-foot-long aluminum catamarans are powered by two MTU 16V4000 M65L engines and two Rolls-Royce S71 water jets, all being provided by Pacific Power Group.

Publishing data about the emissions of all ships calling at EU ports, as proposed by the European Commission, will incentivize shipping companies to cut their CO2 while also better informing regulations to reduce emissions, green NGO Transport & Environment (T&E) has said.The EU, under pressure from industry and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to harmonize its monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) system with the IMO’s system, should still require ships registered outside the EU to report their data…

Oil Spill Response Ltd (OSRL) has expanded its member offer with the launch of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) service. The new service aims to enhance preparedness and response capabilities to better support members’ needs in the event of a spill.To facilitate the service on a global basis, and to ensure the shortest time to mobilization, OSRL has signed ‘call-off agreements’ with a number of third-party UAV providers around the world. Launch partners for the service include Bristow Aerial Solutions, Sky-Futures and Vertical Horizon Media.

As of 31 December 2018, the two-containership order for Matson is approximately 95% complete. On 31 October 2018, Philly Shipyard delivered the first vessel (Hull 029) in the two-containership order for Matson. Philly Shipyard continued to idle certain operations and impose layoffs due to the lack of new orders after the Matson project.Key Financial Data:Fourth quarter and full year 2018 operating revenues and other income of USD 19.4 million and USD 129.2 million, respectively…

Croatia's troubled shipbuilder Uljanik said on Thursday it had chosen local rival Brodosplit as a strategic partner to restructure its operations.Uljanik, 25 percent owned by the state and with 3,500 employees, has been working to stave off bankruptcy due to liquidity problems that began in 2017. Workers staged strikes twice last year over unpaid wages."Uljanik has chosen Brodosplit as its strategic partner which will have an obligation to devise, in cooperation with Uljanik, a feasible restructuring plan…

Corvus Energy Holding, the Energy Storage Systems (ESS) supplier to the maritime industry, has signed an agreement to acquire all shares in the Norway-based Grenland Energy, which develops and manufactures lightweight lithium-ion batteries for the maritime, offshore and subsea industry.“The market for battery storage is increasing rapidly. It is the perfect time to combine resources, competencies, and technologies with an optimized global footprint. We are eager to join forces with innovative companies such as Grenland Energy to offer extended and more specialized solutions and services…

No personnel were injured when a U.S. Navy guided-missile cruiser and dry cargo ship made contact during an underway replenishment off the southeastern coast of the United States, Feb. 5.USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) and USNS Robert E. Peary (T-AKE 5) were able to safely operate after the incident. Damage will be assessed when the ships pull into port.The ships had been conducting a replenishment-at-sea when the sterns touched at approximately 4 p.m. Eastern Standard time.U.S. Fleet…

The Statement of U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao issued the following statement regarding the President’s State of the Union Address. “Tonight the President issued a bipartisan call to repair and restore America’s aging infrastructure. Over the last two years, due to the President’s policies, our economy has generated historic levels of economic and job growth for Americans and widespread private sector investment. This success is enabled by America’s transportation sector, but aging and insufficient infrastructure threatens to impede future growth.

Hamburg-based feeder operator Team Lines, which belongs to the Belgian Delphis Group,   will close down its business.The deteriorating market conditions in Northern Europe combined with the ongoing consolidation process in the maritime sector are said to be the reason why the Hamburg-based container feeder operator Team Lines Deutschland ceases its business operations from February 11, 2019.In a circular, the shipping company announced that In a circular, Team Lines Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG decided to discontinue all activities of Team Lines with effect from February 11th.

Order intake for the Alfa Laval  Marine Division decreased in the fourth quarter compared to the previous quarter, mainly as a result of PureSOx coming in lower, following an extraordinary development in the preceding quarter.According to a stock exchange announcement, both offshore pumping systems and ballast water equipment reported significant growth compared to the third quarter, but not enough to compensate for the swing in PureSOx.Regarding the environmental portfolio of products…

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Forward (WMEC-911) offloaded approximately 34,780 pounds of cocaine Tuesday in Port Everglades worth an estimated $466 million wholesale seized in international waters in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.The drugs were interdicted off the coasts of Mexico, Central and South America and represent 21 separate, suspected drug smuggling vessel interdictions by the U.S. Coast Guard:The cutter Forward was responsible for eight cases seizing an estimated 14…

Oregon Coast Guard cutter returns home following counter-drug patrol, $83 million worth of cocaine seizedThe crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Alert returned home following a 60-day counter-drug patrol in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, seizing more than $83 million worth of cocaine during the deployment.The crew interdicted two suspected drug smuggling vessels, yielding more than 5,700 pounds of seized cocaine while patrolling international waters in support of Joint Interagency Task Force-South.

