US Secretary of Interior Honors BOEM Ocean Research Teams
Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell has presented the 'Partners in Conservation Awards' to two science teams conducting ocean research sponsored by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) at a Department of the Interior ceremony. The research involved collaboration with about two-dozen federal, academic and private sector partners over the past four years through the bureau’s Environmental Studies Program…
Court Delivers Blow to Alaskan Arctic Oil Prospectors
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has issued a ruling against the Department of Interior and oil companies including Shell in favor of environmental and Alaska Native groups and concluded the federal government failed to properly evaluate the scale of oil production that could result from offshore lease sales in 2008, reports Anchorage Daily News. According to groups cited…
Ship Operating Costs 2013 Held Steady Despite the Odds ...
Judging by the findings of Drewry Maritime Research’s latest 'Ship Operating Costs Annual Review and Forecast' , ship operators were able to keep increases in operating costs in 2013 quite low – with increases in total costs typically ranging between 1.0-2.5% depending on the sector in question – despite 2013 being another difficult year for most. Commenting on the latest findings Nigel Gardiner, Managing Director…
Delaware River Dredge Contract for GLDD
Great Lakes Dredge and Dock (GLDD) LLC, Oak Brook, Ill., has been awarded a contract by the US Army Corps of Engineers for deepening the Delaware River main channel. The Department of Defense adds that Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $14,177,652 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is Nov. 30, 2014. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation is the largest provider of dredging services in the United States and the only U.S.
Great Lakes Icebreaking: Important Safety Message
Canadian Coast Guard and/or United States Coast Guard will be conducting icebreaking operations as they escort the laker MV Algomarine from Lake Michigan into Lake Huron, including Georgian Bay, where it will travel to Owen Sound for a winter lay-up. Operations for these areas are expected to take place on January 25 and 26, 2014. However, dates and routes are subject to change with little or no notice due to weather, ice conditions, shipping schedules or other unexpected situations.
Port Competition & Commercial Risk Assessment: BMT Launch New Tools
BMT Asia Pacific (BMT) have launched Port Choice Model and Port 360° to evaluate the competitive advantage of a given port within its environment. BMT explain that they developed the tools following years of academic research and professional consultancy assisting governments and stakeholders. The tools uniquely apply both quantitative and qualitative methodology and measure a spectrum of criteria, defined by leading economists and technical port experts.
Crude Oil Carriers DHT Report Favourable Wind in Q4 2013
Oslo, Norway-based DHT Holdings, Inc. reports fourth quarter 2013 results and the acquisition of two VLCCs. EBITDA for the quarter of $18.9 million and net income for the quarter of $11.5 million ($0.48 per share) including $15.4 million in revenue related final settlement of sale of OSG claim. The Company will pay a dividend of $0.02 per common share for the quarter payable on February 13, 2014 for shareholders of record as of February 6, 2014.
Vigor to Build Three Tugboats for Tidewater
Vigor Fab has been awarded a contract by Tidewater Barge Lines of Vancouver, Wash, to construct 3 new tugboats. Construction of the first tug will start on Jan. 24, 2014, with the keel laying (the formal recognition of the start of a ship’s construction) at Vigor’s facility in Portland. Vigor explain that while Tidewater has rebuilt and repowered several of the vessels in its fleet, these tugs will be the first newly built vessels for the company in nearly 30 years.
Bridge Damage Stops Barge Traffic on Ark. River
The Associated Press reported that barge traffic has ceased on the Arkansas River after damage was discovered on a bridge in western Arkansas. Officials say bridge…
Hapag-Lloyd, CSAV Advance Merger Negotiations
Talks between German containership company Hapag-Lloyd and Chilean fellow shipping company Cia. Sud Americana de Vapores SA (CSAV) about combining the container liner shipping activities are entering the next phase, Hapag-Lloyd said in a press release today. Both companies have signed a nonbinding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). As the next step, the due diligence will take place, after which a binding contract could follow, Hapag-Lloyd said.
UK Secretary of State Visits UKMCC
The Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP called on the UKMCC headquarters in order to meet personnel and receive briefings on the U.K.’s naval mission in the Gulf. He was accompanied throughout by Lieutenant General Simon Mayall CB, Defense Senior Advisor Middle East. Commenting on his visit, Hammond said, "The Royal Navy's continued presence in the Gulf is essential to ensuring maritime security and to protect freedom of navigation in this important region.
Coast Guard Assists Grounded Cargo Ship
The Philippine Coast Guard said its personnel in Cebu rendered assistance to a cargo vessel that ran aground at the vicinity waters of Madridejos, Bantayan Island last Sunday, January 19.
First Harvey Gulf LNG OSV Launched by GCSG
Gulf Coast Shipyard Group (GCSG) has launched of the first of six Harvey Gulf International Marine 302’ x 64’ Dual Fuel Offshore Supply Vessels. Incorporating breakthrough clean-burning LNG technology, these vessels position Harvey Gulf as the leader in the environmental application of liquefied natural gas and demonstrates GCSG’s ability to meet marketplace demand. Harvey Gulf CEO, Shane J. Guidry…
Pope Francis Advocates for Seafarer Support
Pope Francis has addressed the Regional Coordinators of the Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) who are meeting in Rome this week. The meeting is organized by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, which coordinates the activities of AoS worldwide. The gathering will discuss the work of AoS worldwide and how to better communicate its ministry within AoS’ global organization, to seafarers and to the wider Catholic community.
Pilot Ladder Compliancy Notice Issued
The United Kingdom Maritime Pilots’ Association (UKMPA) has issued a notice relating to securing arrangements for pilot ladders. Suspending pilot ladders from deck tongues or hooks imposes loads on the ladders which they are not normally designed to withstand. There is also a risk of pilot ladders which are secured in this way becoming detached from deck tongues or hooks when in use. Securing arrangements…
Australian Navy Surveys Antarctica
The Royal Australian Navy’s Deployable Geospatial Survey Team returned from a six-week Antarctic expedition to collect essential data for navigational charts and scientific research. The team sailed from Hobart in RSV Aurora Australis on December 11, 2013 to conduct a hydrographic survey in the vicinity of Casey Station, a permanent base in Antarctica managed by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD).
Zamakona Delivers Ro-Ro Ramp to TCT
This past Wednesday, January 15, Zamakona Yards carried out the load testing and delivery of the movable ramp for the roll on roll off dock built for the Container Terminal of Tenerife (OHL Group). Zamakona said the elevating structure is the only of its kind in the Canary Islands, permitting a more versatile use of the pier since it will only be employed when vessels with rolling stock arrive (Ro-Ro), permitting the use of the dock for conventional vessels at other times.
Bangkok Ports Operational Despite State of Emergency
Operations at Bangkok's ports and airports are continuing as normal and without any disruption, despite the announcement this week that a State of Emergency has been imposed.
Lankhorst Wins Big Spar Mooring Contract
Offshore rope manufacturer Lankhorst Ropes has been awarded a contract by Hyundai Heavy Industries and Technip USA consortium (HHITECH) to supply the mooring lines for Statoil’s Aasta Hansteen Spar platform to be located in the Norwegian sector of the Norwegian Sea. According to Lankhorst, it is the largest single order for deepwater mooring ropes, and believed to be the largest ever order in the global synthetic fiber rope industry.
Finnish Transport Agency Orders Icebreaker
Arctech Helsinki Shipyard will build the new icebreaker for the Finnish Transport Agency. The Finnish Transport Agency informed about the results of the tendering process on January 22, 2014.
