Yale Cordage Acquires Largest Test Bed in Eastern US
![(Photo: Yale Cordage)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-yale-cordage-89005.jpg)
Yale Cordage announced its acquisition of a Sahm Splice test bed, with capacity for destructive and non-destructive testing of synthetic rope, wire rope, shackles, chain and slings up to 1,300,000 pounds in tensile and a low-range capacity of up to 250,000 pounds. With a maximum test sample length of 116 feet with a 15 foot stroke, it is one of the largest and most capable test beds in the eastern…
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Significant moments in naval architecture & marine engineeringCMA CGM announced in November 2017 that its nine new 22,000 TEU containerships would be equipped with engines fueled by liquefied natural gas (LNG), an industry first. The series' first two vessels are currently being built in China for expected delivery in 2019.The October 2018 edition of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News, the world’s largest audited circulation maritime magazine serving the maritime b2b space…
Ingalls Begins Fabricating US Warship LPD-29
![A graphic illustration of the future San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29). (U.S. Navy photo illustration by Raymond D. Diaz III)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/a-graphic-illustration-of-the-89003.jpg)
Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) started fabrication of the 13th LPD-17 San Antonio class ship, LPD-29, July 30, at its Ingalls Shipbuilding yard in Pascagoula, Miss. The start of fabrication signifies that the first 100 tons of steel have been cut."We are excited to commence fabrication on the 13th and final ship of the LPD-17 Flight I class," said Capt. Brian Metcalf, LPD 17 class program manager for Program Executive Office Ships.
LNG Trade to Grow by 11% in 2018 -Clarksons
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The liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade is expected to achieve further growth of 11 percent for 2018, according to a recent report from Clarksons Research. The forecast comes on the heels 2017's 9 percent growth to 929mt. By comparison, the LNG trade averaged 0.3 percent growth from 2012 to 2015.“Global trade in LNG has moved into a strong growth phase, with a 9 percent increase in 2017 expected to be followed by further growth of 11 percent in 2018…
Hull Cleaning Robot Aids Oil Spill Response
![Photo: Fleet Cleaner](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-fleet-cleaner-88998.jpg)
After the recent oil spill disaster of the Bow Jubail in the Port of Rotterdam, Fleet Cleaner has stepped up to help the authorities with cleaning ship’s hulls which were fouled by the heavy fuel oil, in order to minimize the environmental impact. Within record time, Fleet Cleaner has transformed its installation to an oil spill response vessel; by installing specialized heating equipment, the high pressure water cleaning robot was made ready for high pressure steam cleaning.
Baltic Index Continues to Rise on Firmer Capesize Demand
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The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, tracking rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, rose on Wednesday for the third consecutive session, boosted by stronger demand for capesize vessels.* The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, was up 13 points, or 0.7 percent, at 1,760 points.* The capesize index gained 44 points, or 1.3 percent, at 3,515 points, its highest since Dec.
LNG Carrier Completes Record Arctic Transit
![Christophe de Margerie (Photo: Sovcomflot)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/christophe-de-margerie-photo-sovcomflot-88999.jpg)
An icebreaking liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier has completed a record journey through the Northern Sea Route (NSR) in the Arctic.The Christophe de Margerie owned and operated by Sovcomflot (SCF Group) covered the distance of 2,360 nautical miles eastward through the NSR, from the port of Sabetta (Yamal Peninsula) to Cape Dezhnev (the Bering Strait), in seven days and 17 hours, a new record time for a merchant ship without icebreaker support during the month of July.
