Russia Says Traces of Explosives Found on Foreign Grain Ship
Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Monday that it had found traces of explosives on a ship travelling from Turkey to the port of Rostov-on-Don in Russia to pick up grain.The FSB said the ship had been docked in the Ukrainian port of Kiliia in May, and that it may have been used to deliver explosives to Ukraine.It said the ship had changed its name while in the Turkish port of Tuzla earlier this month and replaced its crew…
Biden Nominates Admiral Lisa Franchetti to be First Woman to Lead US Navy
President Joe Biden on Friday nominated Admiral Lisa Franchetti to lead the Navy, an historic step that would break a gender barrier in the U.S. military by making her the first woman to command the service and to become a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.The decision by Biden is a surprise. Pentagon officials had widely expected the nomination to go to Admiral Samuel Paparo, who leads the Navy in the Pacific and who has experience grappling with the growing challenge from China.Still…
ABS Study Explores Potential of Commercial Nuclear Propulsion
New research explores how nuclear propulsion could transform the design, operation and emissions output of vessels in the commercial maritime industry.Classification society ABS said it commissioned Herbert Engineering Corp. (HEC) to carry out the study to examine the potential of advanced modern reactor technology for commercial marine propulsion. The study is designed to help industry better understand…
Tanker Aids Ailing Boater Off Louisiana
An oil/chemicals tanker came to the rescue of an ailing boater some 55 miles south of Lake Charles, La., on Friday.A man aboard a 22-foot pleasure craft put in a call for help to the U.S. Coast Guard via VHF-FM channel 16 at 3:03 p.m. stating that his wife was displaying symptoms of a heat stroke.The nearby vessel Stolt Perseverance responded to an urgent marine information broadcast issued by Coast Guard watchstanders at Sector Houston-Galveston.
Great Lakes Gets Green Light for Brownsville Channel Dredging
Dredging contractor Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation announced it has received a notice to proceed to perform essential improvements to the Brownsville Ship Channel for NextDecade Corporation’s Rio Grande LNG project.The company said it expects to start work for the project later this year, including deepening the entrance channel to the western end of the Rio Grande LNG property also known as Phase 1 of the Brazos Island Harbor Channel Improvements.
Meyer Werft Floats Out Carnival Jubilee
German shipbuilder Meyer Werft has floated out its latest newbuild, a 183,200 GT cruise ship for Carnival Cruise Line.Carnival Jubilee left the yard's covered building dock on Friday and was moored at a pier in the shipyard harbor for outfitting. On Saturday, the ship briefly cast off from the pier for its bow thrusters and stabilizers could be tested.The RINA-classed ship is 344.5 meters long, with capacity for 5,228 passengers in 2,626 passenger cabins, plus 1,551 crew.
Russia Attacks Danube Grain Export Route
Russia destroyed Ukrainian grain warehouses on the Danube River in a drone attack on Monday, targeting a vital export route for Kyiv in an expanding air campaign that Moscow began last week after quitting the Black Sea grain deal.Last week's attacks mostly struck the sea ports of Odesa but Monday's pre-dawn strikes hit infrastructure along the Danube, an export route whose importance has grown since…
Worker Dies Aboard Vessel at Aberdeen's South Harbor
A worker has died as a result of injuries suffered on board a vessel docked at Aberdeen's south harbor.The Port of Aberdeen and local authorities said the worker died on scene following an onboard incident at Dunnottar Quay on Saturday."Around 3:40 p.m. on Saturday, July 22, 2023, police were called to Dunnottar Quay, Aberdeen South Harbor, in Aberdeen after a report that a man had been seriously injured whilst working on a ship docked at the site," a Police Scotland spokesperson said.
US Commissions First Navy Warship in Foreign Port
The United States commissioned a warship in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday, the first time a U.S. Navy vessel joined active service at a foreign port, as the two close allies step up their military ties in response to China's expanding regional reach.The Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Canberra (LCS-30)—named after a Royal Australian Navy cruiser that was sunk while supporting the U.S.
Singapore-based Cyan Renewables Acquires First Offshore Wind Vessel
Singapore-based offshore wind vessel firm Cyan Renewables said Friday it had acquired its first vessel from DEME Offshore NL - the Service Operation Vessel (SOV) Groenewind…
Amsterdam Moves to Ban Cruise Ships
Amsterdam took a first step toward banning large cruise liners under broader plans to reduce mass tourism and pollution, officials said on Friday.Once implemented, the measures adopted by the city council would bring the Dutch capital into line with other high-profile European cities, including Barcelona, Dubrovnik and Venice, that have already cut cruise liner numbers or are considering doing so.The council approved the proposed ban on Thursday. "The motivation ...
