Maritime Business News

Wilson Sons is the largest integrated port and maritime logistics operator in Brazil, operating more than 80 workboats. Marcio Castro, Executive Director Tugboat Division, discusses with Maritime Reporter the size, shape & technical direction of the fleet.Mr. Castro, to start, how did you come to a career in maritime?I graduated in System Engineering at Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), I also have an MBA in Business Administration (Coppead/UFRJ). I joined Wilson Sons in 2003…

Citing a spike in second-wave COVID-19 infection numbers SMM, where the world meets in Hamburg every two years for the latest updates on shipbuilding and ship machinery technology, has opted to take the event planned for February 2021 digital.SMM 2020 was originally scheduled to be held live in September 2020, initially postponed to early 2021 as a hybrid live and digital event. But in the face of a rampant second wave of COVID-19 infections and the decision by several governments…

Florida’s seaports are one of the state’s greatest economic assets, positively affecting every region and every resident. Our seaports have a $117.6 billion economic impact across Florida and account for more than 900,000 direct and indirect jobs, while linking our communities to vital national and international markets.During the COVID-19 crisis, ports across the country have sustained mounting losses. Ports that specialize in moving hard-hit cargoes like steel and automobiles, or depend on tourism and cruise ships are also particularly vulnerable.

Leistritz Pumpen GmbH is a long and storied name in maritime business, and with its FLEXCORE screw pumps the company claims to provide an unusually wide application window and more freedom of installation. “With FLEXCORE, Leistritz has created a groundbreaking innovation – a pump class that unites qualitative, functional and economic aspects in a flexible, quickly available series product,“ said Philipp Rossow, Product Manager at German Leistritz Pumpen GmbH.To that end, Leistritz…

A new maritime digitalization solution aims to enable real-time communication and collaboration between sea, port and land logistics operators while providing a capabilities overview that helps users to improve the utilization of their resources. The newly launched Smart Port as a Service from Awake.AI is a real-time collaboration and situational awareness tool that uses artificial intelligence (AI)-based predictions to unlock smarter operational optimization for all maritime actors.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) and Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) have launched the Maritime Digitalization Playbook (MDP), to support maritime companies in accelerating their digitalization plans as the economy reboots and enters a new normal post-COVID-19.Senior Minister of State for Transport and Health, Dr. Lam Pin Min, said, “This pandemic has accelerated digitalization, regardless whether you are a multinational company or a local SME.

Managing infection risk during the COVID-19 pandemic requires a new approach to disease control and prevention.A new infection risk management approach has been developed by DNV GL to assess, manage and mitigate infection risk in management systems, business processes and operations. My Care incorporates local regulations and guidelines – it can be applied to any vessel type, as well as terminals.My Care’s suite of independent assessment services is designed to help businesses…

Oceaneering International launched a new business aiming to eliminate waste and increase transparency within the bulk commodity cargo logistics industry, the Houston-based company announced Wednesday.OceanSMART Cargo Logistics and Maritime Technology will be led by Managing Director Bryan Phillips, who comes to the team with over 25 years’ experience in the marine shipping and cargo logistics industry, most recently as chief innovation officer at Inchcape Shipping Services. He is joined by another maritime industry stalwart with over 30 years’ experience…

Dr. Dirk Jürgens heads R&D at Voith Turbo Marine, a part of the family owned Voith conglomerate which employs more than 19,000 people in 60 countries. Voith Rudderpropellers were chosen as the propulsion system for the three new Staten Island Ferry vessels, and Dr. Jürgens discusses the evolution of the system.The ‘Voith’ name is a well-known one in the maritime industry, but to start please provide an overview of the product and service you offer to the maritime industry.The…

Barry Parker, contributor to Maritime Reporter & Engineering News and MarineNews magazines, is – like many people around the world – sequestered and working from home. He is our designated “ship spotter” for the day.In the maritime business, most of us have been adept at working from home (or from remote locations). Still, with the precautions being taken to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus (Covid 19), remaining at home – in my case, on the North Shore of Long Island, has not been without its challenges.

Choosing the year’s ‘top stories’ is always a difficult task. Many compelling story threads played out, each dramatically impacting the North American waterfront, and in particular, the workboat sector – each in their own unique way.The Infrastructure Battle ContinuesThe EXECUTIVE SUMMARY H.R. 2396, the “Full Utilization of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Act”, will ensure that the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund is used for its intended purpose – maintaining Federally-authorized harbors. The legislation would allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to dredge all Federal harbors to their constructed widths and depths. Unfortunately, Washington continues in chaos with another continuing resolution on the budget; the next one expires on December 20th.

The Panama Canal is a strategic crossroads for maritime traffic, and is arguably one of the most important maritime developments in the past century. Here we take a deeper dive into the history behind that famous strip of waterway.The present canal, which saw its first vessel transits in 1914, along with possible alternatives through Nicaragua and Mexico, had actually been on the minds of merchants, explorers and military/political strategists since the Age of Exploration in early 1500’s.

