01 SEPT 2020 Every single one of us carries a mystery deep inside our hearts that has perplexed us for centuries. There’s a web-like network of bumps lining our ventricles known as trabeculae carnae that seems important, especially while the cardiovascular system is still developing. We’ve just never been sure what functions …
Read More »ECO-FRIENDLY BULKERS BUILT IN SRI LANKA PART OF NEW BUILDING TREND
30 AUG 2020 The Colombo Dockyard in Sri Lanka is preparing to commence construction on a new class of eco-friendly bulk carriers that include electric power for Norwegian shipowner Misje Eco Bulk AS. This order is the second time recently that a Norwegian shipowner has contracted for construction of innovative …
Read More »GREENPEACE FINDS LONG-RUNNING METHANE LEAK IN UK NORTH SEA
29 AUG 2020 Greenpeace reported Monday that its patrol ship Esperanza has located two large methane leaks at an old offshore well site in the UK North Sea. The “gas-emitting craters” on the seabed were allegedly caused by a blowout during a drilling operation in 1990, and they are still …
Read More »FIRST POSSIBLE SOMALI PIRACY ATTACK ON TANKER IN THREE YEARS
28 AUG 2020 A Panamanian-flagged chemical tanker has possibly been hijacked off the coast of Somalia. If the reports are confirmed, it would be the first successful hijacking in the region in three years. Security analysts Dryad Global is reporting that the 8143 DWT Aegean II, managed by Hanan Shipping of …
Read More »IRAN SEIZES UAE VESSEL IN “TIT-FOR-TAT” OVER DEATH OF TWO FISHERMEN
27 AUG 2020 On Thursday, Iran‘s foreign ministry said that it has seized an unidentified UAE-flagged vessel in possible retaliation for the deaths of two Iranian fishermen, who were killed by UAE coast guard forces in a recent enforcement action. According to the UAE’s state-run WAM media outlet, eight Iranian …
Read More »NICK BROWN TO TAKE THE HELM AT LLOYD’S REGISTER
26 AUG 2020 Nick Brown, the head of Lloyd’s Register’s marine and offshore division, will be taking the helm as the firm’s new CEO effective January 1, LR announced Monday. After 14 years at LR, including five as chief executive officer, current CEO Alastair Marsh has decided to step down …
Read More »WAKASHIO SCUTTLED OFF MAURITIUS AS CLEANUP CONTINUES
25 AUG 2020 Images were released showing the end of the forward section of the grounded bulker Wakashio. With the scuttling now completed efforts are focusing on the remaining stern section with the accommodations block and bridge as well as the ongoing cleanup efforts. Images courtesy of Mobilisation Nationale Wakashio According to a …
Read More »9 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD BE OPTIMISTIC A COVID-19 VACCINE WILL BE AVAILABLE IN 2021
24 AUGUST 2020 As fall approaches rapidly, many are wondering if the race for a vaccine will bear fruit as early as January 2021. I am a physician-scientist and infectious diseases specialist at the University of Virginia, where I care for patients and conduct research into COVID-19. I am occasionally asked how …
Read More »INTERMANAGER: RENEWED RESTRICTIONS ARE DENYING SEAFARERS’ RIGHTS
23 AUG 2020 After garnering worldwide attention and promises to address the challenges COVID-19 restrictions had created for crew changes, the issues faced by seafarers in the pandemic mostly faded from public attention. InterManager, the international trade association for ship and crew managers, however, is seeking to reignite the discussion, issuing …
Read More »JAPANESE CLASS SOCIETY APPROVES CONCEPT WIND KITE TO AID PROPULSION
22 AUG 2020 Japan’s classification society, Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) has issued an “Approval in Principle” (AIP) for a wind kite system under development by Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (K Line) and France’s Airseas SAS. Granted under ClassNK’s Wind Assisted Propulsion Systems guidelines, the system, which is known as Seawing, …
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