The International Maritime Organization appears to be backing away from pressure to introduce ship speed limits as part of its strategy to decarbonize the shipping industry. Instead, it has opted for a goal-setting approach as the best way to reduce carbon emissions in the short-term. The revelations come following a meeting this week in London of an IMO Marine … [Read more...]
About Mike Schuler
Containership Deal Brings Seaspan’s Fleet Close to One Million TEU
Hong Kong-based Seaspan has announced plans to purchase a fleet of six containerships that will bring its fleet close to one million TEU. The six ships will be purchased on long-term charter for a total purchase price of approximately $380 million. The addition of the ships will bring Seaspan’s total pro forma global fleet to 119 vessels and approximately 975,000 TEU, … [Read more...]
NTSB Faults U.S. Coast Guard’s Failure to Implement Prior Safety Recommendations in Fatal Duck Boat Sinking
The National Transportation Safety Board is faulting the U.S. Coast Guard for failing to implement previous-issued safety recommendations related to the operation of so-called "duck boats" as a contributing factor in the high death toll of last year's fatal duck boat sinking on Table Rock Lake, Missouri in which seventeen people were killed. As part of its ongoing … [Read more...]
Viking Sky Near Grounding the Result of Low Lubricating Oil
The Accident Investigation Board of Norway has published an interim report on its investigation into the Viking Sky’s loss power and near-grounding in heavy weather off the coast of Norway last March. The Viking Ocean Cruises cruise ship had 915 passengers and 458 crew on board when it experienced a blackout and loss of propulsion in forecasted gale to storm force conditions … [Read more...]
Expedition Cruise Operators Agree to Ban on Use and Carriage of HFO in Arctic
Expedition cruise ship operators have agreed to a self-imposed ban on the use and carriage of heavy fuel oil (HFO) in the Arctic. The self-imposed ban was organized by the Norway-based Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators’, which represents the leading expedition cruise operators. While it is the current practice among the association’s members to refrain … [Read more...]