Lithuanian Port Goes Forward with Quay Reconstruction for Offshore Wind
![(Credit: Klaipėda Port Authority)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/credit-klaipda-port-authority-156831.jpg)
Klaipėda Port Authority in Lithuania has signed an agreement for the infrastructure buildout for the offshore wind energy projects, starting with the reconstruction of quays on Smeltė peninsula, which will ensure assembly, handling and transportation of offshore wind turbines.The successful tenderer UAB Tilsta has been tasked with reconstructing the quays at the former International Ferry Port under the $37.9 million contract.As the reconstructed quays will be used for assembly…
The Technology Pathways that Lead to Fuel Cells
![© scharfsinn86 / Adobe Stock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/scharfsinn86-adobe-stock-156550.jpeg)
In an article by Rhonda Moniz published this week on MarineLink, Siemens sales executive Ed Schwarz noted the flexibility provided by an electric distribution “backbone” that enables ferry operators to add more batteries, switch to new fuels or become 100% emission free with fuel cells.A string of deliveries reported this week demonstrate that steps are being taken along this pathway for a range of vessels:The hull of Lithuania’s first green hydrogen and electricity-powered ship was launched by the Klaipėda State Seaport Authority.
Germany builds up LNG import terminals
![(c) Mike Mareen / Adobestock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/c-mike-mareen-adobestock-156543.jpg)
Germany is expanding its natural gas import options to replace Russian supply, a drive intensified by the latest suspension of Russian flows via Ukraine and U.S. President Donald Trump targeting Europe with liquefied natural gas exports.Plans also include shore-based regasification terminals and facilities to import and produce ammonia and green hydrogen under decarbonization strategies. A synopsis of changes and additions to Germany's energy plans and infrastructure is listed below:MUKRANMukran…
Lithuanian Port Building Fuel Cell Powered Tanker
![Source: Klaipėda State Seaport Authority](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/source-klaipda-state-seaport-authority-156452.jpg)
The hull of Lithuania’s first green hydrogen and electricity-powered ship has been launched by the Klaipėda State Seaport Authority.The tanker will accept waste from vessels entering the port when it enters operation later this year.The tanker’s main function is to collect storm water, sewage, sludge and garbage, and it will be equipped with special tanks and a modern rainwater treatment plant that will allow the treated water to be transferred to the city’s sewage treatment plants.
Van Oord Tests Electric Crane Vessel
![Source: Van Oord](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/source-van-oord-156451.jpg)
Van Oord, in cooperation with ZEDHub, Smart Delta Drechtsteden, the Municipality of Dordrecht and Port of Rotterdam, has demonstrated the operation of the fully electric crane vessel Christiaan P, a first for the dredging industry.Christiaan P. is a crane vessel owned by Paans Van Oord which was retrofitted to remove its engines and replace them with electric motors. The crane was also replaced by an electric one. The vessel is used for various kinds of marine engineering work…
Houthis Free Galaxy Leader’s Crew After More Than One Year
![Galaxy Leader (Credit: Screenshot from video shared by Yemeni Armed Forces)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/galaxy-leader-credit-screenshot-from-156348.jpg.jfif)
Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis have released the crew of the Galaxy Leader more than a year after they seized their Bahamas-flagged vessel off the Yemeni Red Sea coast, Houthi-owned Al Masirah TV reported on Wednesday.It said the crew were handed to Oman "in coordination" with the three-day-old ceasefire in Gaza's war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas."The release of the Galaxy Leader crew comes within the framework of our solidarity with Gaza and in support of the ceasefire agreement…
Israel Bombs Houthi-controlled Power Station, Ports
![©VanderWolf Images/AdobeStock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/vanderwolf-imagesadobestock-156179.jpeg)
Israeli warplanes bombed a power station and two ports in Houthi-controlled Yemen on Friday in retaliation for Houthi drone and missile strikes against Israel, and pro-Houthi media said at least one person had been killed and nine wounded.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Iran-backed Houthi militia were "paying and will continue to pay a heavy price for their aggression against us".A series of airstrikes targeted the Red Sea port of Ras Issa and six others the major port of Hodeidah…
Port of Oakland kicks off 2025 paid Internships
![Port of Oakland Interns 2024 (c) Port of Oakland](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/port-of-oakland-interns-2024-155978.jpg)
The Port of Oakland is excited to announce the kick-off of its 2025 paid Summer College Internship Program.Qualified applicants can competitively apply for summer internships in a variety of professional fields at the Port including Aviation, Communications, Engineering, Environmental Programs & Planning, Governmental Affairs, Human Resources, Technology & Innovation, Legal, Maritime Logistics, and Utilities.The Port has proudly supported internship opportunities for college students for nearly 20 years.
