Baltic Dry Index Rises to Over Two-week Peak
The Baltic Exchange's dry bulk sea freight index, which tracks rates for ships ferrying dry bulk commodities, rose to a more than two-week high on Thursday, driven by gains in the capesize segment.The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, rose 97 points, or 4.53%, to 2,239 points, the highest since April 4.The capesize index jumped 273 points, or 20%, to 1,636 points, also a peak since April 4.Average daily earnings for capesizes, which typica
ITF Inspectors Denied Access to P&O Ferries in Dover
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) said its inspectors have been blocked from investigating crew welfare issues on board P&O Ferries’ vessels in the Port of Dover.In March, P&O Ferries terminated about vessel 800 staff to hire cheaper agency workers in a move that has drawn backlash from politicians, workers and the general public.The ITF said Dover Port Police this week refused access to its inspectors dispatched to look into welfare issues raised by replacement crew members…
Beirut Port Blast Suspect to Face Extradition Hearing in Madrid
A Portuguese man is set to face an extradition hearing in Madrid over allegations he was involved in the devastating 2020 port explosion in Beirut, authorities said on Thursday.The man, named in court as Jorge Manuel Mirra Neto Moreira, flew to Chile from the Spanish capital this week but was put on a plane back to Madrid after Chilean authorities detained him at the request of global police agency…
Wärtsilä Launches Smart Realities VR Training Solution
Wärtsilä Voyage, part of the technology group Wärtsilä, launches Smart Realities a fully immersive extended reality (XR) training and assessment solution for ship handling, bridge and marine engineering applicationsAccording to Wärtsilä, Smart Realities applications can transform the way that maritime educational content is delivered, enhancing student learning and engagement, and inspiring a new generation…
ASRY, ONEX Partner on Ship Repair
Arab Ship Shipbuilding and repair Yard (ASRY) and ONEX Shipyards Greece have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the aim to jointly collaborate on knowledge and experience sharing in the sector of maritime repair, technology, optimization, modernization and to explore future business opportunities.The MOU signing ceremony took place virtually between the two companies in the presence of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Greek Prime Minister who was visiting ONEX shipyards at that time.
Stena Line Vessels to Be Fitted with Yara Shore Power Solutions
Stena Line and Yara Marine Technologies have signed a contract to install Yara Marine’s shore power solution on board four ferries as part of Stena Line’s efforts to minimize carbon emissions from their fleet. When connected to the local power grid at the port, the turnkey solution will allow these vessels to eliminate emissions and noise that would otherwise have been produced by the vessels’ engines.The installations aboard Stena Baltica…
Biden Bans Russian-linked Ships from US Ports
President Joe Biden announced on Thursday the United States will ban Russian-affiliated ships from American ports, joining Canada and European nations, in the latest step to pressure Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.The White House will release a proclamation with more details. Reuters first reported Biden's planed action on Thursday and reported in early March the ban was under consideration by the White House."That means no ship…
Hydrogen-powered Ferry Prepares to Launch in San Francisco Bay
The San Francisco Bay will soon have a new fossil fuel-free ferry floating in its waters, propelled completely by hydrogen fuel cells, and officials hope it heralds change on the high seas.Aptly named Sea Change, the 70-foot (21-meter), 75-passenger ferry will service multiple stops along San Francisco's waterfront. It was built at All American Marine shipyard in Bellingham, Washington, and was undergoing tests with the U.S.
Sanctions Mix-up: Greece to Release Russian Tanker
A Russian tanker impounded by Greece this week and reportedly carrying Iranian oil will be released amid confusion about sanctions on its owners."The coast guard…
Sea Japan '22 Returns to Tokyo
Maritime Reporter & Engineering News is back on the international exhibition trail in full force, earlier this month in Oslo for NorShipping '22 (which was a very strong and well-attended event), currently in Tokyo for Sea Japan '22 (which has garnered a strong regional draw), and packing our bags and heading out next to Posidonia '22 in Athens!
