A Step Forward for Warship USVs
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Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs), or seagoing drones, have come a step closer to reality following successful tests of a recovery system. Global navies want to use Unmanned Surface Vehicles. They will keep boat crews out of high risk environments and extend the outreach of surface vessels. There are already forty prototype USVs on the market globally, ranging from 1-10 metric tons in weight. But most research and development in this area is focused on the USV itself.
USS Coronado Completes Final Contract Trials
![USS Coronado (LCS 4). U.S. Navy photo by Keith DeVinney](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/uss-coronado-lcs-4-us-28457.jpg)
USS Coronado (LCS 4) successfully completed final contract trials (FCT) June 6. The trial, administered by the U.S. Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey, is part of a series of post-delivery test and trial events through which the ship and its major systems are exercised. The four-day FCT began with pre-underway and material condition checks, followed by at-sea demonstrations. Trial highlights included combat systems air and surface detect-to-engage scenarios…
Horizon Delivers 140’ Towboat for FMT
![Photo: Horizon Shipbuilding](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-horizon-shipbuilding-28456.jpg)
Horizon Shipbuilding, Inc., Bayou La Batre, Alabama, has delivered the seventh 140’ towboat for Florida Marine Transporters (FMT). The vessel is named for FMT’s long-time Captain Phillip Box. The M/V Capt. Phillip Box was launched in April, 2014 at Horizon’s Bayou La Batre facility using its 600 metric ton TraveLift. This TraveLift is one of the largest on the Gulf Coast and allows for efficient launch of new vessels as well as quick repair projects.
Course Analyzes Ship Structure Fatigue and Fracture
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A three-day course hosted by ABS in partnership with BMT Fleet Technology will help participants learn how design, maintenance and operational issues affect fatigue and fracture of steel and aluminum ship structures. Geared to the needs of naval architects, ship superintendents and engineers responsible for design, material specification, welding, operational safety and maintenance, the course includes…
NOAA Data Reveals Weight of Ocean and Great Lakes Economy
![Credit: NOAA](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/credit-noaa-28452.jpg)
In 2011, the U.S. ocean and Great Lakes economy produced $282 billion in goods and services and employed 2.2 percent of the nation’s workers—that’s more than twice the percentage of workers in the U.S. agriculture industry. This fact and many others are featured in a 2011 data summary from Economics: National Ocean Watch (ENOW), a product of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coastal Services Center.
China Stops Issuing Import Permits for US Distillers Grains
China has stopped issuing permits for imports of distillers dried grains (DDGs) from top exporter the United States on concerns they might contain an unapproved genetically-modified organism (GMO)…
Maritime Reporter @ 75: The Daily Cartoon
![© New Wave Media](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/new-wave-media-28451.jpg)
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.
Second Tanker of Kurdish Oil Leaves Turkey Despite Baghdad Protest
A second shipment of Iraqi Kurdish crude has sailed from the Turkish port of Ceyhan, industry and government sources said, increasing the stakes in a battle with…
UK Docks Expand to Whitehaven Marina
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Whitehaven Marina Ltd. welcomed UK Docks Marine Services on-site as a new service provider as the marine engineering firm expand their existing Tyneside, South Shields and Gosport, Hampshire operations. UK Docks have widened operations to the West Coast in order to service current contracts as well as develop operations within the growing wind farm industry. UK Docks will be operating from one of three bays in the purpose built, state of the art boat shed completed in 2008.
Craig Named President and CEO of MOL America
![Richard “Dick” Craig](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/richard-dick-craig-28446.jpg)
MOL Liner Ltd. has announced that Richard “Dick” Craig has been promoted to President and CEO of MOL (America) Inc. effective June 24, 2014. He has 34 years of experience in the container shipping industry including over 11 years with MOL. MOL Liner Ltd.’s President & Chief Executive Officer Toshiya Konishi said, “Dick was instrumental in bringing MOL (America) Inc. up to one of the most efficient and productive organizations within MOL Liner in the last 10-plus years.
