Potential Abolition of Danish International Ship Register Under Fire
It is sad and worrying that the Frigast committee now proposes to scrap the Danish International Ship Register (DIS) scheme, says Danske Rederier (Danish Shipowners). The organization therefore makes a clear call to the government not to implement the proposal, as it will have major negative consequences for Danish shipping.The so-called Frigast committee published its recommendations for changes to the existing business support schemes this week.
African Union Bans Donkey Skin Trade
African Heads of State have agreed a landmark moratorium on the donkey skin trade. The agreement was reached on February 18 during the 37th African Union Summit in Ethiopia.Over the last decade, Africa has seen its donkey population decimated due to Chinese demand for ejiao, a gelatine used in traditional Chinese medicine that is made from boiling down donkey skins. Believed to have unsubstantiated health benefits…
Tymor Marine Gets Grant Funding to Refine Draft Survey Tech
A maritime technology company based in Aberdeen has been awarded funding from Scottish Enterprise to support the development of an app-based version of its breakthrough draft survey technology. Tymor Marine’s DRFT MRKS software uses artificial intelligence with deep learning applied to video capture to provide an accurate measurement of the weight and load of a vessel.The grant funding from Scottish Enterprise will allow Tymor’s team to build on the operational capabilities of the software…
Vessel Sustains 'Superficial Damage' After Drone Attack North of Djibouti
A vessel sustained "superficial damage" after being hit by a drone in the Red Sea, 60 nautical miles north of Djibouti, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said on Monday.British maritime security firm Ambrey also said early on Tuesday that a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier was physically damaged by an unmanned aerial vehicle in an incident approximately 60 nautical miles…
Vessel Suspiciously Approached by Drones West of Saudi Arabia's Jizan
Two drones followed a merchant vessel in the Red Sea, west of Saudi Arabia's Jizan, in a suspicious approach, but the ship continued its journey safely, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said on Monday.The two Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) followed the vessel for about 30 minutes, UKMTO said in an advisory note."The UAS were assessed to be at a height of 100 m above the vessel and are now reported to have cleared the area.
Gulf LNG Tugs to Provide Towage at Texas LNG Terminal in Brownsville
Gulf LNG Tugs of Texas has been selected to provide towage services for the Texas LNG export terminal to be constructed in the Port of Brownsville.Gulf LNG Tugs, a consortium of Suderman & Young Towing Company, Bay-Houston Towing, and Moran Towing Corporation, will build, deliver and operate tugboats under a long term agreement to assist LNG carriers arriving at the facility.Texas LNG will be a 4 million…
Insights: Catherine Gianelloni, MITAGS
Catherine Gianelloni sailed with the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots (IOMM&P) for about 10 years after graduating from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in 2009. But in between times at sea, she would help out at the MITAGS (Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies). Operating simulators evolved into teaching opportunities, and Gianelloni took a full-time position in 2012.
German Government Approves Military Participation in EU Red Sea Mission
The German government has approved the deployment of armed forces in a European Union naval mission in the Red Sea to protect merchant ships from attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militia, a government spokesperson said on Friday.Many commercial shippers have diverted vessels following attacks by the Houthis, who control much of Yemen and say they are acting in solidarity with the Palestinians…
Seafarers Can Refuse to Sail Through Red Sea as Houthis Step Up Attacks
Seafarers have the right to refuse to sail on ships passing through the Red Sea in a new industry agreement as the situation escalates and further vessels are attacked by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis, a labor union and industry groups said on Friday.The Houthis have targeted commercial ships with drones and missiles in the Red Sea since mid-November in what they describe as acts of solidarity with Palestinians against Israel in the Gaza war.Seafarers remain in the firing line…
Five Tips to Keep Workers Safe in 2024
The maritime industry accounts for more than 90% of global trade and employs over 3 million people in the United States, and like other modes of transportation, our industry encounters unique risks. Waterfront workers are exposed to various hazards such as heavy machinery, hazardous substances, extreme weather and long hours. If not properly managed, these hazards can result in serious injuries, illnesses and even fatalities.
