Phase 1 Dredging Wraps Up in Redwood City
![Photo: Port of Redwood City](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-port-of-redwood-city-37392.jpg)
Phase 1 of maintenance dredging of the Redwood City Harbor and Channel was completed this week, bringing the Port of Redwood City channel to a depth of 28 feet. The $12.8 million project, completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), will enable ships to operate more efficiently when navigating the Port's channel. Phase 2 of the dredging project to restore the channel to it authorized depth of 30 feet will occur in mid-2015.
Philippines to Buy Naval Assets, China Sea Dispute Simmers
The Philippines aims to buy two frigates, two helicopters and three gunboats for deployment in the South China Sea where a territorial dispute with China has lent…
Maersk: Rate Hike Under Pressure on Low Demand
Container shipping firm Maersk Line said a fresh attempt made on Monday to raise freight rates on main routes from ports in Asia to those in northern Europe was…
WCI Applauds Barge Diesel Fuel User Fee Increase
![Michael J. Toohey](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/michael-j-toohey-37383.jpg)
Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) and its members and stakeholders applauded the Senate’s passage, by a vote of 76 to16, of a 9-cent increase to the barge diesel fuel user fee. The provision was a part of tax extenders legislation that was combined with the “Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE)” Act that establishes tax-favored savings accounts for individuals with disabilities. The ABLE Act that…
USCG Provides SAR Planning Support to Korea
Coast Guard search and rescue crews were relieved by Republic of Korea assets on Saturday in their search for 26 crewmembers from the fishing vessel 501 Oryong that capsized Nov.
Crewboat Sold to European Buyers
Marcon International, Inc. of Coupeville, Washington infomred that Tidewater Marine International Inc. has sold their 41.2m x 8.2m x 3.5m depth / 2.38m draft, high-speed…
Vard Wins Farstad's OSCV Contract
Vard Holdings Limited (“VARD”) has secured a contract for the design and construction of one Offshore Subsea Construction Vessel (“OSCV”) for Farstad Shipping (“Farstad”).
WCI Applauds Passage of New Barge Tax
Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) and its members and stakeholders tonight applauded the Senate’s passage, by a vote of 76 to16, of a 9-cent increase to the barge diesel fuel user fee.
CSL St-Laurent on Maiden Voyage
The second of Canada Steamship Lines' (CSL) two newbuild Trillium Class Great Lakes bulk carriers, CSL St-Laurent, was delivered on November 26, 2014 and set sail on her maiden voyage on December 13.
Panama Canal Expansion Moves Ahead
The works for the grout curtain to protect the foundation of Borinquen 1E Dam concluded today. The grout curtain is 2.4 kilometers long and 15 meters deep under…
Coast Guard Foundation Chosen Charity on Celebrity Apprentice
The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education and welfare of Coast Guard members and their families, announced today that this season…
Breakthrough Capability Keeps Subs, Ships Safe
Interactive software that can dramatically cut the time it takes to plan safe submarine missions is crossing over to the surface fleet and is being installed this…
NewLead & Ironridge Global Reach Settlement
NewLead Holdings Ltd. announced today that the Company reached a full and final settlement with Ironridge Global IV ("Ironridge") on December 11, 2014 of all disputes between the parties.
Nigeria Maritime Workers' Strike Looms Large
There are strong indications that the Maritime Workers of Nigeria (MWUN) may shut down port operations nationwide from tomorrow (17 December), and begin an indefinite…
Antwerp Port Showcases Barge Transport Initiatives
Each week more than 915 barges call at the port of Antwerp carrying project cargo, containers and dry and liquid bulk to and from northern France, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
Keels Laid for Oman’s New Naval Ships
![From left to right: Commander Mudhafar Al Riyami, 2IC, Staff Officer 1, Marine Engineer; Captain Abdulhameed Al Sinani, Most Senior, Head of Team; Bernard Gorman, Supervisor - Austal; John Cooper, Program Manager (Acting); Kutub Chowdhury, Principal Surveyor – DNV GL; and Lieutenant Commander Mubarak Al Kasbi, Staff Officer, Marine Engineer. (Photo: Austal)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/from-left-to-right-commander-37367.jpg)
Austal Australia has completed the keel laying for two 72-meter High Speed Support Vessels (HSSVs) for the Royal Navy of Oman. The occasion was formally recognized at an event held today at Austal’s Australian Shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia. Keel-laying traditionally marks the first significant milestone in a ship’s construction. In old Maritime tradition, historically keel-laying was the “laying down” of the main timber making up the backbone of a vessel.
Austal Delivers Fourth Cape Class Patrol Boat
![Photo: Austal](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-austal-37365.jpg)
Austal Limited has delivered Cape Sorell, the fourth of eight Cape Class Patrol Boats being supplied to the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service under a $330 million design, build and in-service support contract. Austal Chief Executive Officer Andrew Bellamy said it represented a significant milestone with half the Cape Class fleet now delivered, and continuing to be delivered in accordance with contracted timeframes.
White House Takes Aim at Illegal Seafood Trade
![Photo: NOAA](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-noaa-37364.jpg)
A White House task force on Tuesday issued proposals to tighten the grip on the illegal global seafood trade, which the group said causes billions of dollars in losses to the legal fishing industry annually. Under the plan, the United States would create a program to trace seafood entering its ports from the source to the shelves, to prevent illegal products from getting into the domestic market. The recommendations would compel Congress to grant several federal agencies the authority to search…
Gamma Builds Customized Yacht for Andrea Bocelli
![Photo: Vripack](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-vripack-37363.jpg)
Gamma Yachts has built its most customized Gamma 20 so far, with smart design from Vripack, to opera singer Andrea Bocelli. Gamma Yachts announced the delivery of 22.1-meter M/Y Libertas, the third in its Gamma 20 ‘mini’ super yacht series. With design by Dutch company Vripack, the yacht has impressive guest space for its length overall as well as excellent fuel efficiency, the builder said. Built and designed in Holland…
Canada West Coast Ports Offer Little Relief from US Delays
![Photo: Port Metro Vancouver](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-port-metro-vancouver-37360.png)
The gridlock at U.S. West Coast ports that has forced McDonald's to ration French fries at its Japanese restaurants and interrupted supplies to retailers such as Lululemon is unlikely to be alleviated by routing cargoes through Canada, whose Pacific ports face their own problems. Capacity is already limited at Canada's largest port, Port Metro Vancouver, which is also staring at the possibility of another crippling strike by container truck drivers.