No Fear, NOAA Paper Charts Still Near
The announcement that the federal government will stop bulk lithographic printing of nautical charts brought some understandable angst, however NOAA say they may be changing the chart production process but they will NOT stop the production of paper charts. The Agency explain they are working with private companies to make them better: printed in brighter colors and available for fast delivery to the door. Most importantly, they are up-to-date to the moment ordered.
Latest Bulk Carrier, Tankship, Newbuilding Order Round-up
Starting with the larger sizes Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) are understood by Clarkson Hellas to have placed an order for two firm 210,000 dwt Newcastlemax at Bohai, with delivery of both vessels due in early 2017. The majority of ordering this week has been focussed on the Kamsarmax market; Weihai Samjin (Korean owned yard with facility based in China) has taken two separate orders for 82,000 dwt Kamsarmax from NK Shipping for four firm plus two options…
Rolls-Royce to Supply Engines for Huge UAE Offshore Project
Rolls-Royce has been awarded a strategic contract to supply Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (ADMA-OPCO) with power generation equipment and related services to help boost oil and gas processing at the Satah Al- Razboot (SARB) offshore project in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The contract was awarded by the Korean engineering, procurement and construction firm Hyundai Engineering and Construction (HDEC) and is the first Trent 60 gas turbine sale to a Korean EPC.
BWMS Technology: US Patent Granted to Siemens
The U.S. Patent Office has awarded Siemens Water Technologies a patent for a system and method to control biofouling of filters used as a first stage of treating ballast water in its SeaCURETM Ballast Water Management System. The patent, entitled “Method and System for Biofouling Control of Shipboard Components" (U.S. patent no. 8,591,740 B2), involves injection of biocide into ballast seawater before…
Shipbuilders DSME Not For Sale to Foreign Companies
Seoul will not sell Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) to a foreign company to avoid any possible leakage of technologies reports 'Korea Times'. The response comes after a Russian consortium led by the state oil company OAO Rosneft recently expressed an interest in acquiring a stake in the world’s third-biggest shipbuilder by sales. The consortium also includes Gazprom, Russia’s state-run gas provider and Sovkomflot, Russia’s state-owned shipping company.
Port of Los Angeles APL Terminal Wins Productivity Award
APL'Â’s Global Gateway South Terminal has been awarded the Journal of Commerce Port Productivity Award. The APL facility in Los Angeles was ranked second among 185 terminals in the Americas according to the inaugural JOC Port Productivity Study which covered the first half of 2013. The APL Global Gateway South Terminal was lauded, for excellence in berth productivity, with outstanding hourly moves between shipsÂ’ arrival and departure from berth.
China Chooses Xian as Nation's First International Hub Port
Shaanxi province plans to build China's first hinterland international intermodal transit hub port to link the overland international freight route [see map] which they dub a new 'silk road', reports Xinhua. The proposed Xian Hinterland International Transit Hub Port will focus on international logistics transit business and develop itself into a strategic pivot offering services between China's east coastal and western regions.
Seaspan on BC Ferries' Newbuilding RFP Shortlist
The company explains that nine pre-qualified shipyards responded to a Request for Pre-Qualification. • Seaspan Vancouver Shipyards Co. Ltd. • Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. In the RFP, BC Ferries has stipulated that these three vessels be designed to operate as dual-fuel capable. Specifically, these ships will be able to operate on either Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) or Marine Diesel Oil (MDO). BC Ferries…
Newbuild AWILCO LNG Carrier Sold to Teekay, Chartered Back
The vessel, according to AWILCO was subsequently sold to Teekay LNG Partners L.P., and bareboat chartered back by Awilco LNG for a period of four years plus a one-year extension option in AWILCO LNG’s favor. AWILCO LNG is a Norwegian based pure play LNG transportation provider, owning and operating LNG vessels intended for international trade. The Company currently owns two 156,000 cbm DFDE membrane LNG vessels…
Whales Beat Ship Strike Rule Deadline
Hours prior to the rule's scheduled expiration, the Obama Administration decided to uphold the Ship Strike Rule – an important development in the ongoing efforts to protect endangered right whales. 'The Final Rule to Reduce the Threat of Ship Collisions with North American Right Whales', also known as the 'Ship Strike Rule', mandates speed restrictions of no more than 10 knots for vessels 65 feet or…
Ship Stowaways Expensive & Inconvenient Passengers
The issue of stowaways is one which has existed ever since vessels began to trade. In the twelve month period to the end of 2012 the Club handled 51 stowaway cases involving 125 persons. The total incurred value was approximately $1 million and the number of stowaways involved in each incident typically ranged from 1 to 8. However, in one particular case 22 stowaways were found among a cargo of lumber.
