China Launches New Aircraft Carrier
China launched its third aircraft carrier on Friday, the Fujian, named after the province opposite self-ruled Taiwan, sending a statement of intent to rivals as it modernizes its military.President Xi Jinping has made overhauling the world's largest armed forces a central part of his agenda, seeking to project power well beyond China's shores, though the government says it has no hostile intent.Champagne…
McDermott's Converted Vessel Amazon Christened
McDermott held a christening ceremony for its newly converted vessel Amazon in the port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands.Following the conversion, the vessel's upgraded specifications enable highly automated operations, the production of hex joints from single or double joints using an onboard multi-joint facility and a pipe hold capacity of 10,000 metric tons. Its increased level of automation also enables a significant reduction in the crew numbers required to safely perform pipelay operations…
From Ship Scrap to Artwork, 'Sustainable' Ship Recycling in Germany
In cooperation with Leviathan GmbH, German Naval Yards welcomed the first ship that it says is to be recycled "100% sustainably," with parts of the ship to be transformed into works of art.Leviathan GmbH from Cuxhaven has developed a process for green & emission-free ship recycling. Together with German Naval Yards in Kiel, the sustainable recycling process will now be applied for the first time on a 41m long landing boat.
Flensburger Shipyard Launches RoRo Ferry Newbuild
Newbuilding 782, a new 210-m RoRo ferry dubbed Tennor Ocean, was launched June 17, 2022, the first launch since the economic restart of Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG).The RoRo ferry was commissioned by IVP Ship Invest. The company is part of the Tennor Group of founder Lars Windhorst, which is also the owner of the shipyard. IVP Ship Invest is in talks with various international interested parties about a possible charter or sale of the ferry.“For me…
GUH Issues Defense Sector Innovation Call
The Global Underwater Hub (GUH), in partnership with the Royal Navy and Babcock, has launched a call for innovation that aims to identify technologies and techniques used in the offshore environment that can be applied to the defence sector to address key problem challenges and generate efficiency savings.The joint initiative seeks to identify ways to increase the operational uptime of assets and reduce dry-docking periods by adopting and adapting existing in-water inspection…
HII Bags $240 Million Advance Procurement Contract for LPD 32
HII announced Thursday that its Ingalls Shipbuilding division has received a $240 million, cost-plus-fixed-fee advance procurement contract from the U.S. Navy to provide long-lead-time material and advance construction activities for amphibious transport dock LPD 32. The ship will be the 16th in the San Antonio class constructed at Ingalls Shipbuilding.“Our shipbuilders are proud to continue building these amphibious ships that are integral to the Navy fleet…
Fincantieri Marinette Marine Awarded Contract for Third Constellation-class Frigate
The U.S. Navy announced Thursday that Fincantieri Marinette Marine is on contract to build a third Constellation-class Frigate, the future USS Chesapeake.This announcement follows last month’s successful critical design review of the first-in-class FFG-62, which is nearing the start of construction. The value of this contract option is approximately $536 million.“We are pleased with the award, and our focus remains on working with the Navy to build the best frigate in the world…
NAPA Gets ISO Certification on Information Security Management
NAPA, a global provider of software, services and data analysis for the maritime industry, said it has received the ISO 27001:2013 certification on information security management, validating the company’s adherence to international best practices on data management and security.ISO 27001:2013 is an international standard that defines the requirements for a comprehensive information security management system…
Tanker Built By Iran for Venezuela to Carry Fuel in First Trip
A tanker built by an Iranian shipyard for Venezuela plans to depart next month from the Middle Eastern country with a cargo of fuel components for the gasoline-thirsty nation, three sources with knowledge of the deal told Reuters.The new vessel is the latest sign of the growing energy collaboration between the two nations under U.S. sanctions. Iran and Venezuela are increasingly swapping crude for…
Costa Toscana: Costa Cruises Christens New LNG-powered Flagship in Barcelona
Italian cruise line Costa Cruises on Thursday held a christening ceremony for its new flagship, the Costa Toscana, in the port of Barcelona, Spain.The LNG-powered, Italian-flagged ship sailed away from Civitavecchia, Italy on Monday, making a stop in Naples on Thursday, before arriving in Barcelona on Thursday for the christening ceremony. The 337-meter ship is one of the largest ocean liners and can accommodate 6,554 passengers.
