As New York Health System Struggles, USNS Comfort Helps Few Patients

Playing the “What If” Game

By Capt. Jonathan Kjaerulff 04-02-2020 08:27:05

Cruise ships are all about having fun. How different people define “fun,” of course, is a subject of endless discussion and conjecture. Some define it as partying, gambling, and dancing. Others prefer romantic dinners, elegant surroundings, spa treatments and exotic ports of call. Still others favor adventure and exploration in the world’s farthest, wildest corners. Whatever the proclivity, there’s probably a market and one or more cruise lines that serve it. And regardless of how “fun” is...

Cruise Ports: The Big Issue

By Tom Peters 04-02-2020 08:04:14

On January 1 the International Maritime Organization’s global regulation to reduce harmful sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions from ships came into effect. IMO 2020 reduced the global limit of sulfur content in fuel oil from 3.5 percent to 0.5 percent. The cruise industry was well prepared. About 70 percent of cruise ships are equipped with scrubbers while the remainder rely on low-sulfur marine gas oil. According to Kelly Craighead, President & CEO of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the environment...

EU Shipbuilders Predict Cruise Ship Order Cancellations

By The Maritime Executive 04-02-2020 08:00:28

European shipbuilding and ship equipment association SEA Europe is calling for government aid to help the industry weather the COVID-19 downturn, citing temporary shutdowns, order cancellations - particularly for new cruise ships - and project delays. "European shipyards and maritime equipment manufacturers are key for the European Green Deal, for Europe’s Blue Economy and mobility, for Europe’s defence, security and autonomy and for Europe’s access to seas and trade of goods and passengers," said Kjersti Kleven, SEA Europe’s chairwoman. "If...

Australian Border Force Not Willing to Force Artania to Leave

By The Maritime Executive 04-02-2020 07:22:09

The cruise ship Artania is docked in Fremantle, Western Australia, while authorities decide whether to let her stay for another 14 days. Most of the passengers have been flown home, but 12 of around 460 foreign crew onboard have been tested for COVID-19 after displaying flu-like symptoms. Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan has urged the ship to leave, as he believes that potential COVID-19 cases could overwhelm local health services. The Artania is already responsible for around 40 COVID-19 cases...

Shipping

Cruise Ship With One COVID-19 Case to Test All Healthy Passengers

The new expedition cruise ship Greg Mortimer has become the latest vessel stranded at sea with a known COVID-19 case. The ship is anchored off Montevideo, Uruguay with nine individuals with flu-like illness on board, including the ship's doctor. One passenger has been evacuated in critical condition and has tested positive for the disease. Uruguayan authorities have not yet given permission for the ship to berth and discharge her passengers for repatriation flights. In a departure from the approach taken...

Tugs & Salvage

Engineer Intentionally Derails Train Near Hospital Ship USNS Mercy

On Tuesday afternoon, a train engineer allegedly ran a locomotive through a barrier at the end of a track at the Port of Los Angeles in order to promote conspiracy theories about the presence of the hospital ship USNS Mercy. The Mercy is docked at the Port of LA's cruise terminal to provide additional healthcare capacity for the region's medical system during the COVID-19 crisis. A California Highway Patrol officer who witnessed the incident told investigators that he saw the train hit...

Government

Carrier CO Relieved of Command After Appeal for COVID-19 Assistance

Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly has removed the commanding officer of the carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt from command, citing a written appeal for assistance with an outbreak of COVID-19 on board. The move came shortly after USS Roosevelt CO Capt. Brett E. Crozier wrote and distributed a letter calling for 4,000 members of the carrier's crew to be disembarked in Guam, thereby reducing the potential that they might be exposed to the virus. About 100 cases have...

Piracy

Security Guidance Updated for Gulf of Guinea

Industry organizations, supported by government and military organizations, have worked together to produce a new publication that will help mariners detect, deter and delay external threats to their safety. Best Management Practices to Enhance Maritime Security for Vessels & Mariners Operating Off the Coast of West Africa including the Gulf of Guinea (BMP WA) consolidates and enhances existing guidance for specific threats in this region. The publication is free to download from www.maritimeglobalsecurity.org, which also includes links to other maritime...

Cruise Ships

Playing the “What If” Game

Ports

Xi Critical of Restrictive Measures Overseas

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Ningbo Zhoushan Port on Sunday, voicing concern over the restrictive measures on shipping that other nations have adopted. Xinhua, the state news agency, reports that he stressed the need to strive to achieve this year's goals for economic and social progress while speaking about activity resuming in the East China region after the lockdown instigated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ningbo Zhoushan Port's throughput has recovered to normal levels. Xi said Zhoushan Port plays an...

Shipping

Cruise Ship With One COVID-19 Case to Test All Healthy Passengers

Tugs & Salvage

Engineer Intentionally Derails Train Near Hospital Ship USNS Mercy

Government

Carrier CO Relieved of Command After Appeal for COVID-19 Assistance

Piracy

Security Guidance Updated for Gulf of Guinea

Cruise Ships

Playing the “What If” Game

Ports

Xi Critical of Restrictive Measures Overseas

Offshore

Arctic Neighbors May Pollute Each Others' Waters

The movement of sea ice between Arctic countries is expected to significantly increase this century, raising the risk of more widely transporting pollutants like microplastics and oil, according to new research. The study, published in the journal Earth’s Future, predicts that by mid-century, the average time it takes for sea ice to travel from one region to another will decrease by more than half, and the amount of sea ice exchanged between Arctic countries such as Russia, Norway, Canada and...

Shipbuilding

Japanese Company Orders World's First Zero-Emission Bunker Tankers

Japan's Asahi Tanker Company has announced plans to build the world's first two zero-emission electric bunker tankers. The vessels are being designed by e5 Laboratories, Inc. and will be powered by large-capacity lithium ion batteries. They will be delivered between March 2022 to March 2023, and the first will enter service in Tokyo Bay as bunker vessel. In addition, digitalization, automation and Internet of Things (IoT) technology will reduce crew workload and improve operational efficiency. The shipyard building the vessels...

Training

Ocean Sciences Centre, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Canadian Research Position Focuses on Marine Passenger Transportation

The Canadian Ferry Association is investing close to CAN$700,000 to establish an Industrial Research Chair in marine passenger transportation technologies, at Memorial University located at St John’s in Newfoundland, Canada. Memorial University offers an undergraduate program in ocean and naval architectural engineering that includes a mandatory co-operative aspect. The university is apparently still open to accepting application for the research chair. Introduction Canada’s intercity passenger transportation system includes essential airline and maritime modes. On Canada’s west and east coasts, building...

Business

COVID-19 Likely to Reduce Global GDP by Almost One Percent in 2020

The global economy could shrink by almost one percent this year, 0.9 percent, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, instead of growing a projected 2.5 percent, according to a briefing issued by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). By comparison, the world economy contracted by 1.7 per cent during the global financial crisis in 2009. World output could contract further if restrictions on economic activity extend to the third quarter of the year and if fiscal responses...

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