MetalCraft Delivers Patrol Boat to Port of LA
MetalCraft Marine has delivered a new patrol boat to the Port of Los Angeles. The new vessel is one of a new breed of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) detection patrol boats.According to the builder, the bow entry is the critical design feature of all Interceptor models. Its high-speed rough water performance allows the operators to go offshore to inspect incoming ships before…
Interview: Todd Thayse, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding
Vice President and General Manager of Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, Todd Thayse, has 34 years of experience in the maritime construction and repair industry, working with clients from all over the world as well as vendors and suppliers from the Great Lakes region and beyond. He has an extensive background in manufacturing production, material procurement, strategic planning, estimating, budgeting, labor negotiations…
Gibbs & Cox Hires Hobbs as Chief Information Officer
Naval architecture and marine engineering firm Gibbs & Cox announced Brian Hobbs has joined the company as Chief Information Officer. In his new role, Hobbs will provide executive leadership and oversight of the full spectrum of corporate information technology infrastructure, security, end user services, people and processes."With the cyber landscape constantly evolving and threats becoming increasingly more sophisticated…
Navy Wants to Reinstate Fired Captain of Coronavirus-hit Carrier
In an extraordinary reversal, the U.S. Navy has recommended reinstating the fired captain of the coronavirus-hit aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt, whose crew hailed him as their hero for risking his job to safeguard their lives, officials said on Friday.The Navy’s leadership made the recommendation to reinstate Captain Brett Crozier to Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Friday, just three weeks after…
ClassNK Grants AIP for LPG Dual-fuel Bulker
Classification society ClassNK granted Approval in Principle (AIP) for a 180,000 DWT liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) dual-fuel bulk carrier concept design developed by Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. in cooperation with Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.The AiP was granted to the concept design based on ClassNK’s Guidelines for Ships Using Low-Flashpoint Fuels and its Rule Part GF (regulation for ships…
FMC Eases Requirements for Service Contract Filings
The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission voted to temporarily allow parties to file service contracts up to 30 days after they take effect, as a measure to relieve COVID-19 impacts to the supply chain.The Commission published an order today making the relief effective immediately and lasting through December 31, 2020.The benefits of service contract filing relief were identified by the Fact Finding 29…
Russian Grain Exports to Continue Despite Quota
Russia’s online grain export quota was running out fast on Saturday as big traders rushed to get customs documents for future shipments, analysts said, adding that supplies from the world’s biggest wheat exporter would continue nevertheless.Russia set a quota for grain exports of 7 million tonnes for April through June following the outbreak of the virus. Russia's online calculator showed here that as of Saturday only 873…
Low Water Hampers Rhine River Shipping
Low water levels after recent dry weather are preventing cargo vessels from sailing fully loaded on the Rhine river in Germany and adding surcharges to the usual freight rates, traders said on Monday.Low water is hampering shipping on the entire German section of the river, traders said.Shallow water means vessel operators impose surcharges on freight rates, increasing costs for cargo owners.The Rhine is an important shipping route for commodities including grains, minerals, coal and oil product
Norwegian Cruise Withdraws Forecast, to Cut $515 Mln in Spending
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd on Monday withdrew its 2020 forecast and said it would cut spending by about $515 million, as it extends the suspension of its ships to June 30 amid the coronavirus pandemic.The outbreak has effectively shut down the entire cruise ship industry, and with most international travel halted, cruise companies are now hemorrhaging cash and scrambling for new funds to ride…
US Imposes New Restrictions on Exports to China
The United States on Monday posted rule changes that impose new restrictions on exports to China, including aircraft components and many items related to semiconductors.The new rules will require licenses for U.S. companies to sell certain items to military entities, even if they are for civilian use, and do away with a civilian exception that allows certain U.S.
