Next-Gen Naval Defense: Laser Weapon System Takes Aim at Drones, Missiles and More
![Credit: MBDA](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/credit-mbda-144236.jpg)
Laser Weapon Demonstrator (LWD) trials onboard the German frigate Sachsen have successfully been completed, following on from the integration of the LWD in June 2022, MBDA, a multi-national European group specializing in the field of complex weapon system.The High-Energy Laser Naval Demonstrator Working Group (or ARGE), consisting of MBDA Deutschland GmbH and Rheinmetall, is responsible for development and construction of the LWD…
Ship with Ukraine Grain Back in Turkey under "Humanitarian corridor"
The cargo ship "Resilient Africa" arrived off Turkey's Bosphorus Strait on Thursday, the first vessel loaded with grain from Ukraine to sail in and out of the Black Sea using a temporary corridor.
Edda Wind Secures Further Work for Edda Passat SOV
![Credit: Edda Wind - File image](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/credit-edda-wind-file-image-144229.jpg)
Norwegian offshore wind vessel owner Edda Wind has secured a contract for its service operation vessel Edda Passat.The Edda Passat SOV has operated for Ørsted at Race Bank Offshore Wind Farm since it was built in 2018, and the charter is expiring in October 2023.Edda Wind said Friday that it had entered into an agreement with Vestas for a short-term charter for the majority of the fourth quarter including options at rates "significantly above" the previous contract.
U.S. Judge Orders Expansion of Gulf of Mexico Oil Lease Auction
![Credit: Mike Mareen/AdobeStock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/credit-mike-mareenadobestock-144228.jpeg)
A federal judge in Louisiana has ordered an expansion of next week's sale of oil leases in the Gulf of Mexico, saying the Biden administration must include additional acreage, according to a court ruling issued late on Thursday.The oil and gas industry, which had sued the administration, welcomed the decision to restore 6 million acres to the auction after the Interior Department's Bureau of Ocean…
Singapore Reigns Supreme in International Shipping Center Development Index
![Credit: anekoho/AdobeStock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/credit-anekohoadobestock-144227.jpg)
For the 10th year in a row, Singapore ranks first in the Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Center Development Index (ISCDI) Report.Published jointly by the Chinese state news agency, Xinhua and global maritime data provider Baltic Exchange, the report lists Singapore as the global leading maritime center, followed by London and Shanghai.The island nation scored 95.32 out of a possible 100 points…
Three More Ships Head Towards Ukrainian Ports for Food Exports
Three new cargo ships are heading towards Ukrainian Black Sea ports for further food exports, Deputy Ukraine's Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said on Friday."Bulk carriers AZARA, YING HAO 01, ENEID
Nexans Aurora 2.0: Ulstein Verft to Build Another High End Cable Layer for Nexans
![Illustration by Skipsteknisk](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/illustration-by-skipsteknisk-144221.jpg)
Nexans Marine Operations and the Norwegian shipbuilder Ulstein Verft have entered into a contract for the construction of a large DP3 cable-laying vessel, which will be an updated version of the Nexans Aurora vessel, delivered in 2021.The vessel is an ST-297 CLV design by Norway-based Skipsteknisk.Pascal Radue, Nexans EVP Generation & Transmission said:"We awarded the contract for a new vessel to Ulstein after an extensive tendering process…
Shapoorji Pallonji Energy Unveils 'Sterling Streamline' FPSO Hull Design
![Ravi Shankar, Director & CEO of Shapoorji Pallonji Energy Private Limited - Image Credit:Shapoorji Pallonji Energy Pvt Ltd (SPE)/AdobeStock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/ravi-shankar-director-amp-ceo-144219.jpeg)
Shapoorji Pallonji Energy Pvt Ltd (SPE), on Friday unveiled a new generation of its standardized newbuild Hull concept design for large FPSOs called Sterling Streamline."SP Energy, India’s sole specialist in designing, building, owning and operating Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) units, is developing this new hull design that it believes would be an appropriate off-the-shelf solution for the offshore industry…
Petronas, MISC, MOL Looking to Create LCO2 Carrier Joint Venture
![Illustration - Mitsui O.S.K Lines in June received in-principle approvals for a liquefied CO2 vessel and a floating storage and offloading unit (FSO) from the American Bureau of Shipping. - CG rendering shows offloading CO2 from LCO2 carrier to LCO2 FSO and injection unit. - ©Mitsui OSK](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/illustration-mitsui-osk-lines-in-144218.jpg)
Petronas CCS Ventures, a subsidiary of the Malaysian oil and gas giant Petronas has signed a term sheet with Mitsui O.S.K Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and MISC Berhad for the potential incorporation of a joint venture entity to invest in developing and monetising Liquefied Carbon Dioxide (LCO2) carriers for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects in Malaysia. The parties have agreed in principle on the key…
Britain's Princess Anne to Open £420M Aberdeen Port Expansion Project
![Aberdeen South Harbour pictured in August 2023 with vessels supporting oil and gas, renewables, cruise and cargo in port. Credit: Port of Aberdeen](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/aberdeen-south-harbour-pictured-in-144215.jpg)
Britain's Princess Anne will on Friday officially open Port of Aberdeen’s £420 million South Harbor expansion project on Friday. The project is expected to catalyze a multi-billion-pound economic and job boost for Scotland.According to a press release issued by the port, independent analysis forecast that when the expanded Port of Aberdeen reaches its full potential the port’s Gross Value Added contribution will jump 60% to £2.4 billion and increase the number of jobs supported by 45% to 17…
First Big Grain Ship Leaves Ukraine's Black Sea Port
The first big ship carrying grain from a Ukrainian Black Sea port has set sail since Moscow quit a deal in July to allow exports, a Ukrainian deputy prime minister said on Friday…
Longline Fishing Company Successfully Trials Whale Depredation Solution
![F/V Ocean Azul crew members release catch from a protection cage on the interior operations deck (Photo: Pesquera Azul)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/fv-ocean-azul-crew-members-144209.jpg)
Norway/Uruguay-based Pesquera Azul’s has successfully trialed an innovative catch protection cage in whale-rich waters in the southern Indian Ocean. The company says it is a potential game-changer for the longline fishing industry as it grapples with the challenge of whale depredation.The steady increase in the whale population in sub-Antarctic fishing grounds is hampering the longline fishing industry, especially for fatty fish species.
