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Jeanerette, La., headquartered shipbuilder Metal Shark is building a welded-aluminum 115 foot long x 27 foot beam (35 meter long x 8 meter beam) monohull patrol vessel for the Guyana Defense Force (GDF).

Designed in-house by Metal Shark’s engineering team and being acquired by the GDF via direct purchase, the new 115 Defiant is currently under construction at Metal Shark’s Franklin, La., shipyard. Once complete, the robust multi-mission vessel will join eight other Metal Shark interdiction and patrol vessels currently in service with the GDF.

“Due to increasing maritime security concerns, we continue to see increased demand among military operators for larger patrol vessels capable of extended missions at sea,” said Metal Shark CEO Chris Allard. “Considering the relatively few options available in this size range, we felt that clients in this market segment have been underserved. We are now giving operators an entirely new option with this next-generation platform.”

Metal Shark 115 Defiant has a reverse raked bow for improved seakeeping

The imposing 115 Defiant has been designed to project power while offering unmatched performance, with a subtle reverse raked-bow offering reduced resistance for improved seakeeping in higher sea states. A prominent breakwater and elevated wheelhouse with nearly 360-degree visibility assure confident all-weather operation. The vessel will carry a crew of 24 on extended missions at sea, and has been designed to accommodate a wide range of mission profiles including search and rescue, border patrol, police and customs duties, counter-narcotics operations, and securing waters of economic importance.

For mothership operations, the 115 Defiant carries a 5.2-meter Metal Shark-built aluminum rigid inflatable boat (RIB) on the aft deck. The RIB carries up to 10 persons and is powered by twin 50-horsepower four-stroke outboard engines. For the GDF, the RIB will be launched and retrieved via a PS11000M-5m Palfinger Stiff Boom Marine Crane. The 115 Defiant is also offered with an integrated stern slipway for underway launch and retrieval.

The 115 Defiant has been configured to meet the performance requirements of the client. Powered by twin 1,600 bhp CAT C32 diesel inboard engines turning conventional propellers through Twin Disc marine gears, the vessel is expected to deliver a cruise speed of 12 knots, and a top speed in excess of 20 knots. At cruise speed, the vessel has a 2,000 nautical mile range and ten days’ endurance. A range of propulsion choices are offered to accommodate the performance requirements of other clients.

Metal Shark patrol vessel — GDF 115 Defiant is configured to have a 2,000 nautical miles range and 10 days endurance at cruise speed.

“The Guyana Defense Force and Metal Shark have been strategic partners for nearly ten years and we are pleased to continue to build on our relationship,” said Metal Shark’s Vice President of International Business Development, Henry Irizarry. “The United States Ambassador and U.S. Embassy staff in Guyana were crucial in advocating for Metal Shark and our American-made products, and our team worked closely with the GDF and the Government of Guyana to design a vessel ideally suited for their operational requirements. Metal Shark looks forward to delivering this modern and capable patrol craft platform, which will be the latest success in our long-term partnership with Guyana.”

“As with the other nearly 1,000 Metal Shark Defiant-class vessels now in service worldwide, the new 115 Defiant combines modern, crew-friendly features in a durable and functional package designed for performance,” said Allard. “With this new platform we’re delivering a custom-tailored solution that will serve the Guyana Defense Force for years to come, while at the same time presenting a compelling and capable new offering to all of our military clients.”

Patro; vessel under construction at Metal Shark shipyard — Next generation military patrol vessel is under construction at Metal Shark’s Jeanerette, La., shipyard

Source: https://www.marinelog.com/shipbuilding/shipyards/shipyard-news/metal-shark-building-next-gen-military-patrol-vessel-for-guyana/

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is closely monitoring countries’ response to monkeypox and whether greater restrictions are imposed on seafarers travelling for work.

It is calling on seafarers to notify their national union if they are impacted by restrictions on shore leave or getting to and from work, due to monkeypox controls.

On 23 July 2022 the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared monkeypox a global Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

ITF maritime coordinator Jacqueline Smith said: ‘I sincerely hope that this declaration does not result in any restrictions for seafarers, and you can be assured that should this be the case we will argue robustly against any such measures.’

Seafarers are encouraged to let the ITF know via affiliates how the disease is being managed in the transport sector. Nautilus members should contact their Union official.

Currently, most reported cases of monkeypox are Europe.

