Austal USA Expands West Coast Repair Operations
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Shipbuilder Austal USA said it received approval from the San Diego Port of Commissioners to assume the lease of Marine Group Boat Works in the Port of San Diego. Austal USA and Marine Group Boat Works are entering a 45-day exclusive period to close the agreement.Austal USA will use the 15-acre site to focus on ship repair for U.S. Navy, Military Sealift Command and U.S. Coast Guard ships, establishing…
Countries Agree to Create Green Shipping Lanes in Pursuit of Zero Carbon
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A coalition of 19 countries including Britain and the United States on Wednesday agreed to create zero emissions shipping trade routes between ports to speed up the decarbonization of the global maritime industry, officials involved said.Shipping, which transports about 90% of world trade, accounts for nearly 3% of the world's CO2 emissions.U.N. shipping agency the International Maritime Organization…
Baker Hughes Signs Deal with Shell for Renewable Energy Credits
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Oil major Royal Dutch Shell's clean energy unit will provide renewable energy credits (REC) to oilfield firm Baker Hughes' facilities in United States for a two-year period, the companies said on Wednesday.
SCHOTTEL Supplies EcoPellers for Hybrid-electric Ferry Altera
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The latest addition to FinFerries’ fleet, the ferry Altera, features high-efficiency azimuth thrusters from SCHOTTEL. The electrically powered hybrid ferry, which is scheduled to enter operation in 2023, is currently under construction at the Polish shipyard Crist. Altera will be able to sail solely on battery power charging its batteries with renewable electricity.Altera measures 100 meters in length and 17 meters in width.
Eneti to Raise $200M for WTIV Construction via Share Sale
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Offshore wind turbine installation firm Eneti plans to raise $200 million through a public offering of shares. It will use the funds raised to fund wind turbine installation vessel newbuilding program consisting of one contracted newbuilding vessel, one optional newbuilding vessel, and one proposed Jones Act compliant newbuilding vessel. As part of the Offering, Scorpio Holdings Limited, a related party of the company…
Noble Corp. Shareholder to Vote Against Maersk Drilling Merger
Following the announcement of a proposed merger between offshore drillers Maersk Drilling and Noble Corporation on Wednesday, a Noble shareholder said it would vote…
Mitsubishi, MOL Complete Liquefied CO2 Carrier Study
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Japan's Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has completed a concept study with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) regarding liquefied CO2 (LCO2) carriers. The project will combine Mitsubishi Shipbuilding's gas handling technologies developed through the construction of liquified gas carriers (LPG and LNG carriers), with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines' experience in operations for a wide range of vessels…
U.S. Proposes New Marine Sanctuary Offshore California
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The Biden administration on Tuesday said it was taking steps to designate a national marine sanctuary off the coast of central California. President Joe Biden has set a goal of safeguarding 30% of U.S. land and water over the next decade. The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration said the proposal would protect a 7,000-square-mile area. The waters are important to the heritage of the Native American Chumash people who once lived in coastal villages that are now submerged.
Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding Announces Leadership Change
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U.S. shipyard Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding announced a change of leadership. Todd Thayse, who began working at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding more than 37 years ago and he has spent the last 10 years as the vice president and general manager, has decided to retire.“The timing of one’s retirement is not an easy decision,” Thayse said. “Especially when you enjoy what you do and the people you get to work…
Port Milwaukee Seeks Proposals for South Shore Cruise Dock
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Port Milwaukee said it is seeking proposals from prospective tenants for development at its South Shore Cruise Dock.This waterfront five-acre site, located immediately east of the Lake Express High Speed Ferry terminal, is available for development of recreational, entertainment, tourism, cultural, passenger vessel and public access uses. Development could begin as early as September 1, 2022, with execution of a new long-term lease…
Great Lakes Iron Ore, Limestone Trades Rise in October
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Iron ore and limestone shipments rose 32.4% and 8.3% respectively in October, according to the Lake Carriers' Association (LCA). Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 5.5 million tons in October, an increase of 32.4% compared to a year ago. Shipments were above the month’s five-year average by 7.7%.Year-to-date the iron ore trade stands at 42.9 million tons, an increase of 32.7% compared…
Towboat Fire Closes Portion of the Ohio River
A section of the Ohio River was closed to vessel traffic on Tuesday due to towboat fire near Belleview, Ky.The U.S. Coast Guard said it issued a waterway restriction…
Baltic Index Gains as Rates for Larger Vessels Improve
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The Baltic Exchange's dry bulk sea freight index climbed on Tuesday, lifted by firmer rates in the larger capesize and panamax vessel segments.The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels, rose by 87 points, or 3.2%, to 2,805, its second straight session of gains.The capesize index increased by 297 points, or 8.8%, to 3,675, its highest level in a week.While the overall demand outlook for capesizes seems to be "challenging" for the remainder of the year, l
White House Looks to Move Quickly on $17 Billion Revamp of US Ports
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The White House plans to move quickly on a $17 billion revamp of U.S. ports approved by Congress as part of President Joe Biden's $1 trillion infrastructure bill.Biden is due to visit the Port of Baltimore on Wednesday to tout funding for revamping U.S. ports facing huge backlogs.The $17 billion will "improve infrastructure at coastal ports, inland ports and waterways, and land ports of entry along the border," the White House said.Many U.S.
USDA Raises Corn Harvest View, Cuts Soy Production Outlook
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Smaller-than-expected soybean harvests in the major production states of Indiana, Iowa, Kansas and Ohio sparked a surprise cut to the U.S. harvest outlook, the government said on Tuesday.But U.S. corn production will be bigger than previously projected as farmers recorded their biggest yield ever, according to the U.S. Agriculture Department's monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report.
Gaslog Inks Maintenance Deal with Wärtsilä
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Wärtsilä’s Optimized Maintenance Agreement has been selected by Greek shipowner and operator Gaslog to cover 10 of the company’s very large liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier vessels. The agreement, signed in June 2021, is designed to ensure certainty of operations with budgeted maintenance costs, Wärtsilä said.The tailored agreement covers the vessels’ twin two-stroke dual-fuel main engines, enabling them to benefit from condition monitoring and asset diagnostic services…
Partners Digitize Spare Parts Management
Fleet management software provider ABS Nautical Systems (ABS NS) and spare parts supply chain technology company Spares CNX are partnering to digitalize spare parts…
US Retail Imports Near Record Pace Despite Port Congestion
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Imports at the United States’ congested container ports are expected to remain at near-record levels for the remainder of the year as retailers rush to move merchandise from docks to shelves in time to meet the expectations of holiday shoppers, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.“Dockworkers are unloading ships as fast as they can…
Nexans Opens Expanded Subsea Cable Facility in Charleston
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France-based offshore cable manufacturer and installation contractor Nexans announced Tuesday it has officially opened its transformed high voltage subsea cable plant in Charleston, S.C.From the Charleston facility Nexans will deliver subsea cables up to 525kV HVDC and 400kV HVAC, covering the full range of needed products for export cables for offshore wind and subsea interconnectors. The first subsea high voltage export cable will be delivered to an offshore windfarm in the U.K.
New Bill Aims to Address Sexual Misconduct in the Merchant Marine
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A group of U.S. Senators has introduced new legislation aiming to strengthen sexual assault/sexual harassment (SASH) prevention, response, investigation and accountability in the maritime industry and provide additional safeguards for the Midshipmen at the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA).The Improving Protections for Midshipmen Act is being put forward by Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Susan…