Canadian-led Research Project Reveals Ways to Reduce Underwater Noise from Ships
As the international shipping industry continues to explore measures to conserve and protect underwater life, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is proposing the future monitoring of Underwater Radiated Noise (URN), which may lead to the establishment of thresholds combined with long-term monitoring requirements for certain regions.Underwater noise from ships can significantly impact marine life by disrupting communication, navigation, and feeding behaviors in various species.
Cruisezilla? Modern Cruise Ships Now Dwarf the Titanic
The number and size of cruise ships globally has doubled since the start of the millennium, T&E’s new ‘Cruisezillas: How much bigger can cruise ships get?’ report reveals. If they continue to grow at this rate, the biggest cruise ships in 2050 could be a staggering 345,000 gross tonnage, making them almost eight times bigger than the Titanic.In January 2024, the world’s largest cruise ship to date, the Icon of the Seas, was launched.
AI Anti-Collision Technology Installed on Fast Ferry
Fred. Olsen Express, a Canary Island-based ferry company, is installing SEA.AI anti-collision technology on its ships to boost navigational safety at sea. The move is a world first for fast passenger ferries.At present AIS can display and identify maritime traffic superimposed over an electronic chart that in turn indicates fixed features such buoys, beacons and other navigational marks.SEA.AI can…
Coalition Forms to Combat US Offshore Wind
U.S. activists opposed to offshore wind development are forming a national coalition aimed at fighting projects from California to New England, according to the effort's founder and two other organizations.The National Offshore-wind Opposition Alliance, or NOOA, aims to bring a national profile to what is currently a fractured movement of dozens of local groups, according to its president, Mandy Davis.Offshore wind is a nascent industry in the United States and a key pillar of U.S.
Captain Says Vessel Attacked with RPGs Near Yemen
The captain of the Delta Blue crude oil tanker reported an attack from two small craft 45 nautical miles south of Yemen's Mokha, with a rocket-propelled grenade exploding near the vessel, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said on Thursday.Iran-aligned Houthi militants have launched attacks on international shipping near Yemen since November in solidarity with Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas.The Liberia-flagged Delta Blue and its crew are safe…
BLRT's Tallinn Shipyard Commissions New Floating Dry Dock
On August 8, BLRT Repair Yards' Tallinn Shipyard in Estonia on Thursday commissioned a new floating dry dock, enabling it to maintain, repair and modernize larger vessels.Built to accommodate Handysize vessels, ranging from tankers to passenger ships, the new floating dock measures 180 meters in length, 30 meters in width, and has a lifting capacity of 10,000 tons. It replaces an older floating dock…
Moose Boats to Build New Fireboat for San Francisco Airport
California shipbuilder Moose Boats announced it has secured a contract with the City and County of San Francisco to build an M1-46 fireboat to service the San Francisco International Airport (SFO). The vessel will be operated by the San Francisco Fire Department’s Airport Division.The 46-foot catamaran will be the rescue boat used by the San Francisco Fire Department in case of emergency at the airport—the 13th busiest in the U.S.According to San Francisco Fire…
Baltic Dry Index Snaps Four-day Winning Streak
The Baltic Exchange's dry bulk sea freight index, tracking rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, snapped its four-day gaining streak on Thursday, as rates declined across all vessel segments.The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, lost 15 points, or 0.9%, to 1,683.The capesize index fell 14 points, or 0.6%, to 2,459.
Alternative Fuels: Many Possibilities But a Clear Path is Evasive
“It was the best of times, it was somewhat confusing times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of the learning curve, it was the season of light, it was the season of, uh, still not enough light.” ― Deepest apologies to Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities, 1859As the world zeroes in on alternative energy sources and products that can deliver power and performance, there are advances that could sway even the most hardened skeptic.
Fratelli Cosulich Streamlines Business Ops Under New Brand
Fratelli Cosulich Group has introduced Cosulich Logistics to unify its services under one global identity in a strategic move expected to streamline its operations across eight brands and 19 companies in 14 countries spanning three continents.With over 170 years of expertise in the shipping and logistics industries, Fratelli Cosulich has announced a significant transformation in its operations.According to the Italy-based group…
Wilson ASA Owner Kristian Eidesvik Passes Away
Norwegian short sea shipping company Wilson ASA announced its owner and long-serving chairman of the board, Kristian Eidesvik, has passed away. The 78-year-old died on August 7 after a period of illness, the company said.Eidesvik became an owner in Wilson around 1995. Following the IPO in 2005 he became the majority owner through his investment company Caiano AS, and he was the Chairman of the Board until two years ago.
