Industry Welcomes EUâs Decision on Filipino Seafarer Certificates
The European Commission has decided to continue recognising certificates for seafarers issued by the Philippines, one of the worldâs largest maritime labour supply countries.In December 2021, following a detailed assessment of the training and certification system in place, the Commission had informed the Philippines that recognition of their seafarer certificates would be withdrawn unless serious measures were takenâŠ
Three Austal USA Executives Indicted for Fraud
A federal grand jury returned an indictment last week charging three Alabama men with orchestrating an accounting fraud scheme at the Mobile-based shipbuilder Austal USA LLC.The yard builds vessels for the U.S. Navy, including the Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). Austal USA is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Australian company Austal Limited.According to court documents, from at least in or around 2013 through at least in or around July 2016âŠ
Next IMO Secretary-General Could be a Win for Diversity
Seven IMO Member States have nominated a candidate for the post of Secretary-General of the IMO in what could be a win for diversity in maritime.Three of the seven are women, and if elected, Nancy Karigithu of Kenya would also be the first African to hold the post. The other female nominees are Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry (Dominica) and Minna Kivimäki (Finland).They are joined by nominees Moin Uddin Ahmed (Bangladesh)âŠ
Rotterdam Container Terminal Set for âŹ1 Billion Expansion
A.P. Moller - Maersk's container terminal operating arm APM Terminals announced the expansion of its Maasvlakte II terminal in Rotterdam, increasing the terminal's capacity by approx. 2 million TEU The project involves a site of approximately 47.5 hectares with 1,000 meters of deep-sea quay. The Port of Rotterdam Authority is now constructing the new quay walls, which will be completed by mid-2024.
FMD's New High-speed Engine to be Tested for US Navyâs LUSV Platform
Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD) announced it has been contracted to provide and test one nForcer high-speed engine to qualify for the Navyâs large unmanned surface vessel (LUSV) platform. To qualify, the engine must perform for a minimum of 720 hours in a land-based test environment without human intervention. Testing will begin in Q3 2023.âThe LUSV platform has unprecedented power and propulsion requirementsâŠ
Gladding-Hearn Delivers Refitted Launch to Tampa Bay Pilots
The Tampa Bay pilot association has taken delivery of Tampa, a newly refitted Chesapeake Class pilot boat built by Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding in 2003, when the Somerset, Mass. shipyard introduced the class of mid-size, high-speed launches. In 2015, the Tampa pilots also took delivery of the shipyardâs first Chesapeake Class MKII, which incorporates the performance benefits of Volvo Pentaâs IPS 2 pod system.
Castor Maritime Sells 2005-built Bulk Carrier
Castor Maritime announced that on March 23, 2023, it entered into an agreement to sell a 2005-built Panamax bulk carrier to an undisclosed buyer for $13.95 million.The vesselâŠ
Fuel Savings Are Just a âNudgeâ Away
The commercial maritime industry is hard at work developing, testing and implementing new and innovative technologies to limit its environmental impacts. While much of the effort has focused on physical solutions such as improved hull design, cleaner burning engines and alternative fuelsâall of which are important components of the industryâs decarbonization journeyâsoftware firm Signol has its sightsâŠ
US Working to Address Challenges in the Way of Offshore Wind Goals
A number of recent actions in the United States will better position the nation to meet its short- and long-term offshore wind energy targets, as outlined in the April 2023 U.S. Offshore Wind Report from Intelatus Global Partners.April brings with it the news that the U.S. federal government is seeking to accelerate and incentivize investment in offshore wind technologies and the supply chain, whether it be for bottom-fixed or floating wind projectsâŠ
J. Lauritzen Orders Two Methanol Dual-fuel Bulk Carriers
Danish shipping company J. Lauritzen said it signed letter of intent for construction of minimum two methanol dual-fuel 81,200 dwt Kamsarmax bulk carriers, which will be built by Tsuneishi Shipbuilding, Japan, and be capable of trading with zero carbon emissions when powered by green methanol, and biodiesel.The vessels will be among the very first zero emission capable bulk carriers in the world, andâŠ
Norled's Hydrogen-powered Ferry Enters Service
A new, first-of-its-kind ferry that runs on liquid hydrogen has entered service for Norwegian operator Norled, breaking new ground for cleaner vessel operations.The 80-car ferry MF Hydra in recent weeks has been undergoing tests and sea trials, officially entering service with approval from the Norwegian Maritime Authority on March 31. The vessel services a triangular route between Hjelmeland, Skipavik and Nesvik in NorwayâŠ
French Navy Escorts Tanker in Gulf of Guinea After Hijackers Abandon Ship
The French navy on Friday escorted a tanker to port in the Gulf of Guinea after pirates abandoned the vessel and kidnapped some of the crew, the ship's owner toldâŠ
Sembcorp Marine Proposes Name Change Following Merger with Keppel Offshore & Marine
Singapore-based Sembcorp Marine said Monday it was proposing to change its name from âSembcorp Marine Ltdâ to âSeatrium Limited."This follows the completion of the combination of the company's businesses and Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd on February 28, 2023, and will adopt a new branding for the enlarged entity."The proposed change of name is subject to shareholdersâ approval and will not affect the identity of the Company or any of its rights and obligationsâŠ
UN to Start Taking Deep-sea Mining Applications This July
The International Seabed Authority will start accepting applications in July from companies that want to mine the ocean's floor, a decision that came after the U.N. body spent the past two weeks debating standards for the new and controversial practice.Deep-sea mining would extract cobalt, copper, nickel, and manganese - key battery materials - from potato-sized rocks called "polymetallic nodules" on the ocean's floor at depths of 4 to 6 km (2.5 to 4 miles).
Russia Boosts Seaborne Diesel Exports
Russia increased its sea-borne diesel exports by 12% month-on-month in March to 4.5 million tonnes, boosting shipments to other destinations after its products were banned from the EU market, Refinitiv data and Reuters calculations showed.A full EU embargo on Russian oil products went into effect on Feb. 5.Turkey remains the top destination for Russian diesel and gasoil supplies, with its shipments almost doubling last month to about 1.6 million tonnesâŠ
Shipbuilder Austal Sinks on Former U.S. Executives' Indictment for Financial Fraud
Australian shipbuilder Austal Ltd sank as much as 8.4% to its lowest level in more than four years on Monday after the United States Department of Justice indicted three of its former U.S. employees on manipulating financial information. Austal, which builds ships for the U.S. Navy and is working on parts of the Virginia class submarines, plunged to its lowest level since October 25, 2018, and marked its worst intraday drop since January 17. The U.S.
GALLERY: Heerema Installs 24 Turbines at Arcadis Ost 1 Offshore Wind Farm Using Unique Method
Heerema Marine Contractors has completed the installation of 24 turbines for Parkwindâs Arcadis Ost 1 offshore wind farm and most turbines are already producing electricity. Three remaining turbines will be installed later this year.The 257 MW offshore wind farm is located in the German section of the Baltic Sea, northeast of the island of Rügen. It is expected to generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of up to 290,000 households.
