EU Carbon Import Tariffs Could Torpedo Global Climate Deal
A move by the European Union to impose duties on carbon-intensive imports would scupper the chances of striking a global agreement to tackle climate change next year…
Maersk, MSC Enter Vessel Sharing Agreement
Maersk Line today announced a 10-year Vessel Sharing Agreement (VSA) with Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) on the Asia-Europe, Transatlantic and Transpacific trades. The VSA, to be referred to as 2M, replaces all existing VSAs and slot purchase agreements that Maersk Line has in these trades. The VSA will include 185 vessels with an estimated capacity of 2.1 million TEU, deployed on 21 strings. The overall purpose of the cooperation is to share infrastructure (network).
Chemistry Charts the Course in Coatings
Sherwin-Williams’ WB Acrolon 100, developed through waterborne technology, delivers aesthetics and protection in one topcoat. It all adds up to extended maintenance and recoat cycles. Inland river crews have a lot on their plate. When your job is to be a deckhand, you don’t want to spend much time being a painter. There’s never a good time to be a painter. However, keeping vessels free of corrosion and looking good is part of the job.
The Perfect Anchor for Paint
Barge manufacturer doubles production and reduces paint waste with new blast line. When the 600th barge launch was celebrated at Brownsville Marine Products (BMP) just south of Pittsburgh in November 2012, it marked the company’s success at reviving a site with over 75 years of history. At the same time, the team also celebrated a facility ready for 21st Century marine vessel production, thanks to a radically modernized production line.
Winch Safety through Standardization
For decades, barge owners and operators had no reason to think twice about their rigging. There were only a few choices when it came to winches, and there were ratchets as well. Because of the simplicity of these machines, few people in the industry were compelled to think critically about how such a basic item might be improved. But winches and ratchets have their downsides: fouling and birdnesting can and do happen. Wire rope is heavy, and traditional rigging takes a lot of it.
Today in U.S. Naval History: July 10
Today in U.S. 1934 - USS Houston takes Franklin Delano Roosevelt on first visit of U.S. President to South America. 1943 - Naval gunfire help Allied troops land on Sicily. It was first extensive use of LST's and smaller landing craft to deliver heavy equipment over the beach. 1945 - 14 carriers from Third Fleet carriers begin air strikes on Japanese Home Islands which end August 15. For more information about naval history…
New Crane Boosts Drammen's Handling Capacity
The Norwegian Port of Drammen opted for a new Liebherr mobile harbor crane, type LHM 550, which has started operation in June 2014. This investment in the future represents the second mobile harbor crane for the port, which has been operating an LHM 400 since 2008. Thanks to this new investment, Port of Drammen has doubled its container handling capacity. Additionally, the versatile LHM 550 is also capable of efficient bulk, general cargo and heavy lift operation.
Dover Sets Freight Vehicles Export Record
A record number of freight vehicles departed on services through the Port of Dover yesterday, reaching numbers not seen since before the recession. The port said 5,337 freight vehicles departed for Calais and Dunkirk from Europe’s busiest ferry port, beating the previous record of 5,322 set in 2008. It was also the third busiest day ever for total numbers, with 10,134 freight vehicles handled. The busiest day was in 2008 when the port handled 10…
Lakes Water Levels Return, but Not Full Loads
The rise in Great Lakes water levels has yet to translate into full loads for the U.S.-flag freighters moving iron ore, coal, limestone, cement and other cargos. Vessels continue to routinely leave port with less than a full load on board. The largest iron ore cargo moved by a U.S.-flag laker through the Soo Locks in June totaled 69,576 tons. The record iron ore cargo for the “Head-of-the-Lakes Trade” is 72,300 tons and was carried in 1997, a period of near record-high water levels.
Maersk Continues Exit from Crude Transport
Maersk Tankers, a unit of A.P. Moller-Maersk, said on Thursday it had quit four unprofitable crude oil charter contracts by buying out supertankers and selling them onwards, continuing its exit from crude oil transportation. The company now has charters for just two supertankers, called Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), although the intention is to get out of these contracts too, Maersk Tankers spokeswoman Stine Pedersen said.
Lakes Legislators Help Boost Corps Funding
Great Lakes legislators played a key role in yesterday’s vote in the House of Representatives to increase the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ national budget by nearly $58 million. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.), along with Rep. Janice Hahn (D-Calif.), authored the amendment to the House’s FY15 Energy & Water Appropriations bill and Representatives Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Dan Benishek (R-Mich.) and Rick Nolan (D-Minn.) took the floor to support the measure.
