Russia Says It Destroyed Ukrainian Vessel Near Black Sea Gas Facilities
A Russian warplane destroyed a Ukrainian reconnaissance vessel in an area in the Black Sea where Russian gas extraction facilities are located, the Russian Defence Ministry said early on Tuesday.The ministry said in a short statement that the Ukrainian vessel had been destroyed by an SU-30 aircraft from Russia's Black Sea Fleet.There was no immediate comment from Ukraine, which rarely comments publicly…
Unmanned Maritime Systems Development Accelerates
There is little question that world militaries see the value of unmanned systems to complement their manned counterparts. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan accelerated the development of unmanned aerial systems and unmanned ground systems to meet urgent operational needs. Now, there is increasing interest in unmanned surface systems, resulting in their placement on an accelerated development path.Like their air and ground counterparts…
Asian Buyers May Seek US LNG if Australian Disputes Worsen
Major Asian buyers of LNG could seek US cargoes in the coming weeks if worker-related disputes at key LNG facilities in Australia escalate, analysts said, as electricity demand continues surge due to warm weather.Uncertainty over labour disputes at western Australian facilities run by Woodside Energy Group and U.S. major Chevron have spurred Asian LNG prices to their highest in five months, and analysts…
Shipyard Capacity: A Brake on Decarbonization?
The IMO’s latest crunch meeting in early July may not have aligned global shipping with mid-century targets established in the 2015 Paris Agreement. However, its 2023 Strategy indicates a clear direction of travel. Energy supplies by sea are essential for many countries and therefore ships have a key role in supporting the world’s energy transition – not only on their own account, but at a global level.As world shipping accounts for about 3% of greenhouse gas emissions…
AMSC Sells Tanker Business
American Shipping Company (AMSC) has signed a deal with Project Merchant Acquisition LLC, a newly-formed company owned and controlled by a fund managed by Maritime Partners, for the sale of its subsidiary American Tanker Holding Company.Pål Lothe Magnussen, CEO of AMSC, said: “The management team at AMSC is pleased that a Maritime Partners managed fund, a leading Jones Act leasing company, is acquiring our Jones Act business.
OSM Thome and PGS Collaborate on Ammonia-Fuelled Vessels
Norwegian companies OSM Thome and Pherousa Green Shipping (PGS) have entered into a Letter of Intent outlining their collaboration on six 63,000dwt Ultramax bulk carriers to be ordered by PGS.The collaboration involves Phases I, II, and III, encompassing Drawing Approval, Project Development, and Site Supervision. Furthermore, OSM Thome will manage the crew and technical management of the constructed vessels.PGS…
Maersk Tankers to Manage Astomos VLGCs
Astomos Energy, the biggest LPG distributor and trader in Japan, has chosen Maersk Tankers as voyage manager for, initially, five very large gas carriers (VLGCs).The Maersk Tankers service includes day-to-day vessel operations, fuel optimisation and claims handling. It covers full post-fixture support from the time the vessel is fixed for a voyage, through its successful execution, to the closure of the voyage books.“We are honored to commence the partnership with Maersk Tankers…
NOIA Unhappy About Rice Whale Protection Recommendations
National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) President Erik Milito has said that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issue of a Notice to Lessees (NTL) with recommended restrictions on ongoing industry activities within the expanded Rice's Whale habitat area imposes “unwarranted restrictions on U.S. energy production at a time of continued inflation with prices rising at the pump for consumers.”With likely fewer than 100 individuals remaining…
Ferry Loses Rudder After Running Aground in Maine
A Maine State Ferry Service vessel was damaged after running aground off the coast of Vinalhaven on August 16.The car and passenger ferry Captain Richard G. Spear was pulling away from Vinalhaven to start a trip to Rockland shortly after 10:30 a.m. when it grounded. There were 65 passengers and five crew members on board at the time of the incident. No injuries were reported.MaineDOT, which runs the MSFS…
Robinson to Lead BAE Systems' Government Relations Team
BAE Systems, Inc. has named Reggie Robinson senior vice president for government relations, effective August 21.In this role, Robinson will assume responsibility of all government relations activities for the company, overseeing BAE Systems, Inc.’s relationships with members of Congress, the White House, the Department of Defense and other executive branch organizations, as well as state government leaders.Robinson will report to BAE Systems, Inc.
