Marlink Unveils IT Networks Monitoring Tool
Entry-level version of ITLINK management and monitoring software suite simplifies regulatory compliance for vessel and shore teamsMarlink has announced the release of a new stand-alone entry version of its ITLINK software, designed to improve transparency in monitoring and reporting of the status of IT networks onboard ships. The new monitoring tool enables shoreside teams or administrators to view the IT system status and availability…
Panama Canal Tweaks Payment System to Help Ships During Coronavirus
The Panama Canal said on Wednesday it would make a temporary change to the payment system for ships booking passage through the waterway in order to offer more flexibility to customers affected by the coronavirus outbreak."As of May 4, 2020, the interoceanic highway will implement temporary changes to the requirements for making reservations and the advance payment of reservation fees upon confirmation…
DNV GL Delivers Offshore Cyber Security Assessment Remotely
The widescale impact of COVID-19 had not hit when DNV GL Maritime Advisory (DNV GL) was contracted to conduct a cyber security assessment and penetration test for an offshore asset. Before long, however, travel had become a risk, and the parties were forced to evaluate alternative means of performing the related surveys, which resulted in the completion of DNV GL’s first remote cyber security test.Cyber…
Taylor Unveils New Barge Material Handling Equipment
Taylor Machine Works, Inc. launched the XHRS-1000, a new model in its material handling equipment portfolio purpose-built to handle containers in the unique lift situations that barge applications present.Hal Nowell, Director of Sales of Taylor Machine Works, said the XHRS is specifically designed for inland rivers and waterway customers.This purpose-built reachstacker is suited to tackle inland waterway barge applications as well as other heavy-duty negative lift applications.
Eastern Cuts Steel for Second Offshore Patrol Cutter
Eastern Shipbuilding Group reports that steel cutting for the second Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC), Coast Guard Cutter Chase (WMSM-916), commenced on April 27, 2020 at its facilities in Panama City, Fla. The cutting of steel started the fabrication and assembly of the cutter’s hull, and ESG is to complete keel laying of Chase in 2021. Additionally, ESG has commenced the placement of orders for long lead time materials for OPC #3, Coast Guard Cutter Ingham (WMSM-917).Eastern’s President Mr.
Marine News Accepting MN100 Entries
Marine News magazine is now accepting entries for its annual MN100 awards edition. Each year, the publication's August issue profiles 100 of the top firms in the shallow-draft, brown water, workboat space. Is your company one of the best? Apply now.The 100 companies selected will be featured in the largest BPA-audited b-to-b publication in this genre. OEMs, service providers, shipyards, operators and the full gamut of marine-related businesses are eligible.
Cygnus 1 IS Gauge Certified to IECEX
Cygnus Instruments announced its Cygnus 1 IS Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge now has IECEx Zone 0 Certification.In 1996 the IECEx was established through the initiative of the Ex industry and with support from certification bodies in the UK, France, Canada and Germany.The principle reason for the creation of the IECEx was to create a global (as opposed to regional) system that would provide manufacturers…
Lindsay‐Blee, Master Fuel Partner in Colombia
Marine fuel company Lindsay‐Blee said Wednesday it has entered into an exclusive marketing and distribution agreement with Master Fuel SAS of Cartagena, Colombia.Effective immediately, under the agreement Lindsay‐Blee will manage the sales and marketing of marine fuel products produced by Master Fuel for the Colombian market, including VLSFO (0.50% sulphur max,) HSFO 380 cst, and MGO LS (Max sulphur…
Theodore Roosevelt Prepares to Return to Sea
Hundreds of U.S. Navy sailors began the transition from quarantine and isolation to return to the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Wednesday, as the ship prepares to return to sea after a bow-to-stern deep cleaning following a coronavirus outbreak on board. Theodore Roosevelt was in the Asia-Pacific region when its sailors began falling ill with COVID-19, forcing the aircraft carrier to eventually dock in Guam.
