Maritime Industry Top News
When is a Vessel Built in America 'US Built'?
![The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit recently affirmed the Coast Guard ruling that Curtin Maritime's DB Avalon is built in the U.S. (File photo: Curtin Maritime)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/the-us-court-of-appeals-149960.jpg)
The United States reserves its domestic maritime trade to vessels “built in the United States” under a set of laws popularly referred to as the “Jones Act.” What qualifies as “U.S. built” under the law and U.S. Coast Guard interpretations was recently tested in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit case of Diamond Services Corp. v. Curtin Maritime Corp.Coast Guard regulations provide a two-part test to determine whether a vessel constructed in the United States meets the “U.S.
LS Marine Awarded $31.7 Million Contract to Dredge the Upper Miss
![(File photo: Patrick Moes / U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/file-photo-patrick-moes-us-149959.jpg)
Grove Heights, Minn. dredging and marine construction contractor LS Marine has been awarded a $31.7 million contract to support channel maintenance dredging in the Upper Mississippi River.The contract, awarded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' St. Paul District on April 17, provides a minimum guarantee of $1.25 million for two mechanical dredging plants through the end of the 2024 navigation season, with rights to exercise work options through 2029.
Tanker Crewmembers Plead Guilty to Environmental Crimes in the US
![© Ghazanfar / Adobe Stock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/ghazanfar-adobe-stock-149958.jpeg)
Crewmembers from a Greek oil tanker have admitted to environmental crimes in U.S. waters, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger and Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim announced.Konstantinos Atsalis, the chief engineer on board the Kriti Ruby, admitted to charges related to the discharge of oily waste into the sea from a commercial vessel near a petroleum terminal in Sewaren, N.J. He and second engineer…
US Navy Names Future Warship USS Helmand Province
![Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro (Photo: U.S. Navy)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/secretary-of-the-navy-carlos-149957.jpg)
A future America-class amphibious assault ship will be named USS Helmand Province (LHA 10), Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announced this week during the Modern Day Marine 2024 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.The future USS Helmand Province commemorates the multiple U.S. Marine Corps operations that took place in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province as part of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).
Remontowa Cuts Steel for Torghatten Nord's New Hybrid Ferry
![(Photo: Remontowa Shipbuilding)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/photo-remontowa-shipbuilding-149956.jpg)
Polish shipyard Remontowa Shipbuilding on Wednesday held a steel cutting ceremony for a new hybrid passenger-car ferry ordered by Norwegian shipowner Torghatten Nord, marking the official start of construction.The battery-driven electric double-ended ferry is designed for the Stornes-Bjørnerå service in the Arctic Circle area. Delivery is scheduled for the first quarter of 2026."From 2010 to 2013, we built eight modern ferries for this shipowner.
Amogy Presented with New Technology Qualification Letter by ABS
![Left to right: Anastasija Kuprijanova, director of maritime dusiness development, Amogy, with Keegan Plaskon, director, business development – eastern North America, American Bureau of Shipping (Photo: Eric Haun)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/left-to-right-anastasija-kuprijanova-149955.jpg)
Ammonia-to-power solutions company Amogy has been issued a new technology qualification (NTQ) letter for concept design verification by classification society the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).Amogy has developed an innovative ammonia-to-electrical power system that splits, or “cracks,” liquid ammonia into its base elements of hydrogen and nitrogen, which then funnels the hydrogen into a fuel cell…
Japan’s First Offshore Solar Demonstrator Hits Water in Tokyo
![SolarDuck's offshore floating solar unit in Japan (Credit: SolarDuck)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/solarducks-offshore-floating-solar-unit-149954.jpg)
Dutch-Norwegian floating solar company SolarDuck, in collaboration with Japanese partners, has completed the installation of Japan’s first offshore floating solar demonstrator which will be used to power electric vehicles and boats.Together with its project partners Tokyu Land Corporation, Kyocera Communication Systems Corporation and Everblue Technologies, SolarDuck launched the demonstration of its…
Charting the Future: Hiroaki Sakashita President & CEO, ClassNK
![Decarbonization will [most dramatically] change the structure of seaborne trade, ships’ specification and design, ships’ operation, and the economic mechanism of maritime transportation.
