How Is Containership Demand Impacting the Hull Coating Business?
Nippon Paint Marine said it is seeing liner operators increasingly postpone dry dockings as they look to keep vessels operational to meet the recent surge in demand for container shipments.“Containership owners want to push dry docking schedules as much as possible because of the high freight rates and capacity shortage,” explained John Drew, Director, Nippon Paint Marine (Europe). “Although the shipowner’s…
Whitworth Joins Gulf Copper Board
Gulf Copper and Manufacturing Corporation has appointed Jonathan Whitworth as a member to its board of directors.Whitworth, a graduate of Texas A&M University at Galveston (TAMUG), brings his extensive working history and experience back to Texas. He holds an MBA in Finance with a focus on marine business and currently serves as vice chairman of the TAMUG Board of Visitors.“I feel very fortunate to have retired and moved back to Galveston Island…
Shipping Nations, Groups Call for IMO Green Research Fund
A group of prominent shipping nations and organizations are calling for a $5 billion research fund to help launch zero-emissions vessels by 2030, in a move aiming to accelerate the industry's efforts to decarbonize maritime transport.A proposal by governments including Georgia, Greece, Japan, Liberia, Malta, Nigeria, Singapore, Switzerland is being submitted Wednesday to the United Nations' International Maritime Organization (IMO)…
Baltic Index Rises to Over Five-month Peak
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index gained on Wednesday, marking its highest level since early October as rates for the capesize and supramax vessel segments rose.The Baltic dry index, which tracks rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels ferrying dry bulk commodities, climbed 79 points, or 4.2%, to 1,980—its highest since October 7, 2020.The main index was up for a seventh straight session.The capesize index was up 207 points, or 10.6%, at 2,157, its highest since Jan.
VARD Delivers Expedition Cruise Ship to Coral Expeditions
Ship designer and builder VARD said it has delivered a second expedition cruise vessel to Coral Expeditions of Australia.The newbuild, Coral Geographer, is ready to sail after arriving from Vard Vung Tau, VARD’s shipyard in Vietnam. Her maiden voyage with passengers will start from Cairns, Queensland, at the end of March.The vessel is the second VARD 6 01 ship ordered as part of Coral Expeditions' fleet expansion…
At Least 39 Die as Two Migrant Boats Sink off Tunisia. Coast Guard Rescues 165
At least 39 migrants died when two boats sank off Tunisia on Tuesday as they tried to cross the Mediterranean to the Italian island of Lampedusa, the Tunisian defense ministry said.The coast guard rescued 165 others, and searches for more survivors are still ongoing off the coast of Sfax, ministry spokesman Mohamed Zekri said. All the dead migrants were from sub-Saharan Africa, he added.The coastline…
Liebherr Ships First Main Crane Components for OHT's Alfa Lift Installation Vessel
Crane specialist Liebherr has informed that important components for a giant crane to be installed aboard OHT's Alfa Lift offshore wind foundation installation vessel, have departed from Germany and are now en route to China where the vessel is being built.The Alfa Lift, being built for Offshore Heavy Transports (OHT) at China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI) shipyard in Jiangsu, China, was on February 28, floated-out from its drydock.
Namibian Marine Diamond Miner Reports Drop in Production as Demand Slumps
Debmarine Namibia, a subsidiary of Anglo American's diamond unit De Beers, on Monday reported a 13% drop in production to 1.125 million carats last year as demand slumped during the COVID-19 pandemic.Namibia has the richest known marine diamond deposits in the world, and is among the top 10 producers of gem-quality diamonds globally. Production, however, has been severely hampered by weak demand on…
Keppel Delivers Another LNG Vessel to Avenir LNG
Keppel Offshore & Marine has delivered its second newbuild LNG carrier, the Avenir Accolade, to Avenir LNG.The LNG carrier can also function as an LNG bunkering vessel (LBV), making it the third LBV that Keppel has delivered."The dual-fuel Avenir Accolade attests to Keppel’s growing track record in solutions for the gas value chain and reinforces Keppel’s Vision 2030 to seize opportunities in LNG solutions…
Equinor Awards Long-term Frame Deals to Seismic Players PGS and Shearwater
Offshore seismic survey contractors PGS and Shearwater GeoServices have been awarded framework agreements with Equinor for 4D towed streamer seismic acquisition on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) in what Equinor said was a new way of working with seismic contractors.The agreements have a total estimated value of around NOK 700 million (~USD 82,7 million).“This is a new way of working with seismic suppliers.
