Top News of the Week December 16 – 21, 2013

Mercy Ships to Build New Hospital Ship

Mercy Ships announced that it has reached an agreement with Asian and European shipbuilding firms to purpose-build a new 36,600-GRT hospital ship for Mercy Ships. Contracts were signed between Mr. Dong Qiang, VP of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC), and Donald K. Stephens, President/ Founder of Mercy Ships, together with Jim Paterson, Senior VP of Mercy Ships Marine Operations.

Costa Concordia Wreck Almost Ready for Winter

Members of the team responsible for informing the public about the state of Costa Concordia wreck organized a meeting last week to share some new information about Costa Concordia removal project. The meeting was attended by Maria Sargentini, Chairman of the Observatory, Sergio Ortelli, Mayor of Giglio, and Franco Porcellacchia, coordinator of the Concordia wreck removal project for Costa Crociere.

Keppel Wins Five Contracts Worth USD 119 Million

Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd’s (Keppel O&M) subsidiaries Keppel Shipyard Ltd (Keppel Shipyard) and Keppel Nantong Shipyard Co. Ltd (Keppel Nantong) have secured five contracts worth about S$150 million (approx. USD 119 million) in total.

USNS Millinocket Completes Sea Trials

The future USNS Millinocket (JHSV 3), completed builder’s sea trials at the Austal USA shipyard on Dec. 13, in Mobile, Ala. Successful completion of builder’s trials marks the end of the first phase of a set of rigorous trials during which all of the ship’s systems and capabilities are evaluated to ensure they are in accordance with its plans and specifications.

Commerzbank Sells 14 Tankers to Reduce Loans

With an aim to reduce bad loans, Commerzbank AG, Germany’s second biggest bank, has sold 14 chemical tankers to Oaktree Capital Management LP, Bloomberg reports.