Madsen to Chair Norway’s Research Council Executive Board
Henrik O. DNV GL president and CEO Henrik O. Madsen was appointed as chairman of the executive board of the Research Council of Norway. The executive board is the Research Council’s highest authority, and the newly appointed board will commence Jan 1. 2015. The main functions of the Research Council of Norway is to provide strategic policy input, administer research funding and serve as a meeting place for the development of research policy and dissemination of knowledge in Norway.
Larger Tankers May Offer Better Return Chances
Investors looking for returns in the tanker markets can invest their capital in a variety of ways. Should an owner invest in a VLCC or an Aframax? How about an LR2 or an MR2? What is the historical rate of return for these tankers? Which tanker class is the riskiest? These questions face owners and investors in each investment decision. To compare the different tanker classes on a total-return basis…
Keeping to the Schedule in the Pacific Northwest
When a tightly scheduled repower for the Kodiak-based trawler Sea Mac in early December took a very bad turn, Mike Fourtner used his 25 years of fishing experience and leadership to pull together a team at Cummins Northwest to solve the problem. For the past year, Mike Fortner has been Marine Regional Sales rep for Cummins Northwest. “The new engine had crossed oceans from the factory by ship to Columbus, South Carolina.
NZ Report: Human Error to Blame for Rena Grounding
New Zealand's Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) published its final report into the grounding of containership Rena in October 2011. The TAIC’s investigation found that the grounding was a result of improper crew practices, and that equipment/machinery malfunction played no part in the incident. According to the report, the Liberian-registered containership Rena had left the New Zealand port of Napier at 10:20 a.m. on October 4, 2011 bound for the New Zealand port of Tauranga.
Port of Houston Expecting Record Year
The Port of Houston Authority is expecting 2014 to close as a banner year for the port, with 34 million tons of cargo handled through November, Executive Director Roger Guenther reported to the port commission of the Port of Houston Authority at its monthly meeting Tuesday. "Container volumes are on pace for a record year, and steel imports are set to surpass the previous tonnage highs set in 2008…
Damen Outfitting First of Nine Bahamas Patrol Boats
The first of nine Damen Stan Patrol 3007s ordered by the Royal Bahamas Defense Force has arrived at Damen Shipyards Gorinchem in the Netherlands for outfitting. The order features four Stan Patrol 4207 vessels, one RoRo 5612 and a further three Stan Patrol 3007 vessels. Damen has designed the Stan Patrol 3007 with the client’s requirements in mind. Robin van der Zon, Project Manager at Damen Shipyards Group explained…
MARAD Publishes US ATB, ITB Database
The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) released what it is calling a first-of-its-kind public database that chronicles U.S.-flagged, privately owned domestic articulated tug-barge (ATB) and integrated tug-barge (ITB) vessels. In the report, MARAD has catalogued more than 130 tug-barge units in service with a carrying capacity of 15.2 million barrels. The intention of this report is to calculate and illustrate the scale and scope of this segment of the maritime industry.
DNV GL Targets Safer Approach to Subsea Lifting
The completion of a joint industry project (JIP) to improve existing standards and regulations around subsea lifting operations has resulted in a new recommended practice (RP). The recommended practice developed by DNV GL provides guidance on the proper design and correct operation, as well as regular inspection and maintenance, of subsea cranes and lifting appliances. The aim is to reduce the overall…
Costa Rica Approves APM Terminals Project
Port operator APM Terminals, a unit of Denmark's A.P. Moller-Maersk, said on Friday Costa Rica's environment agency had approved the construction of its Moin Container Terminal project.
US Plans to Shut Royalty Loophole on Coal Exports
U.S. coal companies will no longer be able to settle royalties at low domestic prices when they make lucrative sales to Asia according to reforms proposed by the Interior Department on Friday.