Birdon Delivers Ninth and Tenth 47′ MLBs to the US Coast Guard
Last month, Birdon delivered the ninth and tenth boats for its 47’ Motor Lifeboat (MLB) Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). Since the contract award in 2019, Birdon has established full-rate production facilities on both the East and West coasts to facilitate the delivery process. Birdon said it remains on schedule to complete work for up to 117 47’ MLBs by 2029.On June 9, Birdon delivered the ninth boat for the Coast Guard’s 47’ MLB SLEP.
Black Sea Shipping Traffic Slowing after Russia, Ukraine Warnings
The number of ships looking to pick up grain cargoes from the Black Sea area has fallen 35% this week versus the previous week with growing uncertainty over whether commercial traffic could be hit as Russia continues to pound food facilities in Ukraine.Moscow's direct attacks on Ukraine's grain for four days running followed a vow by Kyiv to defy Russia's naval blockade on its export ports following Moscow's withdrawal earlier this week from a UN-brokered safe sea corridor agreement.
Baltic Index Logs 10% Weekly Drop as Demand for Larger Vessel Wilts Away
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index closed the trading week at a 10% decline, pressured by lower demand in the larger vessel segments.The overall index that factors in rates for capesize, panamax, and supramax shipping vessels carrying dry bulk commodities, however, edged up by 1 point to 978 on Friday.The capesize index gained 21 points, or about 1.5%, to 1,442, but has fallen nearly 13% this week.Average daily earnings for capesizes…
Italian Authorities Seize Record 5.3t Cocaine Haul Off Sicily
Italian authorities have seized a record 5.3 tonne cocaine haul being transferred between ships off the southern coast of Sicily, police said on Friday.The consignment had an estimated value of 850 million euros ($946 million) and five people have been arrested, the Guardia di Finanza said in a statement. Police had been tracking a ship that sailed from South America and swooped in the early hours of Wednesday…
Senesco Launches Jones Act CTV WindServe Genesis
Senesco Marine on Friday launched the new Jones-Act-compliant crew transfer vessel WindServe Genesis.WindServe Marine, a sister company to the North Kingstown, R.I. shipbuilder—both part of the Reinauer Group—will operate the CTV. The vessel will initially provide crew transfer support during the construction phase at Ørsted's Southfork Wind project off the coast of Long Island. The vessel will later go on to to work at the developer's Revolution Wind project off Rhode Island and Connecticut…
Russian Navy Rehearses Firing Rockets at Ships in Black Sea After Warning to Ukraine
Russia's Defense Ministry said on Friday that its Black Sea Fleet had practised firing rockets at surface targets in a live fire exercise, two days after it warned that ships heading to Ukraine's Black Sea ports could be considered military targets.Russia issued its warning earlier this week after it quit the Black Sea grain deal on Monday, revoking security guarantees for ships carrying Ukrainian grain.Kyiv subsequently said it wanted to set up a temporary shipping route to try and continue its
Romanian Port Can Ship More Ukraine Grain After Collapse of Black Sea Deal
Romania's Constanta port, Ukraine's main alternative route for grain since Russia's withdrawal led to the collapse of the Black Sea shipment deal, has capacity to handle extra cargoes until mid-August, the head of the port's business association said.He added operators were also seeking to increase capacity.Even before Russia on Monday quit a safe passage grain corridor through Ukraine's own ports, Constanta had emerged as the biggest alternative shipping route.
Damen's DACS to Boost Fuel Efficiency of Amisco's Cargo Vessel
Damen Shipyards has secured the first order for its Damen Air Cavity System (DACS) with the system set to be installed on a cargo vessel owned by the shipping company Amisco. Damen has developed DACS to support maritime operators in their efforts to reduce fuel consumption and emissions."DACs is an air lubrication system, borne out of a collaboration between Damen and the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft).
Meyer Werft Delivers Silver Nova to Silversea Cruises
German shipbuilder Meyer Werft announced it has delivered the new environmentally advanced cruise ship Silver Nova to Royal Caribbean's luxury cruise line Silversea Cruises."We are very pleased to once again deliver a ship that will set new standards on the way to climate-neutral cruising. With the propulsion system, a combination of LNG, fuel cell system and batteries, the ship has the best possible measures to reduce emissions…