Solstad Offshore Bags North Sea Charters for PSV Quartet
Norwegian offshore vessel operator Solstad Offshore has secured contracts for four of its platform supply vessels in the North Sea, with Total, Equinor, and Serica, respectively.Total UK has awarded Solstad a term contract for Normand Springer. The vessel will be used by Total UK to support their UK North Sea assets for a charter period lasting one year firm, plus a one-year option. The contract is expected to begin during the second half of March 2021.Also…
Siemens Gamesa Picks Cadeler to Transport and Install Giant 14MW Offshore Wind Turbines
Offshore wind installation company Cadeler said Wednesday it had won the largest contract in its history.Cadeler, previously known as Swire Blue Ocean, said that offshore wind turbine maker Siemens Gamesa had awarded Cadeler a contract of valued at around $90 million, with an additional $30 million in options, to transport and install giant SG 14-222 DD offshore wind turbines.The turbines are expected…
Tanker Crew Member Medevaced in Brodick Bay
An ailing crew member was medevaced from a tanker at anchor in Brodick Bay off Scotland, on Sunday,At 4.53 p.m., Troon lifeboat was tasked by Belfast Coastguard along with Arran lifeboat to assist with the medical evacuation of a crew member from the tanker Kongo Star at anchor in Brodick Bay.Also tasked was the Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter from Prestwick, Rescue 199 and Arran Coastguard…
Centerline Finalizes Acquisition of Saltchuk's Bunkering Business
Marine transportation services company Centerline Logistics said it has finalized its acquisition of Saltchuk Marine Services’ California ship refueling business…
Casco Bay Lines Orders Hybrid-electric Ferry
Maine ferry operator Casco Bay Lines has committed to an integrated hybrid-electric power and propulsion solution for its new vessel, in a technology step change along one of the longest-established ferry routes in the United States.The new 50-meter ferry will feature ABB Marine & Ports’ hybrid power, propulsion and a shore charging system, supporting diesel-electric and zero-emissions battery-powered modes, as well as a combination of both.
Biden to Review Future of Federal Oil Leasing Program
The U.S. Interior Department announced Tuesday it will launch its review of the federal oil and gas leasing program on March 25, a key step that will determine whether the Biden administration will permanently halt new leases on federal land and water.The review will kick off with a public forum on oil and gas leasing on federal land and water, with participants representing industry, environmental conservation and justice groups…
First Ever Electric Voith Schneider Propellers Ready to Be Installed
Spanish shipbuilder Gondan said it received last week at its main facilities in Castropol, Asturias, the first two electric Voith Schneider Propellers (eVSP) ever manufactured. They will be soon installed in the new offshore wind service operation vessel (SOV), being built for Norwegian shipping company Østensjø Rederi A/S.The first eVSP passed the factory acceptance test (FAT) several weeks ago at Voith facilities in Germany.
US Navy Submarine New Jersey Reaches Pressure Hull Complete Milestone
Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) said Tuesday its Newport News Shipbuilding division has achieved a milestone in the construction of the submarine New Jersey (SSN 796).The company reached pressure hull complete on February 10, meaning that all of its hull sections were joined to form a single, watertight unit. This is the latest major milestone before the submarine is christened and floated off.“Achieving…
Diana Shipping to Implement ABS' Digital Environmental Platform
ABS said it has signed an agreement with Diana Shipping Services S.A. (DSS) to implement the ABS Environmental Monitor digital sustainability solution across 31 vessels under its management.Part of the ABS My Digital Fleet risk management platform, ABS Environmental Monitor is a cloud-based application leveraging vessel waste stream and emissions data to provide transparent reporting to support more…
SAAM Towage to Receive Two New Tugs for El Salvador
SAAM Towage said it will soon take delivery of two new vessels, SAAM Acaxual and SAAM Centzunat, built by Turkish shipbuilder Uzmar to provide services at the Energía del Pacífico (EDP) liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in El Salvador.The new RAstar 3200W tugs measure 32 meters long and were especially designed by Robert Allan Ltd. to meet the needs of the Acajutla gas terminal, with bollard pull…
