Dover Sets Freight Vehicles Export Record
![](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/-30044.jpg)
A record number of freight vehicles departed on services through the Port of Dover yesterday, reaching numbers not seen since before the recession. The port said 5,337 freight vehicles departed for Calais and Dunkirk from Europe’s busiest ferry port, beating the previous record of 5,322 set in 2008. It was also the third busiest day ever for total numbers, with 10,134 freight vehicles handled. The busiest day was in 2008 when the port handled 10…
Lakes Water Levels Return, but Not Full Loads
![photo courtesy of the Port of Cleveland](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-courtesy-of-the-port-30046.jpg)
The rise in Great Lakes water levels has yet to translate into full loads for the U.S.-flag freighters moving iron ore, coal, limestone, cement and other cargos. Vessels continue to routinely leave port with less than a full load on board. The largest iron ore cargo moved by a U.S.-flag laker through the Soo Locks in June totaled 69,576 tons. The record iron ore cargo for the “Head-of-the-Lakes Trade” is 72,300 tons and was carried in 1997, a period of near record-high water levels.
Maersk Continues Exit from Crude Transport
![(Photo : Maersk)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-maersk-30041.jpg)
Maersk Tankers, a unit of A.P. Moller-Maersk, said on Thursday it had quit four unprofitable crude oil charter contracts by buying out supertankers and selling them onwards, continuing its exit from crude oil transportation. The company now has charters for just two supertankers, called Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), although the intention is to get out of these contracts too, Maersk Tankers spokeswoman Stine Pedersen said.
Lakes Legislators Help Boost Corps Funding
![photo by Rod Burdick](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-by-rod-burdick-30038.jpg)
Great Lakes legislators played a key role in yesterday’s vote in the House of Representatives to increase the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ national budget by nearly $58 million. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.), along with Rep. Janice Hahn (D-Calif.), authored the amendment to the House’s FY15 Energy & Water Appropriations bill and Representatives Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Dan Benishek (R-Mich.) and Rick Nolan (D-Minn.) took the floor to support the measure.
Third Cruise Terminal Under Construction in Hamburg
![from left to right: Michael Eggenschwiler, Managing Director Hamburg Airport, Senator Frank Horch, Iris Scheel, Director Terminal Operating company and Jens Meier, Managing Director Hamburg Port Authority.](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/from-left-to-right-michael-30035.jpg)
Construction of the third cruise terminal in Hamburg commenced July 4 with a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony. And in less than a month, the biggest cruise ceremony will take place on the river Elbe, the fourth edition of the Hamburg Cruise Days, taking place August 1-3. The month of August will see in total 43 cruise calls. Surface construction work on the site of Hamburg’s third cruise terminal at the Kronprinzkai quay in Steinwerder officially commenced last Friday…
OSX Brasil Suspends Creditor Payments
![Photo courtesy of OSX](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-courtesy-of-osx-30034.jpg)
A Netherlands-based subsidiary of Brazilian tycoon Eike Batista's bankrupt shipbuilding and shipleasing unit OSX Brasil SA suspended payments to creditors after being granted protection by a Dutch court. According to a securities filing on Thursday, OSX sought protection for its OSX WHP 1&2 Leasing BV unit after an unnamed "alleged creditor" asked a court to order payment in a way that threatened OSX's obligations to other creditors.
LR to Support LNG Bunkering in Portsmouth
![Aerial view of Portsmouth and ferry terminals (Photo: LR)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/aerial-view-of-portsmouth-and-30030.jpg)
Lloyd’s Register (LR) is working with British port to develop operational procedures and technical standards required for safe LNG bunkering operations. LR has commenced a project to identify the technical specifications and develop operating procedures for safe LNG bunkering in Portsmouth International Port. The project will position Portsmouth to develop its ambitions to become an LNG bunkering facility and hub – the first in the United Kingdom.
Alfa Laval’s Paved Way For Environmental Solutions
![PureBallast 3.0](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/pureballast-30-30029.jpg)
Alfa Laval claims a place as one of today’s environmental frontrunners among marine equipment suppliers. The company’s Pure Thinking portfolio comprises not only compliant solutions for the broadest range of environmental legislation, but also leading technology – or even the only technology – in each respective area, the company said. At this year’s SMM, Alfa Laval will be showcasing the portfolio’s most recent developments, which include the soon-to-be-launched PureSOx 2.0.
Forecast Predicts 70% Chance of El Nino
![Photo courtesy of NOAA](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-courtesy-of-noaa-30020.gif)
The U.S. weather forecaster maintained its outlook for the El Nino weather phenomenon in its monthly update on Thursday, pegging the chances of the weather pattern striking during the Northern Hemisphere summer at 70 percent. The Climate Prediction Center, an agency of the National Weather Service, said there was close to an 80 percent chance of El Nino, that can wreak havoc on crops, during the fall and early winter. (Reporting by Josephine Mason in New York; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)
Wilson Sons InksTwo PSV Contracts with Damen
![From left to right: Erik Hertel (Sales Manager Damen), Bram Verwijs (Project Manager Damen), Michael Schröder (CEO Ultratug), Federico Irrgang (President Wilson, Sons Ultratug), Arnaldo Calbucci (Vice-President Wilson, Sons), MartĂn Brau (CEO Antares Naviera), |RenĂ© Berkvens (CEO Damen), Adalberto Souza (Director Wilson Sons Shipyard), Frits van Drenth (Product Director Damen), Arnout Damen (COO Damen), Rutger Dolk (Sales Manager Damen) [Photo: Damen]](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/from-left-to-right-erik-30027.jpg)
At the International Tug, Salvage and OSV Convention on June 19, Wilson Sons (Brazil) and Damen Shipyards Group (Netherlands) signed a contract for two Damen PSV 5000s. This contract further strengthens cooperation between the two companies, where Wilson Sons builds vessels locally using a Damen design, engineering and material package. The PSV 5000s, measuring 85 meters in length and 19 meters in width, will feature a diesel-electric propulsion line with DP2 station keeping capabilities.
Alfa Laval's Adaptive Fuel Line
![Alfa Laval Adaptive Fuel Line](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/alfa-laval-adaptive-fuel-line-30028.jpg)
Though fuel-saving practices like slow steaming are widespread, energy efficiency continues to be a pressing concern. Vessel fuel bills remain high – and will likely become even higher for those sailing in Emission Control Areas after January 2015. Catastrophic engine damage due to cat fines is also on the rise, along with safety worries related to multi-fuel operation. Yet in the face of these complex and interrelated issues…
Shipping loan losses hit Norwegian bank DNB's earnings
Q2 net profit NOK 4.65 bln vs f'cast NOK 4.77 bln; loan losses NOK 554 mln vs fcast NOK 398 mln. Bank on schedule to fulfill capital requirements, but shares down 4.6 percent…
Collision Halts Statoil Oseberg Platform Production
Statoil shut its oil platform at the Oseberg East field offshore Norway after a collision with a supply vessel but production was expected to restart later the same day, a spokesman said.
Fugro Warns of Disappointing First Half
Dutch marine services company Fugro NV has warned that weakness in the oil and gas industry, combined with technical difficulties, meant its results for the first…
3 Cargo Tenders for Australia's NWS LNG Project
Australia's North West Shelf liquefied natural gas (LNG) export plant is expected to soon launch a tender to sell three cargoes loading in September, shipping and…
Latest FMCS Update on West Coast Labor Talks
FMCS Statement on Labor Negotiations Between the ILWU and Pacific Northwest Grain Handlers. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service issued the following statement…
Tesoro Refining Wins 2011 Long Beach Oil Spill Case
Freeman Freeman & Smiley say that its lead trial attorney Robert S. Crowder (assisted by attorneys Russell R. Fisk and John D. Van Ackeren) have celebrated a win with their client…
Seadrill Obtains US$1.35-bln Bank Credit Reflnancing
Seadrill Limited informs it has received commitments from 17 banks for a US$1.35 billion credit facility with a 5 year term and 10 year amortization profile to refinance…
Swiber Up 8 Places in Singapore's Top Brand Ranking
Offshore service vessel operators Swiber says its brand has shot up 8 places to rank 68th in Singapore’s Top 100 Brands 2014 as the company gained international…
Dmitry Kapiturov of Robert Allan acquires APEGBC Registration
Robert Allan Ltd. is pleased to announce that Mr. Dmitry Kapiturov has earned his accreditation as a Registered Professional Engineer with APEGBC (Association of…