Meet the BWTBoat: Innovative Solution to the BWT Issue?
Shipowners continue to face major challenges with the impending ratification of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC). As BWMC edges towards its required ratification numbers and comes into force, it will have significant impact on merchant shipping and in particular owners operating in regional and coastal trades, the conference, which is part of the Asia Pacific Maritime (APM) event taking place at Marina Bay Sands, heard.
Vessel Owner Fined for Illegally Manning U.S. Flagged Vessels
Coast Guard Sector Guam has levied fines against the South Pacific Tuna Corporation for eight separate violations of Title 46 United States Code, Section 8304 for using unlicensed foreign personnel to illegally fill the roles of chief mate and chief engineer on U.S. flagged vessels. Crewmembers from Sector Guam determined in March 2012 that the violations had taken place on five of the company’s 14 purse seine vessels while conducting dockside vessel safety examinations in Pohnpei…
USN Continues to Help in Search for Missing MH370
A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft completed its transition from Kuala Lumpur to Perth March 18 to continue the search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 in the southern Indian Ocean. "The search has expanded to the southern portions of the Indian Ocean and the P-8A has the range required to reach those waters," said Lt. Clayton Hunt of Patrol Squadron (VP) 16, the search and rescue detachment mission commander.
Aircraft, Ships Continue Search for Missing Jetliner
Reuters reported that aircraft and ships continued to brave rough weather conditions in search of objects floating in remote seas off Australia, generating what…
USN Photo of the Day: USS James E. Williams
The guided-missile destroyer USS James E. Williams (DDG 95) transits the Atlantic Ocean en route to Scotland to participate in Joint Warrior 14-1. Joint Warrior is a semiannual, United Kingdom-led training exercise.
Transas: New Liquid Cargo Handling Simulator
Transas Marine launched its new liquid cargo handling simulator LCHS 5000 TechSim LNG which reportedly is the first one in the market to boast ship-to-ship transfer functionality. The new Transas LCHS 5000 TechSim product line includes simulators for LNG tanker, LNG terminal and LPG carrier. Ship-to-ship transfer is a complex operation which requires adequate training to minimise the risks of damage to personnel, environment and assets.
Georgia Increases Funding for Port Deepening
The $35 million in additional port deepening funds proposed by Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has been approved by the state legislature and now awaits the governor’s signature. Along with previous funding, Georgia has now allocated $266 million, fulfilling the state’s portion of the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP). “Lawmakers across Georgia recognize that improving the Savannah Harbor is critically important to the continued economic health of this state and region,” Deal said.
KR Launch New CSR-H Ship Design Software
IACS member classification society the Korean Register (KR) informs of the release of SeaTrust-HullScan, its ground-breaking software solution to analyze and appraise a vessel’s hull structure in accordance with the new harmonized common structural rules (CSR-H). (CSR-H is an integrated set of rules in which CSR-BC (Common Structural Rules for Bulk Carriers) and CSR-OT (Common Structural Rules for Oil Tankers) are brought together…
China Shipyard Delivers Offshore Pipelay Heavy Lift Vessel
COSCO (Nantong) Shipyard a subsidiary of the COSCO Shipyard Group informs it has delivered a pipelay heavy lift vessel, "SapuraKencana 1200", to its Asian buyer. The pipelay heavy lift vessel is designed to carry out multiple functions including oil piping processing, laying, installation and heavy lifting. Classed by ABS, the vessel is capable of working in shallow water of up to 200 meters with a ten-point mooring system.
HK Firm Gets Ship Arrested, Shines Light on Debtor's Operations
Hong Kong company Shagang Shipping has successfully obtained an order for the arrest of the HNA Group controlled vessel 'MV Bulk Peace' from the Western Australia District Registry. The move is part of a long-running legal campaign seeking payment of USD 66.4m from HNA Group. The claims arise from 2008 when Shagang Shipping chartered a capesize bulk carrier MV Dong-A Astrea, owned by Dong-A Tankers, to a HNA Group company, Grand China Shipping Company Limited, for a period of seven years.
