EU Begins Planning a New Strategy
Last week, shipping ministers from EU member states gathered in Szczecin, Poland to lay out a strategy for boosting the competitiveness of European shipbuilding and shipping in the face of ever-rising competition from Asia.
During the “informal” meeting, the ministers talked through the possibilities for a future EU maritime industrial strategy, taking into account political and market factors. The conference concluded with a joint declaration by member states, which received welcome approval from EU shipbuilders and shipowners.
“The Szczecin Declaration is a pivotal moment for Europe’s maritime industries, especially for the maritime manufacturing industry, which has been lacking political support and impactful measures for far too long, despite unfair competition from Asia,” said Alberto Maestrini, chairman of shipbuilders’ association SEA Europe. “Europe must protect its maritime industrial base and cannot do without commercial shipbuilding if it wants to secure its naval capabilities, cross-fertilization between commercial and naval industry, and sovereignty.”
Cruise Ship Gets in Hot Water
The passengers were marveling recently at the wonderful views from the deck of the luxury cruise ship Silver Ray as the captain maneuvered the ship to view the coastal treasures of Italy. While everyone thought it was a spectacular scene as the vessel approached the famed Faraglioni rock formations off Capri, local environmentalists fumed, and one took out their smartphone to film the sail by.
The 54,700 gross ton cruise ship Silver Ray, operated by Royal Caribbean’s Silversea Cruises, turned out to be violating the maritime regulations of Italy. The ship, which is 801 feet (244 meters) in length and was introduced in 2024, has a draft of approximately 6 meters (20 feet). It accommodates 728 passengers catering to their every need in luxury.
With clear, warm skies and calm seas, the captain thought it would be a spectacular vision for the passengers to see the craggy rock formation that rises over 300 feet above sea level.
Royal Navy records HMS Dragon Downed First Supersonic Sea-Skimming Target
The Royal Navy is reporting for the first time that one of its advanced Air Defence Destroyers, HMS Dragon, has downed a supersonic sea-skimming target. It was a test of a specially-modified Sea Viper missile system carried out during a month-long NATO exercise currently off Scotland.
During the exercise, HMS Dragon, the fourth of the Air Defence Destroyer class, commissioned in 2012, was working with other NATO ships conducting missile firing. For this test, they were working with an incoming high-speed target that was emulating one of the most advanced threats the Royal Navy could face. They said it was the first time the Royal Navy had confronted this type of target, which is significantly more challenging as it flies faster and carries out corkscrew and weave maneuvers.
USCG Ordered to Reduce Flag Rank by Quarter
The U.S. Coast Guard is preparing to reduce its ranks among flag officers as the latest step in the Force Design initiative announced last month. According to a memo seen by USNI News, Acting Commandant Kevin Lundy reported the decision from Homeland Security to reduce the senior ranks among the service’s force.
The memo reportedly says that “the Department of Homeland Security has determined that there is redundant executive oversight in our force which hinders effective decision making.”
It reports that they have been ordered to reduce flag officer positions by at least 25 percent by the end of 2025, a move that would be consistent with similar efforts within the Department of Defense. USNI reports that there are a total of 46 flag officers in the USCG, 43 of whom are active and three on reserve duty. As such, that would mean that the reduction is targeting at least 12 officers.
Final Construction allows Issued for First Gulf Coast LNG Bunker Port
The Galveston LNG Bunker Port is now fully permitted for construction to start after receiving authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and a recommendation from the U.S. Coast Guard. The project, which is being developed as the first LNG bunker port on the Gulf Coast, is advancing to a financial investment decision from partners Pilot LNG and Seapath Group, a Libra Group subsidiary.
To be located on the Texas City Ship Channel in the Texas City industrial area, and will supply LNG by fuel barge to the rapidly expanding fleet of LNG-fueled vessels in the greater Houston-Galveston region. According to the partners, the bunker hub will be optimally located to serve major ports, including Port Houston, the Port of Galveston, and the Port of Texas City.
Long-running mystery spill at the Port of San Juan
The long-running mystery spill at the Port of San Juan is back, but this time, the Coast Guard has found the culprit and implemented a solution.
On April 11, Station San Juan conducted a patrol in San Juan Harbor and discovered oil pollution in the water between piers 2 and 3. The Coast Guard discovered an aging, badly corroded steel pipe that was slowly leaking heavy black oil into the harbor. It is far from the first such occurrence in the port, so the Coast Guard response team collected samples from the pipe to be analyzed at the Coast Guard Marine Safety Lab for comparison against past spills.
To deal with the leak, the service tapped the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund and contracted Clean Harbor Environmental Services as the spill response contractor. On April 15, Clean Harbor crews plugged the aging pipe and placed containment booms around it.
In Puerto Rico, Coast Guard Investigates Two Separate Engine Room Fires
The U.S. Coast Guard has launched investigations into a pair of separate vessel fires that occurred in Puerto Rico over the weekend, according to agency representatives.
The more recent incident unfolded early Saturday at Puerto Nuevo Channel’s N Wharf, where the Marshall Islands-flagged chemical tanker Scot Stuttgart suffered an engine room fire while berthed alongside. The tanker first reported an auxiliary engine fire to the Coast Guard at about 0345 hours.
Crewmembers deployed the vessel’s built-in fire suppression system, and the situation initially appeared resolved. However, about two hours later, dark smoke began coming out of the same area, suggesting a possible reflash.
The crew sealed off the compartment and activated the suppression system again. Shortly after, local firefighting teams arrived to confirm the blaze had been successfully contained.