Broadband Bandwidth Battles
As Satellite providers battle for market share, the onboard struggle to efficiently maximize bandwidth allocation is also being solved. The requirement to monitoring critical equipment and at the same time satisfy the increasingly sophisticated demands of today’s seafarers all need to be balanced against the cost of bandwidth. The call for both ‘big data’ and the full range of crew connectivity and entertainment is upon the shipping industry.
Answering the Call
There’s a digital disconnect offshore. The communication standards we take for granted on land are cut adrift at sea; hampering data transfer for businesses, while severing individuals’ lifelines to social media networks. What’s to ‘like’ about that? Frode Støldal, CEO of MCP, has had enough. “We think it’s time for a new mobile communications reality,” says a steely eyed Frode Støldal from his seat at the Offshore Technology Days conference in Bergen, Norway.
Austal Delivers for Militaries ... Near & Far
While Austal USA based in Mobile, Alabama, still accounts for the lion’s share of revenue (more than 80%) of the Australian based company, the entire corporation has been making waves of late delivering latest technology to naval fleets around the globe. Austal USA christened USNS Trenton (JHSV 5) at its shipyard in Mobile, Ala. USNS Trenton is the fifth of 10 Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV) that Austal has under contract with the U.S.
USS America: LHA with an Aviation Focus
The U.S. Navy’s newest Amphibious Assault Ship, USS America (LHA 6) was commissioned on October 11, 2014 at Pier 30-32 in San Francisco. First in its class, the USS America does not have a well deck, unlike her previous counterparts, thus making the USS America an LHA with an aviation focus. The removal of the well deck allows USS America to have larger hangar facilities and more capacity for aviation fuel and munitions. The U.S.
RCCL Plans to Scrub Emissions into Shape
As new emission standards enter force across the commercial maritime sector, Royal Caribbean has opted to outfit 19 of its ships with scrubbers from two manufacturers. This month we visit with Harri Kulovaara, EVP, Maritime, and Kevin Douglas, VP, Technical Projects/Newbuilds, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., to discuss the reasoning behind the decision. As new emission standards enter force across the commercial maritime sector…
Brazil to Lease 29 Ports to Private Companies
A plan to attract private investment to Brazil's strained port infrastructure is even more important in the face of federal budget cuts that will curb public investment…
Efficient Computer Control with G&D
For centuries, mariners have relied on paper maps to navigate the world’s oceans and waterways. Today, the computer technology used on board literally controls the vessel. Along with computers, KVM technology enters ships across the world. German manufacturers Guntermann & Drunck GmbH (G&D) were already working on KVM solutions before this technology had a name. The company was founded by Udo Guntermann and Martin Drunck in 1985.
Russia's Seaborne Urals Exports Seen Down in April
Russia's Urals crude exports and transit from the Baltic Sea ports and Novorossiisk are set to fall in April by 2.5 percent on a daily basis to 8.14 million tonnes from 8.623 million tonnes in March…
Xin Yue Feng: Growth with a Range of Vessels
From the four-story office tower, housing 100 technical engineers and administration staff, to the 65,000-square-meter yard with extensive fabrication and machine shops and a huge dry dock, the Xin Yue Feng Shipyard has been building every more sophisticated vessels. Although the majority of the yards work is in steel, they maintain a set of skilled aluminum workers as well. In mid-March this group was building a small aluminum service vessel for a Singapore customer.
Ship Salvage in the Presence of WWII Era Torpedo & Mines
T&T Salvage continues to support shipowners with prompt, safe and cost-effective solutions to complex salvage, wreck removal, and anti-pollution challenges. A comprehensive management team, with an average of 26 years in the industry, has quickly propelled T&T as a leader to top-level shipping and offshore players. This team includes a diverse group of industry leaders including Salvage Masters, Project Managers…
Baltic Sea Freight Index up on Higher Capesize Rates
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, which tracks rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, rose on Tuesday on higher rates for capesize vessels. The index…
New Containership Enters CMA CGM Fleet
Newbuild containership CMA CGM Volga entered the CMA CGM fleet on March 17, and began her first rotation in Dalian, China, on March 20, the CMA CGM Group announced. The 10,622 TEUs vessel is the eight of a series of 28 ships from 9,400-10,900 TEUs that will be delivered through third quarter of 2016. The CMA CGM Danube, CMA CGM Elbe, CMA CGM Litani, CMA CGM Tigris, CMA CGM Loire, CMA CGM Ural and CMA…
SCI Inks Scandinavian Distributor Agreement
Survival Craft Inspectorate (SCI), a global provider of emergency marine evacuation systems, has selected a Swedish company to drive further growth in Scandinavia. Scanunit has agreed to a partnership with SCI for sales and installation rights of Safelaunch lifeboat release and retrieval systems (LRRS), which comply with the latest Solas MSC.1 / Circ 1392 guidelines. SCI said Scanunit’s success in Denmark and Sweden will complement its existing office in Norway.
India's Coal Imports to Jump 19% in 2014/15
India's coal imports are expected to jump 19 percent to a record of about 200 million tonnes this fiscal year, Coal Secretary Anil Swarup told Reuters, as power…
The Switch Receives PM Shaft Generators Order
The Switch, a supplier of megawatt-class permanent magnet (PM) generator and full-power converter packages for wind power and other renewable energy applications, received another order to deliver two PM shaft generators to WE Tech Solutions of Finland. At the end of February 2015, WE Tech Solutions placed another order for two PMM 1000 M shaft generators from The Switch with the option for an additional two to be used in future WE Tech Solutions projects.
GTT Bags Order for DSME-built LNGC
Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT), a designer of membrane containment systems for the maritime transportation and storage of liquefied natural gas (LNG), has received…
US-built Survey Vessel Delivered to Fugro
Newbuild shallow draft survey vessel Fugro Americas was delivered to Fugro on March 18, 2015. Built by Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors in Louisiana, with supervision by Fugro Marine Services Custom, the new vessel is designed to Fugro’s specifications, fitted with the latest geophysical survey equipment and houses some of the most advanced instrumentation in the field, Fugro noted. The Fugro Americas is optimized for working in the Gulf of Mexico…
New Azipod Thruster Launched by ABB
Power and automation technology group ABB has introduced Azipod D, a new addition to its line of Azipod electric propulsion offering, allowing a wider range of vessel types to utilize the Azipod propulsion system. ABB’s gearless Azipod propulsion system is already used on cruise vessels, icebreakers, ice-going cargo vessels and offshore accommodation ships. With the Azipod D, shipping segments such as offshore drilling…
Linn, Quantum Energy Tie Up to Buy Oil and Gas Assets
Private equity firm Quantum Energy Partners will invest up to $1 billion in a new entity for acquisition and development of oil and gas assets that will be managed by Linn Energy LLC.
Britain's Isle of Grain to Test LNG Export Capability
Britain's Isle of Grain liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal will test whether it can also export supply by loading a quantity of fuel onto inbound tanker Asia Vision on Thursday…
