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Cyprus has located and questioned a Russian man named in multiple news reports as the owner of the ship that carried a cargo of ammonium nitrate abandoned in Beirut and that exploded in a devastating fireball.A Cyprus police spokesman said an individual, who he did not name, was questioned at his home in Cyprus on Thursday afternoon."There was a request from the Interpol Beirut to locate this person and ask certain questions related to the cargo," the spokesman, Christos Andreou, told Reuters. He said the responses were being passed on to Beirut.He declined to give further information.

TGS Makes Surprise $600 Mln Offer for Part of Rival PGS

29 minutes ago

Seismic surveyor TGS, a supplier of geological data to the global oil industry, on Thursday said it had made an unsolicited cash offer of $600 million for a key part of rival PGS.If successful, the offer to buy PGS's so-called multi-client library would significantly broaden TGS's worldwide geophysical data offering, the company said.PGS did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.In addition to spending cash from its current holding, TGS said it will borrow $200 million and also conduct an equity issue to pay for the transaction.

Containerships Sent to Tripoli to Maintain Lebanon Supply Lines

35 minutes ago

Leading container lines are diverting ships to Lebanon's smaller terminal of Tripoli after the devastating explosion at Beirut's port that killed 145 people also paralysed vital trade.Lebanon, which imports almost all it uses, relies on container ships to bring in everything from refrigerated food cargoes to clothing and other consumer goods.There is no firm date for Beirut port to re-open, and this is a strain on supply chains.Data from shipping intelligence platform MarineTraffic showed three container ships had arrived in Tripoli in the past 24 hours after being diverted from Beirut, with a further container vessel expected later on Thursday and another due on Saturday.

NOAA Raises Predicted Number of Tropical Storms to Record High

21 minutes ago

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on Thursday predicted up to 16 more named tropical storms this year, to as many as 25, the highest in the agency's history.The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, which began on June 1, has already produced nine named tropical storms, two of which reached hurricane strength, including Isaias that lashed the North American Atlantic coast this week."We've never forecast up to 25 named storms, so this is the first time," said Gerry Bell, NOAA’s lead hurricane season forecaster in a conference call with reporters.

RDM Building New Catamaran for World Heritage Cruises

6 hours ago

Australian shipbuilder Richardson Devine Marine is building a new Incat Crowther-designed catamaran due to be launched for World Heritage Cruises by the end of the year.The passenger vessel will be the eighth Incat Crowther vessel for the Tasmanian operator and will draw on the many successful features of World Heritage Cruises’ current Incat Crowther 35, Harbour Master. This vessel has garnered acclaim for its efficient and stable platform, leading to expressions of interest in purchasing the vessel.WHC saw this as an opportunity to take their immense knowledge of the operation and build a new vessel that takes the best of Harbour Master and improves the package in key areas.

Maritime Reporter and Engineering News (July 2020)

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