Maritime Industry Top News
Bill Moves USCG Closer to Obtaining a New Great Lakes Icebreaker
The U.S House of Representatives on Wednesday passed an amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill that would move funds from the Office of the Secretary of Homeland Security to the U.S. Coast Guard for the procurement of an already authorized Great Lakes icebreaker (GLIB).The GLIB is needed to maintain winter deliveries of raw materials to the U.S. steel manufacturing industry (supporting…
Study Sheds New Light on Ancient Shipwreck off Cyprus
When scientists in the 1960s excavated the wreck of an ancient Greek merchant ship off the northern coast of Cyprus, what they found was an amazing time capsule from a pivotal period in the Mediterranean world following the death of Alexander the Great.But determining the date of the Kyrenia shipwreck with any sort of precision has proven difficult, and some previous scientific dating yielded conclusions that conflicted with the archeological evidence.
Cargo Vessel Attacked Near Yemen's Port of Hodeidah
A merchant vessel reported being hit by a projectile in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen on Thursday, British security firm Ambrey said.No injuries or damage were reported in the incident, which occurred 84 nautical miles west of Yemen's port of Hodeidah, Ambrey added.The vessel was headed for city of Dammam in Saudi Arabia.The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations also said it had received a report of the incident.UKMTO added that the vessel and crew were reported to be safe and the vessel
All American Marine to Build Patrol Boat for LA Port Police
Bellingham, Wash. shipbuilder All American Marine (AAM) announced it has won a contract to build a new patrol boat for the Los Angeles Port Police.The 65- by 24-foot aluminum catamaran, designed by Teknicraft Design in Auckland, New Zealand, will boost the LA Port Police's maritime law enforcement capabilities with enhanced operational efficiency and effectiveness and added operational flexibility.It will employ the latest hull design improvements from Teknicraft Design…
Greek Coastguard Officers to Testify as Suspects in Migrant Shipwreck Probe
Greek coastguard officers will testify as suspects as part of a disciplinary investigation into their role in a deadly migrant shipwreck off Greece, three sources told Reuters on Thursday.Hundreds are feared to have died when a vessel, monitored by the Greek coastguard for several hours, capsized and sank in international waters off the southwestern Greek coastal town of Pylos on June 14, 2023.Up to 700 people were in the trawler which left Libya heading for Italy.
HamiltonJet Breaks Ground on New Production Facility
Works began today on a new state-of-the-art production facility for capacity expansion for HamiltonJet, the New Zealand manufacturer of marine propulsion technology. This morning’s groundbreaking ceremony was held on site in Lunns Road, Christchurch.HamiltonJet has over 70 years of experience designing and manufacturing waterjet propulsion systems. It was founded in the 1950s by Sir William Hamilton…
Crystal MoA for 2+1 Cruise Ship Order
Fincantieri and Crystal signed Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for the construction of two cruise ships, plus an option for a third unit. A value for the contract was not available.If built, the new units will be 61,800 gross tons with capacity for approximately 690 passengers, suites with private balconies, as well as several single-occupancy staterooms, a highly sought-after option ideal for solo travelers.
Waals, Bogaert Join MARIN Board
The Supervisory Board of the Maritime Research Institute of the Netherlands (MARIN) has appointed Olaf Waals and Hannes Bogaert as the new Board of Directors of the institute as of January 1, 2025. Waals, currently manager of the Offshore department, will take up the position of President on that date. Bogaert, currently manager of the Performance at Sea department, will then take up the position of Vice President.
