US Icebreaker Suffers Fire, Engine Failure
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy (WAGB-20) is making an early return to its Seattle homeport, and its future Arctic operations have been canceled after the 21-year-old medium icebreaker suffered a fire in one of its main propulsion motors last week.The electrical fire was reported at 9:30 p.m. on August 18 while the Healy was 60 nautical miles off of Seward, Alaska, where it had embarked 11 scientists…
Market Report: Global Heavy Lift Vessel Sector
The global heavy lift vessel market is a difficult place to be. Utilization for the fleet has remained depressingly low since the first oil and gas downturn in 2014, currently hovering around 33% for the global fleet with a lift capacity of over 800 tonnes, according to IHS Markit’s ConstructionVesselBase. Fixed platform installation work, the traditional market driver for the heavy-lift fleet in oil and gas, has seen demand fall significantly.
Rederij Doeksen Ferry Repaired Following Harbor Accident
Rederij Doeksen’s Vlieland underwent repairs at Damen Shiprepair Harlingen (DSHl) in the Netherlands following a recent incident that took place as the passenger/car ferry was departing the harbor in Harlingen.The Vlieland operates a ferry service across the Wadden Sea between Harlingen in the north of the Netherlands and the island of Vlieland, and the recent accident caused the vessel’s SB engine room became flooded.
Sailors’ Society Launches Helpline for Indian Seafarers
A new dedicated helpline aims to support Indian seafarers and their families as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to place added pressures on maritime workers globally.The round-the-clock helpline was set up by Sailors Welfare Association, an affiliate of international maritime welfare charity Sailors’ Society, after the charity saw a marked increase in calls for help from desperate seafarers, many of whom had lost incomes or were anxious and struggling to cope.
Container Shipping & Perfecting on-time Performance
Recent reports show that on-time performance in the containership sector continues to deteriorate, causing tension between the carriers and retailers. In general, non-ocean carriers – trucks and trains – are achieving reliability rates well above 90% whereas containerships rarely beat a 70% on-time threshold. For retailers, the threat of having empty shelves is beginning to swing the balance from cheaper…
Five Minutes with George Whittier, CEO, Fairbanks Morse
Fairbanks Morse recently won an order by Huntington Ingalls Industries to build and deliver the four main propulsion diesel engines that will power the U.S. Navy’s newest Landing Platform/Dock (LPD) ship, LPD 31, the second of 13 in the LPD Flight II class of ships. We caught up with George Whittier, CEO, for his insights on this contract, COVID-19 and business overall.How long have you been at the…
Smart Management is Needed as Wave of Digitalization Transforms Maritime
As the shipping industry undergoes major transformation, with operations becomingly increasingly automated, maritime companies need to consider more than just efficiency and safety when it comes to operations. The current global situation has resulted in a growing demand for crew communication, for both work and social purposes, alongside the ongoing need for optimization. All of this causes higher levels of traffic on maritime networks…
Damen Christens New Tug for Louis Meyer
A naming ceremony was held at Damen Shipyards Gorinchem for the new tug Peter Wessels on August 14, just four months after the vessel was ordered by Hamburg-based Neue Schleppdampfschiffsreederei Louis Meyer GmbH & Co. KG (Louis Meyer).The accelerated delivery was made possible by Damen’s long-standing policy of both offering a wide range of standard designs that can then be customized to meet the exact needs of each customer, and of building for stock to guarantee fast deliveries.
New Survey Boat Launched for South African Navy
Paramount Maritime, a Paramount Group company, said it has launched the first of three next-generation Survey Motor Boats (SMBs) to the South African Navy in continued support of its programs to enhance the capabilities and infrastructure of the South African Navy Hydrographic Office (SANHO).In addition to the three Survey Motor Boats to be delivered to the South African Navy Hydrographic Office (SANHO)…
McLachlan Marine Adds 19m Multicat
Scottish inland workboat operator McLachlan Marine said it has added a 19-meter Multicat to its fleet to capitalize on opportunities in emerging sectors including renewables and marine construction. The only vessel of its kind based in the area, Ocean Supporter is designed for inshore work up to 60 miles out and handle up to 40 tonnes of cargo on deck. It has already been busy transferring supplies to boats at anchor off Aberdeen during the COVID-19 pandemic…
Shipbuilding: InfraStrata Acquires Appledore Shipyard in £7m Deal
UK-based InfraStrata announced it has acquired the Appledore Shipyard located in Bideford, North Devon.The new deal follows InfraStrata’s acquisition of the Harland & Wolff Shipyard in Belfast last year. The London Stock Exchange-listed firm specializes in the development, commercialization and operation of advanced, high-value, strategic infrastructure facilities.“We see Appledore playing a key role in an exciting new era for UK shipyards and shipbuilding…
iXblue Tech for Oz Navy's New Offshore Patrol Vessels
French tech company iXblue will deliver inertial navigation systems and gyrocompasses for new Royal Australian Navy’s SEA1180 Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV). Based on Fiber-Optic Gyroscope technology, iXblue’s inertial navigation systems will provide the 12 new Arafura Class vessels with highly accurate and reliable navigation capabilities in all environments, including within GNSS-denied operational areas…
Storms Marco and Laura Shut 82% of Gulf of Mexico Oil Production
U.S. Gulf of Mexico oil companies shut around 82 percent of oil production on Monday and evacuated personnel bracing for the impact of two tropical storms Marco and Laura.From operator reports, the U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement said Monday that approximately 82.4 percent of oil production and 56.92 percent of the natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico had been shut-in. Based on data from offshore operator reports submitted as of 11:30 CDT Monday…
