Maritime Industry Top News
Panama Canal Defies Drought: Net Income Surges to $3.45 Billion
The Panama Canal's profit increased about 9.5% in the fiscal year ended in September to $3.45 billion despite a severe drought that reduced the number of vessels that passed through the waterway, its authority said on Friday.Adverse weather conditions that reduced water available for the canal to operate forced the authority to cut the number of ships authorized to pass per day between late 2023 and early 2024…
US East Coast, Gulf Coast Port Workers Union to Resume Contract Talks in November
The union representing 45,000 East Coast and Gulf Coast dockworkers and a group representing employers will resume negotiations next month toward reaching a new six-year contract ahead of a Jan. 15 deadline, they said on Friday.The International Longshoremen's Association union agreed to end a three-day strike on Oct. 3 after it won agreement for a 62% wage hike over six years with the United States…
OOCL to Charter Six New Containerships from Seaspan
Orient Overseas Container Lines (OOCL) announced it has entered into charter agreements with Seaspan, to charter six brand new 13,000 TEU container vessels for a maximum aggregate amount of RMB 11.2 billion. The expected delivery of these vessels is from the fourth quarter of 2026 to the first quarter of 2028 and is to be chartered for 15 years from delivery."OOCL has been continuously assessing the global economic situation…
US Judge Approves Shipping Companies' Settlement with DOJ Over Baltimore Bridge Collapse
A U.S. judge approved on Friday a $102 million settlement by the companies that owned and operated the ship that struck Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge in March, killing six people.The payment, approved by U.S. District Judge James Bredar, resolves the U.S. government's claims after the Justice Department filed a civil claim in September seeking $103 million from two Singaporean companies, Grace…
Naming Ceremony Held for Great Lakes' New Hopper Dredge Galveston Island
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company on Friday held a naming ceremony for its new hopper dredge, Galveston Island.The newbuild is the first of two new 6,500-cubic-yard-capacity trailing suction hopper dredges (TSHD) being built by Conrad Shipyard for the United States' largest dredging contactor.The dredge is equipped with a direct high-power pump-ashore installation, dredging system automation, dynamic positioning and tracking, U.S.
Sorenson Joins St. Johns Ship Building in VP Role
St. Johns Ship Building announced it has appointed Jim Sorenson as vice president of government sales. Sorenson will spearhead all government-related sales efforts at the Palatka, Fla.-based shipyard and report directly to Joe Rella, president of St. Johns Ship Building.With over 20 years of experience in the maritime industry, Sorenson brings a wealth of expertise in government and commercial sales, project management and customer relations.
Solstad Offshore Scoops $54M in New Vessel Contracts in Brazil
Norwegian offshore vessel owner Solstad Offshore has secured multiple contract awards with clients in Brazil for two of its anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels and one construction support vessel (CSV).Solstad’s Normand Topazio and Normand Turmalina AHTS vessels have been awarded one-year contracts each, starting in October and November 2024, respectively. Both awards are in direct continuation of current contracts.Also…
Did You Know? Maritime Infostealer Incidents See Significant Rise in 2024
In the first half of 2024, the volume of cybersecurity incidents involving infostealers has increased significantly, and maritime victims have been no exception.Infostealers are a type of malware designed to steal sensitive information from an infected system, such as login credentials, financial data, browser history, and other personal or corporate information.The maritime industry relies heavily on interconnected systems and digital platforms to manage logistics…
Sofia Offshore Wind Farm Construction Well Underway
Van Oord has installed over a quarter of the foundations which will support Sofia offshore wind farm’s 100 wind turbines in the North Sea since the start of operations in May.The Dutch contractor Van Oord is using the Port of Tyne’s Clean Energy Park as a storage and marshalling base, benefitting from direct access to its deep-water quay and connection to the North Sea.The port has been welcoming the tallest offshore installation vessel in its history, the Aeolus.
