Vips News

A new utility/passenger vessel has been delivered and will soon go to work for the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) to serve Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.The all-steel newbuild, designed by New Orleans-based TAI Engineers, LLC, has been named Annie Moore after the first immigrant, a 15-year-old Irish girl, who signed the Ellis Island register."TAI has designed and built many boats and ships, but this project is particularly special to me," said Anil Raj, President of TAI. "My very first arrival to the United States was via New York in 1969.

Japanese logistics major Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced that a naming ceremony for an ice-breaking LNG carrier, jointly ordered by MOL and China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited (China COSCO Shipping), was held at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. (DSME).The newbuilding has been named Nikolay Urvantsev, in honor of the famous Russian Arctic explorer and geologist. A crowd of VIPs, including personnel from PAO Novatek, the main shareholder of the Yamal LNG project participated in the ceremony.A press release from MOL said that the "Nikolay Urvantsev" is the sister vessel of the "Vladimir Rusanov" and "Vladimir Vize"…

Major naval and maritime exhibition set for Copenhagen Sept. 3-6, 2019; MAST NOCO 2019 will be the biggest military conference in Denmark everThe maritime world will meet at MAST NOCO 2019 in Copenhagen September 3-6, 2019. MAST, which stands for Maritime Systems and Technologies, encompasses a series of global conference and exhibitions. The year’s MAST NOCO 2019, which takes place at the same time as the Northern Coasts (NOCO) 2019 multinational naval exercises, will be the biggest military equipment exhibition and conference ever held in Denmark.

Pershing has announced the launch of its first aluminium superyacht, the flagship Pershing 140.The 42.53m yacht hit the water in the Ferretti Group's Super Yacht Yard in Ancona, a facility specializing in building steel and aluminium superyachts above 40 metres, said a press release from Pershing Yacht, a Ferretti Group unit."Born from a collaboration between architect Fulvio De Simoni, the Ferretti Group Product Strategy Committee led by engineer Piero Ferrari, and the Group's Engineering Department, the new 140-footer (LOA 43,3m) is the first Pershing to be produced at the Ancona Superyacht Yard, a Ferretti Group facility specialized in building super and mega yachts above 40 m…

Chinese shipbuilder AFAI has launched a new 40-meter catamaran passenger ferry for domestic operator Zhuhai Fast Ferry Company.The new vessel, named Xin Hai Bin, is designed by Australia-based Incat Crowther, whose relationship with AFAI dates back to 1982, when the yard built the first Incat Crowther ferries to enter service in China. In 2018, Xin Hai Bin is the 50th Incat Crowther-designed vessel for operation in China.Xin Hai Bin is based on the Incat Crowther z-bow hull form used 2012’s Hai Ju and Hai Yao.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced that the Ice-Breaking LNG Carrier "Vladimir Rusanov", which is jointly owned by MOL and China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited for the Yamal LNG project, made its first call at PetroChina LNG Jiangsu Terminal in China on 17 July.A ceremony celebrating this milestone was held on 19 July.At the end of March 2018, the vessel started transportation services for LNG produced by the Yamal LNG plant at Sabetta port in Russia. For its latest voyage, the vessel departed from Sabetta port on 25 June, and had its first opportunity to navigate independently eastwards along the Northern Sea Route without ice-breaker support.The vessel passed the Bering Strait on 6 July, and safely made its first call at PetroChina LNG Jiangsu Terminal in China on 17 July.

BMT has supported the Atlas Elektronik UK (AEUK) team in the delivery and subsequent commissioning of the Royal Navy’s (RN) HMS Magpie which will join the RN’s hydrographic squadron, replacing the veteran Inshore Survey Vessel HMS Gleaner. The commissioning of HMS Magpie took place on 28th June 2018, and BMT was proud to attend the ceremony along with members of AEUK, the Royal Navy, DE&S and other VIPs. HMS Magpie is the first and largest vessel to be delivered by AEUK as part of its contract for the supply and support of Common Workboats for the UK MOD. Ranging in size from 11 to 18 metres, the multi-role ‘SEA Class’ vessels share common components and will be modular in design.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced that on December 21, a naming ceremony for an ice-breaking LNG carrier, which was jointly ordered by MOL and China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited (China COSCO Shipping), was held at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering  (DSME). As a crowd of VIPs and personnel related to the project looked on, the newbuilding vessel was named the "Vladimir Rusanov" by Ms. Veronika Makeeva of PAO Novatek, the major shareholder of the Yamal LNG project. The name is derived from Russian Arctic explorer and geologist. The Vladimir Rusanov is the first of three newbuilding vessels for MOL and China COSCO Shipping's fleets in the Yamal LNG Project.

