NTSB Renews Call for US Coast Guard to Strengthen Passenger Vessel Safety
Four years after the fire aboard the Conception dive boat claimed 34 lives, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) renewed its call for the U.S. Coast Guard to require safety management systems (SMS) for passenger vessels. The recommendation, which the NTSB reissued following its investigation of the September 2, 2019, fire aboard the Conception, remains open.NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy sent…
New SAR Vessel Enters Service for the Canadian Coast Guard
The Canadian Coast Guard's newest search and rescue (SAR) lifeboat has officially entered service at the Lifeboat Station in Burgeo, Newfoundland and Labrador.Built by Hike Metal Products in Wheatley, Ontario under Canada's National Shipbuilding Strategy, the high-endurance CCGS Gabarus Bay is designed, equipped and crewed to respond to mariners needing assistance at sea.In December 2022, CCGS Gabarus…
Iran's Oil Output, Exports Rise as Washington, Tehran Talk
Iran's oil output and exports jumped in August despite U.S. sanctions, according to consultants and companies that track tanker shipments, as Tehran sells to buyers including China.Analysts said the higher exports appear to be the result of Iran's success in evading U.S. sanctions and Washington's discretion in enforcing them as the two countries seek better relations.The United States has sought to…
Decline in Bigger Vessels Drags Baltic Index to Monthly Dip
The Baltic exchange's main sea freight index tracing rates for ships ferrying dry bulk commodities recorded its first monthly decline in three months on Thursday, pressured by lower rates for the larger capesize and panamax vessel segments.The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, edged down by 8 points, to 1,086.The main index shed 3.6% for the month of August.The capesize index fell 29 points or 2.6% to 1…
Birdon Adds Two to its US Board
Birdon, a defense contractor specializing in maritime solutions, announced it has expanded its U.S. Board of Outside Directors through the recent election of two members with extensive backgrounds with U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard shipbuilding and ship repair. Kevin Mooney and Ronald Rábago, (Rear Admiral, USCG-Ret.) have agreed to serve as Chairperson and Member, respectively.“Kevin and Ron…
Fincantieri Completes Two Refits for Crystal Cruises
Italian shipbuilding group Fincantieri announced it has completed the parallel modernization of two cruise ships for Crystal Cruises. The first vessel, Crystal Serenity, rejoined the owner’s fleet on July 20, and the second, Crystal Symphony, was delivered in recent days.The contract was finalized in December 2022, and, after an initial phase committed to engineering development, works lasted for about five months significantly raising the level of amenities and accommodations on board.
Statue City Cruises Awarded New Operating Contract
Statue City Cruises announced it has been awarded a new 10-year contract from the National Park Service to continue as the authorized provider of ferry service to the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island.Statue City Cruises, part of the Hornblower Group's City Experiences portfolio, has operated the service for more than 15 years. The new contract begins March 1, 2024.Visitation on…
SCHOTTEL to Propel Orca Class Heavy-lift Vessels
The new Orca Class heavy-lift vessels being built at China's Wuhu Shipyard for the Jumbo-SAL-Alliance will be propelled by SCHOTTEL ControllablePropellers (SCP).The four-bladed controllable pitch propellers type SCP 129 will feature an input power of up to 8,810 kW and a propeller diameter of six meters.Jumbo-SAL-Alliance is a commercial joint venture between German shipping company SAL Heavy Lift and Netherlands-based Jumbo Shipping.
SEAONICS to Equip Purus Wind's New CSOVs
SEAONICS has received an order to supply the electric controlled motion compensated (ECMC) gangway and crane package for U.K based Purus Wind's new commissioning service operation vessels (CSOV). The order includes delivery of equipment for two vessels, built by VARD for delivery in 2025 and 2026.Both vessels will be equipped with the all-electric ECMC gangway and crane bundled together in one package.The two CSOVs are of VARD 4 19 design developed by Vard Design in Ålesund, Norway.
NPS Research on Coast Guard Icebreaker to Enhance Arctic Readiness
During a seven-week Arctic transit aboard the U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker USCGC Healy (WAGB 20), researchers from the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) will study the impact of the extreme environment on crew performance and potential mitigations, as well as advanced Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies in adverse sea conditions.The studies, which commenced with Healy’s departure from Kodiak, Alaska on Aug. 26, will be led by principal investigator Dr.