Thordon Bearings Expands Baltic Presence
![(Credit: Thordon Bearings)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/credit-thordon-bearings-155891.jpg)
Thordon Bearings has appointed Axioma servisas as its sales, service and distribution lead for Lithuania as part of its strategy to penetrate new and emergent markets.Vilnius-headquartered Axioma servisas, which has been servicing, maintaining, installing and commissioning technology solutions for companies across the Baltic’s industrial sectors for more than two decades, has been tasked with expanding Thordon’ presence across the country.Axioma servisas officially joined Thordon’s authorized distributor network on January 1, 2025.
Sanmar Delivers Tug for Scafi
![Image courtesy Sanmar](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/image-courtesy-sanmar-155763.jpg)
A second multi-purpose tugboat has joined her twin sister at Rijeka, Croatia’s principal seaport, part of a two-tug contract with the Italian shipping group Scafi for its Croatian subsidiary Jadranski Pomorski Servis.Known as BOĞAÇAY LXXII while under construction in Turkiye the tug, renamed TITAN by her new owner, is now working alongside fellow Bogacay Series tugboat MORETTO.Both 80-ton bollard pull tugs are based on the exclusive-to-Sanmar RAmparts 2400SX MKII design from Robert Allan Ltd.Measuring 24.4m LOA…
Port of Oakland Box Volume Finishing 2024 Strong
![The port of Oakland (c) Port of Oakland](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/the-port-of-oakland-c-155724.jpg)
The Port of Oakland’s container business continues to grow. Total cargo volume shot up 10% year-to-date, January through November 2024, compared to the same period in 2023.“We are optimistic that strong container volume will continue through the end of the year,” said Port of Oakland Manager of Business Development and International Marketing Carolyn Almquist. “We expect to be on track to return to our pre-pandemic baseline cargo numbers. Our total inbound and outbound volume is up…
Rahn elected Manatee County Port Authority chairman
![Manatee County Commissioner Mike Rahn (c) Seaport Manatee](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/manatee-county-commissioner-mike-rahn-155633.jpg)
Manatee County Commissioner Mike Rahn has been elected chairman of the Manatee County Port Authority.“It is a privilege to chair SeaPort Manatee’s governing board as we continue to advance key infrastructure enhancements and hurricane recovery efforts while setting the course for even greater realization of the port’s role as a leading contributor to our region’s economy,” said Rahn, whose election was confirmed today [Dec. 19] at a meeting of the Manatee County Port Authority, following selection at the Dec.
Trump Tariff Threat Lifts US Ocean Imports
When U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump started talking about new import tariffs on the campaign trail, Danny Reynolds checked the tags on wedding dresses in his bridal salon and sped up some shipments to his independent clothing store in Indiana."I was grabbing tags specifically to look at the country of origin and it was China, China, China, China, China, China," said Stephenson's of Elkhart boutique owner Reynolds, who moved deliveries of around 20 bridal gowns ahead by about two months.Trump has threatened to slap tariffs of at least 10% on goods from China and to impose levies of 25% on products from both Mexico and Canada…
Moody's: Port of Oakland A1 Rating Maintained
![A boxship discharges cargo at the Port of Oakland (c) Port of Oakland](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/a-boxship-discharges-cargo-at-155365.jpg)
Port as primary gateway for Northern California region a key credit strength. Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Moody’s) has maintained the Port of Oakland's senior lien rating at A1 stable. The A1 stable senior bond rating reflects the Port’s strong liquidity, healthy debt service coverage ratio, manageable capital spending and significant long-term debt capacity.“The rating reflects the Port’s commitment to fiscal responsibility,” said Port of Oakland Chief Financial Officer Julie Lam.
