First American LNG Shipment for Ukraine Arrives at Polish Port
The first American LNG cargo for ultimate delivery to Ukraine has arrived at a terminal in the port of Swinoujscie, Poland. The geopolitically-significant shipment represents the start of an alternative, non-Russian gas supply for Ukrainian consumers. "U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) is coming to Ukraine! Another step in helping Ukraine achieve energy independence," said the U.S. Embassy in Kiev in a twitter post. Ukraine is dependent upon Russian natural gas for heating and power, and it levies fees on Russian...
Continue Reading...
Port of Hamburg Reports Rapid Growth
The Port of Hamburg announced Wednesday that its cargo growth has accelerated this year, rising nearly three percent by tonnage and seven percent by TEU volume. The percentage gains exceeded the performance found at Hamburg's major competitors in Northern Europe over the same period. The seven-percent climb in container handling to 7.0 million TEU is mainly attributable to four new transatlantic services and four new Baltic feeder services. Since the beginning of 2019, new transatlantic services operated by Hapag-Lloyd and...
Continue Reading...
Houthi Forces Release South Korean Vessels
After South Korea deployed a destroyer and called for American assistance, Houthi rebel forces released two Korean vessels and one Saudi tug that they had captured near Hodeidah on Sunday night. The vessels - identified as the Woongjin T-1100, Woongjin G-16 and Rabigh 3 - were boarded and seized by Houthi forces at about 2300 hours on Sunday. The captured ships and the 16 seafarers on board were taken to the Yemeni town of Salif, and Houthi authorities announced an investigation...
Continue Reading...
GAO: U.S. Navy Needs to Evaluate Training Improvements
In a new report, the U.S. Government Accountability Office recommends that the U.S. Navy should do more to evaluate the success of its post-2017 training reforms. In the wake of the human error-driven collisions involving the USS Fitzgerald and USS John S. McCain in 2017, the Navy increased its training resources and requirements for surface warfare officers (SWOs). It plans to inrease initial bridge training hours for SWOs by a factor of three by 2021, and it has added...
Continue Reading...
Ponant Orders Two New Ships
French cruise line Ponant has signed an 300 million euro ($330 million) agreement with Fincantieri for the construction of two new-generation luxury expedition cruise vessels and the option for a third. Fincantieri has already built four Ponant vessels Le Boréal, L'Austral, Le Soléal and Le Lyrial, delivered respectively in 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2015. Vard, Fincantieri's Norwegian subsidiary, is already building a series of six Explorer-class vessels for Ponant and will also deliver Le Commandant Charcot, the first hybrid electric polar exploration...
Continue Reading...
UNEP: Fossil Fuel Production Not Consistent With Climate Objectives
The United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) has released a report assessing countries' plans and outlooks for fossil fuel production highlighting a "production gap." The analysis shows that, in aggregate, countries’ planned fossil fuel production by 2030 will lead to the emission of 39 billion tonnes (gigatonnes) of carbon dioxide (GtCO2). That is 13 GtCO2, or 53 percent, more than would be consistent with a 2°C pathway, and 21 GtCO2 (120 percent) more than would be consistent with a 1.5°C pathway....
Continue Reading...
PLA Navy Tests Civilian Container Ship for Underway Replenishment
China's PLA Navy is testing a portable underway-replenishment system that can convert any cargo ship with the right deck configuration into a dry stores naval auxiliary. If successful, the development would give the PLA another way to utilize China's 3,500-vessel merchant marine in time of war. According to the People's Liberation Army News and Communication Center, the modular system leverages several technological advances to enhance its utility and portability - including all-electric drive, supercapacitor energy storage and constant tension control....
Continue Reading...
Petrobras Set to Become World’s Largest Oil Producer
Petrobras is on track to become the world’s largest oil producer among publicly listed companies by 2030, according to Rystad Energy. Brazil’s biggest-ever oil auctions in November were generally deemed to be disappointing, receiving muted interest from international exploration and production companies. However, national oil company Petrobras gained nearly full control of more than eight billion barrels of oil in the Buzios field, where a sixth floater is being planned. To develop these and other resources, Brazil is expected to...
Continue Reading...
U.S. Shipbuilders: Budget Uncertainty Hurts Operations and Hiring
America's shipbuilders are concerned that Congress may encounter delays in finalizing the next year's budget, requiring more continuing resolutions (CRs) that limit the government's ability to contract for repair work and new construction. The federal government is already operating on a short-term CR which will run out at midnight on Thursday. The House of Representatives passed an additional one-month CR on Tuesday, and to avert a government shutdown, it must be passed by the Senate and signed by the president...
Continue Reading...More News Stories
