Maritime Industry Top News
Shipping Groups Press EU to Advance 'Fuels of the Future'
Shipping and trade groups are calling on the European Union to advance the development of ammonia and green hydrogen as the best marine fuel options to enable the industry to accelerate decarbonization.With about 90% of world trade transported by sea, global shipping accounts for nearly 3% of the world’s CO2 emissions.To reach goals for shipping set by the United Nations, industry leaders say the first net-zero ships must enter the global fleet by 2030…
Minerva Bunkering Announces Carbon Offsets Offering
Minerva Bunkering said it launched a new offering enabling customers to mitigate carbon emissions associated with the bunker fuel they consume. With each transaction, Minerva retires verified carbon offset certificates in an equal and offsetting amount to the emissions value of the bunker fuel as calculated per the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) published emissions factors.“Our global…
OpEd: STCW Requirements Should Support Maritime Decarbonization
The modern merchant mariner is required to be competent in a number of skills and knowledge areas, such as firefighting, CPR, vessel security and even how to work as a team. Absent from this list is the mariner’s role in fighting climate change. Maybe it’s time for that to change.The Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) is an internationally recognized set of rules that set minimum standards and competencies for mariners to perform their jobs effectively and safely.
Shell to Charter 10 New Dual-Fuel Crude Tankers
Oil major Shell has signed agreements to charter ten new crude tankers powered by dual-fuel liquefied natural gas (LNG) engines, with the company planning to halve half of the long-term chartered crude tankers run on LNG in 2023.Four of the very large crude carriers (VLCCs) have been chartered from Advantage Tankers, three from AET, and three from International Seaways. All 10 ships will be built in South Korea by DSME…
Port Hedland's Iron Ore Shipments to China Drop to Two-year Low
Benchmark Asian iron ore futures rose on Thursday as data showed monthly shipments of the steelmaking ingredient to China from Australia's Port Hedland dropped to the lowest in two years.Shipments from Port Hedland, the world's biggest iron ore export hub, totalled 30.73 million tonnes in February, when top steel producer China typically imports less due to the Lunar New Year holidays.That is the lowest…
MacGregor to Deliver Equipment for NYK Line's New PCTC Vessel Quartet
MacGregor, part of Cargotec, has secured a new equipment order for four PCTC vessels being built by China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Nanjing) in China for Japan's Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK Line). The order includes a wide range of electrically operated equipment and encompasses quarter stern ramps and doors, side ramps and doors, internal ramps and covers, internal doors, and a liftable car deck. MacGregor said that its Load Monitoring System…
Two Die, Ten Rescued as Russian Cargo Ship Sinks in Black Sea, Off Romania
Two people died and ten were rescued after the Russian cargo ship Volgo Balt 179 sank in the Black Sea off Romania early morning on Thursday, according to reports…
LR Approval in Principle for Exmar Ammonia-fueled Gas Carrier
Classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) said it has awarded an approval in principle (AIP) to Belgium-based shipping company Exmar for its ammonia (NH3) fueled 40,000-cubic-meter-capacity midsize gas carrier (MGC). China's Jiangnan Shipyard was responsible for the ship design while Wärtsilä Gas Solutions provided all input for the ammonia fuel gas supply system.LR said the Novel Technology Evaluation…
You’re Going to Need a Bigger Fleet
The U.S. is going to need a fleet of Jones Act-compliant vessels to support its budding offshore wind industry. The good news is that several of these vessels are currently operating or on order. Even better, there are plenty more in the pipeline.In 2016, Rhode Island-based Atlantic Wind Transfers (AWT) put into service the U.S.’ first-ever vessel purpose-built for offshore wind services. The 21-meter…
Indian Navy's New Submarine Commissioned
The Indian Navy has commissioned its third Kalvari-class submarine, INS Karanj, built entirely in India to Naval Group's Scorpene design.The Scorpene is a 2,000-ton conventional-propulsion submarine designed and developed by Naval Group for all types of mission, such as surface vessel warfare, anti-submarine warfare, long-range strikes, special operations or intelligence gathering. Extremely stealthy and fast…
How Is Containership Demand Impacting the Hull Coating Business?
