Merchant Vessel Reportedly Boarded off Somalia
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The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said on Thursday that it had received a report of a merchant vessel being boarded 420 nautical miles southeast of Merca, Somalia.UKMTO said in a statement that an unknown number of unauthorized people from two small craft were reported to have boarded the vessel.Between 2008 and 2018, Somali pirates caused havoc in the waters off the country's long coastline.
Estonia Says Russia Removed Navigation Buoys on Border River
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Russian border guards have removed navigation buoys from the Estonian side of a river separating the two countries, the Baltic nation said on Thursday, adding that it would seek an explanation as well as a return of the equipment.Some 24 out of 50 buoys recently placed on the Narva river to mark sailing routes were removed in the early hours of Thursday the Estonian police and border guard said in a statement.Natural changes to the riverbed make it necessary to retrace shipping routes annually,
As China's Renewable Energy Soars, Coal Peak in Sight
![Chart courtesy BIMCO](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/chart-courtesy-bimco-150358.jpg)
Between January and April 2024, China’s electricity generation from renewables surged 12% year on year, significantly outpacing the 6% growth in generation from fossil fuels. While steam coal shipments to China rose 29% year on year, they are starting to feel the pressure from stronger renewables. Between March and April, the shipments fell 7% as electricity generation from fossil fuels only rose 1%…
Methanol-Fueled Stena Prosperous Christened in Singapore
![Image courtesy Proman Stena Bulk](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/image-courtesy-proman-stena-bulk-150354.jpg)
Proman Stena Bulk, the joint venture between Stena Bulk and Proman, christened Stena Prosperous today during a ceremony at the Marina Bay Cruise Center in Singapore. After the ceremony, the 49,900 DWT IMOIIMeMAX vessel will be bunkered with a 20/80 green/conventional methanol blend, which delivers CO2e savings of 31% compared to the same voyage operated on Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), while making additional particulate matter (PM), sulphur oxides (SOx), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) savings.
Scandilines to Electrify Two Ferries with Wärtsilä Equipment
![(Credit: Scadilines)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/credit-scadilines-150352.jpg)
Technology group Wärtsilä has secured a contract to supply the electrical systems needed to convert two Scandlines ferries to a plug-in hybrid solution.The ferries operate on the Puttgarden, Germany – Rödby, Denmark route, and the conversion represents a key element in Scandlines’ target to achieve emission-free operations on the route by 2030.The two Scandlines Ro-Ro ferries selected for conversion…
Cadeler Secures Vessels Reservation Deal with Mistery Client Worth Up to $760M
![(Credit: Cadeler)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/credit-cadeler-150348.jpg)
Danish offshore wind installation firm Cadeler has signed an installation vessel reservation agreement with an undisclosed client, valued up to $760 million, for upcoming wind farm installation projects.If all options are exercised during the four-year agreement, it would represent the largest deal in Cadeler's history, with the potential value of the projects to be executed under the agreement estimated…
Kongsberg Maritime to Make Solstad’s Normand Sentinel More Energy Efficient
![Normand Sentinel (Credit: Kongsberg Maritime)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/mand-sentinel-credit-kongsberg-maritime-150346.jpg)
Kongsberg Maritime has been tasked to conduct energy efficiency upgrades on Solstad’s Normand Sentinel, one of its most prominent subsea construction vessels.This upgrade will see the vessel transition to Kongsberg Maritime’s electric rim-drive azimuth thrusters, marking a milestone in maritime energy efficiency.The Normand Sentinel, measuring 143 metres in length and boasting years of reliable service…
US National Maritime Day: Honoring Merchant Marine
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May 22 is National Maritime Day in the US, and MARAD celebrated the day saying: “The United States has always been and will always be a great maritime nation. From our origins as 13 British colonies, through every period of peace and conflict since, the Merchant Marine has been a pillar in this country’s foundation of prosperity and security. They power the world’s largest economy and strengthen our ties with trading partners around the world…
Green Shipping Corridors Planned Between UK and Ireland
![Stefano Sommadossi (Source:
NatPower Marine)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/efano-sommadossi-source-natpower-marine-150342.png)
NatPower Marine and Peel Ports Group have announced plans to establish the first “green shipping corridors” between Ireland and the UK.The proposed project would see NatPower Marine develop the UK’s first commercial electric ship (e-ship) charging network to support electric propulsion and shoreside power as part of a global network.The network – which would require an estimated £100m investment from…
Fatigue Led to Grounding of RoRo Ferry
![Source: RNLI](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/source-rnli-150341.png)
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published its report into the grounding of the ro-ro ferry Alfred on July 5, 2022.The ferry grounded on the east coast of Swona Island, Pentland Firth, Scotland. The impact caused injuries to 41 passengers and crew and damage to Alfred’s port bulbous bow and almost all the vehicles being transported on board. The vessel subsequently refloated on the rising tide and continued to St Margaret’s Hope under its own power later that afternoon.
