US Bill Introduced to Establish Arctic Ambassador
Congressmen Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) and Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) introduced a bill to amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to establish a United States Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs. Currently, 20 government agencies are handling Arctic policy. Under this legislation, an Ambassador would be charged with all coordination and serve as Chair of the Arctic Council when the U.S. assumes Chairmanship of the Arctic Council from 2015-2017.
Seagull Debuts Bulker Competence Evaluator
Seagull has released the Bulker Industry Training Standard (BITS), a predefined competence management system for the dry bulk industry. BITS is a computer-based evaluation tool to enhance the competency of officers onboard a ship type whose maintenance, operating and cargo handling practices can be unique. As well as providing a benchmark for industry competence, BITS can be adapted to reflect advanced training standards developed by individual operators.
Maritime College to Honor Angerame, Bouchard
The State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College said it will honor two industry leaders at its annual Admiral’s Scholarship Dinner on Tuesday, May 6. The dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Repowered Tug Tows 7 Weeks Nonstop
When business depends on commercial vessels, it's essential for these boats to stay in good condition. Unreliable engines and equipment can lead to days or weeks off the water for repairs, resulting in lost customers. To ensure its fleet is always prepared for the job, Smith Maritime depends on Laborde Products. For its third repower with Smith Maritime, Laborde supplied three Mitsubishi S12R-Y2MPTK Tier II engines rated at 5,000 hp for the tug Rhea.
Two Maritime Students Earn SUNY Chancellor’s Award
The State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College announced Friday that two student cadets, Julia Paxton of Sebastopol, California, and Brandon Baranyar of Fairfield…
USCG Publishes Offshore Fire, Explosion Guidelines
As part of its continuing response to the Deepwater Horizon incident, the U.S. The Federal Register Friday published the U.S. Coast Guard's (USCG) notice of recommended interim voluntary guidelines concerning fire and explosion analyses for mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs) and manned fixed and floating offshore facilities engaged in activities on the U.S. outer continental shelf. This notice is part of the Coast Guard's continuing response to the explosion…
Today in U.S. Naval History: May 2
Today in U.S. Naval History - May 2 1975 - U.S. Navy departs Vietnamese waters at end of evacuation. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.
Japdeva Contracts Damen for Pilot Vessel
In April 2014, a contract between JAPDEVA (Costa Rica) and Damen Shipyards Group for a Damen Stan Tender 1504 was approved by the Controller General of the Central-American country. The contract is the conclusion of a thorough tender process that started in 2013. With this contract JAPDEVA, the autonomous government body that manages the ports in Puerto Limon on the Atlantic side of Costa Rica, will expand its fleet of Damen-designed and -built vessels to five ships: the new Damen STe 1504…
Motion Compensated Helideck to Launch at OTC
Barge Master, a producer of motion compensated equipment for the offshore industry, has partnered with Bayards Aluminium constructions, a specialist in lightweight and maintenance free structures for the offshore industry, to design the first aluminum Motion Compensated Helideck (MCH). Vessel motions can often have an adverse effect on the safety and costs of offshore operations, limiting the window in which helicopters can land.
Marseilles Fos Box, Bulk, Cruise Growth Eases Oil Trend
Traffic to the end of March at French port Marseilles Fos saw major rises in container, dry bulk and cruise passenger volumes, but total cargo throughput fell 6% to 18.8 million metric tons, down by 1.2MT on the first quarter last year – due to declining oil trades in a changing market. General cargo improved 1% to 4.3MT, led by 2.8MT in container tonnage. In unit terms, box traffic rose 9% to 287,929 teu, with monthly throughput hitting a landmark 100,000 teu in both February and March.
AXSMarine Upgrades Voyage Calculator
AXSMarine announced the release of an upgrade to its keystone applications within its AXSDry 4.0 product offering. Voyage Calculator 4.0 has been released this week to all subscribers providing them with long list of functionality upgrades and usability improvements. The voyage calculation program accounts for around 50% of their systems usage in terms of number of users and it will remain a key component of the AXSDry product suite.
LISCR Appoints New GM for London
The Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR), the U.S.-based manager of the Liberian Registry, has appointed Robert Twell as general manager of its dedicated London office, in succession to Jonathan Spremulli. Robert Twell joins LISCR from CMA Ships UK Ltd/CMA CGM Group, where he was the Safety and Security Manager and DPA/CSO based in London. Prior to that he was with the National Sea Training Centre…
Ferguson Launches Cryogenic and ISO Tanks
The Ferguson Group, a supplier of DNV 2.7-1/EN12079 certified offshore containers, accommodation and workspace modules is expanding its product range, to include cryogenic and ISO tanks. The cryogenic tanks, 10 ft with a 7,890 ltr capacity, are designed for the transportation and storage of liquefied industrial gases. New to the Ferguson Group. Judith Verner, Fluid Solutions - Development Manager is based at the group’s headquarters in Aberdeenshire.
Kenya's Electronic System CutsTrade Red Tape
Kenya on Friday launched a single electronic system for processing imports and exports, to simplify red tape blamed for holding up trade in the trading hub of the region. Kenya is the main trade gateway to east Africa, through its Indian Ocean port of Mombasa, but traders say it takes too long to get goods cleared and permit-related delays ramp up costs. Previously, entrepreneurs had to fill several forms and visit 24 different government agencies to get the permits and pay the levies…
Philippines' ICTSI Bags Australian Port Deal
Philippine-based International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) said on Friday its Australian unit would invest up to A$548 million ($508 million) to build…
Bibby Ship Management Boosts IOM Business
Bibby Ship Management has more than doubled the number of vessels under its Isle of Man statutory management service since last year, according to figures just released. Latest figures issued by the Isle of Man Ship Registry reveal a flagged merchant fleet of 442 vessels, amounting to 16,235,059 total gross metric tons. Bibby Ship Management provides statutory management services to 71 of these vessels, amounting to more than 4 million gross metric tons - a quarter (25%) of the total registry.
Padbury Shares Dive as Aussie Port Deal Scrapped
Shares in Australia's Padbury Mining Ltd plunged as trading in the stock resumed after its plans for a deal to build a $6.5 billion iron ore port and rail network…
ICTSI Wins Long-Term Montreal Port Contract
Philippine-based International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) said on Friday its Australian unit would invest up to A$548 million ($508 million) to build…
Kirby Announce Record Earnings in Q1 2014
US tank barge operator and diesel engine service providers, Kirby Corporation, inform that earnings for the first quarter ending March 31, 2014 amounted to $62.2 million…
Job Opportunities in NE Florida LNG Sector
Northeast Florida is taking the lead in the natural gas industry to attract and keep business in the area. Viewed as a viable player in this industry, the region…
