Maritime Industry Top News
CHIRP Introduces Port Sector Safety Newsletter
Voluntary near-miss reporting scheme CHIRP Maritime is celebrating its 20th anniversary by introducing a new port sector safety newsletter alongside its regular 'Maritime FEEDBACK' editions.“We are thrilled to announce the launch of a new series of newsletters specifically tailored to ports and harbours for three specific reasons,” says Adam Parnell, Director (Maritime) at CHIRP. “Firstly, we aim to raise safety awareness among individuals by providing them with vital education and knowledge.
ABS Signs MoU to Develop Hydrogen-Fueled Passenger Vessel
ABS signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Korea Hydrogen Industry Association (KHIA) and the University of Ulsan, Foundation for Industry Cooperation to develop a small, 40-seat vessel for tourism, equipped with electric propulsion using a 350kW hydrogen fuel cell.The zero-emission vessel qualifies as one of the research, development and demonstration projects associated with Korea’s national hydrogen strategy.Ock Taeck Lim…
Hapag-Lloyd CEO: Transatlantic Shipping Trades Under Pressure
Transatlantic shipping freight rates have come under pressure from slack demand, meaning ship operators must watch costs, the chief executive of Germany's Hapag-Lloyd said on Monday."Rates have definitely collapsed, and that means we have to start looking at our costs, which have gone up," said Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd, the world's fifth biggest container liner, in a call with journalists.He listed higher wage inflation, fuel prices, and terminal and timecharter costs, adding that
Two Dead as Algerian Coastguard Fires at Jet Skiers Who Strayed Into its Sea from Morocco
Algeria's defense ministry said on Sunday its coastguard fired warning shots before firing directly at a man on a jet ski who entered Algerian waters, in an incident that a survivor said left two dead.The incident took place on Tuesday after five men strayed into Algerian waters on jet skis near the Moroccan coastal resort of Saidia on Algeria's border, according to Mohamed Kissi, who said he survived…
Ukraine Limits Cargo Shipments to Danube Port after Russian Strikes
Ukrainian railways have partially restricted cargo shipments to Ukraine's major Danube River port Izmail, which has been the target of Russian drone attacks in recent weeks, the railways said on Monday.The restrictions began on Sunday, the railways said in a statement.Russia has attacked Ukrainian ports on the Danube River with drones two nights in a row. The latest attack on the Danube River port of Izmail…
Aker BP, Höegh LNG in Carbon Transport and Storage Services Pact
Floating LNG solutions provider Höegh LNG and the Norwegian oil and gas firm Aker BP have entered a strategic partnership to develop a "fully comprehensive carbon transport and storage offering for industrial CO2 emitters in Northern Europe.""The agreement combines the companies’ respective strengths, expertise, and technologies to establish a strong value chain for CCS on the Norwegian Continental Shelf that includes gathering…
DNV Gives Thumbs Up to Moss Maritime's LH2 Ship Transport Solution
Moss Maritime, Norwegian company specializing in design and engineering services to the offshore energy industry as well as other ocean-based sectors and a subsidiary of Italy's Saipem, has secured an Approval in Principle (AIP) from the classification society DNV for a containment system for ship transport of liquefied hydrogen (LH2).Ship transport of liquefied hydrogen is seen as one of the key technical challenges in realizing the energy transition to a carbon-free future…
How Serious a Problem is the Cost Issue in U.S. Offshore Wind?
Much has been written recently about the challenges facing U.S. offshore wind projects, resulting in requests to terminate or renegotiate contracts to sell power to states. Examples of these challenges can be found from Massachusetts to Virginia. Coming on top of last week’s somewhat disappointing events of the Gulf of Mexico lease auction, speculation has mounted around the longer-term prospects for U.S. wind.
US LNG Exports Slip in August
U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) fell in August as some processing plants reduced output and a heat wave increased gas demand for power, leaving less gas available for LNG production, according to vessel monitoring data and analysts.Above-normal temperatures and drought hit the U.S. Southwest last month, triggering record electricity demand and forcing providers to ask users to voluntarily reduce consumption.
Panama Canal Water Levels Likely to Remain Exceptionally Low for Months
Water levels in the Panama Canal are likely to remain exceptionally low for months despite forecasted short-term improvements, meaning no end in sight to the prolonged disruptions hampering vessels transiting the vital shipping artery.The Panama Canal Authority earlier this year began imposing restrictions on daily vessel transit and maximum draft amid a prolonged drought that has lowered the water level, causing a backlog of vessels waiting to pass.
