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The Costa Atlantica cruise ship, which docked in southern Japan with over 100 crew members testing positive for COVID-19, has left the country and is en route to the Philippines, local government officials said on Monday.The ship departed Nagasaki on Sunday over a month after it became the second virus-stricken cruise ship to dock in Japan. Lax control on the movement of crew whilst docked highlighted Japan’s patchy response to the pandemic.The 86,000 tonne Costa Atlantica docked for maintenance in late April carrying no passengers and 623 crew, most of whom were eventually quarantined inside the ship after 149 tested positive.

The U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday said it had sanctioned four shipping firms for transporting Venezuelan oil, the latest escalation in Washington's effort to oust socialist President Nicolas Maduro by cutting off the OPEC nation's crude exports.Marshall Islands-based Afranav Maritime Ltd, Adamant Maritime Ltd and Sanibel Shiptrade Ltd, as well as Greece-based Seacomber Ltd, all own tankers that lifted Venezuelan oil between February and April of this year, the Treasury Department said."These companies are transporting oil that was effectively stolen from the Venezuelan people," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.

Abu Dhabi Ports Launches “SAFEEN FEEDERS” Shipping Service in Response to Growing Regional and Global TradeCommercial Partnership with Bengal Tiger Line to Meet Market Demands and Support Customer Growth with Complementary ServicesAbu Dhabi Ports has established a new feeder services company, SAFEEN FEEDERS, to serve the group’s mainliner shipping clients in the Gulf region.With long-term growth trends of regional manufacturing and trade volumes, SAFEEN FEEDERS will serve the Group’s mainliner shipping clients and support the region through increased connectivity and optimised shipping costs within and beyond the region.

Classification society DNV GL launched a custom infection prevention certification aiming to help the maritime industry resume operations better prepared for COVID-19 or other emerging pathogens. Genting Cruise Lines is the first customer working toward the CIP-M certification for its cruise ship Explorer Dream under the Dream Cruises brand.As the coronavirus crisis begins to recede and the world begins moving to return to business, the cruise industry is sharpening its already strong focus on passenger health and safety.

Ship repair and marine services firm Gulf Copper & Manufacturing has hired Robert “Bob” Irelan as Director, Federal Business Development.In his new role, Irelan will leverage his experience doing business with the federal government to head up Gulf Copper's government services business development, focusing primarily on the federal market. Ireland previously served as a Naval Officer for over 25 years, including the command of three different U.S. Navy vessels. He brings a broad experience of federal government contracting together with the Navy’s maintenance planning, funding and execution policies and procedures.