Trump Order Fast Tracks Subsea Mining
President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at boosting the deep-sea mining industry, marking his latest attempt to boost U.S. access to nickel, copper and other critical minerals used widely across the economy.The order, which Trump signed in private, seeks to jumpstart the mining of both U.S. and international waters as part of a push to offset China's sweeping control of the critical…
Outdraft Current Contributed to Ohio River Tow Strike
A barge tow struck a vane dike on the Ohio River last year because the pilot did not effectively compensate for the outdraft current while navigating out of the McAlpine Locks in Louisville, Kentucky, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has concluded.The towing vessel Amber Brittany was transiting the Ohio River on March 8, 2024, pushing 15 barges when the tow struck the vane dike at the upstream end of the locks.
R2mc Deploys Eco Patch Technology at Sea
R2mc Technologies is entering the marine propulsion market after success in motorsports and heavy-duty transport, with a new patented Eco Patch Technology.The Eco Patch System acts as an autonomous torsional damper, converting mechanical, thermal and acoustic vibrations from rotating systems into a counteracting electromagnetic field – entirely self-powered, with no external energy input required.
Just-In-Time Arrival: A Triple Win
There were 57 ships in the queue at the Port of Newcastle in Australia when the Pasha Bulker ran aground there in 2007.The coal ship was grounded for about three weeks before it was able to be towed away for repairs.The Pasha Bulker wasn’t the only vessel that had attempted to ride out the gale at anchor, and the majority of other vessels that did so also dragged their anchors.The port subsequently…
Drewry: Global Container Shipping Volume to Fall 1% in Response to Trump Trade Policies
Maritime consultancy Drewry said on Thursday that it expects global container port volume to fall 1% as a direct result of U.S. trade policies.That would be the third drop in global container shipping demand since London-based Drewry began recording that data in 1979. Container volumes fell 8.4% during the global financial crisis in 2009 and 0.9% in 2020 when the COVID pandemic was declared.The Trump…
ASRY, AtkinsRĂ©alis Sign MoU on Offshore Wind Energy Projects
The Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Company (ASRY) has signed a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AtkinsRéalis, an engineering services company with capabilities in the net zero energy sector. The signing took place earlier this April, attended by senior figures from both companies. Dr Ahmed Al Abri, ASRY’s Chief Executive Officer, signed on the company’s behalf alongside David Haboubi, Head of Middle East Nuclear and Net Zero Energy…
Baltic Index Rises to Over Two-Week High
The Baltic Exchange's dry bulk sea freight index extended gains on Thursday, reaching a more than two-week high, on stronger rates across all vessel segments.* The main index .BADI, which monitors rates for capesize, panamax, and supramax shipping vessels, rose by 53 points to mark its highest level since April 7, at 1,353 points.* The capesize index .BACI gained 114 points to its highest since April 8 at 1…
US DOI Implements New Guidelines on Gulf of Mexico Drilling With Hopes of Boosting Oil Output
The U.S. Interior Department said on Thursday it has implemented new guidelines for allowable pressure differences in a certain type of oil drilling in part of the Gulf of Mexico, changes it expects can boost U.S. oil output.President Donald Trump's new Energy Dominance Council led by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum is looking for ways to cut costs for oil and gas producers, cut regulations and boost oil output…
Britain Emphasizes Collaboration on Energy Security at Global Summit
Britain urged closer international cooperation to improve energy security on Thursday, telling dozens of other governments and business leaders that they would otherwise be vulnerable to those who were willing to weaponise supplies.Security of energy supply shot up the agenda of countries around the world after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 drove up global prices and pushed the EU to curb its reliance on Russian fuels."Energy security is national security...
Chinese Aircraft Carrier Battle Group Spotted in Lead Up to Philippines, US Joint Military Drills
The Philippine Navy said a Chinese aircraft carrier battle group had passed near its northern maritime boundaries in the run-up to a six-day maritime exercise with the U.S.
