Maritime Industry Top News
Baltic Dry Index Reaches Over 10-year High
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index on Monday drifted up to its highest since September 2010, as an uptick in rates for the larger capesize segment offset a drop in panamax vessel demand.The Baltic dry index, which tracks rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels ferrying dry bulk commodities, edged up 20 points, or 0.7%, to 2,808, a high since September 2010.The capesize index was up 70 points, or 1.7%, to 4,262, a peak since July 3, 2020.Average daily earnings for capesizes, wh
Expert Advice: New Ballast Water Guide
If you and your crew are facing questions about ballast water management (BWM) and related regulatory deadlines, it would be worth your while to download a new (January 2021) “Ballast Water Management Systems User Guide,” an extensive, in-depth look at evaluating, selecting and installing a BWM system. The guide was published by MARAD and Glosten for the Ship Operations Cooperative Program (SOCP).
Suez Canal Hopes for Deal on Detained Ever Given
The head of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) said on Monday he hoped talks would soon yield an agreement with the owner and insurer of a giant container ship which is still being detained since it blocked the waterway for six days last month.The 400-meter Ever Given became wedged diagonally across the canal in high winds on March 23, blocking all traffic. Since it finally came unstuck, it has been held with its cargo in a lake separating two stretches of the canal.
Huisman Unveils Jones Act Offshore Wind Feeder Solution
The Netherlands-based crane and heavy machinery manufacturer Huisman has introduced a motion compensated platform engineered for the transfer of wind turbine components from a feeder vessel offshore.The platform, which actively counterbalances the effects of vessel motions to provide a stable deck area, can be used aboard a feeder vessel for transporting components in U.S. waters since the use of internationally flagged wind turbine Installation vessels (WTIV) is restricted under the Jones Act.
Finnlines' First New Hybrid RoRo Launched
Finnlines’ first of three new hybrid ro-ro vessels was launched at the Nanjing Jinling Shipyard in China on Monday. The vessel, Finneco I, will start sailing on the Finnish shipping company’s Biscay–North Sea–Baltic Sea service at the turn of the year. The series’ second and third vessels, Finneco II and Finneco III, will be delivered in 2022.The new vessels are 238 meters long with a cargo capacity of 5,800 lane meters.
Missing Submarine Found Broken Up, 53 Dead
A missing Indonesian submarine has been found, broken into at least three parts, at the bottom of the Bali Sea, army and navy officials said on Sunday, as the president sent condolences to relatives of the 53 crew.Rescuers also found new objects, including a life vest, that they believe belong to those aboard the 44-year old KRI Nanggala-402, which lost contact on Wednesday as it prepared to conduct a torpedo drill."Based on the evidence…
HII Christens Destroyer Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123)
Huntington Ingalls Industries' (NYSE:HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division christened guided missile destroyer Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123).“The christening of Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee is a significant milestone that brings our 34th destroyer one step closer to being introduced into the fleet,” Ingalls Shipbuilding President Kari Wilkinson said. “In these ever-changing times, the significance of what we do has never been more important.
Navy’s Oldest Floating Dry Dock Supports First Dive Boat Repairs
The Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC) floating dry dock Dynamic (AFDL 6) docked a dive support boat for the first time in it's long history. This was the first time Dynamic has every docked a round-bottom vessel.For the first time, the Navy’s oldest floating dry-dock, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center’s (MARMC) Dynamic (AFDL 6), successfully docked a dive support boat, April 15.Dive Support Boat 1103, attached to the MARMC’s Dive Locker, will undergo emergent repairs.
New Leadership for d’Amico's Dry Cargo Business
The d'Amico Group announced Cesare d'Amico has taken over as chief executive officer of the Italian shipowner's dry cargo business unit.Cesare d'Amico, who already serves as CEO of d'Amico Società di Navigazione SpA, has always been directly involved in the company's strategic decisions relating to the dry cargo business unit, which operates a core fleet of 50 vessels mainly in the Post Panamax/ Kamsarmax, Supramax and Handy segments.
