MarineLink News Search
Search term • Is-It-Back?
Create an email alert for Is-It-Back?
Ship Recycling Market Firming Up
![Source: GMS](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/source-gms-150407.jpg)
As the summer / monsoon months creep closer, ship recycling markets in Turkey and the Indian sub-continent have been firming over recent weeks, reports cash buyer GMS.“Pakistan, though still relatively firm, feels sluggishly satiated of late having taken in a healthy collection of vessels / LDT (for this market’s size).” Despite having bested last year’s recycling volumes with another three fresh arrivals this week…
Help Wanted: US Maritime Industry Struggles to Fill Key Gaps
![(Credit: Joseph DeLuco / U.S. Army)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/credit-joseph-deluco-us-army-150364.jpg)
A shortage of U.S. mariners presents a major threat to the United States’ national and economic security, and the problem is growing day by day.According to a 2017 study prepared by the Maritime Workforce Working Group and released by the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD), the estimated pool of U.S. mariners actively sailing with unlimited tonnage credentials was comprised of 11,768 mariners. Assuming that all these mariners would be both willing and available to sail as needed…
Ukraine's 'Sea Baby' Naval Drones Equipped with Rocket Launchers
![A Sea Baby uncrewed surface vehicle (File photo: Security Service of Ukraine)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/a-sea-baby-uncrewed-surface-150338.jpg)
Ukraine has equipped some of its naval drones with multiple rocket launching systems and used them to fire at Russian positions in combat, a Ukrainian intelligence source told Reuters on Wednesday.Ukraine, which no longer has any significant warships in its fleet, has used uncrewed naval drones packed with explosives to sail up to Russian warships in the Black Sea, detonating on impact.The systems have played a part in Kyiv's effort to push back Russian naval vessels from areas of the Black Sea
AAL Orders Two More Super B-Class Ships
![Source: AAL](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/source-aal-150309.jpg)
AAL Shipping has added an additional two ships to its order of six 32,000dwt heavy lift Super B-Class vessels.The order was signed by AAL and Schoeller Holdings’ Founder & Chairman, Heinrich Schoeller, at the recent naming ceremony of AAL Limassol at the CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Company in the Chinese province of Guangdong.The two additional vessels, to be named the AAL Newcastle and AAL Mumbai will each feature an increased maximum heavy lift capability of 800 tonnes…
Langh Ship Newbuild Sofia En Route to Europe
![Sofia (Photo: Langh Ship)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/sofia-photo-langh-ship-150298.jpg)
Finnish shipping company Langh Ship earlier this month reported that the final vessel in its multipurpose newbuilding series was named during a ceremony in Ningbo, China, and has begun its journey toward Europe through Singapore Strait and around Africa.The vessel, Sofia, built at the Wuhu Shipyard, is purposely built to carry the stainless steel coils that Outokumpu produces in Finland. The liner service is established between Outokumpu factories in Tornio…
Commissioning of Russia's 120MW Nuclear Icebreaker Postponed
![Model of the Leader series icebreaker (Image: Rosatom / CC BY-SA 4.0)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/model-of-the-leader-series-150253.png)
Russia is pushing back the commissioning of its planned 120 megawatt (MW) icebreakers, according to media reports.First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov said the lead nuclear-powered icebreaker of Project 10510 Leader series, Rossiya, is scheduled to be comissioned in 2030, three years later than originally planned, Russian newspaper Kommersant reported. Construction has been underway at the Zvezda shipbuilding complex in the Russian Far East since 2020…
Norwegian Cruise Raises Forecast—Again
![© Cerib / Adobe Stock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/cerib-adobe-stock-150247.jpeg)
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings on Monday raised its full-year profit forecast for a second time in less than three weeks, betting on record demand for cruise vacations and higher ticket prices, sending its shares up as much as 7.7%.More travelers are choosing sea-based vacations that offer a range of fun activities under one roof, compared to expensive land-based holidays, benefiting cruise operators and giving them room to raise prices.Expectations have also been high for the Miami-based Norweg
Esgian Week 20 Report: Update on Saudi Suspensions
![© namning / Adobe Stock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/namning-adobe-stock-150219.jpeg)
Esgian provides an update on Saudi suspensions in its Week 20 Rig Analytics Market Roundup.Report SummaryContractsDrilling contractor Arabian Drilling confirmed that the suspension of three contracts for its jackups with Saudi Aramco have yet to be finalised but are expected to take effect towards the end of the third quarter of 2024. CEO Ghassan Mirdad stated that the company is actively exploring opportunities to redeploy these rigs with other clients.
South China Sea a 'Major Victory', Phillippine Group says
![Copyright Peter Hermes Furian/AdobeStock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/opyright-peter-hermes-furianadobestock-150168.jpeg)
A Philippine group leading a civilian supply mission in the South China Sea reportedly delivered food and fuel to Filipino fishermen despite being shadowed by Chinese vessels, its officials said on Thursday, calling it a "major victory".A 10-member team was sent by the Atin Ito (This is Ours) group to the Scarborough Shoal a day ahead of a commercial flotilla of five commercial vessels and 100 small fishing boats that departed on May 15.
Consortium Wins Tender for France's First Floating Offshore Wind Farm
![Source: Elicio](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/source-elicio-150132.jpg)
A consortium including Germany's BayWa r.e.
