A surge in demand for goods like furniture and exercise equipment from locked-down consumers has sparked a jump in shipping rates, boosting profits for Danish freight giant Maersk, the company said on Wednesday. Yet shares in the world’s largest container shipping line fell as much as 8% as it missed analysts’ lofty forecasts for the end of last year and g

ave more cautious guidance for 2021 than anticipated. Maersk’s ocean shipping business, its largest division, “performed at record level in the quarter as a consequence of the strong rebound of demand,” CEO Soren Skou said in a statement. Maersk expects global container trade to rise 3-5% in 2021 after declining 2% last year. The majority of consumer goods are ferried by container ship operators like Maersk. Container ships have been sailing at full load since August – something that has not happened in a decade.

(Credits: www.marinelink.com)

South Korean majors Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), which controls about 10% of the global newbuild market, and container shipping major HMM have committed to utilizing Jotun’s Hull Skating Solutions (HSS) on a series of newbuilds. The HullSkater is a remotely operated robot that stays with the vessel at all times. The robot is lodged in a custom housing on deck when not in use, roaming t

he vessel on magnetic wheels when operated through Jotun’s dedicated control centres via 4G connection. The agreement, signed 8 December, will see Jotun HullSkater proactively inspect and clean vessel hulls during outfitting to ensure optimal environmental performance and protection,” Jotun said. Namely, HHI is currently building a series of 16,000 TEU container ships for HMM. the hull skating solution will be deployed to ensure the ships meet environmental key performance indicators, maintaining clean hulls, pristine coatings, providing optimal efficiency and limiting any potential release of biocides. It will move from hull to hull during key outfitting stages.

(Credits: www.offshore-energy.biz)

Kevin Mooney has been appointed as President of Irving Shipbuilding, succeeding Kevin McCoy who will retire, the Canadian shipbuilder announced. Mooney joined Irving Shipbuilding this past August as Chief Operating Officer. He previously worked at the General Dynamics NASSCO Shipyard in San Diego, Calif. where he held senior positions in Operations, Programs and Suppl

y Chain Management. Prior to working for NASSCO, he served in the U.S. Navy, finishing his Navy career as the Commanding Officer of a nuclear submarine. From now until April, McCoy will assist Mooney with his transition and will support the CSC team, providing advice and assistance on strategic issues. Mooney said, “Our focus is on ensuring we meet the stringent requirements of the Navy for the new multi-purpose combat ships that will serve many diverse missions. As our economy recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Shipbuilding Strategy will play a vital role in Canada’s economic recovery. A smooth transition from AOPS to the CSC program ensures sustained employment for skilled shipbuilders and suppliers.”

(Credits: www.marinelink.com)

Offshore drilling contractor Stena Drilling has entered into a strategic framework agreement for decarbonisation exploration with the UK-based dCarbonX to support the development of offshore “geoenergy” resources. Both parties are interested in offshore decarbonisation exploration drilling as a new, innovative, and sustainable enabler of the energy transition, Stena Drilling explain

ed in a statement on Wednesday. The companies will work together to engineer solutions to discover and develop subsurface assets for combinations of geothermal energy, molecular energy storage, and carbon sequestration. Erik Ronsberg, CEO of Stena Drilling said: “We’re pleased to sign an agreement with dCarbonX to advance our journey in the Energy Transition. This innovative partnership dovetails well with the work Stena is doing in sustainability, research into cleaner fuels and emissions reduction.

(Credits: www.offshore-energy.biz)