Pirates Make a Comeback?
A new report by U.S.-based One Earth Future Foundation Inc.'s Oceans Beyond Piracy program found that seafaring incidents involving kidnap for ransom jumped in 2016.
UN Conference Opens, Call to Protect Oceans for Future Generations
Opening the Ocean Conference, UN officials stressed the need to protect and conserve the world's oceans for future generations. Opening a “game-changing” international…
ICS to Reassert commitment to Green Agenda at UN
This week (5-9, June) the United Nations General Assembly is holding a major conference in New York on the sustainability of the oceans and how the UN can best…
UK, France, US Sign Trilateral Submarine Agreement
Naval leaders from the United Kingdom, France and the United States signed an agreement June 1, designed to increase coordination for anti-submarine warfare activities…
New Eco-friendly Tour Vessel Announced
Incat Crowther said that construction is underway for an innovative tour vessel to operate in Tasmania’s south west. The vessel will be operated by Gordon River…
Volvo Penta Powers Chicago Sightseeing Boat
The newest addition to the Shoreline Sightseeing fleet in Chicago is powered by a pair of D13 400 hp Volvo Penta engines. MV Skyview is Shoreline’s first vessel with Volvo Penta engines, and according to Captain Chris LeBlanc, senior captain and Shoreline manager, Skyview is burning less than three gallons per hour for both engines during sightseeing tours. Other comparable boats in the fleet consume more than 10 gph.
TOP Ships Buys Stake in M/T Stenaweco Elegance
Ship owner TOP Ships Inc. said it will purchase for $6.5 million an additional 41 percent interest in Eco Seven Inc., a Marshall Islands company that owns M/T Stenaweco Elegance…
LNG as Fuel: Challenges & Opportunities
Environmental regulations are the main driver in reducing these emissions worldwide. Although until recently ECA zones were limited to a few areas, the IMO has now decided to limit SOx emissions worldwide and by 2020 all newbuilds will have to comply with its new regulations. The challenge for the shipping industry, however, is not only to comply with the IMO 2020 sulfur cap but also to catch up with…
Italy, France Seek Rapid Solution to STX Stake Sale
Italy and France have agreed to seek a rapid solution in discussions over selling a large stake in the STX France shipyard to Fincantieri, Italy's economy ministry said on Monday. Italian Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan and Industry Minister Carlo Calenda discussed the planned sale with French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire in Rome. "Taking into consideration the openness of both countries to foreign direct investment…
Austal USA Earns SCA Safety Award
Austal USA was recognized again as one of the safest shipyards in the country by the Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA) at their quarterly meeting in mid-May.
Global Marine Group Keeping Busy in 2017
Offshore engineering firm the Global Marine Group (GMG) reported a busy first five months of 2017 with a strong outlook for the rest of the year. The company said all key assets from the GMG fleet are currently mobilized, either supporting maintenance zone agreements around the world, or on installation, maintenance or repair contracts. “As we head into the summer months, we are extremely pleased about our robust activity level…
Salvors to Raise Sunken Tug in Alaska
A crane barge that will be used to hoist a sunken tug in Sitka, Alaska has arrived to the wreck site. The evolution to raise the tug is expected to take up to 10 days, the U.S. Coast Guard said. U.S.
Smallest Hydrotab Intercerptor Trim Tabs Yet
Hydrotab has introduced its smallest Interceptor Trim Tab yet, the 160BT. Engineered for boats up to 20', or for use on unique hull designs, the units are available through the company's exclusive North American distributor, GlobalTec Solutions. The new 160BT has all of the great benefits as the rest of Hydrotab's BT series. An interceptor-style, it creates lift with less surface drag than a traditional trim tab plate. It delivers improved boat control and enhanced fuel economy.
Interlake Steamship Moves First ‘Mustang’ Pellets
The 1,004-foot M/V James R. Barker has sailed from the Twin Ports with a new specialized cargo: 60,000 tons of Mustang superflux pellets – the first shipment of its kind since the new pellet production began at Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.’s United Taconite mine last month. The specialized Mustang pellets, which will be used for the automotive industry and other markets, contain a higher level of calcium added to dolomite and limestone than the standard taconite pellets.
Coast Guard to Be Honored in DC
The Coast Guard Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to the education and welfare of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced that its 13th Annual Tribute to the United States Coast Guard in Our Nation’s Capital will take place on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at the National Building Museum, Washington, D.C. Secretary of Homeland Security John F. Kelly and Admiral Paul F. Zukunft, Commandant of the Coast Guard will deliver keynote remarks.
Strike Disrupts Spanish Ports and Trade Routes
Some of Spain's biggest port terminals came to a standstill on Monday as shipping companies redirected cargos to avoid a dockers' strike. After months of talks between unions, companies and the Spanish government over a reform of port hiring practices, dockers held the first of several planned strikes to protest against possible job losses. Some container shipping firms such as Maersk re-routed boats destined for the southern port of Algeciras to get around the strike…
Baltic Index Down for 15th Straight Day
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, tracking rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, on Monday fell for the 15th straight session, hurt by weak rates across all vessel segments. The overall index — which considers rates for capesize, panamax, supramax and handysize shipping vessels — fell 9 points, or 1.08 percent, to 821 points, its lowest level in over three months. The capesize index shed 21 points, or 1.53 percent, to end at 1,353 points.
Boat Hits Cargo Ship in Lake St. Clair
The U.S. Coast Guard responded to reports of a collision between a 17-foot recreational boat and a 406-foot cargo vessel in Lake St. Clair approximately two miles offshore east of Grosse Pointe Woods…
Recent Vessel Sales: May 2017
Vessel sales for May 2017 (as of June 1) as prepared by Shipping Intelligence, Inc., New York.
Saudi, UAE Ports Bar Qatari Flagged Ships
Ports in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates' barred ships flying Qatari flags after the two countries broke off diplomatic ties with Doha, in a move that…