Tugdock, Sarens to Develop Heavy Lift O&M Hub at ABP’s Welsh Port
![SGC-250, the Sarens’ giant crane nicknamed Big Carl by the Port of Ghent (Credit: Sarens)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/sgc250-the-sarens-giant-crane-155323.jpg)
Tugdock and Sarens have secured funding from Crown Estate’s Supply Chain Accelerator for a joint project to develop a heavy lift operations and maintenance (O&M) hub at ABP’s port of Port Talbot in Wales to support floating wind projects in the region.With key support from major industry players such as ABP and RWE, and other partnerships, the vision for the facility is to provide support for heavy lift equipment used in floating offshore wind projects in the Celtic Sea.Port Talbot's strategic location near the Celtic Sea makes it an optimal hub for supporting floating offshore wind projects…
Port Authority-Led Supply Chain Panel Steers NY/NJ Seaport
![Ocean carriers, terminal operators, dockworkers, truckers, railroads, warehousers and more all must coordinate to move more than $230 billion in goods in and out of the Port of New York and New Jersey annually.(c) Port of NY / NJ](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/ocean-carriers-terminal-operators-dockworkers-155248.jpg)
The summer of 2013 was a breaking point for the Port of New York and New Jersey.“It was like Armageddon,” said Bethann Rooney, port director at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. “It was the worst cargo congestion we’ve ever seen.”The compounding causes – technological difficulties, a labor shortage, and lingering effects of Hurricane Sandy – couldn’t be fixed by any single entity at the port. It led Rooney, then the manager of port security, to propose something unprecedented…
SeaPort Manatee adds two Eco-efficient Harbor Cranes
![The Seaport Manatee cranes arrive in Florida. PHOTO CREDIT: Seaport Manatee](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/the-seaport-manatee-cranes-arrive-155197.jpg)
SeaPort Manatee is furthering its ship-to-shore cargo-handling capabilities with addition of two new Konecranes Gottwald Generation 6 mobile harbor cranes at the maritime trade hub for Southwest and Central Florida and beyond.The latest pair of eco-efficient cranes arrived at the seaport Monday [Dec. 2], after a trans-Atlantic voyage from Antwerp, Belgium, on Spliethoff’s M/V Plantijngracht. The units are to enter service in January, bringing to a total of seven the number of Gottwald mobile harbor cranes in use at SeaPort Manatee.“With cargo flowing through SeaPort Manatee at a record pace…
Damen Delivers Six Tugs to Belgian Port
![(Credit: Damen)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/credit-damen-155065.jpg)
Damen Shipyards has delivered six RSD Tugs 2513 to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium, including the first fully electric tug that will operate in a European port.The delivery consists of five RSD Tugs 2513 and one RSD-E Tug 2513.With its fully electric propulsion, the RSD-E Tug 2513 paves the way to zero emission operations. The remaining five vessels are also contributing to cleaner operations.As part of the contract scope, Damen has delivered and commissioned the electric tug’s 1.5 megawatt charger and onshore electric infrastructure.
Oakland Import Volumes Near Pre-Pandemic Level
![Ship Loading in Port of Oakland (c) Port of Oakland](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/ship-loading-in-port-of-154926.jpg)
The Port of Oakland’s container volume registers continued growth in the fourth quarter. Total container volume rose 10% over recorded volumes during the same period in 2023.Loaded imports continue to grow for the 12th straight month. Import volume rose 11.2% in October 2024, compared to October 2023. Port operators processed 81,498 TEUs (twenty-foot containers), versus 73,281 TEUs in 2023.“Overall, the Port’s loaded import cargo is trending towards its pre-pandemic level,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director Bryan Brandes.
Massport Sees Record Cruise Traffic
![Massport Cruise CREDIT Massport](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/massport-cruise-credit-massport-154925.jpg)
The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) today celebrated a record-breaking passenger count at Flynn Cruiseport Boston this year with just over 480,000 passengers, a 29 percent passenger increase over last year.Flynn Cruiseport welcomed a total 167 cruise ships this season –18 more ships and a 12 percent increase over 2023. The Authority also announced a $100 million investment in the Cruiseport, including $60 million for shore power, a significant step forward for sustainable maritime practices at the Port of Boston…
Port of Oakland wins $50 million Marad grant
Federal funds to upgrade aging docks to accommodate ultra-large vessels and expand economic benefits to region.The Port of Oakland was awarded approximately $50 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD) to modernize wharves and terminal infrastructure at the Outer Harbor. The Port’s Outer Harbor will be upgraded to accommodate Ultra Large Container Vessels, which are now a regular part of the shipping fleet calling on West Coast ports. These ships have a handling capacity of up to 24,000 TEUs (20-foot containers) but are restricted at portions of Oakland’s Outer Harbor by aging wharves which were originally designed for smaller ships.Newer, larger vessels are more efficient, cost effective and environmentally cleaner to operate than older ships.
Germany Preps for More FSRU Vessels
![Copyright Timon/AdobeStock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/copyright-timonadobestock-154823.jpeg)
Germany is expanding its natural gas import options to replace Russian supply. Following are updates on key facilities and terminals being developed to host floating storage regasification units (FSRUs) to receive seaborne liquefied natural gas (LNG). Plans also include shore-based regasification terminals and facilities to import and produce ammonia and hydrogen.STADEState-owned Deutsche Energy Terminal (DET) has said in German media reports that FSRUs at both Stade and Wilhelmshaven 2 will start operations before the winter, without specifying precise commissioning dates.
Rooney Named 2025 Person of the Year by NYNJFFFBA
![Bethann Rooney (c) Port Authority of NY NJ](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/bethann-rooney-c-port-authority-154816.jpg)
Bethann Rooney, Port Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, has been named the 2025 Person of the Year by the New York/New Jersey Foreign Freight Forwarders and Brokers Association (NYNJFFFBA). She will receive the award at the association’s 107th Annual Dinner Gala, scheduled for February 6, 2025, at the Marriott Marquis in New York City.The NYNJFFFBA’s Person of the Year Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the global trade, logistics, and transportation industries. Ms.