TSA Expansion Update: WTSA Suspended
The Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (WTSA) recently filed an amendment with the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). The following statement regarding the WTSA amendment was issued today by Commissioner William P. Doyle of the FMC. Commissioner said, "The member companies of the WTSA recently filed an amendment to the WTSA to suspend the underlying agreement. While it was effective when filed, the WTSA’s amendment remains subject to FMC jurisdiction.
CSSC-HPS to Build Jackup Rigs for Alliance
CSSC Guangzhou Huangpu Shipbuilding (CSSC-HPS) confirmed that it is starting the construction of “two plus two” units of jackup drilling rigs capable of operating in 400 Foot Water Depths, using the Zentech design and TSC integrated equipment packages. Alliance Offshore Drilling PTE Ltd. of Singapore is the owner of the R-550D rigs under construction. CSSC-HPS is a large-scale state owned company and member of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation.
World's Largest Tugboat Race Highlights Seattle Maritime Festival
On Saturday, May 11, more than 30 boats will participate in the 28th Annual U.S. Oil and Refining Seattle Tugboat Race Championships, the largest tugboat race in the world. The race will run from noon to 3 p.m. as part of family fun day at the 2013 Vigor Seattle Maritime Festival, which will take place from Pier 66 and Bell Harbor Marina, 2225 Alaskan Way, Seattle. The race will start at the Grain Terminal, Pier 86, and end at Pier 66.
Life at Camp Baldwin: Pohang, South Korea
With air temperatures hovering around freezing every night, steaming hot showers were a welcomed luxury for more than 1,200 deployed Coast Guard, Army, Navy, Marine and Air Force personnel at Camp Baldwin, especially once the camp was transformed into a giant mud pit after steady rain showers drenched the clay grounds during the day. Camp Baldwin, a large-scale, temporary military camp built in the middle of a Korean Marine base in Pohang…
Survivor’s Mom Sends Cookies to USCG
Jordan Hanssen, recently rescued OAR Northwest transatlantic rower, sponsored by the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) made great efforts to visit his rescuers at two USCG stations for Military Appreciation Month last week. Both the Clearwater and Miami Coast Guard Air Stations involved in the early April rescue received a gratitude visit from Jordan, who also presented them with a thank you plaque.
Tank Barge Delivered to Progressive Barge Line
PBL 3421 was delivered by Raymond & Associates, LLC, Bayou La Batre, AL, to Progressive Barge Line, Inc., New Orleans. PBL 3421 is the first of two barges, both 297.5 x 54 x 12 ft. inland service double skin tank barges, each witha cargo capacity of about 4700 short tons at 11.5 ft. draft. The barges are certified by the U. S. Coast Guard as Type I, Type II or Type III hulls for 1.05 or lower specific gravity products and will be used in Progressive Barge Line’s operations on the Gulf Coast.
Petrobras to Build Shipbuilding Center in Brazil
Petrobras’ plans to build a center of excellence for the shipbuilding industry in Brazil were highlighted in the presentation made by Paulo Sergio Rodrigues Alonso, Petrobras Local Content Advisor to the CEO and the Executive Coordinator of Prominp, during an event sponsored by the Brazil-Texas Chamber of Commerce (Bratecc), which took place today May 8, in Houston, an event occurring in parallel with the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC).
Search Halted for Two Missing Passengers from Carnival Spirit
The search for an Australian couple who went overboard Wednesday from the Carnival Spirit cruise ship has been called off, the Associated Press reported. The passengers, identified as Paul Rossington, 30, and Kristen Schroder, 26, went overboard in the waters off New South Wales, Australia. The couple was reported missing when the ship docked in Sydney on Thursday and have now been missing for more than two days.