– Hiroaki Sakashita, President & CEO, ClassNK
Image Courtesy Class NK](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/onization-will-most-dramatically-change-149951.jpg)
ClassNK is one of the world’s leading maritime classification societies with more than 9,200 ships totaling more than 273 million gross tons under class at the end of 2023, and a global service network of more than 120 survey offices. Last month while in Tokyo we had the opportunity to sit with Hiroaki Sakashita, President & CEO, ClassNK, a marine industry veteran for his insights on the trends driving…
Vard to Build Two CSOVs for Taiwanese Client
![](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/-149985.jpg)
Norwegian shipbuilder Vard has signed a contract with an undisclosed Taiwanese customer for the design and construction of two Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs).The customer has appointed VARD to design and construct two CSOVs’ of VARD 4 39 design.This is a new design from VARD, said to be highly versatile all-round platform for sustainable windfarm support operations both as a service…
Babcock Receives SBTi Net-Zero Validation
![(Credit: Babcock)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/credit-babcock-149984.jpg)
Defense company Babcock Intern has been grated validation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for its science-based near and long-term emissions reduction targets aligned with reaching net-zero no later than 2050.In 2021, Babcock launched its Plan Zero 40 decarbonization strategy, which commits to the delivery of a 2030 science-based target in line with a 1.5 °C pathway and achieving 90% emissions reduction across its estate…
Building the Next-Gen Maritime Prepositioning Ship & Auxiliary Crane Ship
![The Military Sealift Command chartered ship MV Ocean Gladiator carried cargo to McMurdo Station, Antarctica, for Operation Deep Freeze 2024 in support of the National Science Foundation (NSF), lead agency for the United States Antarctic Program. The ship carries cranes to handle its own cargo. (Military Sealift Command)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/the-military-sealift-command-chartered-149981.jpg)
The Military Sealift Command’s Maritime Prepositioning Ships (MPS) and Auxiliary Crane Ships (ACS) were built 50 years ago to pre-position vehicles and supplies in forward locations and load or unload them in undeveloped or damaged port facilities. I serve with MSC’s Taluga Group, charged with finding innovative solutions to pressing problems. One of those challenges is meeting the MPS and ACS mission…
Eye on Design: Hybrid Blood, Sweat, and Tears
![Image courtesy the author's library.](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/image-courtesy-the-authors-library-149980.jpg)
In earlier columns, I have discussed various approaches and issues with Hybrid Propulsion.I have now had the pleasure of a number of years of experience with the design, operation, upgrade, modification, and maintenance of ship (and car) hybrid propulsion systems and may be able to make a claim of gradually becoming a little less confused.It is still not easy, but at the same time, I am starting to…
Fairplay Towage Orders Two More Damen Tugs
![(Credit: Damen)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/credit-damen-149977.jpg)
Fairplay Towage Group has placed an order with Damen Shipyards for the delivery of two additional tugboats.One of the two tugboats is of the ASD Tug 2813 design, while the other will be fitted with azimuth stern drives and a bollard pull of 60 tonnes and with an aft winch for offshore towage.The ASD Tug 2813 boasts a bollard pull in excess of 80 tonnes for harbor assistance. Both vessels will be fitted…
Pertamina Takes Delivery of Two VLGC Tankers
![(Credit: Pertamina International Shipping)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/credit-pertamina-international-shipping-149972.jpg)
Pertamina International Shipping (PIS), a unit of Indonesian state energy company Pertamina, has welcomed two new very large gas carriers (VLGCs) to its fleet, named Pertamina Gas Caspia and Pertamina Gas Dahlia.The new vessels are specifically optimized for transporting vital commodities like liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), as well as other petrochemicals such as propylene and ammonia, intended for international trade routes.Both tankers measure 300 meters in length, with a capacity of 91,000m3.
Mitsui Advances Big Engine Track Record
![](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/-149969.jpg)
Mitsui E&S has announced that the group's total production of large marine engines in FY2023 was 155 units with a cumulative horsepower of 3.16 million. In FY2024, the group anticipates producing146 units with a cumullative horsepower of 3.04 million.Since forming a technical partnership with B&W (now MAN Energy Solutions) in 1926, Mitsui E&S has established a production track record as one of the world's top manufacturers.Mitsui E&S DU Co.…
Charges Readied for Demolition of Portion of Key Bridge
![Images courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photographer Christopher Rosario](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/images-courtesy-of-us-army-149968.jpg)
The safest and swiftest method to remove the bridge piece from on top of the M/V Dali is by precision cuts made with small charges, said the Unified Command on Thursday as salvors were preparing charges. The charges will enable the upcoming precision cuts to remove section 4 from the port side of the bow of the Dali.The Singaporean-flagged container vessel Dali allided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26.
Panama Canal in Talks with US LNG Producers to Increase Transit
![© moofushi / Adobe Stock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/moofushi-adobe-stock-149967.jpeg)
The Panama Canal is in talks with U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) producers on how to meet increased demand for crossings as water levels recover after a prolonged drought, the canal's administrator Ricaurte Vasquez told Reuters in an interview.The canal is typically used by U.S. Gulf Coast exporters to send LNG cargoes to Asia via the Pacific Ocean, but from last year low water levels forced cuts to daily crossings…
US House Panel to Hold Hearing on Baltimore Bridge Collapse
![(Photo: Christopher Rosario / USACE)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/photo-christopher-rosario-usace-149963.jpg)
The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold a May 15 hearing on the federal government's response to the collapse of a Baltimore bridge.The Dali containership crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, killing six people.The hearing will include Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt, National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy and senior officials with the U.S. Coast Guard and Army Corps of Engineers.
Rule Change Aids US Mariners' Return to Sea
![© Igor Kardasov / Adobe Stock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/igor-kardasov-adobe-stock-149962.jpg)
A rule change is making it easier for experienced U.S. mariners to return to sea after time away from the industry.A new policy letter from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) temporarily extends the renewal grace period for a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC), commonly referred to as a Coast Guard license or credential, from one year to six years, lessening the burden for seafarers seeking reentry into the maritime workforce.The move has been welcomed by the U.S.
Houthi Leader Vows to Escalate Attacks on Merchant Shipping
![The tanker Marlin Luanda was struck by an anti-ship missile fired by Houthi forces on January 26, 2024. (Photo: Indian Navy)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/the-tanker-marlin-luanda-was-149961.jpg)
The leader of Yemen's Houthis, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, said on Thursday the group would target ships of any company related to supplying or transporting goods to Israel regardless of their destination.He said this was a fourth stage of escalation in retaliation to "the Israeli aggression on Rafah" in the southern Gaza Strip."From now on, we are also thinking about the fifth stage and the sixth stage, and we have very important, sensitive and influential choices on the enemies," he added.Months of