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The 'Toronto Express' suffered a main engine failure and proceeded under its own power to an anchorage, 1.6 nautical miles off Sault-au-Cochon, Quebec, on Nov 8, 2019. The crew carried out repairs and the vessel resumed its voyage. It was enroute from Montreal to Southampton, UK, with an ETA as of Nov 19.

Norway’s Accident Investigation Board on Nov 13 released a preliminary report on the near-grounding of the 'Viking Sky'. It reveals that a total of 18 alarms about low lubricating oil levels sounded on board the vessel several hours before “a complete blackout” left the ship at the mercy of stormy seas, with a total of 1,373 people on board. The report from the Norwegian Accident Investigation Board noted that the stricken cruise ship was “within a ship’s length” of grounding on rocks in a “notoriously dangerous area” off Norway’s northwest coast. The situation was extremely dramatic,” William J Bertheussen, director of the Accident Investigation Board said. Bertheussen staated that he and his staff are particularly interested in the “low volume” alarms registered by the operational diesel generators that supplied the 'Viking Sky'’s electricity. They went off between 4 a.m. and 9:04 a.m. on the morning of March 23. Each of the alarms was cleared within seconds after being accepted by the crew. “No more alarms were registered,” reads the report, until 1:37 p.m., when another diesel generator signaled low lubricating oil pressure. Then another generator registered the same and five minutes later two generators shut down, “causing a complete blackout and loss of propulsion.” By that time, the 'Viking Sky' was sailing through stormy seas in what the board’s report notes was the “notoriously dangerous area” called Hustadvika. When the crew in the engine room couldn’t estimate when power could be restored, the captain was summoned to the bridge and he sent out a mayday call at 2pm. He also ordered the crew to drop both anchors but they didn’t hold, leaving the vessel dangerously adrift. A general alarm was issued 13 minutes later, “and the passengers and crew began to muster,” leading to a massive rescue operation. The investigators intended to study the earlier alarms more closely. The new report showed that lubricating oil levels were measured at between 28- and 40 percent of capacity. Recommended levels for a vessel like the 'Viking Sky' are 68- to 75 percent of capacity. Since the oil levels were so low, and the vessel rolled from side to side, three diesel generators failed within 20 minutes and the vessel lost power. It’s not unusual for many alarms to sound during controls of an engine room, where a technician was already on board to service a failed turbocharger on one of the larger generators. It was to be replaced at the vessel’s next port. The board already was recommending that all vessels “fill up on lubricating oil, especially in bad weather.” They will also continue to probe systems for alarm management in the engine room, route planning especially in bad weather, evacuation and safety procedures, and systems for safe return to port. The board said the investigation would continue “as swiftly as possible” and, once complete, a report will be drafted and distributed to “key stakeholders” for a 30-day comment period prior to being published.

Global trade enabler DP World has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with Namibia’s Nara Namib Free Economic Industrial Zone today to develop a free economic zone for industry and logistics in Walvis Bay to support the growth of Namibia as a regional hub for Southern Africa. Development of the first 50 hectares phase of the zone has the potential to create 3,000 jobs and help attract investment to Namibia of N$ 3.5 billion (approx. US$237 million). Expansion to 1,500 hectares is expected to increase the potential investment to N$25 billion (around US$1.7 billion) with 20,000 job opportunities.

Shikoku Kyuko Ferry, also known as ‘Olive Line’, has announced that it will close the historic Uno-Takamatsu route on 16 December.

The 'Sharon Vale' which acted as a Guard Ship to the IFA2 cable laying project, lost power, ran aground and was taking on water in position 50 45.81 N, 01 03.11 W, 1,2 miles south-east of South Sea Castle on the Submarine barrier between Horse Sand Fort and the Southsea sea front, with a crew of three on board on Nov 12, 2019, at 3.40 p.m. The ship had lost engine power and was unable to drop an anchor to stop the eastward drift until it ended on the concrete blocks of the barrier. The Bembridge lifeboat 'Alfred Albert Williams' was tasked, the QHM (The Queen's Harbour Master) was informed and tugs were deployed. Two of the crew were evacuated to the Bembridge RNLI lifeboat. The vessel refloated at 8 p.m. and drifted in eastern direction towards Langstone. It was anchored at 8.30 p.m. Two crew members, who boarded the vessel earlier in order to assist with pumping out the water, were later taken off onto the lifeboat. After the Yarmouth RNLI boat arrived on scene, the Bembridge boat was released and was recpvered by 9.45 p.m. The vessel has about 17 tons of fuel. No pollution was reported due to the incident. It was boarded by a duty surveyor at 10.45 p.m. RS divers were expected to depart Camber Docks on Nov 13 at 12.30 UFC to assess the damage and then report to Solent Coastguard with an approximate time for completion of repairs, to enable the 'Sharon Vale' to come into Camber Docks for extensive repairs and investigations. Overnight, the Yarmouth RNLI's Lifeboat was relieved by the Selsey RNLI's lfeboat which in turn was relieved by the 'Alfred Albert Williams' on Nov 13 at 5.30 a.m. She was subsequently relieved again by the Yarmouth RNLI at 12.30 p.m. and returned to Bembridge and was recovered by 1 p.m.. A decision by appropriate authorities on what will be done with the trawler over the next 12 hours was awaited. Report with photos: https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2019/november/13/bembridge-rnlis-all-weather-lifeboat-assists-a-24m-trawler-off-southsea

