Reduction in High Risk Area for Piracy Now in Force
As of 1 December 2015, the reduction to the High Risk Area (HRA) as defined in Best Management Practices 4, has taken effect. Further information may be found in our earlier web alert…
Another US Patrol in South China Sea Unlikely This Year
The U.S. Navy is unlikely to carry out another patrol within 12 nautical miles of Chinese-built islands in the South China Sea this year, three U.S. defense officials said on Monday. The U.S.
Blount Boats to Build Chicago Tour Boat
Blount Boats, Inc. has been contracted to build a 100- x 35-foot steel passenger ferry boat for Shoreline Sightseeing Co., Chicago, Ill. The proposed 300-plus passenger, Sub-Chapter K vessel was designed by Seacraft Design, LLC, Sturgeon Bay, Wisc. And will operate as an architectural tour boat in partially protected waters. The vessel is the second being built by Blount for Shoreline, and delivery is slated for spring 2016.
NASSCO Launches ECO Class Tanker Independence
U.S shipbuilder General Dynamics NASSCO launched the first ship in a series of ECO Class tankers for the SEA-Vista fleet at a christening and launch ceremony at the company’s shipyard in San Diego on Saturday, December 12. The ship, the Independence, is a 610-foot, 50,000 deadweight-ton, and LNG-conversion-ready product tanker with a 330,000 barrel cargo capacity. According to the shipbuilder, the new ECO Class tanker symbolizes the emerging direction of the shipping industry in the U.S.
MarineTraffic Safeguards Intellectual Assets
AIS vessel tracking service MarineTraffic has joined the Licence on Transfer (LOT) Network in a move it said will help to safeguard its intellectual assets. The LOT Network…
Houston Ship Channel Reopened After Ship Fire
The Houston Ship Channel was re-opened after a burning tanker prompted a nearly three-hour shutdown of a two-mile-long (3.20-km-long) section of the largest petrochemical port in the United States.
New Floating Drydock for Detyens
Detyens Shipyards, Inc., a staple in Charleston’s maritime community since 1962, took delivery of a newly constructed floating drydock on December 11, 2015. The new 400’ x 108’ floating drydock, which will eventually replace Detyens’ existing floating drydock, was built by Corn Island Shipyard in Indiana. The drydock was pushed down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers by Excell Marine’s inland tug boat, the Arthur E Snider.
Container Dri II Earns EcoTain Designation
Specialty chemicals company Clariant announced that its cargo desiccant Container Dri II, was awarded EcoTain status for its best-in-class sustainability and performance excellence of its cargo protection solution. In the U.S., Container Dri desiccants are manufactured in Belen, N.M. To achieve EcoTain status, Container Dri II was subjected to an assessment that measured 36 criteria in three sustainability dimensions - social, environmental and economic.
As Oil Plunges, Traders Generate Record Earnings
Oil traders are profiting handsomely from a crude price crash to near an 11-year low, even as it forces energy companies around the globe to slash costs and postpone projects.
Largest Cargo Ship Ever to Call at a US Port
18,000-TEU container ship CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin will make its first U.S. The CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin, an 18,000-TEU vessel named in honor of one of the United States’ founding fathers, will call at the port of Los Angeles on December 26, 2015, becoming the largest containership of this capacity ever to call at any port in the United States. The vessel will later call at the Port of Oakland on December, 31. Jacques R.
Tanker Blaze Shuts Part of Houston Ship Channel
A burning tanker in the Houston Ship Channel on Monday prompted the U.S. Coast Guard to close a two-mile-long (3.20-km-long)section of the largest petrochemical port in the United States.
Management Shuffle at Atlas Elektronik
Dr. Rolf Wirtz will become Chief Executive Officer of the naval electronics systems provider Atlas Elektronik GmbH, with effect from January 1, 2016. He will succeed…
Morocco Orders Navy Vessels from Damen
In a third recent construction contract with Damen Shipyards Group, the Royal Moroccan Navy has ordered five Interceptor 1503 vessels. The vessels will be mobilized to combat illegal activities such as terrorism and smuggling in Moroccan waters. Designed for ultra-fast operations, the Interceptor 1503 can reach speeds of up to 60 knots thanks to its propulsion system and lightweight composite materials. The power originates from three diesel engines, each driving a separate stern drive.
Harding Initiates Its Cruise Comeback
Harding has been awarded contracts to deliver lifeboats, tender vessels and davits to a major cruise line. Out of the cruise segment since 2013, SOLAS leader Harding used the timeout to rethink its relationship to cruise owners and shipyards, and redesign its core products to meet the latest demands of the industry. The first deliveries will go to an undisclosed cruise line. “To become the chosen supplier for this prestigious project…
Ship Officers Charged in Oil Discharge Cover Up
A federal grand jury in Greenville, North Carolina, has returned a nine-count indictment charging two engineering officers employed by Oceanfleet Shipping Limited…
Pinsent Masons Lands Aberdeen Harbour Project
Aberdeen Harbour has appointed Pinsent Masons as legal adviser for its proposed Harbour Expansion Project. Pinsent Masons will advise on procurement, construction, funding, planning, environmental and property issues relating to the £410 million proposed project located south of the existing Aberdeen Harbour. The Nigg Bay facility is included in the Scottish Government’s National Planning Framework…
Dual-fuel Engines for DEME’s New Dredger
Anglo Belgian Corporation, a manufacturer of medium speed diesel engines, announced the sale of two 16VDZD dual fuel engines that will power a new build vessel for the Belgian dredging, environmental and marine engineering group DEME. This agreement was officialized with the Dutch shipyard Royal IHC. The commissioning of the dredger Minerva is scheduled for late 2016, making it the first dredging vessel that will be equipped with dual fuel engines…
Baltic Index Down on Weak Capesize Demand
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index tracking rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities fell on Monday, reflecting poor demand for large capesize vessels which typically transport 150…
Containers Lost in Rough Seas
The search is on for 12 containers swept overboard from motor vessel Manoa in heavy weather and seas late Friday evening. An environmental contractor has been hired…
Dover, London CGOC Join National Network
Press release - Dover and London Coastguard Operations Centers (CGOC) have become part of the new Coastguard national network. Work has been carried out at both search and rescue coordination centers to upgrade the technology and introduce new systems. This means Dover and London CGOC will be connected to the National Maritime Operations Center (NMOC) in Hampshire and other Coastguard stations around the country, which will be able to offer mutual support and share work during busy periods.
