SMI Newsdesk Archives

Videotel Marine International, a leading supplier of training software solutions to the maritime industry, has responded to the growing importance of Electronic Charts Display Information Systems (ECDIS) by launching a brand new course designed to explain current international law and clarify the differences between various the types of electronic charts.

According to Captain Milind Karkhanis, Videotel Vice President, the course includes exercises that simulate some of the key functions of using … Read More…

H.M.S Bounty pictured transiting the Panama Canal through the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks as part of a world wind promotional tour celebrating the ship’s historic significance. Crossing Canal waters for the first time since the 1990s, the Bounty left St. Petersburg, FL on April 6th, and is scheduled to visit the US West Coast cities of San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angeles, among others, before arriving … Read More…

Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement has condemned claims by the International Transport Workers Federation that the 12 Filipino seafarers onboard the Liberian registered 27,350 dwt chemical oil tanker Lady Chiara had no fresh food and only contaminated water to drink and has commissioned an independent surveyor to inspect the vessel to back up its defence.

It has also lodged a complaint with the ITF over the matter and involved IMEC, … Read More…

Up to 10% or 15% of the world ship orderbook is at risk of not being built because contracts will fail to achieve refund guarantees, according to one of the industry’s largest shipbroking groups.

The situation is worst in China, where it is harder and takes longer for smaller yards to obtain refund guarantees from their banks and will mean handysize bulkers bear the brunt of cancellations.

Speaking … Read More…

A lawmaker close to Silvio Berlusconi has been nominated as Italy’s man in the European Commission following the departure of Franco Frattini to join Berlusconi’s new government, the Commission said.

Antonio Tajani, the head of Berlusconi’s Forza Italia party in the European Parliament, was designated EU Transport Commissioner and not assigned the justice and migration post Frattini held before becoming Italy’s foreign minister this week.

Some members of … Read More…

The European Commission has confirmed it has written to a number of companies to outline its suspicions that they have been participating in a cartel suspected of controlling the market for marine hoses.

The Commission did not name any of the companies involved as it does not comment on ongoing investigations. It said in a statement: “The European Commission can confirm that a statement of objections has been sent … Read More…

Top US broker and CMA stalwart Basil Mavroleon has stepped down as Managing Director of Charles R. Weber claiming it was time to hand over to someone younger.

The company announced on Monday that it had chosen James L Ford as his replacement although Basil will continue as Managing Director of WeberSeas (Hellas) S.A. and will remain a senior member of Charles R. Weber’s Project Department.

In a … Read More…

Nasdaq-listed bulker owner Paragon Shipping has started charter negotiations on six of its 11-strong bulker fleet and is looking to place them on longer term three year charters instead of the traditional one year deals to take advantage of the higher market levels.

However, with around $130 million of undrawn revolving credit and a lot of cash left in the company, Michael Bodouroglou, CEO, is not ruling out … Read More…

Ireland has launched a public consultation process to pave the way for the creation of a new ship register that will enforce legislation on safety and living conditions aboard and help improve maritime safety.

Noel Dempsey, Irish Minister for Transport and Marine, has called on vessel owners and the public to become involved in the process.

According to Ireland’s broadcasting company RTE, new arrangements are being considered by … Read More…

Harry Vafias has suggested his publicly-quoted vehicle StealthGas will adopt a conservative approach to expansion over the next 12 months because of the effects of the credit crunch but has not ruled out a foray into the larger tanker sector should market conditions be right.

Speaking to SMI, the StealthGas boss said he was not happy with his company’s fleet balance at the moment and was in favour … Read More…

Greece could become a favoured option for raising fleet expansion capital following reports that the Hellenic Stock Exchange is about to implement a series of guidelines aimed at making it easier for ocean going shipping companies to list their shares on the market.

In a move that has long been awaited by the market, the Hellenic Stock Exchange’s rules of operation will be revised to abolish, among other things, … Read More…

Evangelos Pistiolis-led Top Ships has privately placed 7.3 million common unregistered shares worth $51 million with various investors.

The 7.3 m shares were sold for $7 per share, representing a discount of 15.5% based on the closing share price of $8.28 on April 23, 2008.

Of the shares placed, 2.9 m shares were placed with Sphinx Investment Corp., a company privately controlled by George Economou.

The Company expects … Read More…