SWITCH Maritime Raises $10 Million to Grow Its Green Ferry Fleet
![Sea Change (Photo: SWITCH Maritime)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/sea-change-photo-switch-maritime-145571.jpg)
SWITCH Maritime announced plans to grow its U.S. fleet of zero-emission ferries following the completion of a $10 million in a Series A round led by Nexus Development Capital.Founded in 2018, SWITCH’s mission is to enable private and public municipal ferry operators to more easily replace their carbon-intensive, diesel-powered fleets while reducing operating and fueling costs over the lifetime of their…
Austal USA Lays Keel for USNS Billy Frank, Jr.
![(Photo: Austal USA)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-austal-usa-145570.jpg)
Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA held a keel laying ceremony for USNS Billy Frank, Jr., marking the official start of construction on the U.S. Navy’s eleventh Towing, Salvage and Rescue Ship (T-ATS 11).Ship sponsor Peggen Frank and her husband, William Frank III, authenticated the keel by welding their initials into a keel plate that will be welded to the hull of the ship. They were assisted by Brandon Auld…
Bringing the Capital Construction Fund Program Ashore
![© William A. Morgan / Adobe Stock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/william-a-morgan-adobe-stock-145569.jpg)
On May 5, 2023, the White House announced that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was “taking the next step to invest $3 billion in its Clean Ports Program to fund zero-emission port equipment and technology and to help ports develop climate action plans to reduce air pollutants, improve air quality and public health in neighboring communities, and advance environmental justice.” That “next…
Energy Transfer, TotalEnergies Pen Deal for Crude Oil Offtake from Blue Marlin Offshore Port
![Blue Marlin Offshore Port Project Map - Credit: MARAD](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/blue-marlin-offshore-port-project-145566.png)
Energy Transfer LP has entered into a non-binding Heads of Agreement (HOA) with TotalEnergies related to term crude oil offtake from its proposed Blue Marlin Offshore Port for 4 million barrels per month. The HOA is subject to the negotiation and execution of definitive agreements and the satisfaction of other conditions, including Energy Transfer taking a final investment decision on the project, expected to be developed in the Gulf of Mexico…
ABS Grants Approval for Bumi Armada FLNG Design
![(Left to Right): Kevin John Pereira, Bumi Armada, Vice President Engineering; Muhammad Aziz Alkatiri, Bumi Armada, General Manager Projects; Christina Sevajee, Bumi Armada, Vice President, Technology; Rostom Merzouki, ABS Director, Global Gas Solutions; Avik Roy, ABS Manager, Business Development - Credit: ABS](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/left-to-right-kevin-john-145565.jpg)
The American Bureau of Shipping has awarded an approval in principle (AIP) to Malaysian floating production firm Bumi Armada for a floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) infrastructure design. The new concept incorporates a barge-based liquefaction unit and utilizes existing LNG carriers for storage. ABS completed design reviews based on class and statutory requirements."We are pleased to support Bumi Armada in their ongoing efforts to offer safe and reliable LNG storage solutions.
Kongsberg Discovery Partners with Arctic Storm for Advanced US-built Trawler-processor
![Arctic Fjord - full Kongsberg Discovery package for more efficient location, inspection and engagement with Alaskan pollock. - Credit: Ludeman Photographic - via Kongsberg](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/arctic-fjord-full-kongsberg-discovery-145564.jpeg)
The first US-built trawler-processor for Alaskan pollock in over three decades is now undergoing sea trials in the Northern Pacific, testing an integrated technology package from Kongsberg Discovery tailored to locate, inspect, and engage fish with unparalleled efficiency.The 100-meter-long Arctic Fjord, designed by Kongsberg Maritime and built by Louisiana’s Thoma-Sea Marine Constructor, will start…
MODEC Hits Milestone: First Steel Cut in China for Guyana-Bound FPSO Errea Wittu
![Credit: MODEC (file image)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/credit-modec-file-image-145562.jpg)
Japanese FPSO leasing firm MODEC said Thursday that the first steel-cutting ceremony for the Guyana-bound FPSO Errea Wittu had been held in China.MODEC secured its first order to supply an FPSO to Guyana in May 2023. The order came from an ExxonMobil-led consortium and is for the deployment of the FPSO to the giant Stabroek offshore block in Guyana, where Exxon already has three FPSOs in production…
Vitol Hires Ship to Load Venezuela Crude for China after U.S. Lifts Sanctions
![Credit: nelasova/AdobeStock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/credit-nelasovaadobestock-145561.jpeg)
Vitol, the world's largest independent oil trader, has provisionally chartered a supertanker to load oil from Venezuela for China, according to two shipbrokers and data from shiptracking firms Kpler and Vortexa.The Very Large Crude Carrier Gustavia S., chartered for $11 million, is scheduled to load its cargo between Nov. 27 and Dec. 2, according to the sources.The company declined to comment on the…
Venezuela's PDVSA Offers Corocoro Crude Cargo through Intermediary
![Credit: JosIsaac/AdobeStock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/credit-josisaacadobestock-145560.jpg)
Venezuela's state-run oil company PDVSA is offering to sell up to 1 million barrels of Corocoro crude through an intermediary, sources said on Wednesday, which could become the first sale of that grade in two years.Since Washington temporarily eased oil sanctions on the country last month, PDVSA has been allocating spot cargoes of crude and fuel oil through little known firms that contract with trading companies, which ultimately deliver to refiners.
