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European Union countries are considering a ban on Russian ships entering the bloc's ports, aiming to tighten sea restrictions after a halt on air traffic, European officials say, a step that would further hamper Russia's commercial shipments.Britain already decided on Monday to deny entry to British ports to all ships that are Russian owned, operated, controlled, chartered, registered or flagged. Canada followed on Tuesday, saying it would shut its ports to Russian-owned ships later this week, a day after it banned Russian crude oil imports.

Families of 39 Filipino crewmen who were aboard a cattle ship that sank during a typhoon are pleading for a search to continue and to expand into uninhabited islands and nearby waters, two weeks after their vessel capsized off Japan.In tears during an online news conference, family members urged authorities to resume a massive search effort, after Japan's coastguard suspended its rescue last week.Of the ship's 43 crew, three were rescued—all Filipinos—but one later died after being found unconscious. Thirty-six Filipinos, two New Zealanders and two Australians are missing."We are getting frustrated not knowing where they are," said Liberty Seneres, wife of chief engineer, Aristotle Sabillena."We are worried.

A Swedish consortium aims to launch commercially by 2025 a wind-driven car carrier that will emit 90% less carbon dioxide than a conventional roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) cargo ship, it said on Thursday.The 25-meter-long carrier will have a capacity for 7,000 cars and have a maximum height of 105 meters when its four 80-meter upright "wing sails" are fully extended - bringing to mind a futuristic version of the wings of a 19th century clipper."This will of course challenge our habits and when this vessel will be in the ocean sailing…

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML): mention these two terms and the listener may instantly think of the ads displayed as you view your favorite online news site. This is one version of what AI/ML might be. Given the state of AI and ML research today, these advanced mathematical techniques represent something the U.S. Coast Guard should explore for mission application. To do this, common definitions need to be created, challenges understood, and practical use…

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, a merger between the world’s two biggest shipyards has been in the works for about a year.

MarineLink.com – the commercial maritime industry’s longest running online news site, launched a newly designed version today. The new mobile-friendly site features a sleek new look, enhanced search and archive functions, easier navigation, videos and much more. The new MarineLink will bring the latest news and editorial, as well as insightful archives to the palm of your hand. Marinelink.com, has been the premiere news source online for the commercial maritime industry since it launched in 1998.

Russia and China naval forces concluded their first-ever joint military exercise in the Mediterranean Sea this morning, according to an online news briefing from the Chinese Defense Ministry. The naval drill code-named “Joint Sea 2015” was held from May 17 to 21 and involved nine ships from both countries. On Wednesday, the two navies conducted replenishment and escort exercises. "Naval forces of both countries made concerted efforts to explore new formats of joint exercises, and learn valuable experience from each other, which has made the drills a success," said Du Jingchen, deputy commander of the Navy of the People's Liberation Army of China and the drill director of the Chinese side.

The world will take years to limit climate change to manageable levels, with no miracle fix at a Paris summit this year despite growing signs of action by governments and companies, the United Nations climate chief said on Thursday. Senior officials from almost 190 nations will meet from Feb. 8-13 in Geneva to work on a draft U.N. deal to limit global warming. The agreement, built on national plans for curbs on rising world greenhouse gas emissions beyond 2020, is meant to be finalized at the Paris meeting in December. Christiana Figueres, head of the U.N.

Global chart distributor Nautisk has confirmed DNV approval for its Neptune Pay As You Sail (PAYS) Solution. PAYS enables users to access global ENCs for use with onboard ECDIS systems, while only paying for those that are actually used. Peter J Pran, Nautisk Project Manager said, “Despite a positive market outlook, demands on shipowners and vessel operators to make cost savings and optimize operational efficiency are continuing to increase. “Our PAYS solution gives both shore-based and onboard teams access to any number of ENCs that may be required for one particular trading route.

The need for ship-to-shore information exchange has never been greater. Lawrence Poynter product director at iOra explores the sophisticated connectivity solutions that can keep the fleet afloat. For armchair sports fans, 2012 has been a bumper summer of wall-to-wall media coverage. For naval crews, getting the latest NASCAR results, football scores or Olympic record times is more difficult – but not impossible. Many shipping firms recognize that making sports reports available to their crews is an important way to remove the sense of isolation often felt onboard.

The San Francisco-based Hornblower Hybrid has been named a finalist in an international awards competition for Environmental Technology of the Year. Sustainable Shipping, an international online news and information resource, hosts the annual competition and will announce the 2009 winners at in London on July 15th, 2009. The Hornblower Hybrid, part of the Alcatraz Cruises fleet, is the first hybrid passenger vessel in the United States. The revolutionary design combines wind, diesel and electricity to power the vessel.

Louisiana Economic Development (LED) has launched an integrated marketing campaign designed to focus business leaders around the globe on the unprecedented opportunity for investment in Louisiana. The campaign, dubbed “clean sheet,” features the most aggressive business incentives package in U.S. history, now available to businesses expanding, rebuilding or relocating in Louisiana. “At no time in history has a state experienced such an unparalleled opportunity to remake itself,” says LED Secretary Michael J. Olivier. “We want to urge businesses that have the capacity and the mettle to invest in Louisiana to take a closer look at what we have to offer. Nearly anywhere you look in our state, multiple progressive incentives can be applied to a growing business.