Kongsberg Digital to Supply Methanol Dual-Fuel Engine Room Simulator to AAMS
Kongsberg Digital is providing a second Full Mission K-Sim Engine simulator package to the Danish training institute Aarhus Maskinmesterskole (AAMS).The delivery, scheduled for February 2024, also includes three engine models to achieve specific training objectives for a range of modern propulsion and engine types. Notably, the package features a cruise ferry model tailored to facilitate mandatory…
IBIA Appoints Alexander Prokopakis as Executive Director
The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has appointed Alexander Prokopakis as its new Executive Director.Joining the IBIA team on September 1 with Edmund Hughes, the recently appointed IBIA IMO Representative, Prokopakis will be instrumental in navigating the association through the evolving challenges and opportunities in the marine fuel industry.Well-regarded within the IBIA community, he brings a strong background of active association membership.
The Resurgence of the OSV Industry: From Trough to Triumph
The offshore supply vessel industry has weathered a tumultuous decade characterized by a prolonged trough that tested the resilience of vessel owners. However, the tides have turned, and the industry is now experiencing a strong and much-awaited revival.The offshore supply vessel industry has weathered a tumultuous decade characterized by a prolonged trough that tested the resilience of vessel owners.
Wärtsilä LNG Fuel Gas Supply Systems Chosen for CMA CGM Newbuildings
Wärtsilä will supply the LNG Fuel Gas Supply (FGSS) systems for four new 23,000 TEU container ships being built for CMA CGM at the Hudong Zhonghua Shipbuilding yard in China.This latest order, which was booked as order intake by Wärtsilä in Q2, 2023, represents a continuation of Wärtsilä’s supply of fuel gas supply systems to CMA CGM vessels. During the past six years, Wärtsilä has been contracted…
Transocean Awarded $222 Million Drillship Contract
Offshore drilling contractor Transocean announced it has been awarded a $222 million contract for one of its ultra-deepwater drillships to go to work offshore India.India's state-controlled Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd awarded the binding notification of award for Transocean's Dhirubhai Deepwater KG1, a sixth-generation drillship built in 2009 by South Korea's Samsung Heavy Industries.The 21-month program is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2024…
Samsung Heavy and MISC Develop Floating CO2 Storage Unit
Samsung Heavy Industries has received basic certification for a floating CO2 storage unit (FCSU) from DNV.The FCSU, jointly developed by Samsung Heavy Industries and MISC, is 330 meters long and 64 meters wide, and has a high-pressure tank capacity that can store 100,000 cubic meters of liquefied CO2 at -50 degrees Celsius or less.The injection module mounted on the upper part of the hull secures the ability to send five million tons (MTPA) of CO2 per year to the depths of the seabed.
Report: Submerged Rock Led to Fishing Vessel Grounding
A captain’s decision to navigate close to shore in an area with uncharted rocks led to the grounding and capsizing of a fishing vessel in Alaska last year, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said.The Challenger struck a submerged rock while fishing for salmon along the shore of Kodiak Island, Alaska on August 7, 2022. The vessel began taking on more water than the onboard pumps could handle.
Furetank and Wärtsilä Advance Engine Technology to Reduce Methane Slip
Wärtsilä and Swedish shipping company Furetank are co-developing and testing two technologies showing the potential to halve the methane slip.Running vessels on LNG or bio-LNG reduces emissions of CO2, NOx, SOx and harmful particles, but the downside is methane slip: the release of unburned gas fuel, not fully combusted in the engines.Although the fraction released is small, methane is a more potent…
New Patrol Vessel Delivered to Thailand
Thai shipbuilder Seacrest Marine has delivered an Incat Crowther-designed patrol boat to Thailand’s Customs Department.Launched in April 2023, the 20-meter monohull patrol vessel, Customs Boat 523, is now patrolling the oceans off the coast of Thailand. The vessel can operate at speeds of up to 35 knots with a cruising range of up to 300 nautical miles.Designed for maximum performance and efficiency…
Damen Triton and British Royal Navy Collaborate on Remote Monitoring
Damen Digital Solutions and the British Royal Navy's innovation programme NavyX have announced a collaboration on the development of new solutions to enhance maritime operations based on the Damen Triton data platform.Damen will provide NavyX with its industry-leading Triton remote monitoring system and perform associated data collection. Damen delivered a digital twin model of the Damen Fast Crew Supplier (FCS) 4008 XV Patrick Blackett that the shipbuilder delivered to NavyX in July 2022.
