US, German Agencies Partner for BWMS System Testing
New cooperation provides manufacturers of ballast water management systems (BWMS) with an opportunity to obtain German and U.S. NSF International, the first Independent…
Egypt: Vitol to Supply 9 LNG Cargos, in Talks with BP
Vitol will supply Egypt with nine LNG cargos for two years starting June 2015, an Egyptian oil ministry statement said on Thursday. The statement said the ministry…
Puget Sound Container Volumes Slide
The ports of Seattle and Tacoma saw combined container volumes fall 13 percent in January, continuing a trend that started in November. The Puget Sound gateway handled 226,906 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) last month. Containerized imports plunged 21 percent to 89,982 TEUs, while exports dipped 7 percent to 81,213 TEUs. Domestic volumes to Alaska and Hawaii fell 7 percent to 55,711 TEUs. Issues related…
Wal-Mart: Port Issue Impacting Supply
Wal-Mart Stores Inc is experiencing delays in some merchandise due to the West Coast port disruptions, although moves to diversify its logistics have limited the impact…
Catamaran Tour Vessel Under Construction
Construction of a 19m Catamaran Tour Vessel has commenced at Aluminium Marine. Offering Incat Crowther’s hull form and design, the vessel offers operators a competitive edge in tour operations. According to the designer, the vessel’s platform can be customized to the operator’s requirements, with existing arrangements available for sightseeing, dive tour and passenger ferry operations. Provisions have been made for the fitment of a bow loading ramp and stern lifting platform.
Baltic Index Rebounds Slightly from Record Low
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, which tracks rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, edged up slightly on Thursday on higher rates for panamaxes and smaller vessels.
CMA CGM Opens 3CTC Terminal
The CMA CGM Group inaugurated its new logistics platform, the 3CTC Terminal (CMA CGM Cameroon Container Terminal), on February 19, 2015. The 3CTC platform has been operational since January 7, 2015, and its concession attributed for 25 years. It is located in an area between Douala and the port, where it occupies two hectares. With this new platform, the CMA CGM Group offers its clients a range of logistics solutions…
Concordia Maritime Boosts Suezmax Market Presence
International tanker shipping company Concordia Maritime has signed an agreement to charter 50 percent of a vessel in the Suezmax crude oil segment for a period of one year from August 2015, with an option for an additional year. The Suezmax tanker has a deadweight of 158,000 mt and was built in South Korea in 2012. Kim Ullman, CEO of Concordia Maritime, said, “This agreement strengthens our presence still further in the strong Suezmax market.
World’s Largest Boxship Classed by DNV GL
DNV GL welcomed the world’s largest containership, MSC Oscar, into class. Delivered in January by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) in Geoje, South Korea, the 19,224 TEU vessel has already entered service on the line’s new East-West service. The newest ship for MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company has set a size benchmark for containerships in terms of capacity, and has also been designed with a number of efficiency enhancing features…
LR Improves Certificates with ITP Platform
Lloyd’s Register has selected the ITP platform from communications software specialist Aia Software to create and manage its certificate creation process. Selecting ITP is part of a larger project to improve the creation of their complex and technical documentation, LR explained. It will enable the organization to improve both productivity and quality control, ultimately improving their services to clients.
Lawmakers Push for Crude Exports to Mexico
The chairman of the U.S. Senate's Energy Committee and 20 colleagues on Wednesday urged the Commerce Department to allow crude oil exports to Mexico, saying it would…
MSC Reports Better Fuel Efficiency with Jotun's HPS
Jotun Marine Coatings said Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) will apply Jotun’s Hull Performance Solutions (HPS) on a number of new and existing vessels. With almost 500 vessels, MSC has one of the world’s largest containership fleets. To help the company reduce bunkering fuel costs and associated CO2 emissions, MSC undertook a program to improve fuel efficiency in 2011. During this period, they…
Pressure Mounts to Settle West Coast Port Dispute
LOS ANGELES, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Two U.S. Cabinet secretaries joined congressional leaders, three governors and a big-city mayor on Wednesday in pushing shipping…
Bomin Linde, Lithuanian LNG Terminal sign MoU
OSLO, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Lithuania's liquefied natural gas import terminal and Germany's Bomin Linde LNG will work together to develop the use of LNG as marine fuel in the Baltic Sea…
EU Sea Rescue Mission Extended
The European Commission extended its rescue mission off Italy until at least the end of the year, it said on Thursday, and gave Rome extra funding to deal with an…
Artificial Islands Boost China Regional Power
China's creation of artificial islands in the South China Sea is happening so fast that Beijing will be able to extend the range of its navy, air force, coastguard and fishing fleets before long…
Norden Renegotiates C/P's as Low Rates Bite
Danish shipping company D/S Norden has renegotiated charter agreements for nine vessels with their Japanese owners in reaction to record low dry bulk freight rates.
Europe Set for LNG Supply Surge
Europe is luring twice as many liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers as last year and more are expected in what is now the premium-priced market after a year-long demand slump in Asia.
USS Laboon Enters U.S. 6th Fleet
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) entered U.S. 6th Fleet’s area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe Feb. 17, 2015.
ClassNK to Research on Brittle Crack Arrest Design
ClassNK announced that it will carry out a joint research project aimed at improving safety standards for ultra-large container ships. As container ships increase in size…
