Maritime Industry Top News
Contract Extension for Petrojarl Knarr FPSO
Oil company Shell has extended the charter for Altera Infrastructure's FPSO Petrojarl Knarr FPSO, operating at the Knarr field offshore Norway.The FPSO owner, which…
Philippine Coast Guard's New Flagship Arrives in Manila
The Philippine Coast Guard's new offshore patrol vessel BRP Gabriela Silang arrived in Manila ready for service on Tuesday after several weeks of convoying and a first operational mission.Built by OCEA, the 84-meter type OCEA OPV 270 vessel left the French shipyard at the end of December with Philippine Coast Guard crew on board, for an arrival in the Philippines initially scheduled for January.The flagship of the Philippine Coast Guard fleet…
French Aircraft Carrier Heads Home Due to Possible COVID-19 Cases
France’s flagship aircraft carrier the Charles de Gaulle is returning to its home port early after about 40 crew members showed signs of COVID-19 symptoms, the armed forces ministry said on Wednesday.The personnel were under strict medical observation on board the nuclear-powered carrier, which had most recently been taking part in exercises with northern European navies in the Baltic Sea.“The first cases showed symptoms recently,” the ministry said in a statement.
Philly Shipyard Wins Contract to Build US Training Ships
Philly Shipyard has been awarded a contract to build up to five National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMV) that will enable at-sea training for America’s future mariners and support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in times of need.TOTE Services, selected in May 2019 by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) as the vessel construction manager for the NSMV program…
ABB Building Fuel Cells to Power Large Ships
ABB signs Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hydrogène de France to jointly manufacture megawatt-scale fuel cell systems capable of powering oceangoing vessels.The MOU between ABB and hydrogen technologies specialist Hydrogène de France (HDF) envisages close collaboration on the assembly and production of the fuel cell power plant for marine applications.Building on an existing collaboration announced on June 27…
Los Angeles Cargo Volumes Down 30.9%
America's busiest cargo port moved 49,568 20-foot equivalent units (TEU) in March, down 30.9% from last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Port of Los Angeles said on Wednesday. It was the lowest amount of monthly cargo moving through the Port of Los Angeles since February 2009.March imports decreased 25.9% to 220,255 TEUs compared to the previous year. Exports decreased 23.8% to 121,146 TEUs. Empty containers declined 44.5% to 108,168 TEUs.
Stena Line To Close Trelleborg-Sassnitz Route
Stena Line will permanently suspend operations on its ferry route between Trelleborg, Sweden and Sassnitz, Germany due to the coronavirus pandemic, the European operator announced on Wednesday.The cancellation comes after Stena Line announced in March it would temporarily suspend operations on the route.Stena Line has initiated discussions with the workers' council Betriebsrat in Germany. The ferry FS Sassnitz is laid up in Port of Mukran, Sassnitz, until further notice.
Indonesia Ferry Passengers Jump Ship Amid Coronavirus Fears
Several passengers on an Indonesian ferry jumped into the sea and swam ashore after authorities sought to block the vessel docking due to fears of suspected coronavirus cases, as tensions rise over th
Saudis Cruise to Quick Paper Profit
Riyadh’s Public Investment Fund may have found the perfect time to board ship. The country’s sovereign wealth fund has built an 8% stake in Carnival, the cruise group at the waterborne epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic. The company’s shares, down 83% for the year as of Friday, jumped more than 25% on Monday after it persuaded bond and stock investors to stump up $6.25 billion last week – albeit…
New Tug Delivered to Rimorchiatori Riuniti
Genoa, Italy based Rimorchiatori Riuniti Group took delivery in February of a modified version of Robert Allan Ltd.'s TRAktor 2500-SX standard design from Turkih builder Sanmar Shipyards.The addition of Italia, a modern Z-drive tractor to their fleet could potentially signal a renewed interest in Z-drive tractor tugs for the group.Robert Allan Ltd. and Sanmar Shipyards worked with Rimorchiatori Riuniti to modify the design to suit the owner's requirements.