Baltic Sea Drills to Focus for First Time on Repelling Russian Attack
Major naval drills about to start in the Baltic Sea involving some 30 ships and more than 3,000 Western service members will for the first time practice how to respond to a Russian assault in the region, Germany's navy chief said on Friday."We are sending a clear message of vigilance to Russia: Not on our watch," Vice-Admiral Jan Christian Kaack told reporters in Berlin. "Credible deterrence must include the ability to attack."The two-week Northern Coasts exercise…
Change in MENAS Navigational Light Dues
Middle East Navigation Service (MENAS), provider of aids to navigation (AtoN) in the Middle East Gulf region, said its is increasing rates and widening the group of ships that will be asked to pay for the service.The group has been providing AtoN in the Middle East Gulf – one of the busiest trade lanes in the world – since 1951, supplying seafarers with information regarding the location, route and…
HAV Group Acquires DP Specialist Undheim Systems
Norway's HAV Group has completed the acquisition of Undheim Systems AS, a provider of dynamic positioning (DP) systems for vessels. The consideration for the purchase includes a non-material cash amount and 250,000 shares in HAV Group ASA, valued at NOK 14.0 per share."The technology acquisition is a strategic move that accelerates HAV Group's plans to offer digital functionality that meets the global maritime market's needs for autonomous ship operations…
ClassNK Opens Survey Office in Brazil
Japanese classification society ClassNK has opened a new exclusive survey office in Paranagua, Brazil with operations beginning September 1, 2023.The move comes amid increasing number of surveys and audits in the southern Brazil port and the neighboring region as the country continues recent expansion of its port facilities, ClassNK said.ClassNK said it aims to provide more streamlined service in Paranagua, one of Brazil's premier port cities.
CMA CGM Completes New York Terminals Acquisition
CMA CGM announced it has finalized its acquisition of two container terminals in the Port of New York and New Jersey as the France-based shipping and logistics group grows its supply chain presence in the United States.The company announced in December 2022 that it struck a deal to acquire the Bayonne and New York terminals from Canada's Global Container Terminals (GCT). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed…
Ukraine Lawmaker Says Two Ships Spotted Leaving Port in Odesa
Two ships have been spotted leaving port in the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa, local lawmaker Oleksiy Honcharenko said on Friday.LSEG interactive map data showed two vessels, both more than 10 km (6 miles) from the shore on Friday, underway using their engines and heading south-east. If they successfully leave Odesa's ports through the Black Sea, they would be the third and fourth vessels to do so since Moscow withdrew from the Black Sea Grain deal in July.
NTSB Renews Call for US Coast Guard to Strengthen Passenger Vessel Safety
Four years after the fire aboard the Conception dive boat claimed 34 lives, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) renewed its call for the U.S. Coast Guard to require safety management systems (SMS) for passenger vessels. The recommendation, which the NTSB reissued following its investigation of the September 2, 2019, fire aboard the Conception, remains open.NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy sent…
New SAR Vessel Enters Service for the Canadian Coast Guard
The Canadian Coast Guard's newest search and rescue (SAR) lifeboat has officially entered service at the Lifeboat Station in Burgeo, Newfoundland and Labrador.Built by Hike Metal Products in Wheatley, Ontario under Canada's National Shipbuilding Strategy, the high-endurance CCGS Gabarus Bay is designed, equipped and crewed to respond to mariners needing assistance at sea.In December 2022, CCGS Gabarus…
Iran's Oil Output, Exports Rise as Washington, Tehran Talk
Iran's oil output and exports jumped in August despite U.S. sanctions, according to consultants and companies that track tanker shipments, as Tehran sells to buyers including China.Analysts said the higher exports appear to be the result of Iran's success in evading U.S. sanctions and Washington's discretion in enforcing them as the two countries seek better relations.The United States has sought to…
Decline in Bigger Vessels Drags Baltic Index to Monthly Dip
The Baltic exchange's main sea freight index tracing rates for ships ferrying dry bulk commodities recorded its first monthly decline in three months on Thursday, pressured by lower rates for the larger capesize and panamax vessel segments.The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, edged down by 8 points, to 1,086.The main index shed 3.6% for the month of August.The capesize index fell 29 points or 2.6% to 1…