First Steel Cut for Four Fully Electric Ferries Destined for Canada
Dutch shipbuilder Damen has cut the first steel for four fully electric ferries, being constructed for Canada-based BC Ferries at its Romanian shipyard.On July 16, the yard cut first steel on the first two of four, fully electric Island Class Ferries, which will be the first fully electric vessels to operate in the BC Ferries’ fleet.Operating with battery packs with the capacity to supply the power train with 2…
ClassNK Issues Innovation Endorsement for MIURA’s Cloud-Based Ship Monitoring Kit
ClassNK has granted its Innovation endorsement for products and solutions to a Ship IoT Application ‘i-MITEC’, developed by MIURA.‘i-MITEC’ uses a cloud-based environment to provide a range of services, collecting and storing operation data from equipment such as marine boilers and ballast water management systems that are fitted with communication functionality.The stored data can be used in combination…
EU Backs Estonia-Finland Joint Ports Upgrade Project with $16.8M
The TWIN-PORT VI scheme, a four-year project representing a continuation of the long-term cooperation between ports of Tallinn and Helsinki, has received a funding commitment from the EU in the amount of $16. 8 million (€15.4 million).The TWIN-PORT VI project aims to reduce transport system emissions and to improve conditions for passenger and freight transport operations.In the project, the Tallinna…
New Product: Sea Tel TVRO Antenna
Cobham Satcom unveiled its most advanced maritime satellite TV antenna, an antenna that is designed primarily for use on cruise ships and mega yachts, the 3.7 meter Sea Tel 370s TV is a solution designed to expand onboard access to the highest quality programming anywhere in the world, while significantly reducing lifetime technical costs.The Sea Tel 370s TV leverages the newest generation Sea Tel Integrated Marine Electronics (IMA) platform.
Damen Inks Deal to Build Six ASD Tugs for Middle Eastern Operator
Dutch shipbuilder Damen has signed a contract with Western Coast Port Services (WCPS) to construct six ASD Tugs.This order consists of five ASD Tugs 2813 and one ASD Tug 3212, which will be operated at Saudi Arabia's Jeddah Port.For this order, Damen is adapting the vessels to suit the Middle Eastern climate by incorporating additional air-conditioning and cooling equipment, ensuring optimal performance in the region’s challenging conditions.
Toyota Tsusho Orders Four Vessels for Angolan Port Development Project
Dutch shipbuilder Damen has signed a contract with Toyota Tsusho for the delivery of four vessels to support the port development project in Namibe, Angola.The order consists of two ASD Tugs 2813, a Pushy Cat 1004 and a Stan Pilot 1905. The vessels will be provided to the Ministry of Transport Angola as part of a Japanese Government funded port development project.Damen will deliver the vessels in…
China, Russia Kick Off Live-Fire Naval Exercises in South China Sea
China and Russia have begun live-fire naval exercises in the South China Sea, Russian and Chinese state media reported, with the two countries having strengthened military and trade ties in recent years following U.S. sanctions on both.The opening ceremony of the Russian-Chinese naval exercise 'Maritime Cooperation - 2024' took place in the Chinese port of Zhanjiang, the Russian defence ministry said on the Telegram messaging app.During their sea manoeuvres…
CIMAC Granted Consultative Status by IMO
CIMAC has been officially granted consultative status with the IMO.CIMAC is the leading global non-profit association promoting the development of ship propulsion, train drive and power generation.Eero Lehtovaara (ABB Marine and Ports), CIMAC VP Digitalization, said: "There are still many opportunities to optimize the status quo in shipping. Just think of efficiency gains through digitalization, for example. We want to encourage the maritime industry to embrace digitalization and implement it.
Call for North Atlantic Ocean ECA
Recent research into the impact of an Emissions Control Area (ECA) in the North Atlantic Ocean confirms that there would be significant emissions reductions benefits if such an area were to be established, says environmental organization Opportunity Green.The North Atlantic Emissions Control Area would mean stricter regulations on ships in designated areas, aimed at reducing and controlling their emissions of SOx…
Number of Accidents on Ships Remains Consistent
Accidents onboard ships are not decreasing, according to latest accident statistics submitted to the IMO by InterManager.The number of seafarers injured in falls has remained fairly consistent year on year, as has the number of injuries resulting from rescue and survival craft accidents. However, the casualty rate for enclosed space accidents has almost doubled, the Association warns.InterManager has submitted its figures…
Babcock and the Polish Naval Academy Enter New Academic Partnership
Defence company Babcock International Group and the Polish Naval Academy in Gdynia are set to collaborate on a new program of professional internships following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Cooperation Agreement.This summer, two Naval Academy students will take part in a six-week internship in Gdynia. During this time, they will work alongside Babcock employees to develop their skills and understanding of the marine industry.
