ABB's OCTOPUS Helps Keep Heavyweight Semi-Submersibles Safe
80% of the world’s semi-submersible heavy-lift vessels are equipped with motion monitoring and decision support systems says ABB, including the 'Dockwise Vanguard' recently contracted to lift and carry off the 'Costa Concordia'. Offshore oil and gas platforms and floating production centers are getting bigger and heavier, and the ships that transport them across the oceans of the world are getting bigger and heavier as well.
Viking Supply Ships Ink Long Term AHTS Charters
Viking Supply Ships has entered into a contract with a major oil company for the charter of the AHTS-vessels “Loke Viking”, “Magne Viking”, “Brage Viking” and “Balder Viking”. The contract applies to the drilling seasons 2014 and 2015, with options for the drilling seasons 2016 and 2017. The drilling season is expected to commence around April / May each year. The total value of the contract’s firm period including mobilization fee is around MUSD 120.
Iraqi Port of Basra Container Terminal Opens
NAWAH Port Management (NPM), a business unit of North America Western Asia Holdings (NAWAH), in partnership with the General Company for Ports of Iraq, has launched the first phase of a containerized terminal at Al Maqal Port, also known as the Port of Basra. The opening ceremony marked the completion of an essential yearlong phase for NAWAH and the modernization project for Al Maqal, culminating in the initiation of commercial operations at the newly containerized Berth 14.
China's Pingtan Sells Subsidiary Companies to Chairman
Nasdaq-listed Pingtan Marine Enterprise Ltd. (PME) is to sell its 100% owned dredging subsidiary, China Dredging Group and its PRC operating subsidiaries, Fujian Xing Gang Port Service Co., Ltd.
UK Shipyard Gives Grads Workplace Experience
A&P North East Shipyard recently welcomed graduates for work placements alongside staff in the Health and Safety, Environmental and Quality divisions of the company. The programme dates back to 2009 when A&P North East were approached by London Offshore Consultants Limited to see if the yard could help them with work-placed visits for graduates. By providing young people with this opportunity it was seen as an opportunity to bridge the gap between education and working sites.
Mystery Barges Emerge on Both US Coasts
Two cargo barges have popped up on either coast of the country, prompting wild rumors about whether Google is behind the floating enigmas and what projects could possibly be in store, reports the Christian Science Monitor. On the edge of Treasure Island, an old Navy base in the San Francisco Bay, the 250-foot long, 72-foot wide, four-story tall cargo barge with the registration BAL 0010 is not open to the public, and is heavily guarded at all times.
First German LNG Ferry to be Constructed by Fassmer
Fassmer Shipyard has been commissioned to design and build the new dual-fuelled Heligoland ferry for Cassen Eils – the first new building under the German flag – equipped with environmentally friendly LNG propulsion that will enable conformity to forthcoming emission control regulations. The nearly 80-meter-long vessel builds on proven features of Helgoland ships operated by Cassen Eils GmbH, and will have a speed of 20 knots.
Keith Michel Installed as President of Webb Institute
Retired Chairman of the Board of the Herbert Engineering Group of Companies and Webb Institute alumnus, R. Keith Michel (Webb ’73) was inaugurated as the 15th president of Webb Institutein a private ceremony set on campus. Mr. Michel's inuauguration followed the retirement of RADM Robert C. Olsen, Jr. USCG (Ret.), who filled the role for eight years. “Keith is highly regarded throughout the marine industry and will be an asset to Webb Institute,” said outgoing President Olsen.
Canada Makes MLC Real, Detains Another Ship
The ITF in Canada has been making full use of new rights for seafarers to ensure fair treatment and pay. A Japanese-owned, Panama-flagged bulk carrier became the…
China Shipyard Delivers Drill Rig 'Sevan Louisiana'
COSCO (Qidong) Offshore Co.,has delivered the third Sevan 650 Ultra-Deepwater Cylindrical Drilling Rig it has built for Sevan Drilling. The Sevan Louisiana, measuring 99 meters in LOA, 75 meters in breadth and 24.5 meters in depth, has a working depth of 3,800 meters and drilling depth of 12,000 meters. The deep water drilling rig and will start the transit to the US Gulf of Mexico, and is expected to commence operation for LLOG Bluewatert owards the end of Q1 2014…
STX Arctech Helsinki Shipyard Sale to USC Russia
The Russian state-owned shipbuilding firm USC has confirmed it will take full ownership of the financially challenged Arctech Helsinki shipyard from its current owner, the Korean company STX, according ot the Finnish newspaper Yle. United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) already holds a 50 percent stake in Arctech, and will now take full control when it buys out STX, says Yle, referring to a report in the Russian newspaper Kommersant.
