Moroccan Wheat Trade Pushes for Longer Import Window
Millers and wheat importers in Morocco have asked the government to establish a longer annual window for imports after scrambling to secure shipments this season, trade sources said.
U.S. Maritime Advisory Panel Names 10 New Members

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx today announced the appointment of 10 new members to the Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council (MTSNAC). Established in 2010, MTSNAC is comprised of leaders from commercial transportation firms, trade associations, state and local public entities, labor organizations, academics, and environmental groups that advise the Secretary on policies to ensure that the U.S.
New Low-emissions Fuel Patented
Maine Maritime Academy faculty member, Dr. George Harakas, has coauthored a patent with colleague and business partner, Scott Eaton, for glycerol-containing fuel…
Baltic Sea Freight Index Down
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, which tracks rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, fell for a ninth straight session on Friday on lower vessel activity.
Ukraine in "Emergency" Talks Over Gas Imports
Ukraine is in emergency talks with European neighbours on the possibility of importing natural gas from the West, following "political" rises in the price it pays for Russian gas…
Euro Coal Prices Rise after Pause in Trading
European physical coal prices for May were slightly higher on Friday afternoon in the first trade since Monday as traders said coal prices had probably reached a floor.
Bestobell Exhibits LNG Technology

Bestobell Valves, part of the President Engineering Group (PEGL), attended the Gastech 2014 exhibition in South Korea recently and said it had a great response from visitors across the globe, including a significant number from South Korea and Japan. The company showcased its cryogenic valves, which are already widely used for industrial gas, LNG marine and land-based LNG (liquefied natural gas) applications across the world.
China to Close Nearly 2,000 Coal Mines
China will close 1,725 small-scale mines with a total capacity of 117.48 million metric tons in 2014 as part of its program to phase out low-quality coal production…
First Vessel of 2014 Arrives at St. Lambert
Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) advised that the St. Lawrence Seaway has now opened for its 2014 season at St. Lambert by accepting the first vessel of the year…
Icebreaking AHTS 'Tor Viking' Sub-Arctic Charter 2014/15 Cancelled

Sweden's Rederi AB TransAtlantic owners of the offshore drilling vessel 'Tor Viking' inform that the charter agreement for “Tor Viking” for the 2014 and 2015 seasons has been cancelled but the contract is still valid for the remainder of its period covering 2016 & 2017. The duration of each season is approximately 7 months including mobilization and demobilization with commencement around May 1st each year.
Investors Snap Up Shipping Loans, Reflecting Growing Confidence

Global private equity firm KKR has bought $150 million worth of shipping loans from two European banks amid a surge of interest in the industry as world trade in goods picks up along with the global economy. There have been a flurry of deals in recent months for ship finance loans, many of which are being put up for sale by banks under pressure to boost their capital in order to adhere to new, stricter industry legislation born of the financial crisis.
GD Electric Boat Awarded US$11-million Navy Contract

Amongst the latest listing of US Department of Defense, Navy contracts, GD Electric Boat is awarded a contract to provide submarine repairs. General Dynamics, Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Conn., is awarded an $11,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to the previously awarded contract (N00024-13-C-4308) to incrementally fund previously exercised options to provide non-nuclear submarine repair work on Groton-based submarines under the New England Maintenance Manpower Initiative (NEMMI).
Chile Port City Still Shut Following 8.2 Quake

As the aftershocks from a massive 8.2 magnitude quake that rattled northern Chile entered a third day, basic services were still out in the port city Iquique nearest the epicenter and residents fearful of tsunamis were fleeing into the hills. Iquique, an important port for freight travelling between Asia and South America, is shut for now. Even when ships are allowed to resume docking, it may struggle with a labor shortage…
Kongsberg Maritime's Double Whammy 200th Anniversary

Kongsberg Geoacoustics informs it has delivered its 200th Geoswath Plus on Kongsberg Maritime’s 200th anniversary. Nick Burchill, Subsea Sales Manager for Kongsberg Maritime in Canada presented a plaque to Denis D'Amours, Director of the Canadian Hydrographic Service's Pacific Region, which uses the equipment, in honour of the occasion. The Canadian Hydrographic Service uses its GeoSwath Plus systems for shallow water mapping when a high rate of coverage is required.
New Satellite Images Earth Environment, Monitors Disasters

Europe has launched the first satellite of its multibillion-euro 'Copernicus' Earth observation project that will supply valuable images in the event of natural disasters, ocean oil pollution, or even a plane crash. The Sentinel-1a satellite, which blasted off into Earth's orbit from Europe's spaceport in French Guiana, carries a 12-metre-long (40-foot-long) radar antenna and has two 10 metre-long solar panels, and is now orbiting the planet at 693 km (439 miles) above the earth.
Crew Missing as N. Korean Cargo Ship Sinks
Two crew members were found dead and three were rescued, while a search was under way for the other 11 crew still missing, the officials said. The Grand Fortune…
UK Shipping Industry Broadly Welcomes Commons' Committee Report

The UK government’s new maritime strategy “poses the right questions” about the country's shipping industry but “does not yet provide compelling answers on a range of key points that will have a major impact on this valuable sector of our economy” according to Louise Ellman, chairman of the House of Commons Transport Select Committee. The report here is from shipping trade association 'Maritime London'.
US EPA Serves ECA Suspected Violation Subpoenas

U.S. EPA has served subpoenas in connection with the investigation into potential violations of MARPOL Annex and the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) following the coming into force of the North American Emissions Control Area (ECA) on 1, August 2012. Ships operating within 200 miles of the U.S. coast are required, pursuant to MARPOL Annex VI and the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS), to burn low sulphur fuel oil and to document compliance. Although the U.S.
WSS Makes Key Asia Pacific Appointments

Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) advises that it has strengthened its Singapore-based management team with the appointment of Ms. Hege Solstad as Regional Director, WSS Asia Pacific, and Harald Lundestad as General Manager in the Singapore office. WSS say that these appointments reflect increased levels of business and a focus on expanding service provision across the Asia-Pacific region. Both individuals bring key skillsets to the WSS Asia operations…
New Marine Diesel Engine Fuel Patented by College Pair

Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) apprises that faculty member, Dr. George Harakas, has co-authored a patent with colleague and business partner, Scott Eaton, for glycerol-containing fuel aimed at reducing emissions in large diesel engines. The two are members of the SeaChange Group LLC a private company formed in 2009 to develop low-emissions fuels. They recently received notice from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that patent # 8,679,202 was formally issued.