Edison Chouest Withdraws Title XI Application
An affiliate of Edison Chouest Offshore has withdrawn its application for financing under the U.S. Maritime Administration's (MARAD) Title XI program.Title XI is a government loan program with the Federal Financing Bank as the lender. It is intended to promote the growth and modernization of the United States' merchant fleet and shipyards by offering repayment terms and interest rates that are generally better than those available from the commercial lending market.ECO Edison…
MPCC Announces Newbuild and Retrofit Plans
MPC Container Ships (MPCC) on Monday announced plans to retrofit several of its ships and build one new vessel as part of its ongoing fleet renewal and decarbonization strategy.The Norwegian shipowner said it has entered into joint retrofit agreements with various charter customers, under which both the charterer and MPCC will share the costs of retrofit investments followed by an extension of the vessels time-charter contracts.
Houthis Say Ship Attacked in Gulf of Aden May Sink
Yemen's Houthi militants said on Monday they had attacked another cargo vessel in the Gulf of Aden which was at risk of sinking, raising the stakes in their campaign to disrupt global shipping in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza war.The Iran-aligned Houthis have made repeated drone and missile strikes since November in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, drawing U.S. and British bombing against…
Eidesvik-Agalas JV to Build New IMR Vessel on Charter with Reach Subsea
Eidesvik Offshore, together with Norwegian shipowner Agalas, has entered into an agreement to build a new construction support vessel (CSV), which is on charter with Reach Subsea.The newbuild will be equipped to perform inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR) work for subsea and offshore wind markets.Equipped with methanol engines and a battery hybrid system, the vessel will be owned by an entity to be named Eidesvik Agalas AS…
Metis and Esvagt Team Up to Enhance SOV Data Analytics
Metis Cyberspace Technology is expanding its portfolio of data acquisition, real-time performance monitoring and intelligent analytics solutions to include the needs of service operation vessels (SOVs), following collaborative project with Danish vessel owner Esvagt.The move follows a collaborative project covering fleet performance optimization with Esvagt.The SOV fulfils multiple roles - as transport ship…
Brassavola Completes Maiden Ship-to-Ship LNG Bunkering Operation
Pavilion Energy, the charterer of Singapore’s recently delivered first membrane LNG bunker vessel Brassavola, has concluded its first Ship-to-Ship (STS) LNG bunkering operation.Pavilion Energy said on February 19, 2024, the bunkering operation to Rio Tinto chartered dual-fueled bulk carrier, Mount Api was successfully completed.Brassavola was recently delivered by Seatrium, to owner Indah Singa Maritime…
Jumbo Offshore Appoints Middle East Partner as it Eyes Regional Expansion
Dutch heavy lift shipping and offshore transport and installation contractor Jumbo Offshore has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sea Horizon Offshore Marine Services, which will act as its representative in the Middle East region.Sea Horizon Offshore, with its broad network of local partners, will represent Jumbo Offshore to potential clients in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar…
Red Sea Disruption to Impact Deliveries, Not Output, QatarEnergy CEO Says
Disruption to shipping in the Red Sea region will impact QatarEnergy's deliveries of liquefied natural gas (LNG) but not its production, CEO Saad al-Kaabi said on Monday."It's only going to take longer to get it there. But it will not reach a point where we have to stop production because there isn't any ship.
NYK and Stolt Tankers to Build Six Multi-Purpose Chemical Tankers
NYK Stolt Tankers, a joint venture between NYK and Dutch company Stolt Tankers, has signed a contract with Nantong Xiangyu Shipyard in China to build six parcel chemical tankers.The contract will strengthen NYK’s chemical tanker business, for which demand is expected to grow steadily, and deepen the partnership with Stolt Tankers, a leading player in the industry, the company said.Parel tankers are multi-purpose chemical tankers can carry various cargo…