Rumo Says No Impact from Coronavirus on Soy Freight
An executive at Brazil's largest railway operator Rumo said soy crushing in China is returning to normal levels after an extended halt, a good sign for logistics operators involved in moving the oilseeds from Brazil's fields to the world's top importing country.Speaking at an event on Monday, Rumo's Chief Executive João Alberto Abreu said ship line-up data for soy vessels at Brazil's biggest port of Santos is robust…
Grand Princess Passengers Bound for Coronavirus Quarantine
An ocean liner barred from returning to port in San Francisco due to a coronavirus outbreak on board will dock briefly at a nearby terminal in Oakland, where passengers will be unloaded and sent on to medical and quarantine sites elsewhere, officials said on Sunday.The cruise ship Grand Princess, whose guests have been largely confined to their staterooms since Thursday, is due to arrive at the Port of Oakland on Monday to begin immediately disgorging its 2…
MarTID 2020 Survey Deadline Extended
The deadline to take the 2020 MarTID survey of mariner training practices has been extended to 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.
ClassNK Releases CBM Guidelines
Classifaction society ClassNK released new guidelines that explain the revised rules for using condition based maintenance (CBM) in class surveys to promote the use of CBM technology.Condition based maintenance, a method for monitoring the operating state of equipment, diagnosing the state of said equipment based upon the information obtained from such monitoring, and then performing necessary maintenance and inspections, has been attracting attention in recent years.
Cochin Port Upgrades Vessel Traffic Management System
The technology group Wärtsilä will upgrade its Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) installed in the Indian port of Cochin, bringing additional benefits such as improved traffic monitoring and control.The system was originally delivered in 2008, and the order with Wärtsilä to upgrade the system was placed in February 2020 by the Cochin Port Trust (CoPT). The upgrading project is scheduled for completion by the end of July 2020.According to Wärtsilä…
US Retailers Face $700 Mln Hit as Virus Disrupts Shipping
U.S. retailers face an estimated $700 million sales hit from the coronavirus and some shipping lines are sending vessels to retrieve empty cargo containers from Los Angeles to prevent further supply disruptions.The extended shutdown of factories in China caused by the virus, travel restrictions on workers and canceled sailings by shipping lines have thrown off the movement of containers, resulting in a surplus at the Port of Los Angeles and a shortage in Germany.U.S.
Diamond Princess' COVID-19 Death Toll Rises to Seven
A man who had been aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship and was infected with coronavirus has died, bringing the death toll from the ship to seven, Japanese public broadcaster NHK said on Saturday.The man was not Japanese, NHK said, without giving details of his nationality or age.
Survey Vessel Launched for Geo Plus
Dutch shipbuilder Royal Niestern Sander said it has launched a new vessel currently under construction for hydrographic survey firm Geo Plus BV. The newbuild, to be named Geo Ranger, is due to be christened and delivered this summer.The contract for the construction of the hydrographic research vessel Geo Ranger was signed by the builder and Geo Plus in April 2019.After the start of construction in September 2019…
New Cat Ferry MV Tricia for Transperth Fleet
A new passenger ferry built by Dongara Marine has been introduced to the public transport system in Perth, Western Australia. MV Tricia - named after Perth Zoo's popular 62-year-old Asian Elephant - is the third ferry in the Transperth fleet, joining two other low-wash catamarans introduced in 1997 and 2009. Operating across the Swan River between Elizabeth Quay and South Perth, the 23.7-m aluminium…
IMO Postpones Meetings Due to COVID-19
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has postponed a number of meetings following the global coronavirus outbreak.London-headquartered IMO said the move takes into account the decision of the UK on March 5 to move toward the "delay" phase of its coronavirus action plan: a guide to what you can expect across the UK, similar actions adopted by other UN agencies, and the increased difficulties for delegates from IMO Member States traveling from abroad to attend IMO meetings.Specifically…
Taiwan Gets 1st Carbon Neutral LNG Shipment
Taiwan accepted its first carbon neutral shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG). State-owned CPC Corporation, a natural gas, and gasoline company in Taiwan announced…
Mitsubishi Wins Order for Philippine MRRVs
Japanese shipbuilder Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group, has concluded an agreement with the Republic of the Philippines to construct…
Diverse Marine Wins CTV Gig from Turner Iceni
Refit and repair provider Diverse Marine Ltd has signed a modification and upcycling contract with an offshore wind crew transfer vessel (CTV) service provider Turner Iceni Ltd.
TEN Sells Five Tankers
The Greek shipping company Tsakos Energy Navigation (TEN) said that it has sold five tankers to raise $104m in total that it will use to cut debt.According to the transporter of energy…
Diana Fixes Sideris GS with Oldendorff
Diana Shipping announced that, through a separate wholly-owned subsidiary, it has entered into a time charter contract with Oldendorff Carriers GmbH & Co. KG, Lübeck…
CLIA: Any Action to Limit Cruising is Unwarranted
A cruise industry trade association has hit back at reports speculating that the U.S. government may move to discourage some travelers from taking cruises as part of a broader Trump administration effort to limit the spread of coronavirus."Any action to restrict cruising is unwarranted, and at odds with the World Health Organization which 'continues to advise against the application of travel or trade restrictions to countries experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks'…
US Considers Discouraging Cruise Travel
The United States is considering ways to discourage U.S. travelers from taking cruises as part of a broader Trump administration effort to limit the spread of coronavirus, according to four officials familiar with the situation.The officials, who asked to remain anonymous, said no decision had been made. The discussions were taking place ahead of a meeting this weekend between Vice President Mike Pence, who is in charge of leading the U.S.
Euronav Acquires VLCC Newbuild
Belgian tanker owner Euronav said Friday it has entered into an agreement to acquire a resale very large crude carrier (VLCC) for $93 million.The modern eco-tanker is currently under construction at the Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) shipyard in South Korea and is due for delivery early in the first quarter of 2021, Euronav said.The vessel is identical to a trio of sister ships Euronav…
Video: Coronavirus Test Kits Flown to Grand Princess
Coronavirus test kits were delivered at sea on Thursday to an ocean liner barred from returning to port in San Francisco after at least 35 people developed flu-like symptoms aboard the vessel, which has been linked to two other confirmed cases of COVID-19.The diagnostic sampling kits were flown by helicopter to the cruise ship Grand Princess, which California Governor Gavin Newsom has said would be…
Adam Goldstein Leaves Royal Caribbean
Longtime cruise industry executive Adam Goldstein has left Royal Caribbean Cruises after more than 30 years with the company.Goldstein was most recenlty Vice Chairman of RCL from 2018. From 2014 to 2018, he served as President & COO and from 2007 to 2014, he was President & CEO of the Royal Caribbean International brand. Goldstein has been with RCL since 1988.Goldstein will continue to serve as Chair of the trade group Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
