NOVEMBER 14, 2018 — In a move welcomed by the American Waterways Operators, the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA) passed the Senate today by a bipartisan vote of 94-6 as part of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018.

VIDA is bipartisan legislation that, says AWO, will streamline a broken regulatory system in which commercial vessels moving vital maritime commerce on U.S. waterways are subject to inconsistent and duplicative vessel discharge regulations from 25 states and two federal agencies.

Under VIDA, EPA and

NOVEMBER 14, 2018 — As South Korea continues to struggle to find ways to help its battered shipbuilding industry, Japan has now formally complained to the World Trade Organization (WTO) asserting that measures already taken by Korea are in violation of WTO rules.

On November 6, Japan requested consultations with Korea concerning the following measures allegedly affecting trade in commercial vessels: (1) corporate restructuring measures to allegedly support Korean shipbuilders; (2) guarantees and other insurance for financing related to commercial vessel orders placed with Korean

NOVEMBER 14, 2018 — Shipowners continue to opt for exhaust gas cleaning systems in preparation for the IMO 2020 sulfur cap. The latest example is Greek shipping companies Marmaras Navigation Ltd. and Delta Tankers , which have selected Finland’s Langh Tech Oy AB’s scrubber systems for their continuing fleet upgrade program. Both shipping companies are owned by Diamantis Diamantides, one of Greece's most well known shipowners.

As we reported in the November issue of Marine Log , there are about 1,700 exhaust gas cleaning systems

NOVEMBER 14, 2018 — Detyens Shipyards Inc., North Charleston, SC, has been awarded a $10,046,484 contract for a 60 calendar day shipyard availability for the regular overhaul dry docking of USNS Joshua Humphreys (T-AO 188).

Work will include general services; clean and gas free tanks; 01 level and tank deck hydro-blast and recoat; flight deck preservation and non-skid; stability test; main engine turbo charger overhaul; ship’s service diesel engine overhaul; life boat davit blocks; recertification of lifeboats and winches; fire and smoke damper service; drydocking

NOVEMBER 14, 2018 — Detyens Shipyards Inc., North Charleston, SC, has been awarded a $10,046,484 contract for a 60 calendar day shipyard availability for the regular overhaul dry docking of USNS Joshua Humphreys (T-AO 188).

Work will include general services; clean and gas free tanks; 01 level and tank deck hydro-blast and recoat; flight deck preservation and non-skid; stability test; main engine turbo charger overhaul; ship’s service diesel engine overhaul; life boat davit blocks; recertification of lifeboats and winches; fire and smoke damper service; drydocking

NOVEMBER 14, 2018 — Damen Shiprepair Curaçao (DSCu), has now commissioned the largest of two new floating dry docks. After final tests on the morning of November 2, the 230 m x 45 m Panamax class C Dock was submerged and the shipyard's Nautical department, with the help of local pilots and tugs subsequently docked the first commercial ship, a 63,400 tonnes deadweight bulk carrier, putting the C dock into service.

"This marks a special milestone and we are very proud of this," said Lodewijk

NOVEMBER 14, 2018 — Thrustmaster Holdings B.V. , affiliated with U.S. based Thrustmaster of Texas Inc. recently acquired a 58.5% stake in Blue Thruster, a Dutch based maritime innovations company.

With this transaction, Thrustmaster, Houston, TX, a global leading supplier of thrusters, gains access to two innovative patents developed by Blue Thruster. These patents relate to the so-called V-pod concept, which is a highly innovative concept configuring an azimuth thruster with an integrated permanent magnet motor.

In addition, the transaction further expands Thrustmaster’s product portfolio

NOVEMBER 14, 2018 — Following conversion from conventional diesel engine operations to battery power at Sweden's Öresund Dry Docks, the M/F Tycho Brahe and M/F Aurora are now in service as the world's largest emissions-free ferries.

The two vessels operate on the 4 km ferry route between Helsingborg, Denmark, and Helsingör, Sweden, for ForSea (formerly HH Ferries Group) and were officially welcomed back into service after guests boarded Tycho Brahe in Helsingborg and Helsingør, n November 9 for a special inauguration ceremony marking completion of

NOVEMBER 14, 2018 — Following conversion from conventional diesel engine operations to battery power at Sweden's Öresund Dry Docks, the M/F Tycho Brahe and M/F Aurora are now in service as the world's largest emissions-free ferries.

The two vessels operate on the 4 km ferry route between Helsingborg, Denmark, and Helsingör, Sweden, for ForSea (formerly HH Ferries Group) and were officially welcomed back into service after guests boarded Tycho Brahe in Helsingborg and Helsingør, n November 9 for a special inauguration ceremony marking completion of