NTSB Issues Preliminary Report on Fatal Seacor Power Capsizing
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Tuesday published a preliminary report as part of its ongoing investigation into the fatal capsizing of the liftboat Seacor Power last month near Port Fourchon, La.There were 19 people on board when the U.S.-flagged Seacor Power overturned in extreme weather conditions in the Gulf of Mexico. Six people were rescued by the Coast Guard and Good Samaritan vessels…
US Secretary of State Says Russia Has Advanced 'Unlawful Maritime Claims' in the Arctic
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday criticized Russia's activities in the Arctic region, describing them as 'unlawful maritime claims' and repeated calls to avoid the militarization of the region, days before a gathering of Arctic nations.Blinken made the warning ahead of a planned meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, the first such high-level in-person talks between Washington…
Frontline Buys Six VLCCs Under Construction
Tanker shipping company Frontline on Tuesday announced it has acquired six very large crude carrier (VLCC) newbuilds currently under construction at the Hyundai…
FarSounder Turns 20
This year marks two decades that FarSounder has been dedicated to developing its unique 3D Forward Looking Sonar technology (3D FLS). Back in 2001, the company's founders saw a need for a solution to answer the question of what is in front of my vessel underwater right now. This real world issue has since been mitigated with the innovative Argos navigation sonar systems.“These 20 years have been a fascinating journey.
Lindblad Expeditions to Reactivate Two Ships in Alaska
Expedition cruise ship operator Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic announced on Tuesday it plans to add additional voyages in Alaska this summer. Citing robust demand for its Alaska programming…
[Letter to the Editor] Remotely Operated Locks: An Unnecessary Cyber Risk
In reference to the article Remotely Operated Locks: Progress, But Still Under Study, from the May 2020 edition of Marine News magazine.One can only wonder after the Colonial Pipeline cybersecurity disaster why the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is still doggedly working to put every navigational lock and dam—our "critical infrastructure"—under a computer-operated, remote-controlled, open cybersecurity risk system.Does the term “cybersecurity risk” have meaning to the Army Corps?
Greek Island Corfu Welcomes First Cruise Ship of New Season
The Greek island of Corfu welcomed its first cruise ship of the new season on Tuesday, hoping much awaited tourists will help salvage losses incurred during 2020…
Designated Risk Areas: Arbitrary Lines or Useful Tool for Illustrating Risk?
The art of drawing lines on maps is fraught with contention. Sir Mark Sykes and François Georges-Picot are likely unfamiliar to many, but their names and actions live on. Their role in carving up the Ottoman Empire toward the end of the of World War I created artificial borders in the Middle East—determined arbitrarily with a ruler and with no regard to ethnic or sectarian characteristics—highlights…
Reflections on the Trends That Have Shaped the Maritime Industry
This will be my last monthly article for Maritime Reporter & Engineering News. I started writing these articles in early 2002, just over 19 years ago and during that time I have written over 228 articles, missing only one month when my grandson was hospitalized. (I have also written about 6,200 of my (almost) daily newsletters.) Early articles were focused on maritime security, which was still in evolution following the horrific terrorist incidents in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC.
AMS Buys Damen Fast Crew Supplier to Serve French Offshore Wind Market
French workboat operator Atlantique Maritime Services (AMS) has acquired a Fast Crew Supplier from the Dutch shipbuilder Damen.The Damen FCS 2610, named JLD Jayce, will be the first Damen Crew Transfer Vessel fully dedicated to the French offshore wind industry, Damen said Tuesday.AMS, part of Groupe LHD, already owns two Damen Shoalbusters, a 1907 and a 2308, but this is the first time the company has acquired a Crew Transfer Vessel.Rodolphe Bodineau…
Baltic Dry Index Extends Drop
The Baltic exchange's main sea freight index dropped for a fifth consecutive session on Tuesday, as rates for capesize and panamax vessel segments fell.The Baltic dry index, which tracks rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels ferrying dry bulk commodities, fell 61 points, or 2.1%, to 2,795, the lowest since April 23.The capesize index dropped 153 points, or 3.9%, to its lowest since April 20 at 3,790.Average daily earnings for capesizes, which typically transport 150,000-tonne cargoes
Fratelli Neri Names Three New Tugs
On May 15, Fratelli Neri held a naming ceremony for three Damen RSD Tugs 2513 in Livorno, Italy. Two of the vessels, named Romito and Calafuria were built at Damen Shipyards Galati and were delivered to Fratelli Neri at the end of 2019. Both of these tugs offer 70 tonnes bollard pull in the configuration tractor tug.The latest addition to the company’s fleet has been named Gabriella Neri, for the wife of Chairman Piero Neri.
