Deep-sea Mining: A New Gold Rush or Environmental Disaster?
In the depths of the Pacific Ocean between Mexico and Hawaii, trillions of potato-shaped rocks are scattered across the seabed - containing minerals such as nickel, cobalt and manganese vital for new green technologies in the global energy transition.In this ocean region - the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) - an abundance of the rocks, known as polymetallic nodules, is increasingly fuelling debate about…
Former BOEM Head Amanda Lefton Joins RWE
German energy company RWE announced it has hired Amanda Lefton as Vice President of Offshore Development, U.S. East.Lefton was previously Director of the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) during a period of sigificant growth for the U.S. offshore wind industry under direction from the Biden Administration. Lefton resigned from here position at BOEM effective January 19…
More Bahamas Maritime Cadet Corps Grads Are Opting for Shipping Careers
The Bahamas Maritime Cadet Corps (BMCC), which was first established by The Bahamas Ministry of Transport in 2004 to introduce high school students to employment opportunities in the maritime sector and build national capacity, said more graduates than ever this year have chosen to enter a career in shipping related industries.Many of this year’s 97 graduating students are opting to join the Royal Bahamas Defence Force or are considering further maritime education.
Canadian Port Strike Talks Resume, Supported by Federal Mediators
Talks in Pacific Canada between striking dock workers and their employers have resumed after four days away from the negotiation table, a statement on Saturday by the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) showed.The BCMEA and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada (ILWU Canada) met on Saturday, supported by federal mediators, the statement said. The talks had stalled on Tuesday and the two sides broke off negotiations.Some 7…
Iran Accuses US Navy of Defending Fuel Smuggling in Gulf Incident
An Iranian Revolutionary Guards Commander accused the U.S. Navy on Monday of defending fuel smuggling in the Gulf by trying to interfere when Iran intercepted a ship last week."On July 6th, Revolutionary Guards' Navy personnel were inspecting a ship with the name NADA 2 that was involved in smuggling Iranian oil and gas in the Persian Gulf, which the Americans sought to prevent through a series of unprofessional and risky actions…
Celsius Orders Four LNG Carriers
Shipowner Celsius Tankers announced it has ordered four new liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers from shipbuilder China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) (CMHI)…
Gallagher Marine Systems and ECM Maritime Services Merge
Moorestown, N.J. based Gallagher Marine Systems (GMS) and Wilton, Conn. based ECM Maritime Services (ECM) have merged as of June 30, 2023, forming a single maritime regulatory consulting, compliance, emergency preparedness, security and response firm.All key personnel from both companies will remain intact as the combined companies integrate software platforms, workflows and staff into a combined organization.
Australia Bans Cargo Ship Over Safety Issues
An Antigua Barbuda-flagged general cargo ship has been banned from Australian waters over serious safety deficiencies. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said it issued a 180-day ban on the Briese Heavylift GmbH & Co vessel BBC Pearl as the agency works to crack down on unsafe and unseaworthy vessels.after inspectors found multiple failures of the safety management system as well as a…
Spain Possibly Locates Missing Boat Carrying 200 Migrants, Sends Help
A Spanish reconnaissance plane has found what could be a fishing vessel from Senegal with about 200 migrants on board that has been missing for nearly two weeks, the maritime rescue service said on Monday."The plane has found a large boat with some 200 people on board, 71 miles to the south of Gran Canaria," a spokesperson for the service told Reuters, adding it was "possible" that it was the missing…
Thordon Optimizes Workboat Rudder with New Bearing Combo
When a 9,280hp workboat returned to service following extensive repairs at the James Marine Paducah River Service yard in Kentucky, U.S.A., it marked the first application of Thordon’s new seal-embedded bearing to an articulating rudder, Thordon Bearings said Monday. Articulating rudders are unlike conventional rudders and can be more costly to repair when things go wrong. They are more susceptible to wear and tear…
Elcome, Miros Ink Distribution Deal
