Austal Launches USNS Fall River
On January 16, 2014, Austal USA successfully completed the launch process of the USNS Fall River (JHSV 4). Recently christened, this 103-meter high-speed catamaran represents the U.S. Department of Defense’s next generation multiuse platform. It is part of a 10-ship program, the funds for all of which have been appropriated, worth over $1.6 billion. The launch of USNS Fall River was conducted in a…
d’Amico Launches New Eco-Ship Designs
Highly efficient vessels surpassing international standards defined by new legislation for “eco-ships” have been designed, widely anticipating the CO2 emissions limits that will be implemented from January 1, 2025. The d’Amico Group, one of the world's leaders within the international shipping industry, launched four new state of the art “eco-ship” vessels today in Ulsan, Korea, designed in collaboration with the Hyundai Mipo Dockyard.
Shell Updates 2013 Reults
Royal Dutch Shell plc has updated its expected 2013 results. Fourth quarter 2013 figures, which are expected to be published on January 30, 2014 , are expected to be significantly lower than recent levels of profitability, considering current oil and gas prices and the downstream oil products industry environment. Shell’s fourth quarter 2013 earnings on a current cost of supplies (CCS) basis excluding…
Mirage Reports Sales Increase in 2013
Mirage Machines, an Acteon company, received a significant uplift in sales last year due to ongoing targeted online lead generation campaigns. Specialist engineering company Mirage, based in Derby U.K., supply high spec on-site machines to companies around the world, specializing in pipe maintenance and hot tapping equipment for the oil and gas industry. Mirage launched a new website in early 2013…
Today in U.S. Naval History: January 17
Today in U.S. Naval History - January 17 1832- USS Peacock makes contact with Vietnamese court officials 1900 - U.S. (Cdr. Taussig in USS Bennington) takes formal possession of Wake Island 1955 - USS Nautilus (SSN-571), the first nuclear-powered submarine, casts off lines at 1100 and sends message "underway on nuclear power" For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.
Building Rig for Norwegian Conditions
Beacon Holdings Group has ordered a harsh environment semi-submersible GM4-D rig from Yantai CIMC Raffles. They have also secured an option to build a second rig from the shipyard. The rig they have ordered has been given the name Beacon Atlantic, and planned delivery is the fourth quarter of 2016. Beacon Atlantic will be built using the GM4-D-design cooperating with the shipyard and the designer Global Maritime.
Polar Code Focus at Arctic Conference
The Polar Code has been under development at the IMO for a considerable length of time but will reach fruition during 2014 after which it will be offered to the various nations to ratify. The Code seeks to provide a common reference for those ship owners, designers and – more importantly, perhaps – the ship users who will be operating inside the Arctic or Antarctic regions. The South Polar Region is…
Power Jacks Engineer Wins Apprentice Award
A young mechanical engineer has been recognized for her outstanding effort and achievement after winning a prestigious apprenticeship award from North East Scotland College. Alison Petrie, 20, from Maud, Aberdeenshire, works with global-leading engineering firm Power Jacks which is supporting her college studies to gain a Modern Apprenticeship in manufacturing and maintenance engineering. She was presented…
Navis to Supply Joystick System for Yacht Newbuild
Navis Engineering is to supply its JP4000 Joystick Control System to Drettmann Yachts for a 24m Explorer Series vessel under construction at Acico Yachts BV in Enkhuizen in the Netherlands. The yacht features unique electrical podded thrusters in both the stern azimuth and bow tunnels which dramatically reduce sound and vibration and the JP4000, adapted to individual customer requirements, adds greater control and flexibility when maneuvering or with the integrated autopilot at sea.
Clean Marine to Supply EGCS for Tanker Newbuilds
Clean Marine has been selected by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding in China to supply exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) for two 38,000 dwt. Chemical Tankers being built for Stolt Tankers and NYK Stolt Tankers. The two vessels are built in a series of six sister ships, where the remaining four vessels will be designed with the flexibility to add an EGCS at a later stage. The order will enable these new vessels to comply with sulphur emissions legislation without switching to more expensive fuels.
