NBKB Surveys for Inland Vessels
Jaco Osseweijer of Verweij & Hoebee, a subsidiary of BMT Group, is an expert on inland navigation vessels. As Chairman of the technical committee of the Netherlands Bureau for Inspections of inland navigation vessels (NBKB) he is involved in the mandatory inspection regime for these vessels and explains how the system works. To those involved with deep sea or blue water shipping, brown water shipping is a bit of a mystery. The extent and variety of ships using the world’s major rivers is vast.
Special Pilotage in Port of Brownsville
The Brazos-Santiago Pilots handle some 600 ship and vessel transits through the Port of Brownsville each year, but it's not every day that they get the opportunity…
Port of LA Continues Zero Emissions Push
The Port of Los Angeles has issued a draft white paper on zero emission technology that details the port’s testing of zero emissions technology to date, and its proposed near-term plan for encouraging zero emission technology use in maritime goods movement, particularly as it relates to drayage trucks and yard tractors. By 2020, the port plans to facilitate testing and development of up to 200 zero emission vehicles.
Ensco CFO Jay Swent to Retire
Ensco plc announced that EVP & CFO Jay Swent will retire after more than 11 years of service. Swent will continue to serve in his current role until the succession process has been completed and a new CFO has been named. The completion of the succession process may extend into the first half of next year. Swent joined Ensco in July 2003 and was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in July 2012.
ABC Diesel Gasses Ahead With Dual Fuel Ferry
A new ferry is under construction in northern Spain to serve the Dutch island of Texel. The vessel is powered by four main engines from Anglo Belgian Corporation (ABC) and split between two independent engine rooms, each of which can provide sufficient power to ensure normal service at least up to Beaufort 9 wind force. Two of the ABC engines are of diesel/CNG dual-fuel type, running at a maximum 1,000 rpm, and two are 750 rpm diesels, and each has a rated maximum output of just over 2,000 kW.
Coast Guard Medevacs Mariner near Valdez
A mariner was medevaced by a U.S. Coast Guard Station Valdez, Alaska, boatcrew and a Valdez Fire Department emergency medical technician from the Valdez Narrows near Valdez, Tuesday morning.
Kraken Announced Executive Appointments
Kraken Sonar Inc. announced it has recruited two industry veterans to further develop its sensors-to-systems strategy. Joining the company is Dr. Tom Tureaud, who…
USCG Icebreaking Tug Up for Drydocking
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Katmai Bay (WTGB-101), homeported in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, arrived at Great Lakes Shipyard, Cleveland, Ohio, for drydocking, inspection, maintenance and repairs on July 8, 2015. The contract is for a scope of work that includes hull, propulsion and steering system inspections, as well as steel repairs, hull cleaning and painting. The 140-foot Bay-class Icebreaking Tug was hauled out on Monday…
Thrustmaster Equips Z-Drives with Mechanical Fuses
Thrustmaster has been building brown water propulsion equipment for more than 30 years. Now the company’s American-made Z-Drive thrusters for inland waterway towboats are the first thruster in the industry to include a built-in mechanical fuse or quick release coupling. The incorporation of a quick release coupling at the input shaft of the Z-drive gives operators the added protection from the inevitable debris that can line the riverbed.
Iran Deal Could Help India Boost Exports by Over a Third
India's exports to Iran could jump by over a third to $6 billion this fiscal year as an easing of sanctions against Tehran would help boost sales of agricultural…
Oil Analysts, Experts Weigh In On Iran Nuclear Deal
Iran, the United States and five other major powers reached an agreement to restrain the Iranian nuclear program in exchange for relief from economic sanctions.
Pioneer Marine Names V.Ships as Technical Managers
V.Ships, the ship management arm of global maritime services provider V.Group, has recently completed the transfer of the rapidly growing Pioneer fleet of geared dry bulk carriers into its management portfolio. Pioneer Marine Inc, a fleet owner of some one million deadweight of tonnage, currently operates 13 operational handysize and handymax dry bulk ships on the water with another 12 ships currently under construction in China.
EU Extends Suspension of Iran Sanctions
The European Union extended on Tuesday a suspension of sanctions on Iran for six months following a nuclear deal between the Middle East country and six major world powers.
Greece Receives Three Bids for Deep Sea Oil, Gas Drilling
Greece said on Tuesday it had received three bids for deep sea oil and gas drilling in western Greece and south of the island of Crete. The bidders were not disclosed.
Britain Announces Calais 'Secure Zone' to Curb Migrant Chaos
Britain is to create a 'secure zone' at the French port of Calais to protect lorries heading for England from migrants seeking to enter the country illegally, interior minister Theresa May said on Tuesday. Around 3,000 migrants, fleeing war, political turmoil and poverty are camped in Calais and make daily attempts to board lorries and trains heading towards Britain. The problem has been exacerbated in recent weeks by a French ferry workers' strike which has blocked traffic around the port.
Peugeot Plans Expanded Iran Venture After Nuclear Deal
PSA Peugeot Citroen is in advanced talks over an Iranian carmaking venture with historic partner Iran Khodro and expects rapid progress following the diplomatic…
Maersk Line Seeks to Raise Asia-Europe Freight Rate
Maersk Line, the world's largest container shipping company, told its clients on Tuesday it would raise the freight rate from Far East Asia to Europe by $1,000 per 20-foot container (TEU) as of Aug 1. The company declined to say what the current rate was or what the new rate would be as numbers vary from port to port but the average rate from Asia to Europe as cited by the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index was $699 per TEU last week.
Tenneco SCR System Receives ABS PDA Certificate
Tenneco has been awarded three product design assessment (PDA) certificates from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its new selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system for large engines. The PDA certificates cover key components of the system, including the complete dosing and control system, injectors, load sensors and the human machine interface (HMI) remote monitor, as well as catalyst and reactor hardware configurations for both EPA and IMO applications.
Rising Illinois River Closed from Mile 30-80
The Illinois River is closed to all traffic from mile 30 to 80 effective immediately as the river level at Meredosia, Ill. is inches from the top of the levees with the river still rising.
N-KOM Records Safety Milestone
Nakilat-Keppel Offshore & Marine (N-KOM) informs it has achieved its first safety milestone on its liftboat new building project, with the successful completion of one million safe man-hours without any lost-time-incidents (LTIs). The self-propelled and elevating lift boat is being constructed for N-KOM’s long-time client Gulf Drilling International (GDI), under a contract awarded to the shipyard last year.
