Training Issues Highlighted in LPG Carrier Engine Room Fire
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published its accident investigation report into the fatal engine room fire on board Moritz Schulte on August 4, 2020, citing training issues.On 4 August 2020, a fire broke out in the engine room of the liquefied petroleum gas/ethylene carrier Moritz Schulte when the recently promoted third engineer opened an auxiliary engine’s pressurised fuel…
Turkey Warned Russia After Cargo Ship Incident in Black Sea
Turkish authorities warned Russian counterparts after an incident involving a cargo ship in the Black sea which took place within international waters, Turkish presidency said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Thursday."Following the incident with the ship counterparts from Russia are warned in an appropriate way to avoid these kinds of attempts that will escalate tensions in the Black Sea," the presidency said.On Sunday, Russia said in a statement its Vasily Bykov patrol ship had fi
American Petroleum Tankers Awarded $28.5 Million MSC Charter
Kinder Morgan's shipping arm, American Petroleum Tankers, has been awarded a $28,548,000 charter contract option for one of its MR tankers, Empire State.The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) announced the deal earlier this week, stating the option is the third of the current contract, which includes a 12-month base period with three 12-month options and one 11-month option. If all options are exercised, work would run through July 23, 2025, and the cumulative value the deal would be $136,560,500.
False Alarm, Loss of Propulsion Leads to Cargo Ships Colliding
A loss of propulsion due to a false alarm led to cargo vessels colliding near Port Arthur, Texas last year, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Thursday.While transiting the Sabine Pass on August 21, 2022, the general cargo ship Damgracht lost propulsion when the vessel’s main engine shut down due to “high oil mist density” sensed by its oil mist detector (OMD). Due to the abrupt loss of propulsion, the Damgracht began veering into the path of the bulk carrier AP Revelin.
US Shipyards Investing to Add Serious Lifting Power
Shipyards across the U.S. are investing in new equipment to increase lift capacity, opening up the door for more projects and improved efficiency.Southern California-based Marine Group Boat Works, which performs a mix of yacht, commercial and government vessel repair work, in 2022 repowered its 665-ton Marine Travelift mobile boat hoist—the largest on the West Coast—with a Tier 4 John Deere engine.
Kamsarmax Rotor Sails Install Expected to Deliver 10% Fuel Savings
The installation of rotor sails on board a 82,000 dwt Kamsarmax bulk carrier is expected to generate a 10% reduction in fuel burn and emissions.The TR Lady was retrofitted with three 5×24m rotor sails from Anemoi Marine Technologies at China's Chengxi Shipyard in June 2023. The ship is owned by TR Lady Shipping, a portfolio company of Tufton Investment Management, and is on a time charter with Cargill.The technology was installed on Anemoi’s patented transverse rail deployment system…
Baltic Dry Index Nears Three-month Peak on Demand for Smaller Vessels
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index rose to its highest level in nearly three months on Thursday, propelled by gains in smaller panamax and supramax vessels.The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels carrying dry bulk commodities, increased 14 points to 1,247, its highest since May 24.The panamax index gained 36 points, or 2.4%, to 1,522, continuing a 17-day winning streak.Average daily earnings for panamax vessels…
Event Preview: American Maritime Forum October 24-25, 2023, Miami
IGGS Group, a maritime networking specialist, is taking the helm to organize the American Maritime Forum in Miami on October 24-25, 2023. This event carries significant weight within the maritime sector, bringing together key players from the local, American, and global dimensions. After research and engagements with industry leaders, Miami was identified as the perfect setting to host this international gathering.Bringing together shipowners…
IBIA Appoints Dr. Edmund Hughes as Its New IMO Representative
The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) announced the appointment of Dr. Edmund Hughes as its International Maritime Organization (IMO) Representative, effective from September 1, 2023. Dr. Hughes will succeed Unni Einemo.A prominent figure in the maritime community, many will recognize Edmund for his pivotal role as the Head of Air Pollution and Energy Efficiency in the Marine Environment Division at the IMO.
Afghans Recount Moment Migrant Boat Sank on Deadly Channel Crossing
Idris, 22, was convinced he was going to die when the small boat he and dozens of other migrants were on began to sink in the Channel as he tried to reach England from France.It was only thinking of his parents back home, and the fact that he had embarked on this perilous journey to help his family, that gave him the strength to stay afloat, he told Reuters.Six people died when the boat sank on Saturday.
World's First Methanol Hybrid Fuel Cell Tug Taking Shape
Towage and marine solution services firm Svitzer on Thursday launched the second phase of its project to design the world’s first methanol hybrid fuel cell (MHFC) tug.Svitzer, part of A.P. Moller-Maersk, has conducted technical studies to establish the feasibility of this type of vessel accommodating the real-world operational requirements of a tug. Work will now begin between Svitzer and naval architect company Robert Allan Ltd. to design the world’s first MHFC tug.
China Demand Drives 7% Jump in Minor Ore Exports
“Driven by continued growth in minor ore demand in China, global seaborne minor ore exports rose 7% y/y in the first seven months of 2023, vastly outpacing the 2% y/y growth in overall dry bulk exports,” says Filipe Gouveia, Shipping Analyst at BIMCO.Accounting for 51% of seaborne minor ore exports, bauxite exports also led year to date growth with a 9% y/y increase. Bauxite is refined into alumina…
Joseph Schulte Container Ship to Reach Istanbul Thursday Evening
The Joseph Schulte container ship is in Romanian waters and set to reach Istanbul this evening, said a spokesperson for Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM), which owns the ship jointly with a Chinese bank, on Thursday. The departure from Odesa of the Hong-Kong-flagged Joseph Schulte, trapped in the port since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 last year, followed the latest Russian attack on the country's grain export infrastructure.
NYK to Develop Japan's First Bunkering Boom for Ammonia
NYK and TB Global Technologies (TBG) have signed a basic agreement to jointly develop Japan's first bunkering boom for ammonia ship-to-ship fuel supply.NYK and TBG say they will significantly enhance the safety of supplying ammonia, which is highly toxic, to ships by employing TBG's technology to ensure that the liquid does not leak.A bunkering boom is a device consisting of rigid pipes and hoses that connect a bunkering vessel to the other vessel to supply fuel.