Three Sailors on US Aircraft Carrier Have Coronavirus
![Aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) (U.S. Navy photo by Kaylianna Genier)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/aircraft-carrier-uss-theodore-roosevelt-111335.jpg)
Three U.S. sailors on board the Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier in the Pacific tested positive for the coronavirus, U.S. Navy officials said on Tuesday, the first known cases of the virus on board a U.S. military ship at sea.Acting U.S. Navy Secretary Thomas Modly told a news conference that the three had been quarantined and were being flown off the ship. The ship has about 5,000 personnel on…
Wärtsilä Testing Ammonia as a Marine Fuel
![Wärtsilä is testing ammonia as a viable fuel for shipping and energy sector applications (Photo: Wärtsilä)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/wrtsil-is-testing-ammonia-as-111316.jpg)
As marine operators and euipment manufacturers continue to explore alternative marine fuels as a means to help lower vessel emissions, technology group Wärtsilä said it has initiated combustion trials using ammonia.As part of the tests, ammonia was injected into a combustion research unit to better understand its properties. Based on initial results, the tests will be continued on both dual-fuel and spark-ignited gas engines.
Made-to-Measure Ro-Pax Ferry for Bruny Island
![Photo: Incat Crowther](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-incat-crowther-111326.jpg)
A double-ended ro-pax ferry Nairana has been launched for service to Bruny Island in Tasmania. The Incat Crowther 44 design vessel was commissioned by Sealink Travel Group and built by Richardson Devine Marine in Hobart.According to Incat Crowther, Nairana will bring improvements in both transit and turn-around times. The vessel combines a robust aluminum structure, double-ended functionality and a…
EPA Tier 4: Difficult and Contentious, 12 Years and Counting
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When it comes to complying with EPA’s Tier 4 emissions regulations, there’s no shortage of creativity emerging from America’s maritime engineering firms. Companies such as Hug Engineering are offering flexible, customized aftertreatment-based control systems that can assemble almost in modular like fashion. Other companies, such as ABB Group, offer battery-hybrid power sources to complement combustion power and avoid threshold diesel emissions.
Vroon: Suspension on Crew Changes Extended
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Dutch shipping company Vroon is extending its recently imposed suspension of crew changes on its vessels, citing the impact of the coronavirus.In a public letter addressed to colleagues, friends, and families, Vroon CEO Herman Marks said: "Every day, the Corona (Covid-19) virus imposes new challenges on all of us at Vroon, but also on colleagues and families at home. We have seen the airline industry virtually cease operations worldwide.
Libya says Probe of Seized Tanker to Start After Quarantine
Libya's internationally recognized government will start an investigation into a tanker over alleged sanctions-breaking after a period of quarantine ends in two weeks…
DP World Berbera Orders 8 RTG Cranes
![Photo: Liebherr Container Cranes](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-liebherr-container-cranes-111319.jpg)
Liebherr Container Cranes and DP World Berbera have signed a contract for the supply of eight RTGs for DP World’s terminal in Berbera, Somaliland. The cranes are due to be ready for operation before the end of 2020.The high performance, variable speed diesel RTGs are six containers plus a truck lane wide and will stack one over five containers high. The machines are supplied with DGPS autosteering and stack profiling.
Chevron Marine Launches Digital Platform
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Fuels and lubricants supplier Chevron Marine launched a suite of digital solutions offering ship owners and operators tools with which to analyze, manage and ultimately help to improve their operational performance.Chevron Marine Cloud Solutions, including the customer order management platform OnePort launched last year, were developed under Chevron’s Business Technology Innovation (BTI) initiative as part of an ongoing, multi-year digitization investment program.
A Cruise Ship is Australia's Worst Coronavirus Cluster
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Greg Butler was rushed to hospital with COVID-19 within days of getting home to self-isolate after being allowed off the Ruby Princess cruise liner in Sydney, one of more than 130 passengers who tested positive in Australia’s worst coronavirus outbreak.One of them, a woman, died earlier this week.The 56-year-old Butler had been holidaying with his partner, Robin Russ, who remains in isolation.“I tested negative and he tested positive…
St. Lawrence Seaway/Great Lakes Shipping Season Commences
![© Daniel / Adobe Stock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/daniel-adobe-stock-111307.jpg)
The St. Lawrence Seaway’s 62nd navigation season kicked off on Tuesday with the transit of the Canadian-flagged cement carrier NACC Argonaut through Lock 8 on the Welland Canal.Then, in the early hours on Wednesday morning, first U.S.-flag commercial vessel transited the locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., signaling the start of the U.S. fleet's 2020 sailing season.The Seaway’s Montreal / Lake Ontario section will open on April 1 this year, eight days after the opening of the Welland Canal.