China Cites Their Disputed Sea Structure As a Fish Breeding Facility
China's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday (April 24) that its structure in disputed waters is a legitimate fishery breeding facility and compliant with both domestic and international law.The South Ko
More Russian Insurers Seek India's Approval to Provide Insurance for Oil Tankers
Three more Russian insurers, including a subsidiary of top lender Sberbank, have asked India for approval to provide marine insurance for oil shipments sent to Indian ports, two sources with knowledge of the matter said, as Moscow looks to maintain deliveries despite Western sanctions.India has already approved five insurers from Russia, which has no insurance firms in the International Group of P&I Clubs…
China Military Says It Monitored and Warned US Warship in Taiwan Strait
China's military said on Thursday that it had dispatched naval and air forces to monitor and warn a U.S. guided missile destroyer that sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait.The U.S. Navy, occasionally accompanied by ships from allied countries, transits the strait about once a month. China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, says the strategic waterway belongs to it.China held its latest round of war games around Taiwan earlier this month…
KERSHIP Launches Construction of OPV 60M for the Montenegrin Navy
KERSHIP launched the construction of the first of two OPV 60M offshore patrol vessels for the Montenegrin Navy at its Lorient shipyard on April 24 in the presence of Mr. Dragan Krapovic, Minister of Defense of Montenegro, Ms. Anne-Marie Maskay, Ambassador of France to Montenegro, and numerous French and Montenegrin civilian and military personalities.This event marks a step in strengthening Montenegro's strategic capabilities, a crucial issue for the country as it faces new security challenges.
ABS Presents Lifetime Achievement Award to Foremost Shipping Founder and Chairman
ABS presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. James S. C. Chao, Founder and Chairman of the Foremost Group.The first ABS award of its kind, the honor was presented by ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki at the 163rd ABS Annual Members Meeting recognizing Dr. Chao’s contributions to shipping and his legacy of honor, integrity and dedication to the maritime industry.“Dr. Chao not only has a remarkable legacy of achievement but also personifies the finest values of our industry.
Wärtsilä, Höegh Evi Complete Development of World’s First Floating Ammonia-to-Hydrogen Cracker
Wärtsilä Gas Solutions and Höegh Evi have successfully completed development of the world’s first floating ammonia-to-hydrogen cracker. This technology enables floating import terminals to produce hydrogen at industrial-scale volumes from transported ammonia, marking a step in the energy transition. The project was announced in April 2023 and is part of Norway’s green platform program.The industrial…
AS Tallink Grupp: First Quarter Net Loss Amounts to $37 Million
AS Tallink Grupp has published its unaudited financial results for the first quarter of the current financial year to the stock exchange. The net loss for the period…
INTERCARGO Welcomes ILO Recognition of Seafarers as Key Workers
The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) welcomes the recent decision at the International Labour Organization (ILO) to officially recognize seafarers as key workers under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).This outcome represents a significant step in ensuring fair treatment, safeguarding seafarers' rights, and strengthening their access to medical care, mobility, and legal…
In Maritime Propulsion, there is no 'one-size-fits-all' DPS for Vessels
If the dynamic positioning (DP) system went down on an offshore supply vessel, it could result in a collision. On a dive support vessel, it could result in injury or death for a diver. On a drilling rig, it could result in a blowout with loss of life, pollution and fire.Built-in redundancy is key to avoiding failures, and this in turn determines the thruster, electrical and engine configurations that are designed to enable DP systems.“There is no single…
KAUST Research Vessel Keel Laid at Freire Shipyard
The keel laying of the new research vessel, Thuwal II, for the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) at the Freire Shipyard marks the beginning of a new chapter in marine research in Saudi Arabia, driving innovation in this crucial field for the country. The contract for the newbuild was announced in August 2024.“The RV Thuwal II represents a decisive step in our commitment to strengthen Saudi Arabia's scientific infrastructure and protect the Red Sea ecosystem.
