Category: Headlines

Commander of the Black Sea Fleet relieved of his duties

Moscow Insights - Fates and questions Since the heavy blow suffered by the Russian Federation Navy with the sinking of the Slava-class cruiser and naval flagship "Moskva" on 14 April, there has been hardly any reliable information on the whereabouts of the commander of the cruiser and the commander of the Black Sea Fleet, as well as parts of the crew. Ukrainian services reported quite early on that the fleet commander had been removed from office and arrested, and it is known that he was not publicly seen either in Moscow or in Sevastopol during the great victory parade on 9 May. Western services, in particular the London Ministry of Defence, have now confirmed that Vice Admiral Igor Osipov has been removed from office....

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Total losses in shipping at record low, but pandemic and political tensions cloud the outlook

Allianz press release on the AGCS Safety & Shipping Review 2020 study: Total losses in the shipping industry are at a record low - 41 major ships were lost worldwide in 2019. Year-on-year, they have fallen by more than 20%, compared to the average of the last decade by almost 70%, according to the "Safety & Shipping Review 2020" study by ship and industry insurer Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE (AGCS). However, the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic could jeopardise long-term safety improvements in shipping this year and beyond. Difficult operating conditions and the looming economic downturn pose major challenges for the industry.

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Port of Rotterdam plans autonomous floating fire extinguishers

The Port of Rotterdam has conducted a market survey on the use of autonomous/remote-controlled floating firefighting equipment. If the information received confirms that such vessels are a good option, this could lead to a tendering process. The Port of Rotterdam operates a fleet of patrol and civil protection vessels that are deployed by the Harbour Master's Office in day, half and full-time shifts to perform management, inspection and civil protection tasks. The fleet also includes hydrographic survey vessels and an emergency response vessel. As part of the market survey, the port is asking operators for their opinion on the possibilities for autonomous/remote-controlled floating firefighting equipment. Autonomous vessels would both reduce risk, as people could be rescued from...

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Banal airship or "airyacht"?

Airships are a German invention, Count Zeppelin and Hugo Eckener are the great names that have left their mark. Lake Constance and Friedrichshafen will forever be associated with this pioneering era. However, every grandly conceived use of this "giant technology" ended tragically, whether as a weapon of war in the First World War or as a passenger solution in Lakehurst. The USA even used airships as aircraft carriers - perhaps someone will write something about this. The commercial use never materialised either, most recently in 2002 with the insolvency of the Cargolifter company, whose hangar is now a huge adventure swimming park. Otherwise, "blimps" are a joy for paying tourist sightseeing flights (is it actually called "flight"?) or...

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Canada helps Ukraine with cargo ships

Support to allow transport of Ukrainian wheat The Canadian government plans to help Ukraine export its stranded wheat to countries where it is urgently needed, its foreign minister said on Monday. Russia has blockaded Ukrainian seaports, stranding dozens of foreign-flagged ships and about 20 million tonnes of Ukrainian grain. This agricultural cargo - primarily wheat - is essential for the food supply of many developing countries, especially in the Middle East and Africa. As the Ukrainian coast of the Sea of Azov is under Russian control and the harbours on the Black Sea are under siege, the...

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