Florida Current is the Weakest Its Been in a Century
The Florida Current, which forms the start of the Gulf Stream, has slowed over the past century and is the slowest it has been at any point in the past 110 years, a new study reveals.Researchers have developed a method of tracking the strength of near-shore ocean currents using measurements made at the coast, offering the potential to reduce one of the biggest uncertainties related to observations of climate change over the past century.“In the ocean…
Sanmar Delivers Tug to Latvia's Port of Ventspils
Sanmar Shipyards reports it has delivered another new tug to Latvia on schedule, to join the AS PKL Flote fleet in the port of Ventspils.The latest delivery is a Robert Allan Ltd. designed Ramparts 2200 Class 50t BP ASD tug, the eighth of the series from Sanmar. Originally named Sirapinar VIII, AS PKL Flote has renamed her Altair. Sanmar is currently building the 18th sister of the series.Sergejs Odincovs…
Nigeria: FPSO Workers Released after Kidnapping
Offshore workers kidnapped from an FPSO offshore Nigeria in an armed pirate attack in July, have been released, the owner of the floating production unit said Friday.In…
Auckland Port and Pilot Fined for Excessive Speed
Ports of Auckland Limited (POAL) and the master of one of its pilot boats have been fined a total of $432,400 (US$286,000) after they admitted exposing people to risk of death or serious injury because pilot boats traveled at excessive speed in the Waitemata Harbor over a period of time involving thousands of voyages.Maritime NZ Director, Keith Manch, said POAL has also agreed to pay $220,000 (US$144…
The Beirut Explosion Was Exceptional but Events Leading up to It Were Not
At the time of writing at least 100 people have lost their lives and a further 4,000 have been wounded following an explosion in the Port of Beirut. While the actual cause remains uncertain, the tragedy calls to attention the tremendous consequences of a lack of port security.The explosion, on August 4, at around 6 p.m. local time, appears to have been fueled by 2,750 tons of the highly reactive chemical ammonium nitrate.
Largest Jack-Up to Install Largest Turbines at World's Largest Offshore Wind Farm
Offshore services company Jan De Nul has signed a final contract to transport and install offshore wind turbines for what will be the world's largest offshore wind farm complex - the 3.6GW Dogger Bank in the UK.Jan De Nul will use its Voltaire jack-up vessel, the largest of its kind in the world, to install the 12MW GE Haliade-X wind turbines, also the largest in the world, at a wind farm that will as mentioned earlier…
Jamaica Opens for Crew Changes and Repatriations
In order to enable crew changes, the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) has listed seafarers among the class of “essential workers” under its Disaster Risk Management Act and has put in place measures to speed up the transit of registered seafarers through its borders.An estimated 600,000 seafarers are waiting for crew changes – 300,000 on vessels and 300,000 waiting to embark – according to the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF).
