Maritime 'Silk Road' Between China, Middle East & Africa
Trade corridors between China and the MENA region carry huge economic growth potential for businesses, offering the greatest prospects in the commodity and energy…
Baltic Ferry – Second of Two for Scandlines – Launched
![Ferry 'Copenhagen': Photo courtesy of P+S](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/ferry-copenhagen-photo-courtesy-of-8192.jpg)
At a speed of two meters a minute the new ferry for Scandlines' Gernany – Danish operation was rolled out of the buiding hanger the 400 meters to the lift, and thence placed in the outfitting dock. The first ferry, "Berlin", and the "Copenhagen" (to be jointly christened later) will operate the route from Rostock-Gedser later this year, and will double existing capacity. These ferries can carry approximately 480 cars or 96 trucks and up to 1,500 passengers.
Survey Vessel Named in Thailand Shipyard
!['Fugro Equator: Photo courtesy of Fugro](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/fugro-equator-photo-courtesy-of-8191.jpg)
M/V Fugro Equator is the third of Fugro’s FSSV65 series of dedicated survey vessels. Designed to Fugro specifications to be fuel efficient and acoustically quiet, the vessel is fitted with the latest survey equipment, making her the most advanced vessel of its type in Asia. The new vessel is permanently equipped with hydrographic, analogue and digital geophysical survey spreads, including multibeam systems and she has been designed with AUV operation as a major consideration.
Warships from Russia Join China Fleet for Exercises
![Guided Missile Cruiser 'Varyag': Photo credit Rianovosti (Vitally Ankov)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/guided-missile-cruiser-varyag-photo-8190.jpg)
Four Russian warships from the Pacific Fleet, as well as support vessels, warplanes, helicopters and naval infantry, have left Vladivostok for a joint exercise with Chinese naval forces, a spokesman for the fleet said. The Russian Navy will be represented by the guided missile cruiser Varyag, and three large antisubmarine ships in an exercise that is to take place in the Yellow Sea. In all, more than 20 Russian and Chinese warships and support vessels will participate.
US Coastguard Commissions New Fast Response Cutter
![Coastguard Cutter 'Webber': Photo credit USCG](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/coastguard-cutter-webber-photo-credit-8189.jpg)
The 154-foot Coast Guard Cutter Webber is a Fast Response Cutter and will be able to deploy independently to conduct missions such as ports, waterways, and coastal security, fishery patrols, drug and illegal migrant law enforcement, search and rescue, and national defense operations along the Gulf of Mexico and throughout the Caribbean. The Webber is capable of speeds of 28-plus knots, armed with one stabilized…
Cruise Ship Disabled in Remote South Georgia
![Expedition cruise ship 'Plancius': Photo courtesy of Oceanwide Expeditions](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/expedition-cruise-ship-plancius-photo-8188.jpg)
Trouble started 12 days into a 31-day journey from Ushuaia, Argentina, one of the southernmost cities in the world, to Ascension Island, an isolated volcanic island near the Equator. After returning from a small island, the ship suffered a complete power failure. Ship's engineers were able to fix the problem and course was set for Tristan de Cunha heading north in order to avoid a fierce storm system. En route, the ship suffered another engine failure.
Demand for Offshore Vessels:
![Activity in the Port of Lafourche, LA.](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/activity-in-the-port-of-8187.jpg)
Growing In Deepwater Gulf of Mexico. As the feds issue more drilling permits for the Gulf, demand for offshore support vessels in the GOM deepwater sector has accelerated, industry members say. Anger about the government's spill-related, drilling moratorium--which ended a year and a half ago--has given way to optimism recently. The region's shallow-water sector, nevertheless remains slow and gives little cause for cheer.
Online Cargo Database Goes Live
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World’s largest online database for cargo transportation goes live. BMT De Beer, a subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd, has launched CargoHandbook.com (www.cargohandbook.com), the world’s largest online database for cargo transportation in the marine industry. As a rich source of knowledge, BMT De Beer aims to provide and share information on cargo transportation with the wider market and therefore help to reduce the number of cargo incidents and claims that occur.
