Green Marine
MSC Rachele Runs Aground
MSC’s containership Rachele has run aground on a sandbank in Western Scheldt (Westerschelde) estuary off Terneuzen, a city in the southwestern Netherlands, the Zeeland Veilig website reported. The Panamanian-flagged vessel was en route toward Antwerp when it got stranded, according to Marine Traffic
EU to Include Seafarers in Its Legislation
The EU’s Council of Employment and Social Policy Ministers reached an agreement Wednesday, December 1o on the European Commission’s proposal to amend five EU directives with an aim at repealing the exclusions of seafarers from these directives. The directives concerned relate to employer insolvency,
ITF: Implementation of IMO’s Safe Manning Regulations Crucial
The International Transport Workers’ Federation called on implementation of new International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirements on safe manning of vessels. Over the past three years the IMO has redefined the concept of safe manning of vessels and as a result, as of January 2015, conditions sh
Shipping Confidence Plunges to Two-Year Low
Overall confidence levels in the shipping industry fell during the three months to November 2014 to their lowest level for two years just nine months after reaching a six-year high, according to Moore Stephens’ latest Shipping Confidence Survey. The survey revealed increasing concern about the high
UN Agencies Urge for Solution to Irregular Maritime Migration
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has together with other UN agencies called for concerted action from the international community to address the issue of loss of life, injury, trauma and serious human rights violations affecting migrants, asylum-seekers and refugees traveling by sea. In
Italy Rescued Over 150,000 Migrants at Sea in 2014
Through November 30, 2014, a total of 163,368 migrants have been rescued at sea this year, data released by Italy’s Ministry of the Interior show. That is an increase of 9,923 during the most recent month, which is only about a third of September’s 26,107 arrivals. “There were many days of bad weath
Smit Lamnalco Strengthens Foothold in Australia
Towage specialist Smit Lamnalco, a 50% owned associate of Dutch-based Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V., has acquired PB Towage Australia. The acquisition will pave way for substantial strengthening of the company’s position in Australia, as commented by Boskalis. PB Towage is the second largest playe
SBM Offshore to Axe 1,200 Jobs
Dutch oil and gas major SBM Offshore said it was in the process of laying off approximately 600 contractor staff and an equal number of permanent staff, totalling approximately 1,200 positions worldwide, over the period 2014 and 2015. The decision has been triggered by a desire to cut back on compan
Infographic: Deadliest Sea Crossings in 2014
Thousands of people embark on life-threatening journeys in an attempt to find asylum in more developed countries, mainly Europe, in craft that are neither fit for purpose nor seaworthy. Almost 100,000 boat people have made the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean to Europe this year, a roughly
Dry Bulk Sector Outlook for 2015 Uncertain
Market expectations for China to meaningfully reduce domestic iron ore production in favour of imports proved to be overly optimistic, CEO of shipping company Goldenport Holdings, John Dragnis said commenting on the third quarter results of the company. Dry bulk freight rates during the third quarte
Haminan Energia Secures Govt Subsidy for Its LNG terminal
Finland’s Ministry of Employment and Economy (MEE) granted 27.6 million euros in investment subsidies to Haminan Energia for the construction of an LNG terminal at the Port of HaminaKotka’s oil and gas harbour. The subsidies shall cover at most 30 per cent of the project’s approved realised costs. “
VIDEO: Royal HaskoningDHV’s Venice Offshore Terminal Plan Unveiled
Dutch consultancy firm Royal HaskoningDHV has completed the final layout of the new Port of Venice offshore container terminal. The layout and equipment optimization is expected to generate significant capital and operating expenditure savings for the Venice Port Authority of up to 25%. According to
Drewry: Maersk Line, Hamburg Sud Most Reliable
Maersk Line and Hamburg Sud are ranked as the two most reliable container shipping carriers by Drewry’s new online version of the Carrier Performance Insight. Drewry said that Maersk Line and Hamburg Süd were by far the most reliable carriers in the three months to October 2014 with overall on-time
Arkon, Best Launch Heavy Lift Shuttle
German shipbroker company Arkon Shipping announced launching of a new feeder service for heavy lift, project and break bulk cargo. The service has been developed by Arkon and the Polish freight forwarders BestLogistics, based in Szczecin. The Baltic Cargo Shuttle (BCS) consists of a heavy lifter MV