Maritime Industry Top News
Solstad Offshore Nets $60M in New Vessel Contracts
Norwegian offshore vessel owner Solstad Offshore has secured multiple new contracts and contract extensions, whose combined value is $60 million.Solstad secured one new contract, and one contract extension from Petrobras, for work offshore Brazil.Namely, Petrobras awarded an 18-month firm contract for the construction support vessel (CSV) Normand Valiant. The start of the contract is scheduled for…
Hybrid Ferry Vessels Delivered in Hong Kong
Hong Kong & Kowloon Ferry Limited (HKKF) took delivery of two new hybrid ferries, designed by Incat Crowther and built by Hong Kong-based Cheoy Lee Shipyards. The 40-m ferries can transport up to 450 passengers and will service the busy commuter routes between Hong Kong and the islands of Lamma Island, Peng Chau, and Hei Ling Chau. Uniquely, one of the new ferries sports a carbon hull, while all others…
Greener Fuels, Cleaner Fuels?
This week at MarineLink…The IMO 2020 Sulfur Cap essentially ushered in a new type of fuel - VLSFO. With it came the engine problems caused by off-spec or incompatible fuels as producers grappled with the requirement for providing a sulfur content not exceeding 0.05%. As pointed out in Lloyd’s Register’s 2024 Fuel Quality Report, persistent issues involving cat fines, stability, sulfur content and flash point continue…
NWF Commissions Inland Waterways Study with Eno Center
The National Waterways Foundation (NWF) has commissioned a study just released by the Eno Center for Transportation titled “Benefits and Beneficiaries of the Nation’s Inland Waterways.”Today’s commercially navigable inland waterways system, under the supervision of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other federal agencies, extends almost 12,000 miles and transports more than 500 million tons of goods annually, including bulk, oversize, and overweight commodities.
U.S. Backs Philippines in South China Sea
The U.S. military is supporting Philippine operations in the South China Sea via a special task force, a U.S. embassy official said on Thursday, an initiative Manila said involves intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.Task Force-Ayungin, named after the Philippine designation for the contested Second Thomas Shoal, was first mentioned this week by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during a…
DP World adds Three Terminals to Green Marine
DP World has expanded its Green Marine membership by adding the Vancouver, Nanaimo, and Saint John terminals to the program. DP World’s terminal in Prince Rupert has been Green Marine certified since 2013. Doug Smith, CEO of DP World in Canada, said: "We are committed to integrating environmental practices into our operations and continuously improving our sustainability, and we know from our experience…
Flying Electric Ferry Coming to Lake Tahoe
Skiers in Tahoe will soon reach the slopes faster, as Candela and FlyTahoe announce the introduction of the first U.S.-based Candela P-12, a groundbreaking foiling electric ferry, on Lake Tahoe.• The world's first electric, hydrofoiling ferry will reduce travel times for Tahoe locals and visitors, providing a much-needed north-south connection across the lake, while also helping to cut emissions.•…
AAPA Welcomes 2024-2025 Leadership
The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) today announced its newly elected Board of Directors and officers who will serve for the 2024-2025 term. These port leaders…
Crowley Awards Two Cal Maritime Cadets Scholarships
California State University Maritime Academy (Cal Maritime) deck cadets Jake Jacobsen and Jan Johnson have been awarded Crowley’s Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarships.The scholarship recognizes the cadets' success and their dedication to a career in the maritime industry.Jacobsen, entering his final year at Cal Maritime, is studying marine engineering technology and thrives in working with engines and equipment.
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.
Angry Farmers Block Bordeaux Port Access
A group of protesting farmers on Thursday sought to block operations at the port of Bordeaux in southwestern France, as a new bout of agricultural anger intensified in Europe's largest crop-producing country.Farmers in their tractors blocked all of the access roads to the port, which links the city to the Atlantic via the Garonne river, Jose Perez, a local labor representative from the Coordination…
Seakeeper Helps Galveston-Texas City Pilots Maintain Steady Course (Video)
Seakeeper, a developer of marine motion control systems, has equipped Galveston-Texas City Pilots’ Gladding-Hearn 73 vessel with its Seakeeper 35 system, ensuring its safe and stable operations.Galveston-Texas City Pilots have been guiding vessels safely to their berths or out to sea since the late 1800s, exercising independent judgment to protect the property, lives, environment and the economic well…
Damen Delivers Two Combi Freighters to Squtrixo
Damen Shipyards has delivered two Combi Freighter (CF) 5000 vessels to Squtrixo General Trading, with the third vessel CF 3850 in final stages of delivery.During the maiden voyage of the two CF 5000 vessels, Damen is monitoring performance via its onboard IoT system, Damen Triton.The system collects and analyses data from thousands of sensors located around the vessel. Based on ship design criteria and benchmark information…
Danish Eyes on Chinese Vessel Following Subsea Cable Cut
China indicated it is willing to maintain communication with relevant parties and to jointly safeguard the security of international submarine infrastructure, its…
Engine Maker Banks Ammonia Engine Orders for Chinese Gas Carriers
WinGD won additional orders for its ammonia-fuelled X-DF-A engine design in the growing ammonia carrier market. The engines, to be built at Yuchai Marine Power Co, will be delivered for a total of seven 25,000 cu. m. and 41,000 cu. m. LPG/ammonia carriers ordered by Tianjin Southwest Shipping. The vessels will deploy 5- and 6-cylinder versions of the 52-bore X-DF-A engines and are scheduled to enter service from Q3 2026.The orders will be built by Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding…
Key Bulk Vessels Index Down 10% Despite Freight Rate Rebound
“The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) has recovered since the start of November due to stronger capesize freight rates, but the index is still down 10% y/y. The capesize market has benefited from a 1% increase in shipments so far in November compared to October 2024 and November 2023. However, the increase has not been enough to recover to the highs seen during the first three quarters of 2024,” says Filipe Gouveia…
New Alliance Targets CTV Deliveries for Japanese Offshore Market
Strategic Marine, Mirai Ships, and Ragnar Energy Solutions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a framework for exclusive newbuild collaborations, aiming to deliver vessels tailored for Japanese offshore markets.The MoU sets out the terms for exclusive collaboration on the design and construction of Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs), a predominant asset utilized during the operational and maintenance phase of offshore wind farm operations…
ABS and KOMERI Strengthen Maritime Technology R&D Cooperation
American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and the Korea Marine Equipment Research Institute (KOMERI) have signed an agreement that establishes a framework for strengthening technology research and development in the shipbuilding and marine industries.The two organizations will cooperate in the use of research facilities and equipment, as well as testing and certification. Further, they plan to provide mutual information exchanges and professional education through seminars…
DeepOcean Lands Its Largest IMR Contract to Date for Equinor’s Norwegian Assets
Ocean services provider DeepOcean has secured a long-term subsea inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR) contract from Equinor, its largest contract on record.The eight-year contract will set a new benchmark for digitalized and environmentally friendly IMR operations.Equinor and DeepOcean have signed a contract for IMR services covering the period 2027-2035 for Equinor-operated assets on the Norwegian…
Netherlands to Enlist Private Firms to Protect North Sea Assets from Russian Sabotage
The Netherlands plans to temporarily enlist additional personnel and equipment from private companies to strengthen security in its part of the North Sea, the Defence Ministry said on Wednesday, confirming media reports.The decision follows reports last year from Dutch military intelligence agency MIVD that Dutch North Sea infrastructure, such as gas pipes and windmills, is the target of Russian sabotage activities.
