Republic Of The Marshall Islands News

Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry are co-leading an international initiative to accelerate reduction of emissions from the shipping sector, and on December 1, during COP28, they chaired a new round of announcements under that initiative, the Green Shipping Challenge.Various countries and organizations proposed measures to reduce emissions from shipping. This year’s announcements include:• Amazon: Amazon and other…

Captain David J.F. Bruce, Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and Senior Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs, RMI Maritime Administrator passed away on Friday, 29 September 2023. He was a loving husband to Alison for 53 years, father to Gwendoline, and grandfather to Alison and Alexander. Captain Bruce had a storied career and connection with the sea, first going to work at sea in 1957 after his studies at Melville College in Edinburgh…

Classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) announced it has granted approval in principle (AIP) to South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) for its new 45,000cbm liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier design, with availability to be ordered with ammonia dual-fueled propulsion. The dual fuel system equipped on HMD’s LPG carrier allows operators and owners to prioritize their environmental, societal and governance (ESG) strategies for their fleets and align with the IMO’s revised goal of net zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

South Korea-based Asia Shipbuilding recently held the keel laying ceremony for hull number ASB – 1245 of the Pacific Island Supply Vessel, an innovative sailing cargo ship for the needs of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.The consortium of Asia Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., and the naval design company Kostec Co., Ltd., last year signed a contract with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH to deliver an innovative sailing cargo ship for the needs…

ClassNK granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to HermAce Remote Monitoring & Troubleshooting Platform developed by Furuno Electric Co. In addition, for ClassNK registered ships flagged with the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), the HermAce voyage data recorder (VDR) digital twin and remote service has been accepted as an alternative to the onboard VDR Annual Performance Test (APT) by the RMI Maritime Administrator. It is now possible to conduct VDR APT remotely for those vessels.HermAce is a solution for remotely monitoring the operational status of FURUNO's navigation equipment and includes the capability to collect VDR data online.

The next generation ultra large liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier for Hyundai Heavy Industries Group (HHI) and Hyundai Glovis has received an approval in principle (AIP) at Gastech from ABS and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Maritime Administrator.The 74,000 m3 design builds on the 40,000 m3 “super gap” technology developed in 2021 by HHI, Hyundai Glovis, G-Marine Service, and Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co., Ltd. (KSOE).A total of nine cylindrical…

A next generation ultra large, liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier being developed in a groundbreaking project between ABS, Hyundai Heavy Industries Group (HHI), and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Maritime Administrator is said to be the world’s largest in terms of LCO2 capacity.The 74,000cm3 design builds on the 40,000cm3 “super gap” technology developed in 2021 by HHI, which includes Hyundai Glovis, G-Marine service, and Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co.…

International Registries, Inc. and its affiliates (IRI), which provide administrative and technical support to the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Maritime and Corporate Registries, announced the promotion of Simon Bonnett and Theo Xenakoudis.Bonnett, who has served as Senior Vice President, Technical since 2018 was promoted to Chief Maritime Officer, and Xenakoudis, the organization’s Director, Worldwide Business Operations since 2015 and Managing Director of the Piraeus office since 2007…

Expanding to strengthen support in Asia, International Registries, Inc. and its affiliates (IRI) opened offices in Vancouver, British Columbia and Qingdao, China today. This is the first Canadian office of IRI and the 11th office in Asia. The opening of the Vancouver office expands on the historical and powerful link between Vancouver and China, while Qingdao opens to facilitate inspections and client services in Northern China. Both offices will serve Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) corporate and maritime clients. Annie Ng, Head of Asia and Managing Director, Vancouver Office will remain Head of Asia and reposition to lead from Vancouver.“Vancouver is an important cultural and trading link between North America and Asia…

The US Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) announced four upcoming Industry Days. (Check SAM.gov for details).The St. Louis District Industry Day is Wednesday, March 2, 2022, 9:00AM to 5:00PM at the Engineering Center of St. Louis. Topics will cover ACE projects and opportunities within other agencies. ACE leadership will participate, and ACE will host one-on-one afternoon briefings covering specific topics. Advance registration is required. Use this link:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2022…

Classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) said it has granted approval in principle (AIP) to Furuno Hellas for the HermAce voyage data recorder (VDR) digital twin and remote service as an alternative to onboard annual VDR performance testing, marking the first verification of a digital twin specifically designed for this purpose.LR’s verification and subsequent approval has been recognized by the Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator, allowing a pathway for…

American Bureau of Shipping has further developed its approach to aging offshore assets with the publication of the Guide for Life Extension of Floating Production Installations.ABS said that the guidance supported operators looking to extend the operational life of a floating production installation (FPI) by outlining clear Class requirements with a focus on safety. It is informed by lessons learned from ABS-supported life extension projects and the findings of a series of FPI life extension joint development projects.Critical issues addressed include pre-life extension data collection…

The world’s FPSO fleet is getting older, with 55 FPSO units in the global fleet reaching the end of their design life in the next five years, with an additional five having life extension in place. With 19 more FPSOs currently being evaluated for life extension, safety issues and structural integrity concerns come to the fore? Matt Tremblay, ABS Vice President, Global Offshore, explains the challenges for FPSO operators, and discusses why a new working group comprised of major…