Bahri  reported a revenue growth of 24.2 percent for the quarter ending  December 31, 2018. Total revenues grew to $475 million compared to $381 million during the same period in 2017.For Q4 2018, Bahri registered a net profit of $24.3 million, a 12 percent increase over the preceding quarter’s net income of $21.6 million. Operating profit increased by 39.7 percent  to $98 million, in comparison to $73.6 million in Q4 2017. Operating profit surged 177 percent from $37 million compared to the third quarter of 2018.For the fiscal year 2018…

The  global energy services company has announced the acquisition of SGC Metering from Petrofac.SGC Metering is a specialist in the design and manufacture of flow computer metering systems for the oil and gas industry. It provides expertise right across the full life cycle of a metering project, including conceptual design through to installation, operations and maintenance.The firm was established in 1988 and its wide array of systems allows the measurement of all the important metrics associated with hydrocarbon production…

Japanese shipping company NYK, global mining company BHP, green biofuel company GoodFuels and the developer of blockchain applications for the maritime industry Blockchain Labs for Open Collaboration (BLOC) bunkered biofuel in the tanks a BHP vessel in Netherlands.The Netherlands based GoodFuels Marine, a supplier of sustainable low carbon marine fuels, has annouced the successful delivery of sustainable biofuels to the BHP-chartered, NYK-owned bulk carrier Frontier Sky, with CO2 savings verified with BLOC’s blockchain fuels assurance platform.

ABS and industry collaboration identify key challenges with ballast water management systems (BWMS) and provide insight into installation and operational best practices.ABS recently issued questionnaires and hosted Ballast Water Management (BWM) Workshops, receiving feedback from across the globe from shipowners and operators with BWM systems installed onboard their vessels.“As ships come into compliance with ballast water management requirements, it is important to consider some of the common system challenges and best practices for operating these systems…

Oman’s Ambassador to Tehran Saud bin Ahmad Khalid al-Barwani said that his country’s state and private sectors are keen on investing in Iran’s Southeastern port of Chabahar.Chabahar is the best center for telecommunications, economic and trade exchange and can play a very significant role to this end, he said during a meeting with the Managing Director of Chabahar Free Trade Zone Abdolrahim Kordi.“Increasing business and economic cooperation between Oman and Iran could lead to the development of relations between the two countries…

Delaware-based NGL Energy Partners and Colorado's DCP Midstream have executed a purchase and sale agreement under which DCP will convey to NGL its wholesale propane business, generally consisting of seven natural gas liquids terminals in the Eastern United States.Under the terms of the agreement, NGL will acquire 100% ownership of five propane rail terminals operated by Gas Supply Resources, a subsidiary of DCP, and 50% ownership interest in a sixth propane rail terminal.The agreement also includes an import/export terminal located in Chesapeake…

In effort to upgrade the fleet, 2019 started with the delivery of five new eco-ships delivered to Oldendorff Carriers, four of which were delivered on the same day. In trying to reduce the environmental impact and these new (fuel-efficient) vessels will reduce fuel consumption for transporting cargo and consequently reduce the carbon footprint.M/V “Jan Oldendorff”, M/V “John Oldendorff”” and M/V “Julius Oldendorff”” were delivered from the building yard Nantong Cosco KHI Ship Engineering Co., Ltd in Nantong, PRC.

As the shipping industry is pushed to dramatically reduced greenhouse gas emissions courtesy of mandate from the International Maritime Organization, a pair of Japanese companies have embarked on a study of efficient shipboard power generation.Kobe Steel, Ltd. will conduct joint research with Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. on a binary cycle power generation system currently under development. The binary cycle power generation system was installed on the coal carrier Corona Youthful.

Italy's coastguard on Friday blocked the Sea-Watch 3 migrant rescue ship in the port of Catania citing safety and environmental concerns, delaying the vessel's plans to return to patrolling the Libyan coastline.After a long standoff with the Italian government, on Thursday the Dutch-flagged vessel, run by a German charity, was allowed to disembark 47 migrants it had rescued at sea on Jan. 19 in the Sicilian port.Coastguard inspectors who boarded the Sea-Watch on Thursday found "irregularities" relating to safety and environmental standards.

