Moran receives highest Coast Guard award for environmental protection

Moran receives highest Coast Guard award for environmental protection

(NEW CANAAN, Conn.) — Moran Towing Corp. has been awarded the William M. Benkert Marine Environmental Protection Award, a U.S. Coast Guard award that recognizes marine organizations for outstanding achievements in safety and environmental protection. Moran received the Osprey Award, the highest tier of the Benkert Award. “We are honored to receive this prestigious recognition from the Coast Guard,” said…
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Coast Guard seeking applicants for towing safety panel

Coast Guard seeking applicants for towing safety panel

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard is accepting applications to fill 18 vacancies on the National Towing Safety Advisory Committee. This committee advises the secretary of homeland security, via the commandant of the Coast Guard, on matters relating to shallow-draft inland navigation, coastal waterway navigation and towing safety. Completed applications must reach the Coast Guard on or before June 10.…
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World Shipping Council moving ahead with Cargo Safety Program

World Shipping Council moving ahead with Cargo Safety Program

(WASHINGTON) — Despite mandatory international and national regulations on the transport of dangerous goods, these goods continue to be misdeclared or not declared, driving an alarming increase in ship fires. Addressing the need for improved safety measures, the World Shipping Council (WSC) is developing the Cargo Safety Program and has announced that the National Cargo Bureau (NCB) has been selected…
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New AWO video highlights industry’s commitment to safety

New AWO video highlights industry’s commitment to safety

(ARLINGTON, Va.) — The American Waterways Operators (AWO) has produced a new video highlighting the tugboat, towboat and barge industry's commitment to safety and its strong record as the safest mode of freight transportation. The two-minute video, "The Tugboat, Towboat and Barge Industry: Delivering Safety on America's Waterways," explains that the industry, while moving nearly 700 million tons of cargo…
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New IMO leader addresses Red Sea attacks, emissions

New IMO leader addresses Red Sea attacks, emissions

(LONDON) — Arsenio Dominguez, secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), shared the group’s plans and focus areas for the next four years, with the aim of ensuring safer, more secure and environmentally friendly shipping. Speaking at a news conference Thursday at IMO headquarters in London, Dominguez outlined four strategic priorities: IMO’s work to regulate international shipping; its support to…
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MarAd alert: Piracy, robbery, kidnapping in Gulf of Guinea

MarAd alert: Piracy, robbery, kidnapping in Gulf of Guinea

(WASHINGTON) — Piracy, armed robbery and kidnapping for ransom (KFR) pose significant threats to vessels transiting or operating in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) as well as mariners onboard a vessel or transiting to or from a vessel in the GoG. Guidance In 2023, pirates, armed robbers and KFR groups are known to have operated off Nigeria, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory…
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CSA recognizes Crowley vessels, crews for environmental achievement

CSA recognizes Crowley vessels, crews for environmental achievement

(JACKSONVILLE, Fla.) — The Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) has recognized 85 Crowley vessels and their crews for a cumulative 782 years of safe environmental practices and operations. The Environmental Achievement Awards, presented annually by the CSA, commend vessels and mariners that demonstrate an outstanding safety record with no reportable spills, no U.S. Coast Guard environmental citations or other…
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Corroded wire rope led to crane failure on bulk carrier

Corroded wire rope led to crane failure on bulk carrier

(WASHINGTON) — Undetected corrosion and wear led to an equipment failure on a bulk carrier while offloading cargo last year in Houston, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Tuesday. On July 23, 2022, the cargo ship Thorco Basilisk was offloading a wind turbine component at the Greensport Terminal on the Houston Ship Channel when the hoisting wire rope on…
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Crews of four U.S.-flagged vessels honored for heroism

Crews of four U.S.-flagged vessels honored for heroism

(NEW YORK) — The officers and crew of four American-flag vessels were recognized for heroism at sea at the 54th annual Admiral of the Ocean Sea (AOTOS) Awards hosted by the United Seamen’s Service on Dec. 1. The plaques honored the mariners aboard the following vessels: M/V Midnight Sun, Port of Tacoma Harbor In September 2022, an electrical fire broke…
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MarAd alert: Commercial ships attacked in Indian Ocean

MarAd alert: Commercial ships attacked in Indian Ocean

(WASHINGTON) — The Liberian-flagged tanker Central Park was boarded by unknown armed entities and subsequently released in the Gulf of Aden, 50 miles east of Djibouti, on Sunday. In addition, the Maltese-flagged containership CMA CGM Symi was reportedly attacked by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the Indian Ocean on Friday. Exercise caution when transiting these areas and remain cognizant…
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