Gondan Launches CSOV for Edda Wind
![(Photo: GONDAN)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-gondan-123115.jpg)
Spanish shipbuilder GONDAN said Wednesday that its yard in Figueras launched a new commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) for Norwegian shipowner Edda Wind AS. The newbuild is the first in a series of four CSOVs scheduled for delivery from 2022. The ships are designed for service operations during the commissioning and operation of offshore wind farms.Designed by Salt Ship Design, the vessel is 88.3 meters long with a 19.7-meter beam…
Norwegian Plans to Redeploy Eight Additional Cruise Ships
![(Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-norwegian-cruise-line-123114.jpg)
Norwegian Cruise Line on Wednesday announced it plans to redeploy eight additional vessels for U.S. and international voyages starting this fall, more than a year after the COVID-19 pandemic brought the cruise industry to a virtual standstill.Passengers will once again sail aboard Norwegian Breakaway, Encore, Escape, Pearl, Jewel, Sun, Spirit and Norwegian's Pride of America to explore Hawaii, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Asia and more.
Brazil's Santos Port Workers to Get COVID-19 Vaccine
![© chutima / Adobe Stock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/chutima-adobe-stock-123113.jpeg)
The Brazilian government will send the first doses of COVID-19 shots to immunize Santos port workers, with vaccinations slated to begin this week at Latin America's largest port, according to a statement from maritime agent Williams on Wednesday.Williams said Infrastructure Ministry Tarcísio de Freitas made a public commitment to vaccinate the workers, citing an audio message dated May 23 that was shared publicly by the National Federation of Port Operators (Fenop).The move is a response to grow
ClassNK Grants AIP for Vessel Wind and Solar Power System
![(Image: Eco Marine Power)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/image-eco-marine-power-123112.jpg)
Classification society ClassNK said it has issued an approval in principle (AIP) to Eco Marine Power for the development of a renewable energy system for ships, Aquarius Marine Renewable Energy with EnergySail.New technologies are increasingly being introduced toward the goal of decarbonizing the global shipping industry in line with the IMO's commitment to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping and to phasing them out as soon as possible.
Denmark to Send Frigate to Protect Shipping in the Gulf of Guinea
![(Photo: Photo: Danish Navy)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-photo-danish-navy-123111.jpg)
Danish Parliament on Tuesday approved plans to send a naval warship to boost maritime security in one of the world's top piracy hot spots. In the fall of 2021 the European country will deploy its frigate Esbern Snare to the Gulf of Guinea off Africa's west coast where it will contribute to international efforts to curb rampant piracy.As the world’s fifth largest marine nation Denmark said on average 30-40 Danish operated ships sail through the Gulf of Guinea daily…
Austal Vietnam Delivers New Ferry to Mauritius
![(Photo: Austal)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-austal-123108.jpg)
Shipbuilding group Austal announced its Austal Vietnam arm has delivered the new catamaran ferry Maria Galanta Express to Oceanoi Limited of Mauritius. The 41-meter high-speed ferry will be operated by Société de Gestion et de Transport Maritime (SGTM) in the Comoros Islands, situated off the southeastern coast of Africa.Austal was awarded the A$15.5 million (US$10.7 million) contract to design and construct the vessel in January 2020…
Fincantieri Delivers Second of Three Lengthened Ships for Windstar Cruises
![Windstar Cruises’ President Chris Prelog (on left) finishes signing handover documents for Star Legend at the Fincantieri shipyard in Palermo, Italy. (Photo: Windstar Cruises)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/windstar-cruises-president-chris-prelog-123106.png)
Italian shipbuilding group Fincantieri announced it has handed over Star Legend, the second of three lengthened and refurbished ships for U.S.-based boutique passenger yacht operator Windstar Cruises. The vessel was was delivered from Fincantieri's shipyard in Palermo.The Star Plus Initiative program, worth $250 million and involving the cruise ships Star Breeze, delivered last year, Star Legend and Star Pride…
BIMCO: All Eyes on US Gasoline; Will Demand Exceed 9.2M Bpd?
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“Fill her up, son; unleaded. I need a full tank of gas where I'm headed,” former Police-front man, Sting, sang back in 1999 on his solo album Brand New Day. This country-inspired song could be the anthem for what is coming around next week, as Monday. May 31 is Memorial Day in the U.S., the day that kicks off “the U.S. driving season”. The season runs for about three months from Memorial Day to Labor Day on September 6…
'RoboRat' Takes to the Water for 'Intelligent' Autopilot Test
![The new Robosys Test Vessel ‘RoboRat’ built by Ring Powercraft, Itchenor, UK. Photo courtesy Robosys](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/the-new-robosys-test-vessel-123097.jpg)
Robosys Automation, developers of Voyager autonomous navigation systems, built in close collaboration with Ring Powercraft, Ambex Marine and DTC, Domo Tactical Communications have put the 'RoboRat' on trial in the Solent area, a trial showcasing Robosys’ latest intelligent autopilot software for commercial and recreational vessels and demonstrations for a multitude of applications are being scheduled throughout the summer.
