US Launches Multi-National Operation to Safeguard Red Sea Commerce
The United States on Tuesday launched a multinational operation to safeguard commerce in the Red Sea as attacks by Iran-backed Yemeni militants forced major shipping companies to reroute, stoking fears of sustained disruptions to global trade.The Houthi militant group, which controls vast amounts of territory in Yemen after years of war, has since last month fired drones and missiles at international…
Ingalls Authenticates Keel of Destroyer George M. Neal (DDG 131)
HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding has authenticated the keel of the U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) guided missile destroyer George M. Neal (DDG 131).George M. Neal (DDG 131) is the fourth Flight III destroyer to be constructed at Ingalls. Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers incorporate a number of design modifications that collectively provide significantly enhanced capability including the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) and the Aegis Baseline 10 Combat System…
CMA CGM to Reroute Some of Its Ships via Cape of Good Hope
French shipping group CMA CGM said on Monday that it is rerouting some of its vessels via Cape of Good Hope in the wake of attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea region.All other "CMA CGM containerships in the area that are scheduled to pass through the Red Sea have already been instructed to reach safe areas and pause their journey until further notice," the Marseille-based group said in a statement on their website.(Reuters - Reporting by Anirudh Saligrama, Editing by Franklin Paul)
China to Conduct Sea Trials for Its First Ultra-deepwater Drilling Ship
China will on Friday conduct sea trials for its first ocean research drilling vessel, capable of drilling at depths of more than 10,000 meters (32,800 feet), a key step towards beefing up the country's deep-sea oil and gas exploration capabilities.It is China's first vessel capable of ultra-deepwater research and drilling, Chinese state media reported on Monday. It can travel 15,000 nautical miles (27,780 kilometers) and operate for 120 consecutive days without returning to port.
Ask What Your Government Can Do For Your Industry (A 2023 Retrospective)
John F. Kennedy’s famous locution, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but you can do for your country” remains the rallying call for civic action and public leadership. The message remains foundational to the success of the United States, particularly as we head into an election year that once again appears to be filled with divisiveness and vitriol. That said, before we flip the calendar,…
Record Output, Tax Dodge Pushes Up Crude Exports from US Gulf Coast
Oil is flooding out of Texas in the final weeks of 2023, as traders find outlets abroad for record U.S. production and dodge a hefty year-end tax bill on their inventories.U.S. crude exports, nearly all of which leave from the U.S. Gulf coast, averaged about 4 million barrels per day (bpd) so far this year, according to U.S. government data, about 500,000 more than last year's record as oil production climbed to 13.2 million barrels per day.U.S.
Two Electric Tugs Built for SAAM Towage in Canada
The first electric tugs for SAAM Towage's fleet are ready to sail from the Port of Tuzla to Vancouver, Canada, where they will join the fleet operating in that country.SAAM Towage's Engineering and Development Manager, Pablo Cáceres, said, "We are one step closer to having our electric tugs operating, which for us represents the way to advance towards more sustainable operations and move our business…
Commercial Ship Still Hijacked off Somali Coast
A commercial vessel hijacked by unknown assailants remains off the coast of Somalia raising fears of further instability for global shipping as attacks escalate in the Red Sea, maritime security sources said on Monday.A Spanish navy ship was dispatched at full speed on Friday towards the Maltese-flagged Ruen vessel, which sources said had been hijacked.British maritime security company Ambrey said the vessel had reached nine miles offshore from Bander Murcaayo in Puntland, Somalia on Dec.
The Man Behind the 'Jones Act'
![Senator Wesley Livsey Jones (Credit: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, photograph by Harris and Ewing, [LC-DIG-hec-15427])](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/senator-wesley-livsey-jones-credit-146310.jpg)
Senator Wesley Livsey Jones gave his name to the famous “Jones Act” governing U.S. domestic maritime trade. But what do really know about him? It turns out that he was much more than a leading merchant marine policy maker. (i)Jones had a long career in the U.S. House of Representatives before he was a Senator, was an effective legislator, an astute politician, one of the hardest working legislators of his era, and always viewed as honest and forthright.
Bab al-Mandab Shipping Lane Becomes Target as Israel Fights Hamas
Yemen's Houthis have been targeting vessels in the southern Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait in attacks that the Iran-aligned group says aim to support the Palestinians as Israel and Hamas wage war.Several freight firms including MSC, the world's largest container shipping line, said they would avoid the Suez Canal as a result, which could mean having to circumnavigate Africa instead.War risk insurance premiums have risen as a result.WHAT ARE THE RECENT HOUTHI ATTACKS?* Dec.
