NASSCO to Build Seabulk Jones Act Tankship, Plus Option
General Dynamics NASSCO, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, has entered into a contract with Seabulk Tankers, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of SEACOR Holdings Inc. for the design and construction of a 50,000 deadweight ton LNG-conversion-ready product carrier with a 330,000 barrel cargo capacity, plus an option for one additional vessel. Construction is due to begin in 2015, with delivery scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2016.
US East Coast Bunker Business Taken Over by Aegian Marine
Greek-based Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc. has entered into an agreement to acquire the U.S. East Coast bunkering business of Hess Corporation. Hess Corporation is currently the leading marketer of marine fuels along the U.S. East Coast. The Hess bunkering operation and associated assets supply the heavily trafficked ports of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Norfolk and Charleston, and include approximately 250,000 cubic meters of leased tank storage.
Multinational Maritime Security Exercise 'Cutlass Express 2013' Under Way
Maritime forces from the United States, 10 East African and two European nations, along with several international organizations, have just commenced the multinational maritime exercise Cutlass Express 2013 off the coast of East Africa. Exercise Cutlass Express 2013, held in several operational areas in waters off East Africa, is an at-sea maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation, tactical…
Offshore Brazil 3D Seismic Contract a First for TGS
TGS, in partnership with Dolphin Geophysical, say they will commence acquisition of a new 3D multi-client survey, Olho de Boi, covering 5,000 km2 offshore Brazil. The survey is designed to image pre-salt plays in the hydrocarbon rich Campos Basin and is located northeast of the Pão de Açúcar discovery in an area of similar structural and stratigraphic characteristics. The Olho de Boi survey will be TGS' first 3D survey in Brazil," stated Rod Starr, Senior VP Western Hemisphere for TGS.
Big Hearted Responses to Philippine Typhoon Disaster
USS Antietam arrives on scene heralding the arrival of the 'George Washington' carrier strike force wth its immense capabilities, cruise ship operators Carnival Corp. pledge a million US$ and KVH grants free phone calls. Capt. Tom Disy, commanding officer of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54), speaks to local media about Antietam and the George Washington Carrier Strike…
Sharp Upturn in Crude Oil Tanker Rates
Tanker operator’s hopes have been buoyed recently by a sharp upturn in crude tanker rates. Historically, tanker rates over the last two months of the year are the seasonally strongest…
Greenpeace's 'Arctic 30' Arrive St. Petersburg, Russia
Greenpeace International confirms that the train carrying 30 men and women detained after a peaceful protest at a Gazprom Arctic oil platform has arrived in St Petersburg. The Arctic 30 departed from Murmansk in a prison wagon early on Monday and upon arrival in St Petersburg the wagon was detached and moved 1km away from the station. The authorities moved the detainees to transportation buses, surrounded by many police.
Ferry Route Portland, Maine to Yarmouth NS Re-launch
The Province of Nova Scotia has signed an agreement with Quest Navigation, Inc. and ST Marine Ltd. to re-establish the Yarmouth-Portland ferry service. The cruise ferry service will operate under the brand name Nova Star Cruises & provide daily round-trip service within 24 hours, from May 1 to November 2, 2014. As part of the agreement, the Province of Nova Scotia will provide Nova Star Cruises with…
Russian Warship & Intelligence Vessel Twin Keel Laying
Two new vessels for the Russian Navy will be laid down simultaneously at the Northern Shipyard in St.Petersburg: the warship is the fourth vessel in the Admiral Gorshkov-class of frigates, and the other is the second in a new class of intelligence vessels, reports Barents Observer. The keels of the two vessels will be laid down on November 14, 2013, when the Northern Shipyard celebrates its 101stanniversary informs Barents Observer, citing 'Lenta'.
