Stranded Coal Ship Departs Baltimore as Dali Salvage Work Continues
A coal ship stranded at the Port of Baltimore set sail for Singapore this week as crews work to remove the Dali container ship that crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing it to collapse and block access to the port.The Liberian-flagged JY River exited the port via a temporary channel on Thursday, according to LSEG data and a source familiar with the ship's movements.The ship was stuck at…
Vessel Hijacking Attempt Reported off the Coast of Yemen
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) organization said on Friday it had received a report of a failed hijacking attempt of a vessel 195 nautical miles east of Yemen's Aden.The vessel's master reported being approached by a small craft carrying five or six armed people with ladders.Houthi militants in Yemen have launched drone and missile attacks on shipping in and around the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean to show support for the Palestinians in the Gaza war.Maritime sources say pir
Vard to Build Two CSOVs for Taiwanese Client
Norwegian shipbuilder Vard has signed a contract with an undisclosed Taiwanese customer for the design and construction of two Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs).The customer has appointed VARD to design and construct two CSOVs’ of VARD 4 39 design.This is a new design from VARD, said to be highly versatile all-round platform for sustainable windfarm support operations both as a service…
Babcock Receives SBTi Net-Zero Validation
Defense company Babcock Intern has been grated validation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for its science-based near and long-term emissions reduction targets aligned with reaching net-zero no later than 2050.In 2021, Babcock launched its Plan Zero 40 decarbonization strategy, which commits to the delivery of a 2030 science-based target in line with a 1.5 °C pathway and achieving 90% emissions reduction across its estate…
Building the Next-Gen Maritime Prepositioning Ship & Auxiliary Crane Ship
The Military Sealift Command’s Maritime Prepositioning Ships (MPS) and Auxiliary Crane Ships (ACS) were built 50 years ago to pre-position vehicles and supplies in forward locations and load or unload them in undeveloped or damaged port facilities. I serve with MSC’s Taluga Group, charged with finding innovative solutions to pressing problems. One of those challenges is meeting the MPS and ACS mission…
Eye on Design: Hybrid Blood, Sweat, and Tears
In earlier columns, I have discussed various approaches and issues with Hybrid Propulsion.I have now had the pleasure of a number of years of experience with the design, operation, upgrade, modification, and maintenance of ship (and car) hybrid propulsion systems and may be able to make a claim of gradually becoming a little less confused.It is still not easy, but at the same time, I am starting to…
Fairplay Towage Orders Two More Damen Tugs
Fairplay Towage Group has placed an order with Damen Shipyards for the delivery of two additional tugboats.One of the two tugboats is of the ASD Tug 2813 design, while the other will be fitted with azimuth stern drives and a bollard pull of 60 tonnes and with an aft winch for offshore towage.The ASD Tug 2813 boasts a bollard pull in excess of 80 tonnes for harbor assistance. Both vessels will be fitted…
Pertamina Takes Delivery of Two VLGC Tankers
Pertamina International Shipping (PIS), a unit of Indonesian state energy company Pertamina, has welcomed two new very large gas carriers (VLGCs) to its fleet, named Pertamina Gas Caspia and Pertamina Gas Dahlia.The new vessels are specifically optimized for transporting vital commodities like liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), as well as other petrochemicals such as propylene and ammonia, intended for international trade routes.Both tankers measure 300 meters in length, with a capacity of 91,000m3.
Mitsui Advances Big Engine Track Record
Mitsui E&S has announced that the group's total production of large marine engines in FY2023 was 155 units with a cumulative horsepower of 3.16 million. In FY2024, the group anticipates producing146 units with a cumullative horsepower of 3.04 million.Since forming a technical partnership with B&W (now MAN Energy Solutions) in 1926, Mitsui E&S has established a production track record as one of the world's top manufacturers.Mitsui E&S DU Co.…
Charges Readied for Demolition of Portion of Key Bridge
The safest and swiftest method to remove the bridge piece from on top of the M/V Dali is by precision cuts made with small charges, said the Unified Command on Thursday as salvors were preparing charges. The charges will enable the upcoming precision cuts to remove section 4 from the port side of the bow of the Dali.The Singaporean-flagged container vessel Dali allided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26.
