TUI Sheds Its Stake in Hapag-Lloyd to Focus on Tourism
Europe's largest tourism group TUI Group said on Monday it had sold its stake in container shipper Hapag-Lloyd, bringing to a close plans for the sale of non-core businesses in order to focus on its tourism operations. TUI Group has been investing in more of its own hotels and cruise ships since it was formed from the merger of TUI AG and TUI Travel in 2014. "The proceeds will be reinvested in the transformation of TUI as the world's leading integrated tourism business…
OSV Companies Running Out of Options -Study
As oil continues to sell below $50 per barrel, 2017 could be one of the toughest years in decades for Offshore Supply Vessel (OSV) companies, according to a study of 44 companies in the industry by AlixPartners. The firm’s analysis highlights these companies’ rising debt burdens, making it increasingly unlikely that most of them can maintain solvency. The industry faces grave financial pressure, which is clear from recent bankruptcy filings and distressed mergers.
BWMC Amendments Good for Shipping, Environment - Liberia
The Liberian Maritime Administration has welcomed an agreement reached by the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) on an implementation schedule for the Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC) which broadly incorporates the terms of an amendment initially proposed by Liberia. It was decided at the 71st session of the MEPC (MEPC 71) in London that ships built after September 8, 2017 should have a ballast water management system (BWMS) installed upon delivery.
Rugged Propulsion System Designed for the Swamps
A new all-terrain vessel propulsion system specially engineered and built for operation in extreme shallow water, riverine and mud flat environments will safely and reliably propel a vessel through dense vegetation, mud and debris-strewn waters. The highly durable Swamp Shark Drive system has been introduced through a partnership between Louisiana-based boat builder Metal Shark has partnered with Angelle Development, LLC of Breaux Bridge, La.
Austal Opens Cairns Office
Austal Australia was joined by Warren Entsch, Federal Member for Leichardt, to officially open its vessel sustainment office in Cairns, the latest effort in the expansion of Austal’s national footprint. The shipbuilder said its new Cairns sustainment facilities will employ nearly 30 people to support the Austal-built Cape Class fleet for the Australian Border Force and the Royal Australian Navy and…
Total E&P Charters Bibby WaveMaster 1
Bibby Marine Services said it has signed a contract with Total E&P Netherland to charter the new Damen designed and built walk-to-work’(W2W) service operationvVessel Bibby WaveMaster1 from April 2018 through to October 2018, with options to extend up to three years. Total E&P Nederland will use the Bibby WaveMaster 1 to replace jack ups and helicopters and to provide access to gas platforms in the southern North Sea. The vessel will provide accommodation for up to 90 pax including crew.
Qatar LNG Flows Unaffected by Crisis -Shell
Qatari exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) remain stable amid ongoing tension between the world's biggest LNG exporter and its neighbours, an executive for Royal Dutch Shell said on Monday.
Ampelmann Introduces New Personnel Transfer Gangway
Ampelmann has launched its latest gangway for personnel transfer: the A-type Enhanced Performace (AEP). Now providing clients with 10 percent greater workability in sea states up to 4m significant wave height; the AEP also has the ability to use smaller vessels to obtain similar performance (compared to current A-type). The AEP features an advanced motion compensation control system with precision controls to enable fast landing and comfortable people transfers.
Port Autonome de Papeete Orders Tug for Tahiti
Damen Shipyards said it has won an open tender for the supply of a tug to Port Autonome de Papeete on the Pacific island of Tahiti. Tahiti is part of French Polynesia, an overseas territory of the French Republic. The tug will be Damen’s popular ASD 2810 model, a rugged, versatile vessel capable of delivering 60 tonnes of bollard pull. Pape’ete is the capital of French Polynesia and the economic hub of the archipelago.
New Order for EMRI Autopilot
Furetank is about to delivery its newest generation of environment friendly product and chemical tankers, which are intended to sail in the waters surrounding Sweden. Especially the archipelagos are difficult to navigate through but as Furetank has experienced, the EMRI autopilots can do the job together with a good ECDIS voyage planning. Besides the autopilot, Furetank’s new fleet will receive its Remote-Control System from EMRI.
Dual Fuel Tug Delivered to Østensjø Rederi
After completing its sea trials program, Pax, the second dual fuel tug ever built in Europe, has been delivered to its owner, the Norwegian company Østensjø Rederi A/S. The first tug of this kind built in Europe, Dux, was delivered by the company last May. The vessel is the first tugboat of a series of three. Built by Spanish shipbuilder Gondan and designed by Canadian company Robert Allan Ltd. the new escort tug…
ICS Pleased with IMO's Enviromental Progress
Commenting on the outcome of last week’s meeting of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) – which represents the world’s national shipowners’ associations – says it is pleased with the progress made by IMO Member States on a number of critical environmental regulatory issues that will have a profound impact on the future structure of the global shipping industry.
Baltic Index Down Again
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, tracking rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, inched lower on Monday on weaker rates for larger vessels.
BPCL to Buy First U.S. Crude via Tender
Indian refiner Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd plans to buy its first ever cargo of crude oil from the United States, a tender document showed on Monday. BPCL is seeking…
Gulf Navigation Issuing $250 million in Bonds by September
Dubai's Gulf Navigation Holding , a listed shipping firm, plans to issue $250 million in sukuk, or Islamic bonds, in late August or early September, the group's chief executive said on Monday.
COSCO Shares Climb After OOIL Bid
COSCO Shipping Holdings Co Ltd saw its stock climb on Monday after bidding $6.3 billion for a Hong Kong peer, a deal that would see it become the world's third-biggest…
NITC: Tanker Shipments to Europe Increasing
NITC, Iran's leading oil tanker operator, said on Monday its shipments to Europe were increasing daily and it plans to upgrade its fleet to support expansion. International…
COSCO to Buy OOCL for USD 6.3 bln
Chinese Shipping Major Cosco Group has agreed in principle to buy its shipping rival and Hong Kong’s No. 1 box mover, Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL), in…
Egypt Bans Qatari Ships Docking in Suez Canal
The Suez Canal Authority is committed to a ban on allowing Qatari ships to dock in ports within the Suez Canal’s economic zone, Ahram reported as chairman Mohab Mamish saying.
Ocean Conservancy Calls for Clean Arctic
“Ocean Conservancy welcomes steps taken by the International Maritime Organization to mitigate risks to the Arctic from the use and carriage of the world’s dirtiest fossil fuel.
