US Launches $4 Billion Effort to Electrify US Ports, Cut Emissions
The Biden administration on Friday launched a $4 billion effort to electrify U.S. ports and cut heavy duty truck emissions as the government looks to address disproportionate impacts on nearby communities.The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it was seeking input in its $3 billion Clean Ports Program to reduce pollutants at U.S. ports and its $1 billion Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle Program to reduce vehicle emissions near ports and other truck routes.
Poland to Allow Military to Sink Enemy Ships Targeting Baltic Energy Infrastructure
The Polish government has approved draft legislation that would allow the military to sink an enemy ship targeting a key gas pipeline from Norway via the Baltic Sea following NATO's warning that Russia might sabotage undersea energy infrastructure. In "exceptional situations", and when other options had been exhausted, the military would be allowed to foil a terrorist attack by sinking an enemy ship or airship, the government said on Thursday.
Baltic Index Marks First Weekly Fall in Three
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, tracking rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, edged up on Friday on stronger demand in the capesize segment, but marked its first weekly decline in three.The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, added 13 points, or 0.8%, to 1,558, but was down 1.1% this week.The capesize index rose 59 points, or 2.5%, to 2,384.
Singapore: Ferry Engine Room Catches Fire. All 62 Passengers Transferred to Another Vessel
Singapore-registered passenger ferry 'QUEEN STAR 2' caught fire on Friday while en route from Singapore to Batam, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)…
Equinor's Hammerfest LNG Plant Offline after Outage
Equinor's Hammerfest LNG plant in Arctic Norway suffered a compressor failure on Thursday and is expected to remain offline until May 19, Norwegian gas system company Gassco said in a regulatory note on Friday. The outage was caused by a technical problem with a heat exchanger that occurred during a restart of the plant following a one-day maintenance outage, an Equinor spokesperson said. The plant will remain offline until repairs have been carried out, the spokesperson added.
Shipments from Ukraine Slowing as Black Sea Grain Deal Deadline Nears
The pace of shipments from Ukraine under a U.N.-backed initiative has slowed as concerns grow over ships getting stuck if a deal is not renewed later this month, according to sources and data. Russia, which is one of the key parties involved, said it will keep talking, although Moscow has threatened to quit on May 18, which has created more uncertainty for traders and shipping companies trying to plan ahead.
HGK Shipping and Hydrogenious to Design Inland Waterway Vessel with Hydrogen Carrier Tech
Germany-based inland waterway shipping firm HGK Shipping has signed a memorandum of understanding with Hydrogenious LOHC Maritime and Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies to work on developing a scalable solution to make hydrogen available as a source of energy on a large scale. The technology is based on hydrogen, which is bound in a liquid carrier (LOHC, liquid organic hydrogen carrier). The partners are planning to develop a demonstration vessel by 2028 and then put it into service…
OSIL Vibrocorer Plays Role in £600M River Thames Flood Defense Scheme
The OSIL Vibrocorer has been in use on the early works for the River Thames Scheme, a £600 million project to develop two new flood channel sections for the River Thames.The River Thames Scheme aims to reduce the risk of flooding for approximately 15,000 homes and businesses along the River Thames involving a series of measures, including new flood walls and embankments, improvements to existing flood defenses…
HGK Shipping Holds Double Naming Ceremony for Chemical Tanker Duo
German company HGK Shipping on Thursday held a naming ceremony for two chemical tankers “Courage” and “Curiosity” on 4 May 2023.The chemical tankers have already been in service for the materials manufacturer, Covestro, on the river Rhine and its tributaries for several weeks. The hulls of the shallow-water vessels are 93 metres long and 10.5 meters wide. The two sister vessels are able to carry a…
China's Aircraft Carriers Play 'theatrical' Role But Pose Little Threat Yet
When China sailed one of its two active aircraft carriers, the Shandong, east of Taiwan last month as part of military drills surrounding the island, it was showcasing a capability that it has yet to master and could take years to perfect.As Beijing modernizes its military, its formidable missile forces and other naval vessels, such as cutting-edge cruisers, are posing a concern for the U.S. and its allies.