Coronavirus-hit US Navy Destroyer Arrives in San Diego
A U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer with a coronavirus outbreak on board docked in San Diego Tuesday after cutting its mission short to administer medical care to affected sailors and disinfect the ship.USS Kidd (DDG 100) was at sea participating in counter-narcotics operations when several sailors on board began exhibiting influenza-like symptoms. Two sailors were medevaced to the U.S. and a number…
Fugro Mapping Arctic Waters off Norway
The Norwegian Hydrographic Service has awarded Fugro another hydrographic survey contract as part of the MAREANO seabed mapping program, financed by Norway’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, and the Ministry of Environment.Fugro said it has already completed 10 surveys for the program since 2006 and acquired over 140,000 km2 of data. This latest survey will collect high-resolution, high-density…
Reiss Named Director of NOAA's Ocean Prediction Center
NOAA has selected Arthur John “A.J.” Reiss, as the director of NOAA’s Ocean Prediction Center (OPC) in College Park, Maryland. OPC provides marine forecasts and critical decision support services for mariners, ensuring the safety of lives and vessels at sea by alerting to hazards like hurricane-force winds and high seas.“The nation’s maritime shipping industry is a $2.1 trillion economic activity for the U.S.…
Buyers Cancel Saudi Crude Shipments After Tanker Rates Soar
U.S. buyers of Saudi Arabian crude oil cancelled at least seven April-loading tankers after a jump in freight costs, two industry sources said, likely to result in lower-than-expected shipments from the world's top exporter.The move shows how some buyers are not rushing to take much extra oil despite a slide in prices this month to below $16 a barrel, the lowest this century, as demand has collapsed due to government measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus.In March…
SevenCs Releases ORCA Pilot X Software
SevenCs, part of the ChartWorld Group, announced the release of ORCA Pilot X software. Originally designed as a primary navigation aid for Pilots, ORCA Pilot X is a tool for professional navigators. ORCA Pilot X is being offered as a free download on the Apple AppStore for iOS tablets.SevenCs has a long tradition of developing bespoke navigation applications for pilots around the world. Following the feedback and input from many users…
Ineos Adds New Gas Barges for Rhine Shipping
UK-based chemicals company Ineos said Wednesday it has accepted delivery of three of four new gas barges that will be used to transport butane gas from the ARA region (Antwerp, Rotterdam, Amsterdam) to the Ineos ethylene cracker facility at Koln, Germany. In addition, they will provide INEOS Trading & Shipping with options to effectively trade butane in Europe.The new gas barges will become the largest…
Stena Bulk Completes Biofuel Trial
Stena Bulk said it completed a test run of biofuel aboard its MR tanker Stena Immortal, as shipping companies seek fuel alternatives to help lower their carbon footprint and comply with more stringent environemental regulations.The 49,646 dwt tanker received its first delivery of Bio Fuel Oil made from used cooking oil a call at the Port of Rotterdam. The fuel, which GoodFuels launched in 2018, is…
Keppel O&M Says Pivot to Gas, Renewables Pays Off
Keppel Offshore & Marine, an offshore construction subsidiary of Singapore's Keppel Corp, expects challenging conditions ahead due to the drop in oil prices but says its business diversification into gas and renewables has paid off.The company has traditionally been called an "offshore rig builder" as this was the Keppel O&M's core business in the heydays before the 2014-16 collapse in oil prices when oil fell from over $100 a barrel to below $30.However…
Eimskip Announces Job Cuts
Icelandic shipping company Eimskip announced Tuesday it will reduce staff in continuation of streamlining measures initiated 15 months ago and due to uncertainty both in the Icelandic and global economy because of the COVID-19 pandemic."These streamlining measures include a reduction of 73 full time employees within Eimskip, thereof 47 in Iceland. Direct redundancies are 54, thereof 39 in Iceland.
China to Issue VLSFO Quotas in Move to Grow Bunker Market Share
China is set to release its first-ever quotas to export very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) with total volumes of 10 million tonnes for this year, six industry officials with knowledge of the matter said on Tuesday.The quotas, which came in the wake of Beijing’s policy in January to offer tax sweeteners to boost local production of the fuel, paves the way for Chinese refiners to almost fully cover the demand from its coastal bonded marine fuel market of 12-14 million tonnes annually.The quotas wil
Microplastic Impairs Hermit Crabs' Shell Selection Ability
New research from Queen’s University Belfast and Liverpool John Moores University reveals how the microplastic pollution crisis is threatening biodiversity, specifically the ability of hermit crabs to select a shell needed for their survival.Currently up to 10 percent of global plastic production ends up in the sea although the understanding of how this affects marine life is limited. The research…