"K” LINE's newest vessel to deploys Binary Cycle Power Generation System and will starts the onboard trial.“K” LINE announced that one of its new 91,000-DWT-type coal carriers, “CORONA YOUTHFUL,” was delivered with a binary cycle power generation system developed by KOBE STEEL, LTD. at OSHIMA SHIPBUILDING CO., LTD. on 1 February 2019 with operational trial having commenced in order to confirm performance and durability at sea as joint research between KOBE STEEL and “K” LINE.Binary…

The Danish Maritime Authority (DMA) has taken steps to strengthen the safety and navigation of ships with new regulation on cyber security in the Danish maritime sector.As was underlined in the Danish governments’ recently released Cyber and Information Security Strategy for the Maritime Sector, Danish ships must be protected from cyber attacks."This is also the principal purpose of the Danish Maritime Authority’s new Order on security in network and information systems of importance to safety and navigation of ships…

German-based container shipping line Hapag-Lloyd AG has decided to partially redeem EUR 170 million of its senior note on 11 February 2019 and prior to its maturity 2022 at a fixed redemption price of 103.375 percent.According to a press release from the transportation company, the senior note was issued in February 2017 with an aggregate principal amount of EUR 450 million. The annual coupon is 6.75 percent."This partial redemption will be done from cash proceeds, predominantly…

Turkey, one of the five major ship recycling countries in the world, has ratified the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Hong Kong Convention, the treaty for safe and environmentally sound ship recycling.The Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009, covers the design, construction, operation and maintenance of ships, and preparation for ship recycling in order to facilitate safe and environmentally sound recycling…

Venezuela's intelligence police and the National Guard threatened on Thursday to board a tanker docked at state-run PDVSA's Cardon port to pressure the vessel's crew to discharge diesel sold by U.S. refiner Citgo Petroleum, according to four sources.Venezuela's fuel inventories have drained this week since the United States imposed new sanctions on PDVSA, making it difficult for customers to pay for Venezuelan crude exports and to get paid to deliver imports needed for the country's domestic market.Reporting by Mircely Guanipa and Marianna Parraga

Cenac Marine Services LLC has announced the signing of an agreement with Kirby Inland Marine, LP to acquire Cenac’s fleet.This relationship will continue to enhance Cenac’s marine construction operations, by focusing on its best in class shipyard at Main Iron Works while providing continued security for its loyal maritime employees., even amid continued sluggishness in the local oil and gas industry.Kirby Corporation transports bulk liquid products throughout the Mississippi River system…

A Strategic Look Forward.It is my honor to serve as PVA’s President. My company, Padelford Packet Boat Co., Saint Paul, MN, has proudly, and actively, been a member of this organization since its inception almost 50 years ago when it was previously known as the National Association of Passenger Vessel Operators (NAPVO).While PVA is rich in history, it by no means is stuck in old ways. PVA is always evolving to mirror the ever-advancing world of passenger vessel operations. As the voice of the passenger vessel industry…

The demanding conditions of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia are plain sailing for MS Viikki, the world’s first LNG-fueled bulk carrier. The solution, built around WE Tech’s variable frequency drive technology WE Drive and The Switch direct drive permanent magnet shaft generator, helps the vessel achieve Ice Class 1A propulsion, while still slashing fuel consumption, costs and emissions. It is a game-changer for ice-class operations.Demanding high standardsESL Shipping is…

Resulting entity would control about 20 pct of global market; Daewoo shares rally 22 pct; Hyundai Heavy shares fall.Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world's biggest shipbuilding group, has announced a share swap deal worth 2.1 trillion won ($1.98 billion) to take over second-ranked Daewoo and create a global heavyweight controlling over 20 percent of the market.The move comes as the worldwide shipbuilding sector recovers from a global economic downturn that led to massive losses…

Kirby Corporation announced a net loss attributable to Kirby for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2018 of ($24.4) million, or ($0.41) per share, compared with earnings of $231.3 million, or $3.87 per share, for the 2017 fourth quarter. Excluding certain one-time charges, 2018 fourth quarter net earnings attributable to Kirby were $44.9 million, or $0.75 per share. Consolidated revenues for the 2018 fourth quarter were $721.5 million compared with $708.1 million reported for the 2017 fourth quarter.For the 2018 full year…