IMO Sec-Gen Keynotes International Maritime CSR Conference
More than 200 stakeholders from the maritime world gathered at the Culture Yard in Elsinore, Denmark, where the World Maritime University, in collaboration with the Danish Shipowners' Association, hosted a major international conference focusing on maritime CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). The conference was part of the thrust to formulate maritime CSR policies and to implement them by self-regulation…
Russian PM Discusses Massive Arctic Ore Mining Plans
The Prime Minister of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev met with with the Director General of Norilsk, Nickel, Vladimir Potanin, to talk about the company's plan to increase geological exploration in the Arctic region, reports Arctic-info. The nickel ore mining company will become a key figure in the development of the Arctic branch (Taimyr), which has a world class resource base: by 2018, it is planned to…
Canadian Completes Solo Atlantic Row, With Just a Little Help
Quebec rower Mylène Paquette has arrived in Lorient, France, after a voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, the first North American to row solo, from west to east, across the North Atlantic, reports CBC News. Mylène left Halifax just over four months ago in a specially designed 7.3 metre boat propelled only by herself and the currents. Earlier in her voyage, In September 2013, the lone rower got a helping hand from the cruise ship Queen Mary 2…
WISTA Formulates Interim Philippine Response Plan
WISTA (Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association) has conferred with Nathalie Shaw, ICS Director of Employment Affairs, together with the leaders of ISWAN, ITF, ICMA and other worldwide partners to set up guidelines for cooperation and collaboration to assist seafarers impacted by the typhoon in the Philippines and to set up an Philippines Industry response plan. "We are forwarding you what…
Maersk Line Awarded US$73-Million MSC Contract
In the latest listing of US Department of Defense, Navy, contracts, Maersk Line Ltd. has been awarded the long-term charter of a US-flagged support vessel. Maersk Line Ltd., Norfolk, Va., is being awarded a $73,677,038 firm-fixed-price contract for the time charter of a U.S.-flagged, twin-shaft vessel, which is to function as a maritime support vessel. The contract includes four 12-month option periods, which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $143,149,058.
Safe Bulkers' Stock Offering May Fund New-buildings
Greek dry-bulk ship owners Safe Bulkers, Inc. plans to offer 5,000,000 shares of its common stock to the public. The Company plans to use the net proceeds of the Public Offering and Private Placement for vessel acquisitions, capital expenditures and for other general corporate purposes, which may include repayment of indebtedness. In connection with the Public Offering, the Company intends to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to 750,000 additional shares of Common Stock.
"Coast Guard Goes to the Movies"
The United States Coast Guard Museum in New London, Conn. is currently hosting an exhibit of vintage movie posters pertaining to the Coast Guard in films from the 1920s-1980s. The title of the exhibit is "Coast Guard goes to the Movies: The CDR Ralph W. Judd Collection." The show will run from Nov. 8, 2013 to May 26, 2014. A graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Class of 1954, Ralph W. Judd served on Coast Guard Cutter Northwind.
AWT Upgrade Fleet Decision Support System
Applied Weather Technology, Inc. (AWT), a provider of fleet optimization services and onboard voyage management software, today announced the latest version of its fully customizable fleet management system with the release of Fleet Decision Support System (FleetDSS) Version 2.0. In addition to being suitable for use within a company's IT network, FleetDSS has new tools, including an ETA confidence tool and a comparative vessel type performance graph…
Tschudi Shipping Considers Alaska Port Possibilities
Tschudi Shipping Co., one of Norway's oldest shipping firms, will begin exploring the possibility of establishing a transshipment port in western Alaska, Lt. Governor Mead Treadwell said today. Treadwell, who leads the state's work with the eight-nation Arctic Council, applauded Tschudi's decision, saying it is a tremendous step toward developing Alaska's economic opportunities related to Arctic shipping. Tschudi Shipping Co.
New Yard Builds for Excellence
In mid-October of 2013 Capt. Mark Duthu of Montgeut, Louisiana was proudly showing his family around his new command. The 72 by 30-foot pushboat MV Gunner was about to leave the New Generation Marine Shipbuilding on the Intracoastal Waterway near Houma, Louisiana. With the Louisiana Marine Operators logo proudly displayed on her stack she would join the company’s diverse feel of workboats, tug and utility vessels.
Multinational Support Powers NATO Counter-Terrorism Group
The operating area for NATO’s counter-terrorism task group, Standing NATO Maritime Group TWO (SNMG2), covers 2.5 million square kilometers of vast open space from Gibraltar to the Suez Canal, from the shores of Tripoli to the Turkish beaches. A NATO maritime force tasked with covering so much water relies on logistics support from multiple nations, ashore and afloat, to stay engaged in the vital counter-terrorism Operation Active Endeavor (OAE).
