Lewin of Greenwich Naval History & Forum

Maersk to Partially Bypass Panama Canal Backlog by Shifting to Panama Railway

Maersk Lines has announced that it will be routing containers on its Oceania-to-the Americas “OC1” service around the backlogged, drought-stricken Panama Canal. The line will be transporting cargo via the “land bridge” across the isthmus by the Panama Canal Railway instead.

The Denmark-based shipping and logistics giant said in a customer advisory that the decision was made to ensure cargo “continues to move with as few delays as possible.” The company has not indicated whether it will extend the land bridge concept to other service lines.

Sourcing Journal notes that the modified route creates two separate “loops” on each side of the canal—one in the Atlantic Ocean and another in the Pacific Ocean.
Continues at - https://www.oldsaltblog.com/2024/01/mae ... more-61223

Black Cat this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwZZowkVaAk & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nu-lColFPEk

A walk through the cruise ship Icon of the Seas

World's largest yacht transporter delivers historic luxury boat to Cornwall

The 700-foot ship capable of carrying up to 36 superyachts delivered a very special old motor boat

See - https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornw ... rs-9099061

Automated ships ~ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-68486462[*]

Baltimore Key Bridge Collapses After Being Struck by Container Ship MV Dali

At approximately 1:30 AM this morning, the Singapore-flagged, 10,000 TEU container ship, MV Dali struck the southern support pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, spanning the Patapsco River at the entrance to the Port of Baltimore, Maryland. The impact collapsed the main spans of the 1.6-mile-long bridge.

There are no reported injuries aboard the ship. Maintenance workers on the bridge and an unknown number of vehicles were thrown into the river when the bridge collapsed. Two were rescued from the water while at least seven are reported to be missing.

The crew of the container ship issued a “mayday” saying that it had lost power and propulsion before hitting the bridge, the authorities said, calling it an accident. Video just before the collision shows the ship’s lights going out twice before veering off course. The ship had two pilots onboard, according to a statement by its owners.

The Dali is owned by Grace Ocean Pte Ltd, a Singapore-based company owned by the Abe family of Japan, and is under charter by Maersk.

“We can confirm that the container vessel Dali, operated by charter vessel company Synergy Group, is time chartered by Maersk and is carrying Maersk customers’ cargo. No Maersk crew and personnel were onboard the vessel,” said a Maersk spokesperson.

See - https://www.oldsaltblog.com/2024/03/bal ... more-61535

Update on the Glen Sannox and the Glen Rosa

Ferguson Marine has provided an update to the NZET Committee of the Scottish Government on 19 April 2024 regarding the status of two shipbuilding projects, Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa.
The letter from Interim CEO John Petticrew detailed recent completions and ongoing challenges in the construction of these vessels.

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/update- ... glen-rosa/

Calmac criticise Peel Ports harbour maintenance

In a response to a petition urging the nationalisation of Clydeport, CalMac Ferries Ltd. has raised serious concerns over the current state of infrastructure at Ardrossan Harbour, managed by Peel Ports.
The submission underscores a series of ongoing issues that could influence future decisions regarding the management of ports along the River Clyde.

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/calmac- ... intenance/

Bosporus Strait Closed as Bulker Alexis Runs Aground After Engine Failure

https://www.oldsaltblog.com/2024/05/bos ... more-61569

The Thompson Graving Dock Pumphouse at Harland & Wolff Shipyard, Belfast pictured in 2018..Opened in1911 and named after the chairman of the commission at the time, Robert Thompson, the Dock was designed to accommodate the huge Olympic Class Liners and at 850ft long was the largest in the world at the time. Situated adjacent to Alexandra Graving Dock, the existing pump house was extended and updated to facilitate both docks, with the powerful pumps able to drain Thompson Dock of its 24m imperial gallons of water in just 100 minutes. Remaining in use until 2002, and now re-opened to the public as a visitor attraction, Thompson Graving Dock saw many ships pass through, the most famous of course being RMS Titanic. Following the Liner’s launch from the slipways on May 31st 1911, she was warped into the dry dock for fitting out before departing Belfast to set off on her maiden voyage in April 1912.