Maersk Line, Hamburg Sud Offer Merger Concessions to Gain EU Approval
Maersk Line, the world's biggest container shipping firm and part of Danish conglomerate A.P. Moller-Maersk, has offered concessions to EU antitrust regulators in an attempt to get approval for the takeover of German rival Hamburg Sud. A ruling on the deal, one of several in an industry seeking consolidation to offset low freight rates and oversupply, will now be given by the European Commission by April 10, according to the commission's website on Wednesday.
Seattle/Tacoma Container Volumes Up 8% for 2017
The Northwest Seaport Alliance, consisting of the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, has recorded an 8 percent year-to-date increase in container cargo through February. International container volumes for the month of February remained steady with a 9.1 percent year-to-date increase despite fewer sailings. Compared to same time last year, full export loads saw a 4 percent increase, and import loads were up more than 7 percent for the year.
Schottel Propels Rotortugs for FMG
Six Robert Allan-designed Advanced Rotortugs ART 85-32W for Perth-based Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) will be driven by Schottel Rudderpropellers. The order is about the delivery of 18 SRP 430 FP (1765 kW each). The vessels will be built by Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam. FMG cited Schottel's strong presence in Western Australia and Port Hedland for more than 10 years as a benefit for contracting the thrusters. Rotortugs were chosen for their outstanding maneuverability and capabilities.
BV Acquires MAC
Bureau Veritas (BV) acquired Maritime Assurance & Consulting (MAC). Based in Aberdeen, MAC was established in 2010 and now has 30 employees as well as more than 40 associates.
Ro-Ro Terminal in Assam to Boost Traffic
The government of India said berthing operation of a vessel was carried out at the newly-constructed Roll-on Roll-off (Ro-Ro) terminal on the Brahmaputra in Assam.
USS Lake Erie Assists Distressed Mariners
Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) provided assistance to 25 mariners in the early hours of March 19, after receiving a distress call from a civilian ship taking on water.
MOL Holds Graduation Ceremony for Filipino Seafarers
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines announced the graduation of 88 students in the sixth class of the "3rd Year Program," which MOL introduced with the goal of developing crewmembers…
USS Laboon Makes Second Drug Bust in a Week
For the second time in five days, guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) intercepted a small, stateless dhow in the international waters of the Arabian Sea and seized 500 kilograms of Hashish…
Clean Fortnight Activities in Chidambaranar Port
As per the directives of Government of India, the ‘Swachhta Pakhwada” (fortnight-long cleanliness) activities are being executed on priority basis by V.O. Chidambaranar Port Trust.
Marshall Islands Registry is "Number Two"
The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) fleet now stands at 223,262,177 deadweight tons (DWT), making it the second largest registry in the world in terms of DWT. International Registries, Inc.
ABS Exec Delivers Cyber Risk Wakeup Call
ABS Chief Operating Officer Tony Nassif shares insights on cyber-related challenges and the role of class at the Connecticut Maritime Association’s annual conference. ABS participated in the 32nd annual CMA Shipping Conference and Exhibition in Stamford, Conn., where ABS Chief Operating Officer Tony Nassif shared his perspective on cyber-related challenges faced by the marine industry. “The main challenge…
Shipping Confidence Steady despite Industry, Political Pressures
Shipping confidence held steady in the three months to end-February 2017, according to the latest Shipping Confidence Survey from international accountant and shipping adviser Moore Stephens. In February 2017, the average confidence level expressed by respondents was 5.6 out of 10, unchanged from the previous survey in November 2016 and equal to the highest rating since August 2015. Owners were the only main category to show an improved level of confidence, up from 5.4 to 5.6.
Saft to Supply Battery Systems for RRS Sir David Attenborough
Saft will supply two specialized Seanergy marine lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery systems to Rolls-Royce Marine for integration in the hybrid propulsion systems for the polar research vessel RRS Sir David Attenborough. The new vessel, one of the most advanced ever, is being commissioned by the U.K.’s Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) for operation by the British Antarctic Survey. The contract…
GTT to Equip Knutsen’s New LNG Carrier
GTT said it has received an order from Hyundai Heavy Industries to equip a new LNG carrier with its Mark III Flex containment system. Hyundai's shipyard based in Ulsan…
Container Shippers Ordered to Testify in US Investigation
The U.S. Justice Department has ordered top executives from several container shipping lines to testify in an antitrust investigation into an industry that is the backbone of global trade, the companies said on Wednesday. The world's biggest container shipper, Denmark's A.P. Moller-Maersk, Germany's Hapag Lloyd, Taiwan-based Evergreen, Hong Kong-based Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) said their executives were among those who had been subpoenaed.
Jones Act LNG-powered ConRo Ship Launched
Crowley Maritime Corp.’s newest combination container/Roll on-Roll off (ConRo) ship has been launched at the VT Halter Marine shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss. for the Crowley’s service between Jacksonville, Fla., and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Named El Coquí after a beloved frog native to Puerto Rico, the ConRo is one of the world’s first to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). The ship will now proceed through the final topside construction and testing phase before beginning service in the U.S.
Effective Harassment Prevention Training
When is bad harassment prevention training worse than no training at all? When it comes with a wagging finger shaming employees whose only sin is being a little rough around the edges. When it emboldens opportunistic employees to seek an advantage they do not deserve. When it causes managers to cravenly subordinate legitimate operational considerations to political correctness. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 does not mandate a general civility code.
St. Lawrence Seaway Navigation Season Open
The U.S. Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) and the Canadian St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation have jointly marked the opening of the Seaway’s 59th navigation season.
Somali Regional Antipiracy Chief Says Sacked over Illegal Fishing Comments
The head of anti-piracy operations in the semi-autonomous Puntland region of Somalia said he had been fired for speaking out about illegal fishing, which he claims…
Gail India Seeks First-half April LNG Cargo
Gail India launched a tender seeking a liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo for delivery in the first-half of April, trade sources said. The tender, launched on Monday…
