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Panama Canal Continues to Restore Capacity While Warning of Water Concerns

The Panama Canal Authority is increasing vessel draft levels as the rainy season boosts water levels, facilitating navigation for larger ships. Draft limits have been raised to 48 feet, aiding containerships and gas carriers. The Authority plans to restore daily transits to 35, with a focus on water conservation and increasing transit efficiency. Despite short-term improvements, long-term water challenges and climate effects remain concerns. Potential solutions include identifying alternative water sources and enhancing storage capacity for sustained operations. The Canal plays a crucial role in global commerce, facilitating transit for thousands of vessels yearly, connecting numerous countries and ports worldwide.

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Union Maritime Adds Wind-Assisted Propulsion to New LR2 Tankers

UK-based Union Maritime has ordered the installation of rigid wing sails for two of its new build LR2 tankers putting the company at the forefront of the development of wind-assisted technology in the larger tanker sector. So far, most of the applications of wind-assisted propulsion have come in the bulker and smaller ship segments but interest in the industry remains high to find near-term technologies that will contribute to decarbonization. The new tankers, under construction at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS) yard in China, will each feature three WindWings developed by BAR Technologies and are being billed as the “greenest and most efficient long-ranger tankers,” in the industry. BAR reports that the rigid sails have the potential to save up to 1.5 tonnes of fuel and around 5 tonnes of CO2 per wing per day on typical global routes. The vessels are due for delivery in July and November 2025, according to Union Maritime as part of its shipbuilding program that has a total of six LR2 tankers on order as well as two MRs (49,000 dwt). The LR2 tankers will each be 114,000 dwt with the first two…

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Shipowners face major challenges as new fuel regulations enter force

In the latest episode of the Seatrade Maritime Podcast we focus on the new emissions regulations shipowners have to comply with. Marcus Hand | Mar 05, 2024 Our correspondent Paul Bartlett takes the listener through how the new regulations from IMO and EU will impact operations. In this podcast, we will examine the significance of 2024 in the light of these new regulations. Although their full impact has not been felt so far, they will alter day-to-day ship management and require an unprecedented level of ship performance monitoring, verification, and reporting, known as MRV. The regulations are:       The IMO’s Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) system The European Union Emissions Trading System, EU ETS FuelEU Maritime

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