Landmark ECJ Ruling on Liability Limitation for Cargo Theft
Rotterdam based law firm AKD said a recent landmark decision of the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg definitively puts its weight behind forum shopping to limit liability under the CMR Convention in carrier-friendly countries. This is a boon to the Dutch jurisdiction and specifically comes at the expense of the courts in Germany. The ruling had its origins in a dispute between cargo interests…
Navy Implements Random Synthetic Marijuana Testing
As part of a new Department of Defense (DoD) policy, the Navy began testing for synthetic marijuana compounds during random urinalysis, officials announced Dec. 31.
MOL's Top News Highlights 2013
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. Transferred sales and vessel operations of the dry bulker fleet (over 130 vessels) to Singapore to advance business expansion. ¥101.5 billion was allocated as cost of BSR during the fourth quarter of FY2012. Set forth the target of absolutely achieving profitability in FY2013 in the single-year management plan “RISE 2013”, and carried forward business model reforms (accumulating stable profits, scaling down free fleet).
Fort Schuyler Alumni Preserve Maritime Education
In 1912, following several financially difficult years for the New York Nautical School, America’s first Maritime Academy, founded 1874, the New York City Board of Education…
Mahmood to Manage Marine Response Alliance
Samina Mahmood, former commercial manager for TITAN Salvage, has been appointed manager for Marine Response Alliance, an association of U.S. emergency responders providing OPA 90 Salvage Marine Firefighting (SMFF). MRA, founded in 1994, combines experts in all facets of emergency response with salvage, firefighting and lightering equipment in all Captain of the Port Zones. Alliance members include TITAN, Crowley, Marine Pollution Control and McAllister Towing & Transportation.
ACP Reaffirms Commitment to Panama Canal Expansion
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) reaffirms its commitment to successfully complete the Expansion Program to fulfill its objective of offering a new era to world maritime trade. “For the Panama Canal it is of utmost importance that the Expansion Program is completed to better serve the international maritime community and its customers,” said Panama Canal Administration Jorge L. Quijano. ACP categorically rejects the pressures by contractor Grupo Unidos del Canal, S.A.
2013 DOT Year in Review: Saint Lawrence Seaway
On the Saint Lawrence Seaway, the binational waterway we operate in partnership with Canada, the end of the calendar year also means the end of the navigation season. And 2013 was another busy year on the Seaway. In fact, activity at our Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation in Massena, NY, never slows down, even after the locks are closed. Because when the navigation season ends, the repair, maintenance, and upgrade work begins.
Coast Guard Icebreaking Operations Underway in Great Lakes
The Canadian Coast Guard, in partnership with the United States Coast Guard and the Ontario Provincial Police, has an important safety message for all ice surface…
SOLAS, MARPOL Amendments in Effect
A number of amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships…
USCG Safety Alert: Entanglement Accidents
A recent marine casualty involving a severe injury to a crewmember aboard an inspected passenger vessel reminds us that these hazards happen in any segment of the maritime industry. Moving, rotating and reciprocating machinery may include (but are not limited to) rotating or spinning shafts, fan blades, fan or serpentine belts, gearing, hydraulic ram assemblies, couplings, arms, linkages, windlasses, drums, blocks, booms and sheaves, etc.
Today in U.S. Naval History: January 2
Today in U.S. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.
Shell Acquires Repsol LNG Portfolio
Royal Dutch Shell plc has announced the completion of the acquisition of Repsol S.A.'s liquefied natural gas (LNG) portfolio outside North America for a headline cash consideration of $4.1 billion. As part of the transaction, Shell will also assume $1.6 billion of balance sheet liabilities relating to existing leases for LNG ship charters, substantially increasing the shipping capacity available to Shell's LNG marketing business.
Gas and Oil Discoveries in the Askja Prospects
Operator Statoil has together with PL272 partners made a gas discovery in the Askja West prospect and an oil discovery in the Askja East prospect in the North Sea. The exploration wells 30/11-9 S and 30/11-9 A, drilled by the drilling rig Ocean Vanguard, are located between the Oseberg and Frigg fields and about 13 km southeast of the Statoil-operated Krafla/Krafla West discoveries. Main wellbore…
MV Akademik Shokalskiy Update
Rescue operations delayed by ice conditions. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s (AMSA) Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC Australia) has been advised this morning that sea ice conditions in the area are likely to delay today’s planned rescue of passengers from the MV Akademik Shokalskiy. It is now likely the rescue will not go ahead today. AMSA understands that current sea ice conditions prevent…
Naval Architects 3GA Marine Open Victoria BC Office
3GA Marine, a growing naval architecture and marine engineering firm has announced the opening of their new office located in View Royal, a suburb of Victoria, BC. Company founder and president David Stocks is a naval architect with over 40 years’ experience leading teams of experts in maritime and offshore vessel projects. He established 3GA Marine in 2012, in response to a need from the commercial marine sector in Canada and across the Pacific Rim for high-quality…
Korea Shipbuilders May See Mild 2014 Recovery: Analysts
The nation’s major shipbuilders are expected to undergo a mild recovery on the back of a pickup in demand for commercial vessels and liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers…
World Economy Poised for Faster Growth Says Oil Report
The world economy is set for faster growth now that it has achieved escape velocity. Current low oil inventories and stock declines are supporting strong prices.
Struggling Florida Swimmer Spends Night on Channel Marker
A 31-year-old woman was rescued by the Coast Guard Auxiliary after she was spotted clinging to a channel marker near Matanzas Pass, Fla., having been swept out to sea and forced to cling to the navigation channel marker for 7 hours on New Year's Eve. The boatcrew from Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 91 was on a routine patrol when they located the woman, at 7-45 a.m. on New Year's Day, removed her from the marker and brought her aboard.
First Photo of China's Carrier Battle Group
The Chinese Navy has released the first photographs of what many military observers believe is the 'Liaoning' aircraft carrier battle group reports Xinhua. The photo (reproduced here) shows the Liaoning sailing in company with several battleships, submarines and military aircraft The Navy did not disclose when and where the picture was taken. The carrier has successfully carried out 37 days of tests…
Indian Shipyards Likely to Benefit from Government Orders
Indian shipyards will commission five warships each year in the next five years, reports 'The New Indian Express', citing Defence Minister A K Antony, who added…