Shell Pulls Plug on US Gulf Coast GTL Project
Royal Dutch Shell plc says it will not move forward with the proposed 140,000 barrels per day Gulf Coast gas-to-liquids (GTL) project in Louisiana and will suspend any further work on the project.
Greek Shipowner Doubts Major China Shipbuilder Can Deliver
China Rongsheng Heavy Industries Group, the country’s largest private shipbuilder, expects to report a substantial full-year loss just months after it appealed to the government for financial help, reports Reuters. Analysts have indicated that the company could be the biggest casualty of a local shipbuilding industry suffering from overcapacity and shrinking orders amid a global shipping downturn. Greek shipowner DryShips Inc.
Port of Houston Install Versiant Mobile Software Solution
Global maritime IT services company, Versiant, says that its Lynx™ mobile software solution has been installed by the Port of Houston Authority (PHA) providing real-time accurate information for their customers at Barbours Cut and Bayport Terminals. By this means, customers are now able to verify container availability, view vessel schedules, review bookings and retrieve gate EIRs prior to arriving at the terminal, with an intuitive user interface, simply by using virtually any mobile device.
Bourbon CEO Christian Lefèvre Continues the Good Work
Bourbon inform that on the recommendation of the Nominating, Compensation and Governance Committee, the Board of Directors has decided to reappoint Christian Lefèvre as Chief Executive Officer from January 1, 2014 for a 3 year period. Christian Lefèvre is also serving as Board Member, and on his proposal the Board of Directors has also decided to reappoint
 Gaël Bodénès and Laurent Renard as Executive Vice-Presidents for the same length of period.
Canadian Drydocking Contracts Placed for Two Coast Guard Ships
The Canadian government has announced the award of two contracts totaling $1.1M to Northern Transportation Company Limited for Vessel Life Extension refit work to Canadian Coast Guard ships 'CCGS Dumit' and 'CCGS Eckaloo'. These two vessels, based in Hay River, provide Aid to Navigation services on the Mackenzie River. Vessel condition surveys are being conducted on the CCGS Dumit and CCGS Eckaloo…
U.S. Navy Orders 100 HSMSTs from Silver Ships
Silver Ships, Inc. said it has been awarded a firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contract for the construction of High Speed Maneuverable Surface Targets (HSMSTs). The U.S. Navy maintains an inventory of HSMST’s to be utilized mainly for weapon system test and evaluation and fleet training exercises at nine seaborne target operating activities (ranges). This effort of 100 HSMSTs also includes trailers…
Diana Shipping Fined $1.1 Million
Diana Shipping Inc. today announced that its subsidiary, Diana Shipping Services S.A. (DSS), was sentenced by the United States District Court in Norfolk, Virginia to a fine of $1…
ASMAR Uses FORAN for New Research Vessel
FORAN has been the CAD/CAM System used by the Chilean shipyard ASMAR in the development of an Oceanographic and Fisheries Research Vessel, a state of the art design built for worldwide oceanographic and fishing service and geological research. The vessel, Cabo de Hornos, has been already delivered. With a length overall of 74.1 m, breadth molded of 15.6 m and depth to main deck of 8.5 m, the vessel can reach a speed of 14.3 knots, with accommodation for 68 persons.
Australian Navy Modernizes Ship Color Scheme
The Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, has announced that the Navy will progressively change the color of its surface fleet to meet modern war-fighting and regional environmental conditions. While not normally apparent to the bystander, the recent International Fleet Review with 17 international ships visibly demonstrated that color schemes do vary significantly between nations. These are mainly…
Liebherr Boosts Middle East Cargo Handling
Recent orders for Liebherr Mobile Harbor Cranes (LHM) from the Middle East include two LHMs and the first LiSIM LHM550 unit for the region, paving the way for state-of-the-art crane operator training. Additionally, one Liebherr Reachstacker has been delivered to the region. Traditionally, the Middle East/India/Africa region (MIA) has represented a very important market for Liebherr Mobile Harbor Cranes (LHM). In 2013 alone, Liebherr counted more than 40 mobile harbor crane sales.
Navis Installs Chinese Language DP Simulator at Dalian University
Finnish-headquartered Navis has installed and commissioned its first dynamic positioning (DP) simulator with Chinese language interface, at the renowned Dalian Maritime University, one the world’s largest training facilities for seafarers. “The successful implementation marks a major step forward in China for maritime training programs for future DP operators and watch-keeping officers alike, and the…
Today in U.S. Naval History: December 5
Today in U.S. Naval History - December 5 1843 - Launching of USS Michigan at Erie, Penn., America's first iron-hulled warship, as well as first prefabricated ship. 1941 - USS Lexington (CV-2) sails with Task Force 12 to ferry Marine aircraft to Midway, leaving no carriers at Pearl Harbor. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.
Armed Guards Allowed aboard French, Japanese Ships
In response to the ongoing threat of piracy in shipping, France and Japan are allowing armed guards on their ships, said U.K. maritime security company GoAGT. Gerry Northwood OBE, Chief Operating Officer for the company, said, “Countries that have not adopted these procedures yet should do so if the world’s shipping routes are to remain safe. The introduction of a change in law regarding armed guards…
Intertanko Welcomes IMO Resolution on Ballast Water Management
Intertanko welcomes the agreement reached this week by the IMO’s Member States in revising the implementation schedule for the Ballast Water Management Convention…
Water Mist Systems – Inspection and Verification
Within the last year, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) has issued several port state control (PSC) detentions due to inoperative water mist systems on vessels trading to the US. In nearly every case, the water supply valve was found to be in the closed position during the PSC examination, essentially making the water mist system “not readily available for immediate use.” In many of the cases, the…
Pronautas Equips CFL Fleet with VSAT
Dutch shipping company CFL has chosen Pronautas to implement the proven Ku-Band VSAT connectivity solutions on all vessels in their fleet. Headquartered in Amsterdam and well known for its innovative market approach, CFL owns and operates a fleet of young and flexible eco-friendly multi-purpose vessels. Pronautas was selected to provide the VSAT solution thanks to its experience and competence in connectivity solutions, satellite communications, navigation systems and full service support.
Return of the Electric Boat
In the 1880s it was possible to cruise your way around London by an electric ferry on the River Thames. At its height, the river carried 13 launches, each measuring 28 ft. long. They glided along at five knots and had a range of about 60 miles. Each launch carried one ton of storage batteries hidden underneath the passenger seats. Charging stations were even placed along the river so these electric launches could continue up and down unhindered.
CTI Marine Expand with New U.K. Office
CTI Corporate Travel International, the £100 million company formed by the acquisition of Hotelscene by the TD Travel Group, continues its expansion with the opening of new marine travel office in Hull. CTI Marine is the specialist maritime travel division of CTI. The company are one of only a handful who can offer exclusive travel fares to companies in the maritime, energy and security sectors. The…
Safariland Appoints Kubasik to Board of Directors
Maui Acquisition Corp, the parent corporation of The Safariland Group, a global provider of a diverse range of safety and survivability products designed for the public safety, military, professional and outdoor markets has announced the appointment of Christopher E. Kubasik to its Board of Directors effective immediately. In addition to serving on the Board, Mr. Kubasik will also serve as the Chairman of the Company’s Audit Committee.
Pull the Handle Down...
One of the most effective and easiest fuel reduction operations is reducing the engine power by reducing the speed of a vessel. Out of the total operational costs of a vessel, fuel costs account for, by far, the highest proportion. When fuel prices soared, the technical experts of one of the world’s biggest shipping companies set about to solve the problem, and slowing down was the solution they devised.