US Offshore Wind Farm Shut Down After Turbine Debris Fouls Beaches
The Vineyard Wind offshore wind project off the coast of Massachusetts is shut down until further notice while authorities investigate a turbine blade failure that caused debris to wash up on beaches, a federal agency said on Tuesday.The U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) said it was working closely with Vineyard Wind to determine the cause of the incident, which left potentially dangerous debris on beaches on the island of Nantucket."There were no injuries reported…
Possible Red Sea Oil Spill After Houthi Attack
Liberia-flagged oil tanker Chios Lion was assessing damage and investigating a potential oil spill after it was attacked by Yemen's Houthis in the Red Sea, the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) said on Tuesday.An unmanned watercraft inflicted minor damage to Chios Lion's port side on Monday as part of a swarm of attacks by the Houthis on the vessel and another ship sailing around 100 nautical miles northwest of Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah."While originally heade
NTSB Unable to Pinpoint Cause of Research Vessel Fire in Alaska
The exact cause of a 2023 fire aboard a research vessel in Alaska has eluded investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which issued its final report on the incident on Tuesday.On January 19, 2023, small vessel Qualifier 105 was being stored ashore for the winter in the Northern Enterprises Boat Yard in Homer, Alaska when a fire started in a stateroom below the main deck. The local fire department extinguished the fire and no pollution or injuries were reported.
Global Cruise Industry Sees Growing Demand, Wary of Port Protests
The global cruise industry expects to carry 10% more passengers by 2028 than the 31.7 million who took cruise holidays in 2023, when the sector surpassed pre-pandemic levels, but sees some routes exposed to protests over overtourism.Long criticized for its impact on the environment and coastal communities, the industry has ordered 57 more cruise ships in addition to some 300 now in operation to meet the projected demand, said the European director of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)
Maritime Implications of Recent US Supreme Court Rulings
In recent weeks the U.S. Supreme Court has fundamentally changed the ways that laws are interpreted and enforced by federal agencies. These decisions will have far-reaching impacts on heavily-regulated sectors, such as the U.S. maritime industry, potentially altering the balance of power between stakeholders and federal regulators.Civil penalties require 7th Amendment protectionsOn June 27, 2024, in SEC v.
OceanPal to Acquire an MR2 Tanker Vessel
OceanPal on Tuesday announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding to acquire a 2009-built MR2 tanker vessel for $27 million, marking the Greek dry bulk shipowner's entry into the tanker market.The 49,999 dwt vessel, Zeze Start, is being purchased from an entity controlled by a director of the company and is scheduled to be delivered to OceanPal in the third quarter of this year.OceanPal—which…
Mack Boring Parts Ways with OXE Diesel
Somerset, N.J. based Mack Boring & Parts Co. on Tuesday announced it has discontinued its representation of OXE Marine diesel engines effective immediately.Mack Boring was an early investor in the OXE brand, originally signing on as a distributor in 2015 and secured the first orders of OXE diesel outboards for the U.S. Coast Guard following joint management of a CRADA research project in 2017.“Current OXE distribution strategy for North America is not a match for Mack Boring going forward…
Scottish Government to Tender for Seven New Electric Ferries
The Scottish government is set to tender for a series of seven new electric ferries for the Clyde and Hebrides network.The first stage of the competitive tender process will assess if shipyards interested in bidding for the contract meet the financial and technical criteria to take on the project, Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL), the government-owned entity that owns ferries, ports, harbors and infrastructure for ferry services on the west coast of Scotland and the Clyde Estuary…
Crew of Capsized Oil Tanker Off Oman Still Missing
The 16-strong crew of a Comoros-flagged oil tanker that capsized off Oman are still missing, the country's maritime security center said on Tuesday, a day after the sinking was reported.The crew of "Prestige Falcon" comprised 13 Indian nationals and three Sri Lankans, the Omani center said in a post on the social media platform X.Separately, the center told Reuters that the vessel remains "submerged, inverted".