Liebherr Crane Quartet for Katoen Natie
Katoen Natie N.V. has increased its lifting capacity at the port of Antwerp, investing in three new Liebherr mobile harbor cranes, one LHM 550 and two LHM 600s. Additionally, the company enforced its operations in Radicatel, France, with a new LHM 420. In January 2015, both family-owned companies Katoen Natie und Liebherr celebrated the handover of the strongest Liebherr mobile harbor cranes (LHM) on Antwerp’s Left Bank in a festive ceremony.
Unique DP System Thrusts US Offshore Wind Sector
Offshore wind construction in the U.S. Thrustmaster of Texas, a marine propulsion design and manufacturing company in the U.S., is looking to give an edge to U.S. based marine jack-up operators wanting to enter the U.S. offshore wind farm construction and maintenance sector by cutting the cost of entry in half with a unique propulsion system that allows conversion of existing vessels to dynamically positioned work vessels.
CLIA Predicts Cruise Passenger Increase in 2015
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) released its annual State of the Cruise Industry Report today and is once again projecting industry growth in 2015. A record 23 million passengers are expected to sail this year, with 61 percent of North American CLIA-certified travel agents reporting an increase in 2015 travel bookings over this time last year. CLIA also revealed that member cruise lines are scheduled to debut 22 new ocean…
Seminar Addresses Marine Vibro-Acoustics
As the International Maritime Organization (IMO) furthers measures for controlling onboard noise and vibration levels in the interest of passengers and seafarers’ health…
Bulk Carrier Delivered to Uni-Asia Holdings
Uni-Asia Holdings Limited announced an update on the progress of the vessel acquisition project of Regina Bulkship S.A., a 51% owned subsidiary under Uni-Asia Shipping Limited…
Sheen Named ICG Managing Director
Andrew Sheen has been appointed by the Irish Continental Group (ICG) to the position of Managing Director of its Irish Ferries division. Sheen will assume his new role with effect from the beginning of April, reporting to ICG’s CEO, Eamonn Rothwell. Operations Director since 2012, Sheen has been involved in shipping for over 26 years, 10 of them with Irish Ferries - first as a sea-going Chief Engineer and, since 2010, in shore-based operations roles.
Maritime Propeller Repairs Certified for In-Situ Welding
Maritime Propeller Repairs BV (MPR) obtained a DNV-GL certification to perform propeller repairs using in-situ welding, the company announced today. Netherlands-based MPR is now the only company certified for vertical welding on propellers. Most repairs on propeller blades require the removal of the propeller from the shaft, which necessarily includes the removal of the rudder, a time-consuming and costly procedure.
US Navy Mobile Landing Platform Christened
General Dynamics NASSCO christened the U.S. Navy’s newest ship, the USNS Lewis B. Puller (MLP-3 AFSB), on Saturday during a christening ceremony held at the San Diego builder’s shipyard. This third Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) is the first ship of the class to be configured as an Afloat Forward Staging Base (AFSB), adding a flight deck, berthing, fuel storage, equipment storage, repair spaces and accommodations for up to 250 personnel.
India to Raise $2B in Foreign Funding for Ports
The Indian government is planning on raising $2B in overseas funding for major port expansion, the Economic Times of India reported today. The funding will also be used to construct rail and road projects to connect the ports to the country's interior. Indian officials told the Times that the proposal is soon to be finalized, and funds will be used to invest in 12 major ports. Officials also added that the plan will require approval from the Finance Ministry and the Reserve Bank of India.
Cold Kills 29 on Italian Coast Guard Boats
Twenty-nine migrants died of hypothermia aboard Italian coast guard vessels on Monday after being picked up from a boat adrift near Libya, reigniting criticism of…
Navy Leaders: Uncertainty Will Drive Innovation
Department of Navy leaders at the Naval Future Force Science and Technology (S&T) EXPO in Washington D.C., February 5 called for investment in new ideas and scientific research to keep the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps technologically superior in increasingly uncertain times. Sean J. Stackley, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition, said tight budgets at home and technological…
Zenith Acquires Bantry Bay Oil Terminal
International liquids and bulk terminaling company Zenith Energy has acquired the Bantry Bay Oil Terminal in West Cork, Ireland, from Phillips 66. The terminal, located on Whiddy Island in Bantry Bay…
$13B Needed to Repair US Locks
There are 192 locks on 12,000 miles of American rivers, and most have lived far beyond their life expectancy, the NY Times reported last week. The Times reported…
Kvichak Marine Awarded Duqm Pilot Boat Contract
Kvichak Marine Industries has been awarded a contract for the construction of two 19m all-weather pilot boats for the Port of Duqm Company SAOC, Sultanate of Oman, the company announced today. Designed by Camarc Design, Ltd., UK, the vessels will also function as search and rescue and oil spill recovery vessels. The all-aluminum vessels will be powered by twin Cummins QSK-19 marine diesel engines…
US West Coast Port Operations Resume
U.S. West Coast port operations resumed in full on Monday after shipping companies suspended loading and unloading of freighters for the weekend, citing chronic cargo backups the shippers and dockworkers have blamed on each other during months of labor tensions. Reopening of the ports to cargo vessels idled by the slowdowns and weekend suspension came as the shippers and dockworkers' union were scheduled to return to the bargaining table for further labor negotiations later in the day…
SharpEye Radar Ordered for NZ Frigates Upgrade
As part of the Lockheed Martin Canada prime contract for the Frigate Systems Upgrade project, a contract has been awarded to Kelvin Hughes to supply SharpEye radars and with an Agile Tracker to the New Zealand (NZ) Ministry of Defense. Kelvin Hughes will supply its S-Band solid state upmast 2D navigation and surveillance radar SharpEye, for two ship sets along with their tactical Naval MantaDigital display software and processors.
GSL to Acquire 8,063 TEU Vessel
Global Ship Lease, Inc. (GSL) has agreed to acquire an 8,063 TEU containership from a leading container liner company for a purchase price of $53.6 million, the company announced today.
Diamond Offshore Scraps Special Dividend on Weak Market
Rig contractor Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc said it expected a significant number of ultra-deepwater rigs to be idled across the industry by year-end as oil producers' capital budget is likely to be lowered by a fifth this year. The company also said it would not pay a special dividend as it had been doing since 2006 to save cash to take advantage of opportunities in a distressed market. "...This action saves the company about $415 million over the next year…
Servowatch Technology Puts Cathelco BWTS Ahead
Servowatch Systems’ cooperation with UK-based Cathelco has resulted in what is claimed to be the most technically advanced new generation ballast water treatment system (BWTS) on the market. UK-based Servowatch has been working closely with Cathelco to develop a fully integrated alarm, monitoring, and process control system for its combination filtration and UV BWTS, a key component of the IMO approval process and U.S Coast Guard AMS acceptance.
Grupo CBO Selects Huisman Winch Packages
In January 2015, Huisman, the worldwide specialist in lifting, drilling and subsea solutions, and Brazilian shipping company and shipyard group Grupo CBO, signed a contract for the delivery of four anchor handling and towing winch packages for four new Havyard 843 AHTS vessels. The winch packages will be built by Huisman’s new production facility in Navegantes, Brazil, and delivery is planned for 2016 and 2017. The winches will be delivered with 50% Brazilian content.
