Ultramaxes Gain Traction for Coal Trading
A fairly new breed of bulk carrier is becoming popular in the Asian dry cargo market by promising more savings for charterers and shipowners thanks to higher carrying capacity and fuel efficiency, according to trade and industry sources cited in a Platts analysis. Launched in 2011, the Ultramax class bulker carrier -- designed to carry bulk cargoes including coal, iron ore, grain and cement -- is now preferred by coal traders and shipowners for its low hire and operating costs.
Cruise Ship Owner Takes Steps Following CDC Inspection Failure
A CDC team found trolleys and food hidden from them in crew cabins when they inspected the cruise liner 'Silver Shadow'. The incident resulted in the ship receiving an unsatisfactory score from the CDC Vessel Sanitation Program inspectors. The government report states that CDC inspectors boarded the Silver Shadow during an unannounced inspection last month and found a number of violations, including an organized effort to hide more than 15 full trolleys of cooked foods…
Navy CNO Defends LCS Shipbuilding Program
The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program has come under the microscope after news of an electrical problem resulted in a brief loss of power for USS Freedom (LCS 1) over the weekend and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a critical, 72-page report today scrutinizing the cost of the program. However, top Navy leadership including the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert…
W. African Port Offers Anchorage Piracy Protection
The head of Benin army and navy has issued an official note to express the commitment of Benin Government to secure Benin Waters against sea crime. The protection…
Teekay Order Two More 173,400 cu.m LNG Carriers
Teekay LNG Partners L.P. has exercised two of its three existing options with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd., (DSME) of South Korea for the construction of two 173,400 cubic meter liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier newbuildings for delivery in 2016. These two newbuilding LNG carriers are in addition to the two LNG carriers Teekay LNG ordered from DSME in December 2012, which have since secured time-charter employment commencing upon delivery.
BAE Systems Norfolk Awarded 'USS Wasp' Contract
BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, Norfolk, Va., awarded Navy contract by US Department of Defense to drydock 'USS Wasp' (LHD 1) and work on repairs and maintenance. The $110,781,296 undefinitized contract action has been awarded as a modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-11-C-4407) for the USS Wasp (LHD 1) fiscal 2013 drydocking planned maintenance availability. A drydocking planned maintenance availability includes the planning and execution of depot-level maintenance…
Latest on GofM Loss of Well Control Incident
After completion of a site assessment, personnel are on board the Hercules 265 jack-up rig and in the process of installing gas detectors and high-capacity water jet fire monitors for contingency purposes. The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), U.S. Coast Guard, and Walter Oil & Gas Corporation (Walter), through the Unified Command, continue to oversee and coordinate response efforts to secure the South Timbalier 220 natural gas Well A-3.
Cummins Northwest Appoint Geoff Conrad Director Marine Business
Geoff Conrad has been with Cummins Inc. Marine for 20 years and, according to the company, in those two decades has been instrumental in enabling Cummins to grow…
China Ships Ply Disputed Waters: Japan Mulls Response
Japan’s defense ministry recommends expansion of its marine force and consider a first-strike capability to deal with threats, reports Live Mint/WSJ. Four Chinese vessels ordered Japanese ships to leave waters around disputed islands known as Diaoyu in China and Senkaku in Japan, China’s State Oceanic Administration reported on its website [Chinese] as sourced by Live Mint. China’s strengthened coast guard began operations on 22 July…
Oil Spill Threatens Gulf of Thailand Beaches
An oil spill in the Gulf of Thailand caused by a pipe leak at an offshore platform raises concern about possible adverse impacts on the environment. More than 70 tonnes of crude oil have spilled into the sea following a leak in a crude-oil pipe at an offshore platform operated by PTT Global Chemical, a subsidiary of Thailand's national petroleum company PTT, reports ANN. Citing a statement by PTT Global Chemical…
ProvPort’s Expands Operations
ProvPort, operator of the Port of Providence – one of the busiest ports in America’s northeast – has expanded capabilities including the addition and operation of two Liebherr 550 Mobile harbor cranes. The cranes arrived in June and began operation immediately after being certified. “The new Liebherr 550’s replace two 30 plus year-old cranes. The lift capacity, the efficiency and the speed in which we can load exports and unload imports puts ProvPort in a leadership position…
Lukoil Develops Cylinder Oil Reducing Wear and Consumption
Maritime industry lubricant specialist Lukoil Marine Lubricants Ltd. reported that it expanded sales in the 2012 business year by 74% to around $200 million. Established in 2008…
NYSED Awards SUNY Maritime $1.8 Million
The SUNY Maritime College announce that it has been awarded $1.8 million in grants from the New York State Education Department (NYSED)as part of the federally funded…
Asia Pacific Spill Response OSRL Increases Capabilities
Last month Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL), a global oil spill response cooperative funded by more than 160 companies, opened its new base with enhanced response capabilities at Loyang in Singapore. Maritime Reporter took the opportunity to speak with Robert Limb, OSRL Chief Executive, regarding the significance of OSRL’s expansion. The opening of the base last month in Singapore was touted as a milestone event for the maritime and oil and gas industries in the Asia Pacific region…
Brazil Class
To understand how ABS and DNV participate in Brazil’s complex and challenging Maritime and O&G industries, MR spoke to ABS’s João Carlos Ferreira , DNV’s Tommy Bjørnsen…
IRS to Leverage R&D for a New Dynamic Role
Attaining full membership of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) in 2010 appears to have opened a wider choice of opportunities for Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
Somali Pirates Now Protect Illegal Fishing Vessels, UN Reports
The maritime industry has recently seen a decrease in Somali piracy, but many pirates have turned to a new criminal activity: protecting illegal fishing boats off the Somali coast. Instead of carrying out acts of traditional piracy, the criminals are seeking new, more profitable ways to generate illegal revenue, guarding illegal fishing vessels and participating in arms, drugs and human trafficking, according to a report recently published by the UN.
Two New Ice-class LNG Carriers for Dynagas
Dynagas, the liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipping arm of the George Prokopiou shipping enterprises, has taken delivery of Arctic Aurora, the second of two ice-class membrane LNG tankers, during a ceremony at Hyundai Heavy Industry (HHI) Ulsan shipyard, Korea. The first, Yenisei River, was delivered yesterday. The 155,000 cbm (cubic meters) ships are fitted with GTT Mk III containment systems. Propulsion for the ships is provided by a duel fuel diesel generator engine system.
Tekmar Announces Plans For O&G Return
Cable protection company for the offshore wind industry Tekmar Energy announced its plans to return to the oil and gas market whilst maintaining its leading position in offshore renewables. As part of the firm’s blueprint for growth, it aims to generate £15million in turnover from its oil and gas operations by 2016 as part of a strategy to increase overall turnover from £22-50 million and create 30-50 new jobs. The company, headquartered in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.
China Shipyard Naming of Vroon Livestock Carriers
Specilaist livestock carriers 'MV Galloway Express' and 'MV Ganado Express' have been named at the COSCO Shipyard in Guandong, China. These livestock carriers are the first two in a newbuilding programme of four next‑generation livestock vessels, being built for Vroon in Guangdong. The vessels have a cargo capacity of approximately 4,500 sqm and a cruising range of around 18,000 NM. They are fitted…
