New Petrobras CEO Pressed on Shipbuilding Reboot, Jobs
The next chief executive of Petrobras, Magda Chambriard, arrives with the résumé and mandate to make Brazil's state-run oil firm what it was under prior Workers Party governments: an engine of job creation and industrial development, said people familiar with the matter.President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva - who used Petrobras to spur domestic shipbuilding and major refinery projects during his earlier…
Spain Denies Port Call for Ship Taking Arms to Israel
Spain has refused permission for an Israel-bound ship carrying arms to call at the southeastern port of Cartagena, Transport Minister Oscar Puente said on Thursday.The Marianne Danica was carrying a cargo of arms to Israel and had requested permission to call at Cartagena on May 21, Puente said on X.It was carrying nearly 27 tons in explosive material from India's Madras, El Pais reported.The Foreign Ministry…
US Anchors Aid Pier to Gaza Beach. Aid Delivery Faces Tough Road Ahead
The United States anchored a temporary floating pier to a beach in Gaza on Thursday to boost aid deliveries, but Washington is facing the same challenges that have beset the United Nations and relief groups for months when it comes to distributing assistance to the war-torn enclave.These include working in a war zone to stave off a looming famine and a dire shortage of fuel for aid trucks. The United…
No Shortage of Good Ideas to Address the Mariner Shortage
The U.S. mariner shortage continues to be a strategic national security concern for all maritime industry stakeholders. So what can the Maritime Administration (MARAD) and U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) do to address the problem?Subcommittees on Readiness, and Seapower and Projection Forces on the “Posture and Readiness of the Mobility Enterprise.” Both Administrator Phillips and Gen. Van Ovost focused on the mariner shortage as a key readiness concern. Gen Van Ovost stated, “The U.S.
Southern Dredging Wins St. Marys Dredging Job
Charleston, S.C. based dredging contractor Southern Dredging Co. Inc. has been awarded a $9.6 million contract to perform maintenance dredging in St. Marys, Ga.The firm-fixed-price contract was awarded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Jacksonville District.Work is expected to be completed by March 26, 2025.
US Says Warship Intercepted Houthi Missile, Merchant Vessel Untouched
The U.S. navy's destroyer the USS Mason intercepted an inbound Houthi anti-ship missile over the Red Sea on Monday, U.S. Central Command said in a statement, after Yemen's Houthis said on Wednesday that they had targeted the warship.The U.S. forces also destroyed two drones, Central Command said.On Wednesday the Houthis said they had also targeted a vessel called "Destiny" in the Red Sea, as part of…
Efficiency Gains from Eliminating the Hub Vortex
There is hydrodynamic solution that delivers multiple benefits for ship owners facing increasingly tough regulatory requirements and rising operational costs, writes Dr. Batuhan Aktas*One area of ship operations that has attracted much attention in recent years due to the possibilities it represents for emissions reduction is that of cavitation. During ship operations, cavitation occurs because of vortices that build up and cause bubbles to collapse under the ship’s propeller.
Self-Driving Ferry Service Envisioned to Link the Fosen Peninsula
Torghatten, a Norwegian ferry operator, and Kongsberg Maritime have entered into a contract for the development of a system for self-driving ferries on the Flakk-Rørvik route.The car ferry service operation is part of the Norwegian highway network – County Road 715 - and connects the city of Trondheim with communities on the Fosen peninsula.The project will see Kongsberg Maritime technologies installed on the ferries…
Babcock, Saab team on Future Navy Ships
Babcock International Group (Babcock) was selected by Saab to support the design for the development of the Swedish Navy’s new Luleå-class Surface Combatant.Saab, commissioned by FMV, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, will design four ships for the Swedish Navy.Babcock will initially provide engineering support including structural design and auxiliary systems, supporting Saab to complete the basic design phase.
