Bulk Carrier Operator and Chief Engineer Convicted for Dumping Offenses
Vessel operating company New Trade Ship Management S.A. and chief engineer Dennis Plasabas pleaded guilty in San Diego for maintaining false and incomplete records…
LR Names Richard de Vries Area Manager for SAMEA
LR (Lloyd’s Register) has appointed Richard de Vries (pictured right) as Area Manager for South Asia, the Middle East and Africa (SAMEA).In his new role, de Vries will lead LR’s operation across SAMEA and will be responsible for developing the business in current and emerging markets as well as identifying growth opportunities in the region including key gas, naval and offshore projects.De Vries' remit will also include LR’s traditional portfolio such as classification…
BP Cherry Point Terminal Final Environmental Impact Statement Released
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the North Wing of the BP Cherry Point Marine Terminal, which is located near Ferndale, Wash. The Notice of Availability was published in the Federal Register by the Environmental Protection Agency today.The Final EIS examines the incremental environmental effects related to operation of the North Wing of the BP Cherry Point Marine Terminal…
Repair to Oil Pipe that Shut U.S. Offshore Output Due by End of Day
Crews were expected to replace a damaged oil pipeline piece by the end of the day on Friday, a Louisiana port official said, allowing for the resumption of production at seven offshore U.S. Gulf of Mexico oil platforms.A failed flange connecting two pipelines operated by Shell in Louisiana caused about two barrels of oil to leak, said Chett Chiasson, executive director of Greater Lafourche Port Commission.
Iranian Tanker Reloading Oil in Greece that was Confiscated by US
An Iranian-flagged tanker is reloading oil that was confiscated by the United States earlier this year after Greek authorities approved the release of the cargo, sources familiar with the matter said on Friday.The case has strained relations between Athens and Tehran amid growing tensions between Iran and the United States after Washington hired a tanker in April to impound the oil onboard the Lana tanker…
Baltic Dry Index Drops for Fourth Week
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index fell to a fresh six-month low on Friday and posted its fourth consecutive weekly decline as rates slid across vessel segments.The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, fell 79 points, or 5.1%, to 1,477 points. It was down 5.3% on the week.The capesize index lost 224 points, or 14.6%, to a six-month low of 1,314 points.
ZIM Invests in Tracking Solutions Company Hoopo
Israeli shipping company ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. said it has invested in Hoopo Systems Ltd., a provider of tracking solutions for unpowered assets, as the firm sets out to develop a first-of-its-kind tracking solution for dry containers.New York-listed ZIM announced Friday that it invested $5.5 million in Hoopo, alongside both existing and new financial investors as part of a recently completed Series A financing round.Proceeds of this investment are intended to…
Uniper Looking to Swap Australian LNG for Atlantic Gas to Supply Europe Quicker
Germany's Uniper is prepared to swap liquefied natural gas (LNG) it gets from Australia's Woodside or U.S. gas, so it can boost supplies in Europe more quickly during the coming winter, it said.The strategy reflects efforts by companies and governments across Europe to seek alternative lines of supply and draw up contingency plans for the winter gas season, fearing Moscow could fully stop supplies of natural gas.
DEME Offshore's Flagship Vessel 'Orion' Installs Fécamp Substation
Belgium-based offshore installation firm DEME Offshore has installed the offshore substation of the Fécamp offshore wind farm, offshore France, using its new flagship vessel 'Orion.'The DP3 installation vessel Orion is equipped with a 5,000-tonne crane, built to handle the next generation of offshore wind farm components.‘Orion’ has now installed the 1,300-tonne jacket and the 2,200-tonne topside, completing the project on schedule on August 11.Four months ago, DEME also carried out the pre-ins
Shipping Disruption Continues as Rhine Water Levels Drop Again in Germany
Water levels on the river Rhine in Germany have fallen again in dry weather on Friday, with some vessels no longer able to sail, shipping operators and brokers said.Rhine cargo shipping continues, but with vessels sometimes forced to sail three-quarters empty with cargo owners often needing to pay for four vessels to transport their loads instead of one.Economists estimate Rhine disruption could knock half a percentage point off Germany's economic growth this year.
Russian Oil Tanker Bound for Fire-ravaged Cuban Terminal Diverts to Smaller Port
A cargo of Russian oil bound for Cuba's Matanzas terminal has been diverted to a smaller port, following a spectacular fire that destroyed a large portion of the island's main oil terminal, vessel monitoring data showed on Thursday.Lengthy power blackouts have followed the fatal blaze, which killed one firefighter and left 14 others missing. The outages are a sign of how the accident is aggravating…