Friday, January 24, 2025

 

BASSnet Web 3.0 Launch Modernizes Ship Management

BASS Software has launched BASSnet Web 3.0, the cutting-edge web solution designed to transform ship management operations. By transitioning to a scalable, web service and cloud-based web architecture, BASSnet Web paves the way for unmatched operational efficiency and modernization.

“BASSnet Web 3.0 represents the future of ship management, offering the latest in web-based technology,” says Per Steinar Upsaker, CEO & Managing Director at BASS Software. “We are proud to deliver a modern, intuitive, and powerful platform that enables our customers to navigate today’s challenges while preparing for the future.”

BASSnet Web: The Future of Ship Management

BASSnet Web is more than an upgrade – it’s a comprehensive and fully native SaaS solution that delivers unmatched benefits to maritime stakeholders:

•    Future-Proof SaaS solution: A scalable, cloud-based solution hosted in Microsoft Azure, built for resilience with advanced containerized technology and robust high availability/disaster recovery (HADR).

•    Intuitive User Interface: Seamless cross-modular processes and enhanced design simplify fleet-wide operations and offer a highly flexible user experience.

•    AI & Automation: Harness automation and machine learning to drive operational efficiency.
•    Powerful Analytics: Gain smarter insights to inform decisions with advanced business intelligence dashboards, with upcoming AI-driven analytics for deeper trend analysis.

•    High Responsiveness: Optimized performance for smooth and quick data management, even across long geographical distances.

 

 

Unparalleled Cybersecurity and Compliance

Strong cybersecurity and compliance form the bedrock of BASSnet Web. Applying zero-trust security, BASSnet adopts all the latest security protocols, encryption algorithms, and best-practice security measures recommended for cloud solutions.

BASSnet also pays the highest attention to continually align with stringent security frameworks such as NIST2. BASSnet’s operational and control excellence is reinforced by the ISAE 3402 Type II attestation. These assurances give customers the confidence they need to focus on their operations without worrying about system security.

Leading Maritime Innovation with SaaS

The launch of BASSnet Web 3.0 underscores BASS’s evolution into a pure SaaS company. This modern web solution is the culmination of cutting-edge technology and a fully browser-based approach that integrates advanced analytics, AI capabilities, and robust cybersecurity measures.

Innovation is the core of BASSnet’s mission. BASSnet Web 3.0 is a testament to this ethos, providing maritime businesses with the advanced SaaS system to achieve operational excellence. With this milestone launch, BASSnet is set to elevate ship management to new heights.

 

This article is sponsored by BASSnet. For more information visit the company

 

 

Galaxy Leader Crew Released After 14 Months Captivity by Houthis 

 


The governing body of the Houthi movement released a statement first reported by Al Masirah TV confirming the crew of the car carrier Galaxy Leader has been released. The crew was held for nearly 14 months by the Houthis which said it was “port of the battle to support Gaza.”

The Supreme Political Council issued a brief statement today, January 22, announcing the release which had been rumored as imminent in recent days.  According to the statement, the release came after “communication” with the Hamas movement in Gaza and efforts by negotiators in Oman. 

The Houthis said the release “comes in support of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.” The rebels committed to supporting the truce negotiated by Oman, Egypt, and the United States but warned any violations could prompt further attacks. The Houthis released a statement on Sunday, January 19 saying they would permit the passage of foreign vessels in the Red Sea while continuing to target ships linked to Israel.

Al Masirah TV released images of the crew reportedly during the handover to representatives from Oman. The crew consists of 25 people from the Philippines, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, and Mexico. It is believed the crew will travel to Oman but no details were announced on the repatriation. 

The Galaxy Leader was the first vessel attacked by the Houthis with their forces boarding the car carrier on November 19, 2023, while it was under charter to Japan’s NYK and sailing without cargo to India. The Houthis cited the Israeli-linked ownership interests of the ship's commercial operator, UK-based Ray Car Carriers, as the reason for the seizure of the vessel and its crew. The vessel was diverted to an anchorage near Hodeidah, Yemen where it became a public spectacle including a visit by the Houthi military to “welcome the crew to Yemen.”