DNV Issues Guidance on Passenger Vessel Blackouts
A newly published guidance paper from DNV seeks to support the prevention and mitigation of blackouts impacting passenger vessels.With blackout incidents on cruise ships on the rise, DNV has created a new guidance titled ‘Managing the risk of blackouts’ which addresses the main causes and associated risks, while offering recommendations and best practices on how to avoid them and reduce the likelihood…
Rising Calls for U.S. LNG Revive Stalled Export Projects, but at Higher Costs
Soaring demand for U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) as buyers steer clear of Russian fuel is putting some long-stalled U.S. export projects back on track. But rising costs for materials and labor threaten to snarl these plants once again.Two developers with projects sidelined due to the U.S.-China trade war – Energy Transfer with its Lake Charles LNG and Tellurian Inc with its Driftwood LNG – have begun talks with construction provider Bechtel Group over costs…
ClassNK AIP for Ammonia-ready LNG-fueled Panamax Bulk Carrier
ClassNK issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for the design of an ammonia-ready LNG-fueled Panamax bulk carrier developed by Planning and Design Center for Greener Ships (GSC).The AiP Handover Ceremony was conducted at the ClassNK booth at Sea Japan 2022 in Tokyo.Ammonia is expected to be used as ship fuel for decarbonization since it does not emit CO2 when burned. Meanwhile, taking adequate safety…
Ampelmann Bags First U.S. Offshore Wind Deal
Dutch offshore gangway supplier Ampelmann has secured its first contract in the U.S. offshore wind market.Under the contract, Ampelmann will supply its E1000 motion compensated system to the marine transportation and towing company Otto Candies to facilitate operations during the construction of the South Fork, Revolution, and Sunrise wind farms - three commercial-scale wind farms in the north-east US Atlantic.
US Receiving Last Russian Oil Cargoes Before Wind-down
Nine tankers carrying Russian-origin crude and fuel oil have discharged in the United States in April, likely the last ones to deliver before a wind-down set by Washington expires this week…
Silver Ships Delivers RHIB to NOAA Research Fish Biologist Team
Mobile, Ala. boatbuilder Silver Ships announced it recently delivered a customized Ambar Series vessel to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).The vessel is a custom-built Ambar 6 meter (AM600), designed to be operated from NOAA oceangoing ships. At just under 28 feet in length, with a hull length of 20’ 5’’, this vessel is powered by two Mercury SeaPro 115hp, with an 80-gallon fuel tank…
Furuno's RD50 Remote Data Display Now Features 3-Axis Speed
The Furuno RD50 Remote Data Display has received an upgrade with software version 1.16, introducing the new 3-Axis Speed Indication when connected to a Satellite Compass. Critical for towboats, ferries and other commercial vessels, 3-Axis Speed Indication simultaneously displays important speed information for three different points of reference: Longitudinal Speed (ahead-astern), Transverse Speed port-starboard at the stern…
KVH Reflects on Five Years of Maritime Connectivity as a Service
For decades, the only way to bring global satellite communications onboard a commercial vessel was with a CAPEX-intensive equipment purchase or a long-term lease, inhibiting fleet managers’ ability to adapt to varied operational needs. That changed five years ago when KVH introduced AgilePlans Connectivity as a Service, an innovative, all-inclusive communications subscription service.“We set out to…
Austal to Build Two More Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats for Australian Navy
The Australian Department of Defense will order an additional two Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats (ECCPB’s) for the Royal Australian Navy from shipbuilder Austal for $124 million. The two new vessels are in addition to the six Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats that are currently being delivered by Austal Australia for the Royal Australian Navy.The announcement was made during a visit by Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, to Austal's Henderson Western Australia shipyard.
Wasa Dredging Southern Breakwater in Klaipeda
Wasa Dredging said it has entered into a charter agreement with Herbosch-Kiere for the dredging of the subsoil for the Southern Breakwater in the Port of Klaipeda, Lithuania.Dredging services started on March 13. In total some 95,000 cubic meters of sand and clay will be dredged down to -19 meters. Horizontal dredging tolerances are -0.3 to +0.1 meters.Soils will be dredged with Wasa's backhoe dredger Optimus.