Maritime Industry Top News
OpEd: Time To Shine for US Offshore Wind
It is clear only a few weeks into 2022 that this year can be a watershed moment for American offshore wind. The Department of the Interior has positioned 2022 to be a record year in terms of offshore wind lease offerings and project greenlights.At the end of 2021, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), the regulatory agency responsible for offshore wind lease sales, released the document, Offshore Wind Leasing Path Forward 2021–2025. The document maps out potential new wind lease sales.
Combi Lift Sets Up US Branch in Houston
German heavy lift and project logistics company Combi Lift said its expanding its business into the Americas through the opening of a new office in Houston. “Houston is the perfect location in the U.S.A. It is one of the main project capitals in the world,” explained Klaus Hilpert, Managing Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors at Combi Lift. “Solutions are becoming more complex and project risk profiles are increasing.
First Steel Cut for IWS' Second Skywalker Class SOV
Just weeks after Norway-based Integrated Wind Solutions ASA announced first steel was cut for its lead Skywalker class construction service operations vessel, the company has revealed work is underway to build the second vessel in the series A steel cutting ceremony for IWS Windwalker was held Monday—10 days ahead of the initial project plan—at China Merchants Heavy Industry facility in Jiangsu, China…
Turkey Urges Respect for Black Sea Straits Pact After Closing Access
Turkey is calling on all sides in the Ukraine crisis to respect an international pact on passage through the Turkish straits to the Black Sea, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar was cited as saying on Tuesday after Ankara closed access.NATO ally Turkey borders Ukraine and Russia in the Black Sea and has good ties with both. Under the 1936 Montreux Convention, Ankara has the right to limit transit through…
Burnt Car Carrier Felicity Ace Sinks
The fire-ravaged car carrier Felicity Ace has sunk off the Portuguese Azores archipelago nearly two weeks after it caught fire, the vessel's manager said on Tuesday."Initial reports from the local salvage team state that the vessel had sunk at around 9 a.m. local time having suffered a list to starboard," said MOL Ship Management (Singapore), a subsidiary of Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL).
TerraSond Expands in Massachusetts to Support Vineyard Wind 1
TerraSond announced plans to invest in a new base in Massachusetts as part of its commitment to support the Vineyard Wind 1 project and wider US offshore wind developments. The company, which already has facilities in Alaska and Texas, has been confirmed as a preferred supplier for the subsea balance of plant inspection and survey services for the Vineyard Wind 1 wind farm, a joint venture between Avangrid Renewables and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners.
Plug in Power Infrastructure for Electric Boats fast-tracked in Europe
Aqua superPower announced a strategic partnership with AC charge point developer e-concept, which has developed a novel design of charging posts that have been approved for use in certain sensitive environments including the canals in Venice. Aqua superPower will be developing charging infrastructure for marine and inland water applications deploying e-concept’s AC charging posts where environmental…
Inside Trade: From Energy to Food, China-Russia Trade has Surged in Recent Years
China and Russia have grown increasingly close in recent years, including as trading partners, a relationship that brings both opportunities and risks as Russia reels from tough new sanctions led by the West in response to its invasion of Ukraine.Total trade between China and Russia jumped 35.9% last year to a record $146.9 billion, according to Chinese customs data, with Russia serving as a major source of oil…
Offshore Energy: Are Decommissioning Costs set to Spiral?
As offshore market activity recovers and continues to increase through the next decade, as we expect it to, oilfield service (OFS) capacity is expected to tighten.As offshore market activity recovers and continues to increase through the next decade, as NorthStone Advisors expect it to, oilfield service (OFS) capacity is expected to tighten. In NorthStone Advisors’ view, this will create a period of increased scarcity and cost inflation…
Invoking Montreux Convention, Turkey Closes Access to the Black Sea
Turkey is calling on all sides in the Ukraine crisis to respect an international pact on passage through the Turkish straits to the Black Sea, Defence Minister Hulusi Akar was cited as saying on Tuesday after Ankara closed access.NATO ally Turkey borders Ukraine and Russia in the Black Sea and has good ties with both. Under the 1936 Montreux Convention, Ankara has the right to limit transit through its straits during wartime.This allows it to curb Russian warships going to the Black Sea.