WHO made a series of temporary recommendations for countries dealing with outbreaks of monkeypox and those currently with no history of the disease or not having detected a case in 21 days.

People with symptoms of monkeypox should avoid any travel, with certain exemptions – including emergency medical care or ‘fleeing from life threatening situations’, until they are determined to be no longer constituting a public health risk.

WHO advises against any additional general or targeted international travel-related measures other than those recommendations specified for international travel and contact tracing.

Monkeypox is a viral ‘zoonotic disease’, clinically resembling smallpox, which is transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected person or animal, or with material contaminated with the virus. The virus typically presents clinically with fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes and may lead to a range of medical complications. Vaccines used during the smallpox eradication programme also provided protection against monkeypox. Newer vaccines have also been developed of which one has been approved for prevention of monkeypox.

Source: https://www.nautilusint.org/en/news-insight/news/itf-to-monitor-monkeypox-controls-on-seafarers-travelling-for-work/

Ships exporting Ukraine grain through the Black Sea will be protected by a 10 nautical mile buffer zone, according to long-awaited procedures agreed by Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations on Monday and seen by Reuters.

The United Nations and Turkey brokered a deal last month after Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine halted grain exports, stoking a global food crisis that the United Nations says has pushed tens of millions more people into hunger.

Since then Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations have been working to hammer out written procedures in the hope that it will assure shipping and insurance companies enough to resume grain and fertilizer shipments from the Ukrainian ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Yuzhny.

“We very much hope it will increase the traffic under this initiative,” said U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ spokesman Stephane Dujarric after the procedures were agreed.

The initiative has been operating in a trial phase for the past two weeks. Ten ships – stuck in Ukraine since the war started – have departed with corn, soybeans and sunflower oil and meal. Two empty vessels have traveled to Ukraine to collect shipments.

The biggest ship yet, the Ocean Lion, is due to leave the port of Chornomorsk on Tuesday to deliver 64,720 metric tons of corn to South Korea, said the Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) on Monday. The JCC in Istanbul oversees the deal and is made up of Turkish, Russian, Ukrainian and U.N. officials.

Commercial operation
Ukraine, along with Russia, is a major global supplier of wheat and other foodstuffs. However, the first ship to depart Ukraine under the U.N. deal last week is now looking for another port to unload after the initial Lebanese buyer refused delivery, citing a more than five-month delay. read more

The United Nations has stressed that the export deal is a commercial – not humanitarian – operation that will be driven by the market. All ships are required to be inspected to allay Russian concerns they could be smuggling weapons in to Ukraine.

Neil Roberts, head of marine and aviation at Lloyd’s Market Association – which represents the interests of all underwriting businesses in the Lloyd’s of London insurance market – told Reuters that the industry could now “play its part.”

“The successful exit of multiple vessels was beyond the imagining of most people only a few weeks ago and to have come this far is extraordinary,” said Roberts. “To actually achieve the goals of the U.N.’s initiative would be something for historians to reflect on.”

Protection zone
The shipping and insurance industry wanted assurances of a secure journey with no threat of sea mines or attacks to their ships and crews. These are typically covered in standard operating procedures, which is what was agreed on Monday.

“The parties will not undertake any attacks against merchant vessels or other civilian vessels and port facilities engaged in this initiative,” according to the ‘procedures for merchant vessels’ document.

One insurance industry source said the procedures “read as a reassuring set of rules. But will all sides stick to it?”.

Under the agreed procedures, the JCC will provide information on the planned movement of ships through the maritime humanitarian corridor, which will be shared with Russia, Ukraine and Turkey’s military to prevent incidents.

Then as the vessel moves through the maritime humanitarian corridor it will be protected by a 10 nautical mile circle buffer zone around it.

“No military vessel, aircraft or UAVs (drones) will close to within 10 nautical miles of a merchant vessel transiting the Maritime Humanitarian Corridor, excluding territorial seas of Ukraine,” according to the document.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said there was “every chance” the pace of exports could be maintained.

“The key is how in the days to come our partners will prove able to prevent any attempts by Russia to disrupt exports and again further provoke a world food crisis,” Zelenskiy said in a video address on Monday.

Russia has blamed Ukraine for stalling shipments by mining its port waters and rejects accusations Moscow is responsible for fueling the food crisis.

