Government Urged to Improve UK Port Intermodal Links
The Department for Transport (DofT) must become a keener advocate for UK ports, urges the Transport Committee, in a new report looking at policy for improving road and rail access to ports. “The Department has brought forward a new high-level strategy on ports, but ministers must now provide more detail about how it will be implemented to prioritise the removal of constraints to port development caused by inadequate transport infrastructure.
Handy-size Bulk Carrier Market: Tonnage Shortage Pushes Up Rates
The NCSA-USG area remains short of tonnage: a 34,000 dwt bulk ship is well-linked to US$ 15,000 daily for a short period of 3-5 months, reports BMTI in its latest 'Handy Bulk Market Viewpoint'. Owners of a similar size of tonnage were seeing US$ 24,000 daily for a trip to Europe. A range of US$ 20,000 daily from NCSA via the USG to the Continent from owners of a 36,000 dwt was rebuffed by charterers as being too expensive.
New Asia-Pacific LNG Markets in Gazprom's Sights
Russian energy company Gazprom takes a look at its marketing policy in the international markets of small & large-scale LNG supply in line with its updated LNG production and supply strategy, and decides to focus on the Asia-Pacific market. Gazprom's main efforts for expanding large-scale LNG exports are to be focused on the fast-growing Asia-Pacific market. The company says it will step up its presence in the new market primarily through increasing the production of its own LNG.
Fincantieri Nets Pair of Diverse Russian Contracts
During the Italy-Russia Business Forum in Trieste, Italy, Fincantieri secured a contract to build a semi-submersible floating platform for the transportation of nuclear submarine reactor compartments. The company also signed an agreement to define plans for an advanced technology offshore energy drill-ship. Fincantieri has been contracted by RosRAO, the Federal State Unitary Enterprise for radioactive waste management…
What About Maritime Safety if Scotland Chooses Independence?
In response to the Scottish Government's release of the 2014 pre-referrendum White Paper 'Scotland Future', shipping organization Maritime UK members suggest that the publication raises as many questions as it does answers. Maritime UK members have had constructive engagement with the Scottish Government in recent months, but today’s White Paper provides some interesting nuggets – raising as many questions as it does answers. In particular, they note this extract hidden away on page 418.
Port of Hueneme Inks BMW North America Contract
Port Officials and BMW of North America, on the eve of BMW’s 26th anniversary at the Port, executed a fifth modification of its 1987 contract extending their agreement for an additional five years through December 31, 2018. Said Harbor Board President Jason Hodge, “BMW’s Vehicle Distribution Center is a vital community partner and a significant economic engine. BMW’s Port manager Mark T. Port CEO and Executive Director Kristin Decas noted at the announcement…
Australian Warship Arrives to Support Philippine Recovery
'HMAS Tobruk' has arrived to commence recovery support operations in the Ormoc region of Leyte Island to assist the Philippines government repair the damage caused by Typhoon Haiyan. The warship sailed from Townsville with a Recovery Support Force onboard, and is now disembarking Army personnel from Townsville’s 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment by landing craft. The engineers will commence a range of tasks including road clearing and quick impact tasks such as debris clean-up in public areas.
Navy Unmanned Helicopter Wish-List Getting Real
Northrop Grumman Corporation has delivered the second MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter to the U.S. Navy after completing final assembly at the company's unmanned systems center in Moss Point, Miss. The aircraft is joining the first one delivered to Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, Calif., to conduct flight testing before using the system for operational missions in 2014. "Since 2006 we have conducted final assembly of the earlier MQ-8B Fire Scout aircraft from our Moss Point facility…
Canadian Government Shipbuilding Strategy: CADSI in Harmony
The Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) confirms industry support for the long-term vision of government following release of the Auditor-General's report on shipbuilding procurement strategy. "Today's report by the Auditor-General on the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy is a timely and helpful reminder of the important decision made by the Government to build naval and coast guard vessels in Canada," said Tim Page, president of CADSI.
