CS CHARA

Tankers carrying Iranian fuel cargoes covered by a U.S. warrant for seizure are sailing to the United States after talks between U.S. authorities and ship owners, a U.S. government source and a shipping source said on Thursday.Iran had planned to transport the gasoline to Venezuela, a supply line that both Tehran and Caracas have flaunted in defiance of U.S. sanctions. Washington has imposed sanctions on both countries to choke oil exports and deprive their governments of their main source of revenue.

The U.S.' busiest seaport reported a rise in monthly cargo volumes following the steep drop caused by the coronavirus pandemic and ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions.The Port of Los Angeles said it moved 856,389 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in July, its busiest month thus far of 2020. It was also the second-best July in the port’s history, trailing July 2019 by 6.1%.“Fewer canceled sailings and 11 additional ‘ad hoc’ or unscheduled ship calls helped drive both imports and exports higher than recent months but still short of last July’s all-time record,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka.

The International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) has issued a statement on Wednesday's boarding of the commercial tanker Wila by Iranian forces in the Gulf of Oman, calling the incident a "blatant violation of international law"."Iran's use of its military forces to conduct an armed boarding of a commercial vessel in international waters constitutes a blatant violation of international law that undermines freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce," said IMSC, a partnership of nations working to ensure the free flow of navigation in the Middle East.

As the scope of the August 4 explosion at the port of Beirut becomes clear, the tolls of the loss of life, injuries, homelessness and property damage are staggering. In the immediate chaos of large explosions, it can be difficult to make sense of what has happened.There are numerous similarities between the 2020 Beirut port explosion and the 1917 Halifax Harbor Explosion that can help us make sense of what has happened in Beirut.In 2017, I was part of a group of hazards researchers who met in Halifax to reflect on aspects of the Halifax Explosion for its 100th anniversary. Such historical disaster case study information is especially relevant now.

German propulsion systems manufacturer Schottel says it has secured a contract with Turkish shipyard Med Marine to provide azimuth thrusters for a powerful new salvage tug ordered by Kenya Ports Authority (KPA). The vessel will be equipped with main and auxiliary propulsion systems from Schottel, achieving a bollard pull of more than 120 tonnes. The Robert Allan RAstar 4200 (MED-A42120) design vessel is considered the largest tugboat on the East African Coast of the Indian Ocean.Recai Hakan Şen, CEO of Med Marine, says, “The marine business is rapidly changing towards greater environmental awareness and improved operational efficiency.