China's Polar Icebreaker Embarks on First Arctic Mission
China's first domestically built polar icebreaker Xue Long 2 has set sail on its first mission to the Arctic, China's state-run Xinhua News Agency reports.Xuez Long 2 (Snow Dragon 2) departed Shanghai Wednesday with a team of Chinese scientists on board to conduct investigations in areas including the Chukchi Rise, Canada Basin and the central Arctic Ocean, Xinhua reports. The voyage is expected to cover some 12…
Judge Dismisses Cruise Passengers' COVID-19 Lawsuits
A federal judge dismissed lawsuits by Grand Princess cruise ship passengers who sued for emotional distress caused by their fear of exposure to COVID-19, saying that allowing their cases to proceed would “lead to a flood of trivial suits.”Judge Gary Klausner in Los Angeles said in Tuesday’s ruling that allowing passengers to collect damages based on potential COVID-19 exposure without suffering symptoms raised concerns of unlimited liability for restaurants…
US Coast Guard Commissions Cutter Harold Miller
The U.S. Coast Guard held a commissioning ceremony for the Coast Guard Cutter Harold Miller, the service's 38th Sentinel-class fast response cutter, at Sector Field Office Galveston, Texas, Wednesday.Rear Adm. John Nadeau, Eighth Coast Guard District commander, presided over the commissioning ceremony, along with Lt. Michael Salerno, Coast Guard Cutter Harold Miller’s commanding officer.Like her sister ships USCGC Harold Miller (WPC-1138) was built by Bollinger Shipyards, in Lockport, La.
Bolidt Launches Antimicrobial Decking for Passenger Ships
As cruise ship and other passenger vessel operators look toward the eventual resumption of voyages following the coronavirus health crisis, synthetic applications specialist Bolidt is launching an antibacterial flooring system intended to improve limit the spread of multiresistant bacteria.Originally designed for use in land-based applications such as hospitals and kitchens, the pioneering technology is not only bactericidal but also hygienic and easy to clean…
US Says Room for Sanctions in Response to China in South China Sea
The top U.S. diplomat for East Asia warned on Tuesday that Washington could respond with sanctions against Chinese officials and enterprises involved in coercion in the South China Sea after the United States announced a tougher stance to Beijing’s claims there.“Nothing is off the table ... there is room for that. This is a language the Chinese understand - demonstrative and tangible action,” David Stilwell…
Hapag-Lloyd Ups Profits, But Warns of Risks
German container shipping line Hapag-Lloyd on Wednesday reported preliminary results for the first half of 2020 showing core profits above those of the same 2019 period and upholding its guidance for full year earnings.However, the company said in an ad hoc announcement that the forecast was subject to “high uncertainty” due to risks related to the coronavirus crisis and its impact on the macroeconomy and global shipping.Hapag Lloyd achieved a 20.3% year-on-year rise in earnings before interest…
Baltic Index Falls as Lower Vessel Rates Bite
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index fell on Wednesday, weighed by capesize rates hitting their lowest level in nearly a month and lower earnings at the panamax segment.The Baltic dry index, which tracks rates for ships ferrying dry bulk commodities and reflects rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels, fell 46 points, or about 2.6%, to 1,696.The Baltic capesize index dropped 141 points, or 4.6%, to 2,941, touching its lowest level since June 17.Average daily earnings for capesiz
Seven Ships Catch Fire at Iranian Port
At least seven ships have caught fire at Iran’s Bushehr port, the Tasnim news agency reported on Wednesday, in what appeared to be the latest in a series of fires and explosions around the country, some of which have hit sensitive sites.No casualties have been reported, the agency said.Plumes of dense black smoke billowed into the air, in a photograph of the incident published by the official IRNA news agency.
