News

After the fatal allision between a small vessel and the giant crane ship Saipem 7000 last year, the Netherlands' safety board has called on Rotterdam's pilots and on a prominent ship repair yard to carry out better planning before navigational evolutions in tight harbor basins. 

Authorities in Singapore responded to an “unauthorized boarding” of a chemical tanker in the Singapore Strait friday morning, February 28, and evacuated an injured crewmember. It was the latest in a spike of crimes along the Singapore Strait, but the first this year when a crewmember required medical attention.

Yet another major U.S. offshore wind farm is being delayed with the executives citing the uncertainties created in the market since the election of Donald Trump. Portugal’s EDP Renewables reported as part of its earnings that it will be taking an impairment charge despite the fact its project off Massachusetts is fully permitted and while saying the company still believes in the project.

Two of the UK’s labor unions are striking against tug operator Serco Marine which provides vital services to the Royal Navy at five bases across England and Scotland. The job actions and strikes began earlier this month and now a second union, Unite, reports that its members have also voted to start a series of actions in early March.

Twelve days after the containership MSC Baltic III (33,767 dwt) lost power and was driven ashore in Canada during a winter storm, the Canadian Coast Guard reports the vessel cannot be safely refloated.

Efforts to continue to build out the engine options for shipowners seeking to align with the emerging trends for alternative fuels continued with WinGD highlighting the delivery of the most powerful methanol-fueled engine for ships.

In response to the growing challenges of illicit trade and supply chain security, a new industry alliance is being launched to drive the adoption of cutting-edge smart container technology. Known as the Smart Container Alliance, the group reports its goal is to unite industry leaders in a collective effort to enhance cargo traceability, fortify maritime trade, and support global enforcement agencies in the fight against criminal networks.

In what is being called a milestone for the emergence of alternative fuels for the maritime sector, the first bunkering of certified bio-LNG was completed off Norway. The emergence of the fuel is a critical step toward meeting the requirements of the FuelEU Maritime regulations and demonstrates a pathway for the industry with alternative fuels.

Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration confirmed it has detained a suspicious vessel for further investigation as the country’s telecom provider Chunghwa reported operations of one of its offshore cables had been interrupted.

A team of Spanish scientists have revealed alarming evidence of methane leaks in Antarctica. The researchers are exploring the vast quantities of methane stored in the Antarctic seabed. The study, carried on board the Spanish research vessel Sarmiento de Gamboa, focused on the Pacific margin of the Antarctic Peninsula.

The U.S. Navy reported tonight, February 24, that the carrier USS Harry S. Truman has returned to sea after emergency repairs in Crete. The carrier group was underway today and conducting routine flight operations.

The Vietnamese-owned bulker Debi has finally been released by the courts in India after being held for 15 months. The vessel was first detained after cocaine was found hidden aboard the ship while it was in transit which later resulted in a dispute over port fees.

Germany's navy has reported a pattern of suspected sabotage targeting its warships over the past year, and a new attempt was reported just last week. According to German outlets, someone appears to have tried to contaminate the drinking water system of the frigate Hessen.

A newly formed joint venture between Hafnia and Cargill’s Ocean Transportation business looks to emerge as one of the largest bunker suppliers while also driving the move to decarbonization. The two companies announced today the plans to launch Seascale Energy.

Next Ocean, a pioneer in Vessel Motion Radar technology, has secured Seed Investment from Arches Capital to drive its expansion and enhance maritime safety worldwide.

Russian authorities are denying media reports that another one of the decrepit fleet of ancient cargo ships operating on the Sea of Azov is in distress. The media is saying the vessel was taking on water while the authorities insist the vessel was in port and repaired.

Italian authorities are confirming that they have widened the investigation into damage to a Greek-owned tanker offloading last week in a northern Italian port. According to multiple media reports, the investigation is looking at terrorism as details also emerged on two other incidents with tankers in recent weeks in the Mediterranean.

The Southampton Crown Court, UK, on Friday, February 14, sentenced the master of a North Sea cargo ship and the company operating the vessel for their involvement in causing a fatal accident in 2021.

The Canadian Coast Guard reports that resources are being marshaled while teams were beginning surveys of the MSC Baltic III (53,000 dwt) after the ship was driven aground in a strong winter storm on Saturday.

Maersk and India’s Cochin Shipyard have entered into a memorandum of understanding to explore ship repair, maintenance, and shipbuilding in India. The Danish company becomes the first major carrier to plan regular maintenance activities in India which will be in support of the government’s goals to develop shipbuilding into one of India’s leading industries.