Top News of the Week December 23 – 28, 2013

Brittany Ferries to Order World’s Largest LNG Powered Ferry

Brittany Ferries, based in Roscoff, France, plans to construct an environmentally-friendly passenger ferry powered by LNG, which will be the world’s largest.

“K” Line to Order Four Additional Next Generation Car Carriers

KAWASAKI KISEN KAISHA, LTD. (“K” Line) announced that it has decided to order four (4) additional new next generation car carrier vessels on top of its recent identical 4-vessel shipbuilding contracts placed with Shin Kurushima Dockyard Co. Ltd and Japan Marine United Corporation.

First Vessel Approaching MV Akademik Shokalskiy Trapped in Antarctic Ice

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is continuing the coordination of a search and rescue for a Russian vessel beset by ice approximately 1500 nautical miles south of Hobart.

STCW for Seafarers Final Rule Published

The U.S. Coast Guard announced on Tuesday the publication of the final rule “Implementation of the Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, and Changes to National Endorsements” in the Federal Register.

FMC: Two Car Carriers Pay USD 2.3 Million in Penalties

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) announced compromise agreements reached with two common carriers operating pure car carriers (PCCs) and roll on/roll off (RO/RO) vessels in U.S. inbound and outbound trades.