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Remainder of US Cruises for 2020 Canceled
The trade association representing 95% of global ocean-going cruise ships says its members will maintain the voluntary suspension of cruise ship operations in the U.S. through the end of the year. Cruise Lines International Association members include brands of Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, the three largest cruise ship groups. Each made their own separate announcements related to suspending U.S. cruises through the end of the year on Monday. The voluntary suspension comes less than a week after the U.S. CDC issued a framework guidance to resume cruise operations in earnest despite surging cases and recent warnings from government scientists that cruise ship travel exacerbates the spread of COVID-19. The CDC’s No Sail Order, which was first issued in March and later expanded multiple times, expired on October 31.
Cargill to Add Giant Sails to Bulkers
Cargill, the world’s biggest agricultural commodities trader, plans to harness wind power by fixing massive wing sails to some of its cargo fleet of bulk ships to reduce fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions. The wing sails will be installed first on mid-sized tanker ships that carry edible oils, biofuels or ethanol. If successful, they could then be adapted for dry bulk carriers hauling grains and oilseeds. This is not the first time Cargill has tried to use wind for its modern cargo ships. Back in 2011 it attached giant wind kites to vessels in another joint venture it hoped would cut fuel use and emissions.
Golden Ray Cutting Awaits Weather Window
The work to cut up and remove the Golden Ray from St. Simons Sound, Georgia is about to kick into high gear as crews await a weather window and deal with some last-minute issues at the site. An update earlier this week said they are closely monitoring the threat of severe weather associated with Tropical Storm Eta. Otherwise, they are working to identify a weather window for the cutting and lifting to begin. Meanwhile, on-site crews are working on addressing excessive chafing which was occurring in the mooring lines used to secure the heavy lift vessel that has been modified to perform the cutting and lifting operation.
JAXPORT Reports down Year due to Pandemic
Earlier this week, the Jacksonville Port Authority highlighted what they termed an overall steady performance for the port’s fiscal year despite the strong impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the global economy. In total, the port which handles a broad range of cargos, reported a nine percent decline in general cargo volumes.
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