U.S. Navy warship, the USS McCampbell, intercepted and halted a North Korean cargo vessel, the M/V Light, somewhere south of Shanghai that was suspected of carrying missile-related items and small arms while on the way to Myanmar (Burma).
The New York Times reported that since the Light was registered in Belize, their authorities gave the U.S. permission to inspect the ship. According to U.S. officials, their destroyer confronted the Light on the 26th of May where McCampbell crew asked to board the Light and the North Korean crew refused to grant them admittance. The U.S. Navy had attempted 4 times to board and inspect the ship, and all were refused. Upon the confrontation, the Light turned around and returned to its home port a few days later.
After months of negotiations, Somali pirates released the Egyptian iowned, MV SUEZ, and its crew of 22 on Monday. The ship and its crew of nationals from Pakistan, India, Egypt and Sri Lanka were taken hostage after an attack on the Panama- flagged vessel ten months ago. Officials say the release came after a ransom amount of $2.1 million was paid to the pirates.
On Monday the cargo ship and crew were set free and the money was delivered to pirates by plane. Officials say that most of the crew is in poor health. The crew says they were fed whatever was left over after the pirates ate, and meals typically consisted of rice. To survive they captured rain water for drinking. During their detainment the crew says their lives were threatened on several occasions, especially when a ransom amount could not be agreed upon.
A chartered plane has picked up the crew to bring them to safety.
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Global Shipbuilding – Steady As She Goes
It has been a rough few years since the bottom dropped out of the shipbuilding market in late 2008, but industry indicators are positive and shipowners are slowly reentering the marketplace and testing the waters for deals and financing. At present, the industry is dominated by Korea, China and Japan, but this edition features one of the most highly respected and innovative shipbuilders in the world – Netherlands-based Damen Shipyards and its Chairman, Kommer Damen. In 1969, after he bought the company from his father, Kommer Damen began...
Environmentalist and neighborhood groups in South Carolina, Charleston are filing a civil lawsuit against the giant cruise operator, Carnival, over cruise ships calling to port Charleston.
The suit, being brought by Coastal Conservation League and the city’s Ansonborough and Charlestowne neighborhoods, says the Carnival ship “Fantasy” is not complying with city regulations on hotel locations and is docking in an area where no hotels are allowed, not to mention that the Fantasy is twice as large as the largest hotel in Charleston. The suit claims that the large cruise ship’s operations are running in the heart of the city’s historic district sending local zoning ordinances afoul, as well as snarling traffic and violating state environmental permitting laws by discharging wastes into South Carolina’s waters without permits. The environmentalists are asking the courts...
The Chinese government has been upping their military equipment, with stealth fighters and now a 60,000 ton aircraft carrier under construction in the port city of Dalian.
Although there have been reports of threat after the discovery of the aircraft carrier in Dalian that is painted in the colors of the People’s Liberation Army Navy, and outfitted with a flight deck containing new missiles and guns, Chinese officials in Beijing are insisting that they would never use the vessel for a military task. The vessel is still under construction in Dalian and owned by a Hong Kong company. The stealth fighters have not even completed test flights.
It is important to examine that lesser power countries like Argentina, and even Thailand, have aircraft carriers so it is not farfetched or necessarily dangerous for China to be building one of these vessels. There is, however, no...
Written by: Paul Holthus, Executive Director World Ocean Council
Marine spatial planning (MSP) is moving ahead rapidly in Europe, Australia and the U.S., creating a significant threat and opportunity for maritime industry access and operations in the marine environment. Unfortunately, the shipping industry is often not actively engaged in MSP in a coordinated manner. There is a substantial risk that the efficiency and safety of shipping will be compromised by the predominance of other stakeholder interests if there is not consistent, coordinated business presence at the MSP table.
Collaborating with other industries as a strong, collective, pro-active “ocean business community” is the best opportunity for maritime industries to shape the future of ocean use. To support this, the first-ever survey of ocean industries on MSP has just...