35 Seafarers Kidnapped in Gulf of Guinea in 2018 -Report
![(Photo: EOS Risk Group)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-eos-risk-group-88993.png)
Nigerian pirates have kidnapped 35 seafarers from vessels in the Gulf of Guinea so far this year, according to security firm EOS Risk Group.Nigeria continues to be the world’s epicenter for piracy activity. From January through June 2018, EOS recorded 34 Nigerian pirate attacks on merchant and fishing vessels in the Gulf of Guinea. These attacks resulted in the kidnap of 35 seafarers for ransom and the hijacking of several vessels…
NYC Ferry Adds Two New Routes
![(Photo: Dale Barnett)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-dale-barnett-88995.jpg)
Two more routes will be added to New York City's popular new ferry service, connecting millions of New Yorkers to new neighborhoods, growing job centers, housing and more.The new Soundview and Lower East Side routes will be launched later this month, according to the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and NYC Ferry operated by Hornblower.The Soundview Route will launch on August 15…
New US Riverboat American Song Nearly Complete
![American Song (Photo: American Cruise Lines)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/american-song-photo-american-cruise-88986.jpg)
American Cruise Lines' new vessel, American Song, the first modern riverboat in U.S. history, is nearly complete.This week, American Song, under its own power, moved from the East Outfitting Basin at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Md., to the yard’s outfitting bulkhead for the final outfitting touches.American Song is set to make its inaugural cruise October 6, 2018 on the Mississippi River from New Orleans.
Trump Bets on New European LNG Terminals
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U.S. President Donald Trump expects the European Union to fund 9 to 11 liquefied natural gas (LNG) ports to absorb "vastly" more shipments from the United States but current EU investment in new projects will only help open small markets.In a White House press conference with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte late on Monday, Trump said part of the U.S.-EU trade talks sought to expand America's…
Fugro H1 Profit Boosts Shares
![(File photo courtesy Fugro)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/file-photo-courtesy-fugro-88985.jpg)
Dutch deep-sea prospector Fugro on Wednesday surprised the market with a first-half profit, driven by strong growth in offshore wind projects, sending its shares sharply higher.The company, hit by a downturn in the oil sector in recent years, reported first-half earnings before interest and tax (EBIT), excluding exceptional items, of 4.0 million euros ($4.7 million) compared with a year-earlier loss of 25.3 million euros.Analysts in a poll conducted for the company had on average expected an EBI
France Confirms Fincantieri-STX Shipyard Deal, Cautious on Defense Merger
![(File photo: Chantiers de l’Atlantique)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/file-photo-chantiers-de-latlantique-88980.jpg)
The French government continues to support Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri's takeover of STX France, finance minister Bruno Le Maire said on Wednesday, but cautioned against hastening a related defense naval merger.Speaking in Rome after a meeting with the Italian government, he told journalists France had not changed its position on the deal, quelling concerns the takeover could be hampered by tenser relations between Paris and Italy's new anti-establishment government.However, he warned agains
Kalleklev Takes Over as CEO of FLEX LNG
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier owner and operator FLEX LNG has appointed Øystein M. Kalleklev as Chief Executive Officer to replace Jonathon Cook, who resigned in May.Kalleklevm…
China's New Shenzhen Terminal Receives First LNG Cargo
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China National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC) started operating a new import facility in southern China for liquefied natural gas (LNG), state media reported on Wednesday.The terminal in the city of Shenzhen, near Hong Kong, on Wednesday received a 93,000-tonne LNG cargo from Qatar, Securities Daily reported, making it the state firm's ninth LNG terminal in operation.The new facility has four tanks each sized 160,000 cubic meters and a berth able to dock 266,000 cubic-meter tankers, with annual ha
Steel Cut for World's Largest Container Vessels in Shanghai
China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) has commenced construction of CMA CGM’s 22,000 TEU boxships, which would make them the largest container vessels in the world…
PSA International Acquires Majority Stakes in Canada Port
PSA International through its subsidiary has acquired 60 per cent of Ashcroft Terminal (AT) , an inland port facility about 300km east of the Port of Vancouver in western Canada…
NYK Names New Ship 'Pirika Moshiri Maru'
A new ship that NYK will own and operate to transport coal for Hokkaido Electric Power Co. Inc. has been named "Pirika Moshiri Maru." Honoring the history and culture…
Hafnia Tankers in Leaseback Deal with Sole Shipping Fund
Denmark's Hafnia Tankers has completed two sale and leaseback transactions with a Sole Shipping fund."Hafnia Tankers has successfully completed two sale and leaseback…
GoodBulk Announces Fleet Update
Bermuda-based owner and operator of dry bulk vessels GoodBulk entered into an agreement to sell the M/V Aquapride, a 2012 built Supramax vessel of 61,465 dwt built by Imabari…