Germany Chooses Kongsberg Research Ship Concept
A double digit multi-million Euro contract was signed by Kongsberg Maritime and Fassmer Werft on April 4th, 2017, following the German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency’s (BSH) approval of Kongsberg to deliver a unique technical solution based on its ground-breaking Integrated Vessel Concepts for the newbuild research vessel Atair II, which will be built at the Fassmer yard in Berne. Kongsberg's…
Weaker Rates Weigh on Baltic Index
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, tracking rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, fell on Thursday as rates continued to slip across vessel segments. The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax, supramax and handysize shipping vessels, fell for the twelfth straight session and was down 30 points, or 2.9 percent, to close at 1,004 points. The capesize index lost 84 points, or 5.45 percent, at 1,458 point, its lowest in nearly a month.
Thordon, DDW-D Partner for Shaft Line Conversions
Thordon Bearings and Drydocks World-Dubai (DDW-D) have signed an agreement under which the UAE-based shipyard will work together with Thordon Bearings Inc. to promote the conversion of ships’ oil lubricated propeller shafts to Thordon’s COMPAC open seawater lubricated bearing system. The agreement will create an action plan in which a specialist team, comprised of Drydocks World-Dubai and Thordon Bearings’ personnel…
Maritime Piracy on the Rise -Report
Pirates and armed robbers attacked 43 ships and captured 58 seafarers in the first quarter of 2017, slightly more than the same period last year, according to the latest ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) piracy report. The global report highlights persisting violence in piracy hotspots off Nigeria and around the Southern Philippines – where two crew members were killed in February. Indonesia also reported frequent incidents, mostly low-level thefts from anchored vessels.
US Navy to Delay Planned Frigate Award
The U.S. Navy has decided to delay by a year until fiscal 2020 the awarding of a design and construction contract for a planned new frigate, according to congressional…
Recent Vessel Sales: April 2017
Vessel sales for April 2017 (as of May 1) as prepared by Shipping Intelligence, Inc., New York.
Patrick Verhoeven to Leave ECSA for IAPH
Patrick Verhoeven will leave the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) on September 1 this year to become Managing Director Policy and Strategy at the…
ABN AMRO Finances Celsius BWTS Installs
ABN AMRO Transportation has concluded financing for the installation of ballast water treatment systems on several vessels for its Danish client, Celsius Shipping.
Norden Back to Profit in Q1
Danish shipping company Dampskibsselskabet Norden A/S has reported its adjusted result for the first quarter of 2017 at $1 million, against a loss of $5 million seen in 2016.
Is 'Seablindness' a Myth?
UK politicians and the general public have demonstrated overwhelmingly that they recognize shipping as the biggest mover of the nation’s imports and exports, according…
FSL Q1 Earnings Rise
FSL Trust Management (FSLTM), as trustee-manager of First Ship Lease Trust (FSL Trust), reported a net profit of $3.4 million for the three months ended March 31…
ESPO to Mark Maritime Year of EU
The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) issued a statement to contribute to the Commission’s Maritime Year and to follow up on the Valletta Declaration, the ministerial…
ABS Approves Innovative Drillship Design
ABS is working with industry to improve efficiencies in offshore development. “ABS is working on multiple fronts to help the offshore industry find efficiencies and streamline operations…
Another Dry Bulk Ship Delivered to Golden Ocean
Golden Ocean Group Limited has taken delivery of dry bulk vessel Q Kennedy, to be renamed Golden Kennedy. The vessel is the third of 16 dry bulk vessels recently…
Changing the Landscape of LNG Production
Successful completion of the Petronas Floating LNG facility (PFLNG) Satu is a milestone for the oil and gas industry and for the Malaysian energy giant. Designed by consortium leader TechnipFMC and fabricated at the Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering yard in South Korea, PFLNG Satu achieved the first-ever production of LNG offshore in December 2016. The 365-meter by 60-meter facility processes, produces and offloads LNG in situ, directly above natural gas reservoirs.
North River Boats Charts its Future as Newly Formed ESOP
North River Boats, one of the largest private employers in Roseburg, Ore., has new partners – more than one hundred of them. CEO Brent Hutchings informed his entire company of a newly formed employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) that will help him transfer over time a third of his ownership to eligible employees – the vast majority of his team of 131. The structure, Hutchings says, helps share the privately held company’s success with the people who deserve it most…
AWO Testifies on Carrier Alliance, Tug Negotiations
AWO testifies before Congress on dangers of foreign carrier alliances negotiating collectively with U.S. Tom Allegretti, President & CEO of The American Waterways Operators, testified before the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee's Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation on the dangers posed by the Federal Maritime Commission's (FMC) decision to allow foreign carrier alliances to collectively negotiate with U.S. tugboat operators.
Port Houston Box Volumes Continue to Rise
“Port Houston handled close to 10 million tons of total tonnage, reflecting an increase of eleven percent over 2016,” Port Houston Executive Director Roger Guenther announced during the April meeting of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority. During the first quarter of this year, Port Houston facilities handled 607,000 TEUs. Guenther said the majority of this increase is largely due to an increase in container volumes, which showed an increase of 18 percent.
Royal Caribbean Will Return to New Orleans
Royal Caribbean International announced it will return to New Orleans with a seasonal home-based cruise ship in late 2018. The 915-foot Vision of the Seas will sail seven-night itineraries to destinations across the Bahamas and Yucatan Peninsula from the Port of New Orleans’ Julia Street Cruise Terminal. The ship will sail on Saturdays. “The Port of New Orleans is thrilled to welcome back Royal Caribbean.
Maritime Professionals Ask the Hard Questions
More than 80 maritime professionals attended two unique one day events focused on the sub IMO / sub 24 meter sector in Southampton this April. The fast moving and dynamic one day workshops brought together an international group of experts armed with the latest knowledge to identify problems that affect the maritime sector worldwide. The superb team of presenters shared unique insights and highlighted potential solutions for a changing world.