Excessive Speed Led to Tugboat Grounding -NTSB
Excessive speed during a bow-to-bow harbor-assist maneuver led to the grounding of the tugboat CC Portland in the Corpus Christi Ship Channel last year, the National…
Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding Cuts Steel for Crowley-ESVAGT Jones Act SOV
![(Photo: Fincantieri Marine Group)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-fincantieri-marine-group-144207.jpg)
Sturgeon Bay, Wis. shipyard Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding on Wednesday began construction on a 289-foot service operation vessel (SOV) for a Crowley-ESVAGT joint venture that will house and transport technicians to maintain U.S. offshore wind farms.This Jones Act compliant vessel, for the joint venture CREST Wind, will operate under a long-term charter with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy. The vessel is scheduled to enter service in 2026…
Baltic Index Snaps 11-session Rally as Rates for Larger Vessels Edge Lower
![Credit: cloudvisual/AdobeStock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/credit-cloudvisualadobestock-144205.jpg)
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, tracking rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, snapped its 11-session winning streak on Thursday as rates for capesize and panamax vessels edged lower.The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, fell by 15 points to 1,569.The capesize index shed 60 points, or 2.9%, to 2,007, its worst day since Sept.
MSI: Dry Bulk Trade Volumes Positive but Prospects Hold Downside Risks
![Plamen Natzkoff, Associate Director, Dry Bulk Commodities, MSI - Credit: MSI](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/plamen-natzkoff-associate-director-dry-144204.jpg)
According to Maritime Strategies International, the unwinding of supply chain inefficiencies and rising vessel orders are expected to dampen positive deadweight demand in the dry bulk market.COVID-related supply chain inefficiencies and associated port congestion have almost fully unwound, and while the MSI outlook on the prospects for trade volumes this year is considered positive, growth in actual…
USS Fallujah Keel 'Truly and Fairly Laid'"
![Ingalls welder Seveta Gray welds the initials of Donna Berger onto the keel plaque that will be permanently part of Fallajuh (LHA 9). Left to right, HII President & Chief Executive Officer Chris Kastner, U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. David Bligh, Ingalls Shipbuilding President Kari Wilkinson, Under Secretary of the Navy Erik Raven, and Ship Sponsor Donna Berger - Credit: HII](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/ingalls-welder-seveta-gray-welds-144202.jpg)
HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division authenticated the keel on Wednesday for the America-class amphibious ship Fallujah (LHA 9).The ship’s sponsor, Donna Berger, former first lady of the Marine Corps and spouse of Gen. David H. Berger, 38th commandant of the Marine Corps, was in attendance to declare the keel “truly and fairly laid.”During the authentication ceremony, Ingalls welder Seveta Gray welded…
BSG Acquires Maritime Software Company
!["We are thrilled to announce the successful acquisition of Ripple," said Chad Mitchell, CEO of Bleecker Street Group. "The addition of Ripple's exceptional team, advanced software products and blue-chip customer base will significantly strengthen our position in the global maritime sector and position us for further growth and success."](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/we-are-thrilled-to-announce-144199.jpg)
Bleecker Street Group (BSG), a global software holding company, announced the acquisition of Ripple, an integrated maritime software company. The acquisition underscores BSG's commitment to the maritime sector, solidifying its position as an emerging force in the broader Supply Chain Software industry.Ripple has earned acclaim for its mission-critical solutions designed to address unique operating challenges faced by maritime…
Russia Cuts September Seaborne Diesel Exports to Meet Domestic Shortage
![Credit: borissos](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/credit-borissos-144200.jpg)
Russia cut its seaborne diesel and gasoil exports by nearly 30% to about 1.7 million metric tons in the first 20 days of September from the same time in August, as local refineries went into seasonal maintenance and the domestic market faces a fuel shortage and rising prices, traders said and LSEG data showed.Idle primary oil refining capacity for September is estimated at 4.657 million tons, up 45% from August…
US' MARAD Announces Grants to Boost Supply Chain Efficiency
![File photo: U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (Photo: Harvey A. Duze – Office of Command Communications)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/file-photo-us-transportation-secretary-144198.jpg)
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) awarded nearly $12 million in grants to eight marine highway projects across the nation under the United States Marine Highway Program (USMHP). The funding will improve the movement of goods along our navigable waterways and expand existing waterborne freight services in Alaska, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin…