U.S. Wants Black Sea Ceasefire
A U.S. delegation will seek progress toward a Black Sea ceasefire and a broader cessation of violence in the war in Ukraine when it meets for talks with Russian officials on Monday, after discussions with diplomats from Ukraine on Sunday.The so-called technical talks come as U.S. President Donald Trump intensifies his drive for a halt to Russia's three-year-old assault against Ukraine. Last week, he…
Recycling Market Abuzz Over Sanctioned VLCCs
This week’s news was abuzz surrounding the two OFAC sanctioned VLCCs that recently arrived OPL Chattogram and are now stuck after undoubtedly risky transactions that have resulted in several failed onward resales, reports cash buyer GMS.Both vessels have yet to receive their respective No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to permit their entry into port limits for recycling. As the Artemis III and Itagua remain stranded…
Celebrities Condemn Brittany Ferries’ Live Export Decision
Actors Dame Joanna Lumley and Pauline McLynn have joined forces with over 110 other high-profile individuals, experts and animal welfare NGOs to condemn a decision by Brittany Ferries to resume transporting livestock from Ireland to France, including unweaned calves.Lumley and others including Chis Packham, Neil Hannon and Cathy Davey have added their names to a letter urging Brittany Ferries to reconsider.
Tidewater Orders Four Inland Barges
Tidewater Transportation and Terminals has finalized a contract with Gunderson Marine and Iron, a Portland, Oregon-based shipyard, for the construction of four new liquid refined product barges.The barges will measure 272 feet long, 42 feet wide, and 18 feet 6 inches deep, with a capacity of 20,000 barrels.Designed and constructed for service on the Columbia Snake River System, these inland liquid…
Survey Vessel Runs Aground off Italy
The geophysical survey vessel Fugro Mercator ran aground off the north coast of Elba, Italy, on March 22.The Italian coastguard arrived on site swiftly to provide support and monitor the situation. All crew, 11 people in total, were evacuated and taken ashore safely. A salvage operation is being prepared together with international experts and local officials.It is not yet clear what led to the Fugro Mercator running aground.
CGC Naushon Decommissioned
The U.S. Coast Guard decommissioned Coast Guard Cutter Naushon (WPB 1311) during a ceremony in Homer on March 21.Rear Adm. Megan Dean, the commander of Coast Guard District 17, presided over the ceremony honoring the nearly 40 years of service Naushon and its crews provided to the nation.Commissioned on October 3, 1986, Naushon was the 11th Island-Class cutter to join the fleet.Naushon has been stationed…
Lack of Oversight Impacts U.S. Fishing Industry
U.S. President Donald Trump’s regulatory freeze has injected chaos and uncertainty into a number of lucrative American fisheries, raising the risk of a delayed start to the fishing season for some East Coast cod and haddock fleets and leading to overfishing of Atlantic bluefin tuna, according to Reuters interviews with industry groups and federal government employees.America’s $320 billion fishing industry relies on a branch of the federal government…