GEFO Upgrades Tanker at Strela Shiprepair
Hamburg-based GEFO Gesellschaft für Oeltransporte mbH had an oil and product tanker from its fleet of 148 serviced and modernized at the Strela Shiprepair Yard in Stralsund for the first time. The 99 x 14 meter oil and product tanker Brahms was docked at Strela Shiprepair's premises in the Volkswerft Maritime Industrial and Commercial Park at the end of May.Brahms, which has a cargo volume of 4178 tons…
GTT Wins Tank Design Order for MOL’s FSRU
French engineering company GTT has secured an order from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries for the tank design of a floating storage regasification unit (FSRU).The order was booked in the second quarter of 2024.Korean shipyard HD Hyundai Heavy Industries hired GTT for the tank design of a new FSRU, on behalf of the Japanese ship-owner Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL).GTT will design the tanks of this FSRU, with a total capacity of 170…
IMO's Technical Cooperation Committee Meets to Upgrade 10-Year Strategy
A streamlined strategy outlining IMO’s goals and plans for capacity building, resource mobilization and partnerships will be a key focus as IMO’s Technical Cooperation Committee (TCC) meets this week (June 24-28) in London.TCC oversees IMO’s capacity-development program and the implementation of projects aligned with the Strategic Directions of IMO and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Opening the meeting on Monday…
Australia's Sheep Export Ban Passes House of Representatives
The bill to phase out live sheep export has passed through the Australian House of Representatives.“This is a historic moment in Australia’s history that brings us closer than ever before to a legislated end to this cruel and unfixable trade,” said RSPCA Australia CEO Richard Mussell.“Year after year sheep suffer on live export voyages, from the serious and cumulative impacts of heat stress, overcrowding…
Yacht Crew Expected to Deny Arson Charges Over Fire on Greek Island
The crew members of a yacht accused of starting a forest fire last week on the Greek island of Hydra are expected to deny arson charges when they appear before a judge on Wednesday, a legal source said.Wildfires are common in the Mediterranean country but they have become more frequent and devastating due to hotter, drier and windier weather, which scientists link to climate change. Greece has in recent years beefed up penalties for arson.The fire…
Austal USA Holds Keel Laying Ceremony for LCU 1710
Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA on Wednesday held a keel laying ceremony for LCU 1710, marking the official start of construction on the first of three Landing Craft Utility (LCU) vessels for the U.S. Navy.Austal USA was awarded a $91.5 million contract in September 2023 that includes three LCU and associated support efforts.LCU are carried aboard amphibious assault ships to the objective area and used across a range of military operations to deliver vehicles…
Eric McAllister Departs McAllister Towing
New-York-based McAllister Towing on Wednesday announced that officer, director and shareholder Eric McAllister is leaving the company to pursue other opportunities.Eric and brother Buckley McAllister, the company’s president, represent the fifth generation of McAllisters to lead the 160-year-old, family-owned marine towing and transportation company—one of the oldest and largest in the U.S.Eric has held several leadership positions through the years…
Global Freight Rises But Shows Signs of Weakness in US
Global manufacturing activity and freight are showing signs of a recovery, after a downturn took hold in the second half of 2022 and lasted for most of 2023, which could support petroleum consumption and prices later in 2024.But indicators from the United States have been more mixed and manufacturers there may struggle until the central bank starts to cut interest rates to stimulate consumption of…
KVH Inks Pooled Data Deal with Starlink
KVH Industries, Inc. announced an expanded relationship with Starlink through a newly signed bulk data distribution agreement. The agreement offers KVH increased flexibility in the development and sales of custom, cost-effective airtime plans using Starlink’s mobile priority service. Under the agreement, KVH prepaid for access to a large block of Starlink data at favorable rates over a period of more than a year.
Houthis Say They Targeted Ship in Haifa Port with Islamic Resistance in Iraq
Yemen's Houthis said on Wednesday they targeted a ship in Israel's Haifa port with a number of drones in a joint military operation with the Islamic Resistance in Iraq.The operation targeted the Portuguese-flagged container ship MSC Manzanillo, the Iran-aligned Houthi group's military spokesman Yahya Saree said in a televised speech on Wednesday.The Israeli military is not aware of any such incident…
Hapag-Lloyd and ZeroNorth Team Up on Bunker Procurement
A new partnership between container carrier Hapag-Lloyd and tech company ZeroNorth will aim to develop and launch a new bunker procurement and planning solution for the maritime industry.The partners said on Wednesday that they will set out to create a new digital solution that enables Hapag-Lloyd to effectively navigate the energy transition, reduce fuel spend, and cut cost to serve.Jan Christensen…
Western Bulk Taps Frantsen to Head North Atlantic Desk
Western Bulk announced Joachim Frantsen has been appointed as the new Head of our North Atlantic desk effective September 1st, succeeding Torbjorn Gjervik who has been promoted to Group CEO.Frantsen has more than 20 years’ experience from chartering and dry bulk and has previously been Head of our Black Sea and Mediterranean/Steel team. He joined Western Bulk as a chartering manager in January 2017…