Seawork 2017 is being held at the waterside location Mayflower Park in Southampton, U.K. from June 13-15, 2017. Seawork will be celebrating its 20th anniversary with a packed schedule including the Seawork Conference which will once again be offering thought-provoking sessions covering a wide variety of topics. John Haynes, Maritime Professional of the Year 2016, is running a topical panel discussion titled, ‘Shock Mitigation, International Vibration Directives and the Implications of Brexit’ at 12.15 on Tuesday, June 13.

INS Chennai, a P 15A Guided Missile Destroyer of Indian Navy, was dedicated to the city of Chennai in the presence of Edappadi K Palaniswami, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Dr D Karthikeyan IAS, Commissioner of Chennai and Vice Admiral HCS Bisht, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Navel Command at an impressive ceremony held onboard the ship at Chennai Port Trust on 17 April 2017. The event was characterised by closely coordinated sequence of drills and events leading to formal unveiling of the plaque by the Chief Minister. On completion of the dedication ceremony, the Chief Minister presented a memento to the ship which will not only find a suitable place but also remind of the association the ship has with the city of Chennai.

Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT) recently celebrated the completion of its terminal in Webb Dock in Melbourne, Australia ahead of schedule. The celebration was headed by Enrique K. Razon Jr., International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) Chairman and President, along with His Honor Luke Donnellan, Victoria State Minister of Ports; Councillor Bernadene Voss, Port Phillip City Mayor; and Brendan Bourke, Port of Melbourne CEO. “This is an achievement that everyone who have helped build the terminal and are invested in the success of the State of Victoria should celebrate,” said Mr. Razon as he addressed VICT employees, VIPs and guests. “Once we start operations in January, VICT will be the most technologically advanced container terminal in the world,” he adds.

Built Built by Austal Ships, Rashid Behbudov, sistership to the Muslim Magomeyev and the second Incat Crowther 70m Catamaran Fast Crew Boat, has been delivered for Caspian Marine Services. Muslim Magomayev, the first of this design developed by Incat Crowther, was built by Incat Tasmania and delivered to CMS in 2014. Both Muslim Magomayev and Rashid Behbedov are engineered for the Ampelmann walk-to-work system, which transfers crew to offshore platforms in day-to-day operation as well as in emergency situations.

For the 6th consecutive year, the Maritime and logistics awards (MALA) ceremony took place on 4th September at the Leela Hotels, Andheri east, Mumbai. The awards, which were started in 2009 by the Nikhil Modi’s Exim team, are the most prestigious awards for the shipping fraternity in India. All major carriers participate in these awards and are assessed purely on company performance and year on year growth. Winners are selected by a jury comprising VIPs from the Shipping & Logistics Industry. They also have the full support of the Shipping Ministry offices. Self-nominations are a must to qualify for the given categories. Container Shipping Line of the Year:  India – America Trade Lane Award was accepted by Capt. Inderpal (Vice President - western),  Rajesh Sadikale - Dy.

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa hosted 23 distinguished visitors from multiple European countries aboard aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) as a part of the Navy's Distinguished Visitor (DV) Embark program, Oct. 30. The DV program is a unique experience that allows civilian and military guests board the ship while underway and experience the Navy's mission and witness carrier operations firsthand. The DVs included Lithuanian Minister of National Defense, Juozas Olekas; Latvian Minister of Defense, Raimonds Vejonis; Polish Undersecretary of State, Maciej Jankowski; Estonian Defense Forces Commander, Commander, Estonian Defense Forces, Maj. Gen. Riho Terras; and Spanish Fleet Commander in Chief, Adm. Santiago Bolibar.

