The Ministry of Transport reportedly just set progress targets for the restructuring of Vinalines, a leading domestic shipbuilder. Vinalines members include the Saigon, Nghe Tinh, Cam Ranh, Can Tho and Nam Can ports, all to be equitised along with the parent company. Vinalines has proposed halting the restructuring of its main shipping businesses, including Vinalines Shipping, Vinalines Container Shipping and Vinalines Haiphong Maritime Services. These financially dependent firms...

A new icebreaker being built by Arctech Helsinki Shipyard for the Finnish Transport Agency will be powered by Wärtsilä dual-fuel engines capable of operating on both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low sulphur diesel fuel. When launched in late 2015, it will be the first LNG-powered icebreaker in the world.   Wärtsilä's industry leading track record in dual-fuel engine technology was a crucial factor in the award of the contract. By enabling LNG to be used as the engine fuel, both exhau...

Japan Marine United (JMU) is claiming 16% fuel savings from its contra rotating propeller (CRP) combined with other energy saving devices, and is looking to extend coverage to all vessel types.  JMU is the first shipbuilder in the world to fit a CRP to a large type bulk carrier, the 97,000 dwt Shoyoh. The CRP comprises two fixed propellers that contra rotate. Takuro Yoshikawa, general manager of JMU Europe, explained that with a standard single propeller there is a stream of lost en...

Eastern Pacific Shipping has went to South Korea’s Hyundai Mipo Dockyard to buy two new 38,000 cu m LPG carriers for $102m. The deal includes an option for the shipowner to purchase two more similar gas carriers. The newbuildings are expected to be constructed from March 2016. The LPG carrier orders came on the back of an expected boom in the US shale oil market, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard said. Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping currently manages a diverse fleet consisting of dry bulk ca...