The 'Finnswan' and 'Mergus' had a near miss and where only tens of meters apart between Korpo and Norrsata on Nov 13, 2019, at 12:48 p.m. The 'Mergus' had left Norrska dock and was on its way to Korppoo, having to cross a busy shipping lane on its route which usually takes fifteen minutes. The 'Finnswan' was on its way from Naantali to Kapellskär when suddenly both ships were only 30-40 meters apart. The threat of a collision was avoided as a result of the maneuvers of the two vessels. The 'Mergus' did a so-called cow turn, turning a full circle. She had a crew of three and two passengers on board, the 'Finnswan' had 82 passengers and 38 crew members on noard. Both ferries continued their journeys after the near misses. An internal investigation is first conducted with the staff, and an appointment with Finnlines was also arranged. The 'Mergus' had come from the right and was privileged in this respect.

Costa Cruises’ second Chinese market-designed cruise ship, COSTA FIRENZE, was floated out at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard. COSTA FIRENZE follows the February delivered COSTA VENEZIA.

Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, Germany's third-largest defence company and world market leader in conventional submarines, has recorded a pleasing development: by 2023, the company will be investing 250 million Euro in Kiel. Its objective is to develop the shipyard into an international competence centre for conventional submarine construction. Thanks to the currently good development with new orders, around 500 new employees will be hired throughout the company by the end of 2020, the majority of them in Kiel. The company is looking primarily for engineers and skilled workers, particularly in R&D, construction and manufacturing. https://www.thyssenkrupp-marinesystems.com/en/press-releases/d/uid-26938af4-8f4e-e141-8c2d-54a1f4623b48.html https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/schleswig-holstein/TKMS-will-250-Millionen-Euro-in-Kieler-Werft-investieren,thyssenkrupp126.html

On Nov 11, 2019, it was reported that the 'FSO Cendor' has been offloaded for demolition. The vessel was sold as is in Malaysia. It was set for a green recycling yard but was expected to need towing. The ship was converted from a Panamax in 2006.

The 'Finnswan' and 'Mergus' had a near miss and where only tens of meters apart between Korpo and Norrsata on Nov 13, 2019, at 12:48 p.m. The 'Mergus' had left Norrska dock and was on its way to Korppoo, having to cross a busy shipping lane on its route which usually takes fifteen minutes. The 'Finnswan' was on its way from Naantali to Kapellskär when suddenly both ships were only 30-40 meters apart. The threat of a collision was avoided as a result of the maneuvers of the two vessels. The 'Mergus' did a so-called cow turn, turning a full circle. She had a crew of three and two passengers on board, the 'Finnswan' had 82 passengers and 38 crew members on noard. Both ferries continued their journeys after the near misses. An internal investigation is first conducted with the staff, and an appointment with Finnlines was also arranged. The 'Mergus' had come from the right and was privileged in this respect.

Damen Shipyards Group is to build a further four Island Class double-ender ferries for BC Ferries. All four vessels will be built at Damen’s yard in Romania and will enter service in 2022. Damen is already building two Island Class vessels for BC Ferries, both of which have completed sea trials and are due in Victoria, BC in early 2020.

A joint venture featuring CMA CGM and DP World has been granted the contract to expand box facilities at the port of Le Havre in northern France. Générale de Manutention Portuaire (GMP), a joint venture held 50:50 by DP World and Terminal Link, a subsidiary of the CMA CGM Group, will build and operate the 1m teu container terminal for the Port 2000 berths 11 and 12 under a 34-year concession. The new terminal will include a 700 m long quay and 42 ha of land.