Maritime Industry Top News
Boxer, Shuster to be AAPA’s 2014 ‘Port Persons of Year’
U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA) have been jointly selected to receive the American Association of Port Authorities’ (AAPA) 2014 “Port Person of the Year” award.
Videotel Course Helps Cut ECAS Costs
With high profile carriers agreeing to continue a voluntary low-sulphur fuel switch while at berth in Hong Kong, the issue of emission controls is once again in the headlines. Stepping into this arena, Videotel has launched a new training course, The Practical Management and Switching of Fuels, designed to ensure that switching to low sulphur fuel when operating in Emission Control Areas (ECAs) avoids…
Rex International Wins 5 Offshore Norway Licenses
The Group’s portfolio of licenses increased to 21, well ahead of its target of 20 licences by July 2014. Rex International Holding Limited (“Rex International Holding” orthe “Company”…
A Holistic Approach to Crew Insurance
“In 2014, does it still make sense for P&I Clubs to underwrite routine health and accident claims?” asks Robert Johnston, head of the crew medical and personal accident insurance specialist Crewsure. Commenting on the heightened atmosphere of the P&I renewal season, Mr Johnston added, “Clubs have inherited the task of dealing with seafarers who need medical treatment. Yet they are not healthcare insurers…
China to Base Patrol Ship in Disputed S. China Sea Islands
The vessel would be based at the small town of Sansha on one of the Paracel Islands and a regular patrol system would be set up from the base gradually, report the 'South China Morning Post', citing the 'China Ocean News'. Sansha was established two years ago to administer areas of the South China Sea that are also claimed by Vietnam and the Philippines. The decision to base the patrol boat in the area was part of an agreement between Sansha and the maritime authorities in Hainan…
UK Ferries Carried a Million More Last Year
Annual 2013 figures show more passengers, cars and coaches carried by the UK ferry industry, compared with 2012, according to figures released by industry body, ‘Discover Ferries’. Britain’s ferry industry showed growth across all its travel sectors last year, with passenger numbers up 2.6% overall to 38 million, all cars carried up 1.1% to 8.37million, and coaches up overall 4.1% to 158,470 - according to 2013 “Ferrystat” figures, quoted by industry body, ‘Discover Ferries’.
BMT Launch CargoHandbook Mobile App
International design, engineering and risk management consultancy BMT Surveys, have launched a new app which will provide mobile access to its CargoHandbook database. The app is now available as a free download for both Android and iOS users in the App Store (iOS) and Play Store (Android). CargoHandbook is the world’s largest online database for cargo transportation in the marine industry. As a rich source of knowledge…
Chinese Customer Signs Up for CRN Megayacht
CRN say they have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with a Chinese client for a 68 metres superyacht, the biggest vessel ever sold by CRN and Ferretti Group in China. The historic Italian shipyard of Ancona, part of Ferretti Group, which specialises in the construction and sale of fully-customised displacement megayachts, ranging from 40 to 90 metres in length, will build the new vessel. The 68 metres in length and 12.50 metres in breadth megayacht…
Pakistan Shipyard Cuts Keel of Navy Tugboat
Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works Limited (KS&EW) say they have cut the keel of a 12-Ton Bollard Pull Pusher Tug being built for the Pakistan Navy at a ceremony attended in the shipyard by officials & dignitaries from Pakistan Navy, Government Authorities and KS&EW. The tug is 16.89 meter in length overall with a gross tonnage of 63 tons. It is fitted with a robust fendering arrangement for all round tugging operations for submarines ships and crafts.
China COSCO Turns its Financial Ship Around in 2013
China COSCO Holdings Co. Ltd, the country's largest shipper, indicates a profit turnaround in 2013 after suffering heavy losses for two consecutive years, reports Xinhau. According to COSCO's earlier, 2013, financial report, the Shanghai-listed company made cutting operational costs a major task for 2013. The Group carried out various measures to overcome the difficulties, including the disposal of its interest in COSCO Logistics and COSCO Container Industries and stringent cost control.
