3rd calendar week
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For technical reasons, we will be taking a short
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The blog is expected to resume its regular activity in approximately 3–4
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Your Meridan
20260115-L3793
Iran pulls out of BRICS Navy drills in Simon's Town
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbnSx9OhdJw
A well placed government source has confirmed that Iran has been asked to withdraw from the BRICS Navy drills off the South African coast in an effort to prevent a further escalation in diplomatic tensions with the United States. The vessels that arrived in Simon's Town in the Western Cape last week, are thus no longer expected to participate in the drills, which are being led by China…
Unedited Transcript:
Now, a workplace government source has confirmed that Iran has been asked to withdraw from the BRICS navy drills off the South African coast in an effort to prevent a further escalation in diplomatic tensions with the United States. Now, the vessels that arrived in Simon's Town in the Western Cape last week are thus no longer expected to participate in the drills which are being led by China. The diplomatic discussions initiated by South Africa are seeking Iran's withdrawal comes in the context of Pritoria seeking not to escalate tensions with the United States given an already precarious diplomatic and trade relationship. The timing provides some further context with the US House of Representatives due to take up a three-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunities Act with South Africa fighting to keep its preferential status within that extension. Now, the House Ways and Means Committee approved the bill in December with strong bipartisan support uh with a 373 vote in favor of extension, a measure that now goes before the full house before it's headed to the Senate and the White House for signature where passage remains unclear…
20260115-L3792
Iranian protester delivers a chilling WARNING every Australian must hear
https://www.rebelnews.com/please_act_now_iranians_in_melbourne_beg_donald_trump
Speaking outside the U.S. Consulate in Melbourne, one woman explains how her country lost its freedom ... and why Australians should be paying attention. Outside the U.S. Consulate in Melbourne, amid a rally supporting the Iranian people, one woman’s words cut through the chants and placards with startling clarity. Speaking to me during a live broadcast, the Iranian protester delivered a raw account of what life under the Islamic Republic has meant for her country, and a warning she believes Australians cannot afford to ignore. She described receiving messages from loved ones inside Iran, recounting scenes of people being shot in front of their families and mass killings carried out by the regime. She told me this violence is not an aberration but the inevitable outcome of a radical and brutal ideology imposed by force. While stressing that she respects all religions, she drew a sharp distinction between faith and coercion. “Do not force it on other people,” she said, arguing that the Islamic Republic has spent nearly five decades torturing, murdering and silencing Iranians who simply want to live freely. Her message was not just about Iran. Again and again, she turned her focus to Australia, urging people here to “stand on the right side of history” and warning that radical Islam, if left unchallenged, produces the same results everywhere. “We are fighting the same fight,” she said, calling on Australians to recognise the parallels before it is too late.
20260115-L3791
Crane collapse derails train in Thailand, killing at least 28
https://dailytelegraph.co.nz/world/crane-collapse-derails-train-in-thailand-killing-at-least-28/
A construction crane has collapsed onto a passenger train in north-eastern Thailand, killing at least 28 people and injuring dozens more in one of the country’s deadliest rail accidents in recent years. The crane struck the moving train at around 9am local time as it was travelling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani province, causing several carriages to derail. One carriage was crushed and later caught fire. Officials said about 195 passengers were on board at the time of the crash. Rescue teams evacuated all passengers from the wreckage, with 64 people taken to hospitals across the region. Eight of the injured are in critical condition, including a one-year-old child and an 85-year-old. The crane was being used in the construction of an elevated railway forming part of a China-backed infrastructure project linking Bangkok with neighbouring Laos, where a Chinese-built high-speed rail line already connects to south-western China...
20260114-L3790
Our new 560T travel lift meets or 100ter.
· https://www.youtube.com/shorts/j_pRiFgpwXE
This channel contains videos on the events and news at Oceania Marine Shipyard in Port Whangarei, New Zealand. We cater to a wide range of yacht and commercial clients utilising the legendary skills of New Zealand to deliver ultimate satisfaction, be it a superyacht or hard working commercial vessel…
20260114-L3789
CRN M/Y 145 Project Thunderball:
the 70-metre custom superyacht takes shape
As we approach the final phases of construction, the CRN M/Y 145 Project Thunderball, is taking on its definitive shape as one of the most emblematic designs for custom yacht design. The 70-metre displacement super yacht, built in steel and aluminium, is an advanced combination of naval engineering, craftsmanship and curated design, driven by meticulous attention to detail. Project Thunderball stems from the union of CRN’s building expertise, the Ferretti Group Superyacht Division, as well as Dutch studio Vripack Yacht Design for exterior styling, preliminary naval architecture and the initial general plans, and with the vision of Nauta Design, who curated the design of the interior and exterior social areas. During the development phase. CRN worked directly on the engineering, the final delineation of the naval architecture and layout, accompanying the entire project through to its future delivery...
