US, French Navies Conclude Combined Operations
![U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rob Aylward](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/us-navy-photo-by-mass-22893.jpg)
Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HST CSG) and French Navy Task Force 473 concluded five weeks of combined carrier strike group operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR) Feb 2. The two strike groups began conducting integrated operations Dec. 26 in the Gulf of Oman and have operated together in the northern Arabian Sea and the Arabian Gulf to enhance regional maritime security and stability. Ships participating in the combined operations included USS Harry S.
Today in U.S. Naval History: February 4
![Enterprise taking shape in slipway #11, Newport News Shipbuilding. (U.S. Navy photo)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/enterprise-taking-shape-in-slipway-22891.jpg)
Today in U.S. Naval History: February 4 1779 - John Paul Jones takes command of Bonhomme Richard 1959 - Keel laying of USS Enterprise, first nuclear powered aircraft carrier, Newport News, Va. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.
SMIT Salvage Get Angola Jack-Up Platform Removal Contract
![Image credit SMIT Salvage](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/image-credit-smit-salvage-22888.jpg)
Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. (Boskalis) subsidiary SMIT Salvage has been awarded a contract to remove a damaged jack-up platform from the seabed offshore Angola. Including the award of this contract, SMIT Salvage has acquired approximately USD 70 million of work year to date. During its installation in July 2013, the platform suffered a punch-through and subsequently rolled over and sank to a depth of 30 meters.
Oil Discovered in Second Oman Exploration Well
![Aban Vll: Photo courtesy of Rex International](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/aban-vll-photo-courtesy-of-22885.jpg)
Masirah Oil Limited has announced the successful reach of the well target depth in the second exploration well in Block 50 Oman to its final depth of >3,000 metres into the Cambrian formation. Hydrocarbons were discovered in several formations with good oil sample extracted. The well will undergo data acquisition before setting the completion for testing. The well was drilled using the independent leg cantilever jack-up drilling rig Aban VII.
Pacific Drilling Releases Fleet Status Report & Revenue Guidance
![Image courtesy of Pacific Drilling](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/image-courtesy-of-pacific-drilling-22886.jpg)
Pacific Drilling says that the latest in its fleet of 5 of new ultra-deepwater drillships is in service. Two additional drillships are under construction at Samsung Heavy Industries for delivery in 2014, and an eighth rig is under construction for delivery in March 2015. Pacific Drilling is a fast growing company that says it is committed to becoming the industryâs preferred ultra-deepwater drilling contractor.
International Assoc. of Classification Societies Publish 2014 'Blue Book'
![Shipyard workers: Photo CCL](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/shipyard-workers-photo-ccl-22889.jpg)
The International Association of Classification Societies announce the release of the IACS Blue Book, Version January 2014. The Blue Book is an electronic library of technical resolutions (both past and present) adopted by IACS as a result of its technical work and provides an example of how the aims and objectives of the Association are delivered for the benefit of international shipping. HF & TB for UR, UI, PR & Rec.
Maritime UK Appoint Jeffrey Evans Chairman
![Jeffrey Evans: Photo courtesy of Maritime London](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/jeffrey-evans-photo-courtesy-of-22883.jpg)
Maritime London informs that its chairman, Jeffrey Evans, has also been appointed chairman of industry lobby group Maritime UK: he is managing director of gas at Clarksons as well as an Alderman of the City of London. Commenting on his new role, Mr Evans said: âI am delighted, honoured and excited to be taking over as Chairman of Maritime UK. In the past few years Maritime UK has grown from a fledgling coalition of maritime interests into a respected and influential industry lobby.
Africa Gearing Up: PwC Report on Transportation & Logistics
![Major port projects & logistics: Map credit PwC](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/major-port-projects-logistics-map-22887.jpg)
A new analysis 'Africa Gearing Up: Future prospects in Africa for the transportation and logistics industry' has been released by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), with the following joint introduction by Klaus-Dieter Ruske, Global Leader Transportation & Logistics, and Peter Kauschke, Director Transportation & Logistics. "More than a billion people, 54 countries, a continent bigger than the USA, Europe, China and India combined. Yet Africa is barely present on the map of world trade.
