EU Agrees on Price Caps on Russian Refined Oil Products
European Union countries agreed to set price caps on Russian refined oil products to limit Moscow's funds for its invasion of Ukraine, the Swedish presidency of the EU said on Friday.EU diplomats said the price caps are $100 per barrel on products that trade at a premium to crude, principally diesel, and $45 per barrel for products that trade at a discount, such as fuel oil and naphtha. Ambassadors for the 27 EU countries agreed on the European Commission proposal…
OceanPal Names Robert Perri as CEO
Greek dry bulk shipowner OceanPal on Friday announced that it has appointed Robert Perri as its new chief executive officer, effective as of February 2, 2023. Perri replaces Eleftherios Papatrifon…
Philly Shipyard Transfers Prime Plate Facility to Avalotis Industrial Services
Philly Shipyard said it has reached a deal with Avalotis Corporation affiliate Avalotis Industrial Services (AIS) for the transfer of operations of the shipbuilder’s Prime Plate Facility – a steel blasting and priming facility located outside the shipyard fence-line in the Navy Yard business park. Effective February 1, 2023, AIS assumed full operational control of this facility while servicing all of Philly Shipyard’s plate priming requirements for its shipbuilding…
UK Freeports Risk Harboring International Crime
A significant element of the U.K. government’s levelling up plan to create thousands of jobs, regenerate more deprived areas and attract overseas investors is the introduction of freeports. These special low-tax trading zones allow all kinds of businesses to trade.Under the U.K. model, freeports can encompass two different kinds of sites. On customs sites, authorized businesses will be able to import certain goods with simplified customs documentation and without paying tariffs.
Baltic Dry Index Logs Fifth Straight Weekly Drop
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, tracking rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, fell for the fifth straight week on Friday, pressured by weaker rates across vessel segments.The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels carrying dry bulk commodities, fell 19 points, or about 3%, to 621, its lowest since mid-June 2020.The main index was down 8.1% for the week.The capesize index lost 16 points…
Tasmanian Luxury Wilderness Cruise Operator Launches Odalisque III Cruise Ship
On Board, a luxury wilderness expedition cruise company in Tasmania, has launched the Odalisque III liveaboard cruise ship, which was designed by Incat Crowther. On Board launched Odalisque III in January 2023 with a public ceremony attended by local media at Hobart’s historic Constitution Dock, and the , a 24-meter boutique vessel is now set for its maiden voyage into the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
GE Wants to Build Offshore Wind Blade, Nacelle Manufacturing Sites in New York
General Electric recently filed a plan to build two new offshore wind manufacturing facilities in New York if it wins enough orders from companies in the state’s ongoing solicitation for up to 4.6 GW of offshore wind.GE proposed building the factories with Carver Companies at their Port of Coeymans site. The company said that, should it receive sufficient order volume, its LM Wind Power subsidiary…
Drydocks, Aker Solutions JV Pens Deal to Upgrade FPSO for Equinor's Rosebank Field
Dubai's shipbuilding and shiprepair company Drydocks World and Norwegian offshore engineering and construction firm Aker Solutions have established a joint venture to upgrade the Petrojarl Knarr FPSO for Equinor's Rosebank offshore oil and gas field in the UK, the Government of Dubai media office confirmed Friday.The joint venture signed its first contract with FPSO owner Altera Infrastructure to upgrade, refurbish, and electrify the FPSO.
Italy: Eight Migrants Found Dead, Two missing on Ship off Lampedusa Coast
Eight migrants were found dead, and around 40 were rescued by the Italian coast guard overnight on a ship off the coast of the island of Lampedusa, Italian media reported on Friday. The rescuers took the survivors to the main port on Lampedusa, which lies to the south of Sicily, news agency ANSA said. Italian authorities escorted another three stricken vessels carrying 156 people to Lampedusa, one of the main entry points for people trying to reach Europe.
Uptime's Gangway's for Pelagic Wind Services CSOVs
Uptime International has secured two contracts with Cochin Shipyard in India, for the supply of logistics systems to be included on their newbuild offshore wind service vessels being built for Pelagic Wind Services. Uptime's scope includes complete personnel and cargo logistics systems, each consisting of an all-electric, 30 m autonomous gangway with integrated 3D crane capability, mounted on an elevator tower to ensure stepless access between CSOVs and turbines.
