Seanergy Maritime Holdings announced that the application of United Maritime Corporation to list its common shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market has been approved. In addition, the registration statement on Form 20-F filed by United in connection with its spin-off from Seanergy has been declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Through United, Seanergy intends to effect a spin-off of the Company’s oldest Capesize vessel, the M/V Gloriuship. United is expected to adopt a diversified business model, with investments across various maritime sectors.

Seanergy shareholders do not need to take any action to receive United shares to which they are entitled, and do not need to pay any consideration or surrender or exchange Seanergy common shares. Seanergy common shareholders will receive one United common share for every 118 Seanergy common shares held at the close of business on June 28, 2022, the record date for the distribution which coincides with the previously-announced record date for Seanergy’s cash dividend of $0.025 per share for the first quarter of 2022. The distribution of United common shares is expected to be made on or around July 5, 2022. United common shares are expected to commence trading on a standalone basis on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the first trading day after the date of distribution, under the ticker “USEA”.

Nasdaq has established an ex-distribution date for the distribution of United common shares of June 27, 2022. Beginning on that date, Seanergy shares will trade without an entitlement by the purchaser of such shares to United common shares distributed in connection with the spin-off. A “when-issued” trading market in United common shares will not be established, and United common shares will not begin trading on a standalone basis until the trading day following the date of distribution.

Fractional common shares of United will not be distributed. Instead, the distribution agent will aggregate fractional common shares into whole shares, sell such whole shares in the open market at prevailing rates promptly after United’s common shares commence trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market, and distribute the net cash proceeds from the sales pro rata to each holder who would otherwise have been entitled to receive fractional common shares in the distribution.

United has filed a registration statement on Form 20-F pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with the SEC, which includes a more detailed description of the terms of the spin-off. A copy of the registration statement on Form 20-F is available at www.sec.gov.

The Dr. Hank Kaplan, a versatile and powerful harbor tug, entered service in Alaska earlier this month in the Cook Inlet Tug & Barge fleet.

Delivered to its original owner in 2017 by the Diversified Marine shipyard in Portland, Oregon, the 5,350 hp Robert Allan Ltd designed RAmparts-2400 series tugboat was the first built in North America with a Caterpillar integrated propulsion system featuring CAT engines and Z-drives. CAT also supplied the vessel’s electrical generators.

A member of the Saltchuk Group, Cook Inlet Tug and Barge, LLC traces its Alaska heritage back to 1924 and continues to be committed to Alaska.

“We call ourselves ‘Alaska’s tug and barge company’, and we take seriously our 98-year commitment to the state. This vessel brings additional capability to the Cook Inlet region while further supporting Alaska’s economy”, said Jeff Johnson, president of Cook Inlet Tug & Barge. “We are based in Alaska, operated by Alaskans and acquiring the Dr. Hank Kaplan helps grow our fleet in our namesake’s region of Alaska.”

The 79-by-36-foot vessel is named in honor of the Chief of Medical Oncology at Swedish Cancer Institute in Seattle, Wash., who has worked throughout his entire career on cancer research and treatment.

“This tug is built well, extremely powerful and complements the incredibly capable tugs we have in our fleet. It will help us grow our business while meeting our expanding customer needs,” said Mike O’Shea, vice president business development and planning at Cook Inlet Tug & Barge.

Powered by CAT 3516C marine diesel engines paired to CAT MTA 24-TZ-drives, Dr. Hank Kaplan is Caterpillar equipped throughout. Her electrical service is provided by two, Tier III complaint CAT C7.1 generator sets.

The deck equipment consists of a Markey DEPC-46 towing winch, mounted on the bow, and a Markey DEPC-32 towing winch, mounted on the stern.

Capt. Mark Theriault, Cook Inlet Tug & Barge’s director of operations, is excited to see the Dr. Hank Kaplan join the fleet.

“The tug packs 30,000 gallons of fuel, 2,800 gallons of fresh water, and 370 gallons of lube oil—and not only opens up our operating window, but it is also just what our customers have been asking for,” he said.

