Belov's New DSVs Commissioned
Two new dive support vessels (DSV) operated by Belov Engenharia Ltda. have completed class commissioning and are currently performing client acceptance testing for Petrobras.Built at Belov's own fabrication facility in Salvador, the newbuilds Belov Amaralina and Belov Humaitá are of Robert Allan Ltd.'s RAlly 4000’s Class design, fitted with Dynamic Positioning System (DP2), four diesel generators, three water jet propulsors and triple bow thrusters for redundancy.
MarTID 2020: Time is Running Out
The deadline to take the 2020 MarTID survey of mariner training practices is March 31, 2020, and your participation is vital to its success.Take the survey today:Vessel operators: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2020MarTIDOperatorTraining institutions: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2020MarTIDMETISeafarers: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2020MarTIDSeafarerFor a full background on the initiative, visit http://scholar.wmu.se/martid.
Connecting Crew During COVID-19
Inmarsat Maritime President Ronald Spithout says providing crews with enhanced levels of connectivity and support is critical at this unprecedented time, and offers an insight into the work already underway with welfare organizations to assist seafarers in need.Given Inmarsat’s position as the leading provider of maritime VSAT and L-Band services at sea, it is hardly surprising that we have been alert…
Tech File: Reliable Lifts
Patterson Manufacturing‘s new davit cranes are designed from the ground up for improved safety, ease of use, durability and reliability. What more could you ask?Patterson Manufacturing has supplied equipment into the marine market for more than 160 years, consistently expanding its lines of winches, rigging and fittings to meet evolving demands along the way, and even engineering custom products when the job requires.
AAM Takes Over Hydrogen Ferry New Build
All American Marine, Inc. (AAM) won a contract by SWITCH Maritime (SW/TCH) to complete the aluminum construction and outfitting of a 70-foot 84-passenger zero-emissions, hydrogen-powered, electric drive ferry that will operate in the California Bay Area (referred to as the ‘Water-Go-Round’ project).Prior to transfer to AAM, the project had begun at Bay Ship & Yacht shipyard in Alameda, Calif. where the aluminum hull and superstructure had been started.
Hempel Makes Executive Changes
Current Group Vice President for Hempel South & East Asia, Pernille Lind Olsen, becomes new Group Vice President for Hempel Europe & Africa starting on 1 July 2020. At the same time, current Finance Director for Hempel Middle East Jonathan Mercer will take over Pernille Lind Olsen’s position as Group Vice Presi-dent for Hempel South & East Asia.Olsen has been with Hempel since November 2013. Since then…
All Sailors on US Aircraft Carrier to be Tested for COVID-19
All 5,000 personnel aboard the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt will be tested for the coronavirus after the number of sailors on the ship who have tested positive for the virus increased, U.S. Navy officials said on Thursday.The move is the latest example of the coronavirus’s impact on the military.Acting U.S. Navy Secretary Thomas Modly told a Pentagon news conference that, while the carrier in the Pacific Ocean was capable of carrying out military operations…
MAN Cryo Develops Liquefied Methane Terminal in Swedish Port
OxGas, a company fully owned by the Port of Oxelösund in Sweden has commissioned MAN Energy Solutions to act as “owners engineer” in the development and construction of a multi-functional terminal for liquefied methane based fuels in the port of Oxelösund. The terminal will be designed to feed both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and green methane derived from bio gas to SSAB ’s steel production in Oxelösund…
Turkey Holds First Tender Related to Istanbul Canal Project
Turkey held its first tender on Thursday to prepare to build a huge canal on the edge of Istanbul, a Transport Ministry spokesman said, signaling progress on the project despite widespread criticism over its cost and environmental impact.The tender was for the planning phase of reconstructing two historic bridges located in the area where the 45-km (28 mile) Kanal Istanbul, championed by President Tayyip Erdogan…
Ferry Industry Seeks Financial Assistance Amid COVID-19
Ferry operators stuggling financially due to the COVID-19 pandemic will need government backing to help offset billions of dollars of unsustainable losses, Interferry says.The trade association is asking governments globally to include the ferry industry in their respective COVID-19 financial aid packages so that ferry operators can continue providing essential services, and to ensure that critical infrastructure and personnel are available once the global economy begins to recover.Specifically…
EU to Launch New Libya Sea Patrols From April