South Korea's "Big Three" shipbuilders may soon become the "Big Two". South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has expressed interest to buy its rival Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME), the local media has reported.The world’s biggest shipbuilder plans to buy a majority stake in in second-ranked rival from the state-run Korea Development Bank (KDB), WSJ reported quoting people directly involved in the matter.The move would consolidate HHI's position as the top South Korean shipbuilder and create a new industry giant.According to the report…

744 large ocean-going commercial vessels were sold to the scrap yards in 2018, out of which 518 were broken down on South Asia beaches, accounting for a record-breaking 90.4% of the gross tonnage dismantled globally.According to new data released by the NGO Shipbreaking Platform,  at least 34 workers lost their lives when breaking apart the global fleet. The Platform documented at least 14 workers that died in Alang, making 2018 one of one of the worse years for Indian yards in…

South Korean carrier  Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) announced that it has acquired joint ownership of PSA Hyundai Pusan New-port Terminal (PHPNT) in Busan.Yuanta HPNT, a company jointly established by the shipping liner and Singaporean shipping company PSA, signed a contract to purchase Waska, which holds a 50-percent stake in the terminal at a a ceremony attended by Young-Choon Kim (Minister of Oceans and Fisheries). With the acquisition, HMM regains operational control over the terminal."This sales contract includes that the private equity fund, Yuanta-HPNT will acquire stakes of Waska Inc.

Lloyd’s Register (LR) and University Maritime Advisory Services (UMAS) have released “Zero-Emission Vessels Transition Pathways.”The study, according to LR, aims to show what is needed to enable the transition, both at the ship and supply infrastructure level, to deliver zero-emission vessels (ZEVs) that are crucial to achieve the IMO’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Strategy 2050 ambition.The new study seeks to address key questions about ZEVs such as: what needs to happen between now and in the next three decades for ship deployment?

European shipowners call upon all parties to seize this opportunity to avoid a no-deal Brexit scenario following yesterday’s discussions in the UK parliament and the mandate given to the UK Prime Minister to re-discuss Brexit arrangements with her European colleagues.The European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA) said in a press note that without a deal the repercussions on the fluidity of trade between the EU and UK will be huge, to the detriment of shipowners, logistics partners…

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Greece and the United States of America (USA) top the list of country dumpers of ocean-going commercial vessels in 2018, according to new data released today by the NGO Shipbreaking Platform.UAE owners were responsible for the highest absolute number of ships sold to South Asian shipbreaking yards in 2018: there were 61 ships in total.Greek owners, beached 57 vessels out of a total of 66 sold for demolition. American owners closely followed with…

Six people died each day attempting to cross Mediterranean in 2018, the latest ‘Desperate Journeys’ report, released by the UN Refugee Agency said.According to the report by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), an estimated 2,275 died or went missing crossing the Mediterranean in 2018, despite a major drop in the number of arrivals reaching European shores.In total, 139,300 refugees and migrants arrived in Europe, the lowest number in five years, it said.“Saving lives at sea is not a choice…

Pacific Green Technologies has announced the  appointment of Iain Lees as Chief Operating Officer to support company growth initiatives around proprietary emission control systems for marine vessels.The owner of the ENVI-Marine and ENVI-Clean Exhaust Gas Scrubbing Systems said in a press note that Lees joins the Company from HannawayCA Corporate Finance Limited (HCACF), a leading financial and business advisory firm in Northern Ireland where he has served as Managing Director…

The arrival of 2019 leaves just one year until the global sulphur cap becomes reality. But as the marine industry scrambles to ready itself, an important milestone has already been reached. The new year marks a decade since the first vessel set sail with an Alfa Laval PureSOx scrubber on board.In 2009, the RoRo vessel DFDS Ficaria Seaways entered dry dock for an expansion of its cargo space. While the vessel was being rebuilt, a hybrid PureSOx system – able to perform closed-loop as well as open-loop scrubbing – was retrofitted to clean the exhaust gas from its 21 MW main engine.

