IMO Adopts Ban on Heavy Fuel Oil Use by Ships in Arctic
The United Nations shipping agency on Thursday adopted a ban on the use of heavy fuel oil in the Arctic region while green groups said the regulations contained loopholes which will allow many vessels to keep sailing without enough regulatory control.Antarctic waters are protected by stringent regulations, including a ban on heavy oil fuel (HFO) adopted in 2011, even though no cargo moves through the turbulent southern waters.
Neoline Chooses Yard to Build Sailing Cargo Ship
French shipping startup NEOLINE confirmed it has chosen NEOPOLIA Mobility and signed an LOI for the construction of its first 136-meter sailing cargo ship following a new international tender.The project is now in the financial closure phase with the objective of starting construction this Summer, aiming for a commissioning in the first half of 2024, NEOLINE said.NEOLINE's decision to select the offer…
Fincantieri Begins Building First Ship for MSC's Explora Journeys
Italian shipbuilding group Fincantieri has begun building the first of four new ships on order for MSC Group's new luxury cruise brand Explora Journeys.Built at Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, the new cruise ship Explora I is scheduled to set sail in 2023, followed by its sister ships slated to be delivered in 2024, 2025 and 2026.The design incorporates provision for battery storage allowing future hybrid power generation…
HNLMS De Ruyter Gets New Gearbox Mountings
Since the beginning of May, Royal IHC has been busy replacing the propulsion gearbox mountings on the HNLMS De Ruyter. This work is part of a maintenance program for the Air Defense and Command Frigates (LCF). Royal IHC will replace the mountings on all four LCF-frigates for the Royal Netherlands Navy.Annemieke Selbach, Head of Purchasing at the Royal Netherlands Navy, said, “Royal IHC has taken on an enormously challenging project in the replacement of the mountings on the frigates.
Port of Corpus Christi Buys New Police Boat
The Port of Corpus Christi Authority (PCCA) has added a new patrol boat to its security force.The new 44-foot port security boat was purchased using a combination of Port Security Grant Program funds from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as well as matching funds from the PCCA. The new boat replaces one existing police vessel that…
New Banking Payment Platform for Seafarers Launched
A new touch-free payment platform for the maritime industry has been launched by Secure Seas.Secure Seas says its electronic payment platform is designed to provide financial security to seafarers by transferring their pay electronically, removing the antiquated and problematic system of cash distribution in U.S. dollars. This provides seafarers with basic facilities the rest of us take for granted: full access to their funds in their preferred currency…
IMO Adopts New Measures to Cut Ship Emissions
The U.N. shipping agency approved further measures on Thursday to boost the energy efficiency of commercial vessels although critics said the move fell short of what was needed to cut the industry's carbon footprint.The International Maritime Organization (IMO) formally adopted the rules to reduce the carbon intensity of existing ships after member states reached agreement on the plans at a virtual…
Argentine Port Unions Plan Strike Over Vaccine Access
A coalition of nine Argentine port worker unions will go on a nationwide 24-hour strike starting at midnight to press for vaccinations against the coronavirus, the labor groups said in a statement on Thursday.Workers including tugboat captains and customs officers have held similar work stoppages recently, as the South American grains powerhouse gets hit by a second wave of COVID-19 cases."We have…
Spain Detains Tanker for Dumping Oil off Canary Islands
Spain has detained a tanker ship for illegally dumping fuel in waters off the Canary Islands and creating a 55-square km (21 square miles) oil spill, the Transport…
Elcome Opens Algeciras Office
Elcome International, provider of maritime systems integration, technical support and shipboard service, announced the opening of another office in Europe. Based in the Spanish port city of Algeciras, the facility will offer sales and technical support for the company’s growing portfolio of ship navigation, communication, satellite connectivity and coastal surveillance systems. Shipboard services will include annual radio surveys and annual testing of Automatic Identification Systems (AIS)…
Diamond Bulk Taps Inmarsat's Fleet Data Premium Solution
Inmarsat's Fleet Data provides data acquisition, processing, uploading, and interface links between engine and Nautilus Labs’ fleet optimization solution so that Mitsubishi Ore Transport and Diamond Bulk Carriers reap rewards of big data without hardware expense.Satellite communications company Inmarsat says it is helping to connect digital stakeholders for Asia Pacific’s first Fleet Data Premium project.
Harren Bulkers Buys Its First Handysize
Bremen-based ship owning and ship management company Harren Bulkers announced it has acquired its first Handysize bulk carrier. The company's fleet now counts 23 ships.The 37,000 dwt Pabari (ex Western Aida) was built in 2012 at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, in South Korea. With an overall length of 186.96 meters, 28.60-meter beam and 15.6-meter depth molded, Pabari is currently the smallest ship in the Harren Bulkers fleet.
US CDC Eases Warning for Cruises
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) eased its warnings for cruise ships from level 4, the highest, to 3 as operators prepare for summer trips from U.S.
Baltic Dry Index Surges to 11-year Peak
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index soared to its highest in 11 years on Thursday as rates across all vessel segments were lifted by strong demand for dry bulk commodities.The Baltic dry index, which tracks rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels, added 91 points, or 2.9%, to 3,267, its highest level since June 2010.The capesize index was up 202 points, or 5%, at a one-month high of 4,212.Average daily earnings for capesizes, which typically transport 150,000-tonne cargoes of c
Callan Marine Building New Cutter Suction Dredge
Callan Marine announced the construction of its newest dredge, an 18” cutter suction dredge named the General Marshall, scheduled to join the Galveston-based dredging contractor’s fleet in late 2022.At 194 feet long and 41 feet wide, the General Marshall will have a maximum digging depth of 60 feet, a dredge pipe diameter of 18 inches, and a 300 horsepower cutter. Manufactured by DSC Dredge in Reserve…
DNV Launches Digital EEXI Calculator
Classification society DNV has launched a new digital tool to support customers in ensuring their compliance with the upcoming Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI).The EEXI regulation is a medium-term component of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) roadmap toward reducing global shipping’s carbon intensity by 40% over the next decade, using 2008 as a baseline. The aim is to assess the energy efficiency of existing ships, focusing solely on their design.
Rolls-Royce Outlines Plans for Net Zero Emissions by 2050
Britain's Rolls-Royce, which makes engines for planes and ships, outlined plans to reach net zero emissions by 2050 through investing more in decarbonizing technologies and, in the short term, using more sustainable aviation fuel.Major companies are under increasing pressure from investors and climate change activists to report the emissions that result when customers use their products.Rolls-Royce…
PSE Kinsale Energy Charters Siem Pearl AHTS for P&A Support in Ireland
Norwegian offshore vessel operator Siem Offshore has won a three-month charter for the 91-meters long AHTS vessel Siem Pearl in Ireland.The contract is with PSE Kinsale Energy Ltd…
Senegal Gearing Up for first LNG-powered Electricity
Senegal is set to be partly powered by liquefied natural gas for the first time with the arrival at the capital, Dakar, on Wednesday of a floating gas facility from Singapore, the West African nation's state power company, Senelec, said.The floating storage regasification unit (FSRU) is the result of a joint venture between Japanese shipping company Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd (MOL) and Turkey's Karpowership…