20260113-L3788
Pilotage in bad weather Cork Harbour
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRJ_Ccf-Mok
Here’s some cool video footage we captured of the Cork Pilots in their Interceptor 48 pilot boat ‘Failte’ undertaking pilot transfers off Cork Harbour during the recent days of strong SE gales. Roches Point lighthouse recorded 50kts of wind on the 13th as the Cosco bulk carrier passed and the Cork wave buoy 2nm off the harbour entrance recorded waves to 6.7m at the time. The pilot boat coxwain managed to get alongside and safely disembark the pilot despite the challenging sea state. Afterwards on the 15th conditions moderated, with the Gramaldi car carrier able to depart which we caught again nicely by drone. Respect for the Ports pilots and pilot boats crew in keeping the Port working and shipping moving in such bad sea and weather conditions...
20260113-L3787
Future Floating Cities: Humanity’s New Home
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdwuC05ChRE
When reality becomes too cruel and we have no chance whatsoever to change it, the only escape is into the world of fantasy…
20260113-L3786
CIRCA 24 - MOLLYMAWK
· https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raDtSUUeErI&pp=ugUEEgJlbg%3D%3D
· https://powerboatmagazine.co.nz/circa-24m-mollymauk/
RV - When Circa Marine decided to build its own long-range, fast cruising sailor, it teamed up with New Zealanders Craig Loomes and Andre Moltschaniwsky from LOMOcean Marine. The Mollymawk is the first boat in the new Circa Passagemaker series - a ship designed and built entirely in New Zealand that enables safe and efficient ocean travel with a high level of comfort and ease of use. Built for an Australian customer, Mollymawk is the first of two 24-meter-long Circa-class ships currently under construction. The second ship for a European owner is scheduled to be launched this year. The “Mollymawk” is a unique vessel that combines functionality and simplicity while offering the comfort of an apartment on the water. At cruising speed, the noise level on board ensures a very pleasant driving experience: only 50 dB in the saloon and 46 dB in the bow and 55 dB in the stern area of the lower deck. The Mollymawk was designed to Circa Marine's specifications for a robust, safe, economical, long-range boat without excessive complexity...
20260113-L3785
🤣 Global warming in Germany 🤣
Icebreakers in operation on the Elbe River
Ten icebreakers are currently operating on the Elbe River in the Geesthacht and Lauenburg area (Schleswig-Holstein). Between 70 and 100 percent of the river is covered by drifting ice, and in some sections there is a so-called ice floe, said a spokesperson for the responsible Waterways and Shipping Authority. "The ice is not thick, however." The section of the Elbe between Lauenburg and Geesthacht, which is important for shipping, is currently closed and is expected to remain so until Friday…
20260113-L3784
Trump issues ultimatum to Cuba
https://dailytelegraph.co.nz/news/trump-issues-ultimatum-to-cuba/
The US president has urged Havana to strike a deal with Washington “before it is too late”. US President Donald Trump has said Cuba will no longer receive Venezuelan oil and money, warning the island to do a deal with Washington “before it’s too late.” Cuba, a close ally of Venezuela and a major beneficiary of its subsidized oil, has seen supplies from the OPEC nation dry up since early January. Shipping data show no crude cargoes have left Venezuelan ports for the island since President Nicolas Maduro was abducted by American forces, as a strict US-led oil blockade brought deliveries to a halt. “THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA – ZERO!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, adding that “Cuba lived, for many years, on large amounts of OIL and MONEY from Venezuela.” “I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE,” he added. Dozens of Venezuelan and Cuban security personnel were killed in the US raid earlier this month, after which Trump said Cuba was “ready to fall,” citing the island’s deep economic crisis and warning that Havana would struggle to endure without subsidized Venezuelan oil...
