New Propeller Optimization Process Can Analyze 10,000 Designs a Day
A newly developed propeller optimizer makes it much faster to identify propeller-hull reactions and reach design decisions. In the EU project STREAMLINE the fuel efficiency of a chemical tanker was improved by optimizing the hull form and propeller. To this end, MARIN used its hull optimization program PARNASSOS EXPLORER and a newly developed propeller optimizer. The hull form itself was optimized for low resistance and for having a wake field as rotationally symmetric as possible…
Marine Casualty Reports – Clarified
So you think you know when to make a marine casualty report? There has been a lot of confusion over the years as to when to make a marine casualty report with regard to certain incidents. Yet, although the Coast Guard constantly urges industry to make required reports, it has never promulgated national guidance to promote consistency in reporting based on uniform interpretation of the regulatory standards – until now.
New Stainless Steel Chemical Tanker Platform
Principal Maritime Management LLC of Southport, Connecticut, a shipping company owned by affiliates of Apollo Global Management LLC, has formed a new platform in…
Old Ships & Dirty Machinery
• 68 ships (41% of all detentions) were detained over the 3 month period as a direct result of the CIC for deficiencies related to propulsion and auxiliary machinery. Problem areas included the propulsion of the main engine, cleanliness of the engine room and emergency source of power/emergency generator. • In previous years deficiencies related to propulsion and machinery installations accounted on average for 7% of the total number of deficiencies within the Tokyo and Paris MoU´s…
FERC Drafts EIS on Freeport LNG Project
The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has prepared a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Phase II Modification Project and the Liquefaction Project. The Projects are proposed by Freeport LNG and are located in Brazoria County near the city of Freeport, Texas. The proposed Phase II Modification Project includes: modification to the previously authorized liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessel berthing dock…
Floating Production Inventory Continues to Grow
The number of floating production systems continues to grow; 349 floating production units are now in service, on order or off-field/being remarketed. This inventory is 5% higher than a year ago, 27% higher than five years ago. Current Inventory: Of the total, 320 units are used for oil/gas production. Included in this figure are 211 FPSOs. They are the most common type system, comprising 65% of the existing systems and 72% of the systems on order.
EPA Lifts BP Suspension and Debarment
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and BP today executed an agreement resolving all suspension and debarment actions against BP that barred the company from doing business with the federal government following the company’s guilty plea in the Deepwater Horizon disaster of April 2010. The administrative agreement will be in place for five years. “This is a fair agreement that requires BP to improve its practices in order to meet the terms we’ve outlined together…
Proposal on Spray Painting Passes
NMMA in conjunction with Lauderdale Marine Center (LMC) and the National Fire Protection Committee on Spray Finishing, recently drafted and approved a new standard…
USCG ... Past, Present & Future
Ebeneezer Scrooge would be proud. This is our annual United States Coast Guard edition, and it could best be dubbed the “Christmas Carol” edition as we examine USCG Past, USCG Present and USCG Future. First looking back (but not too far back), and in step with our continued celebration of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News’ 75th Anniversary, Patricia Keefe takes an insightful look at the times, tribulations, leadership and legacy of Thad Allen, past Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Kongsberg to Equip 10 Newbuild Pipelayers
Kongsberg Maritime has been chosen to deliver substantial technology packages for ten new pipelaying vessels ordered by Brazilian multinational energy corporation, Petrobras.
Coast Guard Closes Depoe Bay Bar Entrance
The U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port Sector Columbia River in Warrenton, Ore., issued the closure of the Depoe Bay bar entrance due to hazardous conditions at approximately 12:30 p.m., Sunday.
Manage Crew from the Cloud
With cloud computing technology having an increasing impact on daily life, its no surprise that more and more companies are turning to the cloud and the superyacht industry is no different. i-Bos Ltd, a crew management software provider is one of the first companies to launch their software to the cloud for the superyacht sector. i-Bos Ltd’s Cello Marine software is already used on 250 superyachts to assist in crew management, proving its need at sea.
O&G Safety Conference: Leading from the Front-line
The date and topic for this year’s OPITO Safety and Competence Conference – OSCC 2014 have been announced. Now in its fifth year, the annual event will take place on November 4, 2014 in the Fairmont Hotel, Abu Dhabi. Under the title of “Leading from the Front-line”, the conference will explore the dynamic of effective leadership and change management on human behaviors in relation to safety. Over 400…
Reflex Marine Launches New Transfer Device
Reflex Marine’s brand new personnel transfer device, the FROG-XT4, was debuted at a recent launch event in Stavanger, Norway. The new four-person device was unveiled at Reflex Marine’s regional partner EnerMech’s fifth birthday party. The development of the FROG-XT range has been a direct response to customer demands and the product has been developed with over 20 years of experience, over 800 transfer devices operating globally…
Keppel Reports Batch of New Projects
Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd.'s (Keppel O&M) subsidiaries Keppel Shipyard Ltd., Keppel Singmarine Pte Ltd. and Keppel Nantong Shipyard Co. Ltd. have secured contracts…
OW Bunker Launches Australia Operations
OW Bunker, a physical distributor and reseller of marine fuels, announced the launch of a physical distribution operation in Australia. The move is part of OW Bunker’s strategy to further expand the company’s global physical distribution presence in key locations for customers, ensuring end-to-end quality in the services and products that it provides. OW Bunker has leased a fuel oil tank in Port Kembla, New South Wales.
Jaccar Proposes Bid for Bourbon Shares
Bourbon has been informed of a proposed bid for its shares at a price of 24 euros per share, announced March 16, 2014 by its main shareholder, Jaccar Holdings. This…
Small Ships Should Not be Included in European MRV Regs Say ECSA
The European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA) has published a position paper strongly opposing the extension of the scope of the proposed MRV Regulation to include ships of 400 gt or above. The European Commission issued a proposal in June 2013 for a Monitoring, Reporting and Verification Regulation of CO2 emissions from ships calling at EU ports, which lays the foundation for a global measure to reduce CO2 emissions from international shipping.
Otto Marine Send Two AHTS to GoM, One to W. Africa
Offshore marine services firm Otto Marine informs it has obained a total of US$24.9 million in charter contracts for three offshore vessels – Redfish 4, Go Canopus and Go Altair. Redfish 4, an 8,000bhp Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) vessel equipped with dynamic positioning 2 capabilities will be deployed for work on long term charter in Mexico. Go Canopus, a 10,800bhp AHTS vessel built in 2009 with DP2 technology has been contracted on long term charter, also for work in the Gulf of Mexico.
Navy Destroyer Contracts for HII & BIW
The Navy has announced two separate contract awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 DDG 51 destroyers to Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) and to General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW). Is being provided funding of $601,990,190 for the FY 2014 DDG 51 class ship and exercised options. The modification also provides $79,400,000 in advanced procurement funding for the FY 2016-2017 ships. Is being awarded a $642…