Hapag-Lloyd Completes CSAV Merger Capital Increase
Hapag-Lloyd completed the planned capital increase of EUR 370 million (approximately $452.5 million) as part of the business combination with the Chilean shipping company Compañía Sud Americana de Vapores (CSAV). As planned, CSAV subscribed to EUR 259 million (approximately $316.8 million) and Kühne Maritime made a cash contribution of EUR 111 million (approximately $135.8 million). The capital increase…
Denmark Issues New Pilotage Regulations
In an effort to make the pilotage market more efficient, the Danish Maritime Authority (DMA) issued several new regulations following on amendments to the pilotage act. A number of DMA measures to launch January 1, 2015 will target simpler regulation of the pilotage area. According to DMA, the aim is to create greater flexibility, while maintaining the high level of navigational safety in Danish waters. A new pilot embarkation arrangement.
DSG Marine Asks Shipowners to Consider Fixed Premium P&I Cover
DGS Marine, a global P&I management provider and exclusive manager for the British European and Overseas (BE&O) P&I Facility, has advised Indian shipowners to consider the benefits of fixed premium P&I cover. DGS Marine spoke at a P&I Insurance Seminar held in Mumbai, India last week and jointly hosted by DGS Marine Group and the British European and Overseas (BE&O) P&I Facility. Attended by delegates from across India’s shipping community…
San Jacinto College Breaks Ground on New Training Center
San Jacinto College has broken ground along the Port of Houston for its new 45,000-square-foot Maritime Training Center. At the site of 3700 Old Highway 146 in La Porte, stood student Dave Allen, taking in the view of concrete piers that will support San Jacinto College Maritime Training Center, a facility to prepare new mariners and serve as local training site. “This is going to prepare so many people for work in this industry…
Liquefaction Terminals to Dominate LNG Capital Expenditure
Capital expenditure (Capex) on global LNG facilities is expected to total $259 billion (bn) over the period 2015-2019, with investments expected to be 88% larger…
New Chinese Shipyard Launches First Ship
The new shipyard facility of Honghua Offshore Oil & Gas Equipment Company in Jiangsu, China, has launched its first ship, an IMT982 Platform Supply Vessel. The vessel, Nordic Trym, is expected to be delivered to its owners, Nordic Offshore Supply Limited, in April 2015. According to the builders, the vessel was launched in a unique way, using the yard’s new gantry crane. At 22,000 metric tons SWL the Honghai crane is reportedly the largest moving gantry crane in the world.
MSC Oscar is the World’s Largest Containership
MSC Oscar, the newest cargo vessel built for Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), will launch in January 2015, and at 19,224 teu, the containership will take the record for world’s largest. MSC Oscar possesses a nominal capacity of 19,224 teu, officially making the ship the largest globally, edging China Shipping Container Lines’ 19,100 teu CSCL Globe which just recently took the title from Maersk’s 18,270 teu Triple-E class.
NOAA: US to See More Floods from Sea Level Rise
Most of U.S. coast may see 30 or more days a year of floods up to 2 feet above high tides. By 2050, a majority of U.S. coastal areas are likely to be threatened by 30 or more days of flooding each year due to dramatically accelerating impacts from sea level rise, according to a new NOAA study, published in the American Geophysical Union’s online peer-reviewed journal Earth’s Future. The findings appear…
Wärtsilä to Begin Building LNG Terminal in January
Wärtsilä has been given full notice to proceed (NTP) from Manga LNG Oy for the supply of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal in Tornio, Northern Finland. Wärtsilä will commence construction on the site near the port of Tornio in January 2015. Manga LNG Oy is a joint venture of Outokumpu Group, Svenskt Stål AB (SSAB), Skangass and EPV Energy Ltd. Wärtsilä initially announced this project in January 2014.
Polarcus Awarded 3D Project Off West Africa
Polarcus Limited has signed a letter of intent with Perenco Oil & Gas Gabon S.A. for a 3D marine seismic acquisition project offshore West Africa. The project, to be acquired by Polarcus Nadia and subject to the execution of a service contract, will commence in the first quarter of 2015 and is expected to run for approximately 21 days.