The M/V Wisdom ran aground near Juhu Beach in Mumbai, curiously close to the shore, attracting the attention of onlookers and spurring controversy over the possibility of pollution.
The 26-year old container vessel was traveling from Colombo to the Alang scrapyard, and was believed to have experienced trouble while being towed by a tug, forcing the vessel to break free from its tugboat. On Saturday the ship had been drifting dangerously close to the Bandra-Worli sea link before grounding in Juhu.
While there are concerns over environmental effects of the wreckage,...
Escopeta Oil offloads Spartan 151 in Vancouver, Canada as the company awaits U.S. Government's status of Jones Act violation for transport by Chinese vessel from U.S. Gulf of Mexico to Cook Inlet, Alaska.
Photo above taken priotr to Wednesday June 8 show the Chinese Heavy List vessel with the Spartan 151 rig onboard.
Photo above taken Wednesday June 8, 2011 in Vancouver...
On Wednesday May 8, pirates released the MV YUAN XIANG from their control. The Chinese cargo vessel had been held for 207 day after being hijacked in November 13th 2010, approximately 650 nautical miles East of Salalah.
EU NAVFOR reports that the crew of 29 Chinese s heading to a safe port, but no further information regarding their condition is known at this time.
The vessel is owned by Hongan Shipping Co. Ltd. and operated by Hongyuan Marine Co. Ltd. of China.
Pirates are currently holding 21 vessels and an estimated 464 sailors hostage.
Since the founding of the republic, the United States has looked to the commercial maritime industry for much of its growth and security. This stamp issuance pays tribute to the U.S. Merchant Marine, the modern name for the maritime fleet that has played this vital role. The four-stamp design on this pane features types of vessels that have formed an important part of this history: clipper ships, auxiliary steamships, Liberty ships, and container ships. The stamps go on sale in July.
Illustrator Dennis Lyall of Norwalk, CT, created the stamps under the art direction of Phil Jordan of Falls Church, VA.
Since colonial times, America’s merchant ships have plied the oceans and other navigable waters conveying goods and passengers. During wartime, they have also helped deliver troops and war materials. This role was formalized shortly before World War II, when legislation empowered the...
The U.S. Coast Guard would like to extend an invitation to STCW Training Providers to attend a workshop on the implementation of the 2010 Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention. The purpose of the workshop is to help training providers identify the Manila Amendments to STCW and any gaps in their current curriculums that will need to be filled in order to be in compliance with the 2010 Manila Amendments which go into effect on January 1, 2012.
The U.S. Coast Guard will hold two identical consecutive workshops on a first-come first-serve basis. Additional workshops may be scheduled, if necessary, based on the number of interested attendees.
Dates: The first workshop will be held on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 followed by a second workshop on Wednesday, June 29, 2011.
On June 2, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the 2012 Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill containing a PVA-supported amendment seeking to lessen the burden of TWIC on mariners and employers.
PVA sent a letter of support to Congressman Steve Scalise (R-LA), who introduced the amendment to the bill. In its letter, PVA stated, “At a time when the federal government should be easing impositions on the private sector, this two-round-trips-to-the-TWIC–enrollment-center requirement is a prime candidate for relief.”
PVA’s letter of support was referenced by Congressman Scalise on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives during debate this week. To view the video of Congressman Scalise’s statement on the floor, and his reference to PVA, go to the PVA Facebook page or http://youtu.be/JQW83Zhsvtg
The potential for sea tourism and its significance as a key factor in the development of the economies of Greece, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea region will be examined in depth during the Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum, scheduled to take place 21-22 June 2011 at the prestigious Onassis Cultural Centre in Athens.
The 1st Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum will bring together government officials, business leaders, entrepreneurs and representatives of the region’s sea tourism industries and create the opportunity to interact, discuss and explore ways which can help develop this important sector and maximize the sea tourism potential of the region.
