dwilson's blog

WASHINGTON: A number of small shipyards in the U.S. have been granted a total of US$98 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funds. The 70 grants, awarded through the Maritime Administration's Assistance to Small Shipyards program, will be used to improve shipyards and pay for training programs.

CORFU, Greece (AP) — NATO has replaced the flotilla conducting anti-piracy patrols off Somalia for the past three months with a new force that will continue the operation "indefinitely," a spokesman said Monday. 

PANAMA CITY, Panama, June 15, 2009 – In recognition of his extraordinary contributions and visionary leadership, Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Administrator/CEO Alberto Alemán Zubieta received the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) 32^nd annual Silver Bell Award Thursday, June 11. The award, bestowed to Mr.

OSLO, June 9 - The European Commission is preparing measures to cap carbon emissions from shipping if the global maritime industry fails to come up with its own proposals soon, an official of the EU executive body said on Tuesday.

The increase in piracy off Somalia and a ten-fold hike in insurance premiums have sent the cost of sending ships through the Gulf of Aden soaring.

Lloyd's Register has sent us a number of Classification News alerts which point out upcoming regulatory requirements.

Should shipowners/operators have primary responsibility for their vessels security or does the international community have a role to play?

During recent congressional hearings, U.S. officials call for ship owner/operators to provide for their own security when transiting dangerous waters.

In a welcome turn of events for the beleaguered Port of Charleston, Mediterranean Shipping Co. signed a new agreement with the South Carolina State Ports Authority that will keep it in the port through 2017.