Diana Lines Up Charter for Panamax Bulker Selina
Dry bulk shipowner Diana Shipping on Thursday announced that, through a separate wholly-owned subsidiary, it has entered into a time charter contract with Speed Logistics Marine Limited…
US Steps Up Heavy Crude Imports
U.S. refiners last month imported the most heavy crude in nearly two years, customs data showed, as they cranked up motor fuel production and sought to replace sanctioned Russian oil.Higher heavy-crude imports are common in summer-driving months, but this year's increase comes as the Biden administration is calling on for refiners to ramp up output and shave profit margins to ease soaring prices. The…
Russia Says It Is Assisting Exports of Ukrainian Foodstuffs via Azov Sea
Russia said on Thursday it was facilitating the export of grain and oilseeds from Ukraine through Russian-held transit points on the Azov Sea, without explaining who was providing the foodstuffs for export.Ukraine, like Russia one of the world's biggest exporters of grains and oilseeds, has accused Russia of stealing grain from territories in Ukraine that its forces have seized.Russian Deputy Prime Minister Viktoria Abramchenko rejected the allegation in an interview with Reuters…
Biden Signs Ocean Shipping Reform Act Into Law
President Joe Biden on Thursday signed legislation to improve oversight of ocean shipping, which lawmakers say will help curb inflation and ease export backlogs.The bipartisan bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives on a 369-42 vote earlier this week. Biden said he had "promised to crack down on ocean carriers whose price hikes have hurt American families."The new law boosts the investigatory authority of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), the U.S.
Master Boat Builders Building Second Tug for PNE
Coden, Ala. shipbuilder Master Boat Builders, Inc. on Thursday announced the construction of a new 4,000-hp tug for PNE Marine Holdings, LLC. Slated for delivery in 2023, the new tug is the sister ship to Polaris, which was handed over to Polaris New Energy, LLC earlier this year.The sister ship to Polaris will be coupled with a barge currently under construction at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding Company…
Sweden to Order Two New Icebreakers
The Swedish Maritime Administration said it will order two new icebreakers after funding for the vessels was included in the government's latest national investment plan.According to the plan, when the two icebreakers are in operation, there will be an opportunity to invest in a third icebreaker, if the need exists.Icebreakers are required to allow commercial ships to transport goods to Norrland's ports all year round.
Keel Laid for NOAA’s New Oceanographic Research Ship
Houma, La. shipbuilder Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors hosted a keel-laying ceremony for NOAA’s newest oceanographic research ship, Oceanographer.“Today’s keel-laying ceremony marks a major step forward both in the construction of Oceanographer and the revitalization of NOAA’s ship fleet,” said Rear Adm. Nancy Hann, director of NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) and the NOAA Commissioned…
Kristoffersen Takes the Helm at Wallenius Wilhelmsen
Norwegian/Swedish RoRo shipping company Wallenius Wilhelmsen's new president and CEO, Lasse Kristoffersen, took up his new position June 1.Named to the role in November, Kristoffersen joins Wallenius Wilhelmsen ASA from Torvald Klaveness, where he has worked for the past 15 years, serving as president and CEO since 2011. “I have been looking forward to this day for a while now. I have spent the last…
Tanker Owner Owes $44.6 Million Over Fatal US Warship Collision
A U.S. judge on Wednesday said the owner of an oil tanker must pay the United States $44.6 million over its role in a 2017 collision between the tanker with a U.S. Navy destroyer in southeast Asia that killed 10 sailors and injured dozens more.U.S. District Judge Paul Crotty in Manhattan found Energetic Tank Inc 20% responsible and the United States 80% responsible for the Aug. 21, 2017, collision between the 39,000 metric ton Alnic MCtanker and the USS John S.
Updates, Developments and Advances in Combat and Patrol Craft
My first visit in 2007 to the American Society of Naval Engineers’ (ASNE) Multi-Agency Craft Conference (MACC) was an eye-opener. Having built a naval architecture career with frigates, destroyers and other large naval and commercial ships, I was eager to learn of the smaller craft used by the U.S. Navy and other government and military bodies. As my flight into Norfolk, Va. descended over Chesapeake Bay…