Four new high speed patrol boats manufactured by shipbuilder Metal Shark have entered service with the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard (DCCG) on the island of Aruba.The vessels were commissioned into service with a ceremony on January 23rd at DCCG’s Station Aruba in the district of Savaneta on Aruba’s southeast coast. Among those present were officials from the Aruban government, Dutch Ministry of Defense, DCCG, and Metal Shark, as well as local and regional media outlets.The new…

Admiral Karl L. Schultz assumed the duties as the 26th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard on June 1, 2018. He previously served from August 2016 to May 2018 as Commander, Atlantic Area where he was the operational commander for all Coast Guard missions spanning five Coast Guard Districts and 40 states. Previous operational assignments include Sector Commander in Miami, Florida, as well as command tours aboard Cutters VENTUROUS, ACACIA and FARALLON. His senior staff assignments include Chief of the Office of Congressional and Governmental Affairs; Congressional Liaison to the U.S.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Wednesday dismissed press reports saying that the government was considering a possible merger between state-owned defense group Leonardo and shipbuilder Fincantieri."We are absolutely not thinking about mergers. There is nothing of the kind, nothing on the table. I've been informed about these press reports that quote government sources. I absolutely reject these rumors," Conte told reporters on the sideline of an event.Reporting by Lisa Di Giuseppe

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said 47 migrants who have been blocked at sea off Sicily for 11 days on a rescue ship will be allowed to come ashore on Wednesday, ending the latest migrant standoff."In a few hours, they will begin to disembark," Conte told reporters in Milan. The migrants have been on the vessel since they were rescued off the Libyan coast.Italy's populist government, which took office last year, has closed its ports to humanitarian vessels in a bid to force European Union partners to take a share of those rescued in the Mediterranean.The Dutch-flagged Sea-Watch 3, which is run by a German humanitarian group, has been moored off the coast of Sicily as it waits for a safe port.

South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries Group, the world's biggest shipbuilder, is interested in buying a stake in second-ranked rival Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, a Hyundai official told Reuters on Wednesday.The comments follow the group's holding firm saying on Monday it planned to sell part of its stake in refiner Hyundai Oilbank to Saudi Aramco for as much as 1.8 trillion won.State-funded Korea Development Bank (KDB) holds a 55.7 percent stake worth 2.16 trillion won ($1.94 billion) as of Wednesday's closing price in Daewoo."Hyundai Heavy held talks to buy the Daewoo stake," th

Innovative Electric Tanker design from Japan coming to local waterways by 2020The global push to dramatically reduce emissions from the world’s fleet of ships continues to drive innovation across the sector, including the introduction of a new Pure Electric Tanker concept released today from Japan. With ClassNK in place to make technical advice on the ship design and electric propulsion package, Asahi Tanker Co. Ltd. and its partner Exeno-Yamamizu Corporation Tokyo jointly developed the new domestic shipping tanker design which incorporates “zero emission electric propulsion.”Dubbed e5…

Ecoslops, the producer of recycled marine fuels from oil residues, and Suez Canal Economic Zone signed a new agreement, further to the signature of an agreement for a detailed feasibility study in January 2018.A press release said that the firms take another step towards the implementation of a collection, reception and treatment unit of maritime oil wastes, under the auspices of the French and Egyptian governments and on the occasion of the State visit of President Macron in Cairo.The new agreement…

Naval architecture, design and marine engineering specialist Foreship has ensured that Wasaline ferry is designed for lean, green and flexible performance.According to a press release from the Finland-based marine engineering consultancy firm, energy efficiency, flexibility and optimised space availability will be built into the new Wasaline ferry that will transform freight and passenger connections between Umeå in Sweden and Vaasa in Finland. Last  week, Kvarken Link converted…

Design and engineering services company Moss Maritime has, in cooperation with Equinor, the global maritime industry group Wilhelmsen and DNV GL, developed a design for a liquefied hydrogen (LH2) bunker vessel.The vessel design comes at a time when hydrogen is developing into a viable solution. Liquefied hydrogen at a temperature of -253°C is expected to offer advantages over pressurized hydrogen gas in relation to transportation costs.The future large scale use of hydrogen in…

Port of Amsterdam has launched a Cybersecurity Programme to increase the port community's digital resilience.A press release from the port has explained the rationale behind the launch: "The Netherlands is one of the world's top three countries affected by cyber attacks. Ports are particularly vulnerable, as they have a wide range of information systems and their data is used by many different parties."Information systems contain valuable information that makes them an appealing target for cybercrime.