Signal Maritime Launches MR Tanker Pool
Commercial ship manager Signal Maritime announced it is launching a new pool for MR product tankers building upon the success of its Aframax pool launched in 2018.
Tufton Invests in Wind Power for 82,000 dwt Bulk Carrier
![Illustration of TR Lady with 3 Anemoi Rotor Sails on Rail Deployment System. Photo courtesy TR Lady Shipping/Anemoi Marine Technnologies](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/illustration-of-tr-lady-with-123095.jpg)
TR Lady Shipping Ltd, a portfolio company of Tufton Investment Management Ltd (“Tufton”), signed a contract Anemoi Marine Technologies to supply and fit the bulk carrier TR Lady with three large Rotor Sails and Anemoi’s patented Rail Deployment System, a system designed to allow the Rotor Sails to be moved across the deck to minimize impact on port operations.TR Lady is a CS Marine design 82,000DWT Kamsarmax bulker, built in 2017 by Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group, and managed by Tufton.
Stolt Tankers Joins Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping
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Stolt Tankers and Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping signed a partnership agreement making Stolt Tankers an official partner to the center.The tanker shipping company is among a wide range of industry partners who have teamed up to develop zero carbon solutions for the maritime industry. Other active companies include Alfa Laval, American Bureau of Shipping, A.P. Moller - Maersk…
Damen Launches Trawler for Rederij Long Ships
![(Photo: Damen)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-damen-123084.jpg)
Damen Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam reached a milestone in its construction of a 38-m trawler for Belgium-based Rederij Long Ships, with the hull launched into the water in Poland and transported to Stellendam for further outfitting.Rederij Long Ships owner Eddie Cattoor said, “I expect a lot from Franson. First and foremost to bring in food from the wide seas. Food that will supply a growing world population.
BSEE Investigating Fatal Incident on GoM Platform
![For illustration only - Offshore platforms in U.S. Gulf of Mexico - Credit: Mosto/AdobeStock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/or-illustration-only-offshore-platforms-123091.jpg)
The U.S. offshore safety regulator BSEE has formed a panel to investigate a fatal incident that happened earlier this month at a Fieldwood Energy-operated oil platform, in the Gulf of Mexico, offshore Louisiana.As previously reported, an offshore worker died on Saturday, May 15, in an incident that, according to Fieldwood, happened during a non-emergency casing pressure test on a shut-in well, at Eugene Island Block 158…
Biden: Sanctions Against Nord Stream 2 Would Harm European Relations
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U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday said he decided to waive sanctions against the company behind the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline because the project was nearly complete, and doing so could have harmed ties with Europe.Biden, who is preparing for his first visit to Europe and his first meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin next month, told reporters he had opposed the new pipeline since its inception…
ABS Members Weigh Rule Changes for New Tech
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ABS members debated more than 400 changes to its rules during the Annual Marine and Offshore Technical Committee Meetings in May.Key areas for discussion included scantling refinements for containerships and gas carriers, flare tower vibrations and water-backed welding.Members, including leading technical experts from major shipyards, designers, owners and operators, also heard presentations on new EEXI and CII regulations and issues with aging floating production…
P&O Ferries and DFDS Ink Space Charter Agreement
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Two ferry operators on the English Channel on Tuesday announced a deal to make freight space on their Dover-Calais ships available to one another to maintain customer service levels on the route and ensure its continued resilience.Under the space charter agreement between P&O Ferries and DFDS, freight drivers can arrive at either the Port of Dover or Port of Calais and board the next available sailing…
Eighth and Final Combination Carrier Delivered to KCC
![(Photo: KCC)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-kcc-123081.jpg)
Klaveness Combination Carriers ASA (KCC) on Tuesday took delivery of Balzani, its eighth and final vessel in a series of CLEANBU combination carriers from New Yangzi Shipyard in China.The vessel is scheduled to load its first cargo of clean petroleum products in early July.The CLEANBUs are unique vessels both in terms of design and their operational and technical efficiency. These vessels have up to 40% lower CO2 emissions per ton mile transported cargo compared to standard vessels…
AWO Elects Illinois Marine Towing's Del Wilkins as Chairman
![Del Wilkins (Photo: AWO)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/del-wilkins-photo-awo-123078.jpg)
The members of the American Waterways Operators, the national tugboat, towboat and barge industry association, elected a new slate of leaders last week during the association's Spring Board of Directors / Annual Membership Meeting.Del Wilkins, President of Illinois Marine Towing, Inc., was elected Chairman; Clark Todd, President & Chief Operating Officer of Blessey Marine Services, was elected Vice Chairman; and Brian Hughes, Vice President Operations & Sales, Hughes Bros., Inc.
Green Marine: Hempel Charts its Growth & Sustainability Course
![Photo courtesy Hempel](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-courtesy-hempel-123076.jpg)
Hempel announced an ambitious strategy to double its revenue by 2025, with a focus on innovation, digitalization and sustainability. Michael Hansen, EVP & Chief Commercial Officer and Dorthe Scherling Nielsen, Head of Sustainability & Government Affairs discuss the path ahead.The year 2020 defined by COVID-19 presented historic challenges for many industries, and even companies such as Hempel – with a 105-year history – were not exempt.