IMO Adopts Guidelines on Detained Seafarers
The third meeting of the Joint ILO–IMO Tripartite Working Group to identify and address seafarers’ issues and the human element met in Geneva, Switzerland, between November 26–28 and adopted Guidelines on Fair Treatment of Seafarers detained in connection with alleged crimes.The objective of the Guidelines is to ensure that the human rights and legitimate interests of seafarers involved in alleged crimes are recognized…
Greece Backs Levy on Cruise Arrivals
The Greek parliament on Wednesday approved a bill increasing a daily tax on short-term rental and hotel accommodation and charging cruise ship visitors a levy to cope with the impact of natural disasters on its economy.Due to climate change, Greece is facing an increased number of extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts and forest-fires, which strain its public finances. Tourism is the main driver of its economy…
SeaPort Manatee adds two Eco-efficient Harbor Cranes
SeaPort Manatee is furthering its ship-to-shore cargo-handling capabilities with addition of two new Konecranes Gottwald Generation 6 mobile harbor cranes at the maritime trade hub for Southwest and Central Florida and beyond.The latest pair of eco-efficient cranes arrived at the seaport Monday [Dec. 2], after a trans-Atlantic voyage from Antwerp, Belgium, on Spliethoff’s M/V Plantijngracht. The units are to enter service in January…
Lakes November Limestone Trade Down 4.9 PCT
The Lake Carriers' Association (LCA) on Wednesday reported that shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled nearly 3 million tons in November, a decrease of 4.9 percent compared to a year ago. Limestone cargos were a mere 8,340 tons below the month’s 5-year average.Loadings from U.S. quarries decreased 4.5 percent from 2023 to 2.5 million tons. Shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 498,801 tons…
Shoring Up U.S. Shipbuilding
Spoiler Alert: we already know what to do. Some of it just isn’t physically possible. Help isn’t going to come from South Korea.Just two days following Donald Trump’s historic election victory, positioning him to become just the second U.S. President to be elected twice, in separate, non-following terms, the headlines curiously turned to shipbuilding. Which is a nice thing, since the average American thinks very little about that industry on a daily basis.
AWO at 80: Looking Back, Looking Forward on Safety, Security & Sustainability
This year, AWO marks its 80th anniversary as the tugboat, towboat and barge industry’s advocate, resource and united voice for safe, sustainable and efficient transportation on America’s waterways, oceans and coasts. As we celebrate this milestone, we not only recognize and reflect on 80 years of advocacy for our industry as a key driver of the U.S. economy, but also 80 years of vital work as a safety and sustainability leader and security partner – protecting mariners…
U.S. Military Gets Sealift Boost with M/V ARC Endeavor
American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Group Inc. (ARC) said that M/V ARC Endeavorentered the Maritime Security Program (MSP) fleet on December 1, strengthening ARC’s position for U.S.-flag Roll-on Roll-off (Ro-Ro) shipping services.M/V ARC Endeavor replaces ARC’s M/V Endurance in the MSP fleet. MSP is the bedrock Congressional maritime readiness program that since 1996 maintains a modern, active fleet of 60 U.S.-flag…
Shell Pumps the Brakes on Offshore Wind Investments, Splits Power Group
Shell is stepping back from new offshore wind investments and is splitting its power division following an extensive review of the business that was once seen as a key driver of the company's energy transition strategy.The changes are part of a company-wide review launched in 2023 aimed at reducing costs as CEO Wael Sawan focuses on activities with the highest returns. In many cases that has meant reducing spending on low-carbon and renewable businesses and increasing the focus on oil…
Damen RSD Tug 2513 named in Malta ceremony
On December 4th, Tug Malta held a naming ceremony for its latest vessel, a Damen RSD Tug 2513, in Malta. During a celebration attended by the Prime Minister of Malta Robert Abela, the vessel was named Med Aldebaran.With more than 80 tonnes of bollard pull at its disposal, the new vessel will add significant strength to the company’s operations in Malta’s Port of Marsaxlokk. The RSD Tug 2513 is a compact…
Seaspan Energy Completes First STS LNG transfer
Seaspan Energy (Seaspan) has successfully completed its first LNG ship-to-ship transfer to a containership in the Port of Long Beach.This operation marks the beginning of Seaspan’s service offering on the West Coast of North America with two LNG bunkering vessels to soon serve both the Long Beach and Vancouver markets. “Our first ship-to-ship LNG bunkering has been five years in the making and our…
HII Intends to Acquire SC-based Metal Fabricator
HII announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of W International SC, LLC and Vivid Empire SC, LLC (collectively “W International”), a South Carolina-based complex metal fabricator specializing in the manufacture of shipbuilding structures, modules and assemblies.Upon completion of the transaction, the manufacturing facility in Goose Creek, South Carolina, will operate within HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division.
