ClassNK Publishes Maritime Cyber Security Guidelines
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Japan-based classification society ClassNK has released the second edition of its Guidelines for Designing Cyber Security Onboard Ships outlining current best practices for newbuild design.In the latest iteration, which is available to download at no cost via ClassNK’s website, the control measures and the framework to implement such measures were updated to incorporate the international cyber security…
Chinese Ports Hit Capacity as Virus Tests Slow Clearing
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Testing of imported foods for the new coronavirus is pushing capacity at some major Chinese ports to their limit, major shippers told customers this week, warning of additional fees and possible diversions to other ports.China stepped up inspections of imported food last month after an outbreak of the coronavirus among people working at and visiting a major food market in Beijing."Import container pick-up activities have been severely impacted and as a result reefer plugs are highly utilized esp
Baltic Index Inches Up on Rising Capesize Rates
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The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index edged up on Friday, helped by rising rates for capesize vessels.The Baltic dry index, which tracks rates for ships ferrying dry bulk commodities and reflects rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels, rose 11 points, or about 0.6%, to 1,710.The Baltic capesize index rose 54 points, or 1.8%, to 3,025.Average daily earnings for capesizes, which typically transport cargoes of 170,000 tonnes to 180,000 tonnes, including iron ore and coal, was up by
Cruise Shipping's Return: Genting Cruise Lines Gears Up for July 26 Sailing
![Photo courtesy Genting Cruise Lines.](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-courtesy-genting-cruise-lines-114799.jpg)
Genting Cruise Lines said it will be the first international cruise company to restart operations with the deployment of Dream Cruises’ Explorer Dream to Taiwan, where it will begin “Taiwan Island-Hopping” itineraries on July 26 2020.Upon the ship’s arrival in Keelung on June 40, 2020, Explorer Dream underwent a thorough deep cleaning in accordance with EU standard, in addition to her crew immediately…
Wärtsilä’s Eskola: Impact of COVID-19 "Clearly Visible" on 1H Results
![“Given this difficult back-drop, second quarter net sales held up reasonably well; this was mainly thanks to increased equipment deliveries, which offset the volume decline in services,” Jaakko Eskola, President and CEO, Wärtsilä. Photo courtesy: Wärtsilä](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/given-this-difficult-backdrop-second-114798.jpg)
Wärtsilä Corporation’s half year financial report through June 2020 was littered with bad news due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with order intake and order book both down – 19% and 12% respectively in the January to June 2020 period. But the bad news was countered with a report of stable net sales and strong cash flow.“The adverse impact of COVID-19 on both our own operations and those of our customers increased during the second quarter.
U.S. Aircraft Carriers Return to South China Sea Amid Tensions
![USS Ronald Reagan - (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jason Tarleton/Released)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/uss-ronald-reagan-us-navy-114796.jpg)
For the second time in two weeks, the United States has deployed two aircraft carriers to the South China Sea, the U.S. Navy said on Friday, as China and the United States accuse each other of stoking tensions in the region.The USS Nimitz and USS Ronald Reagan carried out operations and military exercises in the contested waterway between July 4 and July 6, and returned to the region on Friday, according to a U.S.
Polarcus Nadia on the Move after Long Layup
Polarcus' seismic vessel Polarcus Nadia is on the move, after more than five years in lay-up in the Netherlands, according to information released Friday by Dutch…
US Extends Cruise No Sail Order Through September
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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday extended its no sail order for all cruise ships through the end of September, as the U.S. continues to battle rising numbers of coronavirus cases.The CDC issued its initial no sail order on March 14, which it subsequently extended to July 24.Thursday's order bans operations on commercial passenger vessels with capacity to carry at least 250 passengers in waters subject to U.S.
