News

Governor Ron DeSantis from Florida does not want the passengers of the 'Zaandam' to go ashore in Fort Lauderdale to be treated. The ship was located near Panama, and the crew hoped to be able to moor in the port of Fort Lauderdale, but the governor said the state does not currently have the capacity to accommodate foreigners. Hospital beds should remain available to Florida residents. Earlier, the mayor of Fort Lauderdale already announced that he did not support the arrival of the cruise ship. On March 31, local authorities will decide whether to allow the ship to enter the port. Currently, about 130 persons on board have reported flu symptoms. 166 passengers were already transferred without symptoms to the 'Rotterdam', which sails nearby. The 'Zaandam' had left Argentina on March 7 with 1,282 passengers on board.

On March 27, 2020, at 3.40 p.m. the cargo m/v 'Oceanwin 8' while leaving a berth in Kawasaki Port, Yokohama, was in collision with the 'Fuku Haru'. Damage remained limited. The 'Fuku Haru' left Yokohama on March 30, headed to Hongkong with an ETA as of April 6.

Following the first steel cutting, MV Werften has officially started with the construction of the second 208,000gt Global Class cruise ship for Genting Hong Kong. This not-yet named unit will be delivered in 2022, following GLOBAL DREAM in 2021.

The UK government and the Port of Southampton have teamed up to launched the UK’s first Port Economic Partnership (PEP), a way of creating stronger links between ports and government in order to long-term trade and economic growth. For the partnership, the UK Department for Transport (DfT) will work with ABP’s Port of Southampton to focus on leveraging public and private sector investment and ensuring that planning processes are as efficient as possible. The unique partnership was launched this week during an event at London International Shipping Week. The creation of PEPs was outlined back in January as part of the launch of the UK’s ‘Maritime 2050 – Navigating the Future’ strategy, envisioning creating a strong business environment for ports which, in turn, will help trade and benefit the UK economy.

On MArch 30, 2020, at 5.10 a.m. a crew member of the 'Taccola' suffered a life threatening cut injury while the ship was on the Elbe near Brunsbüttel. As no SAR helicopter was avaiable, the helicopter of an offshore company which was in St. Peter Ording was requested to assist. The dredger reduced speed to support the medevac, and within a few minutes the helicopter reached the ship and hoisted the victuim. He was then transported to the hospital in Heide and was meanwhile stable.

On March 27, 2020, at 3.40 p.m. the 'Oceanwin 8' while leaving a berth in Kawasaki Port, was in collision with the cargo m/v 'Fuku Haru'. Damage remained limited. . The 'Fuku Haru' left Yokohama on March 30, headed to Hongkong with an ETA as of April 6.

Sodraco International, a French subsidiary of Jan De Nul Group, has signed a contract to transport and install 80 offshore wind turbines on the Saint-Nazaire offshore wind farm offshore France. The contract was awarded by Parc du Banc de Guérande, a joint venture between the French renewable energy company EDF Renewables and the Canadian energy infrastructure company Enbridge. It is the first offshore wind contract in France for Jan De Nul. “We are excited to contribute to the further development of renewable energy, and offshore wind in particular, in France. Next to that we are looking forward to working again with EDF Renewables and to confirm our skills and competencies by making the installation of the Offshore Wind Turbines in collaboration with GE a great success,” said Philippe Hutse, offshore director at Jan De Nul Group. The turbine installation works are planned to commence in spring 2022 and will be completed by the end of 2022.

(Sept. 8, 2019) – As Carnival Cruise Line continues to work closely with its partners to deliver relief to the people of Grand Bahama and Abaco islands recovering from Hurricane Dorian, it also plans 41 calls to Nassau, Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays for the remainder of September as those destinations eagerly await cruise guests. Bahamian officials have expressed great appreciation for the support Carnival and its employees and guests have provided but also stressed that the other parts of The Bahamas are open for business and stand ready to welcome guests.

On March 25, 2020, the 'Bateleur' was towing the unmanned drill platform 'Naashi' (2910 gt, built 1982), which was bound for demolition at Alang, when about four perpetrators boarded the unmanned towed vessel from a dinghy in pos. 21o24.1’ N 72°20.2′E. The master of the tug noticed the perpetrators with torches on board the 'Naashi' and raised the alarm. He also reported the incident to VTS Khambhat, who informed the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). The ICG Station Pipavav directed the Marine Police Alang to despatch their boats to the location . An investigation was currently ongoing, and the loss of items was still being ascertained by the investigating agencies and local agent.

The cargo m/v 'Xinda 9' (MMSI: 412517321), enroute from Ningbo, was in collision with the 'Zhepuyu 34197' on March 29, 2020, at 02.30 a.m. in Zhoushan waters, south of Shanghai, in the East China Sea. The freighter was breached, suffered water ingress and a list to starboard side. Itt sank sthree hours after the accident. The crew was rescued by joint efforts of rescue ships and fishing vessels in the area. The fishing vessel remained afloat and reached the nearest port.

Washington States Ferries has officially launched its new hybrid-ferry newbuild program at Vigor’s Seattle shipyard. Washington’s legislature authorized a contract extension earlier this year for Vigor to build up to five 144-car Olympic class, hybrid-electric ferries over the coming years for the Washington State Ferries, the largest ferry system in the United States. Vigor has constructed the last twelve ferries in the WSF system and has been actively engaged in the evolution of hybrid-electric solutions, including sending a team to Norway to meet with experts on best practices and available technologies for low carbon ferry systems. Vigor and WSF will again visit Norway as part of a second delegation in September 2019. The Olympic class hull form is one of the most efficient in the fleet with less drag through the water and a small wake for a positive environmental impact. The new hybrid vessels will utilize the existing Olympic class hull form, but will be capable of 100% electric operation on most routes once the infrastructure needed for charging is installed.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian which caused widespread devastation across the Bahamas, Norwegian oil giant Equinor is setting about cleaning up the spills from its South Riding Point oil terminal on Grand Bahama. The South Riding Point oil terminal has sustained damage from the hurricane and oil has been observed on the ground at the terminal site and in neighbouring areas. The size of the spill is not yet clear. Equinor has secured vessels and equipment for oil spill response in Port Fourchon, Louisiana, and from various ports across southeast Florida.