Results Reveal Stong Year for Aberdeen Harbor
Aberdeen Harbor has reported its results for 2013, with vessel tonnage exceeding 28 million metric tons for the second year in succession, and nearly 4.9 million metric tons of cargo crossing the quayside. Strong activity across the Harbor’s customer base was reflected in its financial results for the year, with turnover up 1.1% to £27.6 million (2012: £27.3 million), delivering pretax profits of £9.6 million.
US Urges Dialogue in Chinese Oil Rig Dispute
The White House said on Wednesday that a dispute in the South China Sea over erection of a Chinese oil rig about 120 miles (193 km) off the Vietnam coast needs to be resolved through dialogue, not intimidation. Spokesman Jay Carney said the United States is not a party to the dispute but said President Barack Obama on a recent Asia tour had repeatedly stressed the need for peaceful dialogue on various disputes involving China and the South China Sea.
Port of Long Beach Expands Education Plan
The Port of Long Beach announced Tuesday, May 13, the award of education scholarships totaling $43,500 to 28 local high school and college students. At the same time, the Port introduced an expanded Education Outreach Plan at the “Celebrating Education Reception” held at the Museum of Latin American Art. The Education Outreach Plan, which was approved by the Board of Harbor Commissioners on Monday…
USCG Testing eATON in San Francisco Bay
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) said it is now testing 25 electronic aids to navigation (eATON) to augment existing physical aids and mark unique and potentially hazardous navigation features in the San Francisco Bay Area. Commonly referred to as “virtual” buoys, the eATON are being transmitted through the Coast Guard’s Nationwide Automatic Identification System (NAIS) for display on ships’ electronic charting systems and radars.
Workboat with MAN EPA Tier 3 Engine Launched in the US
"Ava Jane", was launched in Washington state on April 15 as the first workboat with a MAN EPA Tier 3 commercially certified engine. Right in time, the German engine manufacturer made its entire product line conform with the current emission standards, by optimizing the internal engine design without increasing its fuel consumption at full load. RDI Marine, MAN’s west coast distributor has been heavily involved in the workboat industry since the early 90’s.
Hamburg Hosts 12 Cruise Ships for Ports 825th Anniversary
Over the last weekend (May 9-11, 2014), 12 cruise ships visited the Port of Hamburg and were counted in total with 27 sail-by passages in front of the Landungsbrücken pontoons. Overall, 37,000 cruise passengers were handled during the three days of celebration. The cruise ships prominently showed themselves to the nearly one million visitors of the Port Anniversary, who were able to experience the ocean giants up close.
DNV GL Conducts HAZID for Methanol Carriers
DNV GL has conducted a risk assessment “hazard identification study (HAZID)” on a series of three methanol-fuelled tankers for owner Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and shipyard Minami Nippon Shipbuilding in Japan. As these are the vessels with a flex fuelled low speed diesel engine using methanol and/or heavy fuel oil, DNV GL was asked to participate in the project for its expertise in the low flash point fuel including methanol and LNG.
GE Gas Turbines Power LCS USS Coronado
Littoral Combat Ship USS Coronado (LCS 4) was commissioned by the United States Navy on April 5 at its home port of San Diego, California. GE Marine reported that this Independence-variant LCS is powered by two GE LM2500 marine gas turbines. Named for the California city of Coronado, LCS 4 is the third Navy ship to bear the name of the "Crown City." The first USS Coronado (PF 38), a patrol frigate, served as a convoy escort during World War II.
IMRF Gains Formal Legal Status in China
The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) has successfully registered its Asia Pacific regional centre (APRC) in China, giving it formal legal status and providing a timely boost to maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) development in the region. Registration means that the IMRF, which has operated an office in Shanghai since 2011, can advance its activities without the limitations of Chinese law places on non-registered organizations.
White House Honors Chiarello for LNG Efforts
TOTE, Inc. President and CEO Anthony Chiarello is among 11 honored by the White House as 2014 transportation industry “Champions of Change.” Chiarello was chosen for his role in leading the U.S. maritime industry toward natural gas as fuel. TOTE is building the first natural gas-powered containerships in the world to serve Puerto Rico and is converting its ships in Alaska to natural gas; TOTE is the first in the United States to convert its fleet to liquefied natural gas (LNG).
US Trucks Revved Up, Capacity Crisis Revealed
As a polar vortex snarled North America's railroads and upended freight flows this winter, everyone from agricultural giant Cargill to Dow Chemical rushed to secure…
Thai Navy Patrol Boats Delivered by Marsun
Over the past decade or so, as offshore oil has grown in importance, the development of vessels to meet the needs of the industry has made great strides. The needs for reliability in demanding sea conditions will put any hull to the test. It is not unusual for a commercial vessel serving the petro-industry to clock up 6,000 or more hours of operation per year. For vessels operating on time charter, downtime can be expensive.
Bulk Market Suffers Despite Record China Steel Output
BIMCO reported that China's average daily crude steel output reached a record 2.29 million metric tons in April as steel mills lifted production to meet seasonal demand, though signs of weakness in factory output and the property sector could feed through later in the year. Steel demand in China traditionally improves in Q2 as construction and manufacturing pick up with better weather. April's crude…
DNV GL Revamps Port Clearance Software
DNV GL announced the release of its new Navigator Port 2 software, an overhaul of DNV Navigator. According to DNV GL, the upgraded port clearance software aims to achieve a new level of usability, with a new and intuitive structure and interface. Navigator Port 2, previously called DNV Navigator, has taken a leap forward in ease-of-use. The interface has been improved. It is now more intuitive and efficient, with a work-oriented process that is easier to understand and navigate within.
Saras Urges European Steps on Refining as Profit Slumps
Italy's Saras urged Europe to take steps to restore the competitiveness of the region's refining sector after it posted an 85 percent slump in its core earnings in the first three months due to weak refining margins. Europe's refining sector is facing growing pressure from increasing international competition, excess production capacity and weak domestic consumption. "We hope that the European Authorities…
Bomb-making Material Siezed Near Suez Canal
Fifteen tonnes of a material used to make explosives have been seized in a town straddling the Suez Canal, the Egyptian army said on Wednesday, one of the biggest…
Singapore's NOL Q1 Net Loss Narrows
Container shipper Neptune Orient Lines Ltd posted a net loss of $97.9 million for the quarter ended April 4, a narrower loss from the previous quarter. NOL, in which…
Russia's Surgut to Export Baltic Diesel
Surgut to transport diesel by rail from its Kirishi refinery; Main diesel terminal in Primorsk reaches full capacity. Surgutneftegas will start exporting diesel…
Vietnam Mobs Burn Factories in Anti-China Protests
Thousands of Vietnamese set fire to factories and rampaged in industrial zones in the south of the country after protests against Chinese oil drilling in a part…
Tankship Owner Torm Report Lower Q1 Earnings YoY
Danish shipping company Torm reported first-quarter core earnings lower than in the same quarter last year and lowered its guidance for 2014. Earnings before interest…