The Philippines and other nations as well as the IMO and other shipping organizations made repeated appeals for the release of the crew. They highlight their nationalities while saying the crew had no direct involvement in the conflict. The Philippines which had the majority of the crewmembers aboard the vessel repeatedly said the situation was complicated by “politics” warning it was likely to be a drawn-out process for the crew’s release.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez immediately released a statement today saying, “This is a moment of profound relief for all of us - not only for the crew and their families, but also to the wider maritime community... Today’s breakthrough is a testament to the power of collective diplomacy and dialogue, recognizing that innocent seafarers must not become collateral victims in wider geopolitical tensions.”

The Galaxy Leader (17,127 dwt) was built in 2002. The vessel is registered in the Bahamas. Today’s statement made no mention of the release of the vessel

 

 

Lithuania Launches Pioneering Hydrogen, Electric-Powered Ship

 

Lithuania is preparing to join the elite ranks of the shipping industry with the launch of a pioneering hydrogen, electric-powered vessel that will provide harbor services. The ship which was recently floated fat the West Baltic Shipyard is among the first to adopt hydrogen technology and will be deployed for the Klaipeda State Seaport Authority in partnership with Baltic Workboats.

This shipbuilding project with a total value of €12 million (US$12.5 million) was commissioned last year by the Port Authority for a tanker that will be 42 meters (138 feet) long. It becomes the first green hydrogen, electric-powered ship in Lithuania and one of only a few in the world.

The ship's power system will consist of two electric motors powered by 2,000 kWh batteries and an innovative hydrogen fuel cell system. Depending on the intensity of the work, the port authority reports the tanker will be able to operate in the port of Klaipeda for up to 36 hours without additional power charging.

"We have not only launched a tanker, but also a new approach to port operations – cleaner, smarter, and more environmentally friendly,” said Algis Latakas, Director General of Klaipeda State Seaport Authority. “This first-ever hydrogen and electricity-powered ship is not only an innovative technological solution but also an important step in strengthening Lithuania's image as a modern maritime nation.”

The tanker's main function will be to collect stormwater, sewage, sludge, and garbage, as well as to ensure efficient waste management. The ship will be equipped with special tanks and a modern rainwater treatment plant that will allow the treated water to be transferred to the city's sewage treatment plants. The tanker will be ready to work around the clock and collect up to 400 cubic meters of liquid waste.

According to the current rules, vessels are obliged to hand over the waste they produce when they arrive and before they leave Klaipeda Port. In June 2024, a symbolic keel-laying ceremony at the West Baltic Shipyard of the West Baltic Shipyard Group marked the start of the ship's construction. The vessel is due to enter service before the end of 2025.

 

Vessel was floated and will complete outfitting to enter service by the end of 2025 (Klaipeda State Seaport Authority)

 

The hull has been fabricated and painted, with piping, valves, coolers, shaft lines, rudder feathers, heat and fire insulation installed. Once the tanker was moved into the water, the engine room equipment will be installed, the interior of the wheelhouse will be outfitted, the electrical wiring and the main electrical engines will be installed, the hydrogen system will be installed and other work necessary for the operation of the ship will be carried out. 

The Seaport Authority was charged with collecting waste from incoming ships, and the company decided to use modern and environmentally friendly equipment to further improve the quality of the ship's waste collection service.

 

 

Crew “Exasperated” as Bulker Waits for USCG Rescue from Lake Erie Ice 

 

The Canadian-flagged bulker Manitoulin became stuck midday on Wednesday, January 22, in the ice outside Buffalo, New York on Lake Erie. The crew took it in stride and while the vessel was waiting for the arrival of a U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker had a little fun posting their destination on the AIS signal as “exasperated sigh.”

The region has been plunged into a polar cold with temperatures on Wednesday averaging just over 5 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of negative 3 F. Reports estimate the ice coverage on Lake Erie at nearly 80 percent. Today’s temperature moderated to the low 20s F as of midday, but there’s a light snowfall in the region.