ADSB Scores $950 Million UAE Patrol Boat Contract
The United Arab Emirates has signed a 3.5 billion dirham ($950 million) contract with Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) to manufacture four new patrol vessels for the Gulf Arab state's navy, ADSB said on Tuesday.The Falaj 3-class Offshore Patrol Vessel contract was ADSB's largest ever order, which Chief Executive David Massey said gave it a sustainable and profitable future for the next five years.ADSB will build all four hulls in Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, and is responsible for integrating syste
Don’t Miss the Boat in the Subsea Vessel Market
The supply/demand balance in the subsea vessel market is shifting as activity levels rise markedly across many of the sectors these vessels support. Operators and contractors need to be decisive in securing the assets they need, according to Jonathan Lints of broker Clarksons Platou (Offshore), or they might find their ship has sailed…The opening months of 2021 have witnessed markedly positive trends in the global subsea market…
Cyclone Tauktae: Rescue Op Launched for 81 Offshore Oil Workers after Barge Sinks off Mumbai
The Indian Navy mounted a massive air and sea rescue mission on Tuesday for 81 missing oil workers and crew whose barge sank in heavy seas following a powerful cyclone that tore up the west coast of the country.Around 180 of those on board the barge were rescued from the water as it sank off Mumbai. Efforts had started to move crew stuck on a second barge that was driven aground by the storm, the navy said."There are waves of 20 to 25 feet…
Marshall Islands Achieves QUALSHIP 21 Milestone
The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) was recognized for 17 consecutive years on the United States Coast Guard’s (USCG’s) QUALSHIP 21 roster, making it the…
New Report Helps UK MCA Prepare for Offshore Oil Spill Challenges
The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency's (MCA) future oil spill response plan will be informed by a new report that maps out possible threats to the UK's coastal areas, marine life, and traffic as a result of hydrocarbon releases from energy industry operation and shipping.The report on the review of the hydrocarbon release risk on the UKCS over the next decade was delivered for the MCA, by Xodus Group…
Hat-San Lengthens Semi-Sub Barge for Malin Group
A giant semi-submersible lifting barge is being lengthened and strengthened at the Hat-San shipyard in Turkey in preparation for a new working life with marine services and transportation firms Malin Abram and Malin Augustea in Scotland.Once converted, the massive barge will be one of the largest in Europe, and the only one in Scotland able to submerge and load vessels and cargo up to 12 meters deep and 140 meters long, the Malin Group said.
Philippines' Duterte Issues Gag Order Over South China Sea Spat
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte barred his cabinet from talking about the South China Sea in public on Monday after weeks of strong rebukes by his ministers against China’s conduct in the contested waters.Tensions between the Philippines and its giant neighbor have escalated since March, with Manila filing daily diplomatic protests over the presence of hundreds of Chinese fishing vessels in disputed portions of the South China Sea.“This is my order now to the cabinet…
Fire Put Out at Golden Ray Wreck Site
Engineers are assessing the condition of the Golden Ray wreck and salvage equipment after a fire ripped through the overturned and partially dismantled car carrier outside the Port of Brunswick, Ga. on Friday.The fire broke out on Friday afternoon aboard the Korean-owned Golden Ray, which has been aground on its side in the St. Simons Sound outside the nation's second largest car carrier port since…