Scorpio Tankers Dispose VLGC Newbuild Contracts to Dorian LPG
Dorian LPG Ltd. has entered into an agreement with Scorpio Tankers Inc. whereby Scorpio Tankers will contribute its entire Very Large Gas Carrier ("VLGC") newbuilding contracts, together with a cash contribution of $1.9 million, in exchange for newly issued shares representing 30% of Dorian's pro-forma outstanding shares immediately following the transaction. As of the date of the transaction, Scorpio Tankers will have paid $83.1 million in installment payments for the 11 VLGC contracts.
LAGCOE 2013 Expo Attendance Breaks All Records
Louisiana Gulf Coast Oil Exposition (LAGCOE) 2013 recently welcomed more than 17,000 attendees from 47 states and 43 countries to the Cajundome & Convention Center in Lafayette, La. The record breaking number of attendees viewed 416 exhibits and participated in nine technical presentations and eight international presentations over the three day period. Angela Cring, LAGCOE executive director, said: “"We were very happy to welcome a record breaking crowd to LAGCOE 2013.
Lubricant Specialist Bel-Ray Partners Overtons
Bel-Ray Company, Inc. announces an agreement with Overton’s, the leading watersports dealer, in which Overton’s will distribute Bel-Ray’s performance-enhancing marine oils and lubricants. Bel-Ray’s recent launch of their line of specialty Marine Lubricants draws upon a 50+ year history of producing marine lubricants. These items have been sold worldwide to organizations ranging from the United States Navy to the largest and most prestigious manufacturers of outboard…
Standard Club to Host MLC Seminar in Istanbul
The Standard Club will address an audience of over 120 Turkish shipowner representatives and brokers on the Maritime Labor Convention (MLC) at a seminar at the Turkish…
Kiel-Canal Closed Due to Collision
Due to a collision of two vessels at Brunsbttel on the western end of Kiel-Canal between siding Kudensee and Brunsbüttel Innerharbour, the Kiel-Canal has been closed since 3:45 a.m. local time October 28 . Salvage operation are ordered, and westbound vessels presently inside the Kiel-Canal are stopped. The period of closure is presently unknown. gac.com
Unique Seaflex Completes 30,000 Bags
Unique Seaflex, a Unique Maritime Group company, completed the manufacturing of its 30,000th bag on the October 28, 2013. Seaflex is a manufacturer of heavy duty flexible structures. It designs, builds and maintains the internationally accepted, accredited and well proven range of air lift bags as well as a comprehensive range of water filled test weights. It is one of the smallest bags in the selection…
Port of Redwood City Receives Homeland Security Grant
The Port of Redwood City has received a U.S. Department of Homeland Security grant that will enable it to conduct maritime security training and exercise planning to remain compliant with U.S. Coast Guard regulations and to protect port personnel, property and cargo. The aim of the training is to build up to a full-scale exercise, one that tests the port's ability to react to incidents such as breaches of security or natural disasters.
InfraCal Meter Measures Soot in Diesel Engine Oils
The InfraCal Soot Meter, from Wilks, provides users with a rapid, onsite ASTM Method D7686 for measuring soot concentration levels in diesel engine oils. Soot levels as high as 12-15% are easily measured in 30 seconds. This compact, pushbutton analyzer provides direct readout of the percent of suspended carbon (soot) in the diesel engine lubricating oil without sample preparation, dilution, or solvents and messy transmission cells to clean.
U.S., Canadian Coast Guards Locate Overdue Boater
A U.S. Coast Guard air crew assisted the Canadian Coast Guard in locating an overdue boater early Monday morning in the vicinity of Bassett Island in northeastern Lake St. Clair. Just before midnight Sunday, a search-and-rescue controller at the Coast Guard 9th District command center, was contacted by a SAR controller at JRCC Trenton, requesting assistance with locating an overdue boater, who was last known to be setting fish nets in Lake St. Clair.
