Wärtsilä 32, 6000 Engines Delivered
The Wärtsilä 32 engine reached an important milestone in March as the 6000th engine rolled out of the Wärtsilä factory in Vaasa, Finland. This engine is efficient, has low emissions, and is able to run on various liquid fuels. The engine still attracts new customers worldwide both in the marine and energy industries. Moreover, most of the engines built 30 years ago are still in use. In March, the 6000th…
Another Feeder Service from Hamburg
A new regular feeder service of the Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) shipping company now links Hamburg with St. Petersburg. Every 14 days the feeder ship Robert puts in at the container terminals of the Port of Hamburg as required. The service is offered by HHM in partnership with Team Lines, a subsidiary of the Belgian shipping company Delphis. The first departure of the Robert from Hamburg has already taken place, on 25 March 2009.
Saudi Arabia Welcomes Jazan and Farasan
Austal has successfully completed its largest individual ferry contract to date following the delivery of two 226.4 ft vehicle-passenger catamaran ferries Jazan and Farasanto the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. With the capacity to carry 650 passengers, 50 cars and 15 trucks, the two aluminum catamarans are part of a group of four Austal vehicle-passenger ferries ordered by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Finance in 2007.
Intertanko & ITF, Young Seafarers’ Workshop
Intertanko and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) this week organized over three days in London a Workshop for young serving seafarers to express their views on their career and life at sea, and on what attracts young people to the shipping industry and retains them there. The Young Seafarers’ Focus Group consisted of 20 volunteers of seven different nationalities drawn from the membership of both associations.
This Day in Naval History –April 16
1778 - Sloop-in-war Ranger captures British brig (Source: Navy News Service)
M/V Liberty Sun Crew Safe Following Attack
On April 14, United States flag merchant vessel M/V Liberty Sun and its crew, operated by American shipping company Liberty Maritime Corporation of Lake Success…
Mullen Promises Review of Antipiracy Ops
The U.S. military has initiated a review to look "broadly and widely and deeply" at the overall strategy on piracy off the coast of Somalia, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said April 14. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, speaking on ABC's "Good Morning America," complimented those who carried out the mission that freed Merchant Marine Capt. Kevin Phillips. Somali pirates had held Phillips hostage since his ship, the Maersk-Alabama, was attacked April 8.
Ribcraft New Line of RIBs
Ribcraft, a builder of professional grade rigid inflatable boats (RIB), announced the addition of the AF Series of Inflatables for first responders and military agencies. The AF Series, designed specifically for military, special forces, and first responders provides an alternative to the RIB for applications that require an easily transportable, shallow draft, and economical inflatable boat. Ranging in size from 14 ft to 19 ft…
New Navy Contract
BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $24,656,595 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-07-C-2200) for LPD 20 post…
Hornblower Tests Eco-Friendly Paints
By participating in an EPA-funded study of copper-free paints, Hornblower Cruises & Events is pioneering efforts to protect marine life and minimize boating impact in San Diego Bay.
St. Lawrence Seaway Notice to Shipping
A St. Lawrence Seaway notice to shippers was issued on April 14, 2009 regarding the Maisonneuve region, Montréal / Lake Ontario section. Mariners are advised that…
Seafuture Sponsored by Italian Trade Commission
The Italian Trade Commission and the Liguria Region are sponsoring an event in La Spezia to facilitate and create collaborations and partnerships between universities…
Aida Cruises Chooses MCP for New Ships
Maritime Communications Partner (MCP), provider of onboard communications to the global cruise fleet, has announced a new five-year contract with Germany’s Aida…
Dryships Signs Contract for Leiv Eiriksson
Dryships Inc. (NASDAQ: DRYS), a global provider of maritime transportation services for drybulk cargoes and off-shore contract drilling oil services, announced that on April 8…
Bollinger Delivers 60k BBL Tank Barge
Bollinger Marine Fabricators, L.L.C., a Bollinger Shipyards, Inc. company, has delivered B. No. 262, a double hull 60,000 BBL oil tank barge built to meet the requirements of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA’90) to Bouchard Ocean Services, Inc., Melville, NY. Barge B. No. 262 is a manned ocean, clean oil tank barge measuring 350 ft long, with a 70 ft beam and a depth of 25 ft. The barge is built to…
Northrop Grumman Nav Systems for Brazil Navy
Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE: NOC) Sperry Marine business unit has been awarded contracts to supply state-of-the-art navigation systems for two new 500-ton patrol boats for the Brazil navy.
Panama Canal Authority 2009 Q2 Metrics
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) released second quarter (Q2) operational metrics for fiscal year 2009. In Q2, Canal Waters Time (CWT), the average time it takes a vessel to transit the Canal…
Frontier Acquisitions in Gulf of Mexico
StatoilHydro has acquired a 40% stake in 50 blocks from BHP Billiton in the frontier DeSoto Canyon area of the US Gulf of Mexico. “DeSoto Canyon is a mostly unexplored region in the eastern part of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Obtaining early access to new plays is regarded by the company as key to our success,” said StatoilHydro vice president of exploration for North America, Tony Dore. “We did a similar early access deal with ExxonMobil in 2005 in the Walker Ridge Area of Central GOM.
This Day in Naval History – April 16
1959 - Helicopters from USS Edisto begin rescue operations in Montevideo, Uruguay. By 26 April they had carried 277 flood victims to safety.
Pirates Attack Second US Vessel
According to a BBC World News report, pirates used rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons to attack another US merchant ship off the coast of Somalia on April 15. The pirates damaged the Liberty Sun, which was carrying a cargo of food aid. The USS Bainbridge arrived some hours later, by which time the pirates had gone. (Source: BBC World News)
