Red Funnel Gains DNV GL COVID-19 Statement of Compliance
![(File photo: Red Funnel)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/file-photo-red-funnel-114764.jpg)
U.K. ferry operator Red Funnel said it is the world’s first domestic ferry operator to receive the DNV GL COVID-19 Statement of Compliance. The assessment certifies that Red Funnel has established reasonable measures to safeguard passengers, employees and crew from the COVID-19 infection.“The COVID-19 outbreak has had a major impact on passenger vessels across Europe. As lockdown measures begin to relax in the U.K.…
Keel Laid for Polaris New Energy LNG Bunker Barge
![(Photo: Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-fincantieri-bay-shipbuilding-114763.jpg)
Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding hosted a private ceremonial keel laying June 24 celebrating the start of construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker barge for Polaris New Energy.The barge will be named the Clean Canaveral and will operate as an articulated tug and barge unit (ATB) that initially runs along the U.S. East Coast providing LNG bunkering solutions to NorthStar Midstream’s customers.Modern ships are now largely built in a series of prefabricated…
US Great Lakes Ports See Mixed Impacts from COVID-19
![Fraserborg loading wheat bound for Italy at the Riverland Ag Corp. terminal in Duluth, Minnesota, on June 15, 2020. (Photo: Duluth Seaway Port Authority)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/fraserborg-loading-wheat-bound-for-114762.jpg)
U.S. Great Lakes ports reported mixed results in June with aluminum, road salt and grain shipments holding strong despite the coronavirus pandemic, while shipments of commodities related to steel production and manufacturing have continued to slide.Additionally, the St. Lawrence Seaway reported that from April 1 to June 30, nearly 11.7 million metric tons of cargo was shipped via the bi-national trade corridor.
Firefighters Evacuated from Listing USS Bonhomme Richard
![A helicopter combats a fire aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6). (U.S. Navy photo by Christina Ross)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/a-helicopter-combats-a-fire-114757.jpg.jfif)
The U.S. Navy said it has cleared the burning USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) and its adjacent San Diego pier of all personnel due to a shift in the vessel's list. The warship has been ablaze since Sunday morning."Out of an abundance of caution the pier and ship were cleared of personnel due to an initial shift in the ship’s list. Personnel are now pier side. We will continue to monitor as the ship settles." the Navy said in a statement at 2:30 a.m.
What's Behind Rising Tensions in the South China Sea?
![File photo Chinese seismic vessel Haiyang Dizhi 8 (Credit: China Geologic Survey)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/file-photo-chinese-seismic-vessel-114755.jpg)
The United States this week hardened its position on the South China Sea, where it has accused China of attempting to build a "maritime empire" in the potentially energy-rich waters, despite regional concerns.The rivals have accused each other of stoking tension in the strategic waterway at a time of strained relations over everything from the new coronavirus to trade to Hong Kong.A statement from U.S.
NYK Invests in Tugboat Biz at Largest Port in Vietnam
![Image courtesy NYK.](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/image-courtesy-nyk-114753.jpg)
NYK Line (Vietnam) Co. Ltd. acquired 15% of total issued shares of Thoresen Vinama Tug Co. Ltd. (TVT hereunder) and entered the tugboat business at Phu My and Cai Mep ports in Vietnam.TVT has two tugboats providing tugboat services at Phu My and Cai Mep ports, located in the suburbs of Ho Chi Minh and the largest ports in the nation in terms of import/export cargo and inbound/outbound vessels.NYK made this investment decision after considering the tugboat business in Vietnam…
Delfin LNG Gets Another Year to Build Floating LNG Project Off Louisiana
![Image Credit: Delfin LNG](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/image-credit-delfin-lng-114743.jpg)
U.S. energy regulators on Wednesday granted Delfin LNG a second one-year extension until September 2021 to build its proposed floating liquefied natural gas export facility off the coast of Louisiana.Delfin is one of several North American LNG developers that have delayed decisions on whether to go ahead with multibillion-dollar projects as gas prices slumped worldwide and buyers became reluctant to…
Viking to Launch New River Cruise Ship in 2021
![The 80-guest Viking Saigon is scheduled to debut for the August 30, 2021. (Image: Viking)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/the-80guest-viking-saigon-is-114734.jpg)
Viking announced it has a new ship under construction expected to launch next summer for its cruise tours in Vietnam and Cambodia.The 80-guest Viking Saigon is scheduled to debut for the August 30, 2021, cruise tour departure; the river cruise portion of the itinerary sails between Kampong Cham, Cambodia and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.Purpose-built for the Mekong River, the new Viking Saigon will host 80 passengers in 40 outside staterooms.
Cryopeak Inks Deal with Island Tug & Barge for LNG Bunkering
![© mumemories / Adobe Stock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/mumemories-adobe-stock-114742.jpeg)
Cryopeak LNG Solutions Corporation said Wednesday it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with marine bulk fuels transporter Island Tug & Barge Ltd. (ITB) to deliver liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering services in Southwest British Columbia, Canada.Cryopeak and ITB have developed a design for a 4,000-cubic-meter articulated tug and barge (ATB) which is planned to be in operation in 2023. A key…
WRDA 2020: 'A Step in the Right Direction'
![File photo: A tow exits the east lock of the Colorado River Lock system near Matagorda, Texas. (Credit Simon DeSoto, Colorado River lockmaster / courtesy U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/file-photo-a-tow-exits-114741.jpg)
The U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure voted the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA 2020) favorably out of Committee, Wednesday. The legislation, which provides authority for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to carry out water resources development projects and studies, as well as policy direction to the Corps for implementation of its Civil Works missions, now heads to the House Floor for a vote.Maritime trade groups Waterways Council, Inc.
