SMI Newsdesk Archives :

At a meeting of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Sub-Committee on Safety of Navigation (2- 6 July in London) the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) – which represents global shipowners and 80% of the world merchant fleet – will be opposing a proposal to establish a new recommended route for all ships in the Mozambique Channel that would be approximately 1,000 miles long.

The proposal has been made by Comoros, … Read More…

Independent Australian grain-handling company, Newcastle Agri Terminal, has signed a contract for a new flexibly-designed Siwertell ship loading system from Cargotec.

A new grain-handling terminal being built by Newcastle Agri Terminal in New South Wales, Australia, will feature a Siwertell SBL 1600 TTL ship loader from Cargotec. The system is planned for delivery in March 2013 and will load ships up to Panamax size.

Cargotec’s scope of supply … Read More…

Demolition Prices for elderly ships have fallen by a quarter in 2012 to date, and owners are encouraged to dispose of recycling candidates sooner rather than later, says Mark Williams, Research Director, Braemar Seascope.

Addressing the 7th Annual Ship Recycling Conference in London on 19th June, the Braemar Seascope Research Director told delegates that deflating international steel prices were likely to translate into lower offers for recycling tonnage in the … Read More…

Developments are underway at the University of Southampton to design the modern world’s first 100% fossil fuel free sailing cargo ships, in a project which aims to provide efficient and affordable low-carbon shipping in the face of rising fossil fuel prices and the global challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The project combines proven technology and a state of the art dyna-rig sail propulsion system with an off the shelf … Read More…

At the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris today (Thursday 21 June) the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) will call on governments to resume negotiations on a new global agreement to eliminate market distorting measures from shipbuilding.

Speaking to governments attending an important OECD Working Party, ICS, on behalf of the world’s national shipowners’ associations (which collectively represent more than 80% of the world merchant fleet) will … Read More…

Paolo Tonon, MSc (Eng), has been appointed Vice President, R&D of Wärtsilä Industrial Operations, making him responsible for the Research and Development of Wärtsilä products.

Mr Tonon, who joined Wärtsilä in 1998, has held several strategic, operational and technology positions. Prior to this current appointment he has, since 2009, been Vice President, Product Centre Automation, based in Norway, with responsibility for overall development and production of the Wärtsilä electrical & … Read More…

As part of a three day Royal tour of Gibraltar in June, HRH The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, set time aside to inspect work underway at Gibdock, the territory’s strategically located repair and conversion yard.

Accompanied by Gibraltar Governor, Sir Adrian Johns and Gibraltar Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, the Earl was welcomed by the Minister for the Port, Neil Costa, Gibdock Chief Executive, Joe Corvelli, Commercial Director, Richard … Read More…

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is demanding the release of a Moroccan trade unionist arrested for legitimate trade union activities – including helping the abandoned seafarers stranded in France and Spain by Comarit-Comanav’s cessation of operations.

The ITF learned that on 16th June, Said Elhairech, general secretary of the ITF-affiliated UMT (Union des Syndicats UMT des Transports) union and chair of the ITF ArabWorld Regional Committee, was arrested.

ITF … Read More…

The wide range of operational equipment both dockside and onboard ship and can prove a challenge for surveyors but with its new Survey and Examination of Lifting Appliances training course, computer based training (CBT) company Videotel Marine International is working to improve the quality of the surveying and examination of lifting appliances; aiming to help reduce the number of injuries and deaths caused each year by lifting operations.

“When a … Read More…

Somali pirates who were found guilty of hijacking the French vessel Le Ponant in 2008 have been sentenced to a total of 24 years imprisonment by a Paris court.

Of the six Somali pirates, who were captured by French forces in a daring raid on land, with a 4×4 vehicle, arms and a part of the ransom, two were acquitted. One was sentenced to serve four years but this … Read More…

Computer-based training (CBT) specialist company Seagull has been awarded Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) approval for a new, comprehensive ship security training package (available during September) which is in full compliance with the Manila amendments to the STCW Convention and Code which came into force in January and stipulates stricter requirements for onboard security training, particularly crew training against piracy attacks.

Anders Brunvoll, Seagull Senior Course Instructor, said: “Getting NMA approval … Read More…