Bill in Congress to Expand Benefits for WWII Merchant Seamen
Representatives G. K. Butterfield (D-NC) and Walter Jones (R-NC) introduced bipartisan legislation this week that would make deserving World War II U.S. Merchant Mariners eligible for honorary veteransâ status and certain veteransâ benefits, Rep. Butterfield's office said in a press release. H.R. 1288, the World War II Merchant Marine Service Act of 2013,would expand the list of documents accepted by the U.S.
Cruise Line Agrees to $500K Settlement for Disguising Sales Calls
Caribbean Cruise Line Inc. has agreed to a $7.73 million settlement after the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and 10 state attorney generals sued the Fort LauderdaleâŚ
OTC Names Technology Award Winners
The Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), which takes place May 4-7 in Houston, has announced 17 technologies that will receive the Spotlight on New Technology SM Award. The 2015 awards will be presented May 4, in the NRG Center Rotunda Lobby. The Spotlight on New Technology Awardsâa program for OTC exhibitorsâshowcase the latest and most advanced hardware and software technologies that are leading the industry into the future.
Jack W. Fisher Passes Away at 73
Jack W Fisher, president of JW Fishers Mfg. passed away at home after a brief illness on February 20, 2015. He was 73 years old. The JW Fishers business was started because Fisher, an avid diver, needed an underwater metal detector to use on a salvage project in the mid 1960s. He discovered there was no such device available. Over the next several years he designed and constructed his own underwater metal detector. JW Fishers Mfg.
Global LNG-Asia Prices Creep Higher on Japanese Demand
Asian spot liquefied natural gas prices edged higher as scattered demand from Japanese buyers and others helped stem the recent decline in prices, traders said on Friday.
Piracy Still a Big Threat in the Indian Ocean
Underestimating the security risk in the Indian Ocean could put ships in danger once again, says maritime security company MAST Ltd. âWhilst recent reports and incidents seem to be pointing to the Far East as the next piracy hotspot, the real security risk to shipping remains within the Indian Ocean, which is being âunder-hypedâ by some commentators,â said Gerry Northwood OBE, COO of MAST. "It is clear that the level of maritime crime in the Far East is highâŚ
More MERUS Rings for MS Rotterdam
Pronomar has installed two additional MERUS rings on board Holland America Lineâs MS Rotterdam, this time in the wellness area for the steam generators. The order follows the installation of four MERUS rings in May and June 2014 on the cruise ship at various applications in the kitchen, such as the dishwashers and the piping of the kitchen. One of the benefits of the MERUS rings is less and easier maintenance of the technical equipment on boardâŚ
First LNG-powered EcoLiner Launched
Damen Shipyards Group launched the first LNG-powered Damen EcoLiner inland shipping tanker at its Romanian yard in early February. The EcoLiner, developed to deliver fuel economy for inland shipping operators while at the same time cutting emissions, features a design that combines conventional, proven engineering with sustainable innovations, including the worldâs first installations of the ACES Air-Lubricated HullâŚ
Zamakona to Deliver Tuna Freezer Vessel
This Saturday, March 7, Zamakona Shipyards in Santurce will deliver its construction number 737, the tuna freezer vessel Jai Alai, to bermeo Group Echebastar. Present at the ceremony will be Kepa Echevarría, Deputy Director of the Echebastar Group; and Pedro Garaygordobil, Zamakona Yardsâ President; and to preside over the ceremony and act as godmother Mary Arenaza Happiness Madariaga, member of the tuna vesselâs owning companyâŚ
St. Lawrence Seaway Opening Date Pushed Back
Tthe opening date for the St. Lawrence Seaway 2015 navigation season has been delayed following review and consideration of factors and conditions affecting safeâŚ
Drop in Cocoa Bean Size Worries Ivorian Exporters
Dry weather in top cocoa grower Ivory Coast has caused a sharp drop in bean size and will delay the start of the April-to-September mid-crop by nearly two monthsâŚ
IACS Comments on MOL Comfort Report
The International Association of Classifications Societies (IACS) informs it will study the final report issued in Japan by the Committee on Large Container Ship Safety (CLCSS), which concludes that the Mol Comfort break up possibly occurred because the sea loads exceeded the hull girder ultimate strength at the time of the casualty, as well as the recommendations formulated in the document, and will make public the results of this examination.
EU to Deliver Climate Pledge to UN
EU ministers agreed on Friday to send their formal promise on how much they will cut greenhouse gas emissions to the United Nations ahead of climate change talks starting in November.
NV Charts Relocates US Headquarters
NV Charts has moved its offices and warehousing facilities to centrally-located Deale, Maryland, U.S. In announcing the move, Hasko Scheidt, CEO, said, âAs weâve grown and need room for expansion, NV Charts has moved to new quarters in Deale, Maryland, a little more than 30 miles south of Annapolis. We're right on the Chesapeake, and in the heart of sailing and boating country, perfectly situated in the middle of the U.S. Kimberly Lutz is on duty as office manager.
New Floating Installation Concept for Offshore Wind
Conquest Offshore, together with deugro Denmark A/S, has developed an installation system for monopiles and transition pieces, supported by Temporary Works Design (TWD) and Barge Master.
Wärtsilä, CME Offer âScrubber Financeâ
In a move intended to help ease the financial burden on shipowners seeking to install scrubber systems to meet sulphur emissions legislation, Wärtsilä and Clean Marine Energy (Europe) Ltd.
Tor Svensen: Europe Must Drive Maritime Sector
Europe has a major role to play in driving the maritime industry forward, said Tor Svensen, CEO of DNV GL â Maritime, in his keynote speech on innovation at the European Shipping Week in Brussels. Svensen outlined three priority areas that will drive shipping in the decades to come: sustainability and environmentally friendly technologies, big data and connected ship solutions as well as a new safety mindset across the whole maritime industry in order to improve its safety track record.
Alphatron Marine VSAT Systems for 11 Workboats
Alphatron Marine has signed a lease contract with Seacontractors for no less than 11 vessels to provide satellite hardware and data solution packages. Alphatron Marineâs VSAT system will be installed alongside the existing IT infrastructure on nine Seacontractors B-Class workboats and two A-Class workboats, consisting of Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) and Multicats, mainly operating in Western Europe and the Middle East.
Royal IHC Merges Four Units into IHC IQIP
Royal IHC (IHC) has integrated four of its business units â IHC Hydrohammer, IHC Handling Systems, IHC Sea Steel and IHC Fundex Equipment â into one new organization, which will operate under the name IHC IQIP. IHC said the merger aims to offer a fully integrated solution for on- and offshore installation, foundation and decommissioning to customers in the oil and gas, offshore wind and coastal and civil markets.
CTruk OWSV Enhanced with Volvo IPS
Since the launch of its first-of-class CTruk MPC22 late last year, the East Anglia-based workboat designer and builder informs it has incorporated performance feedback into future builds to deliver a range of enhancements. The second CTruk MPC22, due for delivery in June, will feature the Volvo IPS system for increased bollard pull and service speeds, also increasing the fuel efficiency of CTrukâs lighter weight composite catamarans.