Source: https://www.marinelog.com/inland-coastal/coastal/versatile-tractor-tug-joins-cook-inlet-tug-barge/

On June 7, the dinner cruise vessel Spirit of Norfolk experienced a mass conflagration fire onboard during a daytime underway cruise on the Elizabeth River. The vessel was a complete loss and burned for several days before all the hot spots could finally be extinguished. I observed the vessel after the fire and to say it was totally destroyed, almost “vaporized” in its interior, would not be an exaggeration.

Onboard were nearly 100 passengers and crew. Many of them were grade-school children on a school outing with parent chaperones. The “Miracle on the Elizabeth River” was that not one passenger or crew was injured, and all were rapidly evacuated to another passenger vessel nearby. Akin to the U.S. Airways flight 1549 “Miracle on the Hudson” with Captain “Sully” Sullenberger, I’d say.

This incident could very easily have turned into a mass tragedy. From the first sight of smoke until flames took mere moments. The Spirit’s master, Captain Ryan Nadeau, responded instantly and correctly. The Spirit’s crew performed professionally. I have heard the USCG recordings of the VHF Channel 16 distress calls and Captain Nadeau sounded confident, deliberate, and professional. Captain Nadeau requested assistance from vessels on the river near the Spirit. Tugs from the close by Norfolk Naval Base raced to assistance with firefighting water. Captain Nadeau quickly positioned the vessel to minimize the deadly effects of smoke and flames. Spirit’s crew handed out life jackets quickly and kept the 100-plus passengers, again mostly children, calm. Precious time was saved to evacuate everyone from the Spirit without any injuries at all. When you have a raging fire onboard time is your enemy and time is precious. Time saves or costs lives. In the tragic fire onboard Spirit, perfect and professional actions saved time and many lives.

But there is also more to the “Miracle on the Elizabeth River” that day. Other passenger tour vessels were underway off the Norfolk Naval Base where Spirit’s fire broke out. There wasn’t a moment of hesitation by the passenger vessels on the Elizabeth River that day. The master of Victory Rover, Captain Brandon Peter, saw the Spirit in distress and heard the mayday call. He raced the Victory Rover up alongside the Spirit and perfectly coordinated with Captain Nadeau. I have seen the video of the two vessels together evacuating the Spirit’s passengers. I saw smoke and flames. Children were being placed in life jackets and lifted over the Spirit’s handrails and across and down to Victory Rover’s top deck. Spirit’s crew and those parents who were passengers looked like they had drilled for this many times. All passengers and crew were evacuated before Captain Nadeau himself left his vessel. Just like Captain “Sully” on the Hudson. A potential, almost to be expected, deadly tragedy was miraculously averted.

Everything went right that day. The positive ending is a testament to the professionalism of the passenger vessel industry and both long- and well-established cruise vessel companies. Spirit was operated by City Experiences by Hornblower, and Victory Rover is operated by American Rover Cruises of Norfolk, VA.

I always preach that training makes the last minute of a crisis count. Fire onboard is an immediate crisis. It is a “come as you are” emergency. Minutes separate life and death. Of note in the Spirit’s fire is that the passenger vessel industry is serious, professionally trained, run, and crewed. There are routinely thousands of passengers and tourists on these vessels every day and night. If there had been widespread injuries or tragically any deaths on Spirit that day, the passenger vessel industry’s reputation could have been damaged, perhaps beyond recognition, as the fire destroyed the Spirit.

Unlike the tragedy aboard the Costa Concordia – where Captain Schettino abandoned ship immediately, leaving passengers and crew behind – the Spirit’s captain and crew didn’t abandon ship before the passengers. Everyone involved that day upheld and were imbued with the honor and tradition of professional mariners. I salute them and the passenger vessel industry!

Captain Peter Squicciarini is a professional mariner and a retired U.S. Navy Captain. 

