Satellite-based Solution Helps to Prevent Ship Groundings in Coastal Waters
Recent incidents of naval and commercial vessels running aground have underscored the inherent risks of operating in shallow and poorly charted coastal waters. A solution from Denver-based TCarta Marine utilizes Earth observation satellites to deliver precise water depth measurements in near-shore areas.“While the exact causes of recent ship groundings off the coasts of Oman, Greenland, and Fiji are under investigation and often complex…
Ships Queue at US Ports as Dockworker Strike Enters Third Day
Long lines of container ships lined up outside major U.S. ports on Thursday as the biggest dockworker strike in nearly half a century entered its third day, preventing unloading and threatening shortages of everything from bananas to auto parts.No negotiations were scheduled between the International Longshoremen's Association and employers, but the port owners, under pressure from the White House to hike their pay offer to land a deal…
Singapore High-sulphur Bunker Fuel Premiums Soar
Spot premiums for 380-cst high-sulphur marine fuel at Singapore, the world's largest bunker hub, have surged due to the tight supply available for prompt deliveries, market sources said.The price strength for the fuel, which is used to power ships, has been keeping refuelling costs high for vessels calling at Singapore and other ports in the region.Delivery dates in the first half of October could command premiums of over $60 a metric ton to Singapore cargo quotes this week…
Turkish Ship to Begin Oil Search off Somalia
A Turkish seismic research vessel plans to arrive off the coast of Somalia at the end of October and begin searching for oil and natural gas, after the countries agreed on energy cooperation, Turkey's energy ministry said on Thursday.The March agreement envisaged oil exploration and production and allowed Turkish Petroleum to obtain licenses for three areas in the Somali seas.The ship Oruc Reis will explore in areas covering approximately 5…
Prepare for Attack: Houthis Issue Email Alert to Shipping Fleets
On a warm spring night in Athens, shortly before midnight, a senior executive at a Greek shipping company noticed an unusual email had landed in his personal inbox.The message, which was also sent to the manager's business email address, warned that one of the company's vessels travelling through the Red Sea was at risk of being attacked by Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi militia.The Greek-managed ship…
Serious Injury: “Accidents Happen When People Don’t Communicate”
New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has released its report into the injury of a crew member on the bulk carrier Poavosa Brave on June 23, 2023.The vessel was at anchor outside Tauranga Harbour, preparing to load logs. An on-board crane was hoisting stanchions (vertical posts for securing logs on the main deck) when the crane's block struck an able seaman. The seaman was…
Greece Joins Clean Energy Marine Hubs Project
The Clean Energy Marine Hubs (CEM Hubs) project has welcomed the government of Greece, a nation that represents 20% of global shipping.The initiative aims to accelerate and de-risk the production, transport and use of low-carbon fuels that will be transported by shipping for the world.Greece joins the governments of Brazil, UAE, Canada, Norway, Uruguay and Panama, as supporters of this first of its kind cross sectoral public-private platform.Other new partners include ABS…
ABS Issues AIP for Japanese LCO2 Carrier Designs
ABS issued an approval in principle (AIP) to leading Japanese companies at Gastech 2024 for two liquid carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier designs with Type-C cargo tanks that do not require performing post-weld-heat-treatment based on the demonstration of an engineering critical assessment.ABS reviewed the drawings based on class and statutory requirements for the two designs, a 50K cubic meter carrier and a 23K cubic meter carrier…
Six Young People Take Part in “Empowering Minds” Project
Genoa-based shipping and logistics company, the Fratelli Cosulich Group, has officially started its Empowering Minds project.The post-graduate traineeship, managed by Corporate HR, offers a unique opportunity to the new generation approaching the workplace for the first time. The six selected young graduates have started this week, with lessons led by various internal experts acting as teachers. Over the next six months…
Long-Term Effects of ILA Longshoremen Strike on Consumers and the Economy: A Week-by-Week Breakdown
The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) strike is creating a ripple effect around global trade networks, leading to major supply chain disruptions that affect both consumers and the broader economy. As the strike drags on for several weeks, its impacts become increasingly severe on industries, logistics, and international trade - with cascading effects lasting even after any potential settlement agreement has been made.