The European Union will launch a new Mediterranean naval and air mission in April to stop more arms reach warring factions in Libya, EU diplomats said on Thursday, with Greece agreeing to take in any migrants rescued at sea.The decision, which was delayed by divisions over migrants, followed warnings by EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell that the bloc risked becoming irrelevant if it could not act…
P&O Boosts Freight to Keep Goods Flowing in Virus Outbreak
British ferry and shipping freight company P&O said on Wednesday it will ramp up freight operations to improve the flow of essential goods between Britain and mainland Europe as passenger numbers dwindle during the coronavirus outbreak."P&O Ferries is doing vital work to ensure the supplies of food, medicines and other supplies to millions of people," chief executive officer Janette Bell said in a statement."I urge all governments to back the commitment of our colleagues by designating port work
SCHOTTEL to Equip US Navy Tugs
SCHOTTEL said it has secured several orders to provide propulsion systems for U.S. Navy vessels. This additional order of five Workboat Docking vessels and two YTL tugs – all of which are to be built at the Modutech Marine Inc. yard in Tacoma, Wash. Construction of the lead tug is to commence in 2020.The main propulsion for each Workboat Docking vessel consists of a SCHOTTEL SRP 150 azimuthing unit with fixed pitch propellers with a diameter of 1.05 m and an input power of 335 kW.
CMA CGM Completes Sale of Eight Terminals
CMA CGM said on Thursday it has completed the sale of stakes in eight port terminals for $815 million to its joint venture with China Merchants Port Group.Late last year, CMA CGM reached a deal with China Merchants to sell stakes in 10 port terminals to the companies' Terminal Link venture for $968 million, as part of efforts by CMA CGM to finance its acquisition of Swiss-based CEVA Logistics and reduce…
Brent's Fall Creates Steepest Contango in 11 Years
The discount on front-month Brent crude oil futures to later contracts increased to an 11 year high on Thursday, as the coronavirus pandemic continued to cause an unprecedented slump in global demand. The spread on the May to November contracts had widened to as much as minus $10.31 per barrel at 1004 GMT, a level not seen since January 2009. The so-called contango market structure implies traders expect oil prices to be higher in the future…
Meatpacker JBS Flags Export Logistics Issues Amid Coronavirus
Brazil's JBS SA, the world's largest meatpacker, has identified potential logistics issues amid the coronavirus crisis including container shortages and port disruptions, according to executives discussing earnings results on Thursday.JBS executives said in a call on fourth-quarter earnings results that its export operations had not been hit by any disruptions, such as those that have affected frozen container cargos arriving in China in recent weeks.
Singapore Passenger Vessel Sector to Receive Economic Aid
Economic relief is on its way for Singapore's passenger vessel owners and operators, as well as passenger terminal operators, who have seen a drop in passenger volumes due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Heng Swee Keat, announced Thursday, as part of the Resilience Budget.The 50% port dues concession to passenger vessels from March 1 to August 31, announced by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore's (MPA) in February…
ABS Expands Remote Survey Options
Classification society ABS said it is expanding its remote survey options for vessel owners and extending its remote survey and audit services for equipment and materials manufacturers and other service providers. The move comes as more firms turn to digital solutions to continue business amid the coronavirus outbreak.“As organizations rely more heavily on remote and virtual operations, ABS is making…
More Bad News for Bulkers, as South African Ports Close for Mineral Exports
South Africa's main export terminals will be closed to mineral exports from midnight on Thursday when a nationwide 21-day lockdown over coronavirus begins, disrupting copper supply chains linking major producer Zambia to Asian consumers.Miners in the Zambian copper belt typically transport copper overland to South Africa's ports, where it is exported mainly to China, the world's biggest consumer of the metal."All bulk terminals (mineral mining commodities) will be closed…
Australia Orders Two Cruise Ships to Leave ... Now!
Australia ordered two cruise ships to leave its waters on Thursday, after a liner that docked in Sydney Harbor last week became the primary source of infection in the country's coronavirus outbreak.Although well below levels elsewhere in the world, the pace of Australia's infections is starting to pick up speed, reaching nearly 2,800 cases and 13 deaths.The government of West Australia state said nobody…