Maritime Industry Top News
Panama Canal Extends Max Length, Increases Draft for Neopanamax Locks
The Panama Canal has increased the maximum allowable length for vessels transiting the Neopanamax Locks. Since May 21, the maximum length overall (LOA) for commercial and noncommercial vessels acceptable for regular transits of the Neopanamax Locks is 370.33 meters (1,215 feet), up from 367.28 meters (1,205 feet).The increase, which comes nearly five years after the canal's expansion, means that now 96.8% of the world’s fleet of containerships can transit the Panama Canal.
Fairbanks Morse Delivers Engines for USNS Earl Warren
Fairbanks Morse Engine (FME), a division of Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD), shipped two main propulsion diesel engines for the USNS Earl Warren (T-AO 207) on June 13, 2021. These are the fifth and sixth engines Fairbanks Morse Engine has made for the T-AO program. The USNS Earl Warren is a fleet replenishment oiler for the U.S. Navy.The engines are traveling from Beloit, Wis. to FME’s customer National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) in San Diego via railroad.
Costamare Makes Foray into Dry Bulk with 16 Ship Purchase
Greek-based container shipping company Costamare announced its foray into dry bulk shipping with the acquisition of 16 secondhand bulk carriers. Currently operating in the spot market…
American Cruise Lines Confirms Two More Newbuilds
U.S.-based river and coastal cruise operator American Cruise Lines announced on Tuesday that it has signed contracts with Chesapeake Shipbuilding of Salisbury, Md., to build two more modern riverboats in 2022. The newbuilds will be the fifth and sixth in American Cruise Lines revolutionary modern series, first introduced in 2018. Both vessels are yet to be named and will follow the 2021 debuts of American Jazz and American Melody on the Mississippi River.
C&C Delivers New Towboat to Parker Towing
C&C Marine and Repair has delivered the new towboat Olive Parker to Parker Towing Company. The vessel is the first the Belle Chasse, La. shipbuilder has built for the Tuscaloosa, Ala. based company.The 4,400-horsepower towboat measures 147.5’ x 34’ x 10’-9” with the pilot house eyeline measuring at 33’. The Olive Parker was constructed based on a collaborative design by Parker Towing Company and CT Marine, LLC, based in Portland, Maine.
Odyssey Marine Exploration Appoints Jones as CFO
U.S.-based subsea mining company Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. announced it has expanded its executive and legal teams. On Monday, the firm's Board of Directors appointed Christopher "Chris" E.
Hong Kong Ends Quarantine Curbs on Port Calls by Non-cargo Vessels
Hong Kong providers of shipping services are breathing a sigh of relief after authorities announced they would ease strict quarantine restrictions imposed last July on vessels calling at the Asian shipping hub, trade sources said.From Tuesday, crew of non-cargo goods vessels visiting Hong Kong for shipping services, including bunkering and provision supplies, will be exempt from the curbs, subject to conditions, the Marine Department told shipping firms in a letter.“This is a long overdue relaxa
Deutsche Bank Set for $1 Bln Windfall from Zim Bets
Deutsche Bank is on course to make up to $1 billion on a long-shot bet on Israeli shipping firm Zim after it surged in value on the back of record-high global freight rates, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.Citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter, the report said that Mark Spehn, a distressed debt trader at the German bank, had wagered less than $100 million over the past five years on building a position in the company through bond and bank loans as shipping rates fell.
Grandweld Delivers Four Crewboats for HSM
UAE shipbuilder Grandweld Shipyards reports it has delivered four crew boats for Saudi-based offshore oil and gas services provider High Seas Marine Industrial Services Co. (HSM).The newbuilds were handed over within a span of 14 months, despite the numerous challenges of the pandemic. They will be used to support HSM client Saudi Aramco.Grandweld said the newbuild project involved design specifications unlike existing market requirements…
NYK Pushes Forward its "Sail GREEN;" to Build a Dozen LNG-Fueled PCTCs
NYK signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the consecutive building of LNG-fueled PCTCs at Shin Kurushima Dockyard Co., Ltd. and Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd. Twelve new ships are planned to be built, six ships each at the two shipyards, for delivery successively from fiscal 2025 to fiscal 2028.The dozen ship is in accordance with the PCTC fleet replacement plan to achieve NYK’s environment management target, which is to reduce CO2 emissions per ton-kilometer of transport by 50% by 2050.