 

 

The 662-foot Laker built in 1991 according to reports online has been dealing with ice for the past few days. She came from Canada with a cargo of wheat bound for Buffalo and reportedly was on her way back to Canada after offloading. With aid from a tug, she was able to clear Buffalo harbor Wednesday morning, but got only a short distance before the ice became too thick for her to proceed on the lake. She has been reported stationary since approximately noon on January 22.

The USCG icebreaker Bristol Bay was dispatched from her base near Detroit and scheduled to reach the vessel around 1400 this afternoon, Thursday, January 23. The crew told the local media that they had plenty of provisions and were in good condition while awaiting their rescue.

 

 

Ice on the Great Lakes is common this time of year and the USCG and Canadian Coast Guards maintain icebreaker services to aid shipping. The annual icebreaker operations began in January and last week the Coast Guard reported going to the aid of two other vessels, one inbound for winter lay-up in Detroit and another sailing near the Port of Cleveland.

 

 

Video: USCG, Crowley Cargo Ship, and Fisherman Team Up to Rescue Boaters

 

The U.S. Coast Guard is highlighting the importance of emergency equipment and good teamwork all of which contributed to the rescue of four boaters stranded in the waters off the Dominican Republic. The combined efforts make for a good sea story.

Four people were sailing from St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands to Texas when their vessel was breached and began to sink focusing them into a life raft. They later told the Coast Guard their sailboat struck a submerged rock and then was overtaken by a wave that caused it to roll on its side. After striking another rock, the boat was taking on water when additional waves flooded it and caused it to sink.

Coast Guard Sector San Juan received an EPRB (Emergency Positioning Radio Beacon) signal Tuesday morning, January 21, which started the rescue operation. The signal was coming from a position approximately 180 miles northwest of Puerto Rico. With no verbal contact, the Coast Guard watchstanders were fearing the worst when they dispatched an aircraft and issued a callout to vessels in the vicinity. They asked vessels to be on the lookout for a possible disaster.

 

 

U.S. shipping company Crowley’s combination container/roll on-roll off ship El Coquí (26,500 dwt built in 2018) had just started its voyage from San Juan bound for Jacksonville, Florida. It diverted toward the location of the distress signal.

When the Coast Guard aircraft reached the area, they were able to locate a life raft and determined there were four people (David Potts, 63; John Potts, 62; Andrew Cullar, 26; and Russel Case, 67) in the raft waiting for a rescue. The Coast Guard relayed the coordinates and began vectoring the El Coquí.

The Coast Guard aircrew also spotted the fishing vessel Bonanza and several small fishing vessels in the area but had no direct communication with the fishing boats. In an effort to draw the attention of the Bonanza and direct her to the life raft, the Coast Guard aircrew made a series of low passes to gain the attention of the fishing vessel. Then they were able to point them to the life raft.

 

Four survivors were taken aboard the Crowley cargo ship (USCG)

 

The finishing vessel was able to approach the life raft in the shoal waters. It rescued the survivors and transported them to Crowley’s El Coquí. The cargo ship took the survivors aboard and provided them aid. They were traveling on the cargo ship which was due to reach Jacksonville on Thursday, January 23.

“This incident underscores the importance of proper emergency equipment for vessels at sea,” said Lt. Hannah M. Boyce, Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft commander for the case.  “We are all incredibly thankful those mariners were properly equipped.  Helping those four sailors at their worst day at sea is why we fly.”
 

 

India targets USD 250 bn of engineering exports by 2030 says commerce secretary

Read more at:
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com//news/economy/foreign-trade/india-targets-usd-250-bn-of-engineering-exports-by-2030-says-commerce-secretary/articleshow/117375951.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
India targets USD 250 bn of engineering exports by 2030 says commerce secretary

Read more at:
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com//news/economy/foreign-trade/india-targets-usd-250-bn-of-engineering-exports-by-2030-says-commerce-secretary/articleshow/117375951.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
India targets USD 250 bn of engineering exports by 2030 says commerce secretary

Read more at:
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com//news/economy/foreign-trade/india-targets-usd-250-bn-of-engineering-exports-by-2030-says-commerce-secretary/articleshow/117375951.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst