UNITED STATES OF AMERICA DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

Research scientist and entrepreneur Sverre Dokken believes laser-based remote sensing has big potential in the maritime domain. But what is LADAR, who’s it for and what are the key benefits?“Our mission is to be the world leader in innovative maritime sensor products that enhance the safety and security of shipping and all manner of offshore activity,” says Ladar Ltd (LDR) principal Sverre Dokken.In the sensor vanguardEssentially a laser-based navigational aid, LADAR (Laser Detection and Ranging) combines long-distance object detection with high-accuracy measurement, giving users a full 2D/3D/4D (3D plus time) perspective for optimal maritime awareness.

Singapore-based container ship operator Pacific International Lines Pte (PIL) has agreed with most of its financial lenders to defer debt payments and is in talks with a unit of Singapore state investor Temasek Holdings for a potential investment.PIL said in a statement on Tuesday that it had made significant progress in cutting asset costs due to the challenges the sector has been facing but the coronavirus pandemic had made matters worse over the past month.“Due to the situation, the company had commenced discussions with 15 of its financial lenders with a view to concluding a formal agreement concerning a debt-reprofiling plan with these stakeholders,” the privately held firm said.

For the second year straight, US-based Pangaea Logistics ranks highest among dry bulk owners based on Time Charter Earnings (TCE), according to a recent market benchmarking report.Notably, the Rhode Island-headquartered shipowner's 53.7% TCE performance is well above Hong Kong's Pacific Basin Shipping Ltd. (24.3%) and Thailand's Thoresen Thai Agencies (23.5%) in second and third place respectively.The Vesselindex Performance Report by Danish maritime advisors Liengaard & Roschmann measures the TCE performance of 25 individual companies in relation to the earning potential of their respective fleets

At least 90 migrants who were returned to Libya after being rescued at sea while attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Europe were disembarking in Misrata on Wednesday after spending two nights on board, the U.N. migration agency said.The migrants were rescued by a commercial ship flying under a Portuguese flag and were taken back to Libya, which is not regarded as a safe port, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Libya chief Federico Soda said.Italy, one of the main destinations for migrants departing from Libya, last month declared its ports unsafe for migrants because of the coronavirus outbreak there.

Qatari shipping company Nakilat said it has assumed full ship management and operations of Q-Flex liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier Al Kharaitiyat from Shell Trading and Shipping Company Limited with effect from Wednesday, as part of the second phase of its planned fleet management transition program.With a cargo carrying capacity of 216,300 cubic meters, Al Kharaitiyat is wholly-owned by Nakilat and chartered by Qatargas. The vessel was built in South Korea by Hyundai Heavy Industries, delivered in June 2009 and has been in service ever since.Al Kharaitiyat is the second vessel that will come under the management of Nakilat Shipping Qatar Ltd.