Police Guard LNG Ports as Germany Fast-tracks Critical Infrastructure Law
Germany has ordered police to guard LNG terminals under construction and increased aerial supervision of its rail network as it prepares a law to bolster the protection of critical infrastructure, its interior minister told Reuters.Suspected sabotage on the German rail network and on the Baltic Sea gas pipelines linking Germany and Russia in recent weeks have raised concerns about the country's exposure to attacks.Minister Nancy Faeser said in an interview it was not possible to comprehensively protect all of the more than 33âŚ
More US Sour Crude Heads to Germany to Replace Russia Oil
A second shipment of crude from a U.S. Gulf of Mexico offshore field has sailed for Germany, according to vessel tracking data and trade sources on Tuesday, as European refiners test potential replacements for Russian oil.Europe is aiming to cut 90% of its Russian oil imports by the end of this year. Refiners are expected to look to Norway, the Middle East, the United States and West Africa for alternative supplies, according to analysts.The hunt for substitutes has led in two recent instances to Mars, a U.S. sour grade similar to Russia's Urals.The Ise Princess tanker loaded Mars Sour crude off the Louisiana coast and is on its way to the Baltic Sea port of RostockâŚ
Flensburger Shipyard Launches RoRo Ferry Newbuild
Newbuilding 782, a new 210-m RoRo ferry dubbed Tennor Ocean, was launched June 17, 2022, the first launch since the economic restart of Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG).The RoRo ferry was commissioned by IVP Ship Invest. The company is part of the Tennor Group of founder Lars Windhorst, which is also the owner of the shipyard. IVP Ship Invest is in talks with various international interested parties about a possible charter or sale of the ferry.âFor me, todayâs launch is a sign and symbol of a strong future for FSG.
Thyssenkrupp Acquires MV Werften's Wismar Shipyard
Thyssenkrupp's defense division hopes to start building for the German navy from 2024 at a shipyard in Wismar, northern Germany, once owned by insolvent MV Werften, its head said on Friday after it bought the site.Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in a policy shift after decades of attrition of Germany's armed forces, pledged in February after Russia invaded Ukraine to sharply increase defence spending, including an initial 100 billion euro ($106 billion) fund.Thyssenkrupp Chief Executive Martina Merz said last month that decision was "beneficial" to its marine services division (TKMS), which said on Fr
ABB Power & Propulsion for 100-meter-plus Superyacht
ABB has won a contract to deliver power and propulsion systems for the superyacht to be constructed by the German yacht builder Abeking & Rasmussen shipyard (A&R). Scheduled for delivery in 2025, the 100-meter-plus vessel will be one of the largest ever constructed at A&Râs yard in Lemwerder, Northern Germany. The extensive scope of ABB systems onboard will include Azipod propulsion, Onboard DC Grid, a 500kWh Energy Storage System (ESS) and Power and Energy Management System (PEMS), whose combined and fully integrated capabilities will reduce emissions, noise, and vibration.
Shipbuilding: FSG Expands Management Team
Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG) is expanding its management team further: in April, Carsten Treuer starts as Head of Operations and Bernd Liedtke as Head of Sales.âI am very much looking forward to working with these two shipbuilding specialists,â says Philipp Maracke, CEO of Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft, about the expansion of his team. âOur common goal is, on the one hand, to align production even more specifically with the requirements of our portfolio in the future.
U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Vessel Bound for Nord Stream 2 Pipeline
The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on a ship involved in building the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to take Russian natural gas to Europe, as the Trump administration sought to raise pressure on the project on its last full day in office.The U.S. Treasury Department said it imposed the sanctions on the Russian pipe-laying ship "Fortuna" and its owner, KVT-RUS, under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).Nord Stream 2, designed to double the capacity of the existing Nord Stream undersea gas pipeline, would take gas to Europe via Germany, bypassing Ukraine, which would deprive Kiev of lucrative transit fees.The project is a rising point of contention between Moscow and Washington.
Germany 'Regrets' U.S. Plan to Sanction Vessel Linked to Nord Stream 2 Pipeline
The United States has informed Germany that it plans to impose sanctions on a Russian pipe-laying ship involved in construction of the Russian-led Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany, the German Economy Ministry said on Monday."We're taking note of the announcement with regret," an Economy Ministry spokesman in Berlin said.German business daily Handelsblatt had earlier reported the U.S. sanctions would go into effect on Tuesday as part of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).It said the sanctions would be imposed on the Russian pipe-laying ship "Fortuna" and its owner, KVT-RUS.Nord Stream 2, designed to double the capacity of the existing Nord Stream undersea gas pipeline, would bypass Ukraine, depriving it of lucrative transit fees.
