Ocean Carriers and NVOCCs Select Descartes
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Descartes Systems Group announced that ocean carriers and nonvessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs) have selected Descartes' Japan Ocean Advanced Filing Rule (AFR) solution to help them comply with Japan's new advanced cargo security initiative, which takes effect March 10, 2014. Japan's AFR mandate requires ocean carriers and NVOCCs to electronically submit data to Japan Customs on maritime container…
Transas Secures Two VTS Contracts in Bulgaria
![Photo: Transas](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-transas-23219.jpeg)
Transas Marine has signed contracts with the Bulgarian Ports Infrastructure Company (BPI Co) for the implementation of two significant Vessel Traffic System projects in Bulgaria. The first project involves completion of the second phase of the Bulgarian River Information Services project (BulRISII). Under this contract Transas will supply and install a Vessel Traffic Management Information System compliant with all European standards and technical requirements for the River Information Services.
Oman Drydock Announces 200th Drydocking
![Photo: Oman Drydock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-oman-drydock-23218.jpg)
Oman Drydock Company (ODC), based in the Middle East’s new mega city of Duqm, signaled its "passionate and driving ambition" to catapult itself further into the region’s multibillion dollar ship repair industry after completing its 200th drydocking since launching in 2011. A ceremony was held at the shipyard, which cost $1.5 billion to build, to celebrate the landmark with shipping giant Maersk whose vessel, the 4388 TEU Maersk Wisconsin, was the 200th ship to be drydocked by ODC.
U.S. DOE Gives Preliminary Nod to Cameron, LA LNG Exports
Energy Department Conditionally Authorizes Cameron LNG to Export Liquefied Natural Gas. The Energy Department announced today that it has conditionally authorized Cameron LNG…
Coast Guard OPC Sweepstakes Narrowed to Three Yards
Acquisition Update: U.S. Coast Guard Awards Three Contracts for Offshore Patrol Cutter Preliminary and Contract Design. In a process that has come a long way since…
Law Firm Ince & Co Advise on Huge Jack-Up Rig Deal
![Martin Brown: Photo courtesy of Ince & Co](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/martin-brown-photo-courtesy-of-23212.jpg)
International law firm Ince & Co (Singapore) LLP represented Oro Negro in its international bond issuance, an offering of US$725-Million Notes due 2019. Partner Martin Brown described the issue as very good news for both the global high yield market and the oil services sector including the jack-up rig market operating in the Mexican Gulf of Mexico. Ince & Co explain that the purpose of the issuance is to refinance the acquisition of three already delivered new jack-up rigs…
Inmarsat Appoint SatComms Australia 'Gold Service Provider'
![Satellite orbit: Image CCL](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/satellite-orbit-image-ccl-23215.jpg)
Inmarsat, a leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services inform that SatComms Australia, a provider of mobile and fixed satellite solutions, has been appointed as a Gold Service Provider. An Inmarsat service provider since 2005, SatComms provides services primarily to the maritime sector and, in recent years, has extended its business to Land and Aviation users as well. “We have…
North Sea Compression Services Contract for Technip
![North Sea Giant: Photo credit Technip](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/north-sea-giant-photo-credit-23205.jpg)
Technip inform they have been awarded by Statoil a substantial contract for future intervention services on the Asgard Subsea Compression Stations situated on the Norwegian contenental shelf. Ranking among the largest developments on the Norwegian continental shelf, the Asgard field lies on the Halten Bank in the Norwegian Sea, about 200 kilometers off Norway. The Asgard subsea compression facility is the world’s first project of its kind…
Tanker Market 2014 Foundations Shaky Say Analysts
![Tanker contracting 2004-13: Diagram courtesy of McQuilling Services](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/nker-contracting-200413-diagram-courtesy-23204.jpg)
Looking at the global economy, although markets seemingly having a hard time digesting recent moves by the US Fed to scale back its bond purchasing program, a recovery appears to be on the horizon. One notable difference when compared to recent years has been that OECD economies, in particular the US, comprises a larger contribution to this development. This has been spurred by reduced energy costs on the back of the US oil boom which has been helping to reign in the unemployment level.
ASL to Build Six Offshore Service Vessels
![Offshore Service Vessel: Image courtesy of ASL](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/offshore-service-vessel-image-courtesy-23214.jpg)
Singapore-based ASL Marine Holdings Ltd. say that its wholly-owned subsidiary, ASL Shipyard Pte Ltd (“ASLS”), has secured new shipbuilding contracts worth approximately S$97-million for the construction of six vessels. • Four Anchor Handling Tug/ Multi-Purpose Supply Vessels. The vessels have been ordered by customers in Europe and Singapore and will be built iunder the supervision of classification societies LR and ABS respectively.
