LoBiondo Opens Hearing on Maritime Transport Regs
![Frank LoBiondo visits USCG training center in Cape May, August 2013](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/frank-lobiondo-visits-uscg-training-23985.jpg)
Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.) chaired today’s Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Hearing on “Maritime Transportation Regulations: Impacts on Safety, Security, Jobs, and the Environment; Part II” in place of Subcommittee Chairman Duncan Hunter. “The Subcommittee is meeting today for the second part of our two part hearing to review regulations affecting the maritime industry. Today’s…
Avoiding Temptation at Sea
![Photo courtesy Ambrey Risk](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-courtesy-ambrey-risk-23984.jpg)
The recent deaths of two security operatives on board the Maersk Alabama highlighted an acute concern amongst the shipping community: the threat of substance abuse. That there were narcotics found in the same cabin as the individuals concerned is even more worrying, but nothing new. The area of particular concern though is the likely use of drugs and alcohol by embarked security personnel with access to weapons.
Allegretti Testifies on Vessel Discharge Regs
![Tom Allegretti (Photo: AWO)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/tom-allegretti-photo-awo-23983.jpg)
On March 4, in testimony before the Coast Guard Maritime Transportation Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Tom Allegretti, President & CEO of The American Waterways Operators, urged Congress to enact a uniform national standard for ballast water and other vessel discharges to end a patchwork of federal and state regulations that is counterproductive to enhanced environmental protection…
San Jacinto College to Build Maritime Training Center
![Capt. John Kessler, maritime instructor, demonstrates how mariners train using the bridge simulators at the San Jacinto College maritime program. Photo credit: Jeannie Peng-Armao, San Jacinto College](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/capt-john-kessler-maritime-instructor-23981.jpg)
As San Jacinto College prepares to break ground to build the region's newest maritime training facility, some of the industry's most sought after training technology has arrived and is awaiting its new home. The college recently received three interactive, full-mission, ship bridge simulators, thanks to a collaborative agreement with the Houston Pilots. They will be moved to the College's 45,000-square-foot Maritime Technology and Training Center once it opens, projected for mid 2015.
Med Crude-CPC Blend Under Pressure, Saudi OSPs Awaited
Russian Urals prices were steady on Tuesday as the market awaited Saudi Aramco's official selling prices for April, while Kazakh CPC Blend remained under pressure on ample supplies.
Maritime Reporter @ 75: The Daily Cartoon
![© New Wave Media](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/new-wave-media-23975.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.
Mideast Crude Tanker Earnings Slip, Ukraine Watched
Crude oil tanker earnings on the major Middle East route fell on Tuesday as a build up of vessels available for hire weighed on rate sentiment. Shipping markets…
Bottled Water Sales to Shippers on the Rise
![Photo courtesy Hutton’s Group](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-courtesy-huttons-group-23974.jpg)
Hutton’s Group, a ship supplier in the U.K., reported sales of bottled water are up 30% on last year’s figures. The Hull-based supplier to the international shipping industry said it sold almost 40,000 large bottles of still water and nearly 20,000 small bottles this January alone, with sales of sparkling water (particularly popular with eastern European customers) growing too. The company said its January water sales equate to more than 13,000 liters.
US Appeals Court, Says BP Bound by Gulf Spill Accord
A divided U.S. appeals court has rejected BP Plc's bid to block businesses from recovering money over the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill, even if they could not trace…
Polar Onyx Readies for Brazilian Depths
![Photo: ULSTEIN/Marius Beck Dahle](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-ulsteinmarius-beck-dahle-23971.jpg)
The offshore construction vessel Polar Onyx was delivered on March 4, 2014 from Ulstein Verft to GC Rieber Shipping, as the latest addition to their growing investments into the subsea segment. The vessel’s first assignment will be to work for deepwater projects serving as pipelay support vessel for Petrobras offshore Brazil. The 130-meter long and 25-meter wide Polar Onyx is based on ULSTEIN’s SX121 design…
Today in U.S. Naval History: March 4
![USS Constitution (Photo: Naval History & Heritage Command)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/uss-constitution-photo-naval-history-23963.png)
Today in U.S. 1911 - Appropriation of first funds for experiments in naval aviation. 1925 - Congress authorizes restoration of USS Constitution. 1947 - Operation Highjump, air operations in Antarctica, ends. 1963 - Navy Hercules aircraft completes 12-day rescue operation of critically ill Danish seaman from Danish freighter off the coast of Antarctic. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.
Standoff Does not Impede Ukraine's Steel and Grain Flow
Steel and grain exports continue to flow from key global supplier Ukraine via Black Sea terminals with ports operating normal schedules, despite concerns raised by the tense political backdrop…
Terragon Awarded for Innovation
![Photo: Terragon](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-terragon-23962.jpg)
Terragon Environmental Technologies Inc. was the recipient of the Technical Innovation award at the 2014 Lloyd’s List North American Awards dinner held February 19 in Houston, Texas. The award celebrates the shipping industry’s ability to create and recognizes groundbreaking technology, design and service. Terragon earned the award for its novel technology, the Micro Auto Gasification (or simply, MAGS)…
Statoil Raises Gas Outage Expectation
Reuters - Norway's Statoil said its gas output will be down even more on Tuesday than it earlier expected because of "field availability reduction due to system curtailment", it said on Tuesday.
FMG, Hawkes Enter Energy Partnership
![From left to right: Dr Sultan FMG, Alan Kennedy Bolam IRHC, Darrin Hawkes, Hawkes Associates](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/from-left-to-right-dr-23960.jpg)
First Medical Group and Hawkes Associates Limited announced a strategic partnership to deliver a range of risk management and training services to energy and construction industries in Libya and globally. Based in Aberdeen Hawkes Associates Limited have provided risk management services to global energy organizations for over 10 years and are particularly known for their health risk management activities.
New Warranty Policy for Outboard Engines
Brunswick Marine announced an extended warranty on Mariner and Mercury outboard engines for commercial and governmental applications. “The extended warranty implemented…
Russian Navy Blocks Channel Between Crimea, Russia
Reuters - Russian navy ships have blocked off the Kerch Strait which separates Ukraine's Crimea region and Russia, the Ukrainian border guard service said on Tuesday.
New Fuel Rules Could Prompt Gasoil Price Spike
New fuel rules for ships entering low sulphur zones around northwest Europe and North America next year could trigger a price spike in European gasoil, whilst refiners…
LR Awarded O&G Consulting Contract
The deal will support Aker Solution’s commitment to meet safe and sustainable offshore operations in the most important new development in the North Sea. It is a…
Mobile Apps Target Regulatory Compliance
![Image courtesy Lloyd's Register](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/image-courtesy-lloyds-register-23959.jpg)
Lloyd’s Register and the UK P&I Club have updated the ILO MLC smartphone app and launched a new ISM & ISPS pocket checklist app. Both apps are free and are available for iPhone, iPad and Android devices. In a fully paperless operation, the apps enable ships’ crews and their managers to view necessary legislative and regulatory requirements, save multiple checklists, check off completed activities, add essential notes and send the completed checklists via email.