US Plans to Sanction Russian Vessel Involved in Nord Stream 2
The United States has told European allies it plans to impose sanctions on a Russian pipe-laying ship, "Fortuna", involved in construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany, German business daily Handelsblatt reported on Monday.The U.S. administration told government officials in Berlin and other European capitals on Monday that the sanctions would go into effect on Tuesday as part of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), the newspaper added.It said the sanctions would be imposed on the ship and its owner, KVT-RUS.Nord Stream 2, designed to double capacity of the existing undersea Nord Stream gas pipelineâŚ
Desperate Times for Sailors Stranded by Pandemic
Jens Boysen disembarked one of the worldâs largest container ships on Thursday after 167 days at sea when he has acted not only as captain but also as doctor, dentist, mental coach and entertainment director for his stressed-out crew.Almost 200,000 seafarers like Boysen are stuck onboard merchant ships, some for more than a year, because coronavirus travel restrictions make it almost impossible to rotate crews, according to the U.N.âs International Maritime Organization (IMO).The crewsâŚ
Coast Guard Academy Cadet Receives Fulbright Award
First Class Cadet Owen Gibson, a Civil Engineering major from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, has received a Fulbright Award to pursue a two-year Master of Science degree in Water Resource Engineering and Management at the University of Stuttgart, Germany.Gibsonâs Fulbright research project will focus on climate change and soil erosion models. The goal of his research is to develop a model for assessing coastal soil erosion rates. The model will address the uncertainty of climate change using probability analysis and will be tested throughout coastal regions in Northern Germany.
Damen, Luerssen to Build German Warships
Germany has awarded Dutch shipyard Damen a contract to construct at least four new multi-role warships worth nearly 6 billion euros ($6.7 billion) in an alliance with its Bremen-based partner Luerssen, the armed forces and budget lawmakers said on Tuesday.The ship tender is one of Germany's biggest arms projects, along with a contract for the MEADS missile defence system and the new Franco-German fighter jet (FCAS), underlining Berlin's efforts to increase its military capabilities.The first warship is expected to be delivered in 2027âŚ
Neptun Werft Lays Keel for AIDAcosma
The first building-block for AIDA Cruisesâ second LNG-fueled cruise ship was put in place at the Neptun Werft shipyard in Rostock, Germany.The two trainees, Charleen Hoffmann (AIDA Cruises) and Kenny Schaft (Meyer Werft shipyard) placed the traditional lucky coin beneath the first of a total of 90 blocks.On the occasion of the keel-laying, the name of the new ship and its first routing were announced: the ship will be named AIDAcosma, and will be cruising from Kiel to the Norwegian fjords and the Baltic Sea from summer 2021.Together with the Managing Director of the Meyer Werft shipyard Tim Meyer and the head of the Neptun Werft shipyard in Rostock Manfred OssevorthâŚ
Germany Calls for Improved Marine Com
Extension of broadband communication of key importance to digital change in maritime shipping, said shipowners and pilots in Germanyâs coastline.Against the backdrop of the extension of mobile communications networks planned in Germany, the German Shipownersâ Association (Verband Deutscher Reeder â VDR) and the German Federal Chamber of Pilots (Bundeslotsenkammer â BLK) issued a joint communiqué calling for urgent improvement of mobile network coverage in German coastal waters.Maritime broadband communication in the North Sea and Baltic Sea was the topic of a symposium jointly held by the Maritime Cluster Northern Germany (Maritimes Cluster Norddeutschland e.
Nord Stream's Last Pipe Leaves Sweden Port
The last Nord Stream 2 pipe stored within the premises of the port of Karlshamn left the storage area. Russiaâs Nord Stream 2 AG is the operator of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project.Nearly 39,000 pipes have transited through the port since October 7, 2017. Out of these, almost 37,000 pipes have been shipped to the pipelay vessels working on the Swedish section of the Nord Stream 2 Pipeline. The surplus has been transported back to the port of Mukran in northern Germany.Wasco Coating Germany GmbH was in charge of the logistics operations in the port of Karlshamn during this 23-month long period.Up to 140 people worked for the Nord Stream 2 project during the peak period in the port of Karlshamn, when operations went on around the clock.