MAN Energy Solutions announced the first order for its SCR-HP (Selective Catalytic Reduction – High Pressure) product. Mitsui (MES) has ordered 3 × SCR-HP (cluster 3) units in connection with the building of three 87,000-dwt bulk carriers for the Ocean 21 Holdings .Each ship is to be powered by a single MAN B&W 6S46ME-B8.5 low-speed engine delivering 9,900 kW at 84 rpm, and aspirated by an MAN TCA66 turbocharger. Importantly, the engines will meet IMO Tier III emission standards. MAN Energy Solutions introduced SCR-HP along with its licensee, MES, in 2017.

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)  identified nearly $4 billion in crucial port and supply chain security needs over the next 10 years.That funding level is what’s needed to maintain and upgrade America’s port facilities and ensure they are properly equipped to address new and evolving security challenges, said AAPA in the latest report in its “The State of Freight” infrastructure series.“The State of Freight IV” is the fourth report in as many years, conducted by AAPA…

A new study by the consulting group SEA/LNG reveals “a strong investment case” for LNG as a marine fuel in the container shipping market.The study was commissioned from the independent simulation and analytics company Opsiana in order to provide shipowners and operators in analyzing investment opportunities, said a press release from SEA\LNG.Peter Keller, Chairman, SEA\LNG, said: “We commissioned this study from independent simulation and analytics expert Opsiana to support shipowners and operators in analysing their investment opportunities in an informed way…

Hong Kong-based container shipping and logistics service company Orient Overseas Container Line said that its revenue in 2018 increased by 9.9% to USD 5.96 billion for all services, compared to USD 5.42 billion reported in the previous year."Loadable capacity increased by 7.4%. The overall load factor was 0.8% lower than the same period in 2017. Overall average revenue per teu increased by 3.4% compared to the same period last year," it said in a press release.For the fourth quarter of 2018 (ended 31st December 2018)…

American shipowner Eagle Bulk Shipping  has announced that Eagle Bulk Ultraco, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, has closed on a new five-year senior secured facility  totaling USD 208.4 million, maturing in 2024. The global transporter of drybulk commodities said that the Facility is secured by 21 vessels, including the M/V Cape Town Eagle which was acquired earlier this month, and includes a term loan of USD 153.4 million and a revolving credit facility of USD 55 million.Gary Vogel…

The Bolton Marine Group has acquired Daigle Marine, one of the nation’s leading commercial boat builders. Founder, Steve Daigle and co-owner, Bob Kristmanson have completed the private sale of Daigle Marine to The Bolton Marine Group.As a wholly owned subsidiary of The Bolton Marine Group, Daigle Marine, based in Campbell River, will operate as a separate company with the continuity of the management team, highly skilled work force and physical facilities. As Managing Director, Torry Wannenwetsch will lead the entity. Steve Daigle and Bob Kristmanson will remain active in the business through a transition period.Founded in 1985, Daigle Marine is a respected custom aluminum boat builder.

All American Marine (AAM), together with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TWPD), has announced the signing of a contract for the construction of an 80’x 27’ aluminum catamaran for operation in Texas State waters as well as offshore capabilities in the Gulf of Mexico. This vessel will be constructed at All American Marine’s new state-of-the-art 57,000 square foot facility on Bellingham Bay. TPWD selected industry leaders AAM and Teknicraft Design, widely acknowledged for designing and building high quality and fuel-efficient aluminum vessel designs at a great value.

The Coast Guard and partner agencies are responding to reports of several barges and vessels breaking away from their moorings on the Hudson River near Troy, New York, Friday morning.Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New York received the initial report of the situation from Rensselaer emergency dispatch.New York State Marine notified the Coast Guard that an additional six vessels were noticed adrift in the ice flows shortly before sunrise.One of the vessels is a 300-foot cruise boat, currently stuck at the Livingston Avenue railroad bridge. Two adrift barges have been secured.Coast Guard Cutter Penobscot Bay, a 140-foot ice breaker…

Further to Gard's insight “It is time to strengthen your onboard cyber security procedures” of 12 December 2018, the Danish Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs recently published its Cyber and Information Security Strategy for the Maritime Sector.The strategy is part of the Danish government’s national strategy for cyber and information security and contains some interesting observations related to threats, risks and vulnerabilities in the Danish maritime sector."Whereas…

The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) has welcomed the publication of the UK government’s ‘Maritime 2050’ strategy paper, which sets out the vision for the future of the UK maritime sector.The strategy, which has been developed in consultation with agencies including the UKHO and the wider public and private sectors, sets out a series of detailed recommendations to help the UK maintain its position as a leading global maritime nation. These recommendations span themes including the environment…