MTR100: Subsea Industry Awards Deadline Approaching
The July / August 2013 edition of Marine Technology Reporter will once again feature the MTR100, profiles of 100 leading companies in the global subsea sector. This editorial feature is free, but you must apply to be considered. Deadline for the MTR100 2013 is MAY 31, 2013. Apply for the MTR100 today online at: http://mtr100.seadiscovery.com/ For more information, contact Greg Trauthwein at: [email protected]
104,800 Attendees at OTC 2013
Experts from the offshore energy industry around the world came together May 6-9 for the 2013 Offshore Technology Conference at Reliant Park in Houston. Attendance at the conference reached a 30-year high of 104,800, the second highest in show history and up 17% from last year. Attendance surpassed the 2012 total of 89,400 and the sold-out exhibition was the largest in show history at 652,185 ft², up from 641,350 ft² in 2012.
How to Comply with MARPOL Annex V
Recent amendments to Annex V of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) have created a tougher regime for shippers and crews over discharges into the sea. The U.K. P&I Club received numerous enquiries from members concerned about their obligations under the amended regulations. Accordingly, the Club has produced a pamphlet entitled “How to Comply with MARPOL Annex V,” in partnership with the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF).
Robert Allan Designs Tug for Rio Tinto
The Pilbara Apollo, the latest addition to the RAstar 3200 escort tug series was delivered to its owners, Rio Tinto Ltd., earlier this year. The vessel was constructed at Uzmar Shipbuilding Industry Co. in Turkey and will operate at Rio Tinto’s iron ore export facilities at Cape Lambert (Port Walcott) and Dampier, Australia. The Pilbara Apollo is the first of six new RAstar 3200 tugs to be delivered to Rio Tinto as part of this contract.
Parat to Retrofit Boiler Aboard Polar Qaasiut
Parat Halvorsen AS was assigned a contract to deliver a retrofit steam boiler to Polar Seafood Greenland and one of their trawlers, the M/Tr. Polar Qaasiut. The boiler is a combined oil-fired and exhaust gas boiler, type MCS, to comply steam production for the trawlers fishmeal and fish factory. The retrofit boiler will be tailor made, adapted the vessels engine room and engine, to gain optimal steam production for the vessels factory. www.parat.no
Australian Navy Assists in Search for Lost Cruise Passengers
The Australian Navy ship HMAS Choules and her MRH 90 helicopter have been involved in the air and sea search for two people believed lost from the Carnival Line cruise ship Carnival Spirit off the New South Wales mid-north coast. HMAS Choules joined the search on Thursday afternoon as she was returning from North Queensland where she was conducting amphibious training exercises. The ship and her helicopter…
Aker Wins Big EPCI Contract Offshore Canada
Aker Solutions awarded contract for offshore engineering services to support Husky Energy at White Rose field. The scope of work includes studies, modifications…
ABB CEO Joe Hogan to Leave the Company
ABB Chief Executive Officer Joe Hogan has decided to leave ABB for private reasons. A date for his departure has not yet been decided, says the company, and Hogan will continue to lead ABB until a successor is announced as he is committed to a smooth transition. “Joe is a great and successful CEO and has done a remarkable job of leading the company through the deepest economic crisis in living memory.
Boskalis Report Good Financial Progress
Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. (Boskalis) say that developments in first quarter 2013 to date are in line with expectations. Boskalis realized a higher revenue…
Golden Pass Announce Agreement to Export Gas to U.K.
Golden Pass Products LLC (GPP) affiliates Qatar Petroleum International (QPI) and ExxonMobil signed a framework agreement for the proposed liquefaction project at the Sabine Pass, Texas terminal.
Taiwan Condemns Philippine Attack on Fishing Vessel
Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirm that shots fired from a Philippine ship killed one fisherman and caused serious damage. There have been incidents in…
Green Lights on Singapore Strait TSS Crossing
IMO's Maritime Safety Committee has adopted an earlier recommendation that ships display 3 all-round green lights when crossing the Singapore Strait Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS). The night signals identify these vessels crossing the TSS during hours of darkness which will allow other vessels in the appropriate lanes to take actions if required, thereby enhancing navigational safety. The IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee at its ninety-first session in Nov 2012…