Source: https://www.marinelink.com/news/russia-ukraine-agree-protect-ukraine-498605

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has released its Port State Control (PSC) Annual Report for 2021, which shows that detention and deficiency rates per inspection have continued to remain low, according to AMSA’s release.

AMSA Executive Director of Operations, Michael Drake, said the authority’s reputation for having a zero-tolerance approach to non-compliance with internationally agreed standards, continued to have a positive influence on the quality of ships being brought to Australia.

The 2021 detention rate sat at just 5.6 per cent, down slightly from the 2020 detention rate of 5.9 per cent. The 2021 deficiency rate per inspection was just 2.2, almost on par with the 2020 rate of 2.1.

Source: https://en.portnews.ru/news/333572/

Virgin Voyages’ first cruise ship, the Scarlet Lady. completes its first year in service today.

After being delivered in early 2020, the 2,770-guest vessel saw its debut season postponed by over a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the entire cruise industry entering a global pause over the health emergency, the ship only received its first paying guests on August 6, 2021.

At the day, the Scarlet Lady departed Portsmouth, England, for a three-night ocean getaway.

Five additional UK sailings followed before the 140,000-ton vessel crossed the Atlantic for its inaugural season in the United States.

In September, the ship docked in New York City before arriving in Miami – it’s original homeport.

Over 18 months after the initial plans, the Scarlet Lady finally kicked off its inaugural voyage from PortMiami on October 6, 2021.

The vessel then started to offer a year-round program of four- and five-night cruises to the Caribbean and the Bahamas, with visits to Costa Maya, Amber Cove, Bimini and more.

Designed to reflect the sleek luxury of a yacht, the Scarlet Lady offers, according to Virgin, the intimate and elevated experience of a boutique hotel at sea.

An adults-only ship, it has over 20 dining venues, in addition to many entertainment options. One of the highlights is the vessel’s theater, known as The Red Room.

Considered a transformational multi-form showroom, the area can be used with four different configurations – a traditional Proscenium stage, an alley stage used in fashion shows, a dance flat-floor configuration and a reverse stage setup.

Another unique feature is The Manor, a two-story, 1970s-style nightclub inspired by Virgin’s heritage in the music business.

Following the Scarlet Lady, a second cruise ship – the Valiant Lady – entered service for Virgin Voyages in March 2022.

Two additional vessels – the Resilient Lady and the Brilliant Lady – are also set to debut for the brand in 2023.

Source: https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/27991-virgin-s-scarlet-lady-completes-first-year-in-service.html

There has been immense interest in mapping out the impacts of the national lockdowns China imposed in the second quarter. However, going by new data released on Sunday by China’s General Administration of Customs (GAC), the nation appears to have shrugged off most of the predicted impacts on its economy.

Specifically, July has seen a significant recovery. Despite signs that global consumption would slow in July, outbound shipments grew by 18 percent, the fastest pace yet this year, compared to 17.9 percent rise recorded in June. This performance exceeded expectations of a 15 percent gain.

Analysts had pegged their outlook on results of a global manufacturing survey, which showed demand weakened in July with orders and output indices falling to their lowest levels since the onset of Covid-19. Another official China’s manufacturing survey corroborated the decline; showing industrial activity had contracted in June, resulting from widespread lockdowns in spring.

But the unexpected positive performance in July points to recovery of supply chains at China’s major export hubs. In addition, China’s special relief measures for small and medium-sized enterprises, including tax reductions, could have had some effect, according to trade researcher Bai Ming of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.

The high export volume recorded in July is also reflected in increasing number of TEUs handled at Chinese ports. Foreign trade container throughput at eight of the Chinese major ports rose by 14.5 percent in July, compared to the 8.4 percent gain seen in June, according to data by the China Ports and Harbors Association.

“Amid negative real interest rate and surging inflation, July exports may have been buoyed by frontloaded orders by some European and US customers to ensure they had goods on hand with lower costs,” noted Bruce Pang, Chief Economist and head of research at Jones Lang Lasalle Inc.

Meanwhile, imports remain weak, suggesting a soft domestic demand in China. Imports rose by only 2.3 percent from a year earlier against the forecasted 3.7 percent rise.

For instance, crude oil imports in July fell by 9.5 percent from a year earlier while the volume of imported integrated circuits – a major Chinese import – dropped by 19.6 percent, according to Reuters’ calculations. The slow growth in import volumes will be visible in the last half of the year, as China’s imports are components of goods that are then re-exported.