Australia Collins Class Submarines to be Updated
Defence Minister Senator David Johnston announced the Defence Materiel Organisation has signed a multi-million dollar contract with ASC Pty Ltd to update the control management and monitoring system for the Royal Australian Navy’s Collins Class submarines. Senator Johnston said the Integrated Ship Control Management and Monitoring System is a highly automated computerised system, which enables the crew of a Collins submarine to control…
Rhodes Communications Celebrates a Milestone
Having served as the editor of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News for more than 20 years, it is my running joke that Jim Rhodes, president, Rhodes Communications…
Jeppesen Simplifies Routing, Chart Management
NauticalManager from Jeppesen allows mariners to easily plan, generate and document routes using an ECDIS and onboard PC. It also makes it simple to create the reports required by port state control and class auditors for checking a vessel’s ECDIS compliance. NauticalManager eases the bridge-side burden of ENC management by making it simple to order Official ENCs, review the chart portfolio and integrate temporary and preliminary Notices to Mariners.
Tomer Joins Parsons Brinckerhoff
Richard Tomer has been named a Regulatory and Permitting Specialist at Parsons Brinckerhoff, a global infrastructure strategic consulting, engineering and program/construction management organization. In his new position, Mr. Tomer will provide technical regulatory services throughout the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut region for resiliency and waterfront projects, with an early focus on post-Superstorm Sandy rebuilding. Mr. Tomer comes to Parsons Brinckerhoff from the U.S.
New Perishables Trade Route from Peru to PortMiami
PortMiami is scheduled to receive its first shipment of cold-treated grapes from Peru on December 1, part of a new Cold Treatment Pilot Program that recently went…
Grennan to Head Global Diving & Salvage
After more than 30 years as founders and owners of Global Diving & Salvage, Inc., Tim Beaver and John Graham continue to remain excited about the future of the company. This month, they announced the newest chapter in Global’s history; Devon Grennan, President for the past four years, will now also take on the position of Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Beaver and Mr. Graham will maintain ownership and continue to serve on the Board of Directors…
Australian Resupply Ship Delayed by Heavy Ice
The Australian Antarctic Division has rescheduled its early season voyages with the icebreaker Aurora Australis delayed in heavy ice conditions off the Antarctic coast. The ship is in heavy ice about 180 nautical miles off Davis station, returning from resupplying the station and delivering summer personnel. Radar satellite images this morning indicated that while there may be some useful openings, the sea ice extends to approximately 60 nautical miles around the ship.
U.S. Navy Responds to Increased Arctic Activity
The loss of seasonal sea ice in the Arctic will have ramifications for the U.S. Navy in terms of future missions, force structure, training and investments. To get a better handle on planning for future Arctic missions, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert asked me to provide an unambiguous assessment of how ice coverage will change in the Arctic and how human activity in the Arctic will change in response to decreased ice coverage and other factors.
Coast Guard, RBDF Assist Haitians Clinging to Capsized Freighter
At least 10 Haitian migrants are reported dead and approximately 100 are being rescued by Coast Guard and Royal Bahamian Defense Force rescue crews 15 nautical miles southwest of Staniel Cay, Bahamas, Tuesday. More than 100 Haitian migrants fell into the water Monday night when their overloaded sail freighter grounded and capsized off coast of Staniel Cay. The incident was reported by the Royal Bahamian…
IMO Honors Acts of Bravery
American rescuers and a Chinese seafarer have been presented with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea 2013, during a special ceremony held on November 25, 2013 at IMO Headquarters in London. Aviation Survival Technician Second Class Randy J. Haba and Aviation Survival Technician Second Class Daniel J. Todd of the United States Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City…
Seaspan Wins Canadian NSPS Projects
“We are pleased to receive, and support the findings of the Auditor General, in particular, the assessment that the selection of shipyards was efficient and successful…
