VOS Partner Delivered to Vroon
Netherlands based shipping company Vroon has taken delivery of a newly built platform supply vessel (PSV), VOS Partner. The vessel was handed over to Vroon on January 14 during a ceremony at Cosco Guangdong Shipyard in China. The Dutch flagged VOS Partner is the third of six PX121-type PSVs being built at the shipyard for Vroon featuring the Ulstein-patented X-BOW design. Coincidentally, VOS Partner is the 100th vessel of Ulstein design.
Port of Indiana-Mount Vernon Bests Cargo Record
The Port of Indiana-Mount Vernon set a new annual shipping record in 2015 by handling over 6.6 million tons for the first time in its 40-year history. This was a 36-percent increase over 2014 and 30 percent higher than the previous record set in 1994. In addition to the record volume, it was also the highest annual increase in total tons handled at the port. "The credit for the record volume rightfully goes to our world-class port companies…
US Coast Guard Moves Forward on New Icebreakers
The U.S. Coast Guard released a proposed acquisition timeline and requirements for two new heavy U.S. icebreakers that could cost $1 billion each and said it would meet with interested companies during an industry day in March. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Paul Zukunft told an event hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies that notice was intended to get information from companies…
Puget Sound Box Volumes Rebound in 2015
International container volumes through the Puget Sound rebounded strongly in 2015 with The Northwest Seaport Alliance handling more than 3.5 million 25-foot equivalent units (TEUs), an increase of 4 percent. Container volumes grew despite the slowing Chinese economy and volume declines earlier in the year during West Coast labor negotiations. The ports of Seattle and Tacoma formed The Northwest Seaport…
Brazil Orders Vale to Close Tubarão Iron Ore Port
A Brazilian federal court on Thursday ordered the suspension of activities at Vale SA's Port of Tubarão because of pollution concerns, halting the world's largest iron ore exporter's ability to ship more than a third of its output. The ruling by the court in Vitoria was made as part of a police investigation at the giant man-made port as Vale comes under increasing pressure over its environmental record in Brazil after a dam burst at a mine run by its Samarco joint venture in October…
FRS Acquires Clipper, Plans North American Expansion
FRS has acquired a majority interest in Clipper. FRS is a global ferry and shipping group, currently operating 60 vessels in 12 countries, and carrier of more than 7 million passengers and 1.9 million vehicles last year on national and international ferry lines. Clipper, operator of Clipper Vacations, is a recognized company in the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada, offering unique regional travel experiences…
Cargill to Close London Shipping Unit as Sector Crisis Worsens
Global commodities trader Cargill will close its London shipping office in another sign of the worsening crisis battering the dry freight market, the company said on Thursday.
Greek Shipers Disagree with EC on Tax Issues
The European Commission recently published Decision (C(2015)9019 final / 18-12-2015) alleging that some provisions of the Greek shipping taxation regime are in breach of EU state aid provisions and…
Michigan Governor Calls for 2nd Poe-sized Lock
A second Poe-sized Lock is critical to the future of Michigan and the United States, declared Michigan Governor Rick Snyder in his State of the State address on January 19, and he pledged to work with Congress to build it, the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA) reported. Gov. Snyder noted that 4,000 commercial vessels transit the locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. each year, but most of the tonnage goes through the Poe Lock because it can accommodate the largest and most efficient vessels.
Oil Options Show Not Everyone Buys 'Lower for Longer'
The seemingly relentless slide in the oil price has savaged global financial markets and raised the spectre of widespread recession, but the derivatives market is…
This Day In US Naval History - January 21
1862 - Navy ship USS Ethan Allen, commanded by acting-Lt. William B. Eaton, captures the schooner Olive Branch at sea off the Florida coast. 1943 - Submarines USS Pollack (SS 180) and USS Gato (SS 212) attack and cause the sinking of two Japanese ships. 1945 - TF 38 aircraft attacks Japanese shipping and airfields on Formosa and in the Pescadores, sinking approximately 15 vessels. 1954 - The world's first nuclear submarine, USS Nautilus (SSN-571) is christened and launched at Groton, Conn.
Cheap Freight Erodes Thai, Australian Sugar Export Advantage over Brazil
Cheap freight is eroding Thai and Australian sugar exporters' competitive advantage over Brazilian suppliers to Far Eastern markets, traders said on Thursday. Thai…
Stuck at Sea, BP's LNG Shipment Highlights Egypt's Payment Struggle
BP's diversion of a tanker of liquefied natural gas (LNG) away from Egypt due to payment issues is the first sign that the country's currency crisis could be jeopardising its energy supplies…
Twelve Migrants Drown Trying to Reach Europe from Turkey
Twelve bodies were found on Turkey's western coast and 26 people were rescued on Tuesday after a boat carrying migrants bound for Greece capsized, the Turkish coastguard said in a statement.
Confusion Surrounds Wastewater Discharge Rules
Confusion surrounding the entry into force date of MEPC 227(64), the amended regulation governing ship wastewater discharge overboard requirements, could see some…
CSCS Educates at the SNA Symposium
Representatives from the Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS) educated the surface warfare community on who they train and how they support the Fleet at the Surface Navy Association (SNA) Symposium January 12-14. Capt. Bill McKinley, CSCS commanding officer, oversees 14 learning sites and is responsible for combat systems training across the rates of fire controlman, operations specialist, gunner’s mate…
Kongsberg Installs CCTV System for USCG Icebreaker
Kongsberg Maritime has delivered a complete new CCTV system to the U.S. Coast Guard for its heavy icebreaker vessel Polar Star (WAGB-10). The delivery follows a CCTV System upgrade on Polar Star’s sister vessel, the USCGC Healy Polar Ice Breaker, in 2013. The USCGC Polar Star is one of the largest ships in the U.S. Coast Guard and one of the world’s most powerful nonnuclear ships. It was commissioned…
BIO-SEA Approaching USCG Approval
French company BIO-UV possesses more than 15 years of experience in UV water treatment for drinking water, wastewater, industrial processes, and has mastered the design of UV reactors to ensure performance suitable for the technical environment. The company designs and produces the UV systems directly in its factory in France, ISO 9001:2000 certified since 2010, and has gained many other international certifications, including NSF, ONORM, UL, IMO statutory approval, BV class approval and more.
Barges Hit Bridge on the Mississippi
The U.S. Coast Guard is responding to a barge allision at mile marker 435.8 on the Mississippi River near Vicksburg, Miss., Wednesday. Watchstanders with Coast Guard…
Damen Reports Dredger Success
2015 was very successful for Damen’s Cutter Suction Dredger (CSD) range, the builder said. Throughout the year, 12 CSDs were sold and delivered to clients around the world. Most of the deliveries were stock built vessels, a number of which were being built on speculation when an order was placed for them prior to completion. A feature of standardized Damen vessels is that, though built in series, they can be customized with standard options to meet individual client requirements.