Solstad Offshore's Vessels Score Extensions with Total and Equinor
Norwegian offshore supply vessel owner Solstad offshore has secured several contract extensions with oil companies Total and Equinor in Brazil.France's Total has extended the contracts for the platform supply vessel Normand Swift and the AHTS vessel Far Sagaris until December 2020. The vessels will be used to support Total’s activities in the Lapa field in Brazil.During the charter period, Far Sagaris will be replaced by Far Scout…
China's Crude Imports Surged 25% in July
China's crude imports surged 25% in July from a year earlier, as massive purchases made while prices collapsed in April arrived and as some shipments delayed at ports in June finally cleared customs.China, the world's top crude oil importer, brought in 51.29 million tonnes of oil last month, equal to 12.08 million barrels per day (bpd), data from the General Administration of Customs showed on Friday.That…
Beirut's Accidental Cargo: How an Unscheduled Port Visit Led to Disaster
The chemicals that went up in flames in Beirut's deadliest peace-time explosion arrived in the Lebanese capital seven years ago on a leaky Russian-leased cargo ship that…
CMA CGM Says Missing Beirut Staff Member Died
Container shipping group CMA CGM said on Thursday that one of its staff who was missing after an explosion that ripped through Beirut port on Tuesday has died.The French-based company in a statement said that two of its staff in Beirut were seriously injured and many slightly hurt.It also confirmed that it was setting up a logistics hub in the Lebanese port of Tripoli, like other shipping firms, and was also offering logistical assistance to the authorities.(Reporting by Gus Trompiz; Editing by
Cyprus Police Question Man Over Links to Beirut Chemicals Cargo
Cyprus has located and questioned a Russian man named in multiple news reports as the owner of the ship that carried a cargo of ammonium nitrate abandoned in Beirut…
NOAA Raises Predicted Number of Tropical Storms to Record High
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on Thursday predicted up to 16 more named tropical storms this year, to as many as 25, the highest in the agency's history.The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, which began on June 1, has already produced nine named tropical storms, two of which reached hurricane strength, including Isaias that lashed the North American Atlantic coast this week."We've never forecast up to 25 named storms…
TGS Makes Surprise $600 Mln Offer for Part of Rival PGS
Seismic surveyor TGS, a supplier of geological data to the global oil industry, on Thursday said it had made an unsolicited cash offer of $600 million for a key part of rival PGS.If successful, the offer to buy PGS's so-called multi-client library would significantly broaden TGS's worldwide geophysical data offering, the company said.PGS did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.In addition to spending cash from its current holding, TGS said it will borrow $200 million an
Containerships Sent to Tripoli to Maintain Lebanon Supply Lines
Leading container lines are diverting ships to Lebanon's smaller terminal of Tripoli after the devastating explosion at Beirut's port that killed 145 people also paralysed vital trade.Lebanon, which imports almost all it uses, relies on container ships to bring in everything from refrigerated food cargoes to clothing and other consumer goods.There is no firm date for Beirut port to re-open, and this…
RDM Building New Catamaran for World Heritage Cruises
Australian shipbuilder Richardson Devine Marine is building a new Incat Crowther-designed catamaran due to be launched for World Heritage Cruises by the end of the year.The passenger vessel will be the eighth Incat Crowther vessel for the Tasmanian operator and will draw on the many successful features of World Heritage Cruises’ current Incat Crowther 35, Harbour Master. This vessel has garnered acclaim for its efficient and stable platform…
American Commercial Barge Line Names Ellis as CEO
U.S. inland barge transportation company American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) has named Mike Ellis as the company’s new chief executive officer and a member of its board of directors, effective August 17, 2020.Ellis will take the helm following ACBL's recently completed Chapter 11 recapitalization and restructuring, succeeding retiring president and CEO Mark Knoy, who has led the company since 2011.“Following a thorough search…
Ship Orderbook Shrinks to 17-year Low -BIMCO
The total orderbook for dry bulk, container and tanker ships has reached its lowest point in 17 years as COVID-19 has massively slowed contracting (-50%) while deliveries of new vessels have proved more resilient (-2%).The orderbooks for bulk carriers and containerships in particular have fallen sharply. At 63.4 million deadweight tons (DWT), the dry bulk orderbook is at its lowest level since April 2004 and 34.7% smaller than 12 months ago.
Insurers Discuss Container Casualty Causes
Handling of steel boxes throughout the shipping, ports and logistics supply chain has historically grown exponentially, putting strains on a range of operational procedures and the physical hardware employed to handle the steel boxes, particularly onboard ships. A recent webinar organized by the Thomas Miller managed insurance mutuals, container freight specialist TT Club and protection & indemnity insurer…
Container Losses in the Rolling Seas
Cargoes have come off ships at sea it seems like forever. Some years ago a ship suffered a casualty transiting the English Channel in a storm. Much of its cargo of lumber and other floating items washed ashore on the southwest English coast. Before the authorities could arrive, enterprising local residents gathered it up.Nowadays, the majority of non-bulk cargo is carried in containers. Container ships have gotten larger and are capable of carrying thousands and thousands of containers.