David Clark Company: An American Success Story
David Clark Company is best known within the marine market for its wireless and digital headset workboat crew communication systems – the Series 9900 Wireless Marine Headset System and the Series 9100 Digital Marine Headset System. The company has over 20 years of experience designing and manufacturing boat crew communication solutions for a variety of workboats, e.g., patrol boats, fire/rescue craft…
LPG: Dual-Fuel Engines Prove Their Worth
BW LPG has demonstrated the value of dual-fuel LPG operations beyond the company’s initial aim of meeting IMO 2020 Sulphur Cap regulations.In October 2020, the LPG carrier BW Gemini became the first very large gas carrier (VLGC) to have its low-speed main engine converted to an LPG dual-fuel engine. The project started several years earlier, sparked by Oslo-listed BW LPG’s preparations for the IMO’s 2020 Sulphur Cap regulations.Compared to heavy fuel oil…
GT Green Technologies Working Toward BV AIP for Its AirWing
GT Green Technologies, a developer of wind-based green solutions for the maritime sector, is working with classification society Bureau Veritas toward the goal of earning an approval in principle (AIP) for its AirWing wind propulsion technology.The AIP from Bureau Veritas will be an important step forward for the design of the AirWing20 system, which harnesses the power of wind to help vessels reduce emissions and fuel burn.The system has also been awarded funding by the U.K.
Storm Brewing in Gulf of Mexico Set to Strengthen
A storm system brewing in the Gulf of Mexico could strengthen into a named storm as it takes aim at the Texas coast, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said on Monday.The system, named Potential Tropical Cyclone 9, was about 480 miles (770 km) east-southeast of Port Mansfield, Texas and was packing maximum sustained winds of 30 miles (45 km) per hour, the Miami-based hurricane center said. It could…
Speaker Program fo 47th Annual Interferry Announced
The 47th Annual Interferry Conference takes place in Hobart, Tasmania on November 4-8, 2023. With focus on elevating the customer experience and sustainability, expert presentations will feature the latest trends in tourism, service automation and onboard entertainment, as well as ship construction and conversion trends, optimised operations, and safety measures.How global tourism trends have changed and will develop post COVID-19 are part of the keynote of Robert Dougan from Tourism Australia…
Great Lakes Freighter Estimated to Have Spilled 1,500 Gallons of Diesel
A U.S.-registered bulk carrier that spilled diesel fuel into Lake Michigan earlier this month is believed to have spilled approximately 1,500 gallons, the U.S. Coast Guard said on Monday.The 630-foot-long self-unloading bulk carrier Manitowoc was approximately 1.5 nautical miles offshore of Manistee, Mich. on August 2 when it reported it was leaking diesel fuel due to a hull breach on its starboard diesel tank.
Future Proof Shipping Converting Second Vessel to Run on Hydrogen
Future Proof Shipping's inland container vessel FPS Waal has arrived at Holland Shipyards Group's yard in Werkendam, the Netherlands for the start of its conversion to enable operations on zero-emissions hydrogen power.Building upon the foundation laid by Future Proof Shipping's previously converted FPS Maas—now H2 Barge 1—all the vessel’s internal combustion engines will be removed and a new fully zero-emissions propulsion system…
Baltic Dry Index Down as Capesize Vessel Rates Fall
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index fell for a second straight session on Monday, weighed down by a dip in capesize vessel rates.The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels carrying dry bulk commodities, fell 14 points to 1,223.The capesize index fell 60 points, or 3.8%, to 1,538, its lowest in nearly four weeks.Average daily earnings for capesize vessels, which typically transport 150,000-tonne cargoes carrying commodities such as iron
US Offshore Wind: Long-term Outlook Bright Despite Short-term Concerns
While trouble areas continue to emerge in the young U.S. offshore wind industry, analysts at Intelatus Global Partners maintain an optimistic outlook for the industry in the long term.The business intelligence and consulting firm said in its latest U.S. Offshore Wind Report that it sees long-term foundations for the U.S. offshore wind sector solidifying, referencing several positive advancements such…
Ampelmann Inks Second Contract for New Ulstein CSOVs
Dutch offshore access provider Ampelmann announced it has signed a new contract to build two more W-type systems for Ulstein, on behalf of one of Germany’s major shipowners. This is Ampelmann's second contract with Ulstein to provide an integrated gangway system on two new vessels.The two W-types are estimated to be delivered by 2025 with the contracts including two systems firm, followed by a potential two plus two in the client options.