Source: https://maritime-executive.com/article/china-s-exports-still-growing-despite-global-inflation-fears

Critics of China’s Belt and Road program have long warned of the potential military uses of the Chinese-operated port at Hambantota, Sri Lanka, and successive Sri Lankan governments have denied that the port would benefit China’s PLA Navy. This past weekend, a Chinese missile tracking ship tried to call at the port, setting off a minor diplomatic scuffle with India and providing new evidence for the critique.

In 2016, a Chinese state-owned enterprise took over the port of Hambantota, Sri Lanka, on exceptionally favorable terms. The Sri Lankan government was heavily in debt to China, and to raise funds, it granted a 99-year lease on the underutilized port complex to China Merchants Port Holdings (CM Port) in exchange for $1.1 billion. For critics of China’s Belt and Road development program, Hambantota immediately became the go-to example of Beijing’s “debt diplomacy”: saddling a developing nation with debt to build unneeded infrastructure, then taking control of the distressed assets.

As a deepwater port, Hambantota also has dual-use application as a potential naval resupply point, which China’s critics in New Delhi and Washington, D.C. were quick to point out. Sri Lanka’s government has pushed back on this suggestion over the years. “There are no foreign naval bases in Sri Lanka,” Ranil Wikremesinghe, then prime minister of Sri Lanka, said in 2018. “The Hambantota Port is a commercial joint venture between our ports authority and China Merchants.”

These suspicions were put to the test this month with the planned arrival of the spy ship Yuan Wang 5, a ballistic missile and satellite tracking ship in China’s research vessel fleet. She was due to transit to Hambantota, arriving August 11 and departing August 17 after conducting replenishment. Her mission in the Indian Ocean, according to the China-oriented consultancy Belt and Road Initiative Sri Lanka (BRISL), is to “conduct space tracking, satellite control and research tracking in the northwestern part of the Indian Ocean region through August and September.”

However, India protested the plans for the ship’s arrival. India and Sri Lanka share a defense treaty that prohibits Colombo from allowing a foreign military (like China’s PLA Navy) to use Sri Lankan ports if the use damages India’s interests. The timing was particularly sensitive because India had just provided Sri Lanka with $4.5 billion in aid to bail out its collapsing economy.

After New Delhi’s objections, the (newly-formed) Sri Lankan administration of President Ranil Wickremesinghe asked the Chinese embassy to postpone the Yuan Wang 5’s port call “until further consultations.”

“Letting the Chinese military vessel dock at Hambantota would have compounded Sri Lanka’s other India-unfriendly actions since 2014, when two Chinese submarines separately docked at a new, Chinese-built container terminal in Colombo Port,” said Indian defense strategist Prof. Brahma Chellaney, speaking to the Times of India.

Source: https://maritime-executive.com/article/sri-lanka-turns-chinese-naval-vessel-away-from-port-of-hambantota

Denmark-based Martin Bencher was founded in 1997 and is an asset-light logistics provider that specialises in project logistics.

The value of the transaction is $61 million (enterprise value). Until obtaining all required regulatory approvals and closing of the transaction, Maersk and Martin Bencher Group remain two separate companies.

“Martin Bencher will be an excellent fit to Maersk and our integrator strategy, strengthening our ability to provide project logistics services to our global clients,” said Karsten Kildahl, Regional Managing Director in Europe of Maersk.

“When Martin Bencher joins the Maersk family, we will be able to deliver project logistics services with a high degree of reliability, a proven track-record, and a strong focus on Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE).

“In addition to supporting our existing customers’ project logistics needs, we will also be able to provide a more comprehensive offering to a wide array of industries.”

With the intended acquisition, Maersk also announced its new product, Maersk Project Logistics (MPL) – a specialised service offering covering solution design, special cargo transport and project management services, including planning, orchestration, and sequencing of end-to-end shipments from suppliers to destination sites.

Maersk said the move will bolster its project logistics capabilities and develop an unparalleled integrated offering to serve existing and future customers, also within new industries.

The new MPL product will enable Maersk to provide more extensive end-to-end solutions for customers with management needs, requiring both containerised and non-containerised solutions – as the Danish giant looks to add resilience and agility to customer supply chains.