WSS Starts Asia Expansion with Thailand Opening
Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) says it is expanding its network of supply points across Asia as it responds to an increasing level of offshore oil and gas exploration and production. The first new WSS supply point, at Songkhla, southern Thailand opened in January 2014 and other locations have been identified to enable WSS to work closer to areas of emerging demand. New supply sites are under consideration in Kemaman, Malaysia, Balikpapan, Indonesia and in Myanmar.
Sovcomflot Reports on Slippery 2013 Financial Slope
SCF Group (Sovcomflot)
 has released its audited financial results for the year ending 31, December 2013, indicating a slip in profitability during what they describe as another challenging year for the international tanker industry. Further implementation of programme of commercial voyages along the Northern Sea Route, involving ice-class tankers SCF Yenisei and Viktor Bakaev (first transit completed by the Group in an East-West direction) and the bulk carrier NS Yakutia.
Making Sense of it in China: Navis DP Simulator Plus Chinese Script
Navis informs it has commissioned the first dynamic positioning (DP) simulator with Chinese language interface at Dalian Maritime University, one the world’s largest training facilities, where more than 60,000 people have been trained to form the backbone of China’s shipping industry. “Successful implementation marks a major step forward in China for maritime training programmes for future DP operators and watch-keeping officers…
Sandy Hook Pilots Warn of NY Channel Depth Restrictions
The Army Corps has informed the Pilots that maintenance dredging in the Arthur Kill has been only partially completed and that the previously shoaled areas in and…
Sea Rescues on a Grand Scale off Coast of Italy
Italian authorities inform they have rescued more than 2,000 illegal migrants, many from North Africa, off Sicily's coast in the past 48 hours, reports BBC News. Every year, thousands of migrants try to reach Europe via Spain and Italy. Many of those making the dangerous journey come from Eritrea and Somalia, but in the past year the numbers from Syria have also soared because of the civil war there.
Navy Submarines Begin Arctic Ocean Exercises
Virginia-class attack submarine USS New Mexico (SSN 779) and Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Hampton (SSN 767) have commenced Ice Exercise 2014 (ICEX 2014) in the Arctic Ocean, says Commander, US Submarine Forces. "In keeping with the Department of Defense's Arctic Objectives, the Submarine Force uses Ice Exercises to prepare for a wide range of challenges and contingencies," said Capt. Paul Whitescarver…
China Firms ZTE & COSCO in Greek Port Logistics Deal
China's leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions ZTE and shipping conglomerate COSCO have signed an agreement allowing Greece's…
Safer Seas: Ship Losses Continued to Fall in 2013
The recently published annual review of trends and developments in shipping losses and safety – 'Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty Safety and Shipping Review' – indicates that world-wide ship losses declined by 20% compared with 2012. With more than 90% of global trade estimated to be carried by sea, the safety of international shipping vessels and routes is critical to the health of the global economy.
Energy Treasure Chest Sea of Okhotsk is Russia's, UN Finds
A United Nations commission has officially recognized the Sea of Okhotsk enclave, off Russia’s southeastern coast, as part of the country’s continental shelf, informs Ria Novosti citing the Russian minister of natural resources. Russia will get exclusive rights to the area of 52,000 square kilometers, considered by the government to be an Ali Baba’s cave containing reserves of valuable minerals and other natural resources.
UK Budget 2014 Good News for Shipping: Analysts
The UK government’s Budget 2014, issued on 19 March 2014, is good news for UK shipping as it ensures the continuation of a stable UK tax regime for shipping, as has been the case for the past few years, according to international accountant and shipping adviser Moore Stephens. Moore Stephens tax partner Sue Bill says, “Overall, Budget 2014 is fairly neutral for shipping. The main surprise is the restriction…