DNV Awards Cyber Security Type Approval for Corvus Energy's Orca ESS
![Corvus Energy improves safety and increases the value of marine battery systems by using machine learning and data analytics. - Credit: Corvus Energy](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/corvus-energy-improves-safety-and-145558.jpg)
Corvus Energy, a Norway-based provider of battery energy storage solutions and fuel cell systems for the marine sector, has been awarded a Type Approval from DNV for its Cyber Security Notation on the Control and Monitoring System of Corvus Energy's Orca Energy Storage System (ESS).The Type Approval certificate signifies that Corvus Energy's control and monitoring system, along with its data collection through Lighthouse…
High Water Closes Parts of Rhine River in South Germany to Shipping
![Maxau Rhine Bridges - Credit: waechter-media.de/AdobeStock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/ridges-credit-waechtermediadeadobestock-145553.png)
Parts of the river Rhine in Germany have been closed to shipping because of a rise in water levels following recent heavy rain, German authorities said on Thursday.Rhine river shipping has been stopped around Maxau in south Germany, the German inland waterways navigation agency WSA said.High water means vessels do not have enough space to sail under bridges, preventing vessels reaching Switzerland.Central and northern sections of the river are open to shipping.Water levels are forecast to fall,
UECC's EU ETS Solution Brings Clarity to Emission Costs
![Source: UECC](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/source-uecc-145550.jpg)
Cargo owners seeking to determine their Scope 3 emission liabilities from the logistics chain must contend with multiple calculation methods from different shipping lines that will affect their costs exposure to the EU ETS for shipping. To resolve this conundrum for its clients, pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) owner and operator UECC has adopted a standardised methodology based on an existing and trusted industry framework.The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS)…
PIRIOU Delivers Second OPV to Senegalese Armed Forces
![PIRIOU President Vincent Faujour and El Hadji Omar Youm in front of a model of the Walo © PIRIOU](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/piriou-president-vincent-faujour-and-145549.jpg)
French shipyard PIRIOU has delivered a second offshore patrol vessel to the Senegalese Navy.The vessel is part of the OPV 58 S class vessel program. The contract, signed in November 2019, covered the acquisition of three offshore patrol vessels. After the Walo, delivered last June, and while the Cayor is being fitted out in Concarneau, the Niani is now flying the Senegalese flag ahead of schedule.Minister…
Seaqualize Executes Offshore Transfer Lifts on Vineyard Wind 1
![Source: Seaqualize](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/source-seaqualize-145548.jpg)
Dutch heave compensation specialist Seaqualize executed the world’s first offshore transfer lifts of wind turbine components from a heaving supply vessel.The company’s newly developed offshore lifting device, the Heave Chief 1100, is being deployed by DEME Offshore US to instal the first turbines at Vineyard Wind together with the feeder barge solution developed by DEME Offshore US, with partners Barge Master…
MOL to Install AI System in Cargo Holds of Newbuildings
![Source: MOL](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/source-mol-145547.jpg)
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) will install cameras and an AI system developed by Captain's Eye in the cargo holds of most of its LNG-fueled car carriers to provide early fire detection capabilities.The devices will be installed on 10 vessels currently on order and scheduled for delivery in 2024 or later, and the company will consider retrofitting current in-service vessels with the system.The Captain's…
Court Battle Between Santos and Traditional Owners Continues
![Source: Santos](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/source-santos-145546.jpg)
Santos has issued a statement after the decision of the Federal Court of Australia on November 15 ruling that pipelay activities can commence on an 86-kilometer section of pipeline for the Barossa Gas Export Pipeline (GEP) – but not south of kilometre point 86 (KP86).This southern section would pass to the west of the Tiwi Islands.The Court has set December 4, 2023 as the date of commencement of the…
OOCL Reports Scam Risk
![Source: OOCL](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/source-oocl-145545.jpg)
Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) has reported that there is a suspicious investment software in the market that is using the OOCL logo without authorization.The software claims to offer high returns on investments. However, OOCL has no connection or affiliation with the software or its developers.In a statement warning its clients, OOCL says: “We do not endorse or recommend it in any way.“OOCL…
EU Targets Upstream Methane Emissions from Imports
![Teresa Ribera Rodríguez courtesy of the EU Council](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/teresa-ribera-rodrguez-courtesy-of-145543.jpg)
The European Council and Parliament have reached a provisional political agreement on a regulation for tracking and reducing methane emissions in the energy sector.The regulation introduces new requirements for the oil, gas and coal sectors to measure, report and verify methane emissions, as well as put in place mitigation measures to avoid such emissions, including detecting and repairing methane leaks and limiting venting and flaring.
ZEI Raises $8.75 Million in Series A Funding
![ZEI is best known as the technology team behind the Sea Change ferry, the world’s first commercial hydrogen fuel cell vessel. (File photo: All American Marine)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/zei-is-best-known-as-145542.jpeg)
San Francisco-based hydrogen technology company Zero Emission Industries (ZEI) announced it has raised $8.75 million through the completion of a Series A financing round led by Chevron New Energies, with participation from commodity trading company Trafigura and shipping and logistics company Crowley.ZEI, formerly known as Golden Gate Zero Emission, is best known as the technology team behind the Sea Change ferry…
Russian Oil Tankers Not Targeted in EU Sanctions Proposal -EU Diplomats
![© Igor Groshev / Adobe Stock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/igor-groshev-adobe-stock-145537.jpeg)
Russian oil tankers are not targeted in the European Commission's proposal for tightening the implementation of a price cap on the country's crude oil, EU diplomats said on Wednesday.The Financial Times reported earlier on Wednesday that Denmark will be tasked with inspecting and potentially blocking Russian oil tankers sailing through its waters under new European Union plans as a way of enforcing…