Norwegian Cruise Line Warns of 'Insignificant' Q2 Revenue
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Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd said on Thursday it expected little revenue in the second quarter, as the COVID-19 pandemic brought global tourism to a standstill and forced the company to suspend all voyages for months.Shares of the cruise operator, which also forecast a full-year loss, fell about 8% in premarket trading.Crushed by a wave of cancellations and steep fall in bookings, the company said it plans to raise about $925 million in two new bond offerings to ride out the rest of the ye
Norwegian Bulker Receives Unique Propulsion Upgrade
![Kryssholm (Photo: Per Rydheim)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/kryssholm-photo-per-rydheim-114775.jpg)
The Norwegian bulk carrier Kryssholm will soon be able to take on new assignments thanks to a customized propulsion upgrade by the SCHOTTEL Modernization and Conversion Team. Comparatively small installation effort will yield great advantages, such as increased maneuverability and lower environmental impact.Two retractable rudder propellers type SRP 130 R (300 kW each) and two transverse thrusters…
Gazprom Neft Sells Its First Arctic Oil Cargo to China
Russia's Gazprom Neft has sold its first ever Arctic oil cargo to China to ChemChina, two sources familiar with the deal told Reuters on Thursday.This week, Gazprom Neft said it had sent 144,000 tonne
All Known Fires Extinguished Aboard USS Bonhomme Richard
![A sailor looks at firefighting gear laid out in front of the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6). (U.S. Navy Photo by Natalie M. Byers)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/a-sailor-looks-at-firefighting-114782.jpg)
Firefighters have extinguished a major ship fire that burned for more than four days aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) moored pier side at Naval Base San Diego, the Navy said Thursday afternoon.Rear Adm. Philip Sobeck, Commander of U.S. Navy Expeditionary Strike Group 3, said all known fires have been extinguished on board as fire teams continue to search the 844-foot-long Wasp-class amphibious assault…
Interview: Captain Havard Ramsoy, Genting Cruise Lines, Plotting the Return Course for Cruising
![Captain Havard Ramsoy, Vice President, Marine Operations and Safety, Genting Cruise Lines](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/captain-havard-ramsoy-vice-president-114779.jpg)
While COVID-19 has proven to be the biggest business disruption event in generations, for the once-booming cruise shipping industry it has meant a hard stop. Getting back to cruising will be neither fast nor easy. We reached out to Captain Havard Ramsoy, Vice President, Marine Operations and Safety, Genting Cruise Lines for insights on the path forward.Please give an overview of the Genting Cruise Ship fleet today…
BSM Opens Liquid Cargo Simulator Facility
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Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) said it has launched a new liquid cargo training facility at its maritime training center in Cyprus as part of a wider boost to LNG training across the whole company, reflecting increasing industry demand and more LNG vessels entering the market.The new Liquid Cargo Simulator (LCS) has been designed and developed by BSM’s inhouse technical team and uses GTT Training software.
Huntington Ingalls Industries Helping Virginians Get Back to Work
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U.S. shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries announced it has signed on to be a business partner of the Virginia Ready Initiative (VA Ready), a new initiative launched in response to the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to help unemployed Virginians across the commonwealth get back to work quickly. VA Ready, in partnership with businesses and Virginia’s community colleges, equips people who are out of work with the required skills for in-demand jobs in high-growth sectors.HII…
Kooiman Marine Group Wins Dredger Order
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The Netherlands-based shipbuilding and engineering firm Kooiman Marine Group said it has received an order for the design and construction of a new 1,500-cubic-meter trailing suction hopper dredger for Detlef Hegemann Aktiengesellschaft.The 75.9-meter-long Hegemann V has been developed by Kooiman Engineering, part of Kooiman Marine Group, in close collaboration with Hegemann Dredging to execute multiple…
Wärtsilä to Supply Bridge Systems for Five Icebreaking Gas Carriers
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Finland-based marine engine and technology provider Wärtsilä said it has been contracted to deliver a complete bridge systems installation for five icebreaking liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fueled tankers to be constructed for the Arctic LNG-2 project. The navigational systems are delivered by Wärtsilä Voyage, the new business responsible for digital solutions and decision support tools to enhance safety…
USS Tripoli (LHA 7) Commissioned
![Amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) transits the Gulf of Mexico during builder's trials in July 2019. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of HII by Derek Fountain)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/amphibious-assault-ship-uss-tripoli-114772.jpg.jfif)
The U.S. Navy commissioned USS Tripoli (LHA 7) Wednesday without the typical fanfare and traditional public commissioning ceremony due to public health and safety restrictions on large public gatherings amid the conronavirus pandemic.Delivered in February, USS Tripoli is the U.S. Navy's second America-class amphibious assault ship built by Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss.
Bisso Towboat Orders Tug at Main Iron Works
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Luling, La.-based Bisso Towboat said it has signed an agreement with Houma, La. shipbuilder Main Iron Works to begin construction of a new 6,008 BHP azimuthing stern drive (ASD) tractor tug. Construction is scheduled to commence in August 2020 with delivery expected in early fall of 2021.The EPA Tier 4 compliant tug will feature two Caterpillar 3516E Tier 4F main propulsion engines generating 3,004 BHP each at 1800 RPM.
Maritime Training amid COVID-19
![(Photo: Hornblower)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-hornblower-114765.jpg)
Good maritime training provides much more than the certifications, licenses and documentation needed to qualify for the job. It goes beyond preparing crews to carry out onboard functions safely and efficiently day in and day out. Well-trained mariners have the skills and knowledge to handle almost anything thrown their way – even when confronting the unexpected. But what happens when the unexpected is a pandemic?COVID-19’s effects on industries across the world have been widespread and diverse…