Moroccan Seafarers' Union Leader Freed
ITF applaud release of Mohamed Chamchati, general secretary of the Moroccan merchant seafarers’ union. Like his colleague Said Elhairech, who was freed in October…
Movement of $7 Billion in Commodities in Jeopardy
![Mike Toohey, WCI’s President & CEO](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/mike-toohey-wcis-president-ceo-11350.jpg)
The American Waterways Operators and Waterways Council, Inc. continue to warn Congress and the Administration of the economic effects that the nation’s midsection would face in the wake of further navigation restrictions or possible Mississippi River closure to barge traffic in mid-December. States along the river would see an immediate impact on jobs and wages, and the potential toll would be harshest in Louisiana…
First Steel Cut for Liftboat ‘Seajacks Hydra’
![Photo by Seajacks](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-by-seajacks-11345.jpg)
A ceremony marked the event at Lamprell’s Hamriyah Dubai facility. The self-elevating, ‘Seajacks Hydra’ has been specifically designed for installation and maintenance services in the offshore wind and oil and gas sectors. The vessel will be equipped with a high speed jacking system, a 400t crane and able to operate in water depths up to 48m. Lamprell Energy has built all three of Seajacks’ current vessels; ‘Kraken’, ‘Leviathan’ and ‘Zaratan’, delivering each on time and on budget.
Strike Shutdowns Ports of Long Beach, & LA Terminals
Longshore clerks at the ports in a staffing issue dispute gain support from other workers. The strike is the largest shutdown at the combined ports since 2002.
Petrobas Changes Course of Drill Rig Contract
Petrobas decides not to proceed with 5 ultra-deepwater Ocean Rig leasing contracts. Petrobras has cancelled the process of contracting five drilling rigs, capable of drilling in up to 3…
Sneed Shipbuilding: An (Extended) Family Affair
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When Martin M. Sneed embarked in the business of building for the demanding workboat market in the mid-60s, he likely did not imagine that four decades later, his son Clyde (pictured) and business partner and co-owner Mitch Jones would be at the helm of a highly successful boat building company, crafting finely appointed custom boats for some of the industry’s most discriminating owners. Sneed Shipbuilding was founded by Martin M.
OSV Tech Today
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Modern Offshore Service Vessels come in a variety of shape, size and technical outfit, dependent largely on their intended area of operation. But as offshore assets are constantly mobile and global, finding work where work is to be had, there is an increasing trend towards larger, steadier platforms that are multipurpose and able to shift seamlessly from the Gulf of Mexico to the North Sea to offshore Africa, Asia or Brazil … and back again.
ICOMIA’s Latest Book Has China Statistics
![Image by ICOMIA](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/image-by-icomia-11337.jpg)
The book provides reliable global statistics to the recreational marine industry. Representing the global marine industry since 1967, ICOMIA now has 35 marine industry association members (MIAs), estimated to represent more than 90% of the global boating business, making it well positioned to provide an international compilation of data covering the industry’s varied segments. The ICOMIA Statistics Book is the foremost annual tool the industry has to sum up international activity and…
Poor Conditions, Better Communications
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Industry and the federal government continue to work together to improve less than optimal conditions on the U.S. inland waterways. Measurable, although slow progress is being achieved. The summer of 2012 brought drought and poor navigating conditions to the inland waterways. Low water levels continued into the fall and threaten to move into winter, but the event has demonstrated how barge industry and government relations have changed over the years and what challenges remain.
Floating Production
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Douglas-Westwood forecast that between 2013 and 2017, $91bn will be spent on floating production systems (FPS) – an increase of 100% over the preceding five-year period. A total of 121 floating production units are forecast to be installed – a 37% increase. This growth is driven by multiple factors, such as a larger proportion of newbuilds and conversions compared to redeployments, a greater degree…
Shipbuilders HII, NNS Make Charitable Donation
Huntington Ingalls Industries donate US$ 2.1-million to the United Way of the Virginia Peninsula. The donation is a combined contribution from the HII corporate office and its participating employees…
No Light at End of World Shipbuilders’ Tunnel
Drewry Maritime Research’s ‘Annual World Shipbuilding Market Review & Forecast’ highlights bleak prospects for the world’s shipbuilders. Shipbuilding production…
Shanghai’s New Shipping Bourse Faces Off London
Shanghai Shipping Exchange launches the mainland's first dry bulk and oil import indices. The new bourse will track bulk carrier and tanker trades with the world's largest consumer of commodities.
Atlantic Offshore Wins ERRV Shell Contract
![Photo by Atlantic Offshore](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-by-atlantic-offshore-11331.jpg)
Norske Shell AS award Atlantic Offshore an 18 months ERRV contract to support drilling operations. Atlantic’s Offshore Emergency Response Rescue Vessel (ERRV) ‘Ocean Sky’ will start work in accordance with the contract in mid-January 2013. The owners say the same vessel has worked for Norske Shell AS since 2000, and they are very pleased to continue this long partnership.
Subchapter M & the Towing Vessel Bridging Program: What’s Next?
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This time last year, the U.S. Coast Guard was busy taking comments on the proposed rulemaking for Subchapter M. A very vocal discussion ensued, with the predominant comments focused on impending requirements for rebuilding vessel electrical systems, the standard six on six off “boxed” watch schedules and whether elements of the Crew Endurance Management Systems (CEMS) should be included in the rulemaking.
Forth Ports Group Invests in 14 New Kalmar Staddle Carriers
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Cargotec has secured an order for 14 Kalmar straddle carriers from UK based Forth Ports as part of a major investment and upgrade program at its London Container Terminal (LCT) at Tilbury. Forth Ports is investing in substantial equipment and site upgrading to LCT to ensure customers continue to receive a first rate and enhanced service. It is also integrating LCT with the busy short-sea terminal, also located at Tilbury.
New Endurance Event Set to Test Maritime Companies
The Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) announces the SCI Mountain Challenge, a first-of-its-kind event in North America supporting the Institute’s mariner welfare programs and services.
Jensen Maritime Continues to Grow
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Jensen Maritime Consultants, Crowley Maritime Corporation’s naval architecture and marine engineering firm, continues to grow its new office in the New Orleans business district with the hiring of Senior Administrator Lauren Gulkus. Reporting to General Manager Sergio Fifi, she is the latest addition in a string of recent hires positioned to fully staff this new office with industry leading expertise.
Dutch/Bangladesh JV Delivers Dredges
![Photo courtesy of Cummins Marine](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-courtesy-of-cummins-marine-11324.jpg)
In late 2008 a joint venture was formed between the Netherlands based Vosta LMG and the Bangladesh Karnafuly Shipyard to build three CSD450 cutter suction dredgers for the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority. At the same time construction was underway to an agreement that had been signed with the Bangladesh Water Development Board for two CSD650 cutter suction dredges under the same joint venture.
Uncharted Dubai Wrecks Pinpointed
![Sunken Dhow Located: Photo credit MOD](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/sunken-dhow-located-photo-credit-11323.jpg)
Royal Naval survey ship 'HMS Enterprise' discovers two previously uncharted wrecks in Port Rashid Harbour. Making use of its new hi-tech, smaller motor launch, the Plymouth-based ship discovered two sunken dhows in one of the world's busiest ports at the beginning of a nine-month deployment. Spitfire, the new survey motor boat, can be sent off independently to gather data at the same time as the mother ship - effectively doubling the ship's capacity to chart the seas.