Fincantieri Delivers Warship Giovanni delle Bande Nere to the Italian Navy
Shipbuilder Fincantieri announced it delivered the fourth Multipurpose Combat ship (PPA), Giovanni delle Bande Nere, for the Italian Navy. The official handover took place at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Muggiano, La Spezia.The ceremony was attended, among others, by Vice Admiral Andrea Gueglio, Director of Italian Navy Military Personnel Directorate, by Admiral Chief Inspector Giuseppe Abbamonte, Director of the Naval Armaments Directorate - NAVARM, and Mr.
Scorpio Tankers Sells LR2 Vessel for $73.5 Million
Scorpio Tankers on Wednesday announced it has entered into an agreement to sell its 2019-built LR2 product tanker STI Lily to an undisclosed buyer.The sale price is $73.5 million and the sale is expected to close within the fourth quarter of 2024, the NYSE-listed shipowner said.Scorpio Tankers currently owns or lease finances 102 product tankers, including 39 LR2 tankers, 49 MR tankers and 14 Handymax tankers.
Naval Drones and the Battle for Crimea: Ukraine’s Strategic Counteroffensive
As the war between Ukraine and Russia rages on, the Black Sea has become a hotbed for naval operations, with Ukraine pioneering the use of naval drones in its fight to reclaim the Crimean Peninsula. These drones have emerged as a potent tool in disrupting Russian naval dominance, particularly around Sevastopol, the home base of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.Ukraine's use of unmanned naval drones marks a significant shift in naval warfare.
Wilhelmsen Ship Management CEO Schou to Retire, Lenz Named Successor
Wilhelmsen Ship Management announced its chief operating officer Haakon Lenz will assume the role of CEO, succeeding Carl Schou, who is retiring after 19 years of service, including 16 years as CEO.Lenz will assume the role of CEO on January 1, 2025, and Carl Schou will remain with the company as a senior advisor for a period of six months.A naval architect with hands-on experience in ship management and global operations…
MSC Cruises in Hot Water Over Greenwashing
Sustainability claims by MSC Cruises, including that it targets "net zero by 2050" do not meet standards, the Dutch advertising board found on Wednesday in one of the first decisions against a cruise operator following a greenwashing complaint.MSC, a privately held Swiss-Italian firm that is among the world's largest cruise operators, said in a reaction it welcomed some parts of the decision and had…
US Dockworker Strike: Talks at a Standstill
A strike by 45,000 dockworkers halting shipments at U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast ports entered its second day on Wednesday with no negotiations currently scheduled between the two sides, sources told Reuters.The lack of progress is raising concerns among those reliant on shipments that the disruption could be prolonged.The International Longshoremen's Association union strike has blocked goods from food to automobile shipments across dozens of ports from Maine to Texas…
Operation Summerstock: Strengthening Security and Saving Lives
Summer is easily the busiest season for the U.S. Coast Guard. New England is no exception, people flock to the beaches to swim, and recreational boating is at its peak. Many destinations along the coasts are hot spots for tourism and increased safety checks by local Coast Guard units. However, sometimes people of coastal states forget that the Coast Guard's presence extends inward to our inland lakes and waterways.One of those inland bodies of water is Lake Champlain…
Robinson Heads Up Bunker Desk at Tankers International
VLCC pool Tankers International announced it has appointed Stephen Robinson to head up its bunker desk.Robinson will be UK-based and brings many years of experience to the business, having previously worked as managing director for both Bomin and Cockett Marine Oil.Matthew Smith, Chief Operating Officer, Tankers International, said, “Stephen Robinson brings with him a wealth of knowledge and strong…
White House Sides with Union as US Dockworker Strike Enters Second Day
President Joe Biden’s administration heaped pressure on U.S. port employers to raise their offer to secure a labor deal with dockworkers on strike for a second day on Wednesday, choking half the country’s ocean shipping.The strike by the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) union has blocked goods from food to automobile shipments across dozens of ports from Maine to Texas, a disruption that…
UK Firm Orders New Aquaculture Vessel
Donegal, Ireland-based Seabound Engineering has been awarded a contract to build a new vessel for one of the largest mussel farming companies in the U.K.The 25-meter mussel harvester, designed by Rockabill Marine Design (RMD), is expected to be delivered by June 2026.“We are proud to collaborate with a major U.K. mussel producer and bring Rockabill Marine Design’s vision to life,” said Thomas Havlin, Managing Director of Seabound Engineering.