Containership Crew Rescues Sailors 825 Miles off Hawaii
The crew aboard a U.S.-flagged containership rescued three sailors from a 50-foot trimaran that became disabled in the Pacific Ocean, about 825 miles northeast of Oahu…
Carnival to Raise $1.26 Billion in Debt to Deal with COVID-19 Impact
![© dbvirago / Adobe Stock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/dbvirago-adobe-stock-114740.jpeg)
Carnival Corp is planning to raise about $1.26 billion in a bond offering, the beleaguered cruise operator said Wednesday as it struggles to stay afloat after the COVID-19 pandemic impacted its business.The bond offering is split into a $775 million tranche paying an annual coupon of 10.5%, and 425 million euro-tranche ($484.93 million) paying 10.125%.The senior secured notes are due 2026, with the offering expected to close on July 20…
Damen Sells Cutter Suction Dredger to Argentina's Servimagnus
![(Photo: Damen)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-damen-114739.jpg.jfif)
The Damen Shipyards Group reports it has sold a full option Cutter Suction Dredger (CSD) 500 to the Argentinian dredging contractor Servimagnus. The modular dredger is currently under construction at the Damen Dredging yard in Nijkerk, The Netherlands, and will be shipped to South America later this year to join the Servimagnus fleet working on a waterways program in the province of Buenos Aires.“One of the major rivers in the outstretched plains in the Argentinian Province of Buenos Aires…
BW LPG Nets $4 Mln Gain on Berge Summit Sale
![Berge Summit (Photo: BW LPG)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/berge-summit-photo-bw-lpg-114738.jpg.jfif)
Singapore-based shipowner BW LPG announced Wednesday it has concluded the sale and delivery of the 78,489 cbm capacity liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier Berge Summit to an unnamed buyer for continued trading.The sale is expected to generate approximately $9 million in liquidity and an expected net book gain of $4 million, BW LPG said.BW LPG acquired the 1990-built vessel for $8 million in 2015…
China's Polar Icebreaker Embarks on First Arctic Mission
![(File photo: Polar Research Institute of China)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/file-photo-polar-research-institute-114735.jpg)
China's first domestically built polar icebreaker Xue Long 2 has set sail on its first mission to the Arctic, China's state-run Xinhua News Agency reports.Xuez Long 2 (Snow Dragon 2) departed Shanghai Wednesday with a team of Chinese scientists on board to conduct investigations in areas including the Chukchi Rise, Canada Basin and the central Arctic Ocean, Xinhua reports. The voyage is expected to cover some 12…
Judge Dismisses Cruise Passengers' COVID-19 Lawsuits
![Grand Princess docks in Oakland (Photo: Port of Oakland)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/grand-princess-docks-in-oakland-114733.jpg)
A federal judge dismissed lawsuits by Grand Princess cruise ship passengers who sued for emotional distress caused by their fear of exposure to COVID-19, saying that allowing their cases to proceed would “lead to a flood of trivial suits.”Judge Gary Klausner in Los Angeles said in Tuesday’s ruling that allowing passengers to collect damages based on potential COVID-19 exposure without suffering symptoms raised concerns of unlimited liability for restaurants…
US Coast Guard Commissions Cutter Harold Miller
![The Coast Guard Cutter Harold Miller sits moored during the commissioning ceremony at Sector Field Office Galveston, Texas, July 15, 2020. The crew of the Harold Miller will have a patrol area encompassing 900 miles of coastline for the Coast Guard’s Eighth District, from Carrabelle, Fla., to Brownsville, Texas. (USCG photo by Paige Hause)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/the-coast-guard-cutter-harold-114732.jpg)
The U.S. Coast Guard held a commissioning ceremony for the Coast Guard Cutter Harold Miller, the service's 38th Sentinel-class fast response cutter, at Sector Field Office Galveston, Texas, Wednesday.Rear Adm. John Nadeau, Eighth Coast Guard District commander, presided over the commissioning ceremony, along with Lt. Michael Salerno, Coast Guard Cutter Harold Miller’s commanding officer.Like her sister ships USCGC Harold Miller (WPC-1138) was built by Bollinger Shipyards, in Lockport, La.
Bolidt Launches Antimicrobial Decking for Passenger Ships
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As cruise ship and other passenger vessel operators look toward the eventual resumption of voyages following the coronavirus health crisis, synthetic applications specialist Bolidt is launching an antibacterial flooring system intended to improve limit the spread of multiresistant bacteria.Originally designed for use in land-based applications such as hospitals and kitchens, the pioneering technology is not only bactericidal but also hygienic and easy to clean…
US Says Room for Sanctions in Response to China in South China Sea
![Mischief Reef has been occupied and controlled by China since 1995, and is also claimed by Taiwan, the Philippines and Vietnam. (Credit: CSIS/AMTI, DigitalGlobe)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/mischief-reef-has-been-occupied-114730.jpg)
The top U.S. diplomat for East Asia warned on Tuesday that Washington could respond with sanctions against Chinese officials and enterprises involved in coercion in the South China Sea after the United States announced a tougher stance to Beijing’s claims there.“Nothing is off the table ... there is room for that. This is a language the Chinese understand - demonstrative and tangible action,” David Stilwell…
Hapag-Lloyd Ups Profits, But Warns of Risks
![(Photo: Hapag-Lloyd)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-hapaglloyd-114728.jpg)
German container shipping line Hapag-Lloyd on Wednesday reported preliminary results for the first half of 2020 showing core profits above those of the same 2019 period and upholding its guidance for full year earnings.However, the company said in an ad hoc announcement that the forecast was subject to “high uncertainty” due to risks related to the coronavirus crisis and its impact on the macroeconomy and global shipping.Hapag Lloyd achieved a 20.3% year-on-year rise in earnings before interest…