Italian Submarine Romeo Romei Delivered
The submarine Romeo Romei was delivered at Fincantieri’s shipyard of Muggiano, La Spezia. It is the last of the four U212A Todaro class twin units ordered from Fincantieri by the Naval Armament Unit – NAVARM for the Italian Navy. Romeo Romei, as its twin unit Pietro Venuti delivered last July at the Muggiano shipyard, features highly innovative technological solutions. It is entirely built with amagnetic material, using the most modern silencing techniques to reduce its acoustic signature.
Riverboat American Duchess to Launch in August
The American Queen Steamboat Company, owner and operator of the American Queen and American Empress, will launch service on its new American Duchess when it sets sail from New Orleans on Aug. 14, 2017, following its christening a day earlier. The all-suite, 166-guest American Duchess will be the first purpose-built boutique paddle wheeler offering guests the largest suites on the Mississippi River.
Newbuild Tonnage: Greece Leads the Way in 2017
Globally 119 new bulkers and tankers have been ordered since the start of 2017, according to data compiled by VesselsValue Deals. Of those orders, 35 come from Greek ship owners (14 bulkers, 21 tankers) – by far the most of any nation. After Greece, the U.S. is second with 14 vessels ordered in 2017, followed by Singapore (10), Noray (8) and the Netherlands (6). The imbalance of supply and demand between…
Canada to Ban Tankers off North British Columbia
Canada's Liberal government has introduced legislation for a moratorium on oil tanker traffic along the northern coast of the British Columbia province, the country's transport department said on Friday, delivering on an election promise. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ordered the ban soon after the election in 2015, in which he took power on a pledge to balance resource development with protecting the environment.
IMCA Supports CBP's Jones Act Decision
The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) welcomed withdrawal of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) notice to revoke and modify rulings relating to offshore vessels under the Jones Act. Allen Leatt, Chief Executive of IMCA, explained, “Members of the International Marine Contractors Association with vessels active in U.S. waters, together with their clients, welcome the decision by the U.S.
Arctic Council Meeting Stirs Hidden Tensions
As foreign ministers from countries with territory in the far North celebrated an agreement on fighting climate change this week, one topic seethed below the surface: growing competition for Arctic resources and sea lanes as the ice melts. Russia, one of eight members of the Arctic Council which includes the United States, Canada and the Nordic countries, has been pouring money and missiles into the Arctic as well as reopening and building bases there.
Costa Concordia Captain Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison
The former captain of the Costa Concordia cruise liner was sentenced to 16 years in prison on Friday by Italy's highest court for his role in the 2012 shipwreck, which killed 32 people off the island of Giglio, a court official said. Francesco Schettino was originally found guilty in 2015 of manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and abandoning his passengers. Friday's ruling exhausted his appeals process, with the court rejecting his claim that others bore the blame for the disaster.
Late & Overweight: Germany's New Frigates Found Wanting
Germany's much-delayed new frigates, built by ThyssenKrupp and Luerssen for at least 650 million euros ($710 million) apiece, are overweight and float with a persistent list to starboard, according to a confidential report seen by Reuters. The ships, designed to need a crew of only 120, less than half their predecessors, are a crucial element in Germany's plans to beef up its military to face an increasingly uncertain European security landscape and a more assertive Russia.
Caterpillar Marine Plans LNG Test Site
With eyes on the future of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the maritime sector, Caterpillar Marine said it will unveil a first-of-its-kind LNG test bed for gas-fuelled engines at its facility in Kiel, Germany where the company will aim to improve understanding of related technology and enhance its services to clients adopting LNG solutions. According to Caterpillar, the site will focus on familiarizing its personnel with LNG capabilities…
EPA Paves Way for Stalled Mine in Alaska
U.S. environmental regulators have cleared the path for a stalled copper and gold mine in Alaska by agreeing to settle current lawsuits and other issues over the project…
PANOLIN HLP SYNTH 32 Obtains RDE 90235
PANOLIN HLP SYNTH 32 is the first and so far only eco-friendly hydraulic oil to feature in the Bosch Rexroth RDE 90245 Fluid Rating List. “Yet again, we have proven that our biodegradable products such as PANOLIN HLP SYNTH 32 also meet the highest industry requirements,” said Patrick Lämmle, Chairman of the Board of Directors of PANOLIN International. “PANOLIN HLP SYNTH is the first rapidly biodegradable hydraulic oil to obtain the Fluid Rating (ISO 15380 in combination with RFT-APU-CL test)…
Partners Aim to Encourage Maritime Entrepreneurs, Innovation
SUNY Maritime College and EEX Maritime Oy, of Finland, will be working together to encourage entrepreneurs and technological innovations in the maritime industry.
ACE Winches' Mooring System on the Iron Lady Barge
ACE Winches has mobilized a six point mooring system to anchor the Iron Lady Barge being used on the Brent decommissioning project. The equipment, designed and manufactured by ACE Winches at its global headquarters in Turriff, Aberdeenshire is now in situ and being supported by a team of ACE Winches offshore personnel. ACE Winches manufacture a range of standard and bespoke drum winches, available in single or double drum configurations.
Mein Schiff 6 Makes Maiden Call in Kiel
The latest newbuilding to join TUI Cruises, Mein Schiff 6, has berthed in Kiel for the first time. Kiel is the ship’s first passenger port of call in Germany she has visited since she was handed over a few days ago in Turku, Finland. The 99,000 GT, 295 m long cruise ship arrived in the Kiel fiord on Thursday, May 11 to a water fountain welcome and was escorted to her berth by one of the port’s tugs. Onlookers lined the banks and visited the Ostseekai Terminal to catch a glimpse of Mein Schiff 6.
Spanish Cabinet Attempts Port Reform Again
The Spanish cabinet passed a decree on Friday aimed at liberalizing the country's ports, a second effort at a contentious law which has already been rejected by…
Capesize Rates Nudge Baltic Index Up Again
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, tracking rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, rose marginally on Friday on stronger rates for capesize vessels.
Sri Lanka Denies Chinese Request for Sub Visit
Sri Lanka has rejected China's request to dock one of its submarines in Colombo this month, two senior government officials said on Thursday as the Indian prime minister landed in the island nation.
Union Calls Off Strike at Jakarta Port
An Indonesian labour union has scrapped a planned strike at Jakarta's Tanjung Priok port next week, ensuring operations would run normally at the country's busiest port…
Hapag-Lloyd Projects Higher FY '17 Earnings
CEO sees closer supply-demand balance in shipping market; higher earnings forecasts upheld after wider net loss. German container shipping firm Hapag-Lloyd on Friday…
Ferry Service or Humanitarian Rescue Boats?
Some EU officials say NGOs inadvertently encourage people smuggling; NGOs say they are only trying to save lives. A "ferry service" that encourages people smugglers…
