The U.S. Navy has taken a significant step forward in its accelerated (and controversial) push to deploy unmanned naval vessels. Last week, it awarded contracts totaling nearly $42 million to six companies for studies contributing to the development of its future Large Unmanned Surface Vessel (LUSV) program. Each contract includes an option for engineering support, […]
“To the officers of the Greenland Patrol vessels: This is your command. Your first command. Your first great chance. It is hard, responsible, vital duty. War duty. Don’t fail your country or your ship or me.” – Rear Admiral Edward “Iceberg” Smith, 1944 In 1944, Coast Guard Rear Admiral Edward Smith commanded U.S. Navy Task […]
On October 10, 2018 Hurricane Michael made landfall in Florida’s Panhandle, devastating the livelihood of residents in Bay and surrounding counties, including Panama City, Florida. Residents proved their resiliency by adopting the motto, “850 Strong,” and by relying on those who came to help- whether family, neighbor or stranger from hundreds of miles away who […]
After a joint effort by Indian and Sri Lankan forces, the fire aboard the VLCC New Diamond was reported extinguished on Sunday afternoon, September 6. The fire had burned for nearly 79 hours at times raising fears of an environmental disaster as the crude oil tanker loaded with approximately two million barrels of oil drifted […]
The industry association for American passenger vessel operators is calling on Congress to provide emergency relief for transportation service providers in light of the COVID-19 downturn. The Passenger Vessel Association, the voice of America’s small tour boat and ferry operators, is urging legislators to support the Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services Act (CERTS Act), […]
The personal experience of one Inchcape marine services manager based in St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands paints a vivid picture of the current crisis and how shipping agents are negotiating all sorts of hurdles to get exhausted and homesick crew members repatriated, and new ones boarded. The COVID-19 pandemic has been especially cruel on […]
The industry association for American passenger vessel operators is calling on Congress to provide emergency relief for transportation service providers in light of the COVID-19 downturn. The Passenger Vessel Association, the voice of America’s small tour boat and ferry operators, is urging legislators to support the Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services Act (CERTS Act), […]
Fred. Olsen Cruises announced that it has taken delivery on the first of the two cruise ships it bought from Carnival Corporation’s Holland America Line. The company anticipates the delivery of the second ship shortly. Holland America’s former flagship the Rotterdam was renamed Borealis by Fred. Olsen and arrived today, September 4, in the Scottish […]
Canada’s Vancouver Fraser Port Authority reported mid-year 2020 results and while impacted like all ports by COVID-19, Vancouver also reported mid-year records. The port also sees increasing trade and a rebound in demand. While total cargo through the port decreased just over one percent in the first half of 2020 compared to 2020, there was […]
On September 1, the boxship MOL Charisma suffered a cargo hold fire off Sri Lanka, and the crew has brought it under control. According to Hapag-Lloyd, a partner in THE Alliance with MOL/NYK/K-Line’s Ocean Network Express, MOL Charisma experienced a fire in her number five cargo hold while she was under way some 250 miles […]
In a bid to support its shipbuilding industry, the Croatian government is reportedly going to issue state guarantees for loans for future ship construction orders. The government said its actions would support both the new Uljanik Brodogradnja 1856 operation, which had been formed to restart the bankrupt Uljanik operation, as well as MKN Yachts, a […]
Maersk Tankers is speaking out about the ongoing situation aboard the product tanker Maersk Etienne, which is stranded off the coast of Malta with 27 rescued migrants on board. One month ago, the vessel responded to a rescue request from the coordination center in Malta, but Malta will not allow the vessel to dock and […]