CDI Electronics Acquires Balmar Marine
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CDI Electronics has announced the acquisition of Ballard Commercial Industries located in Arlington, Washington. The transaction was completed on June 6. Financial terms were not disclosed. CDI Electronics was founded in 1983 and is a company in aftermarket outboard ignition systems and diagnostic software. Balmar was founded in 1982 and is known worldwide for its high-output alternators and premium DC charging systems for gasoline and diesel inboards.
Ice Impacts Still Felt on Great Lakes in May
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Iron ore shipments on the Great Lakes totaled 6.4 million tons in May, a virtual repeat of a year ago. The total would have been about 600,000 tons more, but three 1,000-foot-long U.S.-flag lakers were out of service for a combined 65 days in May to repair damage suffered in the heavy ice that covered the Lakes in March and April. Shipments from U.S. ports total 5.8 million tons, again virtually unchanged from a year ago. Loadings at Canadian terminals in the St.
Today in U.S. Naval History: June 9
![USS George Washington (SSBN-598) (U.S. Navy photo)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/uss-george-washington-ssbn598-us-28438.jpg)
Today in U.S. Naval History - June 9 1882 - Establishment of Office of Naval Records of the War of the Rebellion (became part of Naval Historical Center) 1942 - First Navy photograhic interpretation unit set up in the Atlanic. 1959 - Launching of USS George Washington (SSBN-598), first nuclear powered fleet ballistic missile submarine, at Groton, Ct. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.
Dynamic Oil Trading Urges Greater Due Digilence
Dynamic Oil Trading, a global trading company for marine fuels and lubricants, has highlighted the important role of fuel suppliers in helping shipping companies…
Marine Rebound Strengthens RINA Results
![Ugo Salerno](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/ugo-salerno-28435.jpg.tif)
International engineering, testing, certification and classification group RINA has reported improved results for 2013. Its performance was strengthened by an upturn in marine activities and a drive to improve efficiency and drive down costs. RINA turnover for 2013 increased 4% to €294 million, while EBITDA was up 6% to €37.2 million. Ugo Salerno, RINA Chairman and CEO said, “Returning confidence in…
SeaKing Electrical Strikes Transatlantic Service Agreement
Merseyside based SeaKing Electrical has secured a transatlantic service agreement with a manufacturer of green technology for the maritime sector. The Birkenhead…
Less than a Year to go to the FAL Directive Deadline
![Courtesy of DP World London Gateway](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/courtesy-of-dp-world-london-28433.jpg)
The FAL Directive under which European Member States are mandated to adopt a Maritime Single Window system is less than a year away; by June 1 2015 all shipping companies, operators and port authorities must be using the Single Window for reporting. To mark the occasion, Inlecom Systems Ltd. (Inlecom), the transport and logistics research and innovation company, is offering to pilot its Intelligent Ship Reporting Gateway free of charge to ship owners, ship operators and port authorities.
Cruise Giant Increases Megaship Order
![MSC Preziosa (Courtesy MSC Cruises)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/msc-preziosa-courtesy-msc-cruises-28440.jpg)
MSC Cruises has moved to increase its order of megaships from Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri to two ships, with an option for third. At a cost of AUD $3.2 billion, this investment signifies a confidence that the cruise holiday industry will only continue to strengthen. The Italian-Swiss shipping company currently operates 12 cruise liners, running numerous different sea routes simultaneously. The two new ships…
Natural Gas as Bridge Fuel
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Following a recent UN report on climate change mitigation, which laid out a raft of potential changes to the global energy system, headline writers concentrated on the massive shift to renewable energy outlined in the report. Douglas Westwood points out, however, there was also a notable shift in tone on natural gas. The UN report expressly talks about the potential for clean-burning natural gas to be used as a “bridge fuel”…
ABB Turbocharging Opens Service Facility in Denmark
ABB Turbocharging announced today it will celebrate the opening of a new service facility in Fredericia, Denmark on June 12, 2014. The ceremony will also mark the…