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
Bolidt antimicrobial decking could aid cruise industry’s return
Synthetic applications specialist Bolidt is launching an antibacterial flooring system to improve hygiene on passenger ships and support the safe return of the cruise industry. Originally designed for use in land-based applications such as hospitals...Read more
Almost 15.5 million euros corona state aid for Damen Shipyards
The Dutch Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) has revealed the amount of state aid companies have received as part of the Dutch government’s corona measures. On the list are also quite a few maritime companies. Dutch...Read more
‘Europe finally sees shipbuilding as vital industry’
The European Council has finally acknowledged that the European maritime industry is of vital importance to the EU. An important development according to SWZ|Maritime’s Editor-in-Chief Antoon Oosting, because it is now included in Horizon Europe,...Read more
Cruise ship Explorer Dream to set sail again after months of idling
For the first time since the outbreak of the coronavirus, a cruise ship is being put into service again. The Explorer Dream, which is located in Taiwan, will make short cruises from the port of...Read more
Social distancing rule scrapped for day trips on Dutch charter vessels
Those on board traditional sailing charter ships in the Netherlands no longer need to stick to the 1.5-metre social distancing rules on day trips. This was reported by the Dutch association for commercial charter shipping...Read more
Shell to write off 20 billion dollars in assets, plans major reorganisation
Royal Dutch Shell is preparing a major reorganisation in response to the new oil crisis, which sees the company write off at least 20 billion dollars in assets in the previous quarter. ‘We will likely...Read more
ICS calls on Dutch government to facilitate crew changes
Despite borders opening further, some 200,000 seafarers are still trapped on their ships due to corona, with another 200,000 waiting at shore to take over from them. The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has called...Read more
Damen concludes keel laying of 75-metre crane barge for Panama
Keel laying for a Crane Barge 7532 has been completed at Damen Yichang Shipyard in Hubei Province, China. The vessel will be delivered in Panama and will replace a 77-year old crane still in operation. The...Read more
DFDS axes another 650 jobs due to corona crisis
Ferry company DFDS has announced that it will cut 650 jobs. The cost reduction is part of a larger austerity round, with which the Danish company wants to adapt to the new market conditions. The outbreak...Read more
KVNR: Improvement of crew change rules is far too slow
Despite efforts being made to improve crew changeovers, not enough progress is being made, according to Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners (KVNR) Managing Director Annet Koster. The corona crisis has forced thousands of seafarers to...Read more
‘Crew changeovers have become costly with disruptions expected into 2021’
Due to the corona crisis, ship operators are faced with extra measures to ensure safe crew changeovers. These measures are proving costly as well as tricky warns crewing specialist Danica. At the same time, the...Read more
Van Oord to cut 500 jobs, 120 in the Netherlands
Covid-19 and the slump in oil and gas prices are also taking their toll on Dutch offshore and dredging contractor Van Oord. The company says it needs to restructure to stay healthy, which will cost...Read moreITF: Enough is enough, seafarers should exercise right to leave ships
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has said it will now assist hundreds of thousands of seafarers to exercise their right to stop working, leave ships, and return home. After weeks of calling on governments...Read morePandemic may break European taboo on state aid for maritime industry
For some shipbuilders in Spain, it’s just sour grapes. They are angry with the Dutch Government after its decision to save the Royal IHC shipyard from falling into Chinese hands. However, in his latest opinion...Read more
First full crew change under new Covid-19 protocols in Singapore
Dry bulk shipowner Genco Shipping has completed the first full crew change under new COVID-19 protocols in Singapore since March. A total of 37 seafarers were involved in this crew change of the Genco Liberty,...Read more