ABB to Provide UK Wind Farm Subsea HV Cable Link
![Image courtesy of ABB](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/image-courtesy-of-abb-23207.jpg)
ABB, the power and automation technology group, inform they have won an order worth around US$55-million to supply a submarine AC (alternating current) power cable system for a new wind farm, located off the coast of Norfolk, England. The order was received from Dudgeon Offshore Wind Limited, a company owned by Statoil and Statkraft. The underwater cables will feed the electricity generated by the 400-megawatt (MW) Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm into the UK national grid.
Caterpillar to Launch Re-Manufactured Popular Marine Engines
![Image courtesy of Caterpillar](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/image-courtesy-of-caterpillar-23208.jpg)
Caterpillar Marine is to launch the Cat Reman 3116, 3126 and 3126B propulsion engines for yachts at the 2014 Miami International Boat Show. Re-manufactured using only 100% Caterpillar re-manufactured or genuine new parts, the economical Cat Reman engines will enter production in summer 2014. Caterpillar explain that these propulsion engines will be available in ratings of 304 - 456 mhp and are ideal for pleasure craft as well as fishing vessels.
Congressman Garamendi Again Fights the Maritime Corner
![John Garamendi at the Markup Debate: Vidio Image courtesy of the House](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/john-garamendi-at-the-markup-23209.jpg)
During the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s markup of H.R. 4005, the Coast Guard Reauthorization Bill, Subcommittee Ranking Member Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA) spoke up for American jobs, a revival of the maritime industry, and a Cruise Ship Passenger Bill of Rights. Because the Coast Guard Reauthorization Bill modernizes maritime policy, provides budget stability…
PPG's AMERCOAT Wins Navy Coating Award
![USS Freedom arrives San Diego: Photo credit USN](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/uss-freedom-arrives-san-diego-23216.jpg)
PPG Industries’ protective and marine coatings (PMC) business inform they have received The Society of Protective Coatings (SSPC) 2014 Military Coatings Project Award of Excellence for the performance of AMERCOAT® 240 and PSX® 700SG coatings on the 'USS Freedom', the lead ship of the U.S. Navy’s littoral combat fleet. The award is given annually by SSPC to recognize exceptional coatings work performed on U.S. military ships, structures or facilities.
Donjon Shipbuilding Gets Tank Barge Order
![Image courtesy of Donjon Shipbuilding](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/image-courtesy-of-donjon-shipbuilding-23211.jpg)
Erie, Pennsylvania shipyard, Donjon Shipbuilding & Repair, reported that Seabulk Tankers has placed an order with them for a petroleum and chemical barge. The wholly owned subsidiary of Donjon Marine Co. Inc. whose main office is in Hillside, N.J., said they have entered into a contract with Seabulk Tankers to construct one 185,000 barrel coastal petroleum and chemical barge, which will become the barge component of an Articulated Tug and Barge (ATB) unit.
USCG to Break Ice on Lake Michigan
![USCG photo](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/uscg-photo-23203.jpg)
A Coast Guard cutter crew arrived at Chicago's Navy Pier today for planned icebreaking operations on southern Lake Michigan. Lt. Thomas Przybyla and the crew of the St. Ignace, Mich.-based cutter are in southern Lake Michigan for planned icebreaking operations, including an operation in Burns Harbor, Ind., beginning Wednesday afternoon. uscg.mil
USCG Medevacs Mariner near Alaska
A U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew medevaced an ailing mariner from a vessel in the Bering Sea near Cold Bay today. The helicopter…
Maritime Reporter @ 75: The Daily Cartoon
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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.
VT Halter Launches Tug for Bouchard
![Denise A. Bouchard (Photo: VT Halter Marine)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/denise-a-bouchard-photo-vt-23197.jpg)
VT Halter Marine, Inc., a subsidiary of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), today launched the oceangoing 112-foot Articulated Tug Barge (ATB) Tug, Denise A. Bouchard. Measuring 112 feet by 35 feet by 17 feet, the 4,000hp tug is classed by ABS as A1 Towing Vessel, Dual Mode, and is equipped with an Intercon Coupler System. Construction of the vessel began in March 2013, and the keel was laid in May 2013 at VT Halter Marine’s Moss Point Marine facility in Escatawpa, Miss.
Kongsberg to Overhaul Seamen’s Church Simulators
![Image: Kongsberg](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/image-kongsberg-23195.jpg)
SCI begins a massive rebuild of its Paducah, Ky. simulators used to train mariners for safety on the water. The Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) has signed a contract with Kongsberg Maritime for a complete overhaul of important maritime simulator technology at its Center for Maritime Education campus in Paducah, Ky. Installation begins in August to replace existing wheelhouse architecture with entirely…