Third Cruise Terminal Under Construction in Hamburg
Construction of the third cruise terminal in Hamburg commenced July 4 with a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony. And in less than a month, the biggest cruise ceremony will take place on the river Elbe, the fourth edition of the Hamburg Cruise Days, taking place August 1-3. The month of August will see in total 43 cruise calls. Surface construction work on the site of Hamburg’s third cruise terminal at the Kronprinzkai quay in Steinwerder officially commenced last Friday…
OSX Brasil Suspends Creditor Payments
A Netherlands-based subsidiary of Brazilian tycoon Eike Batista's bankrupt shipbuilding and shipleasing unit OSX Brasil SA suspended payments to creditors after being granted protection by a Dutch court. According to a securities filing on Thursday, OSX sought protection for its OSX WHP 1&2 Leasing BV unit after an unnamed "alleged creditor" asked a court to order payment in a way that threatened OSX's obligations to other creditors.
LR to Support LNG Bunkering in Portsmouth
Lloyd’s Register (LR) is working with British port to develop operational procedures and technical standards required for safe LNG bunkering operations. LR has commenced a project to identify the technical specifications and develop operating procedures for safe LNG bunkering in Portsmouth International Port. The project will position Portsmouth to develop its ambitions to become an LNG bunkering facility and hub – the first in the United Kingdom.
Alfa Laval’s Paved Way For Environmental Solutions
Alfa Laval claims a place as one of today’s environmental frontrunners among marine equipment suppliers. The company’s Pure Thinking portfolio comprises not only compliant solutions for the broadest range of environmental legislation, but also leading technology – or even the only technology – in each respective area, the company said. At this year’s SMM, Alfa Laval will be showcasing the portfolio’s most recent developments, which include the soon-to-be-launched PureSOx 2.0.
Forecast Predicts 70% Chance of El Nino
The U.S. weather forecaster maintained its outlook for the El Nino weather phenomenon in its monthly update on Thursday, pegging the chances of the weather pattern striking during the Northern Hemisphere summer at 70 percent. The Climate Prediction Center, an agency of the National Weather Service, said there was close to an 80 percent chance of El Nino, that can wreak havoc on crops, during the fall and early winter. (Reporting by Josephine Mason in New York; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)
Wilson Sons InksTwo PSV Contracts with Damen
![From left to right: Erik Hertel (Sales Manager Damen), Bram Verwijs (Project Manager Damen), Michael Schröder (CEO Ultratug), Federico Irrgang (President Wilson, Sons Ultratug), Arnaldo Calbucci (Vice-President Wilson, Sons), MartĂn Brau (CEO Antares Naviera), |RenĂ© Berkvens (CEO Damen), Adalberto Souza (Director Wilson Sons Shipyard), Frits van Drenth (Product Director Damen), Arnout Damen (COO Damen), Rutger Dolk (Sales Manager Damen) [Photo: Damen]](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/from-left-to-right-erik-30027.jpg)
At the International Tug, Salvage and OSV Convention on June 19, Wilson Sons (Brazil) and Damen Shipyards Group (Netherlands) signed a contract for two Damen PSV 5000s. This contract further strengthens cooperation between the two companies, where Wilson Sons builds vessels locally using a Damen design, engineering and material package. The PSV 5000s, measuring 85 meters in length and 19 meters in width, will feature a diesel-electric propulsion line with DP2 station keeping capabilities.
Alfa Laval's Adaptive Fuel Line
Though fuel-saving practices like slow steaming are widespread, energy efficiency continues to be a pressing concern. Vessel fuel bills remain high – and will likely become even higher for those sailing in Emission Control Areas after January 2015. Catastrophic engine damage due to cat fines is also on the rise, along with safety worries related to multi-fuel operation. Yet in the face of these complex and interrelated issues…
Shipping loan losses hit Norwegian bank DNB's earnings
Q2 net profit NOK 4.65 bln vs f'cast NOK 4.77 bln; loan losses NOK 554 mln vs fcast NOK 398 mln. Bank on schedule to fulfill capital requirements, but shares down 4.6 percent…
Collision Halts Statoil Oseberg Platform Production
Statoil shut its oil platform at the Oseberg East field offshore Norway after a collision with a supply vessel but production was expected to restart later the same day, a spokesman said.
