Tight Budget Hampers Malaysia's Naval Ambitions
Budget constraints are jeopardising Malaysia's defence spending plans, which include replacing ageing fighter jets and beefing up its maritime capabilities, at a…
Chinese Crane Barge Build Underway
DongGuan Nanxiang Shipbuilding chairman Zhu Fu Lin welcomes guests with fresh-brewed local tea and explains the range of work at the shipyard: from a large fishing boat building for a Hong Kong customer, to a variety of heavy lifting crane-vessels of various sizes for a range of customers. Although not the largest, the 400-ton-capacity 62.2- by 26.2-meter crane barge that the yard had under construction in mid-March was a good representation.
The (Welding) Tools of the Trade
The fast-paced marine industry faces constant demands for efficiency and productivity – both from its workers and the equipment they use. That’s why, five years ago, MetalCraft Marine embarked upon a much-needed welding equipment upgrade when it discovered that the machines spent more time in repair mode than in active production. The Kingston, Ontario-based integrated designer and builder of custom, high-performance, aluminum workboats, which also operates a U.S.
Austal Wins LCS Class Services Support Contract
Austal Limited was awarded a $6,502,918 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-11-C-2301) to exercise an option for special studies, analyses and review efforts for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program. The deal will see Austal provide engineering and design services to reduce acquisition and lifecycle costs for the Independence variant LCS. Work will be performed in Mobile, Alabama (72 percent)…
Arctic Sea Ice Sets Record Low Extent at Winter Maximum
Arctic sea ice has set a new winter record by freezing over the smallest extent since satellite records began in 1979, in a new sign of long-term climate change, U.S. data showed on Thursday. The ice floating on the Arctic Ocean around the North Pole reached its maximum annual extent of just 14.54 million square kms (5.61 million sq miles) on Feb. 25 - slightly bigger than Canada - and is now expected to shrink with a spring thaw.
USS New Orleans Conducts Sea Trials
The amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) completed a five-day sea trials March 13 following an eight-month planned maintenance period, the U.S. Navy reported. The sea trials gave New Orleans' crew members an opportunity to test a number of shipboard systems including damage control systems, navigational equipment and the propulsion plant following a lengthy maintenance period. The…
NOAA: No Relief in Sight for Western US Drought
Drought pressures will increase in California and western areas of the United States this spring even as the dry season begins, the government's Climate Prediction Center said on Thursday.
Zamakona Inks Agency Deal with Stewart Group
Zamakona Yards has signed an agency agreement with the Stewart Group, owned by RS Platou&Clarksons, the shipyard announced. The agreement will see the Stewart Group…
Towing Vessel Sinking on Ohio River
The U.S. Coast Guard is responding to the sinking of a towing vessel on the Ohio River near Golconda, Illinois, Wednesday. Coast Guard Sector Ohio River Valley watchstanders…
San Diego Launches Blue Tech Vision
As part of a new blue tech vision that will create more maritime jobs for the San Diego region, Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer and County Supervisor Greg Cox today proposed…
Damen Refits Fisheries Research Vessel
Last week, the Dutch governmental shipping company Rijksrederij (part of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment, Rijkswaterstaat) took delivery of its scientific research vessel Tridens after an extensive refit at Damen Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam in the Netherlands. Tridens underwent a major midlife conversion to boost the vessel’s multifunctional capabilities for fisheries research, including installation of a ‘drop keel’.
Baltic Index Advances with Rising Cry Commodity Vessel Demand
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, which tracks rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, was lifted on Thursday by higher demand across all vessel segments.
Record Rig Berthing at Drydocks World
Drydocks World, the international service provider to the shipping, offshore, oil, gas and energy sectors, have simultaneously berthed 11 rigs in the Dubai yard, breaking its record of nine rigs at the yard set in February this year. Clients contributing to the record include Saipem, Saudi Aramco, Shelf Drilling, Aban Offshore and the National Drilling Company. Drydocks World said it has focused its…
GE Diesel Engines and Gearboxes for Reinauer ATB
Reinauer Transportation Companies, LLC, purchased two GE U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier 4 certified marine diesel engines and two Lufkin Marine Propulsion Gearboxes for its new articulated tug and barge (ATB), GE Marine announced. The ATB will be built by Senesco Marine and is scheduled to be commissioned in early 2016 to transport petroleum products in U.S. and International coastal waters. Local engine support will be provided by GE Marine’s Distributor, Cummins MidSouth.
DA-DESK Joins BIMCO
DA-Desk has announced that they have joined BIMCO as Associate Member. As a member of BIMCO, DA-Desk is now part of a community of more than 2,300 global members from the maritime shipping industry…
Rolls-Royce Gas Engines for FLNG Power Generation
Rolls-Royce has secured a contract with Keppel Shipyard in Singapore to supply two all-gas engines for power generation on-board a Floating Liquefaction Vessel (FLNGV) owned by Golar LNG Ltd. The vessel Hilli was a former LNG carrier and is being converted to a FLNGV carrier. Bergen B35:40V20AG is a compact and powerful gas engine with environmental performance in terms of low emissions of NOx, CO2, SOx and particulates.
Torqeedo Launches Commercial-grade Cruise Motor
Torqeedo has updated its electric outboards with a new design to meet the demands of commercial users. Available in comes in 5 hp and 8 hp equivalents, the Cruise is an electric solution for pontoon boats, sailboats, small boats, workboats, water taxis and users on lakes that limit the use of combustion motors since its introduction in 2008. The redesigned line now features an aluminum lower housing…
Palau Reports Increase in WRC Applications
Palau International Ship Registry (PISR) has received a high volume of applications from owners looking to have the correct documentation in place prior to the imminent…
Aircraft Carrier Alliance Opens Visitor Center
The Aircraft Carrier Alliance (ACA), which is building HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales in shipyards across the U.K., has opened a visitor center in Rosyth Dockyard. The facility, which has a view of both HMS Queen Elizabeth across the non-tidal basin and the Forth bridges behind it, has been created to allow small groups of visitors to learn more about the Alliance and the construction of the two largest warships ever built for the Royal Navy.
TT Club Warns Baltic Ports to Protect Against Reputational Damage
Speaking during Baltic Transport Week in Gdansk this week Andrew Huxley, Development Director at freight transport insurance specialist TT Club, warned port and terminal operators to be aware of the reputational damage that can be a serious consequence of uninsured incidents resulting from avoidable risks. It is estimated that for every unit cost incurred in insurance claims it can cost between eight…
