Dutch Navy to apply extra quarantine measures after new Covid outbreaks
The Royal Netherlands Navy is stepping up its corona measures after four warships returned late last week with infections among those on board. Crew members of ships operating further than 24 hours from the naval...Read more
Corona crisis causes Shell’s biggest annual loss ever
Last year, oil and gas company Shell booked its largest ever loss (USD 21.7 billion) as a result of the corona crisis. Large write-offs during the first lockdown already resulted in the largest quarterly loss...Read more
Dutch naval exercise in Norway plagued by corona
A Dutch naval exercise in Norway is being plagued by Covid-19. Despite the measures taken, two soldiers tested positive upon arrival. Within the corps, people are questioning whether the training should continue, writes Dutch newspaper...Read more
More major maritime industry events cancelled
With many countries around the world in lockdown, event organisers are bracing themselves for another year without live events. Three major shipping events have already been cancelled or postponed, including NorShipping and Breakbulk Middle East.Read more
Nautilus: Seafarers report lack of medical care in ports
Non-emergency medical care at ports is becoming more difficult to access during the pandemic, leaving sick seafarers to suffer in silence, sometimes for months at a time. This warning was issued by seafarer trade union...Read more
Largest cruise company in the world sees demand rise for 2022
The world’s largest cruise company Carnival sees demand for cruises rising again for 2022, the American company reports in a news update. The number of bookings for the first half of 2022 is already above...Read more
KVNR: Concerns about vaccinating seafarers
If seafarers are not vaccinated in good time, problems may arise with relieving people at sea, warns the Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners (KNVR). The association fears possible measures by, for example, airlines and countries,...Read more
Holland America Line extends pause in cruise operations to 30 April
Cruise company Holland America Line will extend the pause in its operations for all departures through April 30, 2021. The measure includes Alaska, Mexican Riviera, Pacific Coast, Caribbean, Mediterranean and Canada/New England departures.Read more
Philippine Ports Authority bans crew changes until at least 15 January
The new, probably more infectious variants of coronavirus that first surfaced in the UK and South Africa is impacting crew changes. The Philippine Ports Authority has banned crew changes until at least 15 January for...Read more
2020 was KNRM’s busiest sea rescue year to date
The Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution (KNRM) looks back on a year in which the effect of corona was visible in everything that happened on and around the water. The greatest effect was seen in...Read more
Yacht builder Oceanco threatened with fine after illegal party
The Zuid-Holland Zuid Safety Region has forewarned Oceanco in Alblasserdam, the Netherlands, with a EUR 10,000 fine after an illegal party that took place on 23 October on a ship along the quay of the...Read more
German government comes to the rescue of MV Werften
Cruise ship builder MV Werften has received a 193-million-euro loan to complete the Crystal Endeavor for delivery and keep the shipyard operations going till March 2021. The loan is provided by the State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern...Read more
Growing number of billionaires keeps Heesen Yachts optimistic
Despite the difficulties due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Heesen Yachts is still functioning reasonably well. And although last year was better, the management of the Dutch superyacht builder expects to be able to conclude 2020...Read more
Large companies in action to get seafarers home
Major international companies such as Unilever, Heineken and Procter & Gamble are taking action to encourage governments to help the tens of thousands of seafarers who are currently trapped on merchant ships because of the...Read more
Wastewater checks could help track coronavirus on board cruise ships
Testing wastewater systems on long-haul planes and cruise ships could provide crucial information on detecting the presence of the Covid-19 virus in incoming passengers. According to Australian researchers, this test could be an additional public...Read more
Oil field services provider Schlumberger cuts 21,000 jobs
Schlumberger is cutting 21,000 jobs in response to the pandemic and related oil crisis. CEO Olivier le Peuch says the second quarter ‘has probably been the most challenging quarter in the past decades.’ The company...Read more
Covid-19 app launched for the European river cruise sector
River cruise ports in the south and west of the Netherlands, Port of Amsterdam and Must See have launched the app Port See. This app provides up-to-date insight into the accessibility of ports for river...Read more
Cruise bookings trickle in again
Cruise ships are still anchored and it looks like they will stay that way for some time to come. However, the first bookings for next year are trickling in. The Rotterdam cruise terminal expects to...Read more