Green Marine
Felixstowe First UK Port to Get AEO Status
The Port of Felixstowe has become the first UK port to receive full Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status.The AEO initiative was introduced by the European Commission through the Union Customs Code to help simplify customs procedures and secure international supply chains. Commenting on the accr
Lerwick Harbour Smashing Records
The arrival of the cruise ship Norwegian Star at Lerwick Harbour on Thursday, September 25, marked the end of the Shetland port’s best season yet, with two records achieved, the Lerwick Harbour Port Authority reports. Passenger numbers reached a new high at 43,056, topping the previous record of 37,
Market Uptake of LNG Too Slow
The switch to liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel for ships has been slower than expected and, as such, hasn’t seen too many activities regarding investment in infrastructure, at least not as much as expected. “For several years now, the European Commission has actively supported LNG as promising ne
Skandi Santos Extends Brazil Stint
AKOFS Offshore, a part of recently re-named Akastor ASA (former Aker Solutions ASA), has been notified of a five-year contract extension from Petrobras to use the Skandi Santos, a Subsea Equipment Support Vessel in Brazil. The extension, worth about NOK 2.5 billion (USD 387m), will start on March 1,
IMO Pushing for E-Certificates
The IMO’s Facilitation Committee (FAL) has issued a request for all the IMO member States to accept the use of electronic certificates, paving the way for less paperwork, nuisance and delays for the shipping industry, the Danish Maritime Authority (DMA) reports. In the future, it must be easier to u
European Commission Clamps Down on Spain, Italy
The European Commission is taking action against Spain before the Court of Justice of the European Union, because 20 Spanish ports have yet to adopt and implement the port security plan, the Commission said. Spain has failed to transpose the Directive 2005/65/EC on enhancing port security which “aim
Readers’ Picks of the Week (Sep 22-28, 2014)
Radioactive SUV Found Aboard Carrier in Vladivostok Customs officials at the Russian port of Vladivostok held up the Malacca Highway, a Panama-flagged Ro-Ro car carrier on September 11, 2014, upon discovering one of the vehicles aboard emitted radiation.…Read more Maersk Line to Spend USD 3 Bn a Yea
CETA Widening the Gap between Both Sides of Atlantic?
Germany may push back the signing of the long-announced Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the EU and Canada, as it calls for the removal of investor protection clause from the deal’s text. Sigmar Gabriel, leader of the centre-left SPD in Germany, noted yesterday while speakin
THESEUS and MICORE Safeguarding European Coasts
Coastal areas are frequently at risk from flooding, with the impact of high population densities, erosion and rising sea levels due to climate change increasing the likelihood of high waters. This is where two EU-funded projects, MICORE and THESEUS, come into play. The MICORE software is designed to
LNG Libra Booked for Another Year
LNG Libra, a 126,000 cubic meter LNG carrier owned by Höegh LNG Holdings Ltd., was chartered to Gas Natural for another year, the company said in its press release. Gas Natural has today exercised its option to extend the charter period for further 12 months with redelivery at year end 2015. The EBI
Platts: VLCC Owners Gear Up for Persian Gulf Rate Spike
Worldscale rates for VLCCs on West Africa-to-Far East routes are at steep premiums to rates for Persian Gulf loadings due to many owners’ resistance to long voyages, Platts said quoting market participants. “The Persian Gulf-to-Far East route was assessed at w34 Thursday. The West Africa-to-Far East
UPDATE: Rescued 300 Migrants Persuaded to Disembark in Cyprus
Around 345 migrants, believed to be Syrian refugees, agreed to disembark from a cruise liner that came to their rescue off the coast of Cyprus after hours of negotiations. Cyprus authorities launched a search and rescue operation off its coast for the 300 people stranded at sea yesterday. According
ABP’s South West Ports Bringing Home the Bacon
Together the two Devon ports – Plymouth and Teignmouth – contribute £100 million to the UK economy annually and support 1,548 UK jobs, a new report by independent consultants Arup shows. The new statistics show that, of those totals, ABP’s South West Ports contribute £75 million directly into the re
Image of the Day: Maersk Voyager Is Born
Maersk Drilling’s fourth ultra deepwater drillship was named this morning in a ceremony held at the Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) shipyard in Geoje-Si, South Korea. Lene Berg, wife of Gregers Kudsk, Vice President in Maersk Drilling, had the honour of naming the drillship Maersk Voyager. Maersk Voy