IMB Warns of West Africa Piracy Threat
The ICC International Maritime Bureau is asking ships to be extra vigilant when transiting West Africa as piracy in the region becomes a growing concern. Since the beginning of the year, one vessel, MT Kerala, has been hijacked and six were boarded in West Africa. There was also one attempted attack. The hijacking of the Liberian-flag product tanker in January by Nigerian pirates has sparked fears these gangs are venturing further south.
Hoover Acquires Scotland's Container Company Ltd.
Hoover Container Solutions (Hoover) informs it has acquired Container Company Ltd. , a leading supplier of cargo carrying units (CCUs) for the offshore oil and gas industry.
ABS to Release LNG Bunkering Report at CMA 2014
Classification society ABS inform that on Tuesday, 18 March 2014, ABS Vice President for Global Gas Solution Patrick Janssens will present an ABS report entitled Bunkering of Liquefied Natural-Gas Fueled Marine Vessels in North America at CMA’s Shipping 2014. The report, developed by ABS and ABS Group, provides a framework for addressing regulatory requirements related to LNG bunkering across North America.
Korean Shipyard Names Five New Containerships
Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), which claims to be the world’s biggest shipbuilder says that it set a new daily naming ceremony record by naming 5 containerships (ordered from Enesel) on a single day. In a simultaneous naming ceremony attended by Mr. Andonis Lemos; Mr Filippos Lemos; Mr. Kim Oi-hyun, President & CEO of Hyundai Heavy Industries; and other 130 participants at HHI’s yard in Ulsan, South Korea, the sponsors including Mrs. Irini N.
FMC Commissioner Comments on Key Shipping Issues at LA Forum
U.S. Federal Maritime Commissioner Doyle spoke to the Global Shippers Forum in Los Angeles and discussed Ro/Ro price fixing matters; the newly approved cooperation agreement between the ports of Seattle and Tacoma; the first PVO company to take advantage of the alternative bonding mechanisms; China VAT; Commission's 6 (g) Analysis, and the Suez/Panama Canal routes. This past week the Commission unanimously…
Colfax Names Bramstång Sales Director
Colfax Fluid Handling, a business of Colfax Corporation and company in fluid-handling solutions for critical applications, has named Carl-Henrik Bramstång Sales Director, Shipowner Sales. His new role will include the sales efforts for the company’s latest technology breakthrough, the Smart Technology CM-1000 Series, an intelligent controller for sea water cooling systems. Bramstång is a seasoned sales professional with almost 30 years of experience…
Petrobras Launches $8.5B Six-part Bond
Petrobras has launched a $8.5 billion six-bond offering after generating a $22 billion plus order book. The trade was launched as a $1.6 billion three-year fixed at Treasuries plus 250bp…
Tallink Cruise Ship Receives Maintenance at BLRT Yard
The maintenance of passenger ferry Victoria I at Finland’s largest ship repair yard, a part of BLRT Grupp, has been finished. Scheduled maintenance of Victoria I was carried out within six days at Turku Repair Yard’s dry dock. “The success of such projects, when quality maintenance has to be executed within shortest possible time, is ensured by smooth cooperation of BLRT Grupp and ship owner teams and partners.
Today in U.S. Naval History: March 10
Today in U.S. 1783 - USS Alliance (Capt. 1933 - Pacific Fleet provides assistance after earthquake at Long Beach, Calif. 1945 - Navy and civilian nurses interned at Los Banos…
Strike at Vancouver Port Picks up Steam
Unionized container truck drivers set up picket lines at Canada's largest port on Monday, joining hundreds of non-unionized workers who walked off the job last month in a dispute over pay and services. They will now join a nearly two-week long strike by non-unionized drivers, which has already crippled operations at the busy port, hitting the export of commodities like lumber and specialized grain products, and the import of consumer goods.
WSS Joins CLIA Global Executive Partner Program
Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) has strengthened its links to cruise industry owners and operators by becoming a member of the Cruise Lines Industry Association’s Global Executive Partner Program.
Sureclean Added to NRC Group
National Response Corporation (NRC) announced the completion of a deal which sees U.K.-based Sureclean Limited become part of the NRC group. NRC is a global provider of diversified environmental…
MTN Launches Social Media Threat Intelligence
MTN Government (MTNGOV), a subsidiary of MTN Communications (MTN) and a company in satellite communications, cybersecurity and integrated intelligence, surveillance…
Gov't Forces Seize Tanker at Rebel-held Port
Libyan government forces on Monday seized a tanker that had loaded crude at a port under the control of rebels who plan to sell oil independently of the Tripoli government…
BV to Class Largest Gas-fuelled Ro-pax Fleet
International classification society Bureau Veritas (BV) is to class a gas-fuelled major ro-ro passenger ferry newbuilding and oversee the conversion of three existing ro-pax ferries to LNG power for Brittany Ferries. A major risk analysis carried out by Bureau Veritas together with Tecnitas was integral to the decision process for Brittany Ferries to switch part of its fleet to gas fuel. Jean Jacques Juenet…
Russia Could Fend off US LNG Plans for Europe
As Russia tightened its grip on Ukraine's Crimea region this month, U.S. and European Union officials were urging the Obama Administration to speed up approvals…
Moore Stephens Urges Changes to UK Tonnage Tax
International accountant and shipping adviser Moore Stephens has made representations to Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) about changing the way in which the…
Wärtsilä Launches Inline Scrubber System
Wärtsilä said its new inline scrubber system is designed to offer notable benefits over conventional exhaust gas cleaning systems, and its compact form saves considerable space, which is particularly important in smaller vessels and when being retrofitted, while the lower cost structure of the new design offers CAPEX advantages. With just one scrubber system per engine, installation is faster and easier, Wärtsilä said, which consequently reduces the out-of-service time for the vessel.
Baltic Freight Index up on Higher Dry Bulk Activity
Reuters - The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, which tracks rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, rose on Monday. The overall index, which factors…
Bibby Remote Intervention Expands Fleet
Bibby Remote Intervention Limited (BRIL), part of Aberdeen-based subsea installation contractor, Bibby Offshore, has further expanded its fleet by signing a charter agreement for an IRM (Inspection Repair and Maintenance) light construction vessel and adding an additional two ROVs (Remote Operating Vehicles) to its operations. The charter agreement with Olympic Shipping is for a newly built MT6021 vessel for a three year period, with options to extend for an additional two years.
