EU-funded R&D Delivers Enhanced Port Security
A new Port Security Management System (PSMS) will be introduced for the first time by Henk van Unnik of Tosepo in London on 13-14 November 2014. PSMS is an interactive real time dynamic web-based dashboard that will help maritime and logistics professionals assess and improve overall port security. PSMS has been developed as part of SUPPORT (Security UPgrade for PORTs) which is co-ordinated by BMT Group and part-funded by the EC's FP7 Security Research Programme.
UK Offshore Energy Sector Needs Regulating, Says New Report
The equivalent of 41 billion barrels of oil have already been produced from the UK Continental Shelf, but production is declining. Improving the way the UK's offshore oil and gas industry is regulated could boost the economy by £200bn over the next 20 years, according to a new government-commmissioned report by retired oil tycoon Sir Ian Wood, reports BBC Scotland. The current regulator, which is situated within the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC)…
German Greens Cool on Sustainable Energy Subsidy Cuts
The German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, has agreed to proposals to curb aid for new onshore projects to cut the cost of the country’s unprecedented switch from nuclear energy to renewables. The output energy goal for sea-based wind farms is also to be cut to 6.5 gigawatts by 2020 and 15 gigawatts by 2030, from 10 gigawatts and 25 gigawatts, respectively, reports Bloomberg. Germany plans to reduce the cost of renewable power after deciding to close down its nuclear plants by 2022.
Philippine Tugboat Owner Plugs in to Relief Effort
Harbor Star Shipping Services Inc. has loaned one of its barges to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to help transport relief goods and emergency tools to Tacloban City in Leyte and other sites massively ravaged by the super-typhoon, reports the nations's 'BusinessMirror'. The company’s board of directors approved the availability of its 300-footer Barge Lynx for free offer to the PCG to use in its relief operations in areas badly hit by Supertypoon Yolanda (international code name Haiyan).
Armed Guards Repel Pirate Attack on Tankship
Armed guards employed aboard the Danish MR product tanker 'TORM Kansas' recently succeeded in deterring an attack by a group of pirates in the western Indian Ocean. The ship owners inform that the Indian master, his crew and the employed armed guards are safe and suffered no injuries as theyshowed great skill in deterring the attack. No pirates were hurt either. The MR product tanker TORM Kansas was in open sea at the time of the incident…
Navy March Closes New York Veterans Week
Several hundred Sailors from 'USS New York' (LPD 21) and various local commands marched up Fifth Avenue in the heart of New York City during America's Parade, the culminating event of Veterans Week New York City, Nov. 11., 2013. Veterans Week New York City and America's Parade are a continuation of a New York tradition that began in 1919, honoring the service and sacrifice of American veterans. Sailors participated in over 40 events throughout the week…
Greece Detain Weapons-Carrying Ship, Arrest Crew
The Greek coast guard has detained the cargo ship 'Nour M', sailing under the flag of Sierra Leone from Ukraine and carrying a large quantity of arms and explosives without proper documents…
Crowley and Subsidiary TITAN Rub Shoulders in Houston
Crowley Maritime Corp.’s solutions group, project logistics and global freight management team, and subsidiary TITAN Salvage have relocated to a shared, custom-designed office and warehouse facility in Houston. The new consolidated location at 15894 Diplomatic Plaza Drive is expected to foster company-wide synergies, expand TITAN and Crowley’s customer base and create new business opportunities among the three groups.
JO Tankers Order 8 MR Product Tankers from China Shipyard
JO Tankers has placed an order for eight 33.000 dwt stainless-steel chemical tankers at China’s New Times Shipbuilding, with deliveries scheduled for 2016 and 2017. The deal consists of firm and optional contracts. The new buildings will join Milestone Chemical Tankers – the jointly owned chartering and marketing arm of JO Tankers and Tokyo Marine. JO Tankers say that the new-buildings will be built to the highest specification.