LNG Cold-Ironing Cruise Ship Barge on the Stocks
Hamburg-based Hybrid Port Energy GmbH, has awarded a building contract to Shipbuilding and Machinery of Komárno, Slovakia to build the world’s first LNG Hybrid Barge to supply low-emission electrical power to cruise ships in port. The LNG Hybrid Barge will be delivered by summer 2014, only two years after the initial project startup. The 74 m long barge will be stationed in the Port of Hamburg, which will then be the first port in Europe able to provide cold ironing power to cruise ships.
Crowley Presents Scholarships to Two USMMA Cadets
Crowley Maritime Corporation awarded two Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial scholarships to United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) cadets Christopher Anthony and Thomas Treat during the 2013 Containerization and Intermodal Institute’s Connie Awards luncheon in Newark, N.J. yesterday. Both recipients were selected for their strong academic records, leadership capacity and financial need. Crowley’s Jonathan Christian…
USCG, Mexican Navy Participate in Joint SAREX
Coast Guard members of the 11th Coast Guard District participated in a joint two-day search and rescue exercise, SAREX, with members of the Mexican navy's Search and Rescue Station in Ensenada, Mexico Wednesday and Thursday. The visit included a flag officer professional exchange, presentations highlighting each country's search and rescue capabilities, and a multiple-scenario tabletop exercise requiring joint coordination and response.
Bristol Harbor Group Commissioned for LNG/CNG Initiative
Bristol Harbor Group, Inc. (BHGI) was awarded a task order for an Alternative Fuel (LNG/CNG) Initiative through its Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)…
MARIS Inks ECDIS Deal with New Sunrise
Marine navigation and communications specialist MARIS AS, of Norway and Chinese marine electronics company New Sunrise Co., Ltd. (NSR), of Suzhou, have signed an agreement that establishes MARIS as the largest ECDIS original equipment manufacturer in the world. The OEM deal, formalized at December’s Marintec 2013 in Shanghai, will see NSR produce MARIS ECDIS software and supply it in combination with NSR hardware. NSR has developed a PC and Monitor specific to maritime applications.
Austal USA Names O’Brien New VP
Austal USA announced the appointment of Terry O’Brien to the position of Vice President of Business Development and External Affairs, effective November 18, 2013. In this role, he will be responsible for the all of Austal’s Business Development efforts, state and federal legislative activities, as well as coordinating external communications and media relations. A retired Navy Captain with over 26 years of service…
Bollinger Delivers Eighth FRC to USCG
Bollinger Shipyards, Inc. has delivered the Charles Sexton, the eighth Fast Response Cutter (FRC) to the United States Coast Guard. The announcement was made by Bollinger President, Chris Bollinger, “We are very pleased to announce another successful on-time and on-budget FRC delivery to the U.S. Coast Guard. The Charles Sexton was delivered to the 7th Coast Guard District in Key West, Fla., and will be stationed at USCG Sector Key West.
New Car Terminal at Marseilles Fos Port
Following a call for tenders in November last year, the Marseilles Fos port authority has chosen automotive logistics specialist TEA – part of the Charles Andre transport group - to develop and operate an import/export terminal for new cars at the Brule-Tabac quay in Fos. The decision was announced during a review of the port’s first five years under a revised management structure decreed by the French government in 2008.
Submerged Towboat Lifted in Iowa
Response crews commenced lifting operations of the 154-foot sunken towboat from the Mississippi River bank near LeClaire, Iowa, Monday. Stephen L. Colby salvage crews worked to cradle and dewater the vessel in an effort to remove extra weight while lifting the towboat. Crews dealt with below freezing conditions and long hours throughout response efforts and continue to conduct pollution mitigation through cleanup operations.
