New Fully Electric Hydrofoil Ferry Concept Unveiled
California-based marine technology startup Boundary Layer Technologies has unveiled a new fully electric hydrofoiling ferry concept design.Using the company’s proprietary hydrofoil technology and podded propulsion system, ELECTRA has a range of up to 100 nautical miles and cruise speed of 40 knots, twice the range and speed of existing electric ferries.Compared to fossil fuel alternatives, ELECTRA’s battery electric propulsion reduces cabin noise by up to 20dB compared to conventional ferries…
Denmark, US and 12 Other Nations Back Tougher Climate Goal for Shipping
Denmark, the United States and 12 other countries on Monday backed a goal to reduce emissions by the global maritime sector to zero by 2050, a target to be fleshed out in negotiations at the United Nations shipping agency.The initiative, led by Denmark and announced on the sidelines of the U.N. COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland, aims to build support among countries for the goal at the International Maritime Organization…
CDC Relaxes Rules for Cruise Ship Passengers
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Saturday that unvaccinated foreign nationals under the age of 18 traveling to the United States by air do not have to self-quarantine upon arrival.CDC Director Rochelle Walensky on Saturday signed a revised order clarifying that foreign national children who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 do not need to isolate for seven days upon…
Subsea Munitions Response: Government Funding Available for Environmental R&D
The Department of Defense’s (DoD) Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) is seeking to fund environmental research and development in the Munitions Response program area. SERDP invests across the broad spectrum of basic and applied research, as well as advanced technology development. The development and application of innovative environmental technologies will reduce the costs…
Island Offshore PSV Running on Biofuel
Norwegian offshore vessels owner Island Offshore said one of its ships is the first offshore vessel on the Norwegian shelf running on biofuel.This pilot program, run by Lundin Energy Norway on board Island Offshore's platform supply vessel (PSV) Island Crusader, has led to immediate and significant reductions in CO2 emissions and also proves that biogas can be used on liquefied natural gas (LNG) engines without modifications.
Retrofitted Pair to Be First Tier III Tugs in Italian Ports
Sanmar Shipyards said it has signed a contract to deliver two cleaner and greener versions of its Bogacay series of tugs to Sicily-based operator Rimorchiatori Augusta Srl. BOGACAY LII and BOGACY LIV have been refurbished and their propulsion systems upgraded using the latest technology to make them IMO Tier III emissions compliant. They will be delivered to Augusta Port in Sicily towards the end of…
Feds Struggle to Address Supply Chain Capacity Issues
The Biden Administration’s struggles to alleviate supply chain capacity issues appear to be continuing with no end in sight. Part of the issue arises from the Administration’s limited focus on ports and another part arises from Congressional stalemates. Could the much-needed beltway leadership on these issues come in the form of the newly-tapped Maritime Administrator?Biden focuses on ports to address…
Baltic Dry Index Slips to Three-month Low
The Baltic Exchange's dry bulk sea freight index declined to its lowest in nearly three months on Monday, as rates across its vessel segments weakened.The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels, fell by 91 points, or 2.6%, to 3,428, the lowest level since August 11.The capesize index fell 147 points, or 3.4%, to 4,202, its weakest since end-July.Average daily earnings for capesizes, which transport 150,000-tonne cargoes such as iron ore and coal, fell $1
SunStone's Fourth Infinity Class Ship Completes Sea Trials
Expedition cruise ship owner SunStone Ships announced its fourth Infinity Class vessel, Sylvia Earle, has completed sea trials.The newbuild, designed by Ulstein and built by China Merchants Heavy Industry, underwent five days of intense testing of the vessel’s systems while underway in the south China Sea. More than 150 people were onboard during the trials, including represntatives from the shipyard…
Jackson Offshore Buys Platform Supply Vessel. Five-year Charter with Shell Secured
U.S.-based offshore vessel owner Jackson Offshore Operators has acquired the M/V STORM platform supply vessel.Once it has completed regulatory requirements, the M/V STORM will start a five-year contract with Shell in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.Built in 2015, the M/V STORM is an MMC-879 design PSV, DP Class 2, and diesel-electric propulsion. It is 260 feet in length with a carrying capacity of 4,200 T DWT.
Foss Maritime Closes Seattle Shipyard
Foss Maritime announced the permanent closure of its Seattle shipyard located in North Queen Anne, effective October 30, 2021.“The difficult decision is a result of Foss Maritime’s regular evaluation of business lines and follows the company’s diligent effort to improve the viability of the Seattle shipyard over many years,” the company said in a press release, noting the closure does not affect any…
Stanford Marine Orders Two Crew Boats from Grandweld
Grandweld shipyard has won a contract with offshore support vessel firm Stanford Marine to build two 42-meter GrandSuperior crew boats with the keel-laying ceremony recently completed. These are Grandweld’s 11th and 12th vessels built for Stanford Marine.Jamal Abki, General Manager of Grandweld Shipyards said “In 2021, we have secured multiple shipbuilding contracts worth $30 million. Although 2020 was difficult for the industry as a whole, we saw a surge in business.
Ship with Hundreds of Afghan Migrants Docks at Greek Port
A Turkish-flagged cargo ship carrying 382 mostly Afghan migrants docked safely at a Greek island's port early on Sunday, two days after losing power in the Aegean Sea and sending out a distress signal.Six people among what was the country's biggest single influx of migrants in years were detained after the vessel, the Murat 729, was towed into Kos port by a Greek coast guard ship, the migration ministry said.The other arrivals were taken to a reception centre on the island.
Fishing Row: UK Tells France to Back Down in 48 Hours or 'We Get Tough'
Britain gave France 48 hours on Monday to back down in a fishing row that threatens to spiral into a wider trade dispute between two of Europe's biggest economies…
ConocoPhillips Extends Charter for Another Solstad Offshore PSV
Solstad Offshore has secured a contract extension with ConocoPhillips for its platform supply vessel Normand Supporter.The one-year extension means the vessel now has a firm contract with ConocoPhillips in Norway until February 2023. The Norwegian offshore vessel owner said ConocoPhillips would have two one-year options to extend the contract further.Also, Solstad Offshore confirmed Monday that ConocoPhillips…
Iranian Navy Foils Pirate Attack on Oil Tanker
The Iranian navy thwarted a pirate attack against an Iranian oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden on Monday, Iranian state TV said. "Before crossing the Bab al-Mandeb straight, the tanker was approached by four boats carrying armed men who were prevented in their attack after the Iranian escort fired warning shots," state TV reported.Iran’s navy has extended its reach in recent years, sending vessels to the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden to protect Iranian ships from Somali pirates.
Flex LNG Secures Long Term Charters for LNG Carrier Duo
Flex LNG has secured two charter deals with a minimum firm period of three years for each of its two LNG carriers Flex Resolute and Flex Courageous. The Oslo-listed…
Record Number of Floating Production System Awards Expected Over the Next 18 Months
Around 30 production floater contracts are now queued up for award over the next 18 months, assuming no major market disruption occurs and the supply chain can absorb the orders within this time frame. That’s the conclusion of an in-depth market analysis just completed by IMA/WER.The market surge is being driven by crude prices that have climbed to the mid-$80s on fast rebounding oil demand growth, supply constraints by OPEC+ and inadequate investment by upstream players to replace production.
