Professional Mariner
Partial solar powered freighter ship sets sail from Japan
(geek.com)--In Japan, a new type of freighter ship has recently launched from the
city of Kobe that will draw part of its power for lighting and engine
devices from solar panels mounted on its deck. Called the Auriga
Leader, it is a car delivery freighter that was jointly created by
Nippon Yusen KK and Nippon Oil Corp. READ MORE
Post to TwitterGerman warship, helicopter foil Egyptian ship hijack
(AFP) — The German navy foiled a hijack attempt by Somali pirates on
an Egyptian bulk carrier Thursday that left one crewman wounded on the
merchant ship, Germany's military said. A statement said that the
frigate Karlsruhe had responded to a distress call from the Wabi al
Arab which was under attack off the coast of Yemen at around 0745 GMT. READ MOREPiracy profit: Spreading the booty around
(TimesofIndia)--Who’s making money from the piracy that’s flourishing off the coast of Somalia? The pirates themselves seem to be raking it in. As the Guardian reported on November 20, pirates have made about $30 million from ransom payments this year, according to UN estimates, and they are demanding $15 million for the return of their latest capture, the Saudi supertanker Sirius Star. READ MOREEU strikes fishing quota deal
(tvnz.co.nz)European Union ministers have struck a deal to cut many of next year's fish catches for overexploited mainstays such as cod, aiming to ward off stock collapse but still ensure a livelihood for fishermen. Cod quotas will mostly be cut by 25% in 2009 from this year's volumes, although a recent agreement with non-EU member Norway and signs of a small stock improvement in the North Sea will mean a 30 percent rise in those shared waters. READ MORE
Sea Champion Picked for Ocean, Air Agency
(NY Times)--Jane
Lubchenco, a marine biologist with a passion for improving public
understanding of science, has been tapped by President-elect Barack
Obama to run the government agency responsible for understanding and
conserving two vital components of the planet — the oceans andSomali Pirates Seize Four Ships on Day UN Passes Plan
(Boomberg)--Somalia pirates seized four ships in
the Gulf of Aden off Somalia yesterday -- the same day the
United Nations Security Council adopted a motion to allow land
and air operations against pirates. READ MOREUN gives OK to land, air attacks on Somali pirates
(AP) — On the same day Somali gunmen seized two more
ships, the U.N. Security Council voted unanimously Tuesday to authorize
nations to conduct land and air attacks on pirate bases on the coast of
the Horn of Africa country. READ MOREYacht builders feel crunch of tightening belts
(AP)The global economic slowdown has been felt across a range of consumer
goods from the banking industry to car sales to the yacht business. Area companies like Genmar Yacht Group in Pulaski and Palmer Johnson
Yachts in Sturgeon Bay have seen work delayed this year and have made
adjustments. READ MORE
Indian navy captures 23 pirates in Gulf of Aden
(LAtimes)--NEW DELHI -- The Indian navy captured 23 pirates who threatened a
merchant vessel today in the lawless waters of the Gulf of Aden, where
dozens of ships have come under attack by gunmen in recent months. READ MORERough sailing for shipping sector
(TheNational)--Shippers and offshore oil and gas firms are cutting back on vessel
repairs, conversions and new orders in the wake of a dramatic fall in
sea freight rates and the wider economic downturn, according to the
largest ship repair firm in the Gulf. READ MORE