The U.S. will be buying a total of 23 combat / patrol boats from Louisiana-based builder Metal Shark for delivery to Ukraine, where they will be used to defend coastlines and waterways.

Six of these Metal Shark units were announced by the White House last week as part of a $450 million assistance package. The package includes 12 other patrol boats from existing U.S. inventory, including two 35′ Small Unit Riverine Craft (SURC) and ten 34′ Sea Ark patrol boats. The Sea Ark model is being phased out in favor of a Metal Shark 40′ model in U.S. Navy service, according to Sea Power.

All of the boat transfers are intended for riverine patrol and combat duty, a senior U.S. official told USNI News.

Metal Shark also has an additional 17 more aluminum-hulled vessels for Ukraine under construction, all in the range of 36-38 feet. They are all popular designs for military/patrol applications and have a history of service for other clients. The 36′ Fearless is a center-console interceptor designed for speed, and the 38′ Dauntless is a patrol boat designed as a versatile working platform for multiple missions.

All of these hulls were already in the works for long-term U.S. assistance to Ukraine, and a portion of the package was previously announced in January. However, the delivery timeline has been accelerated.

“Metal Shark has been working closely with the US Embassy in Kiev since 2019 to develop the strategy now being implemented to support Ukraine’s maritime capabilities, so it is fulfilling to see that the vessels will arrive when they are most needed,” said Henry Irizarry, Metal Shark’s Vice President of International Business Development. “Metal Shark provides next-generation, proven platforms to partner nations, but most importantly, we create long term partnerships with end users to train boat crews and provide seamless technical support.”

Source: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/metal-shark-to-supply-23-combat-boats-to-ukraine

Just 10 days before his inauguration as the Philippines’ 17th president, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced that he would also take on the job of agriculture secretary, which includes managing the country’s fisheries.

“I thought that it is important that the president take that portfolio to not only make it clear to everyone what a high priority we put on the agricultural sector, but also as a practical matter—so that things move quickly because the events of the global economy are moving very quickly,” Marcos told journalists on June 20 without specifying programs or actions.

Analysts said the move was risky, because the president-elect, as agriculture minister, may quickly diminish his 31.6-million-vote mandate, the largest in Philippine history, because of the sector’s problems.

But positive developments may also help boost his political capital and convince the 14 million Filipinos who voted for his closest election rival, Vice President Leni Robredo, to take another look at his leadership abilities.

“We have to be able to be agile. We have to be able to respond properly in a measured way as soon as there’s a situation that needs to be addressed,” he added.

The fisheries sector and the maritime dispute with China will almost certainly be one of the first issues that will confront him when he starts his term on June 30.  Although he has declared that he will assert the Permanent Court of Arbitration (UNCLOS)’s ruling in favor of the Philippines, he has also shown that he knows the game of international brinksmanship.

“We have a very important ruling in our favor and we will use it to continue to assert our territorial rights. It is not a claim. It is already our territorial right,” the president-elect said in his first foreign policy pronouncement last month.

China is Philippine’s ‘strongest partner’, says Marcos

But earlier this month, at an event of the Association for Philippines-China Understanding (APCU) and the Chinese Embassy, he described China as the country’s “strongest partner” and called for continued cooperation.

“That cooperation is what I believe will bring us forward to a bright future. We can only do it with our partners. And our strongest partner has always been, in that regard, our close neighbor and our good friend, the People’s Republic of China (PRC),” Marcos said.

The event was meant to honor 10 Filipino “laureates” for their contributions to “strengthening friendly ties and promoting mutual understanding between the Philippines and China.”

The APCU and Chinese Embassy included the president-elect’s mother Imelda Marcos among the honorees.

In 1975, then-President Ferdinand Marcos, the president-elect’s father, sent Imelda to China to establish formal diplomatic relations with the PRC which was just recovering from decades of economic difficulties and was just starting to refine oil.

The mission was a success and Imelda returned home with a Chinese commitment to provide refined oil at the height of the global oil crisis.

