New Flagship for Costa Cruises Delivered
Costa Fascinosa, the new 114,500 gt flagship of Costa Cruises, has been delivered to the cruise line, by shipbuilder Fincantieri in Venice, Italy. Officially handed over at the Venice Passenger Terminal, Costa Fascinosa — with sister ship Costa Favolosa — is the largest Italian-flagged cruise ship afloat. The delivery ceremony was attended by Italy’s Minister of Tourism Piero Gnudi, and his daughter Elsa served as godmother of the new 114,500-ton, 3,800-guest flagship.
LNG Port Safety Ruling – UK Compliance Demanded
There has been a further twist in the long-running saga over the safety of shipping Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) into the Milford Haven waterway, reports the 'Western Telegraph'.
Weather Routing & ECDIS – New Integrated Systems
Applied Weather Technology, Inc. (AWT) and Transas Marine today announced an integration of two key on-board tools – AWT's BonVoyage System (BVS), the popular on-board weather routing system…
USS Tripoli Name Chosen for Next Amphibious Assualt Ship
Like the future USS America (LHA 6), LHA 7 has an increased aviation capacity to include an enlarged hangar deck, realignment and expansion of the aviation maintenance facilities, a significant increase in available stowage for parts and support equipment, and increased aviation fuel capacity. The LHA 7 will use the same gas turbine propulsion plant, zonal electrical distribution and electric auxiliary systems designed and built for the USS Makin Island…
Arctic Oil Drilling – Russian Companies Hold Talks
Barents Observer reports that President of Lukoil, Vagit Alekperov confirms that an official working group with representatives of both Rosneft and Lukoil is being…
Tankship Seized by Pirates on W. Africa Coast Pillaged, Released
Pirates have freed a gasoline tanker they hijacked, after stealing some of the cargo, the shipowner reports, in a fresh example of a growing trend in the region to hold vessels briefly to offload valuable oil products. The fully-laden BW Maritime owned 75,687 dwt product tanker BW Rhine was forcibly removed from a safe anchorage position off Lome, Togo on 28, April 2012. On 4, May, owners reported BW Rhine hasf been released off Nigeria by its captors. All 24 crew members were reported safe.
Shipyard Apprentice School – Ground-breaking Ceremony at Newport News
Huntington Ingalls Industries announce that its Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division broke ground on the shipyard's new Apprentice School campus. Apprentice School students, faculty and staff were joined by Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, U.S. Reps. Scott Rigell, Bobby Scott and Rob Wittman, Newport News Mayor McKinley Price, HII leadership and other business and community leaders at the construction site for a ceremonial ground-breaking event.
Offshore Wind Farm Support Boats – GL Issue New Rules
As the energy industry expands and installations are pushed ever further offshore and into more challenging environments, the vessels servicing these installations…
Korean Shipyard to Construct Ultra-deepwater Rig for Seadrill
To benefit from the current strong demand for high specification drilling units Seadrill announced that it has entered into a turnkey construction contract with…
Guam Designated 'Strategic Port'
The designation of 'Strategic Port brings with it many challenges not only for the US Coast Guard, but also for all those with a stake in port operations. For this…
Water-based Oil Recovery System Increases Oil Well Yields
Water Standard is a global water treatment specialist delivering innovative desalination, water-based enhanced oil recovery and produced water solutions to the onshore and offshore oil & gas industry.
Recent Shanghai Boatshow Claimed Largest in Asia
The China (Shanghai) International Boat Show (CIBS) came to a close at Shanghai's World Expo site where it had moved for its 17th rendition. Figures just in and…
New Mediterranean Yacht Charter Destinations
The Balearic Islands of Mallorca, Ibiza, Minorca and Formentera, along with mainland cities such as Barcelona, Valencia and Marbella, can now be added to Europe's established 'charter' destinations…
Chinese Shipyard Delivers Handysize Bulk Carrier to Greek Owners
Paragon Shipping has taken delivery of 37,293 dwt handysize bulker 'MV Prosperous Seas' from Zhejiang Ouhua Shipbuilding Co. China. The newly constructed vessel…
Piracy – Task Force Commander Confirms Djibouti Ties
The EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) French flag ship FS Marne visited Djibouti between Saturday 21 April and Friday 27 April. Whilst there the Task Force Commander, Rear Admiral Jean-Baptiste Dupuis and his staff met with representatives and authorities of the maritime world and various stakeholders in the fight against piracy. Located at the entrance to the Gulf of Aden and near the coast of Somalia, Djibouti is an important, strategic port in the fight against piracy.
General Dynamics NASSCO Launch U.S. Navy Supply Ship
General Dynamics NASSCO launches the U.S. The ceremony took place at the NASSCO shipyard. Juan M. Garcia III, assistant secretary of the Navy for manpower and reserve affairs, was the ceremony's principal speaker. Mrs. Helen Chavez, widow of Cesar Chavez and the ship's sponsor, christened the ship by breaking the traditional bottle of champagne against its bow. The ship is named in honor of Cesar Estrada Chavez, the labor leader who founded the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA).
Kongsberg Delivers Offshore Ops Simulator
Superior Energy Services of Houston, Texas, took delivery of one of the most advanced maritime training simulators ever developed, in April 2012. The next-generation simulator from Kongsberg Maritime will be used to provide integrated, real-time training for Superior’s offshore marine personnel at its new facility in Anchorage, Alaska. Under the terms of the contract, signed September 2011, Kongsberg…
Two Incat Crowther Boats Under Construction
construction at Gulf Craft LLC in Louisiana, USA. The vessels’ operator, SEACOR Marine, is a progressive company that pioneered the use of fast catamarans in the offshore industry with the commissioning of SEACOR Cheetah in January 2008, and SEACOR Cougar in April 2009. The operator intends to push the boundaries even further with these larger, faster vessels, by offering increased capacity and comfort.
Vizada Signs Agreement with Danos Shipping
Vizada and Vizada Elite Partner SRH Marine Electronics S.A. have signed a 24-month agreement with Danaos Shipping Co. Ltd to equip the company’s fleet of vessels with a full broadband communications system. The partners will provide 1 GB connectivity over Inmarsat FleetBroadband terminals, connectivity will be further enhanced by Vizada XChange and the Vizada Crew PC for optimal internet usage. Danaos Shipping Co.
Austal Sets Keel of U.S. Navy's JHSV 3
On May 3, 2012, Austal held a keel-laying ceremony for the third Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), one of nine Austal-designed 103-meter U.S. Navy Joint High Speed Vessels under contract with the U.S. Navy. Austal invited Representative Jo Bonner to authenticate the keel. He was assisted by Jeff Cellon who is an “A” Class welder that has been part of the Austal team since May of 2010. A traditional keel-laying ceremony marks the first significant milestone in the construction of the ship.
