Maritime Industry Top News
NATO Tests Maritime Security Drone
NATO Maritime Air (MARAIR) Operations team carried out a communications test flight with the NATO Alliance Ground System (AGS) during its flight on February 25, 2021.As the AGS was flying over the Central Mediterranean, MARAIR based out of NATO Maritime Command headquarters in Northwood, U.K. was able to establish a communications link to the AGS operators in the Sigonella Airbase, NATO Air Command…
Jumbo and SAL to Form Joint Venture
German-based breakbulk and project cargo shipping company SAL and Dutch maritime heavy lift transport and installation contractor Jumbo have announced their intention to form a joint venture.Combining a large part of their fleets, engineering and commercial activities serves the goal of sustainable transport capacity and growth. The Jumbo-SAL-Alliance would be focused on gaining logistical efficiencies…
BMT Wins US Navy Cable Ship Replacement Study Contract
Marine engineering firm BMT has been awarded a prime contract to conduct industry studies for the U.S. Navy’s T-ARC(X) cable ship replacement program.The Navy’s only operational cable ship, the nearly 40-year-old USNS Zeus (T-ARC 7), is approaching the end of its service life, and the Navy is interested in recapitalizing its undersea cable installation and repair capabilities, as well as adding the new mission sets of acoustic…
Alfa Laval Preps for Large-scale Methanol Testing
Swedish equipment manufacturer Alfal Laval said it is ramping up for soon-to-begin major tests of methanol as a marine fuel at its test and training center in Aalborg, Denmark. Working alongside engine manufacturer MAN Energy Solutions and other partners, Alfa Laval will explore the possibility of running the center’s four-stroke, 2 MW diesel engine on methanol without modifications or another pilot…
US Vineyard Wind Project Clears Key Hurdle
The Interior Department completed its final environmental review of what would the first commercial scale U.S. offshore wind farm, it announced on Monday, clearing a key hurdle needed to permit the project off Massachusetts.The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)’s final environmental impact statement for the Vineyard Wind project, an 800-megawatt wind energy project will be published in the federal register by Friday…
Wallenius Wilhelmsen CEO Craig Jasienski Steps Down
Norwegian/Swedish shipping company Wallenius Wilhelmsen announced its CEO, Craig Jasienski, has stepped down from his role and left the company effective March 8.The car carrier operator said its current CFO, Torbjørn Wist, will assume the role of acting CEO while it works to find a replacement for Jasienski, a 30-year Wallenius Wilhelmsen employee.Wist joined Wallenius Wilhelmsen as EVP and CFO on October 1, 2020.
Strong Offshore Wind Lifts U.S. Maritime, Port, and Logistics Companies
After several false starts, 2021 is the year when the U.S. offshore wind industry begins to realize its potential. This is according to Philip Lewis, Director of Research, World Energy Reports (WER).In an interview with Maritime Reporter TV's Greg Trauthwein, Lewis, whose WER is set to release an intelligence pack that presents a roadmap to the opportunities in the U.S. offshore wind space, says that at least 30 major offshore wind projects are forecast to be developed within this decade.
Chinese Fishing Vessel Runs Aground off Mauritius
A Chinese-flagged fishing vessel with 16 crew members carrying 130 tonnes of oil has run aground off Mauritius, causing a minor spill, a minister said on Monday.“Nothing to be worried about,” Sudheer Maudhoo, whose Blue Economy Ministry looks after maritime affairs, told Reuters, saying 310 metres of floating booms were controlling the leak.Drone footage showed dark patches in the Indian Ocean waters…
Equality for Women Means Progress for All
A challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we're all responsible for our own thoughts and actions—all day, every day.We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women's achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world.From challenge comes change, so let's all choose to challenge.In this guest blog…
Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Earns AIP for Intra-Europe Feeder Containership
DNV granted an Approval in Principle (AIP) to Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) for a new design of intra-Europe 1,900 TEU feeder containerships. The AIP is the result of a joint development project between DNV and HMD to develop an efficient and reliable feeder vessel design to respond to the European shortsea container market. The design was reviewed for compliance with DNV’s rules for containerships, including the option of using liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a ship fuel.