20260112-L3783
TKMS offers bid for German Naval Yards Kiel takeover
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/01/tkms-offers-bid-for-german-naval-yards-kiel-takeover/
According to media reports, Germany’s largest naval shipbuilder, TKMS (Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems), has submitted a non-binding offer to acquire the shipyard German Naval Yards Kiel (GNYK). Contacted by hartpunkt, a TKMS spokesperson confirmed the reports but declined to provide further details. The company had announced several months ago that it intended to examine by the end of last year whether acquiring a stake in GNYK as part of a consolidation strategy would be feasible. TKMS and GNYK share the same shipbuilding facilities in Kiel, as both companies emerged from the split of HDW several years ago. While TKMS focuses on submarine construction at the site, GNYK has several halls, large dry dock and crane capacities, and experienced personnel on site. As reported by hartpunkt at the end of December, rumors suggest that NVL, Germany’s second-largest naval shipbuilder, may also be interested in GNYK. NVL is currently undergoing a takeover process by Rheinmetall. A spokesperson for Germany’s largest defense company declined to comment at the time. According to a Reuters report from last month, the British defense, naval, and industrial company Inocea Group has also set its sights on GNYK. In December, GNYK CEO Rino Brugge merely stated in response to an inquiry from hartpunkt that his company was generally interested in national or international cooperation and was in talks with potential partners. He also declined to provide further details. Expanding production capacity would likely be strategically advantageous for TKMS, as experts predict that the German Navy, as well as allied navies, will have an increasing need for ships in the coming years. For example, before Christmas, the Norwegian government submitted a proposal to parliament in Oslo to exercise its option to procure two additional Type 212CD submarines from TKMS, even before the revision of the defense plan. As things stand, parliament is scheduled to debate the proposal on January 27th, after which a positive decision could lead to a swift contract signing...
Behind the scenes: TKMS is a leading German naval shipbuilder, currently listed on the stock exchange, but majority-owned by Thyssenkrupp. Rheinmetall was interested but currently holds no stake. BlackRock owns a significant share of Thyssenkrupp AG, which indirectly gives it influence over TKMS, although without a separate, direct BlackRock majority stake in TKMS.
20260112-L3782
U.S. Icebreaker Build Plan Moves Forward at Warp Speed
https://www.marinelink.com/news/us-icebreaker-build-plan-moves-forward-534127
The quest to rebuild the U.S. iceabreaking fleet continues to move at lightening speed, with Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan) signing agreements with Bollinger Shipyards (Bollinger) and Rauma Marine Constructions Oy (Rauma) to provide its Multi-Purpose Icebreaker (MPI) design and associated supply chain packages to enable rapid construction and delivery of up to six vessels for the U.S. Coast Guard’s Arctic Security Cutter (ASC) program. Rauma will build up to two vessels in Finland with delivery expected in 2028 under the contracts formally announced by the U.S. Coast Guard last week. Bollinger will construct up to four cutters in the U.S; the first U.S.-built vessel is expected in 2029...
20260112-L3781
Canadian Icebreaker Design Picked for U.S. Coast Guard Arctic Security Cutters
https://gcaptain.com/canadian-icebreaker-design-picked-for-u-s-coast-guard-arctic-security-cutters/
Seaspan’s production-ready icebreaker design will be built in Finland and Louisiana as Washington races to counter Russian and Chinese activity in the High North. Canada’s Seaspan Shipyards has signed agreements with Bollinger Shipyards and Finland’s Rauma Marine Constructions to provide its production-ready Multi-Purpose Icebreaker (MPI) design for the U.S. Coast Guard’s Arctic Security Cutter (ASC) program, forming an unprecedented North American–Nordic shipbuilding partnership that aims to deliver up to six cutters by the end of the decade. Announced today in North Vancouver, the deals make Seaspan’s MPI design — developed in partnership with Finland’s Aker Arctic Technology under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy — the foundation for rapidly expanding the U.S. Coast Guard’s icebreaking fleet as Washington moves to counter growing Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic...
20260112-L3780
Iran and Russia Join Naval Drills Off South African Coast
https://gcaptain.com/iran-and-russia-join-naval-drills-off-south-african-coast/
Warships from Iran and Russia have joined naval exercises being held off the coast of South Africa, risking a further deterioration of relations between Africa’s largest economy and the US. Two ships from Iran — the destroyer Jamaran and the warship Mahdavai — have arrived at Cape Town, as has the Russian destroyer Stoikiy, the South African National Defence Force said in a statement late Friday. Ships from China, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates are also participating. The exercise comes as South Africa struggles to mend fences with the US, its second-biggest trading partner after China, amid criticism from the Trump administration about its close relations with Iran, Russia and China. Previous iterations of the military exercises, organized under the aegis of the BRICS bloc of developing nations, have drawn rebukes from Washington. In 2023 they coincided with the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine...
20260112-L3779
When superyacht designers dream
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxOxmXjgRC8
Get ready to discover the most spectacular and expensive futuristic yacht ever created: a $7.2 BILLION engineering marvel that completely redefines the concept of maritime luxury! In this exclusive 5-minute tour, dive into the universe of a superyacht that looks straight out of a science fiction movie. With its stealth fighter-inspired design, black marble hull with geometric facets, and gold accents, this 500-foot floating palace embodies Italian excellence transposed onto the oceans...This isn't simply a luxury yacht, it's a bold statement about the infinite possibilities of human engineering. Every detail, from the faceted black marble hull to the futuristic interiors, has been designed to push the boundaries of what's possible. It's the perfect intersection of Italian automotive heritage, technological innovation, and absolute maritime luxury...
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