The Hellenic Coast Guard intercepted 34 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a shipment of bananas from South America, valued at €1 million. This discovery follows a joint effort between Greek and U.S. authorities to dismantle drug smuggling rings targeting Europe. Increased security measures are being implemented to combat the surge in drug smuggling activities.
The maritime industry saw a record-breaking 264 new vessel deliveries in the first half of 2024, totaling 1.6 million TEU. Despite minimal ship recycling, shipowners continued to order more vessels, with a busy outlook up to 2028. The industry may see an increase in recycling to balance fleet growth in the future.
Officials provided an update on the salvage efforts for the grounded Ultra Galaxy cargo ship off the South African coast. Despite challenging weather conditions, teams continue to work on oil retrieval. The vessel broke into two, making the operation more difficult. Salvage teams face the task of locating and extracting remaining oil.
The shortage of seafarers globally is impacting both sea and land-based positions, hindering the transition to cleaner shipping practices. Bureau Veritas faces challenges in finding skilled individuals to support decarbonisation efforts. David Barrow, a senior official, emphasizes the need to upskill current staff and attract new talent to drive sustainability in the industry.
Vestdavit secures its largest order yet, supplying davits for six Canadian Coast Guard vessels. The FF-15000 davit system, with a 15000 kg load capacity, offers flexibility for handling different boat shapes. Designed for various maritime operations, it can handle self-propelled barges, RHIBs, and ISO containers efficiently and reliably.
In 2020, the massive iceberg A23a surprised researchers by getting stuck in a rare ocean vortex after breaking away from an Antarctic ice shelf. Measuring 1.1 million acres and weighing one trillion tonnes, it defied expectations by remaining caught in a slow, once-a-month orbit in the South Atlantic, captivating scientists.
IMO has introduced a new toolkit to combat insider threats in the maritime industry. Terrorist organizations and criminal groups target weaknesses in security protocols, making insiders a strategic advantage. The toolkit, developed in collaboration with ICAO, includes best practices like background checks and advanced technologies to enhance security measures and address evolving threats.
A container vessel hit by Houthi militants off Yemen arrived safely in Djibouti with no injuries or water ingress reported. The Liberia-flagged MV Groton was targeted by ballistic missiles, causing a fire in the cargo holds. The crew extinguished the fire, emphasizing crew safety as a top priority amidst escalating tensions in the region.
The maritime industry is taking steps to prioritize the welfare of crew members and enforce basic rights outlined in the Maritime Labor Convention. The Paris and Tokyo Port State Control organizations are launching a three-month inspection campaign to ensure compliance with international agreements and address any deficiencies found. The well-being of seafarers is a top priority.
PIRIOU Shipyard has delivered TOWT’s first sailing cargo ship, “Anemos,” set to sail to Le Havre today. The vessel will dock on Tuesday, loading operations to follow before embarking on its maiden voyage to New York City. CEO Guillaume Le Grand emphasizes the mission to decarbonize world shipping, marking a significant milestone in the fight against global warming.
ClassNK has granted Approval in Principle for an LNG carrier featuring the innovative ‘Wind Challenger’ wind propulsion system, marking a significant milestone in the adoption of wind-assisted propulsion systems. To ensure safety and compliance with regulations, ClassNK has released guidelines for ships equipped with such systems, addressing potential risks effectively.
The WFSA announced winners of its 11th Annual Student Competition for a Safe Affordable Ferry. Winning teams will present their designs at Interferry’s conference in Marrakesh. This year’s focus was on designing a RoPax vessel for the Niger River in Nigeria. The winning team from Indonesia designed an innovative aluminum catamaran powered by CNG.
The Panama Canal Authority increases daily passages and maximum draft of Neopanamax locks, nearing normal operations post historic drought. Vessels may now pass with a draft of 14.94 meters. Number of daily transits adjusted to 35, aiming for 36 in September. Monitoring lake levels for future adjustments.
Conrad Shipyard has received the prestigious SCA “Excellence in Safety” and “Improvement in Safety” awards for their dedication to promoting safety and accident prevention in the shipbuilding industry. With a strong emphasis on employee well-being and a “Safety First” culture, the company sets a high standard for safety practices.
CM Technologies (CMT) has launched a new fuel injection acoustic emission sensor for diesel engines, allowing engineers to monitor fuel injection system issues. Matthias Winkler emphasizes the sensor’s importance in optimizing combustion, fuel consumption, and emissions. The sensor is part of CMT’s PREMET X system, offering a comprehensive solution for diesel engine performance monitoring.