Bollinger Delivers US Navy Berthing Barge
Last week, Bollinger Shipyards delivered the first Bollinger-built Auxiliary Personnel Lighter–Small (APL(S)) Class berthing and messing barge (APL 71) to the U.S. Navy. APL 71 is the fifth vessel of its class to be delivered to the Navy and the third to be homeported in Norfolk, Va.The previous four APLs were built and delivered by VT Halter Marine, which Bollinger acquired in late 2022. Halter received…
London Marine Insurers Widen High Risk Zone in Red Sea as Attacks Surge
London's marine insurance market has widened the area in the Red Sea it deems as high risk amid a surge in attacks on commercial ships, according to a statement issued on Monday.Guidance from the Joint War Committee, which comprises syndicate members from the Lloyd's Market Association (LMA) and representatives from the London insurance company market, is watched closely and influences underwriters' considerations over insurance premiums.The joint war committee widened the high risk zone to 18 d
Dales Marine Services Buys 20 Welding Generators
U.K. based ship repair and marine services form Dales Marine Services announced it has acquired 20 new welding generators from MB Plant, Peterhead.The newly acquired welding generators are replacements for older machines and will be utilized on-site at Dales Marine facilities including Aberdeen, Leith, Greenock and Troon, as well as remotely at clients' sites, as required.Dales Marine said its main…
MARAD Finalizes Rules for Title XI Loan Applicants and Borrowers
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD) issued a final rule updating its financial requirements for the Federal Ship Financing Program, commonly referred to as Title XI. The final rule provides the application requirements for MARAD loan guarantees for construction or reconstruction of a U.S.-flagged vessel or shipyard modernization. Designed to promote the growth and modernization of the U.S. merchant marine and U.S.
Hapag-Lloyd to Reroute Ships Due to Red Sea Safety Concerns
Germany's Hapag-Lloyd said on Monday it had decided to reroute several ships via the Cape of Good Hope, after the company held a a crisis meeting to discuss Houthi attacks targeting ships in the Red Sea."This will be done until the passage through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea will be safe again for vessels and their crews," a Hapag-Lloyd spokesperson said.(Reuters - Reporting by Christina Amann, Writing by Linda Pasquini, Editing by Rachel More)
Aker Arctic CEO Suojanen to Step Down
Aker Arctic’s CEO Reko-Antti Suojanen announced he will leave his position in the company, while he and the Board of Aker Arctic have agreed that he will continue in his position as CEO until of January 31, 2024.Suojanen has benn CEO of Aker Arctic for 10 years, and the Board has commenced the search process to hire his successor. “We have developed and designed worldclass icebreakers and other ice going vessels and reached a position as the leading company in this segment.
MODEC and Toray Develop New FPSO Repair Technique
MODEC and Toray Industries have jointly developed a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) patch technique for repairs on Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO), and Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) systems.FPSO and FSO repair services provided by MODEC, a general contractor specializing in engineering, construction, operation, and maintenance services of offshore oil and gas vessels…
Gastrade’s FSRU Alexandroupolis Reaches Greece
Gastrade’s new floating storage regasification unit (FSRU) has arrived to Greece after completing an almost 10-month conversion at the Seatrium shipyard in Singapore.The FSRU, dubbed Alexandroupolis, sailed away from Singapore on November 26, and has now entered the waters of the Thracian Sea. In the following days, the FSRU will be anchored through a spread 12-point mooring system, ahead of connection to the high-pressure subsea and onshore gas transmission pipeline.The pipeline…
Time is Running Out for some Fi-Fi Foams
A new IMO resolution will see the phase-out of foam firefighting systems that use fluorinated foams containing perfluoro-octane sulfonic acid (PFOS) as the foam-producing component. The new rules come into effect under a rolling programme beginning in 2026, but Swedish maritime engineering specialist Scanunit believes that a proactive replacement strategy should be put into effect now.Foam firefighting…
Aker BP Restarts Production at Alvheim Field After Unexpected Downtime
Norwegian oil company Aker BP has restored production at Alvheim field, causing an oil spill during the process of starting up the production vessel located in the central North Sea. The downtime resulted from a malfunction in new equipment installed during maintenance activities in the previous quarter, causing a deferral of approximately one month in the production from the Alvheim area, Aker BP said.
