Liberating Nigeria, others from ‘sea blindness’
Container vessel waiting to berth at the port
Notwithstanding the enormous potential that abound in the territorial waters, Nigeria and other African maritime nations are still drowning in abject poverty. The fact is that many of them are ‘sea blind’ and unable to quantify the huge resources that lie in the seabed for economic …click here for more
New global shipping treaty to unlock $30b investment
The Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), is poised to unlock an unprecedented estimated private sector investment of about $30b in the next few years.
The BMW was adopted in order to control and manage ships ballast and sediments. This will help reduce the harmful effects on the marine environment that are spread through aquatic micro organisms transferred from one area to another through ballasting operations of …click here for more
China to Build Four More Vessels for Thun Tankers
Dutch coastal shipping company Thun Tankers, part of the Gothia Tanker Alliance, has contracted four 17,500 dwt IMO II product/chemical tankers to be built at China’s Avic Dingheng Shipbuilding.
The vessels are expected to be delivered between April 2019 and January 2020.
Furetank Rederi AB, Thun Tankers and Rederi AB Älvtank have previously ordered a total of six 16,300 dwt high quality intermediate tankers with LNG propulsion. These vessels, that are currently under construction, are being built at the same yard as the now contracted ships…click here for more
Infographic: Nigerian Pirate Activity in 2016
The Gulf of Guinea continues to be one of the most dangerous bodies of water in the world for merchant shipping. Pirates from the Niger Delta have been responsible for attacking commercial vessels throughout the wider region, conducting armed robberies, stealing oil and click here for more
Armed Pirates Chase and Fire Upon Tanker off Somalia
Six armed persons in a skiff chased and fired upon a product tanker MT Costina underway off the coast of Somalia on April 22, according to IMB Piracy Reporting Centre.
The incident occurred in the evening hours while the 7,018 dwt tanker was some 5.7 nautical miles East of Somali coast.
The skiff chased the tanker for nearly two hours and then moved away due…click here for more
Key Challenges to Paying Seafarers during Captivity
In light of increased maritime piracy attacks, especially off the Horn of Africa, which often include hijacking of seafarers, employers are facing new challenges.
Namely, employers are obliged to pay salaries to their workers while in captivity, however, an issue arises on the duration of that payment, as there have been numerous cases when seafarers were kept for several years with some never released and their fate unknown …click here for more
Somali Pirate Sentenced to Life for Attack on US Navy Ship
A Somali pirate was sentenced to life plus 10 years in prison for engaging in piracy and committing other offenses pertaining to the attack on the USS Ashland, a US Navy ship, in April 2010, according to the US Department of Justice.
The 31-year-old Mohamed Farah of Somalia, who was convicted by a federal jury in February 2013, attacked the USS Ashland along with his five co-conspirators …click here for more
Somali Security Forces Free Indian Crew after Standoff with Pirates
The crew of the Indian cargo ship that was taken by Somali pirates on April 1st have been released after a standoff with Somali security forces, Oceans Beyond Piracy (OBP) confirmed to World Maritime News.
Up to 11 crew members were said to be on board MV Al Kausar when it was hijacked. Two crew members were abandoned by pirates earlier and now the remaining nine …click here for more
Moore Stephens: Shipping Pools – Potential Traps for the Unwary
Pressured by difficult markets and periods of economic uncertainty, shipping companies often turn to pool arrangements, not being aware of the financial, tax and jurisdictional implications of participating in such deals.
As “shipping pools can be an attractive option,” the international accountant and shipping adviser Moore Stephens has warned ship owners and operators to check all …click here for more
Maersk Teams Up with Microsoft on Digitalization
Global transport and logistics powerhouse Maersk announced on Wednesday that it has joined forces with Microsoft Corp. on digitalization in a move targeting to“revolutionize supply-chain management and global trade.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Microsoft has been selected to support Maersk’s carrier performance, equipment utilization and supplier performance…click here for more