Discover the Ribera-Duero-Knutsen: Ratings & Maritime News

On October 29, 2023, a crew member aboard the 'Ribera del Duero Knutsen' faced a medical emergency due to burns on his hand while the tanker was navigating from Sagunto to Paraguylla. In response, the vessel's captain promptly reached out for assistance, leading the MRCC of Salvamento Marítimo in Las Palmas to spring into action. The SAR helicopter Helimer 204 was dispatched to the scene, successfully rendezvousing with the tanker. The injured crew member was hoisted aboard and then transported directly to Doctor Negrín Hospital for urgent medical treatment. This incident underscores the critical importance of swift medical response in maritime operations.

In an impressive display of maritime logistics, the Panama Canal Authority announced a significant achievement on October 1, 2018, by accommodating four liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers in a single day through its Neopanamax Locks. This marks a new milestone, surpassing the previous record established on April 17, 2018, when just three LNG vessels successfully navigated the canal in one day. The latest record includes the northbound transit of two noteworthy carriers: the Ribera del Duero Knutsen, boasting a cargo capacity of 173,000 m³, and the Maran Gas Pericles, which holds a capacity of 174,000 m³. In addition, the southbound journey featured the Torben Spirit and Oceanic Breeze, with cargo capacities of 174,000 m³ and 155,300 m³, respectively. This operation solidifies the Panama Canal’s vital role in linking global markets, facilitating trade between customers in South Korea, Japan, Chile, and the US Gulf Coast.

Knutsen OAS Shipping, based in Norway, has successfully obtained authorization from Russian authorities to transport liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Japan using the Northern Sea Route. The vessel Ribera Duero Knutsen, with a deadweight tonnage of 6,898 dwt, could pave the way as the first tanker to convey Norwegian LNG from Hammerfest to the Asian market through this Arctic passage. In an exclusive interview with Skipsrevyen, Knutsen representatives Nils Kristian Strøm and Synnøve Seglem highlighted the significance of this development. Synnøve Seglem further clarified, 'Currently, we have no formal contract with Statoil for the gas delivery from the Snøhvit field to Asia; however, this permit opens up the technical possibility for such operations.' As reported by NRK, the inaugural shipment is slated for completion in June, while subsequent shipments will continue until October, contingent upon ice conditions throughout the shipping season.