The crew of the cargo ship Dali involved in the Francis Scott Key Bridge collision will be allowed to return home after being available for depositions in ongoing investigations. Foreign nationals from India and Sri Lanka, they were initially requested to stay in the U.S. for civil litigation. The investigation into the bridge collapse continues, with some crew members assisting.
Shanghai Odely Marine Engineering Co has designed 18,500 dwt chemical tankers for the St. Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes, equipped with two Rotor Sails each. Norsepower CEO, Heikki Pöntynen, is proud of fitting eight Rotor Sails on four vessels, with plans for more. Union Maritime is committed to wind propulsion, installing it on 34 ships and partnering with BAR Technologies for sustainable shipping solutions.
The Department of Migrant Workers in the Philippines is grappling with conflicting reports on the fate of a Filipino seafarer from the MV Tutor. Despite the US claiming his death, the DMW has not confirmed it as he remains missing. The department continues to support the seafarer’s family and awaits details on a new search operation, standing by them during these difficult times.
A 3,300-year-old shipwreck discovered off the northern coast of Israel by a natural gas drilling company has rewritten maritime history. The well-preserved vessel challenges previous beliefs about ancient navigation abilities and trade routes, showcasing the seafarers’ capability to navigate without a line of sight to land. This groundbreaking find sheds new light on Bronze Age trade and exploration.
APSEZ’s market valuation reached $37 billion, surpassing Beijing-Shanghai High Speed Railway, becoming the top transport operations provider globally. Handling 27% of India’s total cargo and 44% of containerised cargo in FY24, the company achieved a 24% growth. Adani Ports is set to join India’s benchmark equity index, attracting $252 million in inflows.
Monitoring agencies are warning of increased piracy activity, with perpetrators boarding vessels, tying up crewmembers, and stealing stores. ReCAAP highlights Singapore and Malacca straits as hotspots, with a rise in incidents near Chattogram Anchorage and Kutubdia island in Bangladesh. Recent incidents near Singapore have raised concerns, prompting heightened security measures. Successful efforts by the Philippine Coast Guard have reduced the threat level in certain areas.
The Greek government, in partnership with NGOs The Green Tank and OceanCare, is implementing the “SAvE Whales” system in the Strait of Kythira to protect endangered sperm whales from ship collisions. Developed by Dr. Emmanuel Skarsoulis, the technology uses hydrophone arrays to detect and locate whales, alerting ships to reduce risks. This collaboration aims to expand the system to safeguard marine biodiversity.
DP World’s Chennai Economic Zone has been awarded the IGBC Platinum certification, the second for DP World’s economic zones in India. The state-of-the-art Free Trade Warehouse Zone features environmentally friendly design, electric vehicle charging stations, and a 1 MW solar plant. Ranjit Ray, Senior VP, praised the team’s dedication to sustainability.
Wärtsilä will supply EnergoFlow and EnergoProFin propulsion solutions to four medium-range tankers in the International Seaways fleet. This upgrade will result in an estimated five percent fuel savings and marks the first time Ice Class 1A FS vessels will be equipped with the EnergoFlow solution. The project aligns with International Seaways’ commitment to decarbonization and meeting CII requirements.
The shipping industry is reeling from the recent drone boat attack on the bulker Tutor in the Red Sea, resulting in a seafarer’s death. The industry strongly condemned the missile attack on the cargoship Verbana, leaving another seafarer seriously injured. Despite ongoing conflicts in the region, industry organizations are calling for immediate action to protect seafarers and ensure freedom of navigation.
The Union cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the construction of a Rs 76,220 crore deep water port at Vadhavan in Maharashtra. With a capacity to handle 23.2 million TEUs annually, the port will be a vital trade link along the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. Stakeholder consultation and careful planning ensure the project’s completion by 2039.
The crew of the containership Dali, involved in the Francis Scott Key Bridge incident in Baltimore, is facing legal battles preventing their departure from the city. Lawyers are seeking to block their exit as the ship’s operator arranges for replacement crew. An emergency hearing is scheduled to prevent crewmembers from leaving before testimony, invoking the Fifth Amendment if needed.
When a missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi Islamists hit near his ship in the Red Sea, Costas Rassias vowed to stop sailing through those dangerous waters. Traumatized sailors refuse to cross the Red Sea due to ongoing attacks, creating a staffing problem in an industry already facing a global shortage of seafarers.
The Canadian government has designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization, citing evidence of their involvement in terrorist activities. Minister Dominic LeBlanc emphasized Canada’s commitment to human rights and combating terrorism. The IRGC’s assets are now frozen in Canada, with strict laws against supporting terrorist groups. Canada aims to counter Iran’s destabilizing actions and protect international peace.
The first of the Aurora class car carriers, built in China for Hoegh Autoliners, has begun sea trials. With a capacity of 9,100 CEU, it will be the largest of its kind with a multi-fuel engine. The project was expanded to 12 ships with options for more, incorporating efficiency improvements and plans for ammonia-powered engines. Hoegh received a grant for sustainable operations.
