Diana Shipping Inc. Announces Time Charter Contract
ATHENS, Greece, April 5, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Diana Shipping Inc. (NYSE:DSX), a global shipping company specializing in the transportation of dry bulk cargoes, today announced that it has entered into a time charter contract with Hyundai Merchant Marine Co., Ltd., Seoul, South Korea for one of its Panamax dry bulk carriers, the m/v Danae, at a gross charter rate of US$15,600 per day, minus a 5% commission paid to third parties…
WHOI-led Team Locates Air France Wreckage
A search team led by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) has located the wreckage of Air France Flight 447 some 3,900 meters, or nearly 2.5 miles, below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean off Brazil’s northeastern coast. The team left the port of Suape, Brazil, aboard the vessel Alucia on March 22, arriving at the search site on March 25. After one week of searching, one of the mission’s three autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), the REMUS 6000s, detected debris on the seafloor.
Douglas-Westwood Warns Congress on Chinese Oil & Gas Demand
In evidence to the US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Energy and Power’s hearing, April 4th, regarding the “The American Energy Initiative”, Douglas-Westwood LLP’s Managing Director, Steve Kopits, gave dire warnings about the likely development of China’s future energy demand. “China’s oil demand will likely keep pressure on oil prices for the indefinite future,” said Kopits. “China consumes 10 million barrels of oil per day (mbpd) on global consumption of about 88 mbpd.
MOL-Developed Optimum Trim System
TOKYO—Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President: Koichi Muto) today announced the joint development of an optimum trim system for vessels, along with Akishima Laboratories (Mitsui Zosen) Inc. A pilot test of the system, using a 6,400-unit car carrier, showed an increase of up to 4% in fuel efficiency compared to a conventionally equipped vessel, which in turn contributes to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions.
Sustainable Marine Technologies (SMT) Restructures
Innovative renewables company, Sustainable Marine Technologies (SMT), is restructuring its operations to take on today’s greatest challenge to ocean renewable energy – the high costs of device deployment and maintenance access. The dynamic marine integration engineering company, which only last year was nominated for Best Newcomer in the international Tidal Awards, will now become a technology developer.
Thrustmaster Signs Contract for 6 L-Drive Thrusters
Thrustmaster of Texas, Inc. received a contract from Hyundai Heavy Industries for the supply and installation of multiple sets of 5MW azimuth thrusters for the next generation deep water drill ships being built at Hyundai’s shipyard in Ulsan, Korea. The vessels are of the Gusto P 10,000 design and are capable of drilling in water depths of up to 10,000ft. Each vessel uses six underwater mountable thrusters for dynamic positioning per ABS DPS-3 specifications.
House Bill Introduced, Evidence of WWII Merchant Marine Service
Representative Butterfield (D-NC) introduced a bill (H.R. 1288) to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to accept additional documentation when considering…
Six Candidates for Position of IMO Secretary-General
By the deadline of March 31, 2011, six candidates had been nominated by their Governments for the position of Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
This Day in U.S. Coast Guard History - April 5
1950- The Coast Guard announced that former enlisted women of the Coast Guard Reserve could apply for enlistment in the Women’s Volunteer Reserve (SPARS). Enlistments…
Technip Awarded North Sea Contract by RWE Dea
Technip was awarded a full EPIC(1) contract by RWE Dea, for the Clipper South gas field development in the North Sea. The field is located 70 kilometers North-east of the Bacton gas terminal in 25 meters of water. The contract covers full project management, detailed pipeline design, installation and tie-in of a 15.5 kilometer 12" production line and 3" methanol piggyback line from the new Clipper South platform to the existing LOGGS (Lincolnshire Offshore Gas Gathering system) platform.
This Day in U.S. Naval History - April 5
1946 - USS Missouri arrives in Turkey to return the body of Turkish ambassador to the U.S. and to show U.S. support and willingness to defend Turkey. (Source: Navy News Service)
New emergency Acoustic BOP Control System from KONGSBERG
New system developed for drilling and production safety in deeper waters. The next generation of Kongsberg Maritime's Emergency Acoustic BOP (BlowOut Preventer) Control System, the ACS500 uses the new proprietary Kongsberg Maritime 'Cymbal' signal processing protocol for optimal data communication at long distances and has a depth rating of 4000m. It is a robust, reliable and user-friendly system designed for use in emergency drilling or production situations…
Stanford Marine Grows Fleet
Established in 1997 as the vessel owning and operating branch of the United Arab Emirates-based Stanford Marine Group, Stanford Marine is in the midst of a major fleet expansion. In 2009 the firm acquired five vessels and acquired a company that had ten vessels on order including six new 190-ft off shore supply vessels. This brought the fleet to nearly 40 vessels and expanded the company’s operational area to include Southeast Asia.
Ship Equip Acquired by Inmarsat Plc.
Ship Equip International AS and Inmarsat plc (LSE: ISAT.L) announced an agreement for Inmarsat, to acquire Ship Equip for a total consideration of $163.7m. Inmarsat is a provider of global mobile satellite communications services. Ship Equip, based in Ålesund, Norway, is a provider of VSAT maritime communications services to the shipping, offshore oil & gas and fishing markets. James Parm, President and CEO of Stratos…
Michel Promoted to Crowley VP, People Development and Learning
Crowley Maritime Corp. announced that Suz Michel has been promoted to vice president of People Development and Learning. Michel will relocate from Seattle, Wash., to the company's headquarters in Jacksonville, Fla. Michel, who previously served as director of People Development and Learning, will report to Carl Fox, senior vice president, corporate services. As vice president, Michel will continue…
Miracle Marine to Build Another Landing Craft for the Axmen
Miracle Marine built a landing craft for Joe Collins of the Discovery Channel’s Axmen show. Miracle Marine reported that this year, Axman Jimmy Smith wants one of their new boats as well. And Swampman Shelby Stanga will be using one of Miracle Marine’s demo boats in his show this year.
Castrol Academy Recognised by Det Norske Veritas
Castrol Marine’s Castrol Academy, the training tool comprising eleven technical modules, has now been recognised by the Norwegian classification society Det Norske Veritas.
New Members of NOAA’s Hydrographic Services Review Panel
NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco recently appointed nine new members to the Hydrographic Services Review Panel, a federal advisory committee that gives NOAA independent…
Alaska Ship & Drydock Christens the MV Ken Eichner‐2
On April 2, Alaska Ship & Drydock, Inc. and the Ketchikan Gateway Borough christened the MV Ken Eichner‐2 as the Borough’s second ferry providing service to the Greater Ketchikan International Airport and entering service as the sister ship to the MV Oral Freeman. Both ships were built by Alaska Ship & Drydock, Inc. (ASD) and are registered as Hull No’s 001 and 004 respectively for the Ketchikan based Shipbuilder.
Severn Trent De Nora’s BALPURE Completes Shipboard Testing
Non-indigenous species were no match for the BALPURE electrolytic disinfection ballast water treatment system. The BALPURE®ballast water treatment system from Severn Trent De Nora successfully completed shipboard testing in December 2010, effectively neutralizing non-indigenous species. The BALPURE system surpasses requirements for IMO G8 Type Approval and IMO Ballast Water Convention D-2 Standards. Type approval of theBALPURE system is anticipated in the first half of 2011.