Stena Bulk Debuts InfinityMAX Electric Vessel Design Concept
As shipping companies face mounting societal and regulatory pressure to decarbonize, innovative alternative designs are expected to become the norm rather than the exception. Stena Bulk unveiled the InfinityMAX hybrid bulk carrier concept, intended to push the boundaries for zero carbon, multi-modal vessel design. It is electric and modular, designed to enable sustainable, zero carbon, efficient and…
USA: Senator Cruz Puts Hold On Biden's CIA Pick over Nord Stream 2 Pipeline
Republican Senator Ted Cruz put a hold late on Friday on President Joe Biden's pick to lead the Central Intelligence Agency to pressure the administration to put tough sanctions on Russia's Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline project.The Senate Intelligence Committee last week backed William Burns, a former ambassador to Russia, by a unanimous vote. Burns has been confirmed by the Senate for five previous…
Brent Tops $70 after Houthi Attack on Saudi Oil Export Hub
Yemen's Houthi forces fired drones and missiles at the heart of Saudi Arabia's oil industry on Sunday, including a Saudi Aramco facility at Ras Tanura vital to petroleum exports, in what Riyadh called a failed assault on global energy security.The Saudi energy ministry said there were no casualties or loss of property from the attacks. The defense ministry said it intercepted an armed drone coming from the sea prior to hitting its target at an oil storage yard at Ras Tanura…
AG&P Gets OK to Develop the Philippines LNG Import Terminal in Batangas Bay
- Atlantic Gulf & Pacific Company (AG&P) said on Monday its Philippines subsidiary has received the green light to develop a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import and regasification terminal in Batangas Bay, south of Manila.The firm, part owned by Osaka Gas and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, said the Philippines' energy department has issued it a notice to proceed to develop the terminal…
Damen Launches Financial Services Division
As of April 1, 2021, Damen Shipyards Group will start a specialized Financial Services division to support clients in the financing of new ships by means of both operational and financial lease constructions.In itself it is not new that Damen assists its clients in attracting financing for new ships. This has been happening for 30 years, the company said. “However, the demand for lease solutions is increasing,” explained Jan Willem van Helden, managing director of Damen Financial Services.
Handysize 38kt Time Charter Average FFA is 'Perfect Timing'
Forward freight agreement (FFA) trades for a basket of 38,000-dwt handysize time charter rates will help operators take longer-term cover with less risk, says shipbroker Simpson Spence Young.Following an ever-strengthening charter market, SGX have confirmed a launch date for the new offering as April 19, 2021, with EEX aiming for early May pending regulatory approval. Both exchanges are keen to promote…
Life Raft from Missing Fishing Vessel Found off Scotland
A life raft has been recovered from the fishing vessel Nicola Faith, which went missing with three aboard off the coast of Colwyn Bay, Wales on January 27.The raft was found off the coast of Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland by HM Coastguard and has been positively identified by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) as being from the Nicola Faith. The next of kin have been informed of this development.The…
Plimsoll Marine Takes Delivery of Pushboat Rock Solid
Bayou La Batre, Ala. shipbuilder Master Marine, Inc. (MMI) has delivered the 67’ x 28’ pushboat Rock Solid to Plimsoll Marine. The Rock Solid is the third of four vessels that MMI is scheduled to deliver to the Lower Mississippi River push boat operator.“The delivery of the Rock Solid marks another milestone in our effort to build and maintain our industry’s most modern and capable fleet of push boats,” said Angus R. Cooper III, President, Cooper/T. Smith.
Oil Surges After OPEC+ Extends Cuts
Oil prices jumped about 3% on Friday, hitting their highest levels in over a year, following a stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs report and decision by OPEC and its allies not to increase supply in April.Brent futures rose $2.10, or 3.2%, to $68.84 a barrel by 11:25 a.m. EST (1625 GMT). Earlier in the session, the global benchmark hit its highest since January 2020.U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose $1.87…
Trelleborg Acquires Composite Hose Supplier Gutteling Group
Trelleborg has, through its Trelleborg Industrial Solutions business area, signed an agreement and finalized the acquisition of the Dutch company Gutteling Group BV. The company develops and sells composite hoses to the chemical industry and is the market leader in hoses for liquefied natural gas (LNG) ship-to-ship transfer. The acquisition complements Trelleborg’s industrial hose, and specifically, composite hose, offering.
