Last weekend, a towboat narrowly missed hitting a historic paddlewheeler moored on New Orleans’ Mississippi waterfront. The towboat, Robert L. Knight, with 24 empty hopper barges, approached a sharp river bend at Algiers Point. Strong winds caused the towboat to drift towards the moored ferry RTA1, but quick actions prevented any damages or injuries.
The Iran-backed Houthi group threatens to attack ships in the eastern Mediterranean, intensifying its anti-Israel campaign. While they have attacked ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, their capabilities beyond these waters remain uncertain. With support from Iran, the threat to ships linked to Israel, the US, and the UK persists.
Sea-Intelligence notes that predicting future fleet sizes for shipping companies requires a thorough analysis of fleet adaptation strategies. While a simplistic approach of adding current and order book sizes is common, it overlooks individual company dynamics like trading used tonnage and chartered vessels. Customized forecasts show MSC expanding significantly, surpassing Maersk.
Divers have recovered a fifth body from the wreckage of the Francis Key Bridge, leaving one person still missing. The Unified Command located another construction vehicle on the bottom, identifying the victim as Miguel Angel Luna Gonzalez. The cost to replace the bridge is estimated at $1.9 billion, with Chubb agreeing to pay $350 million.
Muscat: Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi met with Luigi Di Maio, EU Special Representative for the Gulf. They discussed bilateral cooperation in maritime security, technical, economic, and cultural fields. They emphasized supporting GCC-EU trade liberalization and mutual visa cancellation. They also addressed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, advocating for a ceasefire and lifting the blockade.
Lloyd’s of London insurers Hiscox and Lancashire do not anticipate significant insured losses from the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Estimates for total insured losses are in the billions, but both insurers expect their exposure to be manageable and within expectations for an event of this nature.
The ShippingLab in Denmark launches the SLGREEN project, aiming to support sustainable ship operations with a DKK 31 million investment. Over three years, the project will focus on predicting ship performance, managing biofouling, monitoring engine wear, digital piloting, and improving crew comfort. Partners include Danish Maritime Fund, DS Norden, and Lauritzen Fonden.
Four months into the Red Sea diversions, liner shipping has shown improvements in schedule reliability. Sea-Intelligence reports a 1.6% increase in carrier reliability in March 2024, reaching nearly 56%. Carriers have adjusted schedules and brought in new tonnage to absorb disruptions, with late-arriving vessels reducing wait times. Pre-crisis levels are not yet reached.
The Yacht Club de Monaco and the International Electric Marine Association are teaming up to showcase the latest in electric marine propulsion at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge 2024. This collaboration aims to accelerate sustainable technologies in the marine mobility sector, highlighting cutting-edge work from top universities.
A study by World Weather Attribution found that the El Niño climate phenomenon, not climate change, caused decreased rainfall in Panama last year. This led to shipping restrictions in the Panama Canal, impacting global trade. Water management, prioritizing human consumption over the canal, also played a role in the restrictions.
Offshore drilling company Transocean secured a 365-day contract extension for its ultra-deepwater drillship Deep Sea Asgard at a rate of $505,000 per day, highlighting the strong demand for high-spec floaters. CEO Jeremy Thigpen is optimistic about future contracts, with competitor Valaris also hitting the $500,000-a-day mark.
Floatspace introduces “live run-sheets” for boat operators, revolutionizing the booking process with real-time updates and seamless customer experience. Powered by their proprietary technology, Floatspace streamlines the journey from inquiry to boarding, saving time and enhancing customer service. With plans for further development and expansion, Floatspace is set to make waves in the industry.
BIO-UV Group secures a significant order from SIEM Ship Management for its innovative BIO-SEA Ballast Water Treatment Systems to be installed on three car carriers. The partnership showcases SIEM’s confidence in BIO-UV Group’s solutions, which deliver cost-effective, reliable, and environmentally friendly ballast water treatment for marine vessels.
A cargo ship named Samuda-1 drifted out of control in Chattogram, Bangladesh, hitting the Kalurghat Railway Bridge. Eyewitnesses reported strong winds as the ship floated from a nearby shipyard. Officials are investigating if the ship broke away from its moorings or if it was a helmsman error. Salvage efforts are underway.
Maryland’s governor announced progress in clearing the shipping channel at Baltimore’s Key Bridge after the container ship Dali struck a pier, causing its collapse. Salvage efforts have removed over 3,300 tons of steel, with the goal of freeing the trapped vessel by May 10. Reconstruction funding is sought for the Key Bridge.