Euronav Orders Two Ammonia-ready VLCCs at Hyundai Samho
Belgium-based Euronav has ordered two very large crude carriers (VLCC) from South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Samho, with an option for a third.The fuel-efficient newbuilds will be liquefied natural gas (LNG)-ready, and Euronav said it is working in cooperation with the yard and classification society to include an Ammonia-ready notation with the potential to reduce CO2 emissions to zero when technology…
Siem Spearfish Lands Gulf of Mexico Contract
Norwegian based Siem Offshore said it has entered into a contract with an undisclosed subsea construction company for an offshore project in the Gulf of Mexico.The project will utilize the Bahamas-flagged offshore support and construction vessel (OSCV) Siem Spearfish for a scope of work consisting of subsea and remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) duties. The contract has been awarded under a minimum duration of 110 days…
Damen Delivers Workboat to Leask Marine
Damen Shipyards Group has delivered a Multi Cat 2712 to Orkney-based Leask Marine. The vessel has been delivered just six weeks following contract; a result of Damen’s series building philosophy. She will perform a variety of marine engineering-related tasks, including dive support, anchor-handling and cable-laying assistance.The Multi Cat, named C-Force, is Leask Marine’s second Damen vessel. They have operated their first, the C-Salvor, a Multi Cat 2409, for many years.
Ever Given's Insurer Appeals Detention by Egypt
UK P&I Club, an insurer of the Ever Given cargo ship which ran aground in the Suez Canal in March, said on Friday it had filed an appeal in an Egyptian court over the detention of the vessel by authorities.The Ever Given has been anchored in a lake between two sections of the canal since being dislodged on March 29 and is caught in a legal dispute linked to a $916 compensation claim made by the SCA against the ship's Japanese owner.UK Club, the Ever Given's protection & indemnity (P&I) insurer,
Time Running Out for Missing Indonesian Submarine as US Joins Search
Rescue teams were battling against time on Friday to find a missing Indonesian Navy submarine lost in the Bali Sea with 53 crew, which would be rapidly running out of oxygen if not already crushed by water pressure.Search helicopters and more ships left Bali and a naval base in Java heading to the area where contact was lost with the 44-year-old KRI Nanggala-402 on Wednesday as it prepared to conduct a torpedo drill…
Baltic Dry Index Books Biggest Weekly Gain Since Mid-February
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index climbed on Friday to post its best weekly gain since mid-February thanks to higher demand for capesize vessels.The Baltic dry index, which tracks rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels ferrying dry bulk commodities, rose 38 points, or 1.4%, to 2,788, its highest since September 2010.The main index firmed 16.9% this week, its best since February 19.The capesize index gained 115 points, or 2.8%, to 4,192 - its highest since October 6, 2020.The
Samskip to Run Part of Its Fleet on Biofuel
Multimodal logistics company Samskip said it has reached a formal agreement with sustainable cargo initiative GoodShipping to run part of its vessel fleet on cleaner burning biofuels.According to Samskip, the initial usage of biofuels will enable a CO2 emissions reduction of up to 45%, with plans to scale up to a CO2 reduction of up to 80% for any given voyage later in 2021.The Samskip Endeavour, an 800TEU capacity containership which normally runs on traditional fuels…
Enabling America’s Offshore Renewable Energy Opportunity
Offshore wind (OSW) energy is a new focus for the U.S. under President Biden, who highlighted it in his January 27, 2021 Executive Order on climate. Since then, there have been several new supporting developments:Rulings by the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP);Announcement that workers in Alabama and West Virginia are supplying 10,000 tons of domestic steel for use at a Texas shipyard where Dominion Energy is building the nation’s first Jones Act compliant wind turbine installation vessel;U.S.
All American Marine Delivers New Alaska Tour Boat
Bellingham, Wash. shipbuilder All American Marine (AAM) said it has completed construction, launched and delivered a new 150-passenger hydrofoil-assisted aluminum catamaran for Major Marine Tours. The 87’ (LOA) x 32’ vessel, Spirit of Matushka, is certified USCG Subchapter T and will operate out of Seward, Alaska and will carry passengers on tours visiting Kenai Fjords National Park.The semi-displacement…
What Does the Future Look Like for LNG Projects in Mozambique?
What are the implications of the conflict in Cabo Delgado for maritime security in East Africa and the Mozambique Channel?Following the recent attacks on the coastal town of Palma in March-April by Ahlu Sunnah Wa-Jamamah (ASWJ) insurgents in Mozambique’s troubled Cabo Delgado region, it is pertinent to assess the future trajectory of the conflict in the commercial maritime domain and the challenges it may pose to trade within the region.
Specialized Rescue Ship Launched in Search for Missing Submarine
Singapore has deployed a submarine rescue vessel to help with search operations for an Indonesian submarine that has gone missing, the city-state's defense minister said in a post on social media on T
