Maritime Thought Leadership: Koichi Fujiwara, ClassNK
Tokyo-based Nippon Kaiji Kyokai, or ClassNK as it is more commonly known, is one of the world's leading classification societies with 9,104 ships representing 250 million gt under register, as of June 2018. We spoke with Koichi Fujiwara, Chairman, ClassNK, earlier this year in Tokyo for his overview of the market today, and the path forward on technological trends.While Koichi Fujiwara, like many of his colleagues…
Venezuela's Crude Sales to U.S. Fall in July
Venezuela's crude exports to the United States declined to 494,400 barrels per day (bpd) in July after rising the prior three months, showing the impact of asset seizures against state-run oil firm PDVSA, according to Thomson Reuters data.July was the first month crude exports fell below 500,000 bpd since the months of January through March.U.S. oil producer ConocoPhillips in May began seizing PDVSA's overseas assets in an attempt to collect on a $2 billion arbitration award.
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Significant moments in naval architecture & marine engineeringOn October 16, 2015, U.S. shipbuilder General Dynamics NASSCO delivered the world's first liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered containership, Isla Bella, to domestic ship owner and operator TOTE Maritime. The 764-foot-long Isla Bella and its sister ship Perla del Caribe currently serve the Florida-Puerto Rico trade.Today, LNG continues to pick up steam across the industry.
Baltic Index Edges Down on Lower Capesize, Panamax Rates
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, tracking rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, inched down on Friday, weighed down by lower rates for capesize and panamax vessels.* The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, was down 3 points, or 0.2 percent, at 1,691 points.* The index marked its biggest weekly decline in seven weeks, having fallen about 4.6 percent for the week.* The panamax index was down 10 points…
AST Expands on Three Continents
Global satellite solutions and projects company, The AST Group, has recently opened new offices in Sydney, Rotterdam, Ecuador and Norwich, U.K. These new locations…
Hapag-Lloyd Deepens Cost Cut Drive after H1 Loss Widens
German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd said it accelerated cost cuts in the first half of 2018 to offset higher operational costs from fuel costs, charter rates and a slow recovery in freight rates."We have implemented additional measures to recover these costs: we are critically reviewing the economic viability of our ship systems and are further optimising our terminal contracts," Chief Executive Rolf Habben Jansen said.Its shares rose 2.6 percent in early trades.Freight rates fell 45 percent, ca
Burlington (EPF 10) Passes Acceptance Trials
The U.S. Navy’s 10th Expeditionary Fast Transport ship, Burlington, completed acceptance trials, August 3 after two days of underway evaluation in the Gulf of Mexico.The ship demonstrated the readiness of its equipment and systems for operations, both dockside and underway, for the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey. The ship returned to the Austal USA shipyard in Mobil Ala. and will now begin preparations…
China Ministry Seeks Feedback on LNG as Marine Fuel
China's Ministry of Transport said on Friday it is soliciting feedback from oil companies, shipowners' and port associations, and marine authorities for a plan to use liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine bunker fuel.China will expedite the planning and siting of key berths for LNG tankers in the Bohai Bay area of northern China, as well as along its main rivers, the ministry said.The ministry has asked companies and agencies to give feedback by Aug.
Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale to Test Response to Trump-era Regulations
A federal auction of exploration leases in the Gulf of Mexico next week will test energy companies' appetite for acreage after the Trump administration left royalty rates for deepwater parcels unchanged, bucking an industry call to lower them.The U.S. Gulf of Mexico has faced waning interest in recent years as competition stepped up from other basins globally, as well as from onshore shale basins and…
Rotterdam Port to Replace Slopes to Clean-up of Oil Pollution
The Port of Rotterdam Authority is to replace a section of the slopes stretching over more than 9 kilometres that have been contaminated by the Bow Jubail oil spill.The…
Yamal LNG Commissioned in Record Time
Russia’s PAO Novatek has launched a second liquefied natural gas (LNG) production train at its plant on the Yamal peninsula ahead of schedule.Russia's largest independent…
WFW Advises CMBFL on Sale, Leaseback of 15 Dry Bulker
Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) has advised CMB Financial Leasing (CMBFL) on a US$180.4m sale and leaseback transaction with Star Bulk Carriers Corp, a Nasdaq-listed…
Kalmar and HHLA in Straddle Carrier Pact
Kalmar, part of Cargotec, has concluded a deal with Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA), the leading European port and transport logistics group, to supply a…
Euronav Updates on Gener8 Merger
The acquisition of Gener8 resulted in the recognition of a gain on bargain purchase on business combination of USD 36.3 million being recorded in the consolidated…
Star Bulk Carriers Back in Black
Star Bulk Carriers has announced a net income of US$10.73 million for the second quarter of 2018, a significant improvement over the company’s net loss of US$10.28…
ZIM Annouces New Asia - America Network with 2M
Zim Integrated Shipping Services (ZIM) has announced the new Strategic Partnership Agreement with the 2M alliance, details of the new improved Asia - U.S. East Coast…
Diana Containerships TC Contract for m/v Pamina with HMM
Diana Containerships announced that, through a separate wholly-owned subsidiary, it has entered into a time charter contract with Hyundai Merchant Marine Co., Ltd.…
Gas to Become World's Primary Energy Source by 2035
Oil and gas will be crucial components of the world’s energy future, according to DNV GL’s forecast of the energy transition. While renewable energy will grow its share of the energy mix…
Weeks Marine Invests in Maritime Program at Louisiana College
Weeks Marine, Inc. visited Northshore Technical Community College (NTCC) in Lacombe, La. on July 18 to announce major contributions, totaling $500,000, to support the college’s maritime training program and scholarship fund.Richard “Dick” Weeks, Chairman of Weeks Marine, travelled from the company’s headquarters in Cranford, N.J. to view progress on the construction of NTCC’s second building at the Lacombe Campus. A longtime supporter of higher education and workforce training, Mr.
Armstrong Marine Delivers Catamaran in Nimmo Bay
The M/V Fathom, a 35’ x 13’ asymmetric catamaran, recently arrived at Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort in British Columbia, Canada. Boat builder Armstrong Marine partnered with Jutson Marine design to expand the resort’s fleet in 2018.According to designer Scott Jutson, the new vessel is “unique in both function and style.”Twin Yamaha 350hp outboards, paired with SeaStar Pro steering, power the high-performance catamaran…