“Thank you for putting my mother in the Hall of Fame,” the president-elect said at the APCU reception. “I think it is just right because China cannot find a greater champion than my mother in the Philippines.”

Imelda will turn 93 years old next month and while Bongbong’s sister is a senator and his cousin, Martin Romualdez, is expected to take the lead of the House of Representatives, foreign policy remains the duty of the president.

Philippine-Singapore ties to grow stronger under Marcos administration

Aside from taking congratulatory calls from foreign leaders, the president-elect has also been busy receiving diplomats from various countries.

Earlier this month, he met Singapore Ambassador Gerard Ho Wei Hong with whom he had an interesting conversation about Marcos Sr. and Singapore’s founding father Lee Kuan Yew.

“Singapore and the Philippines are friends and close partners. The countries are both founding members of the ASEAN (or Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and successive generations of Singaporean and Philippine leaders have worked together for the peace and prosperity of the region,” Ho stressed.

The envoy said Singapore is among the Philippines’ largest trading partners and foreign investors.

“I think with the resumption of cross-border travel as well as the passage of a lot of significant economic reforms in the Philippines under the current administration, we are hopeful that we will continue to grow this bilateral economic relationship with the Philippines and it will continue to flourish,” Ho said.

“We see a lot of growth potential in the Philippines and we hope to see more and more Singapore companies coming into the Philippine market,” the envoy added.

Marcos himself stressed the importance of ASEAN not only in terms of the regional economy, which is among the largest in the world but also in territorial issues.

Marcos to continue ‘independent foreign policy’

Like most other Filipino presidents before him, Marcos said he would pursue an independent foreign policy which he characterized as being a “friend to all, enemy to none.”

“This is what we feel is best in the national interest and I feel it is to be advantageous not only to our friends in China but to all our friends around the world,” he added.

“I think ASEAN will still be a very critical part of that discussion, but nonetheless we also have to continue to pursue bilateral contact and communication with China,” he said.

“In fact, this is what I mentioned when I spoke to President Xi when he called me to congratulate me on winning the election. I said we have to continue to talk about this, this cannot be allowed to fester and to become more severe in terms of a problem between our two countries,” he added.

“I do not subscribe to the old thinking of the Cold War when we had these spheres of influence, where you’re under the Soviet Union or you’re under the United States.”

At the same time, he said the United States, a long-time ally of the Philippines, is going to play a key role in the region.

Source: https://maritimefairtrade.org/new-philippine-president-to-walk-tightrope-between-maritime-powers/

Ukrainian forces struck a Russian-operated drilling rig off the coast of Crimea for a second time over the weekend, according to Russian state media.

The jackup drilling rig Tavrida was hit by a Ukrainian missile, leaving a 15-foot hole in the helipad, according to TASS. No injuries were reported in this strike, unlike the previous round of attacks, a spokesperson for Crimea’s emergency services department said.

Tavrida is reportedly one of the three rigs targeted in an earlier Ukrainian missile strike on June 20. Three people were injured in the first attack and seven remain missing. Satellite imaging appears to indicate that one of the targets (not Tavrida) is still on fire after five days.

Given the long distance from Ukrainian-held territory to the rig, many observers have suggested that the strikes were carried out using Western-supplied anti-ship missiles. The UK, U.S. and Denmark have all provided Ukraine with Harpoon anti-ship missile systems, which have already seen confirmed use against one Russian Navy vessel in the conflict.

Analysts suggest that the attacks could be part of a broader campaign to lift the Russian blockade on the Ukrainian port of Odesa. Ukrainian military sources have accused Russia of installing military surveillance and electronic-warfare equipment on the platforms, to include long-range radar observation systems; destroying these installations could help reduce Russian sea control in the northwestern Black Sea.

Tavrida is a jackup rig built in 1995 by Ukraine’s JSC Kherson shipyard. It was appropriated by Russia during the annexation of Crimea in 2014, along with the other assets of its operating company, Chernomorneftegaz.

Source: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/ukraine-strikes-jackup-rig-in-the-black-sea-for-a-second-time