Panama Canal tugboat captains are locked in a heated dispute with the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) regarding the authority manning and safe operation of tugboats in the new Neopanamax locks after the authority unilaterally and without warning reduced the number of deckhands available to the tugs. The ACP is the agency of the Panamanian government that is responsible … [Read more...]
Explosion and Fire After Dredger Hits Gas Pipeline in Texas
The Coast Guard responded Tuesday evening to a gas pipeline explosion and fire near Port O'Connor, Texas after it was struck by a dredger, the Coast Guard confirmed today. The dredger also caught fire but all crew member abandoned ship safely. Photos posted to Facebook by the page Maritime Throwdown show flames engulfing the vessel. USCG sector Corpus Christi … [Read more...]
MAN Diesel & Turbo to Supply Engines for MSC’s Record-Breaking Megaships
Germany-based MAN Diesel & Turbo says it has won the order to provide both main and auxiliary engines for Mediterranean Shipping Company's eleven record-breaking 22,000 containerships. Construction of the ships will be split by Samsung Heavy Industries, who will build six of the vessels, and Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME), who will build the other … [Read more...]
Nasty Oil Spill Closes Mississippi River Near New Orleans After Cargo Ship Hits Pier
The U.S. Coast Guard and local agencies are responding to reports of an oil spill after a cargo ship struck a pier near mile marker 100 on the lower Mississippi River near New Orleans on Thursday. The Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a report at 10:30 a.m. that the Singapore-flagged ship Pac Antares had allided with a pier and was reportedly leaking diesel fuel into … [Read more...]
Saudi Supertanker Fully Laden with American Oil Arrives Off China
A Saudi supertanker carrying the first export cargo from the United States' only port capable of handling the world's biggest oil tankers has arrived off China. According to the website TankerTrackers.com, the Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Shaden has now arrived at an offshore anchorage at the Port of Rizhao. The company has been tracking the Saudi Arabian-owned Shaden … [Read more...]