UK Opens Maritime Knowledge Hub in Birkenhead
UK Shipping Minister Robert Goodwill MP has formally opened a new ‘Maritime Knowledge Hub’ in Wirral, UK, jointly operated by Mersey Maritime and Liverpool John Moores University.
Grangemouth Port Workers to Take Strike Action
Staff at the Port of Grangemouth - one of the country’s biggest ports handling 150,000 containers each year - have voted for strike action over changes to conditions by employer Forth Ports…
Port of LA Volumes Surge in February
The Port of Los Angeles handled 713,721 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in February 2016, an increase of 42 percent compared to the previous year, making for the busiest February in the port’s 109-year history. February’s volume surge follows on the heels of the port’s best every January volumes. “Back to back record months to start 2016 indicate consumer confidence in the U.S. economy and strong shipper confidence in our terminal and supply chain partners to deliver on speed and efficiency…
US Oil Drillers Cut Rigs for 12th Week in a Row
U.S. energy firms this week cut oil rigs for a 12th week in a row to the lowest level since December 2009 as drillers continue to slash capital expenditures despite…
This Day In Naval History: March 11
1778 - During the American Revolution, the Continental frigate Boston captures the British ship Martha in the North Atlantic. 1845 - George Bancroft takes office as the 17th Secretary of the Navy. Although he serves in that position only 18 months, he establishes the Naval Academy at Annapolis and encourages the growth and importance of the Naval Observatory. 1941 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Lend-Lease Act…
US Import Prices Fall, but Downward Trend Nearing End
U.S. import prices fell in February for an eighth straight month, weighed down by declining costs for petroleum and a range of other goods, but the pace of decline is slowing as the dollar's rally fades and oil prices stabilize. The Labor Department said on Friday import prices slipped 0.3 percent last month after a 1.0 percent decrease in January. Import prices have decreased in 18 of the last 20 months, reflecting a robust dollar and plunging oil prices.
UK Shipping Minister Visits Liverpool2 Site
U.K. Shipping Minister Robert Goodwill MP has welcomed the investment being made by Peel Ports during a March 10 visit to the company’s Liverpool2 container terminal. Upon opening later this year, Liverpool2 will become one of Europe’s most modern and advanced semi-automated terminals, able to accommodate virtually all of the world’s deep sea container vessels. Marine trials are due to begin later this month, with other elements of the build coming online throughout Q2.
New Crew Cabins for Celebrity Summit
Celebrity Cruises has awarded ALMACO Group the contract to build 16 new crew cabins onboard Celebrity Summit during a short March drydock at Grand Bahamas Shipyard (GBS) and continuing during sailing. ALMACO’s scope of work includes demolition, complete outfitting of the GBS-provided new steel block, and delivery of 16 new crew cabins on Deck 5. The drydock period began at GBS from February 29 and is expected to conclude March 12, 2016.
Refurbishment Program for Viking Cruises
River cruise operator Viking Cruises is taking full advantage of an annual deck maintenance program offered by the Dutch company Bolidt Synthetic Products & Systems. A total of 32 vessels – more than half of the Viking Cruises fleet – will have their decking cleaned and renewed at various European ports this winter, with 18 vessels being refurbished in Cologne. Nine more will be refurbished in Vienna…
Virtual Exercise Addresses Unsafe Migration by Sea
Thousands of migrants seeking refuge have lost their lives attempting to make their way across the Mediterranean Sea in overcrowded and unseaworthy boats. The United Nations estimates that as many as 850,000 refugees may attempt to make the trip between 2015 and 2016. Although most of the rescues have been handled by Coast Guard agencies in the region, merchant vessels often are being brought in to assist.
FME Earns LCS Supplier of the Year Award
Fairbanks Morse Engine (FME) announced it has been named the 2015 Lockheed Martin Missions Systems and Training Supplier of the year for Ship and Aviation Systems during its annual Supplier Summit…
Actress Emma Schweiger to Christen AIDAprima
Young actress Emma Schweiger will christen AIDAprima, the new flagship of AIDA Cruises, as part of the 827th Hamburg Port Anniversary on May 7, 2016. The German cruise company made the announcement on March 11, 2016, during the ITB in Berlin. Emma Schweiger greeted all guests via video message. The 13-year-old has already captivated millions of people with roles in hit movies such as Rabbit Without Ears (Keinohrhasen)…
BP Escapes US Lawsuits Over Post-Gulf Spill Drilling Ban
BP Plc does not have to face U.S. lawsuits by energy and drilling companies over losses they suffered from an offshore drilling ban imposed soon after the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill…
Smaller Vessels Perk up Baltic Index
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, tracking rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities continued to rise on Friday helped by higher rates for panamaxes and smaller vessels.
Intertrac Vision Incorporates Cruise Vessels
AkzoNobel’s marine coatings business has announced the addition of cruise vessels to Intertrac Vision, its ‘big data’ tool that provides accurate and transparent predictions on the fuel and CO2 savings potential of fouling control coatings, prior to application. The new version of Intertrac Vision brings an increased level of transparency and choice to the cruise sector, enabling AkzoNobel to work…
MAN Diesel & Turbo Inks Deal with Japan’s JFE
Japanese engine manufacturer JFE has entered a new cooperation agreement with MAN Diesel & Turbo for MAN's 32/44CR, 35/44DF, 48/60CR and 51/60DF modern four-stroke engine types. The agreement applies to marine newbuild projects for ships to be deployed on Japanese domestic trade routes, and where the shipyards and shipowners involved are located in Japan. JFE has produced and supplied medium-speed diesel engines since 1964 under the SEMT Pielstick license…
Simrad ECDIS Earns South Korean Type Approval
Navico’s list of approvals received from the Korea Marine Equipment Research Institute of South Korea has grown following type approval of the latest generation Simrad MARIS ECDIS900 Mk 5 and Mk 15 Electronic Chart Display & Information Systems, joining already approved products such as Simrad Broadband 4G radars, ARGUS antennae, gyrocompasses, autopilots and control and display units. The integrated…
Barcelona Draws up Container Weighing Procedure
The Port of Barcelona reports it has become the first port in Spain to complete and make available a procedure for its customers and users in line with the container weighing new rules adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and incorporated into Chapter VI of the Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS) Convention specifying that shippers (forwarders, logistics operators or owners of the goods) shall be responsible for weighing each full container before shipment.
Russia to Resume Liftings at Novorossiisk Today
Russian state oil pipeline monopoly Transneft plans to resume oil loadings from the Black Sea port of Novorossiisk at midday on Friday following a storm, the company said on Friday.
China Angered by U.S. Frigate Sale to Taiwan
U.S. arms sales to Taiwan attract strong opposition from Beijing. China expressed anger on Friday after the U.S. State Department said it had authorized the sale of two surplus U.S.