UN Fails to Raise Funds to Remove Oil from Decaying Tanker Off Yemen's Coast
The United Nations on Thursday fell far short of raising the money it needs for an operation to salvage 1.1 million barrels of oil from a decaying vessel moored off Yemen's coast and avert an environmental disaster.U.N. officials have been warning for years that the Red Sea and Yemen's coastline was at risk as the Safer tanker could spill four times as much oil as the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster off Alaska.The war in Yemen suspended maintenance operations on the Safer in 2015. The U.N.
NOV Wins New Contract to Supply Wind Turbine Installation Vessel Design to Havfram
NOV has signed a new contract with China's CIMC Raffles to supply another GustoMSC™ NG-20000X self-propelled wind turbine installation jack-up vessel design for Havfram, an offshore wind services company based in Norway, which recently ordered its second wind turbine installation vessel from CIMC.According to NOV, the NG-20000X-HF vessels are among the largest wind installation jack-ups in the industry.
NTSB Cites Potential Fire Risks for Marine Operators Carrying Scrap Materials
Lithium-ion batteries and other possible ignition sources could pose a fire safety issue in the transportation of scrap materials as cargo, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Thursday.Although scrap metal cargo is typically nonhazardous and poses a low fire risk, there have been several recent fires involving such cargo. In January 2022, a shoreside pile caught fire in Newark, N.J.
Propspeed Promotes Hamilton to CEO
Propspeed, manufacturer of underwater foul-release coatings, announced it has promoted Marcus Hamilton from the international sales director to the position of CEO.Hamilton comes to the position with more than 10 years of experience in the marine industry, working with global marine business such as Fusion Entertainment, Garmin NZ and Propspeed International. In these 10 years Hamilton has held positions of international marketing manager…
Cashman Awarded Baltimore Dredging Contract
Quincy, Mass. dredging contractor Cashman Dredging & Marine Contracting has been awarded a contract for maintenance dredging in Baltimore.The $23,963,300 firm-fixed-price contract was awarded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Baltimore District. Bids for the project were solicited via the internet with four received.Work is expected to be completed by September 9, 2023.The project consists of maintenance dredging approximately 1…
Spanish Warship Set for Propulsion Refit
ABB said it has secured a contract with the Spanish state-owned Navantia shipbuilding company to retrofit the Spanish Navy flagship Juan Carlos I with an electrical propulsion system based on dual ABB Azipod units. Due completion in 2025, the project is the first of its kind on a naval ship.The contract follows a study undertaken by ABB in 2020 to determine the feasibility of installing new propulsors on the ship.
BMT Appoints Ian Tyler as Chairman
Design, engineering and risk management consultancy BMT announced it has appointed Ian Tyler as chairman of BMT Group Ltd. Tyler joined the board on May 1 and will assume the role of Chairman in early June. Tyler has a wealth of experience with listed public companies, in both executive and nonexecutive director capacities. His business leadership experience spans multiple sectors including energy, infrastructure, technology, defense and engineering.
SAAM Buys 21 Tugs from Starnav
Towage provider SAAM on Thursday announced it has concluded the purchase of 21 tugboats from the Brazilian company Starnav, including 19 tugs currently in operation and two additional vessels in the final phase of construction.“This is one of the largest transactions in SAAM's history and is part of our strategy to continue advancing our leadership in the towage industry. Brazil is home to our company’s largest operations and with this deal we will have one of the most competitive…
Maersk Expects Recent Drop in Container Demand to Stabilize by Mid-year
Shipping group Maersk on Thursday reported first-quarter earnings above expectations and maintained its 2023 profit guidance as it expects a recent drop in demand for container shipments to stabilize around mid-year.Maersk, which transports goods for retailers and consumer companies such as Walmart, Nike and Unilever, said the number of containers it loaded onto ships between January and March fell by 9% from a year earlier…
Scania Expands IMO Tier III Engine Range
Engine manufacturer Scania announced it has added seven new IMO Tier III compliant marine engines to its existing portfolio as it strives to slash emissions and support more sustainable marine operations.The new DI13 solutions of 257 kW, 280 kW, 284 kW, 331 kW, 368 kW, 405 kW and 441 kW at the rated speed of 2,100 rpm widen the range of propulsion engines, in a commitment to further reduce NOx emissions.