Ship Safety Core of IMO Sec-Gen's New Year Address
Speaking at the first meeting of the newly-formed IMO Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction, IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu has delivered his New Year Address outlining some of the targets, challenges and priorities the Organization in year 2014. Mr. Sekimizu recalled that he was speaking on the day of the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the first ever Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS), which was a direct response to the sinking of the Titanic in 1912.
Huge New Northern Sea Route LNG Carrier Named
The new Russian-flag liquefied natural gas (LNG ) carrier was named 'Velikiy Novgorod' at the STX O&S shipyard in the city of Jinhae (South Korea) and becomes the fifth in Gazprom's tanker fleet. Gazprom explain that the Velikiy Novgorod is a gas carrier with membrane cargo tanks and a cargo capacity of 170.2 thousand cubic meters. It has dual-fuel diesel-electric propulsion, which can be powered by LNG, fuel oil or gasoil.
Clarkson Asia Appoint Maher to Head Drybulk Operations
Shipping services provider, Clarksons, say they have appointed long time Asia expert, Jonny Maher, as Head of Dry Cargo for the Asia-Pacific. Based in Singapore, he will head up Clarksons' drybulk operations in the region. The move, they say, is a response to both Clarksons' growing presence in the region and the huge growth in clients now operating out of Singapore. Jonny was previously Head of Asia for Arrow Shipbroking and has lived in the region for 18 years…
Fincantieri to Build Seabourn Cruise Ship
Italy-based shipbuilders Fincantieri say they have been contracted to build the new ship by Seabourn, the ultra-luxury cruise brand of Carnival Corp. The shipbuilders inform that the ship, due to join the Seabourn fleet in the second half of 2016, will be built according to the standards and technical solutions that make Seabourn one of the most prestigious brands in the ultra-luxury segment and will continue the fleet modernization that began in 2009.
Ireland's Ardmore Continues Tankship Fleet Expansion
Ardmore Shipping Corporation says it has taken delivery of the newbuilding product & chemical tanker 'Ardmore Seavantage' and also of the 2006-built 'Ardmore Seamariner' as it continues its fleet expansion programme. Cork, Ireland-based Ardmore informs it has taken delivery of the Ardmore Seavantage, a 49,999 Dwt IMO 3 Eco-design MR product and chemical tanker built at SPP Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. in South Korea.
Newport News Shipbuilding Opens S.C. Office
Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) announce that its Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division has opened a field office in Aiken, S.C., as part of its continuing efforts to expand the company's business in the Department of Energy and commercial energy markets. NNS leadership joined community leaders to officially open the office with a ribbon-cutting event (see photo). HII explain that the Aiken…
Glimpses of AIS Trends in the PortVision 2014 Crystal Ball
Houston, Texas-based PortVision, a leading provider of business intelligence solutions for the maritime industry, shares its projections for the top vessel-tracking trends that it believes will have the greatest impact on the maritime industry during 2014. Trend #1: Improving real-time visibility and decision-making. Advances in AIS-based vessel-tracking tools and technology that move the industry…
MarineNav Launches its New Line of Displays
MarineNav Ltd. has developed its cost-effective Mariner Series specifically for commercial vessels requiring dedicated single-input marine grade displays. Ideal for use with Engine Management, Advanced Vessel Monitoring, radar and ECDIS systems, our Mariner displays feature optically-bonded AR glass, 300-400 nits brightness, IP 65 water-resistance (front), and dedicated backlit front controls. All…
2014 Freight Market Analysis
Consultancy and sales company in the transport and logistics industry, CarrierDirect, released its semiannual freight market perspective this month, giving guidance on what to expect for 2014 and how company leadership should be shaping their strategies to compete in the everchanging marketplace. CarrierDirect said coming from a somewhat better than anemic 2013, the transport and logistics industry has gotten some wind back in its sails as freight tonnage has gone up.
Vessel Allision near Newport, Ore.
U.S. Coast Guard air and boatcrews assisted three men after a 55-foot commercial fishing vessel allided with a jetty near Newport, Ore., Monday evening. The crew…