Singapore Trials IHO S-100 Aboard Italian Navy Training Ship
The International Hydrographic Organization - Singapore Innovation and Technology Laboratory (IHO-Singapore Lab) is conducting trials of next generation IHO S-100 standards and dual format Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) on a prototype S-100 ECDIS [2] aboard the Italian Navy's training ship, Amerigo Vespucci.This is known as the “dual fuel” mode within the international hydrographic community…
INTERTANKO Wants More Information on Ports with Challenging Water Quality
INTERTANKO is opening its Ports with Challenging Water Quality Database to non-members in a bid to increase understanding of the issues that ballast water management systems are facing.Any shipowner can now contribute to the results by submitting their own reports.The database is designed to support vessels calling at ports that cause ballast water management systems (BWMS) to run sub-optimally due…
Paris MoU Raises Fire Door Concerns
The Paris MoU has raised concerns about fire safety, specifically fire doors, after the results of two previous concentrated inspection campaigns found a high level of non-compliance.The results of a concentrated inspection campaign on Fire Safety held from September 1 to November 30, 2023 were shared with the industry. Overall, compliance appeared to be satisfactory, however the result was less favorable on two specific topics…
Open Letter: Please Stop Shipping Live Animals into War Zones
A group of animal welfare organizations have written an open letter to Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, asking her to stop the live export of cattle to war zones.There have been over 100 shipments of cattle and sheep from Europe to Israel so far this year and an unknown number of livestock exported to Lebanon since the fighting expanded in that region.Ethical Farming…
Dali Owner to Pay US $102 Million Over Baltimore Bridge Collapse
The owner and operator of the cargo ship that struck Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge in March, killing six people, have agreed to pay $102 million to the federal government, the U.S. Justice Department said on Thursday.The department in September filed a civil claim seeking $103 million from two Singaporean companies, Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Private Limited. The claim was intended to recoup the money the U.S.
Bollinger Lays Keel for New Rocket Transport Vessel
Bollinger Shipyards officially laid the keel for the R/S SpaceShip on October 24, 2024. The event, held at Bollinger Marine Fabricators, was attended by key executives, including Tory Bruno, President and CEO of United Launch Alliance (ULA), and Ben Bordelon, President and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards.The R/S SpaceShip is set to be the second vessel in ULA’s maritime fleet, designed specifically to transport Vulcan rockets from their manufacturing facility in Decatur…
Port NOLA Names Beth Ann Branch President & CEO
The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) Board of Commissioners has announced the appointment of Beth Ann Branch as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective December 1, 2024. Branch, a highly regarded expert in global maritime strategy with over 20 years of experience in transportation and logistics, will also serve as CEO of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB). She succeeds Ronald Wendel Jr.…
SF Bay Ferry Secures $12.5 Million Grant for Zero-emission Ferry Service
The San Francisco Bay Ferry announced on Thursday that it has received a $12.5 million grant from the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) to establish a zero-emission, battery-electric ferry service at the Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal in Alameda.This funding will significantly enhance SF Bay Ferry’s Rapid Electric Emission-Free Ferry (REEF) Program, aimed at transitioning the agency’s fleet to zero-emission propulsion.
Staten Island Ferry and NYC Ferry Trialing Renewable Diesel
Staten Island Ferry and NYC Ferry will begin testing renewable diesel fuel as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional diesel. This initiative is expected to slash carbon emissions by 60% or more, providing nearly 30 million annual riders with a cleaner way to traverse the city's waterways.The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) is currently testing renewable diesel on the Marchi Staten Island Ferry, which will replace the Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel now used in the fleet.
Shipping is Entering the Fifth Industrial Revolution, Says ABS Chief
Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to revolutionize shipping by enhancing safety and efficiency, Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO, said, while also noting the growing importance of the human touch in this high-tech era.“Maritime 5.0 will be defined by the ever-expanding capabilities of artificial intelligence, driving our complex industry to be safer, more efficient and more optimized…
Some Vineyard Wind Blades to be Removed After Quality Checks
GE Vernova will remove some turbine blades installed at the Vineyard Wind offshore wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts following quality checks prompted by the failure of a blade in July, the company said on Wednesday.Progress on the still-unfinished project is being closely watched since it was barred from producing power or completing construction after a turbine blade broke and sent debris…