Vietnam Shipbuilders Vinashin Restructured & Renamed
Vietnam Shipbuilding Industry Group, the debt-ridden national shipbuilder, is being renamed and restructured as the government works to reform inefficient state…
Navy Racing to Help Victims of Philippine Typhoon
The aircraft carrier 'USS George Washington' and other U.S. Navy ships have been ordered to make best speed for the Republic of the Philippines, and at the same time Britain is deploying a warship & military transport aircraft to help people devastated by Typhoon Haiyan. The aircraft carrier, which carries 5,000 Sailors and more than 80 aircraft, is currently in Hong Kong for a port visit. The crew is being recalled early from shore leave and the ship is expected to be underway soon.
Marine Fauna Research Project: Pluton Enlists BMT
Marine and coastal environment specialists, BMT Oceanica (BMT), a subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd, has commenced its latest project with Pluton Resources Ltd (Pluton) to increase knowledge of marine fauna around the Irvine and Cockatoo Islands off the Kimberley coast of Western Australia. The collection of marine fauna data will assist Pluton to meet their environmental approvals requirements for any expansion…
Greenpeace's Actic Sunrise Detention: Diplomats Meet
Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans informs 'Russia info' that he has met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to discuss the situation concerning the Greenpeace vessel. Relations between Russia and the Netherlands have been tense recently since an attack on a Russian diplomat in the Hague and the arrest in Russia of the Arctic Sunrise vessel, which sailed under the Dutch flag. On 19 September…
North Atlantic Drilling Set for Initial NYSE Public Offering
North Atlantic Drilling Limited (NADL), a leading offshore harsh environment drilling company in which Seadrill Limited currently holds a 74 percent ownership interest…
Nordic American Tankers Improve Performance in Q3 2013
Nordic American Tankers Limited (NAT) report significant improvement in results in the third quarter 2013 over 2Q2013. TCE earnings were about $16,500 per day versus about $8…
Europort 2013 Retrospect: +29,000 Visitors Logged
Organiser Ahoy backed up its claim for Europort as ‘connecting the maritime world’ by logging attendance by 29,355 visitors from 84 countries, with trade missions present from China, Russia and Brazil, among others. With 1,062 exhibitor companies, Europort 2013 played host to a record number of 16 country pavilions. A Future Pioneers Award provided a fitting finale on the closing day of Europort 2013…
Stevedore Strikes to Hobble Portugal's Major Port
Inchcape Shipping Services advises of strike action at Lisbon commercial ports by the Stevedores’ Union which is set to have a major impact on port operations in the coming weeks. It is anticipated that the ongoing wave of strike action will cause major backlogs at Lisbon commercial ports which already have a shortage of Stevedores gangs. In addition, Liscont Terminal has advised that due to operational constraints…
RFA Lyme Bay Onboard Rope Training
Onboard RFA Lyme Bay, which is part of European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta, the Boarding teams from the Fleet Contingency Troop and K Company 43 Commando Royal Marines have taken advantage of the Lynx MK 8 that embarked from RFA Fort Austin to practice fast roping techniques. Each stick of the boarding team conducted three separate fast roping exercises, each from different heights and to a different location on Lyme Bay: from the flight deck up to the forecastle.
Typhoon Leaves Philippines in Shambles
At least 10,000 people are feared dead after Typhoon Haiyan bombarded the Philippines last Friday, November 8, with death toll figures expected to continue rising. The storm, recorded as one of the most powerful in history to hit land, produced wind gusts of more than 200 miles per hour, 15-meter waves and seven-meter storm surges, and has destroyed roughly 70-80% of structures in its path, according to estimations by the United Nations.
Concordia Thieves Brought Up on Charges
Marine Link reported last week that four unauthorized workers were spotted near the wreckage of Costa Concordia. The four divers, allegedly searching for souvenirs, have since been arrested and brought up on charges for theft and violating a crime scene. All four are currently out on bail and awaiting trial. Identified through surveillance videos as Titan Salvage operators, the four workers have been dismissed by their employer. Authorities have not said what was taken from the debris.