Number of Ships Loading LNG in Spain Doubled in 2022
The number of ships loading liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Spain and taking it across Europe doubled in 2022 compared with the previous year, helping ease the energy crisis driven by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, gas grid operator Enagas said on Thursday."Our plants are contributing very significantly to the energy security of other countries and from the Barcelona plant, especially for Italy," Enagas chief executive Arturo Gonzalo Aizpiri told reporters…
Austal USA's Spencer Johnson Honored by MACE
Shipbuilder Austal USA said its chief naval architect Spencer Johnson has been recognized by the Mobile Area Council of Engineers (MACE) as the Marine Engineer/Naval Architect of the Year. A tradition since 1967, MACE recognizes engineers in the community for their achievements and leadership.“We’re always incredibly proud when the hard work and accomplishments of one of our own is recognized by their industry peers,” Austal USA President Rusty Murdaugh said.
Mitsubishi Shipbuilding and INPEX Complete Ammonia Bunkering Vessel Study
Mitsubishi Shipbuilding recently completed a conceptual study with INPEX CORPORATION for an ammonia bunkering vessel capable of supplying ammonia fuel to ships.Since ammonia does not emit carbon dioxide (CO2) when burned, it is expected to be utilized as a stable source of clean energy in the future, and is getting attention as a fuel that will greatly contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime industry.Mitsubishi Shipbuilding…
'Spirit of Norfolk' Fire Hearing Concludes
The U.S. Coast Guard and National Transportation Safety Board concluded the formal public hearing proceedings into the fire and total constructive loss of the passenger vessel Spirit of Norfolk Feb. 2, 2023.The joint investigation team reviewed and considered evidence related to the fire and total constructive loss of the passenger vessel, which occurred on June 7, 2022.The investigation team heard from 23 witnesses who provided testimony into pre-accident historical events…
Price Cap on Russian Refined Fuels Set to Disrupt Trade
The European Union's ban on imports of Russian refined oil products, including diesel and jet fuel, will disrupt global flows once it takes effect on Sunday and could hurt Moscow more than an embargo on crude oil.Although Western sanctions could force Russia to cut crude production and refining runs, which would further tighten global supplies, some analysts said the ban on products may ultimately have little impact on overall availability."Barrels will get out and find a market…
James Fisher’s Second Dual-fuel Vessel Enters Service
James Fisher and Sons plc announced it has taken delivery of its second 6,000dwt LNG dual-fuel tanker, Lady Maria Fisher, which will be traded by James Fisher Everard (JFE) alongside its existing fleet.Built and launched at China Merchants Jinling (CMJL) shipyard in Yangzhou, China, the vessel is currently transporting cashew nut shell oil from Vietnam to Europe, where it will then be processed into…
Zero-emission Maritime Operations: Ship-aH2oy Project Gets EU Funding
Horizon Europe, the EU's key funding program for research and innovation, will fund the Ship-aH2oy project aimed at developing and demonstrating a zero-emission propulsion technology on board ships using green hydrogen from liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC) on a megawatt scale. The European Climate Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) has informed the consortium of 17 partners that they will be granted 15 million euros, with the project period being five years).
Joey D’Isernia Named CEO of Eastern Shipbuilding Group
Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. (ESG) on Thursday announced Joey D’Isernia has been appointed CEO and chairman of the board, succeeding company founder Brian D’Isernia, who is retiring after more than 46 years in the role.“We all stood on Brian’s shoulders as he built this company from the ground up. I am deeply humbled as I step into this role knowing how much my father sacrificed for us and for this company.
No Link Between Whale Deaths and Offshore Wind, NOIA Says
Several dead whales have recently washed up on the shores of New York and New Jersey, with environmental groups blaming the offshore wind industry and calling for its halt.The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA), which represents the offshore oil and gas and offshore renewables industries in the United States, said that while it was true that there was an unusual whale mortality on the Atlantic coast…
Container Carriers Brace for a 'Stormy 2023' says Xeneta
January proved to be a dramatic month for long-term ocean freight rates, with the latest data from the Xeneta Shipping Index (XSI) showing the largest ever month-on-month declines. According to the XSI, average long-term contracted rates dropped by 13.3% in January, the fifth month in a row of falling prices on the index. Xeneta warns there is little sign of change ahead in what looks set to be a challenging year for carriers.“Global demand has fallen away…
