Nazi ship officially renamed

The largest ship in the world, formerly known as the "Pieter Schelte," has officially been renamed the "Pioneering Spirit." The ship was at the center of controversy because it was named for the late Dutchman, Pieter Schelte Heerema (1908-1981), who served as an officer in the Waffen SS. The Swiss-Dutch offshore company Allseas changed the name due to the criticism received from Jewish groups and unions. It named its ship after the father of the company's founder, and they say they intended no offense for naming it after him. International transport union ITF demanded earlier the name to be changed, and started a petition in which Shell was asked not to hire the 382-meter ship for the dismantling of an oil platform.