MSC Lirica-class Cruise Ships to be Up-Sized
MSC Cruises says that its multi-million euro 'renaissance programme' will involve all four of its Lirica class ships over the next two years in major upgrades, lengthening, at Fincantieri shipyards in Italy. The almost €200 million programme is due to be complete by 2015. The "renaissance" of MSC Armonia, MSC Lirica, MSC Sinfonia and MSC Opera, the owners say, will add exciting new entertainment options, technological advancements, extended shops and up to nearly 200 new cabins per ship.
BAE Systems Appoint Group Communications Director
Claire Divver has been appointed as BAE Group Communications Director. She will join the group early in the new year and will be a member of the BAE Systems Executive Committee, reporting to Chief Executive Ian King. Claire was formerly General Manager, Group Corporate Affairs for Xstrata plc where she was responsible for the global communications of the multinational diversified mining group. She joined Xstrata in 2004 and was also a Board member of Xstrata Nickel…
Conservation Groups Challenge Navy's Sonar Plans
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has approved the Navy’s 5-year plan to expand its sonar & live-fire training exercises in the Pacific ocean, but environmentalists are challenging the decision because of the threat it poses to marine life, reports Care2 in the following (excerpted) report. It’s been well established that marine mammals rely on hearing to navigate, communicate…
Wilson Sons Place OSRV Brazil Shipyard Contract
Wilson Sons Estaleiros Ltda, has contracted with Braizilian subsidiary shipyard Oceanpact for the construction of four Oil Spill Recovery Vessels (OSRVs), with recovered oil storage capacity of 1,050 m³, a length of 67 meters, and a beam of 14 meters. Wilson inform that for the construction of the four vessels, Oceanpact will pay approximately BRL 333 million (three hundred and thirty three million brazilian reais).
Jones Act Tankship Chartered at Record Daily $100,000
ExxonMobil Corp has agreed to renew its charter agreement for the 337,000-barrel 'Overseas Cascade' at an unprecedented $110,000 a day, nearly a 50 percent increase from its previous rate for the same ship this summer, reports Reuters, citing shipping sources. The century-old Jones Act, explains Reuters, requires all vessels operating between U.S. ports to be U.S.-built, U.S.-owned and U.S.-crewed in order to protect the U.S. commercial maritime industry.
Costa Cruise Ship Makes First Abu Dhabi Port Call
The cruise ship 'MV Costa Fortuna' was warmly welcomed on its intitial visit to Abu Dhabi, which it will follow with regular weekly calls until March 2014. Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Acting CEO, Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) handed over a commemorative plaque to Captain Massimo Garabarnio to officially mark the ship’s maiden call to the city. Owners, Costa Cruises, say that the 'Costa Fortuna' carries 2,720 passengers and 1,027 crew.
Christmas 'Angel Tree' Gifts Donated by HII Employees
Employees from Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding division teamed up to provide holiday gifts for 145 children as part of the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program. HII explains that the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program matches donors with children from qualified families unable to provide gifts and clothing for their children during the holidays. The Salvation Army provides a wish list for each angel. This year there were more than 1,500 angels to be adopted.
New President of APL Logistics Appointed
NOL Group has announced the appointment of Beat Simon as President of its wholly-owned subsidiary APL Logistics, a global third party logistics provider. He will assume the role on 1 March 2014, undertaking responsibility for the management and growth of APL Logistics. MOL Group explain that Mr. Simon is an industry veteran with more than 30 years of diverse international experience. He joins APL Logistics from Agility…
