MARAD Administrator Mark Buzby Resigns
Mark Buzby, the Trump-appointed head of the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD), has resigned following the violent intrusion of the U.S. Capitol by the President's supporters, the agency confirmed to MarineLink.“I no longer believe that I am able to serve as a member of the administration while remaining true to the values which have been the core of my service to the people of our nation,” said Buzby, a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral.Buzby's resignation took effect Monday, January 11.
Shipowners’ Low Carbon Fuel Options Gain Speed
In the next decade, we’ll see more accelerated change in shipping fuels than we’ve seen in the last century. What does this heightened diversity mean for shipowners? They must be nimbler than ever – a shift that requires work. It means greening supply chains, bolstering energy efficiency, nurturing more partnerships, streamlining costs, and becoming adept at green finance (frequent change can be expensive to start with).
BIMCO: China Cements Top Position in the Bulk Market
The turbulence of the past year has in many ways clouded the underlying fundamentals in the dry bulk shipping market, but with 2020 now behind us, we are in a better position to establish an overview of expectations for 2021. Overall, total tonnes transported by the dry bulk shipping industry fell by 1.3% to 5.49 billion tonnes, from 5.56b in 2019, which is however still higher than the 5.46b tonnes shipped in 2018.
Plastic Free Oceans: Maersk Supply Service, The Ocean Cleanup Extend Partnership
Danish offshore support vessel operator Maersk Supply Service will continue providing marine support to The Ocean Cleanup, a nonprofit engineering and environmental organization working to rid oceans of plastic pollution.The Ocean Cleanup’s mission is to develop advanced technologies to rid the world’s oceans of plastic. To achieve this goal, the company's aim to stop the inflow via rivers and clean up what has already accumulated in the ocean.
DNV GL to Change Name
Norway-based risk management and quality assurance company DNV GL will change its name to DNV on March 1, 2021.The classification society, providing services to offshore and maritime industries, among others, has had the current name since the 2013 merger between DNV (Det Norske Veritas) and GL (Germanischer Lloyd). "The name simplification is a natural consequence of a successfully completed merger and of having operated as a fully integrated company for several years now…
Asian Gas Prices, LNG Shipping Costs Soar on Freezing Temperatures
Freezing temperatures across Asia and Europe are driving liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices to record highs and pushing up the cost of shipping the fuel globally as buyers grapple with tight inventories and a shortage of tankers.Demand for super-cooled natural gas has surged in recent years as buyers, particularly China and India, move away from dirtier coal-polluting power plants. Prices had remained relatively low until late 2019…
ABB, Hyundai Tighten Turbocharger Partnership
A new agreement between ABB Turbocharging, Hyundai Global Service (HGS) and Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Engine & Machinery Division (HHI-EMD) has established a ‘total service solution’ for ABB and Hyundai customers.Under the agreement, ABB Turbocharging will support HGS in providing long-term maintenance and service to its customers. As part of this support, HGS will be able to access ABB’s global network of turbocharging service stations.