First Foundation Installed for Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind
![Orion in Scotland. Source: DEME Group](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/orion-in-scotland-source-deme-150340.jpg)
Dominion Energy has announced that the first monopile foundation for the 2.6-gigawatt Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW), the largest offshore wind farm under construction in the United States, has been installed approximately 29 miles off the Virginia Beach coast.The monopile was installed by the Orion, DEME Group's heavy lift vessel.Once complete in late 2026, CVOW will consist of 176 turbines that will generate enough clean…
At Least Two Companies Seek Norway Seabed Mining Permits
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Two companies said on Wednesday they are seeking offshore seabed acreage on the Norwegian continental shelf where they hope to explore for minerals, in what could be the start of a controversial new mining industry.The process puts Norway on track to become the first country to start commercial production from its continental shelf of metals useful in the transition from from oil and gas, such as copper…
Fincantieri to Establish Shipbuilding Subsidiary in Saudi Arabia
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Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri will expand its cooperation with Saudi Arabia through its new unit Fincantieri Arabia, the group said on Wednesday.The Saudi unit will support the kingdom's Vision 2030 development agenda in the cruise, defense and offshore sectors, Fincantieri said in a press release, released on the margins of an industrial conference.State-controlled Fincantieri has extended its presence in the Middle East in recent years.
Ukraine's 'Sea Baby' Naval Drones Equipped with Rocket Launchers
![A Sea Baby uncrewed surface vehicle (File photo: Security Service of Ukraine)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/a-sea-baby-uncrewed-surface-150338.jpg)
Ukraine has equipped some of its naval drones with multiple rocket launching systems and used them to fire at Russian positions in combat, a Ukrainian intelligence source told Reuters on Wednesday.Ukraine, which no longer has any significant warships in its fleet, has used uncrewed naval drones packed with explosives to sail up to Russian warships in the Black Sea, detonating on impact.The systems have played a part in Kyiv's effort to push back Russian naval vessels from areas of the Black Sea
Greenhouse Gases are Marine Pollution, Maritime Court Finds
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A global maritime court found on Tuesday that greenhouse gases constitute marine pollution, a major breakthrough for small island states threatened by the rise in sea levels caused by global warming.In its first climate-related judgment, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea said emissions from fossil fuels and other planet-warming gases that are absorbed by the oceans count as marine pollution.Its…
Seaspan's Ammonia-ready Feeder Ship Design Earns LR Approval
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A next generation feeder ship design developed by Technolog for Seaspan Corporation has been awarded approval in principle (AIP) from Lloyd's Register (LR), the classification society announced.The innovative vessel, measuring 198 meters long, is designed to be efficiently converted from liquefied natural gas (LNG) to ammonia fuel during its lifetime, trading efficiently in today’s market and being ready for tomorrow’s.
Echandia Bags Its Largest Order to Date
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Sweden-based Echandia reports it has won its largest order to date, with a deal to supply battery systems to a Northern European ferry operator.The contract with an undisclosed customer involves converting two RoPax ferries to pure electric propulsion. It is Echandia's largest both in terms of value and system size. Delivery is planned for the second half of 2025, Echandia said.According to Echandia…
AI, Energy Transition to take Center Stage @ SMM '24
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Digitalizing processes makes shipping more flexible, efficient and eco-friendly. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing role of growing importance in these efforts. At the leading international maritime trade fair in Hamburg, the topic will be covered in depth at the AI CENTER, where innovative start-ups will showcase their solutions.Under the heading of “Driving the Maritime Transition”, SMM 2024 will not only focus on the maritime energy transition but also on digital transformation.
Russia Planning New Sea Terminal for LPG Exports to Asia
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Russia will likely open its first liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) terminal on the Pacific Ocean coast with joint investments from China by the end of 2025, two industry sources said on Wednesday.Last week, Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) struck an agreement with Chinese petrochemical company Haiwei to finance the marine terminal in Russia's Far East to ship LPG. It did not provide the timings for the project completion.The agreement…
ESG Wins Contract to Build Fisher Island Ferry
![Image courtesy ESG/EBDG](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/image-courtesy-esgebdg-150328.jpg)
Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) won a contract to build a new auto and passenger ferry for the Fisher Island Community Association, Inc. (FICA) in Florida. The vessel will be built at ESG’s Allanton and Port St. Joe facilities and is expected for delivery in Spring 2026.“Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) delivered the vehicle passenger ferry HERON to the Fisher Island Community Association, Inc. (FICA) over 20 years ago, and we understand that she has been the most reliable ferry in their fleet.