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) was recognized for 17 consecutive years on the United States Coast Guard’s (USCG’s) QUALSHIP 21 roster, making it the only one of the world’s three largest registries to attain QUALSHIP 21 status. As reported in the recently published Port State Control in the United States 2020 Annual Report, the RMI remains a top performer for 2020, even in the face of extraordinary challenges.More than 1,100 RMI flagged vessels were enrolled in QUALSHIP 21 in 2020, with an additional 78 having enrolled thus far in 2021. This means approximately one third of the QUALSHIP 21 certified vessels are flying the RMI flag…

A team of maritime industry partners has set out to develop new liquefied CO2 carrier designs as carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects advance globally in support of net negative ambitions.“CCS has the potential to make a significant contribution to global emissions reduction strategies and safe and efficient transport of liquefied carbon is going to be key to realizing these goals," said Patrick Janssens, vice president for global gas at ABS, which has embarked on a joint development project (JDP) alongside Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co., Ltd.

Houston-based Excelerate Energy’s unit, Excelerate Technical Management (ETM) has been authorized to operate as ship manager for its parent company’s entire fleet of floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs).The Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Government of Belgium have awarded Interim Documents of Compliance (DoC) under the International Safety Management (ISM) Code to ETM.The Interim DoC is the result of an audit of ETM’s safety management system, confirming compliance with ISM standards which ensure the safe operation of its crew and vessels.“Excelerate has achieved a company milestone with the successful launch of our ship management services. The Compliance certification is tangible evidence of the forward-thinking, dedicated effort of our team.

Euroseas, a shipping company that was founded about a century ago, announced that  its container vessel, M/V Akinada Bridge has entered into a charter contract of minimum duration of ten months and maximum duration of thirteen months at a daily rate of $16,500.The owner and operator of container carrier vessels and provider of seaborne transportation for containerized cargoes said that the charter will commence upon completion of the vessel’s special survey and drydocking and the installation of a water ballast treatment (WBT) plant at a total cost of about $2.5 million.The Greek company expects to fully recover the above-mentioned cost…

The U.S. Coast Guard commissioned the newest Hawaii-based 154-foot Fast Response Cutter in Honolulu, Thursday.“There is no greater reflection of the commandant’s strategic vision and commitment than the fact that as we commission the William Hart today, it will be the fifth Coast Guard cutter commissioned in the last two years here at Base Honolulu that will operate in the heart of Oceania,” said Rear Adm. Kevin Lunday, commander Coast Guard 14th District. “There is no question that by our actions and not our words alone…

A remediation programme to protect island ecosystems from damage caused by oil pollution from World War II wrecks sunk in the Pacific Ocean will launch in Newcastle Harbour today (Thursday 23 May).The programme is the result of a partnership between Major Projects Foundation, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) – an intergovernmental Pacific regional organisation made up of 26 members – and the University of Newcastle. It will see expert teams of scientists, engineers and marine archaeologists work with Pacific island communities to meet the challenges posed by the degradation of wrecks.There are in excess of 3…

USCGC Angela McShan Delivered to U.S. Coast Guard.Bollinger Shipyards has delivered the USCGC ANGELA MCSHAN, the 35th Fast Response Cutter (FRC) to the U.S. Coast Guard. The Coast Guard took delivery on the 1st of August, 2019 in Key West, Florida. Bollinger President & C.E.O. Ben Bordelon said, “We are very pleased to announce the latest FRC delivery, the USCGC ANGELA MCSHAN. Previous cutters have been stationed around the nation including Alaska and Hawaii. The ANGELA MCSHAN…

Bollinger Shipyards has delivered the USCGC William Hart, the 34th Fast Response Cutter (FRC) to the U.S. Coast Guard. The Coast Guard took delivery on May 23, 2019 in Key West, Florida. The 154-foot Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter has a flank speed over 28 knots, state of the art command, control, communications and computer technology, and a stern launch system for the vessel’s 26-foot cutter boat. The FRC has been described as an operational “game changer,” by senior Coast Guard officials.

Korean Register (KR), its Chairman, management and entire staff offers sincere sympathies to the families and loved ones of the seafarers who tragically lost their lives due to the sinking of Stellar Daisy. KR reaffirms its commitment to investigating the causes of the sinking, sharing its knowledge and implementing any changes necessary to avoid a similar loss in the future. The factsStellar Daisy was a 266,141 dwt Very Large Ore Carrier (VLOC) owned by Polaris Shipping and flagged with the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). On 31 March 2017 whilst en route from Ilha Guaiba, Brazil to Qingdao and laden with iron ore fines, the ship sank in the South Atlantic Ocean around 1700 nautical miles from Uruguay and 1800 nautical miles from South Africa.

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) has been recognized on the United States Coast Guard's (USCG's) QUALSHIP 21 roster for 2019-2020. The USCG program rewards vessels for commitment to safety and quality when calling at ports in the United States (US).Only flag States which maintain a port State control (PSC) detention ratio of 1.00% or less over a three-year period and also meet a stringent set of judgement criteria are eligible for the program.A vessel registered in a flag State with QUALSHIP 21 certification may apply to be certified for QUALSHIP 21 by completing an application found on the USCG website. The RMI is the only leading registry to have maintained this position for 15 consecutive years…