Coronavirus Disrupts Supply of Ships and Demand -BIMCO
The coronavirus outbreak has affected all aspects of the shipping industry, lowering, if not wiping out, demand growth prospects for the year across all segments. The outbreak has also affected fleet development, says shipping association BIMCO.Contracting activity has fallen, demolition activity, which had been high, is now being limited by restrictions around the world and deliveries of new vessels…
Tanker Rates Fall Ahead of OPEC+ Meeting
Supertanker freight rates have fallen after last week's highs as industry participants await the outcome of a meeting of oil producers on Thursday before making further bookings, industry sources said.Freight rates could drop further if the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Russia and other producers decide to cut output sharply, reducing transport and storage demand for oil, they said.
Italy Closes Ports to Migrant Ships Due to Coronavirus
Italian ports cannot be considered safe because of the coronavirus epidemic and will not let migrant boats operated by charities dock, the government has ruled.The decision was taken late on Tuesday after a ship operated by the German non-governmental group Sea-Eye picked up some 150 people off Libya and headed towards Italy."For the entire duration of the national health emergency caused by the spread of the COVID-19 virus…
ABS Publishes Marine Autonomy Guidance
Classification society ABS published guidance on the journey to autonomy, including a goal-based framework for autonomous requirements. The ABS Advisory on Autonomous Functionality addresses the application of autonomous functions in the maritime and offshore industries, the infrastructure enabling these functions and key regulatory developments.“Autonomous technology is gradually reshaping the maritime industry…
COVID-19: Your LMS Can Help You Now More Than Ever
It is clear that we are living in unprecedented times. Equally clear is that we will get through this pandemic, but that it is going to take some strength, stamina and especially some innovation to come through as unscathed as possible. It is the innovation part that I wish to address here with some tips that go beyond training; tips I am observing our customers innovate and implement. Tips that help us solve some of the problems created by the impacts of this pandemic.
Allseas' Pioneering Spirit Vessel to Remove Valhall Platforms
Offshore installation and decommissioning firm Allseas has won a contract to remove three complete offshore platforms and two jackets in Norway for Aker BP.The company said on Wednesday that Aker BP had awarded it a deal for the removal and disposal of multiple topsides and jackets from the Valhall area in the Norwegian North Sea. Allseas will use its flagship Pioneering Spirit heavy lift vessel for the job.Work comprises removal and disposal of the Drilling Platform (DP) 5…
Pentagon Chief Accepts Acting Navy Secretary's Resignation
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Tuesday that he had accepted Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly’s resignation.“This morning I accepted Secretary Modly’s resignation.
Patients on US Hospital Ships Test Positive for COVID-19
Some patients being treated for trauma aboard U.S. military hospital ships in New York and Los Angeles have tested positive for the coronavirus, the Pentagon said on Monday.“Have we had patients who ultimately were determined to have coronavirus on the hospital ships? Yes,” Brigadier General Paul Friedrichs, the joint staff surgeon, told a news conference.During the same news conference, Pentagon spokesman…
McAllister Takes Delivery of New Tug Eileen McAllister
McAllister Towing announced Tuesday it has taken delivery of a newly built 6,770-horsepower shipdocking tug, Eileen McAllister, slated to enter service in Port Everglades, Fla.The 34th tractor tug in McAllister’s fleet, Eileen McAllister was built by Washburn & Doughty in Maine and set sail for its new home port following delivery on Monday.The 93- by 38-foot newbuild is powered by 3516E Tier IV Caterpillar engines with twin Schottel SRP 490 Z-drive units and Markey winches…
Reeling in the Benefits of Upgraded Boat Controls
A fisherman from a popular reality television series recently outfitted his vessel with a new electronic control system—giving him the edge in a high-stakes fishing competition.The waters of the North Atlantic Ocean can be treacherous—especially for fishermen pursuing the elusive bluefin tuna. This pursuit is the subject of the popular reality television series, “Wicked Tuna,” which chronicles the competition between commercial bluefin tuna fishermen in Gloucester, Massachusetts.
