CDC Says Cruise Ships Pose Very High Risk for Coronavirus
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The U.S.
North P&I: Rates to Rise 10% in coming Policy Year
![“With little investment yield now available from the defensive positions that make up the majority of any prudent insurer’s investment portfolio, we do not expect returns to compensate for a forecast underwriting deficit, and we expect free reserves to reduce. The Board has therefore agreed that the Club will seek a 10% General Increase in P&I premium rates for the 2021/22 policy year," Paul Jennings, Chief Executive.](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/with-little-investment-yield-now-118310.jpg)
A rapid escalation in pool claims and unsustainable premium rates have led North P&I Club to declare its intention to seek a 10% General Increase in P&I rates for the 2021/22 policy year.In its 2020 Pre-Renewal Report, North says its retained claims so far this year declined, with claims over $1 million slightly down. The Club also achieved a positive return on investments of 2.16% (around $20 million) by its August mid-year point…
Damen Converts PSV into Fish Feed Carrier for Eidsvaag
![Damen Shiprepair Amsterdam (DSAm) completed a conversion project for Norwegian company Eidsvaag which saw a platform supply vessel (PSV) transformed into a fish feed carrier dubbed Eidsvaag Opal. Photo: Damen](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/men-shiprepair-amsterdam-dsam-completed-118306.jpg)
Damen Shiprepair Amsterdam (DSAm) completed a conversion project for Norwegian company Eidsvaag which saw a platform supply vessel (PSV) transformed into a fish feed carrier dubbed Eidsvaag Opal.Among other things, Damen was required to extend the vessel by 5 meters, which involved the yard cutting the hull in two and inserting in new steel sections. Damen was also required to widen the beam of the vessel – using a series of side boxes – to give additional stability and cargo capacity.
Ocean Infinity to Expand Armada Fleet with 'World's Largest' Robotic Vessels
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Marine and offshore survey company Ocean Infinity, which recently announced plans to build the world's largest fleet of unmanned surface vessels - the Armada, is now adding what it says are "world's largest marine robotic vessels" to the Armada fleet. Apart from being large—78 meters long—these new robotic vessels will be optionally crewed. Ocean Infinity has ordered eight vessels from Norway's VARD.
Training Tips for Ships - Tip #18: Creating a Culture of Learning
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We all think about how to train to produce better outcomes – because better training outcomes mean better performance, safer operations, and employees who are more engaged and more satisfied. But there is a much “bigger picture” goal that only the most thoughtful of maritime organizations work to achieve. That goal is to create a “culture of learning”.It is a little hard to express a concrete definition for a culture of learning…
Samsung Heavy Nets Its 'Largest Ever Single Order'
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South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries has won what has been described as the company's largest-ever single order.The shipbuilder said Monday it had secured an order worth around KRW 2,8 trillion, which is approximately $USD 2,5 billion.The contract is for the supply of "blocks and equipment" and is with an unnamed European shipowner.In a brief statement on the Korea Exchange, Samsung said that the contract start date was November 20, 2020, and the end date December 31, 2025.
Incat Crowther Designs "COVID-19 Inspired" Support Yacht
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Australian vessel designer Incat Crowther has launched a new "COVID-19 inspired" shadow vessel concept - Haven.Incat Crowther has described the Haven as a “protective layer” to the owner’s mothership. "By acting as a buffer between the main yacht and outside world, Haven allows owners and charterers to maintain COVID-secure social bubbles on board. The yacht will act as a COVID-19 testing facility and quarantine space before allowing guests and crew to proceed onto the mothership…
Turkey Extends Seismic Survey in Contested Waters in Eastern Mediterranean
Turkey said it was extending the seismic survey work being carried out by its Oruc Reis ship in a disputed part of the eastern Mediterranean until Nov. 29, a move…
Seacat Services Orders Two Crew Transfer Vessels
![Credit: Chartwell](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/credit-chartwell-118295.png)
UK-based offshore wind farm support vessel operator, Seacat Services has ordered two more Chartwell 24 crew transfer vessels.The two vessels – to be named Seacat Sceptre and Seacat Sovereign – are designed by Chartwell Marine, and will be the first equipped with a new foil optimization and stability system (FOSS) designed by BAR Technologies. This system promises to enhance vessel stability, improving comfort for offshore wind technicians…
AqualisBraemar to Acquire LOC Group
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Offshore energy and marine consultancy AqualisBraemar will acquire marine and engineering consulting firm LOC Group (London Offshore Consultants).Oslo-listed group AqualisBraemar, which offers consultancy services to the offshore energy industries, said Monday that the acquisition would create "a leading global independent offshore energy and marine consultancy."David Wells, CEO of AqualisBraemar, said: "Our strategy is clear…
Fincantieri Floating Dock Refit in La Spezia
![(Image: Scanjet PSM)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/image-scanjet-psm-118288.jpg)
Working with Italian partner Westeam Srl, Scanjet PSM has secured a floating dock refit project with the Fincantieri Group, one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups with 20 shipyards across Europe, the Americas and Asia.Requiring very short delivery lead times, the companies were tasked to refit a ballast level gauging system for a floating dock in La Spezia. With a lifting power of 40,000 tons and with 32 ballast/double bottoms…
Mackay Marine Outfits Kitsap Transit's New Ferries
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Mackay Marine said it provided marine electronics systems and technologies for Kitsap Transit's two new 250-passenger vessels built by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB).Bremerton, Wash.-based public transit agency ordered the new vessels in December 2018 to provide expedient commuter services to downtown Seattle from both Kingston, Wash. and a planned Southworth, Wash. route.The bow-loading fast ferries, built by NBBB at its Whidbey Island, Wash.
Iran Says It Has an 'Aircraft Carrier'
![(Photo: IRNA)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-irna-118285.jpg)
Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards have added a warship capable of carrying aircraft, missile launchers and drones to its naval fleet, state media said on Thursday, at a time of high tension between Tehran and Washington.Antagonism between longtime foes Tehran and Washington has risen since 2018, when President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from world powers’ 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and reimposed sanctions that have crippled the Iranian economy.A U.S.
UK PM Johnson Outlines Plans to Build Europe's Most Powerful Navy
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledged to restore Britain’s navy to its position as Europe’s most powerful maritime force on Thursday, highlighting that shipbuilding could also help heal divisions between the four nations of the United Kingdom.With repeated polls suggesting most people in Scotland now support independence, Johnson was keen to press the case for how England and Scotland can work together.He announced plans for 13 more frigates as well as committing to a new generation of warships…
Zvezda Cuts Steel for First Russian-built Icebreaking LNG Carrier
![(Photo: Zvezda Shipbuilding)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-zvezda-shipbuilding-118283.jpg)
Russia's Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex has started building the first in a series of 15 icebreaking liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers ordered for year-round gas transport along the Northern Sea Route from the Arctic LNG 2 project in Russia's high north. They will be the first such vessels constructed domestically.Shipbuilding, financing, lease and time charter contracts for the new ships were signed by SCF Group, NOVATEK Group, Zvezda and VEB.RF Group in 2019.
WTO Sees Trade Rebound, But Likely Year-end Slowdown
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The World Trade Organization said on Friday global trade in goods had rebounded in the third quarter from COVID-19 lockdowns, but predicted a slowdown at the end of 2020.The WTO said its goods trade barometer had risen to 100.7 points from a record low of 84.5 points in August, driven by a surge in export orders. A reading greater than 100 indicates above-trend growth.“The latest reading indicates a strong rebound in trade in the third quarter as lockdowns were eased…
CMA CGM Sees Strong Final Quarter on Shipping Recovery
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Container shipping group CMA CGM said on Friday shipping activity remained strong in the final quarter of 2020 after a rebound from initial coronavirus-related disruption boosted the French company's third-quarter profits.CMA CGM, the world's fourth-largest container shipping line, said its EBITDA margin rose to 21.0% in the third quarter from 17.2% in the previous quarter and 13.3% in the year-earlier period.Brisk shipping activity should allow CMA CGM to increase the EBITDA margin further in t
Iran Seizes Tanker for Alleged Fuel Smuggling
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Iran's Revolutionary Guards have seized a Panama-registered vessel in the Gulf suspected of smuggling 300,000 liters of fuel and detained its crew of 10, the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Friday.The agency did not give the nationality of the crew members or other details of the incident in its report.Iran, which has some of the world’s cheapest fuel prices due to heavy subsidies and the fall of its national currency as it faces U.S.
In Focus: Talking Workboat Safety with AWO's Brian Bailey
![Brian Bailey (Photo: AWO)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/brian-bailey-photo-awo-118279.jpg)
Brian Bailey, Director of Safety and Environmental Stewardship for the American Waterways Operators (AWO), was recently named a 2020 Rising Star of Safety by the National Safety Council (NSC), a nonprofit public service organization promoting health and safety in the U.S. Marine News spoke with Bailey about workboat safety and the AWO’s mission to protect industry workers, assets and the environment.Please…
BW Offshore, New Zealand Gov't Reach Umuroa FPSO Settlement
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FPSO operator BW Offshore has reached a settlement with the New Zealand government over the FPSO Umuroa, which has been stuck at the Tui field, around 50 kilometers off the coast of Taranaki, for months.BW Offshore has been unable to remove its FPSO from the Tui field following the contract termination, client liquidation, and the country's court and environment regulator intervention.Client Tamarind Taranaki in October 2019 said it wouldn't extend the FPSO contract after December 31…