PDVSA's Oil Exports to Asia, Americas Fell in 2014
Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA's exports to Asia and the Americas fell last year though shipments to Europe increased, according to a preliminary government report issued this month.
Carisbrooke Takes Fuel Regulations in Stride

"Our first three months of Emission Control Area operation have run without a hitch," said Carisbrooke Shipping CEO Robert Wester. Since January 1, ship operators running vessels in Emission Control Areas (ECA) have been required to use bunkers containing no more than 0.1% sulphur in ECA waters. Carisbrooke said it is especially affected by the new regulations as it operates a fleet of some 60 vessels mostly on coastal and short-sea trades.
South Asian Beaches the Target of New EU Ship Recycling Rules
European, Turkish and Chinese recyclers are set to benefit from strict new EU rules on breaking up old ships, but the practice of dismantling them on beaches inâŚ
IMO, El Salvador Enter Technical Cooperation

A new agreement on supporting the Republic of El Salvador to implement International Maritime Organization (IMO) treaties was signed in San Salvador on Monday, March 23. IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu, who is on a visit to central America, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador, Hugo Martinez, signed the Letter of Understanding on technical cooperation between the Government of El Salvador and IMOâŚ
Cruise Industry Seeks Fortune in China

After an uneven couple of years punctuated by struggling economic factors worldwide, maturing markets and some highly publicized accidents and illnesses, the cruise industry is hoping to find a little âdouble happinessâ from the rapidly growing Chinese market â enhanced profits and renewed market growth for both operators and builders. For its part, the Chinese government is betting on a triple payoutâŚ
BOEM Issues Offshore Wind Energy Research Lease
The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has executed a wind energy research lease with the Commonwealth of Virginiaâs Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME), BOEM announced today.
First ShipArrestor Delivered

Following a full product trial in New Zealand, the Norwegian Coastal Administration (NCA) signed its acceptance of the first of two ShipArrestor systems from Miko Marine, making Norway the first country with a system that gives it the ability to protect its shores from the danger of drifting oil tankers and from the disastrous pollution that can result when they run aground. ShipArrestor was put through a complete customer acceptance trial in Tasman BayâŚ
Virtual Aids to Navigation Mark Research Equipment

Vesper Marine will provide its Virtual Aid to Navigation technology to the French company CGG, a geoscience company that provides geological and geophysical survey and analysis primarily to the oil and gas industry. In its ongoing quest to map the oceanâs floors, CGG survey vessels tow an array of cables in the water at a up to a 50 ft. depth, an array of cables that contain seismic energy sourcesâŚ
Fire Aboard Teekay-owned FPSO Petrojarl Knarr

A fire started aboard the Teekay-owned FPSO Petrojarl Knarr this morning. The fire was the second aboard the FPSO unit, which was built in 2014, during its young life at sea. The blaze occurred just a week after the Petrojarl Knarr produced its first oil from the Knarr field in the North Sea. The fire erupted west of the Norwegian coastal town of Florø. The 100-member crew on board were all safe and Norwegian authorities quickly controlled the fire, according to TradeWinds.
Denmark's Promising Future

One of the worldâs leading seafaring nations, Denmark has maritime roots stretching back more than 1,000 years. While its history is strong, the Danish market has its collective eyes squarely on the future. In its quest for continued relevance, it seeks to continue delivering innovative technologies, as well as championing green shipping and offshore initiatives. Denmarkâs maritime sector fosters engineering expertise within shipping and offshore industriesâŚ
Finland: A Maritime Powerhouse
Innovation, superior technology and competitiveness are the characteristics that have brought the Finnish maritime industry world repute. Its well-knit maritimeâŚ
EPA: MTU Must Audit Emissions Testing
MTU America Inc., a subsidiary of Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG, will implement an auditing program to ensure proper emissions testing and compliance with federalâŚ
Broadband Bandwidth Battles

As Satellite providers battle for market share, the onboard struggle to efficiently maximize bandwidth allocation is also being solved. The requirement to monitoring critical equipment and at the same time satisfy the increasingly sophisticated demands of todayâs seafarers all need to be balanced against the cost of bandwidth. The call for both âbig dataâ and the full range of crew connectivity and entertainment is upon the shipping industry.
Answering the Call

Thereâs a digital disconnect offshore. The communication standards we take for granted on land are cut adrift at sea; hampering data transfer for businesses, while severing individualsâ lifelines to social media networks. Whatâs to âlikeâ about that? Frode Støldal, CEO of MCP, has had enough. âWe think itâs time for a new mobile communications reality,â says a steely eyed Frode Støldal from his seat at the Offshore Technology Days conference in Bergen, Norway.
Austal Delivers for Militaries ... Near & Far

While Austal USA based in Mobile, Alabama, still accounts for the lionâs share of revenue (more than 80%) of the Australian based company, the entire corporation has been making waves of late delivering latest technology to naval fleets around the globe. Austal USA christened USNS Trenton (JHSV 5) at its shipyard in Mobile, Ala. USNS Trenton is the fifth of 10 Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV) that Austal has under contract with the U.S.
USS America: LHA with an Aviation Focus

The U.S. Navyâs newest Amphibious Assault Ship, USS America (LHA 6) was commissioned on October 11, 2014 at Pier 30-32 in San Francisco. First in its class, the USS America does not have a well deck, unlike her previous counterparts, thus making the USS America an LHA with an aviation focus. The removal of the well deck allows USS America to have larger hangar facilities and more capacity for aviation fuel and munitions. The U.S.
RCCL Plans to Scrub Emissions into Shape

As new emission standards enter force across the commercial maritime sector, Royal Caribbean has opted to outfit 19 of its ships with scrubbers from two manufacturers. This month we visit with Harri Kulovaara, EVP, Maritime, and Kevin Douglas, VP, Technical Projects/Newbuilds, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., to discuss the reasoning behind the decision. As new emission standards enter force across the commercial maritime sectorâŚ
Brazil to Lease 29 Ports to Private Companies
A plan to attract private investment to Brazil's strained port infrastructure is even more important in the face of federal budget cuts that will curb public investmentâŚ
Efficient Computer Control with G&D

For centuries, mariners have relied on paper maps to navigate the worldâs oceans and waterways. Today, the computer technology used on board literally controls the vessel. Along with computers, KVM technology enters ships across the world. German manufacturers Guntermann & Drunck GmbH (G&D) were already working on KVM solutions before this technology had a name. The company was founded by Udo Guntermann and Martin Drunck in 1985.
Russia's Seaborne Urals Exports Seen Down in April
Russia's Urals crude exports and transit from the Baltic Sea ports and Novorossiisk are set to fall in April by 2.5 percent on a daily basis to 8.14 million tonnes from 8.623 million tonnes in MarchâŚ