China Court Releases Japanese Ship After Payment
A Chinese court said on Thursday that it has released a ship owned by Japanese shipping firm Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd, which had been seized in a contract dispute, after the Japanese firm paid up.
Mitsui Pays $40 Mln Compensation After Seizure
Japanese shipping firm Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd has paid about 4 billion yen ($39 million) in settlement to China as compensation stemming from a wartime contractual obligation…
Explosion Rocks Natural Gas Processing Plant In Wyoming
An explosion on Wednesday rocked a natural gas-processing plant in Wyoming that can churn out about 2 percent of the daily U.S. gas supply, though no injuries were reported.
Global Shipping Exposed to Cyber Threats
The next hacker playground: the open seas - and the oil tankers and container vessels that ship 90 percent of the goods moved around the planet. In this internet age, as more devices are hooked up online, so they become more vulnerable to attack. As industries like maritime and energy connect ships, containers and rigs to computer networks, they expose weaknesses that hackers can exploit. Hackers recently shut down a floating oil rig by tilting it…
US Navy Completes Korea Ferry SAR Mission
With concurrence from South Korean commanders, the U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) is departing waters around Jindo, South Korea April 22 after assisting with search and rescue operations near the site of the Korean passenger ferry Sewol. The completion of Bonhomme Richard's search and rescue mission comes after South Korean military leaders determined that current resources…
Claxton’s Camera Upgrade Puts Crane Safety in Focus
Claxton Engineering Services Ltd, an Acteon company, launched the latest version for its ATEX and safe-area crane boom cameras to improve operational safety through substantial upgrades in camera performance and its user interface. Enhancements to the camera, which according to Claxton is one in a range of best-in-class subsea and surface cameras, include state-of-the-art charge-coupled device (CCD) modules…
Newport News, ODU Partner for Bachelor's Degree Program
Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced today that apprentices at Newport News Shipbuilding will now have the opportunity to earn a bachelor of science degree while completing a marine engineer apprenticeship, thanks to a partnership between The Apprentice School and Old Dominion University (ODU). The new program allows apprentices to earn a mechanical or electrical engineering degree from ODU while gaining related on-the-job engineering experience in manufacturing…
Maritime Reporter @ 75: The Daily Cartoon
Maritime Reporter & Engineering News was founded by John J. O'Malley (1905-1980) in 1939, and today ranks as the world's largest audited trade publication in the world serving the maritime industry, with a circulation of more than 35,000 worldwide, including ship and boat owners, ship and boat builders, naval architects and marine engineers. Today Maritime Reporter heads a group of four print and 10 websites serving the global maritime, offshore and subsea sector.
Heroic Titanic Engineer’s Memorial Restored
Joseph Bell, the Chief Engineer aboard RMS Titanic, is considered national hero for his actions in the ship’s engine room as she met her fate on April 15, 1912. In acts of fearless self sacrifice, Bell, along with his fellow engineers, courageously fought to maintain the ship’s power systems, even when they learned all was lost. Though most of these men died, firsthand accounts revealed their bravery helped to save many lives.
Euronav Posts 62% Core Profit Increase
Belgian crude oil shipping group Euronav on Wednesday unveiled a 62 percent rise in first-quarter core profit as daily rates for its fleet rebounded from last year. Euronav said that while rates were very volatile in the first three months of 2014, they had improved from the first quarter of 2013 when excess capacity on the oil tanker market had kept prices low. The group said it expected this trend…
Marine Toilet Features Simple Installation
The new straightforward design of Raritan's SeaEra QC toilet is engineered to ensure simple installation onboard a vessel. It also gives boat owners a choice of controls for maximum flexibility. SeaEra QC electric marine toilets come in two models. The Freshwater Solenoid type has a Whisper Flush design for quiet operation. According to the manufacturer, it offers the benefits of less maintenance and fewer odors than with raw water models, as well as low power consumption.
Huge Iceberg Broken off Antarctica Heads for Open Ocean
Scientists are monitoring an iceberg roughly six times the size of Manhattan - one of the largest now in existence - that broke off from an Antarctic glacier and is heading into the open ocean. NASA glaciologist Kelly Brunt said on Wednesday the iceberg covers about 255 square miles (660 square km) and is up to a third of a mile (500 meters) thick. Known as B31, the iceberg separated from Antarctica's Pine Island Glacier last November, Brunt added.
Today in U.S. Naval History: April 23
Today in U.S. Naval History: April 23 1917 - Launching of USS New Mexico, first dreadnought with turboelectric drive 1918 - USS Stewart destroys German submarine off France 1945 - In only U.S. use of guided missiles in WW II, 2 BAT missiles release at Balikiapan, Borneo 1956 - Project Vanguard, earth satellite launching program, assigned to DCNO (Air) For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.
Offshore Oil & Gas: Brazil’s Northern Frontier
In an effort to spread out oil and gas production to other parts of the country and increase overall oil production, Brazil has finally intensified hydrocarbon exploration…
ABS Approves Design for GTTNA’s LNG Bunker Barge
GTT North America (GTTNA), the Houston-based subsidiary of French engineering and technology company Gaztransport & Technigaz SA (GTT), received approval in principle from ABS for the design of a 2,200 cu.m. liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker barge. The design incorporates GTT’s membrane Cargo Containment System (CCS), which is used in 70% of the global LNG carrier fleet and nearly 90% of LNG carrier projects on order.
Modern Solutions Power Systems Conference
Thomas Alva Edison, who is considered to be one of the most prolific inventors in history, once said, “I find out what the world needs. Then I go ahead and try to invent it.” His invention of the long-lasting electric light bulb was exactly what the world needed and has revolutionized the way we live today. Since then, the explosive growth of the electric power industry has brought about as many challenges as it has accomplishments.
Navios Time Charters Two Product Tankers
Navios Maritime Acquisition Corporation, an owner and operator of tanker vessels, has announced that the Nave Equinox and the Nave Pulsar have been chartered out…
Cool Runnings: R.W. Fernstrum's Engineered Solutions
A hallmark of the global maritime industry is the proliferation of smaller, family founded and managed businesses. R.W. Fernstrum is one such company: a ubiquitous presence for more than 65 years providing engineered cooling solutions to maritime and offshore markets. MR went to Menominee, MI, to meet with Sean Fernstrum and his team for insights on the unique products it produces and the markets it serves. R.W.
RINA Launches Notation for Eco-ships
International classification society RINA has launched a new voluntary notation to clearly identify new ship designs which meet eco-ship criteria. The Efficient Ship notation is granted to ships and new designs assessed by RINA to have very high overall efficiency of engines, a lower fuel demand at owner defined speed, deadweight higher than the average for the particular type of ship and a system to monitor their performance during their life.
Safety the Focus as Heavy Lifting Picks Up
Heavy lift operations offshore are an awe-inspiring feat, but an operation that requires consistent monitoring of man, machine and procedure to ensure they are conducted in as an efficient and safe manner as possible. Due to a growing focus on safety related to subsea lifting operations, DNV GL recently established a Joint Industry Project (JIP) to develop practical methods for reducing the risks and lifetime cost of steel wire ropes for subsea lifting applications…