Keppel Delivers Dual-Capability Jack-Up to Rowan
Keppel FELS Limited (Keppel FELS) has delivered the first of three KFELS N-Class jack-up rigs being built for Rowan Companies, Inc. (Rowan) (NYSE: RDC) safely, on time and within budget.
Merchant Vessel Pirated in the Somali Basin
On the morning of 24 October, the MV York, a Singapore-flagged tanker, was confirmed pirated in the Somali Basin. The MV York had recently left Mombasa on route to the Seychelles. The vessel was attacked on 23 October by two skiffs, approximately 50 nautical miles East from Mombasa. The Turkish warship Gaziantep, operating under the Combined Maritime Forces (Task Force 151) launched her helicopter to investigate. The helicopter was able to observe pirates with weapons on board the vessel.
Pirates Seize German Ship off Kenya
According to a report from Xinhua, a German freight ship was seized on the morning of Oct. 24 by pirates off the coast of Kenya, a spokesman for the German army said.
USCG: Vessel Aground in St. Lawrence Seaway
U.S. Coast Guard personnel are on scene and monitoring the grounding of the 100-foot tug Commodore Straits, which ran aground while pushing two barges in the St. Lawrence Seaway near Keewaydin State Park in Alexandria Bay, N.Y., at about 5:30 a.m. Oct. 24. Although both barges are taking on water, no pollution or injuries have been reported, and the area has been determined safe for maritime traffic to pass at reduced speeds.
Coast Guard Investigates Slick off U.S. Gulf Coast
According to an Oct. 23 report from Reuters, the U.S. Coast Guard is investigating a large brown slick floating near the mouth of the Mississippi River and said…
Supertankers’ Longest Stretch of Unprofitability
According to an Oct. 24 report from Bloomberg, supertanker owners are facing the longest stretch of unprofitable rates in 17 years as the supply of new vessels increases…
Waller Marine Delivers Caissons to Venezuela
Waller Marine, Inc recently delivered two large steel caissons to clients in Venezuela to be used for closure of a basin that is under construction at the Tacoa floating power generation facility. The caissons, each having dimensions of 115-ft in length, 16-ft in width and standing 26 ft high will be installed at the entrance of the basin that will house the two 170 MW power barges constructed by Waller and now undergoing pre-commissioning activities at the site.
M/V Whale Shark for Hercules Middle East
Hercules Middle East has a new member of the fleet, the vessel, Whale Shark, a 260-ft leg liftboat, was designed by A. K. Suda, Inc. of Metairie, La., USA based on its model SUDA 260-L3. It can carry 900 LTons (911 tonnes) of variable load, including a maximum of 355 tonnes of freshwater, and 102 Tonnes of Fuel—all this on a hull that is merely 11-ft in depth. The vessel is full SOLAS compliant and has a fixed accommodations for 38 persons.
This Day in U.S. Coast Guard History – October 25
1941-South Greenland Patrol expanded to include 3 cutters of the Northeast Greenland Patrol and form the Greenland Patrol. 1985-CGC Polar Sea arrived home to Seattle…
This Day in U.S. Naval History – October 25
1812 - USS United States (CAPT Stephen Decatur) captures HMS Macedonian. 1924 - Airship, USS Shenandoah (ZR-1), completes round trip transcontinental cruise that began on 7 October.
Deal Signed for LNG-Powered Cruise Ferry
STX Finland Oy and Viking Line ABP have signed a preliminary agreement for the construction of a new generation cruise ferry for Viking Line. The agreement includes an option for a sister ship. The ship price will be about 240 million Euros, and will be built at Turku shipyard for delivery in the beginning of 2013. The new cruise ferry will be designed to be the most environmentally friendly big passenger vessel to date. Even though it has not yet been decided the goal is to use LNG as the fuel.
MAN Diesel & Turbo: New Low-speed, G-type Engine
The first G-type engine, designated G80ME-C, has a design that follows the principles of the large-bore Mk-9 engine series that MAN Diesel & Turbo introduced in 2006. The G-type is designed with a longer stroke to reduce engine speed. Ole Grøne, Senior Vice President Low-Speed Sales and Promotions, MAN Diesel & Turbo, said: “MAN Diesel & Turbo always follows developments in the shipping market closely and we have kept a close eye on the trend for fuel optimization in recent years.
USN Demonstrates Alternative Fuels for Shipboard Use
The U.S. Navy conducted a full power demonstration of a Riverine Command Boat (experimental) (RCB-X) powered by alternative fuel, Oct. 22, at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. Testing and evaluation of alternative fuels from the 49-ft. RCB-X boat supports the Secretary of the Navy's efforts to reduce the fleet's reliance on fossil fuels and is part of a series of progressively complex tests and evaluations scheduled through 2012.
Robert Allan Designed M.V. Vortex
Solent Towage Ltd. of Southampton, UK, a division of Østensjø Rederi AS of Haugesund, Norway recently took delivery of their latest high-performance tug from Astilleros Gondan SA. The aptly-named Vortex is designated as an AVT 37/80 Class, and is the latest of the AVT series of Voith-powered escort tug designs from Robert Allan Ltd., Naval Architects of Vancouver BC. The Vortex was designed to perform a wide range of tasks…
China's LNG Imports May Quadruple by 2015
According to a report from Bloomberg, Shen Ning, vice director of business and marketing at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., said in an interview that China…
Daewoo Buys Stake in Angolan Shipyard
According to a report from Bloomberg Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. agreed to buy a 30% stake in an Angolan shipyard, its first investment in an African shipbuilder…
Horizon Lines Reports Q3 Results
Horizon Lines, Inc. (NYSE: HRZ) reported financial results for its fiscal third quarter ended September 19, 2010. On a GAAP basis, third-quarter net income was $7.7 million…
Ribcraft Delivered to Boston Fire Dept.
Ribcraft, manufacturer of professional grade rigid inflatable boats for law enforcement, safety professionals, and military agencies, announced the delivery of a specialized 30-ft Ribcraft 9.0 dive boat to the City of Boston Fire Department. The mission specific RIB was delivered to the Boston Fire Department's Rescue Dive Team for search and rescue operations. Given the large active harbor with considerable commercial and recreational traffic…
Moore Stephens Warns: UK Shippers Review Finances
Ahead of the imminent withdrawal of a concession relating to the application of transfer pricing rules to loans made to companies in the UK tonnage tax scheme, accountant…
CBP Accepting Participation in ACE Test
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a general notice stating that it will be conducting a National Customs Automation Program test concerning the transmission…
