New Patrol Boats for SEA
Taiwanese boat builder Lung Teh Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (LTS) has recently won the contract to deliver a series of patrol boats to an unspecified government in South East Asia. The first boat in the series will be delivered early 2015. The boats have 19 m long aluminum hulls equipped with twin MJP DRB 400 waterjets coupled to MAN 1,650 hp engines and will reach speed of about 50 knots. They also have beaching capability.
Alert! Issue No. 34: Improved Conditions and Safer Ships
The need for seafarers to have decent living conditions is enshrined in the new Maritime Labor Convention (MLC), but the latest issue of the International Maritime Human Element Bulletin Alert!
BIMCO Reflections 2014
BIMCO has published its Reflections 2014, a short and accessible analysis including its clear views on the critical issues faced by the shipping industry today and in the coming years.
Marine Fouling: Surface Texture Investigations May Provide Solution
Investigating surface texture could offer a non-toxic solution to marine fouling. Engineering and marine biology experts at The University of Nottingham Ningbo China are using innovative approaches to develop non-toxic solutions to the global problem of marine fouling, in the hope of reducing its environmental and economic costs. Marine industries have long sought chemical solutions to the problem…
Coast Guard Searches for Missing Tanker Crewman
The Coast Guard is searching for a an Indian crewman reported missing from a tanker vessel anchored fives miles south of Southwest Pass, Tuesday. Missing is Ram Mohan Singh, 25.
Shipping Confidence Trending Higher Into 2014, Finds Survey
The shipping world appears to be entering 2014 with a higher level of confidence than it has the past three years, according to the latest Shipping Confidence Survey from international accountant and Maritime London member Moore Stephens. The firm noted encouraging news on freight rates. According to London’s Baltic Exchange its headline Baltic Dry Index, which tracks dry bulk freight rates, stood at an average of 1205 points over the whole of 2013 against 929 the previous year.
Big Ship Iron Ore Freight Rates Fall
Capesize iron ore freight rates in the Pacific and Atlantic fell further Tuesday, driven by lower-priced fixtures out of South Africa in the absence of Brazilian and West Australian charterers, reports Platts. Platts say they assessed the Capesize iron ore freight rate at $15.50/wmt on the Saldanha Bay to Qingdao route Tuesday, down $1.50/wmt from the previous day. A Japanese shipowner estimated there were presently about 30 Capesize vessels chasing cargoes in the Pacific.
Texas LNG Makes Strides on US LNG Export Project
Texas LNG LLC says it has as filed an application to the United States Department of Energy (DOE) seeking authorization to export up to 2 MTA (million tonnes per annum) of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to FTA (Free Trade Agreement) and non-FTA markets following the execution of its exclusive lease option agreement with the Port of Brownsville in South Texas, USA. The company explains it will employ a…
