Venezuela to Free Seized Seismic Survey Ship
Venezuela has agreed to free a U.S.-chartered oil survey ship and 36 crew members seized last week in a territorial dispute with neighboring Guyana, reports Reuters, citing the vessel's owner.
Port of LA September 2013 Container Volumes Top 700,000 TEU's
The Port of Los Angeles has released its September 2013 cargo volumes. September overall volumes totaled 710,892 Twenty-Foot Equivalent (TEU) containers, the third consecutive month volumes exceeded 700,000 TEUs, but compared to September 2012, volumes dropped 4.57 percent. Imports declined by 3.75 percent, from 385,250 TEUs in September 2012 to 370,785 TEUs this September. Exports decreased 12.79 percent, from 172,432 TEUs in September 2012 to 150,380 TEUs in September 2013.
Australia Boosts Funds for SADI Program
Minister for Defence David Johnston has announced the award of more than $10.5 million in grants to more than 120 companies under the most recent round of the Skilling AustraliaÂ’s Defence Industry (SADI) program. Senator Johnston said the funding would provide more than 1000 individual training opportunities to support AustraliaÂ’s defence industry in improving the quality and quantity of skills within its workforce.
Transocean Future Newbuild Drillship Chartered Out
Transocean Ltd. has been awarded a five-year contract by Chevron U.S.A. Inc. for a newbuild dynamically positioned ultra-deepwater drillship. Shipyard delivery is scheduled for the second quarter of 2016. After customer acceptance, the contract is expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2016, contributing an estimated revenue backlog of approximately $1.1 billion, excluding mobilization. Excluding capitalized interest…
Safe Bulkers Declare Series B Preferred Shares Dividend
Greece-based dry bulk ship owners Safe Bulkers declares a cash dividend of $0.51111 per share on its 8.00% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Shares for the period from July 30…
Canada Conducts Spill Response Study
A comprehensive study assessing current marine-spill preparedness and response capabilities was released by the Province today. The study also outlines necessary improvements to achieve a world-class system to ensure B.C.'s coast is protected from potential marine spills. Nuka Research, an international expert in spill preparedness and response, had been commissioned by the provincial government to undertake the study so B.C.
Thailand Product Tanker Reported Missing
ReCAAP ISC reported that the owner of Thailand-registerer oil product tanker, Danai 4 had lost contact with the vessel, and the ship is assumed missing. The owner’s…
Rolls-Royce Design and Equipment for COSCO
Rolls-Royce has won an order to provide an integrated design and equipment package for two offshore supply vessels to be built at COSCO (Guangdong) Shipyard Co., Ltd. in China for the Singapore based Chellsea Group, a company in the offshore oilfield services industry. The two Rolls-Royce UT 771WP platform supply vessels will be the first vessels in Asia featuring the wave piercing bow designed to pierce through the waves in rough seas…
Florida Gov. to Address Port Infrastructure Investments
Florida Governor Rick Scott will serve as the keynote speaker on Wednesday, Oct. 16, at the American Association of Port Authority’s (AAPA) 102nd Annual Convention and Expo in Orlando, Fla., hosted by the Canaveral Port Authority. He will discuss the importance of investing in ports and port-related infrastructure during a luncheon presentation at the AAPA convention. Gov. Scott is a strong proponent for ports, particularly Florida’s 14 deepwater seaports.
Monico and CMR Form Strategic Alliance
Monico Monitoring, Inc., a company in the industrial monitoring and control solutions market, formed a strategic alliance with CMR Group, a manufacturer of industrial engine controls…
Today in U.S. Naval History: October 15
Today in U.S. 1917 - USS Cassin (DD-43) torpedoed by German submarine U-61 off coast of Ireland. In trying to save the ship, Gunner's Mate Osmond Kelly Ingram becomes first American sailor killed in World War I and later is awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism. He becomes the first enlisted man to have a ship named for him, in 1919. 1948 - First women officers on active duty sworn in as commissioned…
Moody's Upgrades CMA CGM's Financial Outlook
Moody's Investors Service has upgraded CMA CGM S.A.'s corporate family rating (CFR) to B2 from B3 and the company's probability of default rating to B2-PD from B3-PD. Concurrently, the rating agency has upgraded to Caa1 (LGD5/84) from Caa2 (LGD5/80) CMA CGM's EUR325 million and $475 million worth of senior unsecured notes maturing in 2019 and 2017, respectively. The outlook on the ratings is stable.
2H Offshore’s Brazil Team Adds Technical Managers
2H Offshore, an Acteon company, has appointed Pedro Viana and Roberto Alvim as the technical managers of its Rio de Janeiro, Brazil office to strengthen its management team and drive business growth. Viana was the first engineer hired when 2H Offshore’s Brazil office opened in 2003. He has participated directly in the development of the office since its inception, and has supported both the technical and management activities of the company.
USCG Grants Certificate Extension for Some Commercial Ships
Due to the lapse in government funding, the U.S. Coast Guard announced Tuesday that it will allow commercial vessels engaged in domestic voyages between ports in the United States or its possessions to operate with an expired certificate of documentation as long as they are in compliance with all other requirements for operation. Vessel owners should submit their renewal application to the National Vessel Documentation Center as appropriate using normal submittal procedures.
Companies Partner to Protect the Great Lakes
American Steamship Company (ASC), a subsidiary of GATX Corporation, and Chicago’s John G. Shedd Aquarium are working collaboratively in pursuit of their common goal of protecting the Great Lakes, and now they’re taking that message to communities along the shores. One of ASC’s 1,000-foot vessels, the MV Indiana Harbor, is displaying each organization’s logo along with the slogan “Working Together to…
Caterpillar MaK Engines: EPA Tier 2 Certified
Caterpillar Marine Power Systems announced the EPA Tier 2 Certification of all MaK engine platforms with cylinder volumes of above thirty liters. Included in the certification are the M 32 C, M 43 C, M 46 DF as well as the recently announced M 34 DF engine platform. The certification of the MaK range provides customers operating in the American market, specifically in the commercial and offshore marine markets, a spectrum of power nodes to meet emissions regulations on U.S. flagged vessels.
Brazil Postpones SISTRAM Communications
The Brazilian Maritime Authority has advised that the commencement of the new SISTRAM communications system has been postponed for at least 90 days, and will therefore…
SG Blocks Portable Office on USN Aircraft Carriers
SG Blocks, Inc., a provider of construction solutions utilizing code-engineered cargo shipping containers, has executed a $1.5 million agreement with a U.S. Navy…
Fundraiser Celebrates Maritime Museum
A black tie fundraising gala dinner event at National Maritime Museum Cornwall, in the company of Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal, raised over £80,000 for the Museum last week. The event called a Night at the Museum, celebrated the Museum’s 10th birthday and launched a new 10-year campaign to raise £4 million over the next decade. More than 120 guests enjoyed a champagne reception overlooking…
It's Time for a Towing Vessel Inspection Rule
Last month, I had the opportunity to testify before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation at a hearing that examined maritime regulations. In what must have been a change of pace for Subcommittee members, instead of detailing the regulatory burdens facing the tugboat, towboat and barge industry, I urged them to exercise their oversight responsibility to ensure expeditious publication of long-awaited U.S.