Nieuw Statendam's Maiden Call at Kiel Port
The latest newbuilding of Holland America Lineâs fleet (HAL) âNieuw Statendamâ arrived in the Port of Kiel from Stockholm for its maiden call in the last week, on Thursday morning (23rd May).During the on-board reception, the Managing Director of the Port of Kiel , Dr Dirk Claus, welcomed the shipâs Captain to the State Capital City of Schleswig Holstein and presented him with the handmade plaque for the vesselâs maiden call manufactured by the metal artist Patrick Schloßer.Dirk Claus said: âKiel has been an integral part of Holland America Lineâs itineraries for the eleventh year in a row now. We are very proud that Kiel belongs to the ports where the latest newbuilding of the shipping company is showcased.âIn addition to the vessel âNieuw StatendamââŚ
Konecranes Bags Straddle Carriers Order
The provider of smart port solutions Konecranesâ long relationship with the EUROGATE Group continues with the signing, early this year, of an order for 17 Konecranes Noell Straddle Carriers for EUROGATE Container Terminal Hamburg.According to a press release, this order follows upon the delivery in 2018 of 43 Konecranes Noell Straddle Carrier to EUROGATE Container Terminal Hamburg and Bremerhaven and MSC Gate Bremerhaven.Konecranesâ relationship with the EUROGATE Group extends back to the beginning of containerization 50 years ago. Today, around 250 Konecranes Noell Straddle Carriers are operated by EUROGATE terminals in Northern Germany, and the fleet is growing. Early in 2019, Konecranes received and booked an order from EUROGATE Hamburg for 17 more Konecranes Noell Straddle Carriers.
Port of Kiel: More than 2.2 mln Passengers This Year
The economic importance of nautical tourism for Schleswig-Holstein is continuing to increase. More than 2.2 million passengers are expected in the port of Kiel alone this year, forecasting record numbers like 600,000 cruise passengers and 1.6 million ferry travelers.Last year, passengers generated a turnover of about 68 million Euros in Kiel. The consumer spending of the portâs ferry passengers amounts to more than 53 million Euros. These are complemented by another 15 million Euros spent by cruise passengers and the crews.
RWE Reserves German LNG Import Capacity
Europeâs leading energy companies RWE and German LNG Terminal GmbH, the joint venture driving forward Germanyâs first LNG terminal in Brunsbüttel in Northern Germany, have reached an agreement for a considerable part of the terminalâs capacity on a long-term basis.This contract follows a successful âOpen Seasonâ in which market interest was tested. The total capacity of the combined LNG import and small-scale terminal will be 5 billion cubic metres. RWE has signed a contract that guarantees RWE access to substantial annual capacity.Andree Stracke, Chief Commercial Officer Gas Supply & Origination of RWE Supply & Trading GmbH, commentedâŚ
German LNG Terminal Signs New Pact
German LNG Terminal GmbH, the joint venture driving forward Germanyâs first LNG terminal in Brunsbuettel, has reached another long-term commercial capacity agreement with an unnamed global LNG player.The gas infrastructure company consisting of N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie (Gasunie), Oiltanking GmbH and Vopak LNG Holding B.V said in a press release that the parties agreed on the commitment of a substantial part of the terminal capacity.Negotiations with other interested parties are ongoing. As a result of strong market demand, German LNG Terminal will apply for permits with a total terminal capacity of 8 bcma.Rolf Brouwer, Managing Director of German LNG Terminal GmbHâŚ
SCHOTTEL: Control Upgrade Extends Lifecycle on Harbor Tug
Schottel GmbH has carried out a control upgrade on a seagoing and harbor tug equipped with azimuth thrusters from another manufacturer. Instead of replacing the entire propulsion system (including mechanics and hydraulics), only the controls were swapped out. In order to comply with the latest class requirements, the German vessel owner was forced to modernize the âWULF 9â, a 30-year-old ASD tugboat. Since the required spare parts were obsolete, an alternative had to be found.âInstead of offering intensive and expensive complete rebuildsâŚ
CWind Awarded TP Gate Contract
Offshore wind industry services provider CWind said it has been awarded a contract by DONG Energy, to install new and retrofit existing gates on the transition pieces (TPs) at the Gode Wind and Borkum Riffgrund offshore wind farms, located in the North Sea off the coast of Northern Germany. CWind, which is part of the Global Marine Group and delivers the companyâs power capabilities, will use its crew transfer vessels, assets and engineering expertise to help complete the project.
Worldâs Second Largest Container Ship CMA CGM Antoine de Saint Exupéry Docks in Hamburg
The âCMA CGM Antoine de Saint Exupéry', the largest containership ever to call at the port on the Elbe, berthed in Hamburg early on Thursday morning, 15 March. The maiden call by this ocean-going giant is a further milestone in the Port of Hamburgâs success story as one of the worldâs most important and state-of-the-art container handling hubs. The triumphant advance of the container, which has revolutionized the worldwide transport industry, commenced in the Port of Hamburg on 31 May 1968. With the âAmerican Lancer', a containership berthed at Burchardkai for the first time that day. It was the first step in a new era that was to shape change in the Port of Hamburg for ever. Scepticism predominated in Hamburg at the time.