Somali Pirates Release Hijacked Ship, Crew without Ransom
Somali pirates released a hijacked oil tanker and its eight Sri Lankan crew on Thursday, a Somali security official and the pirates said, bringing the first hijacking since 2012 to an unusually swift conclusion without the payment of a ransom. The release followed a gunfight earlier in the day between the pirates and the marine force, and then intensive negotiations between the marine force, clan elders and the pirates. "There has been discussion going on after the gunfight of this afternoon ...
Remote Controlled Workboats
Tuco Marine Group has introduced remote controlled navigation systems for the ProZero Workboats, offering autonomous self-piloting vessels. Working together with Sea Machines, Tuco Marine Group can now provide the ProZero series, delivered with a system that makes the vessels autonomous and remote controlled. The system can be embedded into a wide variety of boats in the ProZero series, making them self-piloting, increasing productivity and keeping personnel safe from potential harm.
Marine News Boat of the Month: March 2017
All American Marine (AAM) in February announced a deal for the construction of a new hybrid electric, 600 passenger aluminum monohull vessel to be delivered to the Red and White Fleet of San Francisco, Calif. AAM’s latest contract follows an earlier announcement made by the company regarding a construction agreement for a 500 passenger aluminum monohull tour boat for Argosy Cruises of Seattle, Wash.
Tech File: Harken’s TR31 Tight Radius Rail and Trolley System
Being safe on board any workboat has never been easier. That’s because when the Sabine Pilots in Port Arthur, Texas took delivery of their all new all-aluminum pilot boat, the Port Arthur, in May of last year, the vessel came with all the bells and whistles that operators have come to expect from tonnage produced by Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding in Somerset, Mass. For its part, the Gladding-Hearn name has over time become synonymous with cutting edge pilot boats…
Dinh-Zarr to Serve as NTSB Acting Chairman
Christopher A. Hart’s term as Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board concluded on schedule Wednesday and Vice Chairman Bella Dinh-Zarr will serve as the agency’s acting chairman. Hart will remain at the NTSB, applying his transportation safety expertise in the capacity of a board member. The NTSB has five board members, each nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate to serve five-year terms.
Major Containership Drugs Bust in the Mediterranean
Customs inspectors in Malta have seized more than 300 kg (660 lb) of cocaine worth millions of euros on a container ship heading from Ecuador to Spain, Maltese officials said on Thursday.
Gazprom: Gas Exports to Europe, Turkey up 17.7% Y/Y
Russian gas exports to Europe and Turkey rose 17.7 percent year-on-year between Jan. 1 and March 15 to 42.9 billion cubic metres, gas giant Gazprom said on Thursday.
Baltic Index Hits Over 3-month Peak on Capesize Rally
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, tracking rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, rose to an over three-month high on Thursday, buoyed by a surge in capesize vessel activity. The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax, supramax and handysize shipping vessels, climbed 25 points, or 2.18 percent, to its highest since Dec. 6 of 1,172 points. The capesize index rose 129 points, or 6 percent, to 2,265 points, its best since the end of November.
Subsea 7 CFO has 'Measured Optimism' of Oil Service Market Recovery
Oslo-listed oil services firm Subsea 7's Chief Financial Officer Ricardo Rosa told an energy conference in Oslo he sees gradual market recovery as oil prices stabilize, and the outlook for subsea project awards increasing within the next 12 months. "Previously all the discussions (with oil companies) were about cutting costs, now we are starting to talk about launching new projects... We have a measured optimism," Rosa said.
EU Lawmakers Reject Call for Ban on Arctic Oil Exploration
The European Parliament rejected a call to ban Arctic oil and gas exploration on Thursday, in a symbolic vote seen as a barometer for future moves by Brussels to regulate to protect the region. Lawmakers who back the ban, which had drawn the ire of Norway, say the European Union needs a strategy for future developments in a region being transformed by climate change. Lawmakers voted 414-180 to reject…
Mega 20,150 TEU Containership Named MOL Triumph
A new 20,150 TEU containership has captured the “world’s largest” title: MOL Triumph, the first in a series of new mega containerships for Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., (MOL) was named at Samsung Heavy Industries, Ltd.’s (SHI) Geoje, South Korea shipyard. MOL Triumph is the first of four 20,000 TEU class ultra-large container carriers ordered by MOL in February 2015 to be built by SHI for 2017 delivery.
China Pledges Firm Response to Japan's S.China Sea Visit
China on Thursday pledged a firm response if Japan stirs up trouble in the South China Sea, after Reuters reported on a Japanese plan to send its largest warship to the disputed waters.
Somali Force, Pirates Exchange Gunfire
Somali maritime forces have exchanged gunfire with the hijackers of an oil tanker in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, the head of the maritime force said.
Green Signal for India-Bangladesh MoU on Aids to Navigation
The Indian Cabinet has approved signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for greater cooperation with regard to marine aids to navigation that includes advice…
Adelaide’s Fighting Edge Tested
Royal Australian Navy’s amphibious ship HMAS Adelaide lead from the front during the recent Exercise OCEAN EXPLORER. Exercising task group operations off the Western Australian coast…
Russian Navy Chief Visits India
Admiral Vladimir Korolev, Commander-in-Chief, Russian Federation Navy along with a four member Russian Navy delegation is on an official visit to India from 15 to 18 March 2017.
Carl Vinson Strike Group Arrives in the Republic of Korea
Aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) arrived in Busan…
New ATB Builds for Island Tug & Barge
Over the years Vancouver, BC based Island Tug and Barge (ITB) has refurbished and repowered older vessels and completed new vessels. The company is currently working on its most ambitious and innovative project to date. In its Annacis Island Shipyard, located undercover in a pair of huge leased warehouses on the Fraser River, ITB is building two tugs that will be paired with two of its existing barges. The two boats are built with pins for use in an articulated tug and barge application.
Will LNG Remain a Key Energy Source?
Japan imported 8.3 million metric tons of LNG in January, an increase of 1.06 million metric tons compared to the previous year. The data, released by the Japanese Ministry of Finance, also reveals that the amount the country pays for LNG imports had increased by 6.7 percent since 2015. Japan is one of the largest LNG importers in the world and it is expected that gas and LNG will continue to remain a key energy source in the future.
Horizon Names Hotz VP, Business Development
Bayou La Batre, Ala. shipbuilder Horizon Shipbuilding, Inc. said it has hired John Hotz as Vice President of Business Development. Hotz brings to the role industry experience and a background in business development, having worked within the commercial and government marine sector throughout his entire 27-year career, including positions at several domestic and international boat builders. “John will…