UK Provides Aid for Ferry Operators
Ferry routes between Great Britain and Northern Ireland have been safeguarded, thanks to a multimillion-pound government scheme to help ensure critical freight can continue to move into and across the union.The package, worth up to £17 million ($21 million), is being funded by the U.K. government and the Northern Ireland Executive and will be made available to operators so that they can continue running…
Navy Accepts Delivery of USS Zumwalt
The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of its first Zumwalt-class destroyer USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) on April 24 following Combat Systems Activation.The ship will transition to the next phase of developmental and integrated at-sea testing. This event marks a major milestone of the dual delivery approach for USS Zumwalt, which achieved Hull Mechanical & Electrical delivery from shipbuilder General Dynamics' Bath Iron Works in May 2016.
China's Crude Imports from Saudi Slip, Russia Up 31%
China's March crude oil imports from top supplier Saudi Arabia fell 1.6% from a year earlier, while purchases from No.2 supplier Russia rose 31%, Reuters' calculations based on customs data showed on Sunday.China's March crude oil imports rose 4.5% year on year to 9.68 million barrels per day (bpd) as refiners stocked up on cheaper cargoes despite falling domestic fuel demand and cuts in refining rates due to the impact the COVID-19 pandemic.Shipments from Saudi Arabia were 7.21 million tonnes…
Dutch Students Sail Home Across the Atlantic Due to Coronavirus
A group of 25 Dutch high school students arrived back in the Netherlands in a two-mast schooner on Sunday, after airline restrictions left them with little choice but to help sail it home from the Caribbean.The group, aged 14-17, had been halfway through a six week sail-study program in the region on board the "Wylde Swan", which was built in 1920. But by mid-March, it appeared they could no longer fly home from Cuba as planned.Organizers decided the ship…
Operators Warn of Congestion at Indian Ports
Singapore's PSA International and Indian container freight operators have warned the Indian government that its order to waive container storage charges during the coronavirus lockdown could lead to port congestion, letters seen by Reuters showed.India's Ministry of Shipping asked ports to allow free storage of containers as part of relief measures to ease pressure on companies hit by logistics restrictions…
Interview: A Return to Wind Power with Tuomas Riski & Norsepower
Norsepower CEO and co-founder Tuomas Riski has put a new spin on some established technology, bringing wind power back to shipping in an undeniably eye-catching manner. Here Nor-Shipping’s latest ‘Ocean Action Hero’ explains the benefits of his firm’s unique technology, his plans for building global market presence, and the key role Norsepower’s sails can play in enabling a more sustainable shipping industry.
Johan Castberg FPSO Turret Mooring System Complete
Dutch company SBM Offshore has announced the sailaway of the last two modules for the Turret Mooring System built for Equinor's Johan Castberg FPSO which will, once completed, be deployed in the Barents Sea, offshore Norway.The modules will be shipped to Singapore aboard a heavy-transportation vessel. Once in Singapore, the modules will be integrated into the hull of Equinor’s Johan Castberg FPSO.
Østensjø Wins Long-Term Charters for Offshore Wind Vessel Duo
Østensjø Group's offshore wind business Edda Wind has signed long term time charter deals with MHI Vestas and Ocean Breeze Energy respectively for two of the four offshore wind vessels ordered from Spanish yards. The charter agreement with MHI Vestas for a newbuild Service Operation Vessel (SOV) will start in the second quarter of 2022 and has a firm period of 15 years.The charter agreement with Ocean Breeze will start in the first quarter of 2021 and has a firm period of 11 years.
ABS Issues Guidance on How to Properly Sanitize Marine & Offshore Assets
ABS has launched guidance on sanitizing and decontaminating marine and offshore assets exposed to COVID-19, applicable to commercial and naval vessels, as well as drilling units, production installations and other offshore units."Response Measures to COVID-19 for the Marine and Offshore Industries provides best practice guidelines for sanitizing assets exposed to COVID-19 and helps maritime leadership address the many challenges the virus brings…
Ingalls Delivers Destroyer Delbert D. Black
Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division delivered the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer Delbert D. Black (DDG 119) to the U.S. Navy.Documents signed today mark the official transfer of custody of the ship from HII to the Navy. Delbert D. Black is scheduled to sail away from the Pascagoula, Miss. shipyard in August 2020.DDG 119 is the first ship named in honor of Navy veteran Delbert D.
