USMMA Names Academic Dean and Provost
![John R. Ballard, Ph.D., is the new Academic Dean and Provost of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Photo: USMMA)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/john-r-ballard-phd-is-90448.jpg)
The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point (USMMA) announced today that John R. Ballard, Ph.D., has been named the new Academic Dean and Provost at the federal service academy. In this position, Dr. Ballard will serve as the chief academic officer and principal advisor to the Superintendent in all matters relating to the academic program and faculty. He will also co-chair the educational priority working group for the recently released USMMA strategic plan.Dr.
Keel Laid for Royal Thai Navy Tug
![(Photo: Robert Allan Ltd.)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-robert-allan-ltd-90437.jpg)
Thai shipbuilder Italthai Marine Limited in July hosted a keel laying ceremony for a new 32-meter tug that it is building for the Royal Thai Navy (RTN).The builder was awarded the construction contract for this second RAmparts 3200 tug earlier this year after delivering the first, Panyi 857, in 2016.Designed by Canadian naval architect and marine engineering firm Robert Allan Ltd., the tugs are built for handling large navy vessels and submarines coming in and out of port…
NC Ports Hurricane Florence Notice - Update #5
The North Carolina State Ports Authority continues to closely monitor Hurricane Florence. The Port of Wilmington and the Port of Morehead City are currently at Condition…
Electrification in a New Era for the O&G Industry
![(File photo courtesy of BP)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/file-photo-courtesy-of-bp-90433.jpg)
With the recovery in oil prices, deepwater and ultradeep water oil and gas (O&G) projects are the focus of renewed interest. Project viability will come down to a continued focus on cost, but also productivity through high-performing assets. And electrification is set to drive a dramatic impact of these high-tech production facilities for more efficient operations.Following a prolonged downturn in prices…
Engineering Woes Seen as Litmus Test for Thyssen Interim CEO
![Guido Kerkhoff (Photo: Thyssenkrupp)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/guido-kerkhoff-photo-thyssenkrupp-90431.png)
The response to troubles at Thyssenkrupp's plant engineering and shipbuilding division could determine whether interim boss Guido Kerkhoff has a realistic shot at keeping the top job, three people familiar with the matter said.Settling who will succeed Heinrich Hiesinger, who left in July over a strategy clash with leading shareholders, will help to determine whether Thyssenkrupp clings on to its conglomerate structure or seeks ways to simplify its business.The 50-year-old Kerkhoff, who served a
Hurricane Florence Barrels in on US East Coast
![](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/-90426.png)
Hurricane Florence is forecast to be a major hurricane when it nears the U.S. coast on Thursday, bringing life-threatening storm surge and rainfall to portions of the Carolinas and Mid-Atlantic states, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in an advisory on Wednesday morning.The extremely dangerous hurricane, currently a category 4, is located about 530 miles southeast of Cape Fear, N.C. packing maximum sustained winds of 130 miles per hour…
Florence Compared to North Carolina's Worst Storm Ever
As Florence bears down on the North Carolina coastline, the Category 4 storm is being compared to the worst storm ever to hit the Tarheel State - Hurricane Hazel…
Maersk to Install Scrubbers on Select Vessels Ahead of 2020
![(File photo: Maersk Line)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/file-photo-maersk-line-90424.jpg)
A.P. Moller-Maersk, the world's biggest container shipping group, will add devices to reduce harmful exhaust emissions to some of its ships ahead of new global fuel regulations starting in 2020.To combat air pollution, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations' shipping agency, has set global regulations to cap the sulphur content in marine fuels, known as bunkers, at 0.5 percent…
Offshore Optimism is Cautiously on the Rise
![file Image (CREDIT: Harvey Gulf)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/file-image-credit-harvey-gulf-90420.jpg)
Following the path of oil prices, consolidation also follows myriad financial crises. What happens next isn’t altogether clear, but the long, deep trough for offshore energy may finally be in our choppy wake.In mid 2017, financial turnaround and financial repairs specialist Alix Partners made a bold statement regarding the beleaguered Offshore Service Vessel (OSV) marketplace. In a July 2017 report…
Novatek Signs Pact for Kamchatka LNG Transshipment Complex
Russia’s natural gas producer Novatek has signed an agreement of intent on implementing a project for the construction of a marine liquefied natural gas (LNG) transshipment…
Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company Opens Shipping - 160
Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ACSC) has opned “Shipping - 160”, a photo gallery dedicated to the 160th anniversary of the company for public in Baku Metro.
Oceana Goes to London to Protect UK Seas
Oceana, the largest international ocean advocacy organisation, has opened the organisation’s office in London to strengthen Oceana’s policy and research work to…
Ultra-Deepwater Port Location Revealed at Shetland
Scottish Government identifies Dales Voe in Lerwick in Shetland as “preferred site” for an "ultra deep water" decommissioning port after UK-wide feasibility study.Scotland’s…
Hapag-Lloyd Christens “Al Jmeliyah” in Rotterdam
Hapag-Lloyd's 15,000 TEU ship "Al Jmeliyah" was officially christened in Rotterdam. Naming patron is Inge Sijbesma, the wife of Feike Sijbesma, CEO of the corporation…
North P&I Club Gets Cyber Accreditation
North of England Protecting and Indemnity Association (North P&I Club) has been awarded the government-backed Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation, which is awarded…
Essberger Tankers Sign Deal with GAC
Europe’s chemical tanker operator Essberger Tankers has entrusted its ship agency requirements to Gulf Agency Company (GAC) companies in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland.Under the agreement…
Genco Acquires Three Bulk Carriers
Dry bulk shipping company Genco Shipping & Trading Limited said it has taken delivery of three 2016-built bulk carriers and sold off older tonnage as part of its…
Rosneft Orders Two Oil Tankers from Zvezda Shipyard
![A previously delivered vessel of the same class of Green Funnel tankers (Courtesy SCF Group)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/a-previously-delivered-vessel-of-90392.jpg)
Russian oil company Rosneft announced it has ordered two Aframax crude oil tankers to be built at Russia's far eastern Zvezda shipyard for scheduled delivery in 2022.The Russian-flagged vessels will have a deadweight of 114,000 metric tons and a 1A/1B ice class, which makes them able to operate in icy conditions year round, including in sub-Arctic seas and Russian ports of the Baltic region, said Russian shipping company PAO Sovcomflot (SCF Group).According to the documents…
Shipbuilding: Sovcomflot Orders Two LNG-Fueled Tankers
Though the tanker market has been a global maritime laggard in 2018, with overcapacity cited as the chief culprit, apparently it could not dissuade PAO Sovcomflot…
Sovcomflot and ABB Open Training Center in Russia
![Left to right: Russian Minister of Transport Evgeny Ditrich and Sergey Frank CEO Sovcomflot (Photo: SCF Group)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/left-to-right-russian-minister-90407.jpg)
The new Vessel Electric Propulsion Training Center at the Admiral Nevelskoy Maritime State University in Russia will help to prepare seafarers for work on vessels equipped with Azipod propulsion systemsThe center will be used to train MSUN cadets, as well as to provide advanced training to commissioned officers of the merchant fleet. It is also planned to conduct research, including scientific and experimental activities…