Danish Maritime Days was well visited, and there were many participants and great enthusiasm at the more than 50 events. Attendance at the many events tells that the maritime days were successful. The flagship of Danish Maritime Days was the large international conference Danish Maritime Forum, which was held on 8-9 October at Docken in the northern part of Copenhagen Port. Here, the organizers had succeeded in gathering the absolute elite within the maritime field for debate and workshops about the future maritime challenges. After having been divided into small groups, political VIPs and CEOs rolled up their sleeves, got felt-tip pens in their hands and were asked to come up with specific ideas for forward-looking solutions – a format that was unaccustomed to many of the guests…

On September 4th, Anglo-Eastern celebrate it’s 40th Anniversary, in Hong Kong, concluding with an evening of fun, at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum. Among a host of VIPs, both local and international, Mr. & Mrs. Evert Maréchal, The Consul General of Belgium, along with the Consul General of Japan, Mr Hitoshi Noda and the Consul General of India, Mr. Ravi Sinha & Mr Prashant Agrawal together with the Director of the HK Marine Department, Mr Michael W.L. Wong, JP were welcome by Group CEO, Mr Peter Cremers and the Board of Directors of Anglo-Eastern. Benoit Timmermans     Managing Director           Bocimar Belgium N.V. Andre Goedee              CEO                              Dockwise Shipping B.V.

The etymology of the word equanimity derives from the Latin aequus meaning balanced and animus meaning spirit or internal state. The concept of equanimity—internal balance— is both profound and refined. Oceanco’s newly delivered 91.5-m Equanimity is aptly named; from her exterior to her interior to her inner core, she is perfectly well balanced. Equanimity (Y709) has the distinction of being the industry’s first superyacht designed and built to be fully Passenger Yacht Code (PYC) compliant. The owners look forward to extensive world travel aboard their distinctive luxury vessel. Measuring 91.5 metres in length with a 14.5-metre beam, her chic clean exterior styling is the combined work of Oceanco and Andrew Winch Designs.

In just under seven months’ time, marine professionals from China and around the world will gather for the opening of Shiptec China 2014 at the Dalian World Expo Center. Taking place October 21-24, it is the 11th holding of this increasingly important event, and the organizers have now confirmed many aspects of the forthcoming event. With its leading role now well established thanks to the involvement of the Chinese government, Shiptec China 2014 has grown to be one of the most important platforms in China for the world maritime industry, especially for those who wish to consolidate business relationships and penetrate the local market.

The totally transformed 3,006-passenger Carnival Sunshine – the largest Carnival Cruise Lines ship ever to be homeported in New Orleans -- will sail this afternoon on its inaugural voyage from the Big Easy, embarking on a six-day cruise to Cozumel and Grand Cayman. Earlier this year, Carnival Sunshine underwent a $155 million, 75-day makeover that added a variety of innovations that are part of Carnival’s groundbreaking Fun Ship 2.0 enhancement initiative, along with several features unique to this vessel and 182 new staterooms.

Delivery of second Aframax Vessel cements GEM’s optimistic stance in oil tanker industry. Gulf Energy Maritime (GEM) continues to expand its fleet to better serve its regional and international customers with the delivery of Gulf Valour, its second Aframax vessel. After two months since the delivery of Gulf Vision, their first Aframax vessel, GEM received Gulf Valour, which was also built by Samsung Heavy Industries. Standard Chartered arranged a Korean Export Credit Agency (ECA) to back the vessel’s financing.

Gulf Energy Maritime (GEM) continues to expand its fleet, with the delivery of Gulf Valour, its second Aframax vessel. After two months since the delivery of Gulf Vision, its first Aframax vessel, GEM received Gulf Valour, which was also built by Samsung Heavy Industries. Standard Chartered arranged a Korean Export Credit Agency (ECA) to back the vessel’s financing. The delivery of GEM’s second Aframax vessel reflects GEM’s leadership of responding to the market’s requirement as the industry gradually improves from the impact of the global financial crisis.

One of the most famous sea battles in U.S. naval history took place in September 1813, not upon the sea, but on the waters of Lake Erie, between what is now Ohio and Ontario, Canada. In the War of 1812 against Great Britain, the Battle of Lake Erie was a crucial and decisive victory for America and itsNavy, and the flotilla led by 27-year old Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry. That battle was recently commemorated with events on Lake Erie. And next year—the 200th anniversary—will be even bigger.

The Portsmouth-based Type 45 destroyer is on her first operational deployment in the Gulf where she is working with partner nations, including Saudi Arabia, to disrupt drug smuggling, trafficking and piracy in the region. The port visit to Al Jubayl provided a good opportunity to host 200 selected guests and VIPs so HMS Daring could display her impressive capabilities as an air defence warship. Helping to reinforce the good working relationship that exists between the UK and Saudi Arabia…