US Navy Boost Aspirations for Unmanned Fleet
The U.S. Navy sees its future fleet comprised of more than 350 manned ships and about 150 unmanned ships hoping technology means lower operating costs as it prepares to counter a growing Chinese fleet, according to a Navy report released Tuesday.The plan for the 2040s and beyond underscored "the need to address long-term competition with China and sustain military advantage against Russia". It forecasts…
Port of Redwood City Commissioner Dodge to Retire
Richard Dodge, Commissioner of California's Port of Redwood City, announced he will be retiring at the end of July, after 42 years of port service. Dodge was originally appointed to the Board of Port Commissioners in 1980. His service is one of the longest port commissioner tenures in the United States.“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the Port of Redwood City over the past 42 years in various Port Commissioner roles,” Dodge said.
Asian Investors Bet on Haifa Port as Israel Draws Closer to Arab Gulf
The city of Haifa is set to become an increasingly significant east Mediterranean shipping hub, with Chinese and Indian firms buying into its ports as Israel normalizes ties with its Gulf Arab neighbors under a U.S. diplomatic push.Earlier this month, as U.S. President Joe Biden visited the Middle East, India's largest port developer Adani Ports and Israeli minority partner Gadot agreed to buy Haifa Port for 4.1 billion shekels ($1.18 billion).Its founder…
Cashman Equipment Corp Awarded ISO 9001:2015 Certification
Cashman Equipment Corp. (CEC), global provider of ocean deck barges and marine equipment, has been awarded ISO Certification for its systems and processes under ISO 9001:2015. CEC’s ISO 9001:2015 certificate (#US017132) was issued by Bureau Veritas Certification (BV).ISO 9001:2015 is a globally recognized quality management standard developed and published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
First Foundations Installed at World's Largest Offshore Wind Farm
The first monopile and transition piece have been installed at the Dogger Bank Wind Farm in the U.K. North Sea, marking a key milestone for the construction of the world's largest offshore wind farm.The foundations, designed by Wood Thilsted, are up to 72m in length, weigh on average 1057 tonnes and include the world’s largest 8m offshore wind flange. The design includes the world’s first split-level transition piece for safe installation and operation…
Baltic Dry Index Dips to Two-week Low
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index fell to a nearly two-week low on Tuesday as rates across its vessel segments declined.The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, shed 53 points, or 2.5%, to 2,061 points, the lowest since July 14.The capesize index fell for the second straight session, losing 141 points, or 5.4%, to 2,455 points, a near two-week low.Average daily earnings for capesizes, which typically transport 150,000-tonne cargoes
Merchant Vessel Loses Power in Somali Waters
A merchant vessel was towed to safety after losing power in heavy seas off the coast of Somalia.On July 19, the EU's counter-piracy forces EU NAVFOR ATALANTA received a request for assistance from the Somali Ministry for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation after the Tanzania-registered merchant ship Anatolian suffered a complete propulsion and power plant failure, and was without food or fresh water.
Rolls-Royce Names Erginbilgic CEO
Rolls-Royce named former BP executive Tufan Erginbilgic as its new chief executive to replace outgoing boss Warren East, a move analysts say will help drive profits at the British engine maker.East, whose seven years at Rolls were marked by costly troubles with the blades on its engines and the COVID-19 pandemic, will step down at the end of this year, with Erginbilgic taking over on Jan.
Seaway 7 Wins Transport and Installation Cables Contract Offshore US
Seaway 7 announced that it won a "sizeable" [between $50-150m] contract for the transport and installation of inner-array grid cables on an offshore wind farm project in the U.S.The scope includes the transport and installation of around 160 km of 66 kV subsea power cables and respective cable protection systems.The contract award is subject to client reaching Financial Close by end of 2022. This is the second U.S.
UKHO to Stop Paper Chart Production in 2026
The death of the paper chart may finally be coming to fruition, as the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) announced its intention to develop options for the withdrawal from global paper chart production by late 2026, as commerical and pleasure boating use of electronic charts continues full steam ahead, and theADMIRALTY Maritime Data Solutions digital navigation portfolio can be updatedin near real-time, greatly enhancing safety of life at sea (SOLAS).
Port Report: Rotterdam Throughput Stays Strong Despite Russia Decline
The volume of total cargo throughput in the port of Rotterdam was 0.8% higher in the first half of the year (233.5 million tonnes) than in the same period in 2021 (231.6 million tonnes). In many segments, the war in Ukraine led to significant changes. For example, imports of both LNG and coal rose very sharply as an alternative to reduced European imports of Russian gas by pipeline. The throughput of crude oil increased, with oil products falling off.