Tauck to Double Small Ship Cruising Capacity
Tauck announced a four-year plan for doubling its small ship cruising capacity through strategic fleet expansion, deepened partnership programs and new itineraries.
SAFE Boats, COTECMAR to Co-build Colombian Vessels
SAFE Boats International of Bremerton, Wash. announced at 2017 Colombia Mar that it has broadened its previously signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with COTECMAR into a multiyear, definitive Association Agreement to coproduce many of its products already in Colombia. The agreement includes coproduction of SAFE models already in use in Central and South America such as the Defender, Apostle and Full Cabin Jet Boats along with its most recently introduced Multi-Mission Interceptor (MMI).
IMO Secretary-General Urges Vigilance after Tanker Hijack
In the wake of the recent hijacking of tanker Aris 13 off Puntland, Somalia, International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Kitack Lim urged the shipping industry to be vigilant and apply diligently IMO guidance and best management practices to avert possible piracy attacks. “While we have seen a very welcome decline in piracy off Somalia since the last reported hijack by Somali pirates in 2012…
ALMACO to Deliver Provision Stores for AIDA Newbuilds
German shipyard Meyer Werft has awarded ALMACO Group the newbuilding contract for provision stores and fast thawing chambers for the next ship generation of AIDA Cruises…
Meyer's Group Orders Tugs for New Panama Canal Locks
The Meyer's Group has ordered two Damen ASD 2913 Tugs to operate in the newly expanded Panama Canal. At an official signing ceremony at the Panama Maritime XIII World Conference, Michel Mittelmeyer, Chief Executive Officer said the Meyer’s Group was awarded a contract last year to offer towage support in the new Panama Canal locks. These new tugs fulfill the requirements of the Panama Canal Authority as more powerful vessels…
USMMA Resumes Commercial Sea Year
On February 15, we announced that Sea Year training for U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) Midshipmen will resume on three commercial carriers – Crowley Maritime Corporation, Maersk Line Limited and American President Line. This followed implementation of comprehensive new requirements for commercial carriers to ensure that the academy’s standards for behavior, leadership and integrity are upheld.
USCGC Kimball Christened; GE Marine Gas Turbines Provide Power
The U.S. Coast Guard’s seventh new National Security Cutter, Kimball (WMSL 756), was christened on March 4. The ceremony was held at Huntington Ingalls Industries' Ingalls Shipbuilding division in Pascagoula, Miss. According to HII, Kimball is the third ship named in honor of Sumner I. Kimball. The first Kimball (WSC/WMEC-143) was commissioned in 1927, and was eventually decommissioned in 1968. The second ship to bear the name was SS Sumner I.
Baltic Index Gains on Robust Capesize Rates
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, tracking rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, jumped to a more-than-three-month high on Wednesday, as rates for capesize vessels soared. The overall index, which also factors in rates for panamax, supramax and handysize shipping vessels, ended up 35 points, or 3.15 percent, at 1,147 points, its highest since Dec. The capesize index increased 207 points, or 10.73 percent, to close at 2,136 points, its biggest gain since early December.
Panama Canal to Launch Vessel Scheduling and Management System
In response to growing traffic through the waterway, the Panama Canal has announced that it will launch a state-of-the-art vessel scheduling and maritime resource…
Seagull, DNV GL Offer Cyber Security Training
Cyber security threats have increased over the past few years in the maritime industry. Together with DNV GL, Seagull now offers an immediate solution to help train staff to be cyber secure. With the increasing use of systems with embedded software on ships and mobile offshore platforms, cyber security is becoming critical not only for data protection, but also for reliable operations. According to Symantec Security Response…
Pirates Demand Ransom for Tanker Seized off Somalia
Pirates off the coast of Somalia, who hijacked an oil tanker with eight Sri Lankan crew on board, are demanding a ransom for the release of the vessel, the EU Naval Force said.
JNPCT Achieves Record Performance
Jawaharlal Nehru Port Container Terminal (JNPCT) handled 14,29,936 TEUS of cargo till March 7 as compared to 14,29,277 TEUs, registering a growth of 7.6 per cent.
Carl Vinson Celebrates 35th Anniversary of Ship's Commissioning
The crew of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) celebrated the ship's 35th commissioning ceremony March 13 while on a regularly-scheduled Western Pacific deployment. Capt.
US Ship Seizes Heroin in Arabian Sea
USS Laboon (DDG 58) intercepted a small stateless dhow in the international waters of the Arabian Sea March 13, seizing 270 kilograms of heroin. Laboon, conducting…
ABS, Industry Experts Tackle MODU Safety Issues
ABS, the leading provider of classification and technical services to the offshore industry, collaborated with industry experts during its annual Special Committee…
Somali Pirates Demand Ransom for Aris 13
The EU anti-piracy operation in the Horn of Africa region said that Pirates are demanding a ransom for the release of the Comoros-flagged oil tanker Aris 13 seized…
Somalia Region Sends Soldiers to Free Hijacked Ship
Somali forces have been sent to free a hijacked ship, a regional police official said on Tuesday. "We are determined to rescue the ship and its crew. Our forces have set off to Alula.
Golden Ocean Acquires 16 Dry Bulk Ships
Golden Ocean Group Limited said it has entered into agreements to acquire 16 dry bulk vessels,14 of which will be acquired from subsidiaries of Quintana Shipping Ltd.…
Port Everglades, Royal Caribbean Sign MOU
Broward County's Port Everglades has negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that provides the framework for a new long-term business agreement with Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.
Denel, tkMS to Partner on Naval Ship Upgrades
As Denel gets ready to revive the Naval Dockyard facilities in Simonstown, the company is collaborating with thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (tkMS) for joint support…