Shipbuilding Contract: Incat Tasmania Scores Seaworld Express Ferry Deal
![Incat Tasmania and Seaworld Express Ferry announced an order for a new generation fast ferry, a 76-m high speed wave piercing catamaran ferry to accommodate up to 700 passengers and 79 cars when it enters service on the new route between Jindo and Jeju early 2022.](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/incat-tasmania-and-seaworld-express-111306.jpg)
Incat Tasmania and Seaworld Express Ferry announced an order for a new generation fast ferry, a 76-m high speed wave piercing catamaran ferry to accommodate up to 700 passengers and 79 cars when it enters service on the new route between Jindo and Jeju early 2022.Seaworld Express Ferry was selected as operator for the route, and its chairman Hyuk Young Lee said “We were most impressed with Incat Tasmania’s modern shipyard facilities…
Swire Adds Newbuild MV Changsha
![Swire Shipping’s first 2,400 TEU newbuild, MV Changsha. (Photo: Swire Shipping)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/swire-shippings-first-2400-teu-111305.jpg)
As COVID-19 coverage dominates the world’s news cycle, it’s a pleasure to report on a new ship delivery, Swire Shipping’s first 2400TEU newbuild vessel, MV Changsha. The vessel was built at CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., in China, and will be deployed on Swire Shipping’s South East Asia to Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands service.MV Changsha is part of a wider order book of eight feeder container vessels (four 2…
Cargo Shipping to Keep EU Antitrust Exemption until 2024
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Cargo shipping companies will be exempt from antitrust rules against anti-competitive agreements for a further four years until 2024 because this leads to lower prices and better consumer services, EU antitrust regulators said on Tuesday.First adopted in 2009 and extended for five years in 2014, the consortia block exemption regulation will be prolonged for four more years to April 2024, the European…
Diana Shipping CEO Tests Positive for COVID-19
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Simeon Palios, chairman and CEO of Greek shipowner Diana Shipping, has tested postitive for COVID-19, and the company's board has appointed his daughter, deputy CEO Semiramis Paliou, as acting CEO on a temporary basis.As of March 24, Diana's fleet consists of 41 dry bulk vessels (four Newcastlemax, 13 Capesize, five Post-Panamax, five Kamsarmax and 14 Panamax), with a combined carrying capacity of 5.1 million dwt with a weighted average age of 9.52 years.
Indian LNG Importers Issue Force Majeure Notices
![An LNG Tanker - Image by donvictori0 - AdobeStock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/an-lng-tanker-image-by-111302.jpg)
Indian liquefied natural gas (LNG) importers have started to issue force majeure notices as domestic gas demand slumps and as port operations in the country get hit by a lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus, sources told Reuters."Demand has reduced drastically and it is likely to go down further, a company source with Gail (India) said."Only fertilizer, power and refineries are running at parcel loads.
MN100 2020 is Underway
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The application period for this year’s MN100 edition is officially open and underway!Each year, the August edition of Marine News magazine profiles the best 100 firms in brown water, workboat space.There will never be a better time for you to tell Marine News just why your firm is one of the best in the business. The selected 100 companies will be featured in the August edition of the largest BPA-audited b-to-b publication in this genre.
Containership Captain Medevaced in the Caribbean
The U.S. Coast Guard medically evacuated the Captain of the 734-foot Singapore-flagged containership M/V Maersk Batam, approximately 100 nautical miles south of Puerto Rico…
Ransomware: The IT Danger on the Horizon
![© arrow/AdobeStock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/arrowadobestock-111295.jpg)
Two decades into the 21st century, we’re seeing a growing and pernicious threat to global information security: ransomware. Even non-technical folk have loosely heard of it, but the broader implications haven’t yet penetrated the public consciousness. In different industries, that general lack of awareness could be a big problem—and the maritime sector is a good example.Ransomware hits at the confluence…
Cargo Vessel Crewman Medevaced off US East Coast
![(File photo: Ryan Dickinson, USCG)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/file-photo-ryan-dickinson-uscg-111294.jpg)
The U.S. Coast Guard said it medevaced a 41-year-old man from the Teal Arrow, a 544-foot cargo vessel, approximately 50 miles southeast of Charleston, S.C., Tuesday.An Air Facility Charleston MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew hoisted and transported the man to the Charleston Executive Airport where emergency medical services took him to the Medical University of South Carolina for further medical care.At approximately 4:44 p.m.
Reduced Appetite Expected for DP World’s $9bn Loan
![© Sebastian / Adobe Stock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/sebastian-adobe-stock-111291.jpg)
Appetite for UAE global port operator DP World's $9bn loan financing is expected to weaken due to market turmoil caused by the coronavirus, bankers said.The loan was fully underwritten by Citigroup and Deutsche Bank, and went out to a wider group of DP World’s relationship banks in senior syndication, which closed at the end of last week, one of the bankers said.These banks included Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank…