IMO Training for Mariners in the Arctic Finalised
The IMO has now agreed on training requirements for seafarers navigating Arctic and Antarctic waters. The requirements are to enhance safety of navigation in polar…
Hong Kong - Macau Yacht Races
Yacht races between Hong Kong and Macau will take place on 19 February 2015 (Thursday) and 21 February 2015 (Saturday). About 20 sailing boats are expected to participate in the races.
Greek Port Privatization at Cross Roads
The privatization of the port authorities of Piraeus and Thessaloniki has become bone of contention for the government, reports Kathimerini. The finance ministry…
India Relaxes Vessel Sharing Pacts Regulation
The government of India may continue to exempt vessel sharing agreements among shipping companies from the purview of fair trade watchdog CCI, reports Press Trust of India.
Viking Star Succeeds In Sea Trials
There is no question that Viking Ocean Cruises is launching an exceptionally innovative series of new ocean-going vessels, layered on its successful series of river cruise vessels…
Baltic Sea Freight Index at All-time Low
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index slid to an all-time low on Monday as sluggish cargo demand especially from China battered sentiment, according to data…
Fortis to Host Inaugural U.S. Investor Day on April 1
Fortis Inc. will host its inaugural U.S. Investor Day on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 in New York. The event will take place at The New York Palace hotel, 455 Madison…
Egypt, Saudi Arabia Joint Maritime Exercise
Joint Egyptian-Saudi navy maneuver Morgan 15 is underway in the Red Sea waters of Saudi Arabia. According to the military spokesperson Mohamed Samir, the exercise…
China Launches First Maritime Silk Road Cruise Liner
China has launched its first cruise liner to sail via its ambitious transcontinental initiative Maritime Silk Road (MSR) on its maiden voyage during which it will visit three South-East Asian nations.
Israeli Navy installs advanced underwater AquaShield detection system
Israel has launched new AquaShield defense system, which locates threats posed to Israel by individual divers and small maritime crafts. The latest defense system…
Vard Holdings 4Q & FY 2014 Results, Teleconference
Vard Holdings Limited will release its results for the fourth quarter and full year ended 31 December 2014, before market opens on Friday, 27 February 2015. Your pass code is available upon request.
Otto Marine Secures Charter for Two PSVs
Singapore’s Otto Marine has secured two long term charter contracts for two PSVs to an oil major in Australia, with the value of the contract worth $64m including options.
Japanese Consortium to Build Offshore Wind Farm
A consortium of ten companies led by Hitachi Zosen Corporation (Hitz) has been awarded the bid to develop the “Iwafune Offshore Wind Farm Project” in Murakami City, Niigata prefecture.
Liebherr Crane Quartet for Katoen Natie
![Two LHM 600s demonstrate their capabilities in Antwerp (Photo: Liebherr)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/two-lhm-600s-demonstrate-their-39686.jpg)
Katoen Natie N.V. has increased its lifting capacity at the port of Antwerp, investing in three new Liebherr mobile harbor cranes, one LHM 550 and two LHM 600s. Additionally, the company enforced its operations in Radicatel, France, with a new LHM 420. In January 2015, both family-owned companies Katoen Natie und Liebherr celebrated the handover of the strongest Liebherr mobile harbor cranes (LHM) on Antwerp’s Left Bank in a festive ceremony.
Unique DP System Thrusts US Offshore Wind Sector
![Photo: Thrustmaster](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-thrustmaster-39685.jpg)
Offshore wind construction in the U.S. Thrustmaster of Texas, a marine propulsion design and manufacturing company in the U.S., is looking to give an edge to U.S. based marine jack-up operators wanting to enter the U.S. offshore wind farm construction and maintenance sector by cutting the cost of entry in half with a unique propulsion system that allows conversion of existing vessels to dynamically positioned work vessels.
CLIA Predicts Cruise Passenger Increase in 2015
![Photo courtesy of Shipcruise.org](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-courtesy-of-shipcruiseorg-39681.jpg)
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) released its annual State of the Cruise Industry Report today and is once again projecting industry growth in 2015. A record 23 million passengers are expected to sail this year, with 61 percent of North American CLIA-certified travel agents reporting an increase in 2015 travel bookings over this time last year. CLIA also revealed that member cruise lines are scheduled to debut 22 new ocean…
Seminar Addresses Marine Vibro-Acoustics
As the International Maritime Organization (IMO) furthers measures for controlling onboard noise and vibration levels in the interest of passengers and seafarers’ health…
Bulk Carrier Delivered to Uni-Asia Holdings
Uni-Asia Holdings Limited announced an update on the progress of the vessel acquisition project of Regina Bulkship S.A., a 51% owned subsidiary under Uni-Asia Shipping Limited…
Sheen Named ICG Managing Director
![Andrew Sheen (Photo: ICG)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/andrew-sheen-photo-icg-39679.jpg)
Andrew Sheen has been appointed by the Irish Continental Group (ICG) to the position of Managing Director of its Irish Ferries division. Sheen will assume his new role with effect from the beginning of April, reporting to ICG’s CEO, Eamonn Rothwell. Operations Director since 2012, Sheen has been involved in shipping for over 26 years, 10 of them with Irish Ferries - first as a sea-going Chief Engineer and, since 2010, in shore-based operations roles.
Maritime Propeller Repairs Certified for In-Situ Welding
![Photo courtesy of MPR](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-courtesy-of-mpr-39678.jpg)
Maritime Propeller Repairs BV (MPR) obtained a DNV-GL certification to perform propeller repairs using in-situ welding, the company announced today. Netherlands-based MPR is now the only company certified for vertical welding on propellers. Most repairs on propeller blades require the removal of the propeller from the shaft, which necessarily includes the removal of the rudder, a time-consuming and costly procedure.