“We are thrilled to become an integral part of Maersk, which we see as an ideal fit for our people and clients,” added Peter Thorsoe Jensen, CEO of Martin Bencher.

“Clients requiring project logistics are aware of the constraints and challenges facing them and are seeking strategic partners with sufficient ambitions and strength to handle their entire global supply chain now and in the years to come.

“Together with Maersk, we will have the scale, commitment, and capabilities to handle the entire logistics scope of work for clients around the world – as well as expand into new industries.”

Maersk witnessed record results in Q2 2022, with revenue increasing by 52 per cent as results were still driven by exceptional market conditions.

Earnings more than doubled compared to same quarter last year, according to the Danish firm.

Source: https://www.porttechnology.org/news/maersk-bolsters-project-logistics-with-martin-bencher-groups-acquisition/

Container ship BF TIGER collided with understand, coastal cargo ship XINGHANG (XH489), southeast of Ningbo, Zhejiang province, East China sea, early in the morning Aug 7, while sailing in southern direction en route from Qingdao to Hong Kong. 118-meter long XH489 sank, of 4 people on board 3 were rescued, 1 died in collision. BF TIGER interrupted voyage and was brought to anchor off Ningbo. As of Aug 9, she remained in the same position.

Source: https://www.fleetmon.com/maritime-news/2022/39101/cargo-ship-sank-after-collision-maersk-chartered-c/

A two-day conference on classification regulation and advanced technologies for naval ships and auxiliaries was organized in the national capital from August 4 to 5 with the aim of promoting indigenous warship building.

The conference was organised by the Directorate of Naval Architecture, Integrated Headquarters- Ministry of Defence (Navy) at Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis in New Delhi, the Ministry of Defence said.

The theme of the conference was future naval ships- technologically transformative, economically viable and environmentally sustainable, the Ministery said.

The conference was aimed to provide a platform for the Indian Navy to achieve synergy between classification societies, various branches of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard, Indian Shipyards, DRDO Labs, academia etc, in the field of research and development as well as quality assurance and survey/ certification of naval ships and auxiliaries.

Senior delegates/ subject experts from seven major International Classification Societies such as ABS, BV, Class-NK, DNV-GL, IRS, LR and RINA participated in the conference, wherein 16 papers were presented by the class societies, ranging from the classification process for Naval Ships, Military Class Notations, Maritime Cyber Security, Advanced Digital Technologies, Naval Ship Signatures, Rules for Autonomous Vessels, Bio-safety on Naval Ships, Technology Qualification, Hybrid Powering and Decarbonization of Naval Ships.

In addition, various other technical aspects relevant to the design, construction and maintenance of Naval and other Government Ships were discussed by the delegates during QA sessions and on the sidelines of the conference.

The conference was inaugurated by Vice Admiral Sandeep Naithani, Chief of Material, Indian Navy on August 4 and its various sessions were keenly participated by more than 120 delegates, including Senior Officers of Naval Headquarters, Naval Command, Field Units, Coast Guards Headquarters.

Delegates from six DPSU Shipyards, DRDO Scientists and academia were also present at the Conference, the release stated.

The closing session was presided over by VAdm Kiran Deshmukh, Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition, Indian Navy on August 5.

Source: https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/conference-on-classification-regulations-advanced-naval-tech-held-in-delhi-122080900470_1.html

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Metal Shark building next-gen military patrol vessel for Guyana

ITF to monitor monkeypox controls on seafarers travelling for work

Russia, Ukraine Agree to Protect Ukraine Grain Shipping Channel

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority releases its Port State Control Annual Report for 2021

Virgin’s Scarlet Lady Completes First Year in Service

China’s Exports Still Growing Despite Global Inflation Fears

Sri Lanka Turns Chinese Naval Vessel Away From Port of Hambantota

Maersk bolsters project logistics with Martin Bencher Group’s acquisition

Cargo ship sank after collision with Maersk-chartered container ship off Ningbo

Conference on classification regulations, advanced naval tech held in Delhi

IMO Mandates Monthly Emergency Drills for Passenger Ships: Full Breakdown of New Safety Rules

Tanker Collision Off Malaysia, IMO Emergency Drill Alerts & New Piracy Warnings – Latest Maritime Safety News

IMO Strengthens Cyber Risk Management Guidelines for Maritime Industry

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