Panama Canal Raises Maximum Draft for Neopanamax Locks
The Panama Canal Authority announced on Monday it is raising to 49 feet the maximum authorized draft allowed for vessels transiting the key global waterway's Neopanamax locks.The previous maximum depth allowed for the Neopanamax locks was 48 feet.In a brief statement, the authority said the change was made due to "the present and projected level of Gatun Lake for the upcoming weeks."(Reuters - Reporting by Elida Moreno; Editing by Aida Perlaez-Fernandez)
Irving Shipbuilding Orders 165-meter Shiplift Drydock from Bardex
Irving Shipbuilding has awarded Bardex Corporation a contract for a 165-meter shiplift drydock to support its River-class destroyer shipbuilding program for the Royal Canadian Navy.With a capacity of over 27,000 metric tons, the OmniLift Shiplift will include fifty-six 575-metric ton chain jack lift stations. According to Bardex, the shiplift drydock will be the largest in the Americas.“A reliable…
Burch Takes Control of Gunderson Marine & Iron
Dee Burch is now the sole proprietor of Gunderson Marine & Iron (GM&I). Recently acquiring all shares of GM&I, Burch assumes the role of president, managing day-to-day operations.“My transition to an active role in the organization is both a profound honor and a tremendous responsibility,” Burch said. “We stand on the shoulders of giants that have built a stellar 100-plus year history. I am committed…
Simulation Training Profile: Chris Hearn, Memorial University
Memorial University in St. Johns, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada, is a microcosm of how this unique regional cluster has parlayed its geographic locale and harsh, unique operating conditions into world leadership in the maritime, offshore energy and subsea tech spaces. An alumni, a professional mariner and now the Director of the Center for Marine Simulation, the Fisheries & Marine Institute at Memorial University…
Vessel Damaged in Houthi Attack Diverts to Djibouti
A container vessel that was hit by Houthi militants off Yemen on Saturday in the first such attack in two weeks, has arrived safely in Djibouti and the strike caused no injuries or water ingress, its Greek manager said on Monday.Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis said on Sunday that they targeted the Liberia-flagged MV Groton in the Gulf of Aden with ballistic missiles, claiming their first attack on shipping…
China Coast Guard Keeps Close Watch on Philippine Patrol Boats
China's coast guard said it was monitoring Philippine patrol and fishing vessels that have gathered around the contested Sabina Shoal, citing China's "indisputable sovereignty" over the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.China's coast guard had been monitoring the vessels since Saturday, spokesperson Gan Yu said in a statement late on Sunday.Gan said patrol boats from the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries…
Winners of Student Ferry Design Contest Announced
The Worldwide Ferry Safety Association (WFSA) announced the awardees for the 11th Annual Student Competition for a Safe Affordable Ferry. Winning teams receive monetary awards and are invited to speak about their work at an international conference; this year- the venue will be Interferry’s 48th annual conference, to be held in Marrakesh on October 28-29, 2024. For this year's WFSA competition, the Terms of Reference (TOR) called for a RoPax vessel to accommodate 150-200 passengers…
Meyer Werft Floats Out Cruise Ship Disney Treasure
German shipbuilder Meyer Werft has floated out Disney Treasure, a new cruise ship being built for U.S.-based Disney Cruise Line.The 144,000 GT newbuild left the shipyard's building dock and is now berthed in the harbor, where final interior outfitting will take place ahead of scheduled delivery later this year.The second in a series of four Wish class cruise ships Meyer Werft is building for Disney…
Artemis Technologies Opens New York Office
U.K.-based Artemis Technologies is opening its first U.S. office in response to "significant interest" for its electric, hydrofoiling vessels in North America, the company announced.The new office in New York's Brooklyn Navy Yard will serve as Artemis Technologies' central hub for its North American operations and positions the company to better serve its U.S. customers and collaborate with local partners…
USACE Gives Update on Monongahela River Locks and Dam 3
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District said it is expediting the opening of a 100-foot-wide navigation channel through the dam at Monongahela River Locks and Dam 3 near Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, by August 28.On July 15, the Monongahela River Locks and Dam 3 staff near Elizabeth, Pa., discovered an issue with the water level in the primary lock chamber. The district implemented a 7-foot…
US Navy Orders Two More Landing Craft Utility Vessels from Austal USA
Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA has been awarded a $54,997,317 fixed-priced incentive (firm-target) contract modification for the construction of two additional Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1700-class vessels for the U.S. Navy.Austal USA was awarded an initial contract for the construction of three LCU 1700-class vessels, with options for an additional nine vessels, in September 2023. The potential…
Geopolitical Fighting Negatively Impacts Ship Recycling
As Russia's war continues to rage in Ukraine and tensions hit a fever pitch in the Middle East, zooming out of the ship recycling markets, GMS sees geopolitical events taking centerstage across all shipping sectors (trading and recycling) for yet another week, with no end in sight. The mysterious bombing assassination of one of the founding members of Hezbollah in the heart of the Iranian capital city of Tehran early in the week sent shockwaves across the Arab world…
COSCO and Wallem Group Forge Strategic Maritime Partnership
Maritime solutions provider Wallem Group and China’s COSCO Shipping Seafarer Management Company have entered into strategic cooperation to enhance their collaboration in maritime industry.The partnership underscores both companies’ commitment to innovation and sustainability in the maritime industry, aiming to set new benchmarks in ship management and crew services. “We are honored to partner with COSCO Shipping Seafarer Management Company to work together towards common goals on green…
Italian Navy Orders Fourth Patrol Vessel from Fincantieri, Leonardo JV
Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN), a joint venture owned by Fincantieri (51%) and Leonardo (49%), has received notification from the Italian Navy that it has exercised its option for the construction of the fourth next-generation offshore patrol vessel (OPV) and the related logistical support.The total value of the operation is about $255.7 million (€236 million).In the coming days, OSN will finalize sub-contracts by notifying the option exercise to Fincantieri and Leonardo…
Can You 'Hear' Good Engine Performance?
CM Technologies (CMT) added a fuel injection acoustic emission sensor to its PREMET X range of two- and four-stroke diesel engine performance indicators, allowing engineers to monitor the acoustic signature of a diesel engine’s fuel injection system to detect any problems with fuel injectors, nozzles, and pumps.“Atomization and fuel injection timing are the most important variables in the combustion process, correlating directly with the amount of fuel consumed and carbon emitted.
SV Juren Ae sets Sail
SV Juren Ae (IMO no. 1021245) was delivered to the Marshall Islands Shipping Corporation (MISC) July 31, 2024, a 'low carbon' vessel funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI), built at Asia Shipbuilding in Geoje City, Korea and classed by KR.SV Juren Ae is a 48-m, 300 dwt supply vessel, the result of a collaborative effort led by the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) through…
Woodside to Buy Ammonia Project on US Gulf Coast for $2.35B
Australia’s Woodside Energy has signed an agreement with Dutch-based OCI Global to acquire its clean ammonia project for $2.35 billion, which is still under construction on the U.S. Gulf Coast in Texas.Woodside has entered into a binding agreement to acquire 100% of OCI Clean Ammonia Holding, and its lower carbon ammonia project in Beaumont, in a move that strengthens the company’s transition to green…
Geopolitical Events Continue to Shape Ship Recycling Market
“We see geopolitical events take center stage across all shipping sectors (trading and recycling) for yet another week,” reports cash buyer GMS. It is expected to continue through Q3 and likely well into Q4.GMS cites events such as the assassination of one of the founding members of Hezbollah in the heart of the Iranian capital city of Tehran, rockets fired into Israel and expected continued attacks…
China Coast Guard Monitors Philippine Patrol Boats in Sabina Shoal
China's coast guard said it was monitoring Philippine patrol and fishing vessels that have gathered around the contested Sabina Shoal, citing China's "indisputable sovereignty" over the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.China's coast guard had been monitoring the vessels since Saturday, spokesperson Gan Yu said in a statement late on Sunday.Gan said patrol boats from the Philippine Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Bureau and multiple fishing boats have gathered in the waters near a Philippin
New Zealand Scraps Green Policies to Boost Economy
New Zealand's green credentials are at risk as the government rolls back environmental reforms in a bid to boost a flailing economy and fulfil promises made to its voters.Since taking power last year, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's center-right coalition announced it will reverse a ban on oil and gas exploration, push the pricing of agricultural emissions back five year and encourage more mining.This…