Elcome International LLC signed an exclusive sales and service agreement with Miros AS, the Norway-headquartered wave, current and oil spill monitoring specialist.The partnership expands the distribution of Miros’ comprehensive range of sea state sensor and measurement solutions to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, namely UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar.Miros’ portfolio of sea state measurement solutions provides accurate…
VIDEO: Two Dead, One Missing after Fire Tears through Pemex Offshore Oil Platform
Two workers died and another remained missing after a raging fire broke out early on Friday morning at an offshore platform run by Mexican state oil company Pemex just off the southern edge of the Gulf of Mexico.In posts on Twitter, Pemex said it had accounted for all other workers and said oil production had taken a major hit from the blaze.Video circulating on social media showed the massive platform…
Panama Ship Registry - Member of the Qualship21 for First Time in 20 years
The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP), the entity overseeing the Panama Ship Registry, received a letter of approval from the United States Coast Guard congratulating the country for its qualification to the Quality Shipping for the 21st Century Program (QUALSHIP21) and the flag's commitment to quality shipping, since the Panamanian fleet vessels arriving at US ports have achieved an excellent record…
Chevron Says Its Managed Tanker Not Involved in Collision
The Bahamas-flagged Richmond Voyager was not involved in any collision in the Gulf, its manager, U.S. oil major Chevron, told Reuters on Friday, after Iran said it had a court order to seize the vessel.The U.S. Navy said on Wednesday that it had intervened to prevent Iran from seizing two commercial tankers including the Richmond Voyager in the Gulf of Oman, in the latest in a series of attacks on ships in the area since 2019.Iranian naval personnel had fired multiple…
Not Clear Why Iran is Attacking Civilian Ships, US Says
It is not clear why Iran has been attempting to seize commercial ships in the Gulf in recent days, a senior Pentagon official said on Friday."Why the Iranians are doing (it) at this moment is not at all clear to us," Colin Kahl, the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, told reporters.He said it should be assumed that this would not be the last time Iran tried to make such moves against commercial vessels.(Reuters - Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali)
Great Lakes Iron Ore Trade on the Rise
Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 5.8 million tons in June, an increase of 47.8% from 2022, according to latest figures published by trade group the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA). Shipments were 12.7% above the month’s five-year average.Year-to-date the iron ore trade stands at 19.9 million tons, 44% above the previous year’s total of 13.8 million tons, LCA said. Iron shipments are above their five-year average by 7.9% for the first half of the year.
Great Lakes Limestone Trade Slides
Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3.1 million tons in June, a decrease of 17.6% from a year ago, according to latest figures published by trade group the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA). This June’s loadings were also below the month’s five-year average by 17.4%.Loadings out of U.S. quarries totaled 2.5 million tons, a decrease of 15.2% compared to last year, while shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 610…
Inside the Subsea Cable Firm Secretly Helping America Take on China
On Feb. 10 last year, the cable ship CS Dependable appeared off the coast of the island of Diego Garcia, an Indian Ocean atoll that’s home to a discreet U.S. naval base.Over the next month…
Seaspan Inks Deal with MAN for Methanol Engine Retrofits
The world's largest containership lessor Seaspan Corporation has signed an agreement with MAN Energy Solutions to refit 15 of its vessels with dual-fuel engines capable of running on cleaner burning methanol.Under the conversion commitment agreement, signed by Seaspan in collaboration with liner shipping company Hapag-Lloyd, MAN’s after-sales division MAN PrimeServ will deliver 15 engine retrofit solutions…
Engie, Svanehøj Team Up to Make LNG Storage on FSRUs Safer
Svanehøj and energy researchers at Engie Lab Crigen have joined forces to develop more effective safety measures regarding LNG storage on FSRU.According to Svanehøj , stratifications and roll-overs pose significant safety risks when natural gas is liquified and stored in a cryogenic state. "Recognizing the crucial importance of roll-over prediction software for LNG storage on FSRUs, Svanehøj and Engie Lab Crigen have joined hands to address this critical concern.
