Japan, US Bolster Submarine Alliance
Commanders from the U.S. and Japanese Navies visited Naval Base Guam, touring the base and examining areas of cooperation, the U.S. Navy reported. The United States’ Rear Adm. William R.
US Awards $2.6m in Maritime Heritage Grants
On Thursday, April 30, 2015, U.S. National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis and U.S. Maritime Administrator Paul N. Jaenichen will host a media conference…
Baltic Index Down on Weak Vessel Rates
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, which tracks rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, fell on Wednesday on lower vessel rates. The overall index…
Greece Mulls Ports Sale to Reach Deal with EU/IMF Lenders
Greece's government is considering selling stakes in its two largest ports as a concession to reach an agreement with its lenders and unlock bailout funds, a government official said on Wednesday.
Sea Star Line, Boys & Girls Clubs Partner to Name Marlin Class Ships
In June 2014, Sea Star Line partnered with the 11 clubs of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Puerto Rico in a contest to name the new liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels which will be dedicated to the Puerto Rico trade by TOTE, Sea Star Line’s parent company. The Marlin Class vessels have attracted international attention as the first cargo ships in the world to run on natural gas. In addition to their improved environmental profile…
New Trawler for Argentine Family
With 4,989 kilometers of Atlantic coastline, Argentina looks to commercial fishing as an important contributor to the Argentinian economy. The promotion of the maritime resources is dependent on quality boats capable of delivering quality product. This spring just such a vessel joined the Argentine trawler fleet. The 20.8 by 6.6-meter FV Don Franco was designed and built by the Contessi Shipyard at Mar del Plata, Argentina’s largest fishing port 400 kilometers south of Buenos Aires.
Panama Council Approves New Canal Tolls
The Cabinet Council of the Republic of Panama has officially approved a proposal to modify the Canal tolls structure, following a recommendation from the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Board of Directors. The accepted proposal—which modifies the pricing structure for most Canal segments—will better facilitate the Canal’s goal of providing outstanding service and reliability to the global shipping and maritime community while allowing the ACP to safeguard the competitiveness of the waterway.
White House Concerned about Impact of Iran Vessel Seizure
The White House said on Wednesday it was concerned about the impact on navigation caused by Iranian authorities' seizure of the Maersk Tigris container ship in the…
Argentine Port Strike May Cut Soy Flow, Raise World Food Prices
Argentina's main grains port of Rosario was paralyzed at midday on Wednesday by an open-ended wage strike by boat captains needed to help dock incoming cargo ships…
Iran Says Respects Navigation Freedom, Day After Ship is Seized
Iran's foreign minister told an audience in New York City on Wednesday that Tehran respects freedom of navigation in the Gulf, a day after Iranian patrol boats seized…
Retrieving Valuable Cargo from the Seabed
Surveyors are usually engaged to investigate the cause, nature and extent of a claim, damage or incident. Their role in managing projects to salvage cargo is less known. Peer van Oosterhout and Ad de Klerk from BMT Surveys share their experiences in salvaging a cargo worth several million Euros from the seabed in the Mediterranean. Recently, BMT Surveys in Rotterdam was approached by a major European-based underwriter…
US, Marshall Islands Discuss Way Ahead After Iran Detains Ship
Officials from the United States and the Marshall Islands are discussing "the way ahead" after Iranian patrol boats forcibly diverted a cargo ship flying a Marshall…
Rederij Groen Takes Delivery of 7-Stars OSV
Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam delivered the offshore support vessel (OSV) 7-Stars to offshore support service provider Rederij Groen in Scheveningen, the Netherlands. The 7-Stars will join Rederij Groen’s fleet of almost 30 vessels, which includes sister vessels of the same series 7-Oceans and 7-Seas. The three vessels, designed in close cooperation with both Rederij Groen and its customer, mark a milestone in OSV construction, the builder said.
GTT Expands Capability of LNG Cargo Operations Simulator
GTT Training announced the expansion of the capabilities of its LNG Cargo Operations Simulator. Used to provide hands on, real time training in the processes and…
Maersk Says Iran Tells it of Cargo Dispute but Cannot Confirm
Maersk said on Wednesday Iranian authorities had told it the Maersk Tigris vessel had been seized over an unresolved claim, but as it had not received any documents…
Big Data Helps Shippers Cut Fuel Bills, Emissions
By focusing on operational improvements, shipping companies are reducing fuel consumption, saving money and cutting greenhouse emissions, while continuing to increase the amount of freight transported. Maersk Line, the world's largest container carrier, cut fuel consumption by more than 13 percent between 2012 and 2014, while increasing the number of boxes carried by 11 percent, according to company records.
New Severn Offshore Vessel Starts Work in German Wind Sector
Severn Offshore Services announced that its new vessel Severn Provider has commenced operations in the German sector of the North Sea. The 26-meter Damen Twin Axe crew transfer vessel Severn Provider was recently christened at Damen Shipyards, Gorinchem and mobilized immediately to her first job earlier this month. She is now transporting personnel and equipment to and from the Meerwind Offshore Wind Farm.
Gazprom Expects Gas Exports to Rise in 2015
Russian top natural gas producer expects its gas exports to the European Union and Turkey to increase to 152-153 billion cubic metres this year, Gazprom's deputy…
Crowley Tug Sold to Island Tug & Barge
Crowley Marine Services, Inc. has sold a second sister-tug of the Point Class to Island Tug & Barge Co., Marcon International, Inc. reported. The sale of the ABS +A1, Towing, +AMS classed, 2,100BHP shallow draft ocean towing / push tug Pt. Oliktok mirrors the transaction which Marcon brokered in 2013 between the two parties on the sister vessel ex-Pt. Barrow. The three Point Class sister-tugs were specifically designed and built to work in the Arctic…
Maersk: Crew of Seized Containership is Safe
Danish shipping company Maersk said on Wednesday the crew of the Maersk Tigris container ship were safe and "in good spirits" after Iranian authorities seized the…