AKOFS Offshore Secures $300M for Well Intervention Vessel’s Work with Equinor
Equinor has exercised a three-year option for AKOFS Offshore’s well intervention vessel AKOFS Seafarer.The option period is estimated to start in late fourth quarter of 2025, after the vessel has completed its customary Special Periodic Survey (SPS) and in direct continuation of the current contract period.The option period has a total value of about $300 million and means that the vessel will perform…
Nordic Shipping Roadmap Urges Govs to Close Fuel Transition Cost Gaps
The Nordic Roadmap project has unveiled the Fuel Transition Roadmap for Nordic Shipping, a comprehensive document outlining a decarbonization strategy for the region, which urges the Nordic ministers to close the cost gap associated with the fuel transition.The roadmap has been developed by the project team led by DNV with members from MAN Energy Solutions, IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute…
ONE Acquires Terminal in Southeast Asia
Japanese shipping company Ocean Network Express (ONE) has completed the acquisition of a minority stake in New Priok Container Terminal One (NPCT1) in Jakarta, Indonesia.NPCT1 is an important terminal serving mature gateway markets in Southeast Asia. Built in 2016, it has an annual capacity of 1.5 million TEU and can accommodate advanced mega containerships with its deep drafts and modern equipment.Jakarta is ONE’s third-largest volume port in Southeast Asia.
INSIGHTS: Sweden’s Alternative Fuel Development Faces Wider Market Hurdles
Despite becoming a major developer of alternative fuels for the maritime sector, Sweden is facing limited access to the wider European market. Nils Igelström, Managing Director of GAC Sweden, discusses the need for greater clarity to prevent shipping’s energy transition stalling.Sweden is in a very strong position to support the maritime sector’s alternative fuel development. Tied closely to the country’s own goal of reaching net zero by 2045…
Pakistan Pushes Qatar LNG Contract with Qatar for a Year
Pakistan has deferred its liquefied natural gas (LNG) contract with Qatar for a year, Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik said, adding that the country will now get LNG cargoes from Qatar in 2026 instead of 2025.Annual power use in Pakistan, which gets over a third of its electricity from natural gas, has declined 8-10% year-on-year over the past three quarters, the country's power minister told Reuters in November, primarily due to higher tariffs curbing household consumption.The South Asian natio
Philippines and China Dispute Over South China Sea Incident Escalates
China and the Philippines gave conflicting versions on Wednesday of a maritime confrontation around a contested shoal in the South China Sea, the latest row in a longstanding dispute between the neighbours.Chinese coast guard vessels fired water cannons and side-swiped a Manila fisheries bureau boat on the way to deliver supplies to Filipino fishermen in the area, according to Philippines officials…
Construction Starts on Second Finnish Patrol Vessel
The Baltic Sea has become a flashpoint for a multitude of maritime security issues, a driver for the Finnish Border Guard to renew its fleet.The completion of the two new patrol vessels ordered from Meyer Turku by the Finnish Border Guard is progressing, an on December 3, 2024, production was started of the second ship, planned for delivery in 2026.A start of production ceremony was held at the Baltic Operator shipyard in Gdansk.
Fortress’ FTAI Sells Two Offshore Energy Vessels for $143M
FTAI Aviation, part of Fortress Transportation and Infrastructure Investors, has sold two of its remaining offshore energy vessels for approximately $143 million.FTAI Aviation sold the Pioneer DP2 subsea support vessel and the Pride DP3 offshore well intervention vessel to an unnamed customer.The M/V Pioneer, built in 2011, is a DNV classed vessel fully SPS compliant, with an overall length of 82 meters…
Wheat Export Tariffs Likely to Slow Shipments from Russia
“Between January and November 2024, Russian seaborne dry bulk exports have decreased 5% y/y, driven by a 10% y/y decrease in coal shipments. The price competitiveness of Russian coal has deteriorated, compared to Mongolian, Indonesian and Australian cargoes, and a gradual increase in exports over land to China has also contributed to this decline,” says Filipe Gouveia, Shipping Analyst at BIMCO.So far this year, wheat and fertilizer shipments from Russia rose 6% and 7% y/y respectively.
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