GEA Westfalia Separator's New Control Generation
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According to the manufacturer, the newly launched control generation GEA Westfalia Separator IO reduces complexity and focuses on userfriendliness. Accordingly, the initial consideration when developing the human machine interface was not what the implemented logical controller or the centrifuge are able to do; instead, the focus was on what the user needs, either the operator, the commissioner or the company’s own service engineer.
Today in U.S. Naval Hostory: March 6
![Watercolor by Oscar Parkes. (U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command Photograph)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/watercolor-by-oscar-parkes-us-24063.png)
Today in U.S. 1862 - USS Monitor departed New York for Hampton Roads, Va. 1942 - U.S. 1945 - First two Navy flight nurses land on an active battlefield (Iwo Jima): Nurse (with relative rank of Ensign) Jane Kendeigh, USNR, and Chief Nurse (with relative rank of Lieutenant j.g.) Emily G. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.
HSOG Launches Apprenticeship Program
HS Ocean Group (HSOG ) celebrates National Apprenticeship Week by committing to long-term Apprenticeship program. The marine services specialist HSOG has launched…
Scalia to Address CGA Corps of Cadets
The Honorable Antonin Scalia, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, is scheduled to speak at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy March 18, as the 2014 Hedrick Fellow.
CaroTrans Boosts Services to Central America
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March 6 marks the start of a new service from Los Angeles gateway. CaroTrans, a global NVOCC (non-vessel operating common carrier) and ocean freight consolidator, has announced a new weekly, direct, all-water LCL (less than container load) service from the U.S. West Coast to all points in Central America including: Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Panama. This distribution network delivers full coverage of Central American locations via secure…
Videotel Expands LNG Training
![Photo: Videotel](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-videotel-24059.jpg)
With its latest offering, Videotel said now provides a more extensive portfolio of training for the LNG sector. Working with experts across the globe – BP Shipping, Shell, Maersk and SIGTTO, among others – the company said it has created a package of training covering the essentials required when operating in this important market. Nigel Cleave, CEO of Videotel Marine International, said, “Twice as many LNG carriers are operating today compared with five years ago…
Bidwell Appointed as LOC Group Chairman
![Dr. Robin Bidwell](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/dr-robin-bidwell-24058.jpg)
Global marine engineering consultancy LOC Group announced Dr. Robin Bidwell, CBE as its nonexecutive chairman. For 35 years, Dr. Bidwell built and led Environmental Resources Management (ERM) the global environmental advisory firm employing more than 5000 employees in over 40 countries. He currently holds a number of nonexecutive appointments (private sector, public sector and charities) and was awarded a CBE in 1999 for services to the environment. Dr.
Second Modular Capture Vessel for US Operation
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Drydocks World announced the completion and delivery of Eagle Louisiana, the second of two Modular Capture Vessels (MCV) for the U.S. The first MCV, Eagle Texas, sailed away from Drydocks World’s yard in August last year. The vessels are the world’s first MCVs. Drydocks World converted the AFRAmax tanker for AET, a global leader in petroleum shipping, which has a 20-year agreement with Marine Well Containment Company (MWCC) for the operation of the MCVs.
Offshore Insights from OMSA's Ben Billings
![Ben Billings](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/ben-billings-24055.jpg)
Ben Billings serves as President & CEO of the Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA), a nationwide trade association headquartered in New Orleans that represents more than 200 member companies. OMSA’s membership includes approximately 100 firms operating more than 1,200 vessels that provide transportation services to the offshore oil and gas industry in the Gulf of Mexico and around the world. It’s arguably a very good time to be at the helm of OMSA, with a resurgent U.S.
OCTOPUS-Onboard Ordered for Stanislav Yudin
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The Dutch offshore contractor Seaway Heavy Lifting has ordered Amarcon’s OCTOPUS-Onboard decision support technology for her monohull crane vessel Stanislav Yudin. This order is the second OCTOPUS-Onboard installation for Seaway Heavy Lifting. In 2011 the Oleg Strashnov was equipped with Amarcon’s motion monitoring & forecasting solution. Both vessels from SHL offer, amongst others, significant lifting capabilities and are able to provide a broad range of offshore heavy installations tasks.
Passenger Vessel Safety Record Defies NTSB Hit List
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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently released its annual “Top 10 Most Wanted List” of Transportation Improvements for 2014. New this year was the issue of passenger vessel safety. Between 2000 and 2010, several accidents involving passenger vessels occurred. The domestic passenger vessel industry is highly regulated. Safety regulations for small passenger vessels took effect starting in 1996 for new construction…
Russia Eyes Boosting Primorsk Diesel Exports
Reuters- Russia's oil pipeline monopoly Transneft said on Thursday it plans to nearly triple exports of ultra low sulphur diesel (ULSD) from the Baltic Sea port…
Swedish Transport Approves Transas ECDIS Training
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Transas Marine International has received Transportstyrelsen (Swedish Transport Agency) approval for its STCW conform generic ECDIS training. After successful formal and on-site Transportstyrelsen audits, Transas ECDIS training course was certified successfully and will be re-audited according to the regular Transportstyrelsen audit cycle. ECDIS Training offered by Transas Marine follows the IMO Model Course 1.27 fully compliant to the STCW 2010…
First Successful Flow Test from East of Oman in 30 Years
Masirah Oil Limited announced the testflow rates of the previously announced discovery at the second exploration well in Block 50 Oman, were very encouraging. The…
China’s Growth Plans are Positive for Global Shipping
![Source: BIMCO, HSBC/Markit, Li & Fung Group](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/source-bimco-hsbcmarkit-li-fung-24047.png)
China’s aim of 7.5% GDP growth for 2014 is positive news for the shipping market – in particular, dry bulk, the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) said in a report published today. Despite being a little down on the 2013 GDP growth of 7.7%, BIMCO said the growth target of 7.5% set by China’s Premier Li Keqiang at his first appearance at China’s annual parliamentary session bodes well for shipping, trade and commodity demand in 2014.
Egypt Tries Harder to Stop Energy Firm Exodus
Egypt is enhancing exploration terms and striving to repay nearly $5 billion it owes to foreign oil and gas producers as it struggles to prevent them fleeing to…
Oil Firms Opt for Stability, Urge Scotland to Stay in UK
Reuters - Royal Dutch Shell has become the second energy heavyweight to urge Scotland to stay in the United Kingdom as the campaign for Scottish independence battles…
AdvanFort Begins Internal Restructuring
Private maritime security provider AdvanFort announced that it will commence a restructuring program to implement rigid quality control for its PCASPs, meant to…
Edison in Talks to Buy Two Israeli Offshore Fields
Reuters - Edison, the Italian utility owned by EDF, is in talks to buy two Israeli gas fields from U.S. explorer Noble Energy and Israel's Delek Drilling, which…
U.S. freedom of navigation operations in 2013 targeted China, Iran
The U.S. military carried out freedom of navigation operations challenging the maritime claims of China, Iran and 10 other countries last year, asserting its transit…