Disabled Log Carrier Towed into NZ Port for Repairs
A log carrier that lost power and went adrift while leaving New Zealand's Port of Tauranga last week has been towed into port for repair and further inspection, local maritime authorities said.The Singapore-flagged Funing was outbound for Lanshan, China when it suffered engine failure and began drifting amid 30 knot winds and significant swells between Mount Manganui and Matakana Island last Monday.Powerless and adrift…
Total Shipping Losses Are Declining, But Challenges Persist -Report
The record low 41 large shipping losses worldwide in 2019 represents a 20% improvement year-on-year and almost 70% over a decade, but the coronavirus crisis could endanger the long-term safety improvements in the shipping industry for 2020 and beyond, as difficult operating conditions and a sharp economic downturn present a unique set of challenges, according to recent report from marine insurer Allianz…
Crew Kidnappings Soar in West Africa
Crew kidnappings and violent attacks on vessels in the oil-rich West Africa region have soared in 2020, with 77 seafarers taken hostage or kidnapped for ransom since January…
American Club Managers Promote Ioannou, McCafferty
Shipowners Claims Bureau, Inc. (SCB), the Managers of the American Club, has announced senior appointments to its management team in New York. Dorothea Ioannou takes on the role of Deputy Chief Operating Officer (DCOO) with immediate effect, and Mary (Molly) McCafferty becomes Senior Vice President and Director of Claims for the Americas as from the beginning of September.
Seafarer Welfare App to Launch by Isle of Man Ship Registry
The Isle of Man Ship Registry is set to launch what is reported to be the first seafarer welfare app designed by a ship registry. Set to launch in July 2020, the app will be free to around 11,000 seafarers sailing on more than 400 vessels under the Isle of Man flag.“Safety is a fundamental pillar of our ethos as a high-quality flag state,” said Isle of Man Ship Registry director Cameron Mitchell. “Even…
Keppel to Deliver Components for Two MODEC FPSOs
Singapore's Keppel O&M has received orders from Japan's FPSO leasing company MODEC to deliver components for two FPSO units. The orders are worth S$73 million (USD52,5 million) in total.In Singapore, Keppel Shipyard will fabricate, complete, and integrate the topside modules and mooring support structure for a Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO).Components for the modules and mooring…
Crew on Two US-flagged Boxships Test Positive for COVID-19
German container shipping line Hapag-Lloyd said in a notice to customers Monday that positive COVID-19 cases have been confirmed among crew on board two of its U.S.-flagged containerships.
Chinese Ships Intruded into Malaysian Waters 89 Times in Four Years -Report
Chinese coastguard and navy ships intruded into Malaysian waters in the disputed South China Sea 89 times between 2016 to 2019, and often remained in the area even after being turned away by the Malaysian navy, the government said in a report on Tuesday.The report comes amid escalating tension between the United States and China over Beijing’s claims to most of the resource-rich South China Sea, which is also a major trade route.The Philippines…
USMI’s Family Recipe
Barry Dreyfus Jr., CEO of United States Marine Inc. (USMI), doesn’t keep the recipe to his company’s success a secret. In fact, it’s displayed plainly for all to see on the homepage of USMI’s website: family, integrity and quality. These have been cornerstones of the 36-year-old firm, today regarded as one of the nation’s premier military small craft builders.Headquartered in Gulfport, Miss., with a maintenance/repair facility in Chesapeake…
i911: Tapping Cellphone Location Data to Save Lives
In recent years the U.S. Coast Guard has identified an increasing trend in the use of cellular phones by the maritime public when communicating distress. In 2018, leadership in the Office of Search and Rescue (SAR) at Coast Guard Headquarters asked the Research and Development Center (RDC) to investigate available technologies that could assist Coast Guard responders in adapting to this trend by leveraging the cellphone’s internal GPS.
US Navy Awards Unmanned Surface Vehicle Prototype Contract
The U.S. Navy on Monday awarded a $34,999,948 to L3 Technologies, Inc. for the development of a single medium unmanned surface vehicle (MUSV) prototype, with options to procure up to eight additional MUSVs. The award follows a full and open competitive procurement process.Funding is in place on this contract for the initial prototype. With all options exercised, the contract is valued at $294,508,976…
Baltic Index Slides on Lower Capesize Rates
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index fell on Tuesday weighed by falling rates for capesize vessels, while the panamax segment was flat following eight straight sessions of gains.The Baltic dry index, which tracks rates for ships ferrying dry bulk commodities and reflects rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels, fell 50 points, or about 2.8%, to 1,742.The Baltic capesize index lost 169 points, or 5.2%, to 3,082, its lowest since June 17.Average daily earnings for capesizes, which