Born and raised on the water by entrepreneurial parents, Basjan Faber knew from a young age that his future and fate was in maritime, specifically ship design. Today the CEO leads a vibrant, diverse and fast-growing naval architecture firm that he co-founded with partners in 2007. Headquartered in Amsterdam, C-Job has a unique approach to its business and is expanding its international footprint, as Maritime Reporter & Engineering News discovered when we visited with him in The Netherlands last month.“I have always been inspired by ships…

APM Terminals Barcelona has reached a new milestone in its history, breaking the record for movements during a call by registering 5,394 movements on the Millau Bridge ship, which belongs to The Alliance, the terminal's main service.It is the highest level of activity registered on a ship in the Catalan terminal since the arrival of the OOCL Brussels in 2017, when 5,323 movements were performed. A sustained productivity of 135.46 Berth Moves Per Hour was reached during the operation.Jordi Vidal, Operations Manager at APM Terminals Barcelona, is proud of the results achieved: "The APM Terminals Barcelona operational team has done an excellent job in the face of this new challenge…

“Driving the maritime transition”: In times of the global climate debate and the digital transformation, SMM 2020 will once again be the focal point for decision-makers in the maritime industry.Topics that are currently high on the industry's agenda are highlighted in the new issue of the SMM Maritime Industry Report: Shipping, shipbuilding and supplier companies are especially interested in alternative propulsion technologies and attractive niche markets.The year 2020 marks a major turning point in international shipping: On January 1…

The international container terminal operating company APM Terminals announced that its Barcelona unit has achieved a very high 150 BMPH (berth moves per hour) servicing a latest-generation vessel.The performance with new equipment confirms the increase in productivity and performance potential with 100% of its latest EUR 47 million investment now being operational, said a press note.With the latest investments implemented, APM Terminals Barcelona reinforces its position as a leader in the maritime business, offering one of the best productivity levels in the Mediterranean, with the newest equipment, the most cutting-edge technology and a customer-focused service always striving for maximum excellence…

Lloyd’s Maritime Academy announced that people living and currently working in Hong Kong’s maritime sector can benefit from an 80% refund on nine of its courses as part of the Maritime and Aviation Training Fund (MATF) introduced by the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board.The aim of the MATF is to build up a vibrant, diversified and competitive pool of professionals and technical personnel to support Hong Kong’s future development in both the maritime and aviation sectors. May 2019…

Wake Media appointed Andy Ford as Operations Director effective July 1, 2019.Ford will be responsible for enhancing, managing and driving the company’s future growth strategy and operational efficiencies, focusing primarily towards serving their customer’s needs. To achieve, concrete, effective and measurable results, he will also introduce and manage their strategic marketing development and planning program.Ford started his career as a mechanical design engineer, moving into sales and marketing functions in 2009.

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) picked its port director, Lisa Wieland, to be its next Chief Executive Officer(CEO), bypassing the other finalist, a member of the city's power elite, for one of the most influential public-sector jobs in the state.Board of Directors voted to offer Wieland the position of CEO and Executive Director for a five-year term. Contract negotiations will occur at a later date.The search firm Isaacson, Miller sought a diverse candidate pool for the position and more than 100 applications were received. Members of the Board’s Preliminary Screening Committee interviewed 10 semifinalists, of which five were women and three were people of color.

The hard-fought passage of VIDA promises a simpler, more unified and logical set of environmental standards related to the discharge of myriad vessel streams. Industry wanted it, and now it is here. Will it deliver, and if so, when? That depends on who you talk to.As most commercial maritime operators know, US ballast water regulations made a sharp turn last December. That’s when President Trump signed the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018.That legislation contained Title IX – the “Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA)…

A Liebherr LHM 420 Crane is at the heart of a rapidly expanding shortsea shipping success story. Reliability is the key for a port that’s turned the corner, with nowhere to go but ‘up.’Way back in January of 1996, I moved to Richmond, Virginia from Houston, Texas. Still very much in the maritime business as a cargo surveyor and ship expeditor, the Port of Richmond intrigued me, every time I drove past it on I-95. Eventually, I got a tour of the struggling port, courtesy of then port director and retired USCG Captain Marty Moynihan. Moynihan, an energetic executive, was keen to expand the port’s horizons.Back then, as much as half of the port’s meager business was tobacco shipping to and from Philip Morris, just across the street.

Southampton, United Kingdom: It has been quite a few years since I last touched down in the UK; longer still for a visit on a maritime business trip. And, I don’t cross 'the big pond' casually for one these events. This morning, Seawork 2019 in Southampton is not yet over but if the past two days have been any indication at all, then the entire event will be regarded as a rousing success for all involved.There is something for everyone here. I overheard one attendee refer to the event as the annual gathering of “the boys and their toys.” To be sure; almost every possible development, new idea, and the widest gathering of shallow draft workboats I’ve ever seen in one place, was mustered and on display in this compact venue.

Maurizio Aponte, executive director for Europe of the group Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)  is stepping down.He will be taking up new responsibilities within the MSC family, effective 1 May 2019, said a press note.  Maurizio is a relative of Gianluigi Aponte, founder and executive chairman of the Helvetic shipowning group.Maurizio has for decades been one of the key pillars in the development of MSC and his immense contribution is widely appreciated.Moving forward, he has decided to oversee a family maritime business based in Italy."MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company wishes Maurizio good fortune in all his future endeavours and projects," said a press note.