Guido Perla & Associates, Inc. (GPA) Signs Contract for Petrobras Vessels
Naval Architecture firm Guido Perla & Associates, Inc. (GPA) signed a contract with the Brazilian Shipyard Detroit Brasil Ltda., a subsidiary of Detroit Chile, to deliver the Basic/Class Design and Detailed / Construction Engineering for four PSV 4500. Throughout the design and engineering process, GPA worked closely with the shipyard to meet all of Petrobras’ requirements for these vessels, which will be owned and operated by Brazilian-based Starnav. During the construction process, GPA will also provide onsite supervision in Itajai, Brazil, at Detroit Brasil Ltda. Construction for the first vessel commenced in early October 2010.
To fulfil Petrobras’ requirements for the 4500 PSV, GPA has developed a...
DNV has initiated a concept study together with industry partners - FKAB, MAN Diesel & Turbo, TGE Marine and Cargotec - to design a very large ore carrier (VLOC). The objective is to introduce innovative solutions that increase efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of bulk ship operations while at the same being both technically and economically feasible.
A MacGregor self-loading system from Cargotec makes wide-beam VLOCs feasible, with accompanying efficiency and environmental benefits. An innovative MacGregor self-loading system from Cargotec is an integral element of Ecore, DNV's 250,000 dwt sustainable ore carrier concept introduced in May at the Nor-Shipping exhibition in Norway. DNV says that Ecore has been designed to be more efficient and environmentally friendly in comparison with existing very large ore carriers (VLOCs), and that the focus has been on available technology...
Vessels are outfitted with Controllable Pitch Propeller systems making maneuvering a dream. Operators enjoy the benefits of their flexibility, but this flexibility does come at a price, as they require more maintenance and repair than a typical mono-block propeller system.
The fact is with more and more focus being placed on keeping our environment clean and green, even the smallest leakage of oil on propulsion systems require immediate attention and repair. The Subsea Solutions Alliance has procedures approved by major Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM's) that allow CPP propeller blade palm seals to be exchanged with a vessel in water at it's NORMAL draft. Typically these repairs can be done while vessels are performing cargo operations with minimal to no off-hire time assessed.
During a routine underwater inspection while a military...
More than 400 spinning enthusiast including marine industry professionals, volunteer riders and Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler geared up to raise more than $100,000 to support Kids In Distress of Broward and Palm Beach County (KID).
The Spin-A-Thon, now in its third year, has become the signature event for the newly formed Marine Industry Cares Foundation which has pledged to raise $250,000 for Kids In Distress this year.
"The Spin-A-Thon has become a popular event in the last three years, gaining community and marine industry support," said Claudia McCormick, vice president of marketing and development at Kids In Distress. "We are very grateful that the marine industry has pledged to raise much-needed funds for Kids In Distress through their newly formed foundation and we look forward to putting their hard work to use through our community programs and classes."
SeaArk Marine, Inc. recently delivered a 36’ Patrol Boat to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police in Stevensville, MD.
The 3612-V Dauntless Ram Class vessel is an addition to a similar SeaArk Dauntless patrol boat, and multiple Commander Ram Class patrol boats, previously ordered by the DNR Police through the GSA 1122 program. The vessel, Mattawoman, is tasked with patrolling the Chesapeake Bay, Potomac River and surrounding estuaries within the jurisdiction of the Maryland DNR.
The Dauntless Class vessel is based on a proven hull designed by C. Raymond Hunt & Associates, of Boston, MA, and is constructed of all-welded marine grade aluminum. The vessel features a deep-vee variable deadrise hull that produces a smooth, dry and stable ride.
The 36-foot vessel incorporates a 4-man climate controlled pilot house. To...
Following on the success of the Successful Safety Management - A Practical Primer course, PMI and QSE Solutions would like to invite you to attend the second course offering within the Continual Improvement Workshop Series: Building your own Risk-Based Internal Auditing Team.
This new course offering will be held at the Pacific Maritime Institute on: June 29-30th, 2011
To register for this course, please contact our Registrar at: 206 838-1126 or by e-mail at: jpitzen@mates.org; these Continual Improvement Workshops generally run full, so please register early.
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