Ice-breaking on Alpena Harbor
The U.S. Coast Guard issued a release advising residents of Alpena, Mich., that the commercial tug Manitou is scheduled to break ice in the Alpena Harbor near the LaFarge facility…
Newbuild Catamaran Passenger Vessel for Sale
Incat Crowther announced that a 25m Catamaran Passenger Vessel is under construction at Aluminium Marine in Brisbane and available for purchase. The vessel is based on the Spirit of Queenstown, also built by Aluminium Marine, launched in 2013. The vessel is compliant with Australian NSCV code for vessels under 24m and under 25 knots. According to Incat Crowther, like all Aluminium Marine vessels, including Fantasea Sunrise…
Long Beach Cargo Import Dips in February
Import volume was down 2.7 percent, while exports were up 2.1 percent at the Port of Long Beach in February, compared to the same month last year. Overall cargo volume dipped 2.6 percent due to an 8.3 percent decline in empty containers. A total of 517,173 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) moved through the Port of Long Beach during February. Imports numbered 271,671 TEUs, down 2.7 percent from 2013. Exports rose 2.1 percent to 143,572 containers.
EU Supports African Maritime Administrations
The European Union (EU) is funding a €1.2 million grant contract, signed between IMO and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) to support training…
Wärtsilä to Retrofit Two Ferries with New Ballast Water Solution
Two Ro-Ro ferries owned by U.K.-based Condor Ferries are to be retrofitted with Wärtsilä's new AQUARIUS READY ballast water management system (BWMS) solution. The AQUARIUS READY concept has been developed by Wärtsilä to prepare vessels for the fitting of BWMS, while minimizing vessel downtime, thereby enabling more efficient operations. The contract was signed in February 2014 and the final equipment…
SENER Announces Eighth FORAN Users Meeting
SENER announces the eighth edition of the FORUM (FORAN Users Meeting), that will take place from June 11-13, 2014 at Parador de la Granja de San Ildefonso located in Segovia, Spain.
Decom North Sea to Host “Lunch and Learn”
Decom North Sea (DNS), the offshore oil and gas decommissioning forum, is hosting a “lunch and learn” event to give supply chain companies the opportunity to present their offshore decommissioning capabilities and encourage knowledge share among members. The event will take place on Wednesday, March 19, at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, Aberdeen, from 12-2 p.m. The event will include a presentation from Claxton Engineering…
Tete Bridge Closed Following Vessel Collision
The U.S. Coast Guard issued temporary regulations for commercial marine traffic on the Lower Grande River affected by the Gross Tete bridge closure, Tuesday. Watchstanders…
Today in U.S. Naval History: March 18
Today in U.S. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.
KR Donates Software to World Maritime University
The Korean Register (KR), an IACS member classification society, announced that it has again donated its award winning KR-CON software to students at the World Maritime University (WMU).
New Liferaft for Offshore Platforms
Survitec Group is announcing a new davit-launched liferaft aimed at meeting the escape and survival needs of workers, passengers and crew on offshore platforms or high freeboard vessels. The liferafts are the newest addition to the comprehensive range of escape slides and rafts manufactured under the SurvitecZodiac brand, and incorporate the latest expertise and innovation in escape equipment design and technology.
Lack of Ice-Breakers Delays Great Lakes Shipping
With the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway facing the thickest and broadest ice cover in years, the Canadian Shipowners Association (CSA) is extremely concerned that Canada's ice-breakers will not be able to create and maintain the routes needed to move key cargo to Canadian and American industries. The Canadian Coast Guard is doing its utmost to work with resources across a large geographical area subject to heavy ice…
Crewtoo Launches Online Maritime Jobs Board
Crewtoo, an online network dedicated to seafarers, launched an online maritime jobs board. Founded by KVH Media Group, part of KVH Industries, Inc. (KVHI), Crewtoo…
Industry Targets Improved Offshore Leak Detection
Leak detection is a considerable challenge facing the industry, and DNV GL has therefore taken the lead in establishing a new Joint Industry Project (JIP). Twenty key industry players are partnering to develop a best practice for designing and implementing offshore leak detection systems. Over the last few years, following several oil releases, there has been an increasing focus by both operators and authorities on the environmental impact related to offshore oil and gas activities.
US Navy Ship Pulls out of MH370 Search
The U.S. Navy announced that its ship USS Kidd and MH-60R helicopters will detach from the MH370 search and rescue (SAR) effort as of March 18 after searching a combined 15,000 square miles of the Andaman Sea since March 10. The decision was made in consultation with Malaysia’s government, the U.S. Navy said in a news release. So far no debris or wreckage associated with the missing aircraft was found, the Navy said. "The dedication of this crew is amazing.
Port of Hamburg Offers Environmental Discount
The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) said its dedication to pursuing the highest standards of safety, quality and environmental protection led them to joining the Green Award scheme as an incentive provider for seagoing ships. From 2014, oil, product and chemical tankers, LNG and, after a launch of the certification program later this year, LPG carriers, that hold the Green Award certificate are eligible for a 3% reduction in port fees when calling at the port of Hamburg.
Drilling Tools International Acquires Reamco
Hicks Equity Partners (HEP), a private equity firm led by the Thomas O. Hicks family, announced that its portfolio company, Directional Rentals, Inc., has acquired Reamco, Inc., a company based in Lafayette, La., that manufactures, rents and refurbishes downhole drilling tools and related products used in the drilling industry. Directional Rentals, Inc., an oilfield services company, has also been…
Neptune Adds Staff in Asia
Neptune announced that Graham Storey has joined its team representing Asian and South East Asian clients. Graham has shipping industry experience in Singapore and will be working closely with Neptune’s representatives in Japan and Asia. Additionally, Neptune has moved its ISO 9001:2008 certification to LRQA, who certified the company to ISO PAS 28007 in January this year.
Jack-Up Barge Debuts New Offshore Installation Method
Jack-Up Barge, the offshore self-elevating platform supplier, has pioneered a new cost-effective installation method that the company said will revolutionize offshore wind turbine construction. The Netherlands-based based company, a supplier to the offshore energy markets, successfully completed seatrials at the beginning of March, on a new, first-of-its-kind, portable DP2 system. The new system, integrated to one of Jack-Up Barge’s platforms…
First Twin Axe Delivery for Njord Offshore
Njord Offshore from Essex, U.K., have taken delivery of their first 26m Twin Axe built by Damen Shipyards Group. The vessel was ordered early January 2014, and the delivery took place on February 27. During this seven-week period, the vessel was modified from a basic, standard vessel to suit the specific Njord Offshore requirements. Njord Offshore, established in 2011, focuses on the Offshore Wind industry and operates vessels ranging from 21-26m.