Klaveness' New Combination Carrier Delivered from New Yangzi Shipyard
Norway-based shipowner Klaveness Combination Carriers said it took delivery of a new combination carrier vessel from the New Yangzi Shipyard in China on Monday.The Baiacu is the sixth in a series of eight contracted CLEANBU combination carriers built for transportation of both wet and dry bulk cargoes. According to Klaveness, CLEANBUs vessels have up to 40% lower CO2 emissions per ton mile transported cargo compared to standard vessels…
WRDA 2020 Winds its Way to Passage
In early October, Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) reported in its newsletter Capitol Currents that the future of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020 hung in the balance, with many unknowns for its chances of being signed into law during the Lame Duck session of Congress that just concluded in late December.But despite twists and turns and a roller coaster ride, WRDA was, indeed, passed…
LNG Shipping Rates from US Surge to Record Highs
The cost of shipping liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States to Asia hit a record high on Tuesday as appetite for the fuel from buyers there and delays through the Panama Canal reduced the amount of ships for hire.Freezing temperatures across Asia and Europe have pushed up LNG prices and lifted wider gas prices as buyers grapple with shrinking inventories and the shortage of tankers.Shipping sources said an apparent ban on Australian coal imports into China…
MSC Eyes Hydrogen as Containership Fuel
Container shipping giant Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) said it is working to advance the exploration viability of hydrogen and fuels derived from it as potentially viable fuel sources for its vessels.The initiative is part of the Swiss-Italian shipping line’s wider approach to decarbonization which has already seen the company pioneer the use of biofuels as a blended marine fuel, and on Tuesday MSC said it joined the Hydrogen Council…
Oil Rises to 11-month High
Oil hit an 11-month high just below $57 a barrel on Tuesday, bolstered by Saudi Arabia's plans to limit supply, offsetting worries that rising coronavirus cases globally would curtail fuel demand.Brent crude settled up 92 cents, or 1.7%, at $56.58 a barrel by after touching its highest level since last February at $56.75. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained 96 cents, or 1.8%, to $53.28.Saudi…
Tech File: H-Glide Structural Bearings for Extreme Environs
Custom-fabricated structural bearings are being introduced by Hercules Engineering for extremely high stress applications in structures requiring outstanding load-bearing performance, even in compact or wet spaces in applications such as ports loaders, land and marine logistics and resources exploration and processing structures.The latest Herculon structural bearings are manufactured by integrating…
IMTRA Debuts New Side-Power Thrusters
IMTRA, manufacturer and importer of solutions and products for the marine, energy and transportation markets, introduced its new line of commercial-grade Side-Power thrusters designed for commercial vessels and larger recreational yachts. Available in four different tunnel sizes, the new products include proportional or on/off controls in AC-powered and hydraulic versions.Available in 12-, 16-, 20- and 24-inch tunnels, the new Side-Power thrusters provide up to 3,000 pounds force of thrust.
Henriksen's New Liferaft Hook Enters Production
Norway-based Henriksen Hooks said its new Liferaft Release Hook into full production following completion of a prolonged testing program.Now available globally, the new crane hook has been especially developed for launching inflated liferafts. It is permanently attached to the fall wire of a crane and clips into a steel lifting ring on the liferaft. It holds the liferaft safely while it is being hoisted…
Fluechem Develops New Onboard Urea Generator
Fluechem launched what it is calling "a revolutionary new system" that allows shipping owners to create their own Urea solution onboard.Launched at the end of 2020, the Urea Generator by Fluechem was born out of a deep understanding of the challenges faced by the shipping industry and in particular the challenges related to abating SOx, CO2 & NOx exhaust gas emissions through scrubber, additive and SCR based technology.The Urea Generator is a fully automated onboard Urea blending system…
Carisbrooke Shipping, SMT Shipping Partner with Nautilus Labs
Nautilus Labs, a technology firm aiming to advance the efficiency of ocean commerce through artificial intelligence, announced its partnership to optimize fleet performance with joint venture partners Carisbrooke Shipping and SMT Shipping. Both Carisbrooke, based in Cowes UK, and SMT, based in Limassol, Cyprus, are dry cargo and multipurpose vessel owner/operators.Having first teamed up in October 2019…
China's Ban on Australian Coal Forces Trade Flows to Realign
China's effective ban on imports of Australian coal is forcing a realignment of flows between the world's two biggest importers and two largest exporters.Indonesia and Australia dominate the global seaborne coal trade, with the Southeast Asian nation tops in thermal coal, used mainly in power plants, while Australia is the biggest shipper of coking coal, used to make steel, and the number two in thermal coal.China is the world's biggest coal importer…
Norway Eyes Sea Change in Deep Dive for Metals Instead of Oil
Norway's oil and gas reserves have made it one of the world's wealthiest countries but its dreams for deep-sea discovery now center on something different.This time, Oslo is looking for a leading role in mining copper, zinc, and other metals found on the seabed and in hot demand in green technologies.Norway could license companies for deep-sea mining as early as 2023, its oil and energy ministry told Reuters…
With "Sustainability at the Heart", Hempel Aims to Double Revenue by 2025
Hempel announced an ambitious strategy to double its revenue by 2025, with a strong focus on innovation and digitalization.Hempel has faced its fair number of challenges over its 105 year history, with COVID-19 and the year 2020 presenting historic challenges in the global supply of coatings. Hempel is taking the opportunity to devise and enact a new strategy on how to focus the company over the next five years…