Panama Canal in Talks with US LNG Producers to Increase Transit
The Panama Canal is in talks with U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) producers on how to meet increased demand for crossings as water levels recover after a prolonged drought, the canal's administrator Ricaurte Vasquez told Reuters in an interview.The canal is typically used by U.S. Gulf Coast exporters to send LNG cargoes to Asia via the Pacific Ocean, but from last year low water levels forced cuts to daily crossings…
US House Panel to Hold Hearing on Baltimore Bridge Collapse
The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold a May 15 hearing on the federal government's response to the collapse of a Baltimore bridge.The Dali containership crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, killing six people.The hearing will include Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt, National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy and senior officials with the U.S. Coast Guard and Army Corps of Engineers.
Rule Change Aids US Mariners' Return to Sea
A rule change is making it easier for experienced U.S. mariners to return to sea after time away from the industry.A new policy letter from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) temporarily extends the renewal grace period for a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC), commonly referred to as a Coast Guard license or credential, from one year to six years, lessening the burden for seafarers seeking reentry into the maritime workforce.The move has been welcomed by the U.S.
Houthi Leader Vows to Escalate Attacks on Merchant Shipping
The leader of Yemen's Houthis, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, said on Thursday the group would target ships of any company related to supplying or transporting goods to Israel regardless of their destination.He said this was a fourth stage of escalation in retaliation to "the Israeli aggression on Rafah" in the southern Gaza Strip."From now on, we are also thinking about the fifth stage and the sixth stage, and we have very important, sensitive and influential choices on the enemies," he added.Months of
When is a Vessel Built in America 'US Built'?
The United States reserves its domestic maritime trade to vessels “built in the United States” under a set of laws popularly referred to as the “Jones Act.” What qualifies as “U.S. built” under the law and U.S. Coast Guard interpretations was recently tested in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit case of Diamond Services Corp. v. Curtin Maritime Corp.Coast Guard regulations provide a two-part test to determine whether a vessel constructed in the United States meets the “U.S.
LS Marine Awarded $31.7 Million Contract to Dredge the Upper Miss
Grove Heights, Minn. dredging and marine construction contractor LS Marine has been awarded a $31.7 million contract to support channel maintenance dredging in the Upper Mississippi River.The contract, awarded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' St. Paul District on April 17, provides a minimum guarantee of $1.25 million for two mechanical dredging plants through the end of the 2024 navigation season, with rights to exercise work options through 2029.
Tanker Crewmembers Plead Guilty to Environmental Crimes in the US
Crewmembers from a Greek oil tanker have admitted to environmental crimes in U.S. waters, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger and Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim announced.Konstantinos Atsalis, the chief engineer on board the Kriti Ruby, admitted to charges related to the discharge of oily waste into the sea from a commercial vessel near a petroleum terminal in Sewaren, N.J. He and second engineer…
US Navy Names Future Warship USS Helmand Province
A future America-class amphibious assault ship will be named USS Helmand Province (LHA 10), Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announced this week during the Modern Day Marine 2024 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.The future USS Helmand Province commemorates the multiple U.S. Marine Corps operations that took place in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province as part of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).
Remontowa Cuts Steel for Torghatten Nord's New Hybrid Ferry
Polish shipyard Remontowa Shipbuilding on Wednesday held a steel cutting ceremony for a new hybrid passenger-car ferry ordered by Norwegian shipowner Torghatten Nord, marking the official start of construction.The battery-driven electric double-ended ferry is designed for the Stornes-Bjørnerå service in the Arctic Circle area. Delivery is scheduled for the first quarter of 2026."From 2010 to 2013, we built eight modern ferries for this shipowner.
Amogy Presented with New Technology Qualification Letter by ABS
Ammonia-to-power solutions company Amogy has been issued a new technology qualification (NTQ) letter for concept design verification by classification society the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).Amogy has developed an innovative ammonia-to-electrical power system that splits, or “cracks,” liquid ammonia into its base elements of hydrogen and nitrogen, which then funnels the hydrogen into a fuel cell…
