Pacific Ocean – Tsunami Near Samoa
The NOAA Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii issued a bulletin cancelling its prior tsunami warning. The warning was based on a strong earthquake in the Samoa Islands region.
$42M in Grants for Ferry Docks & Facilities
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced more than $42m in grants to improve ferry service and build new docks and facilities in 15 states and Puerto Rico.
Panama Canal Hosts Georgia Governor
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) welcomed Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue (pictured left) to the Panama Canal September 24. Joined by senior leaders from the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) and the Georgia Department for Economic Development, Governor Perdue visited the Canal to learn about the historic expansion of the waterway and the anticipated benefits the project will bring to Georgia. ACP Administrator/CEO…
Pirate Attacks on the Rise off Somalia
Pirate activity has increased recently off the coast of Somalia with four attempted attacks occurring on motor vessels in the Gulf of Aden since Sept. 19. Three separate unsuccessful attacks occurred Sept. 19 and 20, while the most recent attack occurred Sept. 26 on the Panamanian-flagged Motor Vessel Handy V, in which seven pirates were arrested by the Turkish ship TCG Gediz (F-495), assigned to NATO's Piracy Task Force.
Shipbuilders Flourish on Small Vessel Orders
According to a Sept. 30 report from The Daily Star, shipbuilders are banking on the ongoing recession to carve itself a position in the global market, as the demand for smaller vessels has increased…
Aker Awarded FEED Contract
StatoilHydro has awarded Aker Solutions a front end engineering design (FEED) study for upgrading the Gullfaks A drilling facilities. The drilling upgrade is expected…
First Ship with High Temperature Fuel Cell
September 2009 saw the initial operation of the first high temperature fuel cell to be run on board of a ship, within the FellowSHIP research project (Fuel Cells for Low Emission Ships). The HotModule supplied by the Tognum subsidiary MTU Onsite Energy GmbH Fuel Cell Systems is scheduled for service on the offshore supply vessel Viking Lady, operated by the Norwegian Eidesvik shipyard, so as to verify its suitability for green on-board power generation by means of fuel cells.
Conrad Industries Ferry Contract Award
Conrad Industries, Inc. (Pink Sheets: CNRD) announced that it has been awarded a contract for the construction of a passenger/vehicle ferry with a value of $13m…
Jotun Profits Remain Satisfactory
Jotun expects the difficult global economy to continue to have a greater impact. When compared with the record level of 2008, the figures in the first eight months of 2009 are still satisfactory.
Tsakos Time Charters for Suezmax Tankers
Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited (NYSE:TNP) announced a two year time-charter extension with profit sharing up to a maximum level with the same charterer, for the…
MOL Starts Safety Campaign
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL, President: Akimitsu Ashida) announced the start of the Safety Campaign for all its operated vessels effective October 1, 2009. During the campaign, the company will concentrate on exchange of opinions between onshore and seagoing personnel regarding MOL’s approaches to safe operation, and measures to prevent the spread of the new influenza epidemic. This will increase…
Foss Pioneers New Route on Columbia River
Foss pioneered a new commercial route deep into Canada on the Columbia River in August, navigating through strong currents and shallow water to safely deliver a new 190-ton turbine for British Columbia’s largest hydro-electric dam. In 2002, Foss became the first to use the upper Columbia for commercial navigation, demonstrating its ability to operate in extreme environments by towing a 135-ton turbine from Coulee City to Trail, B.C. just north of the boarder.
SNAME Focused Panel Sessions, 2009 Meeting
The focused panel sessions at the Society of Naval Architects and Engineers (SNAME) Annual Meeting and Expo (October 21-23 at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence…
This Day in Coast Guard History – Oct. 1
1926-An airways division, headed by a chief engineer, was set up as a part of the Lighthouse Service, its work covering the examination of airways and emergency…
This Day in Naval History – Oct. 1
1800 - U.S. Schooner Experiment captures French Schooner Diana. 1844 - Naval Observatory headed by LT Matthew Fontaine Maury occupies first permanent quarters. 1874 - Supply Corps purser, LT J.
Grounded Tank Vessel Eagle Tucson
A 33-ft response boat from U.S. Coast Guard Station Venice, La., monitors efforts to free the grounded tank vessel Eagle Tucson, Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, near Pilottown, La., at the mouth of the Mississippi. The Eagle Tuscon grounded at approximately 2:45 a.m., Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, and is currently blocking deep-draft shipping traffic.
Aker Philadelphia Shipyard Launches 8th Tanker
On Sunday, September 27th, Aker Philadelphia Shipyard (Oslo: AKPS), a U.S. commercial shipyard, launched Ship 012. The eighth in a series of 12 product tankers to be completed by 2011, the 46,000 dwt vessel was floated off of its blocks and was transferred by tug from the Building Dock to the Outfitting Dock, where it will remain for the next few weeks as it undergoes continuous testing and commissioning in preparation for its upcoming sea trials.
CMA CGM Agreement
CMA CGM reached agreement on the establishment of a committee comprised of French, European and international banks including certain major financial institutions from Asia and the Republic of Korea.
CG Monitoring Oil Spill Off Savannah Coast
The Coast Guard is continuing to monitor an oil spill approximately nine miles offshore of Savannah after a tank ship damaged its double-hulled fuel tank during the deployment of the ship's anchor Sept. 27. The Singapore-based tank ship, Stolt Vision, reportedly sustained a rupture to the starboard fuel tank located beneath the water surface while lowering its anchor at approximately 5:50 p.m. Sept.
Closed Portion of Houston Ship Channel Opens
The three mile portion of the 52-mile Houston Ship Channel that was closed due to an oil spill Sept. 25 opened at 12:45 p.m. Sept. 28 to vessel traffic. The channel…
