EU and UK Clinch Narrow Brexit Trade Deal
Britain clinched a narrow Brexit trade deal with the European Union on Thursday, just seven days before it exits one of the world’s biggest trading blocs in its most significant global shift since the loss of empire.The deal, agreed more than four years after Britain voted narrowly to leave the bloc, means it has averted a chaotic finale to the tortuous divorce that has shaken the 70-year project to…
Aegean Shipping Orders More Tankers from COSCO
Aegean Shipping Management announced Thursday it has exercised an option for a third Aframax tanker from Chinese shipbuilder COSCO Heavy Industry (Yangzhou) Co. Ltd. At the same time, a letter of intent (LOI) for a fourth vessel was signed.The initial deal for the series' first two vessels was signed in September 2020.The four ECO friendly tankers are scheduled to be delivered sequentially from June 2022 through March 2023.Piraeus-based Aegean Shipping…
Propulsion Profile: US Navy's Tier 4 Tugs
Built by Dakota Creek Industries in Anacortes, Wash., the first of the U.S. Navy's new fleet of six YT 808-class tugs was delivered in October after completing the last construction phase. Measuring 90 feet long and 38 feet 3 inches wide, the YT 808 vessel is powered by twin Cat 3512E marine engines, each rated at 1,810 horsepower. The engines drive two Schottel SRP 340 fixed-pitch z-drive thrusters…
Scorpio Sells an Ultramax
Scorpio Bulkers has reached a deal to sell another Ultramax bulk carrier, making good on the company's plan to exit dry bulk shipping for a new focus in the offshore…
Baltic Index Marks First Yearly Gain in Three
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index posted its first annual gain in three years on Thursday as iron ore shipments to China bounced higher, despite a hit to shipping activity due to the coronavirus pandemic.The Baltic dry index, which tracks rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels, was up 4 points, or 0.3%, at 1,366, its highest level in over eight weeks.The index firmed by 3.1% this week…
ONE to Charter World's Largest Containerships
Singapore-headquartered container carrier Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd. (ONE) said it has signed a letter of intent (LoI) with Japan's Shoei Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. for the 15-year charter of six new ultra large containerships (ULCS). The vessels, with capacity greater than 24,000 TEU each, are said to be the world's largest.The newbuilds will be built by the consortium of compatriot shipyards Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
U.S. Readying Fresh Round of Sanctions Against Nord Stream 2 Pipeline
The United States is urging European allies and private companies to halt work that could help build the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline and is preparing wider…
Shortage of Shipping Containers Could Hit Indian Automakers
Automakers in India are bracing for a parts shortage and possible production losses over the next three to four months due to a global shortage of available shipping containers, said a trade body in the world's fifth-biggest auto market.Shipping freight rates have surged since July and companies are now finding it "almost impossible to sustain normal trade operations", said Rajesh Menon, director general…
Training Tips for Ships - Tip #19: Assess Always
In last month’s Training Tips for Ships, we spoke about the value of creating a culture of learning. Even though many organizations have yet to achieve a healthy learning culture, the concept itself is not controversial. The value is self-evident and universally understood.This month, we go a little further to discuss a culture of assessment. And while some readers may bristle at the idea of near-ubiquitous workplace assessment…
PHOTO: Viking's New Expedition Ship Floated Out
Cruise ship operator Viking has this week informed that its first expedition ship – the 378-guest Viking Octantis – was floated, marking a major construction milestone and the first time that the new ship touches water.The float out is important because it denotes a ship moving into its final stage of construction. The float-out ceremony of Viking Octantis took place on December 22. The ship was then moved to a nearby outfitting dock for further construction and interior build-out.
Argentina Port Workers to Spend Christmas on Strike
Argentine oilseed workers and grains inspectors said on Wednesday they will spend Christmas on strike, further bogging down agricultural exports by extending a work stoppage that started on Dec. 9.The latest offer from the CIARA-CEC chamber of soyoil manufacturers and exporters was issued late on Tuesday. It was rejected by the SOEA union of oilseed workers and the Argentine federation of oilseed workers."We and our families will spend Christmas on strike…
Jiasheng Gas to Build $380M LNG Terminal in Jiangsu, China
China's Jiasheng Gas Co Ltd, an independent gas distributor, has agreed an engineering and construction deal to build a 2.5 billion yuan ($380 million) liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage and receiving facility in east China, the Shanghai Oil and Gas Exchange and a company executive said.The little-known firm is among a group of companies outside the dominant state oil and gas giants that are expected to lead new investment in LNG import terminals over the next decade as China opens up the secto
VIDEO: Gazprom Neft's New LNG-Bunkering Vessel Hits the Water
Russia’s first cargo and passenger ship-to-ship LNG-bunkering vessel has been set afloat, Gazprom Neft has informed.“Ship-to-ship” bunkering involves ships being refueled directly from the deck of a specialist bunkering vessel. This technology means bunkering can be undertaken when ships are moored or docked at a pier.The company said Wednesday that the shipyard specialists had completed the main stage in the vessel’s construction…
Wison's FLNG Designs Get ABS AiP
Wison Offshore and Marine's standardized 1.3MTPA and 3.0MTPA floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) designs have received Approval in Principle from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).ABS Vice President, Global Gas Solutions, Patrick Janssens said： “ABS has been the preferred classification organization for the offshore and energy industry for more than 60 years. With increasing global concern for the environment, clean gas-based energy plays an integral role within that framework.
Great Lakes Group: Venerable & Versatile
“…We have built our reputation job by job, boat by boat, and tow by tow, and we intend to continue to do so.”The Great Lakes Towing Company (GLT) and the Great Lakes Shipyard are core businesses within The Great Lakes Group of Companies, based in Cleveland, on the Old River, a shipping channel that runs west from where the Cuyahoga River meets Lake Erie. Company towing operations extend from Buffalo, N.Y. in the east to Duluth, Minn. in the west.