Maersk Suspends All Container Shipping to Russia
Shipping group Maersk will temporarily halt all container shipping to and from Russia in response to Western sanctions on Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine, the company said on Tuesday.The move follows similar decisions by Singapore-headquartered Ocean Network Express (ONE), Germany's Hapag Lloyd HLAG.DE and Swiss-based shipping group MSC.The suspension, covering all Russian ports, would not include foodstuffs…
National Grid Seeks Clarity for LNG Over UK Port Block for Russian Ships
Britain’s National Grid, which operates the Isle of Grain liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal said it is seeking to understand if a block on Russia-related vessels, announced by the British government on Monday, includes LNG shipments.Britain on Monday ordered its ports to block any vessels that are Russian-flagged or believed to be registered, owned or controlled by any person connected with Russia as it ratcheted up the pressure on Moscow.“We are supportive of government action to order UK po
Damen Inks Services Deal with Caterpillar
Damen Shipyards Group and Caterpillar have signed a global value agreement enabling Damen to provide bow-to-stern services and extend the scope of services offered to Damen Shipyard customers, including but not limited to fleet management and monitoring systems. Damen views the agreement as a milestone in their strategy to streamline services for their customers. The shipyards group’s philosophy of…
UN Bodies Call for More Action to End Crew Change Crisis
Four UN organizations have called for continued global collaboration to address the crew change crisis that at times during the COVID-19 pandemic has left more than 400,000 seafarers stranded at sea.In a joint statement issued on February 28, the International Labor Organization (ILO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and…
Russian Oil Buyers Struggle to Charter Vessels
Buyers of Russian oil have faced difficulties over payments and availability of vessels after imposition of Western sanctions against Moscow over Ukraine, traders said on Monday, while BP Plc has canceled fuel oil loadings from a Black Sea port.The West has introduced sweeping sanctions, including on the banking sector, after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russia calls its action a "special operation"…
CCS Issues AIP for Onboard Carbon Capture and Storage System
China Classification Society (CCS) said it has issued an approval in principle (AIP) certificate for a marine onboard carbon capture and storage system developed by Shanghai Marine Diesel Engine Research Institute (SMDERI).Designed to help reduce the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) of ships, the solution is said to be the first marine decarbonization system with completely independent intellectual property rights in China.The system consists of absorption column…
UK Orders Its Ports to Block All Russian-linked Ships
Britain on Monday ordered its ports to block any vessels that are Russian-flagged or believed to be registered, owned or controlled by any person connected with Russia as it ratcheted up the pressure on Moscow.Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said in a letter to all UK ports that further detailed sanctions against Russian shipping were being drawn up following Russia's invasion of Ukraine."The maritime…
Shell to Pull the Plug on Gazprom Equity Partnerships
In the latest corporate backlash to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Board of Shell plc said it intends to exit its joint ventures with Gazprom and related entities, including its 27.5 percent stake in the Sakhalin-II liquefied natural gas facility, its 50 percent stake in the Salym Petroleum Development and the Gydan energy venture. Shell also intends to end its involvement in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project.“We are shocked by the loss of life in Ukraine…
Staten Island Ferry Sandy Ground Commissioned
Staten Island Ferry's second new Ollis-class vessel, Sandy Ground, was commissioned Friday by New York City Mayor Eric Adams.“I am honored to commission a new Staten Island Ferry named for a community of New Yorkers who represent the best of our city and our country,” said Mayor Adams. “The settlers of Sandy Ground were our ancestors, and they worked hard to build a vibrant community that became a safe haven for so many seeking freedom.
COSCO Takes Delivery of LNG Dual-fuel VLCC
A newly delivered very large crude carrier (VLCC) is said to be the world's first capable of running on liquefied natural gas (LNG).The Yuan Rui Yang was handed over on Monday at China's Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company (DSIC) for shipping giant COSCO.Classed by China Classification Society (CCS), the 333-meter-long vessel will be operated by COSCO Shipping Energy Transportation Company. It has a molded breadth of 60 meters…