Nippon Paint Marine said it is seeing liner operators increasingly postpone dry dockings as they look to keep vessels operational to meet the recent surge in demand for container shipments.“Containership owners want to push dry docking schedules as much as possible because of the high freight rates and capacity shortage,” explained John Drew, Director, Nippon Paint Marine (Europe). “Although the shipowner’s…
Shipping Nations, Groups Call for IMO Green Research Fund
A group of prominent shipping nations and organizations are calling for a $5 billion research fund to help launch zero-emissions vessels by 2030, in a move aiming to accelerate the industry's efforts to decarbonize maritime transport.A proposal by governments including Georgia, Greece, Japan, Liberia, Malta, Nigeria, Singapore, Switzerland is being submitted Wednesday to the United Nations' International Maritime Organization (IMO)…
Baltic Index Rises to Over Five-month Peak
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index gained on Wednesday, marking its highest level since early October as rates for the capesize and supramax vessel segments rose.The Baltic dry index, which tracks rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels ferrying dry bulk commodities, climbed 79 points, or 4.2%, to 1,980—its highest since October 7, 2020.The main index was up for a seventh straight session.The capesize index was up 207 points, or 10.6%, at 2,157, its highest since Jan.
VARD Delivers Expedition Cruise Ship to Coral Expeditions
Ship designer and builder VARD said it has delivered a second expedition cruise vessel to Coral Expeditions of Australia.The newbuild, Coral Geographer, is ready to sail after arriving from Vard Vung Tau, VARD’s shipyard in Vietnam. Her maiden voyage with passengers will start from Cairns, Queensland, at the end of March.The vessel is the second VARD 6 01 ship ordered as part of Coral Expeditions' fleet expansion…
At Least 39 Die as Two Migrant Boats Sink off Tunisia. Coast Guard Rescues 165
At least 39 migrants died when two boats sank off Tunisia on Tuesday as they tried to cross the Mediterranean to the Italian island of Lampedusa, the Tunisian defense ministry said.The coast guard rescued 165 others, and searches for more survivors are still ongoing off the coast of Sfax, ministry spokesman Mohamed Zekri said. All the dead migrants were from sub-Saharan Africa, he added.The coastline…
Liebherr Ships First Main Crane Components for OHT's Alfa Lift Installation Vessel
Crane specialist Liebherr has informed that important components for a giant crane to be installed aboard OHT's Alfa Lift offshore wind foundation installation vessel, have departed from Germany and are now en route to China where the vessel is being built.The Alfa Lift, being built for Offshore Heavy Transports (OHT) at China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI) shipyard in Jiangsu, China, was on February 28, floated-out from its drydock.
Namibian Marine Diamond Miner Reports Drop in Production as Demand Slumps
Debmarine Namibia, a subsidiary of Anglo American's diamond unit De Beers, on Monday reported a 13% drop in production to 1.125 million carats last year as demand slumped during the COVID-19 pandemic.Namibia has the richest known marine diamond deposits in the world, and is among the top 10 producers of gem-quality diamonds globally. Production, however, has been severely hampered by weak demand on…
Keppel Delivers Another LNG Vessel to Avenir LNG
Keppel Offshore & Marine has delivered its second newbuild LNG carrier, the Avenir Accolade, to Avenir LNG.The LNG carrier can also function as an LNG bunkering vessel (LBV), making it the third LBV that Keppel has delivered."The dual-fuel Avenir Accolade attests to Keppel’s growing track record in solutions for the gas value chain and reinforces Keppel’s Vision 2030 to seize opportunities in LNG solutions…
Equinor Awards Long-term Frame Deals to Seismic Players PGS and Shearwater
Offshore seismic survey contractors PGS and Shearwater GeoServices have been awarded framework agreements with Equinor for 4D towed streamer seismic acquisition on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) in what Equinor said was a new way of working with seismic contractors.The agreements have a total estimated value of around NOK 700 million (~USD 82,7 million).“This is a new way of working with seismic suppliers.
Solstad Offshore Bags North Sea Charters for PSV Quartet
Norwegian offshore vessel operator Solstad Offshore has secured contracts for four of its platform supply vessels in the North Sea, with Total, Equinor, and Serica, respectively.Total UK has awarded Solstad a term contract for Normand Springer. The vessel will be used by Total UK to support their UK North Sea assets for a charter period lasting one year firm, plus a one-year option. The contract is expected to begin during the second half of March 2021.Also…