Storm-Bound Charity Vessel on African Voyage Gets Free Paint Job
![Medical vessel Jubilee Hope: Photo courtesy of the Vine Trust](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/medical-vessel-jubilee-hope-photo-22882.jpg)
Stormy weather has forced a ship to take refuge in Falmouth, England, on the first leg of its charity voyage from Scotland to Africa, where it will become a medical ship serving isolated communities. A&P Falmouth shipyard say they are assisting the Jubilee Hope, which set sail from Glasgow and was just four days into her 8,585 mile trip when she arrived in Falmouth. Operated by charity the Vine TrustâŠ
Number of UK Seafarers Falls For Third Year
![Cadet training: File picture CCL](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/cadet-training-file-picture-ccl-22890.jpg)
The total number of UK seafarers active at sea fell for the third consecutive year to 22,830 in 2013, according to the government's Department for Transport's Seafarer Statistics, 2013, representing a 5% annual decrease in numbers. There were 10,840 certificated UK officers active at sea, 1% less than in 2012, and the number of UK officers has been falling over the past seven years. The series peakedâŠ
MARAD's Jaenichen to Open NAMEPA 'Winds of Change' Conference
![Paul âChipâ Jaenichen: Photo credit NAMEPA](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/paul-chip-jaenichen-photo-credit-22880.jpg)
Acting Maritime Administrator, Paul âChipâ Jaenichen will open the âWinds of Change in Shippingâ conference being hosted by NAMEPA (North American Marine Environment Protection Association) in Houston along with the WGMA (West Gulf Maritime Association) on February 19, 2014. The next day, February 20th, NAMEPA is partnering with NOIA (National Ocean Industries Association) to present the âWinds of Change in Offshore Oil and Gasâ.
Global Oil Transportation System Imperfect, Explains Forecaster
![2014-2018 Tanker Market Outlook': Image courtesy of McQuilling Services](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/20142018-tanker-market-outlook-image-22879.jpg)
In the second of a four part series of explanatory notes to McQuilling Services '2014-2018 Tanker Market Outlook' an important element of the company's forecasting process regarding fleet utilization and availability (included for the first time in the current report) is discussed in the following brief excerpt. The marine transportation system described by the global carriage of crude oil and petroleum products is by nature imperfect and highly inefficient.
Whaling Protest Ship Collides with Japanese Harpoon Vessel
![Dangerous approaches: Photo courtesy of Sea Shepherd/Eliza Muirhead](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/dangerous-approaches-photo-courtesy-of-22878.jpg)
The Sea Shepherd conservation group ship 'Bob Barker' has collided with the Japanese whaling fleet harpoon vessel 'Yushin Maru No. 2' as the harpooners attempted to block them in a recent skirmish lasting about 6 hours in southern Antarctic waters. The incident, say Sea Shepherd, is an attempt to deter the protest ships from their current position, blocking the slipway of the Nisshin Maru, in order to prevent them from loading whales poached from the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary.
Guide for Hazardous Areas from E2S
![](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/-22877.jpg)
E2S Warning Signals have published a new âGuide for Hazardous areasâ which is available as a free download from their website. The guide has been put together with specifiers and hazardous area engineers in mind with matrix tables that enable fast cross-referencing of information between the main certification systems: ATEX, IECEx, North American and Canadian standards. Protection concepts are listed along with applicable zoneâŠ
EIVA Names Pedersen Chairman
![Flemming Bligaard Pedersen](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/flemming-bligaard-pedersen-22876.jpg)
The Board of Directors of Danish EIVA a/s is headed by Flemming Bligaard Pedersen as of January 14, 2014. With the appointment of the new Chairman, the offshore service and equipment provider prepares to further strengthen its business in the light of the growth it has seen in recent years. Pedersen has technical understanding and many years of management experience from a career that has included involvement in the offshore industry.
Recent Vessel Sales: January 2014
01/29 ABU DHABI STAR - 51,069 - 08(6) - $28. Prepared by Shipping Intelligence, Inc., New York.
ASRY Signs Solas Agreement
![ASRY Chief Executive Nils Kristian Berge (centre) signs deal with Solas Marine Services General Manager Sanjay Prabhu (right)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/asry-chief-executive-nils-kristian-22875.jpg)
ASRY, a ship and rig repair yard in the Arabian Gulf, is expanding its range of in-yard services by signing a Service Agreement with Solas Marine Services Group. The Agreement will allow Solas to build a 2,000-square-meter Service Center for Life Boats, Life Rafts and Fire Fighting & Life Saving Appliances in ASRY, which will not only expand ASRYâs services portfolio, but also bring new business opportunities to the Kingdom itself.
Maritime Reporter @ 75: The Daily Cartoon
![© New Wave Media](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/new-wave-media-22874.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.
SSA Selects Elliot Bay Ferry Design
![255' pax vehicle ferry Island Home, previously designed by EBDG for SSA](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/255-pax-vehicle-ferry-island-22873.jpg)
Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG), a naval architecture and marine engineering firm with offices in Seattle, New Orleans and Ketchikan, has been awarded a multiple-phase project to design a new freight and passenger ferry for the Massachusetts-based Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket Steamship Authority (SSA). âWe were looking to replace our oldest vessel, the M/V Governor, with a more versatile vessel by the spring of 2016," stated Wayne C. Lamson, General Manager for the SSA.
Dredging Operations Prolonged on Delaware River
The safety zone around dredging operations in Marcus Hook Range in the Delaware River remains in effect until on or about February 28, 2014. The Dredge ESSEX hasâŠ