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Published on May 14, 2012 by Mark Lowe   ·   No Comments Very few of the Somali-based pirates who plague the Indian Ocean have been brought to justice, partly as a result of the lack of government in Somalia. But several are being held at Hargeisa prison in Somaliland – an internationally unrecognised state which broke …

Published on May 11, 2012 by Mark Lowe   ·   No Comments Reuters have reported that the Greek-owned oil tanker MT Smyrni has been hijacked in the Arabian Sea off Oman. It is believed that the vessel is headed for the Somali coastline. Pirates hijack Greek-owned tanker off Oman By George Obulutsa (Reuters) – Pirates have hijacked a Greek-owned oil …

Published on May 11, 2012 by Mark Lowe   ·   No Comments The Maritime Industry has taken a proactive approach in response to the armed threats currently affecting vessels and crew members transiting the Indian Ocean Region. Security measures such as the utilization of citadels and prudent ship hardening tactics are routine measures for vessels transiting …

Published on May 9, 2012 by Mark Lowe   ·   No Comments Four frigates scrapped in defence review leave British Royal Navy unable to commit full-time to David Cameron’s foreign policy priority. Cuts force Royal Navy to drop Somalia piracy patrolBy Nick Hopkins, The Guardian The UK has had to scale back its commitment to counter-piracy …

Published on May 9, 2012 by Mark Lowe   ·   No Comments China has issued fresh warnings to the Philippines over a month-long stand-off in the South China Sea. Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying has said that China is prepared to respond to ”any escalation” in the situation. China warns Philippines on ‘mistakes’ in maritime spat China …

Published on May 8, 2012 by Mark Lowe   ·   No Comments The 114,500-tonne Costa Fascinosa, built by state-owned shipyard Fincantieri, has space for 3,500 passengers. An even bigger vessel, with 5,000 berths, should be ready in 2014 for a company that says bookings have recovered from the crisis. Costa puts hopes on new flagship after …

Published on May 8, 2012 by Mark Lowe   ·   No Comments Entra in servizio la nuova ammiraglia di Costa Crociere. Con una cerimonia tenutasi presso la stazione marittima di Venezia, Fincantieri ha consegnato alla compagnia genovese la Costa Fascinosa, un gigante di 114.500 tonnellate di stazza capace di ospitare 3.800 passeggeri. Costa vara “Fascinosa” e …

Published on May 8, 2012 by Mark Lowe   ·   No Comments Applied Weather Technology and Transas Marine have announced the integration of On-Board Routing and Navigation Systems to optimize voyage planning and ensure safety. AWT’s BVS Routes Will Now Be Viewed in Transas’ On-Board ECDIS System Applied Weather Technology, Inc. (AWT) and Transas Marine today …

Published on May 8, 2012 by Mark Lowe   ·   No Comments A United Nations financed prison for Somali pirates has been opened in Somaliland’s capital Hargeisa. The facility, built to counter the flood of new arrivals overwhelming jails elsewhere in the region, accepted the first detainees at the end of March. New pirate prison in …

Published on May 8, 2012 by Mark Lowe   ·   No Comments With last year’s bill for running faster through high-risk areas put at $2.7bn, shipping companies have switched to relying on guards, rather than speed, for protection. Ships slow down in pirate waters to save fuelBy Robert Wright, Shipping and Logistics Correspondent, Financial Times Violent …