Havila Shipping Secures Work for Its PSV
Norwegian offshore support vessel owner Havila Shipping has entered into contract with Peterson Den Helder for its platform supply vessel (PSV) Havila Borg.The contract, whose value was not disclosed, is for a firm period of two wells estimated to 200 days.It also includes optional periods for eight wells each estimated to 65 days.The start of operations is expected to be within two weeks, Havila Shipping said.Built in 2009, Havila Borg features Havyard 832 design.
US Hits Back After Houthis Target American Warships
U.S. military forces have struck at targets in Houthi-controlled Yemen in the past 24 hours, destroying two drones, a Houthi ground control station, and three anti-ship cruise missiles, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said.Earlier, the Iran-aligned Houthi movement said it had attacked a container ship in the Red Sea and two U.S. destroyers in the Gulf of Aden on Wednesday.CENTCOM said in a statement on the U.S strikes: "These weapons presented a clear and imminent threat to U.S.
TCT Taps Brunvoll for Chem Tanker Propulsion
Brunvoll signed a contract with Tersan Shipyard for the delivery of propulsion and maneuvering systems for two 150-m, 16,500-dwt stainless steel chemical product tankers to be owned Tune Chemical Tankers (TCT), which also is a part of Tersan Group.The vessels are designed by Norden Ship Design House, based in Istanbul, Turkey, and the contract includes an option for two more vessels.Brunvoll’s delivery…
Equinor's Platform Supply Vessel Set to Operate on Gasum’s bio-LNG
Gasum and Equinor have launched a series of liquefied biomethane (bio-LNG) bunkering operations in Norway's Port of Dusavik, with bio-LNG being bunkered to Equinor’s chartered platform supply vessel Island Crusader.The first bio-LNG delivery was successfully carried out mid-July. Gasum will continue to supply Island Crusader with two to three truckloads of bio-LNG approximately every other week. Each…
Maersk Bets on Bio-LNG with Newbuilding Orders
A.P. Moller - Maersk (Maersk) is in the process of signing newbuilding orders and time-charter contracts for LNG dual-fuel container ships.The new orders for 50-60 vessels will match its planned renewal pace of around 160,000 TEU per year.The new orders are a continuation of its fleet renewal program initiated in 2021 which has seen orders placed for 25 methanol dual-fuel vessels, five in service and 20 on order providing around 350…
AMSA Scholarships Promote Diversity in Maritime
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has awarded five scholarships to students at the University of Tasmania as part of its recognition of the importance of diversity.The funding of A$47,000 is part of its 2024 scholarship program.The recipients are:Tenisha Jones – AMSA Sara Bool Women in Maritime Engineering ScholarshipAngelica Starlight – AMSA First Year Access Scholarship for Maritime…
Have Container Volumes from China to North America Peaked?
Ocean container shipping demand from China to North America and North Europe continued to break records in June, but the latest data from Xeneta indicates it may now have peaked.The June highs came as importers rushed to protect supply chains amid the global disruption caused by conflict in the Red Sea.The latest data, released this week, shows 800,000 TEU were shipped from China to North Europe in June…
Swire Shipping Adds to Hong Kong’s Biofuel Bunkering Credentials
Swire Shipping has successfully completed a sustainable B24 biofuel trial after bunkering a container ship operating on its Sun Chief Express Ocean service in Hong Kong.A collaboration with UWL, the Sun Chief Express Ocean service directly connects Vietnam to the United States and is the fastest in the market, with express connections into the heart of North America and Cambodia, Indonesia and Thailand.MV Suva Chief was bunkered in Hong Kong with sustainable B24 biofuel…
Near-Shore Cable Repair Keeps Wave Energy Testing on Track
US marine services contractor Phoenix International has completed a time-sensitive repair of the 60-meter berth electro-opto-mechanical cable at the Kaneohe Wave Energy Test Site in Hawaii.The dynamic shoreline environment necessitated development of an innovative plan that met the needs of the Ocean Cables and Unmanned Systems Division of the Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center.The Test Site was the first grid connected wave energy test site installed in U.S.