Somali Piracy Down, But Not Out
International Maritime Bureau reported that piracy is at a six year low, but maritime security company GoAGT said now it is not the time to lose focus on security…
Australian Icebreaker Assists Antarctic Research
Australian Antarctic icebreaker Aurora Australis has departed Casey research station to return to Australia. The ship weighed anchor to leave Casey at 1,600 hours (AEDST) carrying summer personnel, scientists and cargo for return to Australia. The 52 passengers rescued from the Akademik Shokalskiy, who have been well-cared for on board during resupply, are looking forward to the trip home. The journey…
First LNG-Powered Tugboat Sets Sails
M/T Borgøy, the world’s first tug to be fuelled by the much more environmentally friendly liquefied natural gas (LNG), designed by Norwegian Buksèr og Berging in-house team with the assistance of Marine Design AS in Norway, further developed by Sanmar’s modern shipyard in Istanbul, completed her sea trials successfully this month and started her maiden voyage to Norway on January 14. The engines, propulsion package and LNG system were delivered by Rolls Royce.
Verifier Training Guidance Published
The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) Competence Assurance & Assessment guidance, originally launched in January 1999 and regularly updated (last update 2012), is designed to facilitate improved safety in the offshore industry by providing a framework for IMCA’s marine contractor members to assess and demonstrate to other the competence of their safety-critical personnel. Now new associated guidance has been published for verifier training.
Emerson Wins Shell Prelude UPS Contract
Emerson Network Power, a US-based Emerson business, says it has been selected as the main uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems provider for Shell’s Prelude FLNG project, the world’s first floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) project, currently under construction in Korea for deployment to the Browse Basin off the coast of Western Australia. Emerson Network Power explain that they will help provide reliable standby power for critical process functions…
Syrian Chemical Arsenal Due for Italian Port Ship-to-Ship Transfer
The transfer of some 500 tons of Syria's chemical agents to the US special purpose vessel 'MV Cape Ray' will take place in the port of Gioia Tauro, reports Xinhua, citing a hearing before the Italian parliamentary commissions of foreign affairs and defence. The Syrian chemical arsenal aboard the Danish cargo vessel will be directly transfered to the U.S. ship MV Cape Ray through 60 containers and special equipment…
South Carolina Ports Project Funding Agreed by US Senate
The U.S. Senate has overwhelmingly passed the Omnibus appropriations bill, allowing key SC Ports Authority projects to proceed, says the Ports Authority. The bill was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives with support of five members of the South Carolina delegation, and it now goes to the President's desk for signature. The bill includes funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to continue its Feasibility Study of the Post-45 Harbor Deepening project…
Big Ship Newbuildings: Global Order Update
Container ship newbuildings figure most active in the latest weekly news from Clarkson Hellas, with the majority of orders placed with China and Korea shipbuilders. Clients of Diana Shipping reports Clarkson Hellas in its Weekly Bulletin have announced a further order for one 82,000 DWT Kamsarmax at Sinopacific’s Dayang facility. Based on the Sinopacific MHI 82 design, the vessel is planned for delivery in the second quarter of 2016.
Google Workers Get Free Ferry Rides to Work & Back
Google workers commuting from San Francisco to the company's Mountain View campus can now make the trip on an 83-foot, Wi-Fi-equipped catamaran. Google has launched a free ferry service from San Francisco's ferry terminal to the Port of Redwood City, where employees can hop a private bus to work, reports 'The Telegraph' via AP. Named the Triumphant the charter ferry can carry up to 150 passengers and runs twice each morning and evening…
Looking to Fix Spot Charter? Beware of Turkish Port Fraudsters
These frauds always emanate from Turkey and involve criminals purporting to be ship brokers and port agents. At present Signum say they are aware of at least twenty cases over the past eighteen months. The nature of the frauds are that non-existent cargo is offered to ship owners / managers at attractive rates, generally at a time when their vessel is 'spot' i.e. at a port without a cargo. The type of cargo offered varies but the favourites are cement, boilers and phosphate.
