Italian Maritime Robotics Expert Bags DNV GL Award
Marco Bibuli was announced as the winner of the DNV GL COMPIT Award 2017 for smart underwater robotics, which took place in Cardiff this year. The Italian maritime robotics expert…
CMA CGM, Hamburg Sud Launch Americas Service
French container shipping company CMA CGM announced the launch of its new service between the west coast of the United States, Central America and South America…
Towing Vessel Runs Aground in Louisiana
An uninspected towing vessel taking on water has run aground in Louisiana’s Calcasieu Ship Channel, early Monday morning. At 3:45 a.m., the three-man crew aboard the 60-foot towing vessel Mr. Landon intentionally ran the vessel aground near Monkey Island to avoid sinking when they realized they were taking on water in the stern. No injuries were reported. Approximately 10 gallons of oil was spilled as a result of the incident. Clean up efforts were coordinated by U.S.
NYC's New Ferries Take to the Water
The first vessel in the new NYC Ferry’s fleet has been christened Lunch Box, following a naming competition held amongst New York school students. Lunch Box, which has already been followed by a subsequent pair of vessel in New York, is the first vessel in a fleet of 26m catamaran ferries commissioned by Hornblower Cruises to form NYC Ferries, a government initiative to bring an affordable, city-wide ferry network to the Big Apple.
Fleet Performance Management is No Quick Win
Fleet Performance Management (FPM) can drive efficiency improvements of up to 38 percent, but many ship owners and operators are finding that FPM is costing, rather than saving them money. The expectation that once you plug and play an FPM system the savings will be immediate, has set a precedent that in real terms, is simply unachievable. Peter Mantel, Managing Director of BMT SMART, a subsidiary of BMT Group…
Somali Pirates Hijack Iranian Fishing Vessel
Somali pirates hijacked an Iranian fishing vessel on Tuesday to use as a base to attack bigger, more valuable ships, the mayor of a Somali town said, part of an…
McDonough Launches M 2820 Barge
McDonough Marine Service has launched its latest barge design series at the Westport Orange Shipyard in Orange, Texas. The M 2820 (282’L x 54’W x 12’6”H, with 3,000 lbs/sq.ft. deck load rating) was delivered on-schedule, and is expected to bring greater possibilities to Project Cargo transportation on the inland waterways. “As growth continues to develop in the infrastructure, petrochemical and power generation markets…
Should OPEC Worry About Contango and Backwardation?
"Backwardation is the solution" to OPEC's problem of how to raise output and revenues without sparking another shale boom, according to the influential oil research team at Goldman Sachs.
Odfjell Buys Secondhand Chemical Tanker
Oslo listed shipping firm Odfjell SE said it has purchased a secondhand stainless steel chemical tanker for $25.5 million. The M/T Argent Eyebright, built in 2009 by Kitanihon Shipbuilding in Japan…
Gnostech President Takes Controlling Ownership
Current president of Gnostech Inc., James Espino, has acquired the controlling ownership of the company from Braxton Science & Technology Group (BSTG) on May 19, 2017. As the president and controlling owner of Gnostech, Espino will lead the company into the future. “This is an exciting time for Gnostech. We can pursue new and emerging government contracting opportunities that leverage our diverse range of capabilities,” he said.
Cannon Tapped to Lead FLIR Systems
FLIR Systems, Inc. has appointed James J. “Jim” Cannon as its new president and chief executive officer, effective June 19, 2017, succeeding Andy Teich, who will retire after 33 years of service. Cannon previously served for more than 16 years in a variety of senior leadership positions at Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., most recently as president of Stanley Security North America & Emerging Markets.
ABS Mobile App Simplifies Subchapter M Compliance
NS Workboat, a new mobile application from ABS Nautical Systems (NS) purpose-built for the workboat/inland sector, aims to streamline onboard tasks for Subchapter M compliance. “This app answers the growing demand for easy-to-use point solutions – a need that is particularly pronounced in the workboat sector, where many companies have little to no IT support on their boats,” said ABS Nautical Systems Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Stephen Schwarz.
Coldharbour, Hansun Ink China Distribution Deal
Coldharbour Marine, developer of a unique in-tank, in-voyage and inert gas-based ballast water treatment system for large tankers, bulkers and LNG vessels, has signed an agreement with Hansun (Shanghai) Marine Technology Co Ltd covering the marketing and distribution of Coldharbour products in mainland China. The contract, finalized at a recent ceremony in Shanghai, is part of the companies’ joint…
Weaker Vessel Rates Weigh on Baltic Index
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, tracking rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, fell for the seventh session on Tuesday, weighed down by falling rates for most vessels. The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax, supramax and handysize shipping vessels, fell to its lowest since early March. The index was down 5 points, or 0.52 percent, at 949 points. The panamax index was down four points, or 0.47 percent, at 850 points.
Norway Oil Ministry: No Plan to Cut Output
Norway has no plans to cut its oil output, the country's oil and energy ministry said on Tuesday. "The Ministry has a good dialogue with other countries about the oil market. We are not in a situation in which regulating production is on the agenda for Norway," the ministry said in a statement. Kuwait's oil minister said earlier on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia's oil minister had spoken to countries including Norway, Turkmenistan and Egypt which had signalled a willingness to join oil output cuts.
Gulf Bidders Emerge for UASC-linked Shipping Unit
Gulf-based bidders have emerged for the part-owned subsidiary of United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) whose sale is key to finalising the merger between UASC and German container shipping line Hapag Lloyd , sources close to the matter said. Last week, sources told Reuters that Hapag Lloyd was close to completing the 7-8 billion-euro merger after UASC shareholders agreed terms to repay outstanding debt.
OPEC Set to Prolong Oil Cuts
OPEC will likely agree to extend production cuts for another nine months, delegates said on Tuesday as the oil producer group meets this week to debate how to tackle a global glut of crude. OPEC's de facto leader, Saudi Arabia, favours extending the output curbs by nine months rather than the initially planned six months, as it seeks to speed up market rebalancing and prevent oil prices from sliding back below $50 per barrel.
UK P&I Club Advises on Charterparties in Bills of Lading
Amanda Hastings, Claims Executive at UK P&I Club, comments on incorporation of charterparties into bills of lading. The issue of incorporation of charterparties…
Kalmar Delivers RTGs to Evergreen
Kalmar, part of Cargotec, has successfully delivered five rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes to Evergreen International Storage & Transport Corporation in Taiwan.
OSC Launches VLCC Chartering Business
Oman Shipping Company (OSC) has officially set up a new commercial chartering desk offering its Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCCs) to major traders and charterers covering VLCC routes worldwide. OSC, one of the biggest ship owners in the MENA region, has a diversified and young fleet of 50 vessels. OSC owns 16 VLCCs within the fleet out of which OSC is now commercially managing 15 VLCCs through its subsidiary Oman Charter Company (OCC).