Bodies Wash up on Yemen Coast after Migrant Boat Reportedly Sinks
A number of bodies washed up at Ras al-Arah on Yemen's Red Sea coast on Monday from a suspected migrant boat that sank offshore, a local official said.The stretch of coast is notorious for the smuggling of migrants from the Horn of Africa into Yemen.Residents in Ras al-Arah said bodies had washed up at dawn on Monday. A boat sank around 18 nautical miles off the coast of al-Mokha, the local official said.The perilous sea journey from Horn of Africa countries including Ethiopia…
Damen Delivers Fast Crew Supplier for Allseas' Pioneering Spirit Vessel
Dutch Damen Shipyards Group has delivered a Fast Crew Supplier (FCS) 1605 to offshore installation firm Allseas to support its Pioneering Spirit vessel, the largest offshore construction vessel in the world.The FCS 1605 vessel will perform fast crew and personnel transfers to and from the Pioneering Spirit. Damen secured the contract for the vessel, named Ricochet, on March 15. "The delivery was fast as a result of Damen’s practice of building its vessels in series for stock.
Proserv Acquires Dron & Dickson's Abu Dhabi Business
Oil and gas services company Proserv Controls, has acquired the Middle Eastern operations of Dron & Dickson Electromechanical Contracting (DDEC) LLC, for an undisclosed fee. DDEC is a UK-based specialist in the supply, assembly, and maintenance of hazardous areas and industrial electrical equipment."The deal reinforces and expands the breadth of offering and capability that Proserv delivers in the Middle East and North Africa…
Fincantieri Marinette Marine Names Vandroff CEO
Fincantieri Marinette Marine and its board of directors announced that Mark Vandroff will be taking over as CEO effective July 7, replacing Jan Allman who has led the Wisconsin shipyard since 2014.“Our company’s continued growth afforded us an opportunity to expand our senior leadership team and to better organize to exceed our customer’s needs,” said Dario Deste, CEO of Fincantieri Marine Group. “Jan…
NRF Asks White House to Address Port Congestion Challenges
A retail trade group is asking President Joe Biden and other top administration officials to help address challenges retailers are facing from continued supply chain disruptions that are leading to congestion at U.S. ports.“The supply chain disruption issues, especially the congestion affecting our key maritime ports, are causing significant challenges for America’s retailers,” National Retail Federation president and CEO Matthew Shay said in a letter to the White House.
Intellian Opens R&D Center in South Korea
Intellian has opened its new Research and Development Center in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, a new home for the engineering team with the latest product and quality verification facilities, helping to accelerate product development. In particular, antennas using emerging phased array technology will benefit from a new compact test range to assist with development and testing.The expansion also allows production to be significantly increased in the existing Innovation Center…
Shipping Influx Infuriates Israeli Environmentalists
The first cargo ships from Dubai that docked last year in the Mediterranean port of Haifa were met by celebration in Israel. Flags waved. Reporters gathered. The prime minister walked the pier and gave a speech about the fruits of making peace.There was zero fanfare, however, when oil tankers began arriving at the smaller Israeli port of Eilat on the Red Sea in an arrangement with Emirati partners.
NAPA Viewer Aims to Enhance 3D Ship Design Process
A new streaming technology will support 3D model based approval (3DMBA) by providing all stakeholders with a live interactive web application to better collaborate on ship design.NAPA announced the launch of NAPA Viewer, its new collaborative web application, designed to provide users throughout the ship design process with visibility of the most current 3D ship model via a browser, and the ability to directly comment on the model.
Biden to Nominate Carlos del Toro for SECNAV
U.S. President Joe Biden intends to nominate Carlos del Toro for secretary of the Navy, the White House announced on Friday.Del Toro is a retired U.S. Navy commander with nearly 40 years’ experience in national security and naval operations, budgeting and acquisition.Over the course of a 22-year career in the U.S. Navy, Del Toro held a series of critical appointments, including Senior Executive Assistant…
Bollinger Bids to Build Offshore Patrol Cutters
Louisiana shipbuilding group Bollinger Shipyards has placed its bid to build the second round of vessels as part of the U.S. Coast Guard's Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) program.If selected, Bollinger would construct and deliver a total of 11 ships to the U.S. Coast Guard over the next decade, helping to sustain the Bollinger workforce through 2031, the company said.Bollinger has been actively involved in every step of the U.S.