First Approval for Iridium Extreme Docking Station
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Beam Granted World’s First Approval for Iridium Extreme Docking Station. Beam Communications Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of World Reach Limited (ASX: WRR), announces it has received certification by Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM) for use of Beam’s LiteDOCK docking station for the Iridium Extreme® satellite phone. Beam is the first manufacturer in the world to receive Iridium’s official certification of a docking unit for the Iridium Extreme handset.
Crowley Names Two More Scholarship Winners
![Scholarship winners Ariel Zhou (left) and Caiti Campbell (right) aboard Crolwey's tug, Guardsman](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/scholarship-winners-ariel-zhou-left-8184.jpg)
Crowley Awards Scholarships to Two Pennsylvania Students in the Williams-Mystic Maritime Studies Program. Crowley recently awarded Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarships to Ariel Zhou and Caiti Campbell, who are taking part in the Maritime Studies Program of Williams College and Mystic Seaport this spring. They were chosen for their strong academic records, interest in maritime studies and financial need.
Scorpio Tankers Offers 3.5 million Shares
Scorpio Tankers Inc. (STNG) is offering a minimum of 3.5 million shares of its common stock in a registered direct placement at a price of $6.75 per share, for which Evercore Group L.L.C.
Swiber First to Use Enginei in Asia
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Swiber becomes first Asia operator to save costs with Enginei Fuel Management System. The Swiber Group company, Newcruz Offshore Marine Services, has become the first in the Asian market to take advantage of the cost benefits of the enginei fuel management system from Royston Limited. The system was sold by Royston’s Singapore agent, Can Traders, and was installed aboard Swiber’s new offshore support vessel, the Swiber Carina.
Ship Finance Terminates Charters With Horizon
Ship Finance International Limited (NYSE:SFL) has agreed to terminate chartering agreements with Horizon Lines, LLC relating to five of its vessels. Ship Finance…
Magnet Provides Robust Holding Force
![The MAM-Light is a powerful permanent magnet that weighs just 1.5 kg.](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/the-mamlight-is-a-powerful-8182.jpg)
Miko introduces new permanent magnet for robust temporary anchor points above or below water. Miko Marine AS of Oslo, Norway, has a new lightweight and compact addition to its range of permanent magnets. The MAM Light possesses exceptional magnetic strength relative to its size and this enables it to bring new benefits to divers, boat crews, ROV (remotely operated vehicle) and salvage operators. The…
RAL’s RAmparts 3200 Tugs Achieve Milestone
![](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/-8181.jpg)
Early in 2012, Cheoy Lee Shipyards, Hong Kong, was awarded a contract from a South American client for three new RAmparts 3200CL class tugs. This marks a significant milestone for the popular RAmparts 3200 design as the order includes the 100th tug to be delivered to this design. There are few designs in the world workboat market to achieve this milestone in such a short time. The RAmparts 3200 design originated from a Robert Allan Ltd. internal R&D program back in the early 2000’s.
IL Governor Convenes Export Advisory Council Meeting
Group Will Develop Recommendations to Increase Trade Opportunities and Business Investment in Illinois. Governor Pat Quinn today convened the first meeting of the Illinois Export Advisory Council.
This Day in Naval History - April 12
1861 - The Civil War begins when Confederates fire on Fort Sumter, S.C. 1911 - Lt. Theodore Ellyson qualifies as the first naval aviator. 1962 - The Navy demonstrates a new landing craft…
Cecon Completes Installation Offshore Nigeria
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End March Cecon has completed the installation of four flexible pipelines and umbilical’s for Broron Oil & Gas/Addax Petroleum in waters offshore Nigeria, West Africa. The project was initially awarded (Oct 2011) to Cecon ASA as a fast-track subsea tieback project for the management, transport, installation and tie-ins of two flexible pipelines and two umbilicals between two wells in 130 m water depth and the Okwori FPSO.
BV and Securymind In Anti-Piracy Initiative
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International classification society Bureau Veritas has joined forces with French maritime security consultants Securymind to provide an auditing and verification service for companies providing armed guards to protect ships against piracy. Security companies offering services to shipping will be audited against the requirements set down by the “Scheme for Quality Management Systems of Private Maritime Security Companies” established by Bureau Veritas and Securymind.
Oil Sheen Seen Near Shell Gulf of Mexico Rig
The Coast Guard is investigating the report of a rainbow sheen, approximately 56 miles offshore Venice in the Gulf of Mexico. Watchstanders at the U.S. Coast Guard…