US Tariffs Expected to Cause Supply Chain Disruption
![Source: Xeneta](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/source-xeneta-150094.jpg)
Global supply chains are braced for further disruption and increasing costs after US President Joe Biden announced new tariffs on Chinese imports on Tuesday.The tariffs will be imposed on a wide range of Chinese imports including semi-conductors, batteries, EVs and solar cells, with the changes staggered to come into effect between 2024 and 2026.Peter Sand, Chief Analyst at Xeneta, said: “The new tariffs under President Biden may be a case of history repeating.
Foundation Installs Kick Off at Dogger Bank B
![(Photo: Seaway7)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/photo-seaway7-150078.jpg)
Foundation installation work has commenced for the second phase of what will become the world’s largest offshore wind farm, Dogger Bank, in the U.K. North Sea.Seaway7’s vessels Seaway Strashnov and Seaway Alfa Lift have commenced installation of monopile foundations and transition pieces for the Dogger Bank B phase of the offshore wind farm project. The team recently completed installation of all 95 transition pieces on Dogger Bank A…
Tianjin Port Adds Two New 'Intelligent' Tugs
![(Photo: Robert Allan Ltd.)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/photo-robert-allan-ltd-150024.jpg)
China's Tianjin Port last month held a naming ceremony for its two latest "intelligent" tugs, Jingang Lun 36 and Jingang Lun 37.The new RAmparts 3500 ASD tugs were designed by Robert Allan Ltd. and built by Jiangsu Zhenjiang Shipyard, and their delivery makr sthe culmination of a project initiated between the designer and the port technical department back in 2022.The 34.6-meter-long (LOA) vessels…
GMS: Bangladesh Recyclers Likely to Lose out to India
![Source: GMS](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/source-gms-149997.jpg)
Towards the end of the working week, the Bangladeshi Taka crashed by about 6.4% against the U.S. dollar in a couple of days. This depreciation in the Taka will translate into higher L/C costs that should escalate by about 6% - 7% (at least), reports cash buyer GMS.This will further reduce already suffocated margins that have resulted from flatlining steel plate prices, ensuring that upcoming vessel acquisitions will be more expensive for local recyclers…
Esgian Week 19 Report: New Offshore Acreage Offered
![© Alexandre / Adobe Stock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/alexandre-adobe-stock-149995.jpeg)
Esgian reports another busy week filled with a variety of updates, including new offshore acreage offered in the UK, Norway and Nigeria, in its Week 19 Rig Analytics Market Roundup.Report SummaryContractsADES Holding Company has received a direct award of a contract from Suez Oil Company (SUCO) in Egypt. The SUCO award in Egypt’s Gulf of Suez is for a firm 21-month term expected to start in the coming…
Eye on Design: Hybrid Blood, Sweat, and Tears
![Image courtesy the author's library.](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/image-courtesy-the-authors-library-149980.jpg)
In earlier columns, I have discussed various approaches and issues with Hybrid Propulsion.I have now had the pleasure of a number of years of experience with the design, operation, upgrade, modification, and maintenance of ship (and car) hybrid propulsion systems and may be able to make a claim of gradually becoming a little less confused.It is still not easy, but at the same time, I am starting to…
Ultra-fast Boat Delivered to Northern Territory Police
![Image courtesy Dongara Marine](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/image-courtesy-dongara-marine-149939.jpg)
Dongara Marine delivered a fast patrol boat to law enforcement personnel in Australia’s Northern Territory. Completed in March 2024, PV Deutrom was purpose designed, built, and equipped for police operations requiring very high speed and the ability to carry multiple personnel. Dongara Marine also supplied a custom, heavy duty aluminium trailer to enable the vessel to be used throughout the Territory’s…
Tip #59 – AI to Maritime Trainers: "Watch Your Back …"
![Copyright Slowlifetrader/AdobeStock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/copyright-slowlifetraderadobestock-149937.jpg)
Last week’s headline in the Financial Times was startling to me: “Andreessen Horowitz raises $7.2bn and sets sights on AI start-ups“. Oh boy. Andreessen Horowitz is one of Silicon Valley’s most prominent venture capital firms with an eye for investing in the next generation of tech companies that will change our lives. Their new fund tells us that the people who know the science of AI now believe it is poised to make an outsized global impact. AI is no longer a “tomorrow” thing.
Colombia's Ecopetrol Talking to Very Large Offshore Wind Players
![© Zerophoto / Adobe Stock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/zerophoto-adobe-stock-149921.jpeg)
Colombia's majority state-owned energy company Ecopetrol has held talks with big players ahead of a potential bid in an offshore wind auction organized by the country's government, Chief Executive Ricardo Roa said on Wednesday.Roa was speaking during a call with analysts regarding the company's financial results for the first quarter of 2024, where net profit dropped 29% to 4.01 trillion pesos ($1…
Sea Drone Warfare has Arrived, and the US is Floundering
![A long-range unmanned surface vessel (LRUSV) transits the Pacific Ocean during Integrated Battle Problem (IBP) 24.1, March 07, 2024. IBP 24.1 is a U.S. Pacific Fleet experiment, executed by U.S. 3rd Fleet, operationalizing multi-domain employment of unmanned systems to create fleet warfighting advantages. (Photo: Ian Delossantos / U.S. Navy)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/a-longrange-unmanned-surface-vessel-149819.jpg)
The U.S. Navy's efforts to build a fleet of unmanned vessels are faltering because the Pentagon remains wedded to big shipbuilding projects, according to some officials and company executives, exposing a weakness as sea drones reshape naval warfare.The lethal effectiveness of sea drones has been demonstrated in the Black Sea where Ukraine has deployed remote-controlled speed boats packed with explosives…