UPDATE: Vessel Feared Hijacked Still Missing off Luanda
![Dryad Photo: suspected pirate vessel underway.](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/dryad-photo-suspected-pirate-vessel-22339.jpg)
Suspected pirate vessel off Angola. Dryad Maritime - a UK-based maritime intelligence firm - says situation has not changed since yesterday. Dryad Maritime is warning of the possible hijack of a Liberian flagged tanker MT Kerala. The vessel, owned by Dynacom Tankers, has been reported as missing off the coast of Angola, having last been sighted seven nautical miles NNW of Luanda. The tanker’s disappearance…
Topaz Buys Two Anchor Handling Vessels
![Caspian Challenger](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/caspian-challenger-22336.jpg)
Topaz Energy and Marine has announced the acquisition of two large and modern Anchor Handling Towage and Supply Vessels (AHTSV) at a purchase price in excess of $100 million (USD). The vessels, the Caspian Challenger and the Caspian Endeavour, are sister vessels built by Kleven Maritime in Norway in 2008 and 2009, respectively. The vessels are equipped with dynamic positioning DP2, automated safe anchor…
Golden Energy Orders PARAT Boiler Plant
![](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/-22335.jpg)
Golden Energy Offshore said it has decided to expand their fleet to meet the increasing demand of ORO vessels and NOFO class requirements and will within the end of March reclassify and update the ship Energy Swan according to the 2009 regulations. Energy Swan is a PSV/ROV of ST-216 L design, built at Brattvaag Shipyard in 2005. Part of and included in PARAT’s scope of supply will be combined electric steam and hot water boiler with capacity each of 1…
Boxer, Shuster to be AAPA’s 2014 ‘Port Persons of Year’
U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA) have been jointly selected to receive the American Association of Port Authorities’ (AAPA) 2014 “Port Person of the Year” award.
Videotel Course Helps Cut ECAS Costs
![](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/-22333.jpg)
With high profile carriers agreeing to continue a voluntary low-sulphur fuel switch while at berth in Hong Kong, the issue of emission controls is once again in the headlines. Stepping into this arena, Videotel has launched a new training course, The Practical Management and Switching of Fuels, designed to ensure that switching to low sulphur fuel when operating in Emission Control Areas (ECAs) avoids…
Rex International Wins 5 Offshore Norway Licenses
The Group’s portfolio of licenses increased to 21, well ahead of its target of 20 licences by July 2014. Rex International Holding Limited (“Rex International Holding” orthe “Company”…
Matson to Announce 2013 Results
![](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/-22332.jpg)
Matson, Inc. has announced that it will release its financial results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2013 on Tuesday, February 25, 2014. President and Chief Executive Officer Matthew Cox and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Joel Wine will discuss the results for the fourth quarter and full year through a conference call that will occur after financial results are released. The earnings conference call is scheduled at 4:30 p.m. EST/1:30 p.m. PST/11:30 a.m. HST.
A Holistic Approach to Crew Insurance
![Robert Johnston](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/robert-johnston-22331.jpg)
“In 2014, does it still make sense for P&I Clubs to underwrite routine health and accident claims?” asks Robert Johnston, head of the crew medical and personal accident insurance specialist Crewsure. Commenting on the heightened atmosphere of the P&I renewal season, Mr Johnston added, “Clubs have inherited the task of dealing with seafarers who need medical treatment. Yet they are not healthcare insurers…
China to Base Patrol Ship in Disputed S. China Sea Islands
![Sansha: Photo Wikimedia CCL](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/sansha-photo-wikimedia-ccl-22318.png)
The vessel would be based at the small town of Sansha on one of the Paracel Islands and a regular patrol system would be set up from the base gradually, report the 'South China Morning Post', citing the 'China Ocean News'. Sansha was established two years ago to administer areas of the South China Sea that are also claimed by Vietnam and the Philippines. The decision to base the patrol boat in the area was part of an agreement between Sansha and the maritime authorities in Hainan…
UK Ferries Carried a Million More Last Year
![UK ferry routes: Map courtesy of Discover Ferries](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/uk-ferry-routes-map-courtesy-22319.jpg)
Annual 2013 figures show more passengers, cars and coaches carried by the UK ferry industry, compared with 2012, according to figures released by industry body, ‘Discover Ferries’. Britain’s ferry industry showed growth across all its travel sectors last year, with passenger numbers up 2.6% overall to 38 million, all cars carried up 1.1% to 8.37million, and coaches up overall 4.1% to 158,470 - according to 2013 “Ferrystat” figures, quoted by industry body, ‘Discover Ferries’.
