German Partners Target Remote-controlled Tug Operations
A group of maritime industry and technology experts in Germany is working on a project to unlock remote control capabilities for safer and more efficient harbor tug operations.Backed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), the project is being led by Voith in partnership with the Hamburg University of Technology, the Fraunhofer Center for Maritime Logistics and Services…
Impact of Dredging on Maritime Law
In 1875, the General Moultrie was the first suction dredge built in the United States and was used in the Charleston River — until it sank within a year. During the same era, the city of Houston and other port towns formed companies like the Buffalo Bayou Ship Channel Company to build special-purpose vessels to clear and connect waterways for commercial vessel traffic. Toward the end of the 19th century…
Norwegian Says Cruising Restart Plans in Jeopardy
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd said its plans for resuming mid-summer U.S. sailings could be in jeopardy, a day after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) laid out new technical instructions for the cruise industry.The health agency, which recently said it was "committed" to the resumption of passenger operations, on Wednesday issued requirements for starting simulated trips…
Canada Promises Two Arctic Icebreakers
The Canadian government on Thursday promised to build two Arctic icebreakers and create hundreds of jobs in two politically influential provinces that will help decide an election considered likely this year.The ruling Liberals, citing the need to boost Canada's Arctic footprint as global warming opens up the region, said at least one ship would be ready by 2030 when Canada's sole existing icebreaker CCGS Louis S.
Foss to Operate Autonomous Harbor Tug
Foss Maritime’s newest vessel will be the first U.S.-flag harbor tug to integrate autonomous systems in real-world commercial operations.Launched on April 29 and scheduled for delivery in May 2021, the newly built 90-ton bollard pull Rachael Allen—the fourth in a series of ASD-90 Z-drive tractor tugs being built at Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, in Freeland, Wash.—will feature Sea Machines Robotics’ SM300 autonomous-command and -control system.
Baltic Dry Index Snaps 15-session Winning Run
The Baltic exchange's main sea freight index dropped from an 11-year peak on Thursday, breaking its 15-session winning steak, weighed down by lower rates for the larger capesize segment.The Baltic dry index, which tracks rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels ferrying dry bulk commodities, fell 54 points, or 1.7%, to 3,212.The index rose for the previous 15 sessions, its longest gaining streak since the 27-session winning run that ended in early July last year.The capesize index fell 2
Damen Delivers New 'Mega-barge' to Combi Lift
Shipbuilding group Damen said it has delivered the 111-meter Damen Stan Pontoon 11226 RD mega-barge Tomsk to heavy lift and project cargo shipping company Combi Lift. The barge will be used in the construction of Gazprom’s Amur Gas Processing Plant near Russia’s eastern border, transporting some of the largest components to the site.This contract follows a 19 vessel order placed with Damen by Combi Lift that was delivered in May 2018.
'Nuisance' Tug Scuttled off Alaskan Coast
A derelict tugboat abandoned near Juneau, Alaska since 2016, has been towed to sea and scuttled in the Gulf of Alaska, the U.S. Coast Guard said.The Lumberman had been causing problems for locals since it was abandoned in the Gastineau channel five years ago, and the decision was made to dispose of the vessel at sea after the 107-foot steel hulled tugboat was determined to be derelict and a significant risk to public safety…
Finnlines Names Pippingsköld Deputy CEO
Finnish shipping company Finnlines has appointed Tom Pippingsköld as vice president and deputy CEO. In this new position Pippingsköld serves as the deputy to the president and CEO.Pippingsköld has been CFO of the ro-ro and passenger shipping operator since October 1, 2013. He will continue in his current position and is in charge of the group’s finance, administration, legal, human resources, communications and IT functions.Finnlines…
Two Harvey Gulf Board Members Resign
HGIM Corp., the parent company to U.S.-based Harvey Gulf International Marine, LLC, announced on Thursday that the holders of over 85% of its common stock, including Gladiator Investments, LLC, an affiliate of Shane J. Guidry, Walker Ridge Capital Management, LLC, an affiliate of The Jordan Company LP, and certain affiliates of Black Diamond Capital Management, L.L.C., have entered into a securityholders agreement.
UK Sends Navy Boats to Jersey After France Threatens Blockade
Britain is sending two navy patrol boats to the British Channel Island of Jersey after France suggested it could cut power supplies to the island if its fishermen are not granted full access to U.K. fishing waters under post-Brexit trading terms.Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledged his "unwavering support" for the island after he spoke with Jersey officials about the prospect of the French blockade.Johnson "stressed the urgent need for a de-escalation in tensions…
Viking Launches Lightweight Immersion Suit for Offshore Crew Transfer
Viking Life-Saving Equipment has launched a new Walk-to-Work crew transfer suit that the company says overcomes a cumbersome feature of offshore wind turbine maintenance procedures without compromising safety."The new Viking YouSafe Walk to Work is a one-size immersion suit airtight packed into a bag that is attached to the user’s lifejacket instead of being worn during the transfer between support vessels and offshore installations.
Chinese Naval Vessels Arrive in Indonesia to Assist with Sunken Submarine Retrieval
Three Chinese vessels, one with a manned submersible capable of descending to 10,000 meters (32,800 ft), have arrived in Indonesian waters to help retrieve a submarine that sank and broke apart last month, killing 53 on board, an official said.Indonesian navy officials and experts have acknowledged how difficult the salvage operation will be to recover the Nanggala-402 submarine lying on the sea bed off Bali."What's most important is lifting the biggest parts of the ship from the seabed…
Northern Offshore Services Takes NYK's CTV on Ten-year Charter
Northern Offshore Services has taken NYK's crew transfer vessel Energizer on a ten-year charter. The vessel will be used to transfer crews to offshore wind farms, mainly in Europe.Japan's NYK, which shared the charter news on Thursday, also said it has additionally agreed to dispatch its engineers to NOS to participate in operations and ship management in Europe, a leading region in the offshore wind industry…
Hyundai Heavy Industries Applies for IPO Approval
South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries Co Ltd applied for preliminary approval for an initial public offering, Korea Exchange said on Thursday.The company, currently wholly owned by Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, was separated from Korea Shipbuilding in 2019.Hyundai Heavy reported a 2020 operating profit of 32.5 billion won on revenue of 8.3 trillion, Korea Exchange said in a statement.(Reporting by Joyce Lee; editing by Jason Neely)
Tanker Firm Euronav Says Large Crude Tonnage Still Abundant. Sees Slow Freight Rates Recovery
Belgian tanker operator Euronav on Thursday reported higher-than-expected first-quarter earnings, but said the shipping market was pressured by restricted crude supply and a slow recovery in freight rates.The group, one of the largest tanker companies in the world, said COVID-19 restrictions were depressing demand for crude oil and high levels of compliance with OPEC+ output supply cuts have restricted the number of cargoes available for commercial transit…
Survitec Wraps Hansen Protection Buy
Maritime survival equipment specialist Survitec has completed the acquisition of Hansen Protection, a provider of personal protective equipment. Ron Krisanda, Executive Chairman at Survitec, commented: "The addition of Hansen Protection, and its leading portfolio in personal protective equipment, protective rainwear, and technical textile solutions, fits perfectly within Survitec. "Our acquisition…
Seismic Data Firm CGG Launches Pollution Monitoring Solution
French firm CGG, best known for its seismic data services for oil and gas exploration, has now launched a maritime pollution monitoring solution named SeaScope."Combining expertise in remote sensing science, Earth observation data, machine learning and high-performance computing, SeaScope provides critical sea surface slick intelligence for a range of industries to strengthen situational awareness of the interaction between offshore assets…
