General News

Globe Wireless has release of the Globe Communications Centre (GCC) which it says is designed to streamline onboard messaging and data file transfers for commercial vessels. The GCC routes communications through the…

German builder Lindenau has adapted one of its Tanker Class designs to suit the needs of a domestic owner. The second of a pair of 13,050 dwt double-hulled IMO Type 2 chemical/oil…

Halter Marine is expected to be the beneficiary of a contract to build a car carrier for Pasha Hawaii Transport Line. The shipowner is seeking $80 million worth of loan guarantees from…

Inmarsat has decided to proceed with its fourth generation system, at a cost of $1.4 billion. The space segment of the system will consist of two in-orbit satellites plus one ground spare.…

Dutch orderbooks remain dominated by general purpose cargo ships, and dredgers, but more non-typical highly sophisticate vessels are appearing. While Dutch builders receive 4-5 per cent less in building subsidies than those…

Usually regarded as a source of inexpensive, but unsophisticated newbuildings, Chinese yards continue to gain orders for an increasingly diverse range of complex newbuildings. The latest is an order placed at Guangzhou…

Kockumation, maker of the Loadmaster vessel loading system, has signed deal with Kockums to make use of its Tribon shipbuilding design and information system. Kockumation says that the deal means that it…

Against a background of 25 per cent over-supply in shipbuilding capacity and a 20 per cent fall in newbuilding prices since 1997, OECD members cannot even agree on the size of the…

Sasebo Shipyard in Japan has been awarded an order for two capesize bulk carriers by Ceres Hellenic Shipping Enterprises. Due for delivery in late 2000 and early 2001, the 170,00 dwt vessels…

KPN, Royal Dutch Telecom of the Netherlands and Telstra of Australia are to merge their global mobile satellite communication businesses. KPN will hold 65 per cent of the shares with Telstra holding…