BMT Launch CargoHandbook Mobile App
![Image courtesy of BMT Surveys](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/image-courtesy-of-bmt-surveys-22320.jpg)
International design, engineering and risk management consultancy BMT Surveys, have launched a new app which will provide mobile access to its CargoHandbook database. The app is now available as a free download for both Android and iOS users in the App Store (iOS) and Play Store (Android). CargoHandbook is the world’s largest online database for cargo transportation in the marine industry. As a rich source of knowledge…
Chinese Customer Signs Up for CRN Megayacht
![68-m Megayacht rendering courtesy of CRN](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/68m-megayacht-rendering-courtesy-of-22321.jpg)
CRN say they have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with a Chinese client for a 68 metres superyacht, the biggest vessel ever sold by CRN and Ferretti Group in China. The historic Italian shipyard of Ancona, part of Ferretti Group, which specialises in the construction and sale of fully-customised displacement megayachts, ranging from 40 to 90 metres in length, will build the new vessel. The 68 metres in length and 12.50 metres in breadth megayacht…
Pakistan Shipyard Cuts Keel of Navy Tugboat
![Tugboat keel ceremony: Photo credit KS&EW](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/tugboat-keel-ceremony-photo-credit-22322.jpg)
Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works Limited (KS&EW) say they have cut the keel of a 12-Ton Bollard Pull Pusher Tug being built for the Pakistan Navy at a ceremony attended in the shipyard by officials & dignitaries from Pakistan Navy, Government Authorities and KS&EW. The tug is 16.89 meter in length overall with a gross tonnage of 63 tons. It is fitted with a robust fendering arrangement for all round tugging operations for submarines ships and crafts.
China COSCO Turns its Financial Ship Around in 2013
![Image courtesy of China COSCO](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/image-courtesy-of-china-cosco-22323.jpg)
China COSCO Holdings Co. Ltd, the country's largest shipper, indicates a profit turnaround in 2013 after suffering heavy losses for two consecutive years, reports Xinhau. According to COSCO's earlier, 2013, financial report, the Shanghai-listed company made cutting operational costs a major task for 2013. The Group carried out various measures to overcome the difficulties, including the disposal of its interest in COSCO Logistics and COSCO Container Industries and stringent cost control.
Ship Safety Core of IMO Sec-Gen's New Year Address
![MO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu and SDC Chairman](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/mo-secretarygeneral-koji-sekimizu-and-22324.jpg)
Speaking at the first meeting of the newly-formed IMO Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction, IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu has delivered his New Year Address outlining some of the targets, challenges and priorities the Organization in year 2014. Mr. Sekimizu recalled that he was speaking on the day of the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the first ever Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS), which was a direct response to the sinking of the Titanic in 1912.
Huge New Northern Sea Route LNG Carrier Named
![New LNG carrier Velikiy Novgorod: Photo courtesy of Gazprom](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/new-lng-carrier-velikiy-novgorod-22325.jpg)
The new Russian-flag liquefied natural gas (LNG ) carrier was named 'Velikiy Novgorod' at the STX O&S shipyard in the city of Jinhae (South Korea) and becomes the fifth in Gazprom's tanker fleet. Gazprom explain that the Velikiy Novgorod is a gas carrier with membrane cargo tanks and a cargo capacity of 170.2 thousand cubic meters. It has dual-fuel diesel-electric propulsion, which can be powered by LNG, fuel oil or gasoil.
Clarkson Asia Appoint Maher to Head Drybulk Operations
![Jonny Maher: Photo courtesy of Clarksons](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/jonny-maher-photo-courtesy-of-22326.jpg)
Shipping services provider, Clarksons, say they have appointed long time Asia expert, Jonny Maher, as Head of Dry Cargo for the Asia-Pacific. Based in Singapore, he will head up Clarksons' drybulk operations in the region. The move, they say, is a response to both Clarksons' growing presence in the region and the huge growth in clients now operating out of Singapore. Jonny was previously Head of Asia for Arrow Shipbroking and has lived in the region for 18 years…
Fincantieri to Build Seabourn Cruise Ship
![Company's 'Seabourn Quest': Photo courtesy of the owners](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/companys-seabourn-quest-photo-courtesy-22328.jpg)
Italy-based shipbuilders Fincantieri say they have been contracted to build the new ship by Seabourn, the ultra-luxury cruise brand of Carnival Corp. The shipbuilders inform that the ship, due to join the Seabourn fleet in the second half of 2016, will be built according to the standards and technical solutions that make Seabourn one of the most prestigious brands in the ultra-luxury segment and will continue the fleet modernization that began in 2009.
Ireland's Ardmore Continues Tankship Fleet Expansion
![Newbuilding: Photo courtesy of Ardmore](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/newbuilding-photo-courtesy-of-ardmore-22329.jpg)
Ardmore Shipping Corporation says it has taken delivery of the newbuilding product & chemical tanker 'Ardmore Seavantage' and also of the 2006-built 'Ardmore Seamariner' as it continues its fleet expansion programme. Cork, Ireland-based Ardmore informs it has taken delivery of the Ardmore Seavantage, a 49,999 Dwt IMO 3 Eco-design MR product and chemical tanker built at SPP Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. in South Korea.
Newport News Shipbuilding Opens S.C. Office
![Aiken office opening: Photo courtesy of HII](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/aiken-office-opening-photo-courtesy-22327.jpg)
Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) announce that its Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division has opened a field office in Aiken, S.C., as part of its continuing efforts to expand the company's business in the Department of Energy and commercial energy markets. NNS leadership joined community leaders to officially open the office with a ribbon-cutting event (see photo). HII explain that the Aiken…