Brunvoll to Equip REM Offshore's Next-Gen Subsea Construction Vessel
Brunvoll has signed a contract with Myklebust Verft shipyard for the delivery of a thruster package to REM Offshore’s new energy subsea construction vessel (ESCV).The contract is for one vessel with an additional vessel as an option.Brunvoll will deliver a thruster package consisting of two propulsion azimuth thrusters, two retractable azimuth thrusters, and a tunnel thruster.One of the retractable…
MOL and TotalEnergies Ink Time Charter Deals for Two VLGC Newbuilds
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has signed a time charter contract for two liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) dual-fuel very large gas carriers (VLGCs) with a subsidiary of TotalEnergies, CSSA Chartering and Shipping Services (CSSA).MOL made the agreement through its subsidiary MOL Energia.The vessels will be built by Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries in South Korea and are scheduled for delivery in 2026.The overall length of vessels is 230 meters, with brad of 32.25 meters.
UK Bill Banning Live Animal Export Ready for Royal Assent
The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill had its third reading in UK Parliament on May 14 and now awaits Royal Assent to become law. The bill seeks to end the export of cattle, horses, sheep, goats and pigs for fattening and slaughter from and through England, Wales and Scotland.A speech made by UK King Charles on November 7, 2023, set out the government's agenda for the coming political year which…
Inmarsat Report Promotes Collaborative Approach to Data Management
Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, has launched a new report Digital Wave: Transforming vessels into floating offices and remote homes.The report explores the growing importance of always-on onboard connectivity as ships and their crew become increasingly reliant on digital technology. Compiled by maritime technology research firm Thetius, the report draws on interviews and survey data to provide insight into how crews and shore-based teams are using digital technologies today.
Consortium Wins Tender for France's First Floating Offshore Wind Farm
A consortium including Germany's BayWa r.e.
Hapag-Lloyd Raises Lower End of Outlook but Profit Falls
German container firm Hapag-Lloyd on Wednesday raised the lower end of its 2024 outlook amid rising demand and freight rates, but posted an 84% drop in first-quarter net profit.Commercial shipping has faced global disruptions, including in the Red Sea region, where operators are avoiding the Suez Canal because of attacks on vessels by Yemen-based Houthi militants.The crisis has raised freight rates…
Canal Barge Towboat Repowered
Laborde Products announced the completion of a repower project for the towboat Ned Merrick, owned by Canal Barge Company. The project featured the replacement of the vessel's previous engines with two Tier 3 S16R engines from Mitsubishi, each delivering 1,675HP at 1,600RPM.The 145-foot-long twin screw retractable towboat was previously powered by two EMD 567 engines. It was built by Southern Shipbuilding Corp.…
ABS to Class Edison Chouest's Offshore Wind Feeder Fleet
A new feeder fleet of two tugs and two barges dedicated to serving a wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) from Maersk Supply Service (MSS) has been ordered by Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) to ABS class.The innovative system is designed to deliver components to the construction site, allowing the WTIV to remain on location, promising faster wind farm installations. The WTIV will also be ABS-classed.Designed to serve the U.S.
Gulf Intercoastal Waterway Closed After Barge Strikes Bridge in Galveston
A section of the busy Gulf Intercoastal Waterway has been closed to vessel traffic after a barge allided with a bridge that connects Galveston to Pelican Island, officials said on Wednesday.The U.S. Coast Guard said its watchstanders at Sector Houston-Galveston were notified of the allision at 9:50 a.m. and that the cause of the incident is under investigation. The barge, owned by Martin Petroleum…
ESG Invests in Shipbuilding Infrastructure
Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. (ESG) commenced phase two of a itsinfrastructure improvement project at its Nelson Street government shipbuilding facility, a phase which includes the construction of 1,000 linear feet of additional bulkhead and berthing space, installation of associated heavy weather mooring infrastructure, the extension of the launch facility by 120 feet to increase the total launch way length to over 500 feet…
Port of Los Angeles Nets $58 Million for Harbor Maintenance
The Port of Los Angeles will receive an estimated $58 million in federal funding this year for maintaining its harbor channels and repairing its wharves, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced. According to the port, the record amount—a nearly tenfold increase compared with $6 million it received in 2023—reflects the federal government's commitment to fully implementing long sought reforms to the…