Inadequate Preload Procedure Caused Liftboat to Overturn -NTSB
An inadequate preload procedure was found to have led to the overturning of a liftboat in the Gulf of Mexico in September 2019, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed in an accident brief report on Tuesday.The accident occurred while the self-propelled, self-elevating, liftboat Kristin Faye was elevated above the sea surface to provide service to an oil production platform in 35-feet of water in Main Pass Block 64, located about 18 nautical miles east of Venice, La.
Svitzer Inks Global Services Deal with Caterpillar Marine
Engines manufacturer Caterpillar announced Tuesday it has signed a global services agreement with the the world’s largest tug operator, Svitzer, covering more than 100 vessels powered by Cat Marine engines in 30-plus countries. A focused Caterpillar team working with the global Caterpillar dealer network will execute the terms of the contract, which is designed to increase vessel uptime, drive service…
Wilson Sons: Inside Brazil’s Workboat Goliath
Wilson Sons is the largest integrated port and maritime logistics operator in Brazil, operating more than 80 workboats. Marcio Castro, Executive Director Tugboat Division, discusses with Maritime Reporter the size, shape & technical direction of the fleet.Mr. Castro, to start, how did you come to a career in maritime?I graduated in System Engineering at Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), I also have an MBA in Business Administration (Coppead/UFRJ).
IMO Approves Extra Steps to Curb Shipping Emissions
The United Nations shipping agency on Tuesday approved measures to boost energy efficiency in vessels as part of efforts to reduce the industry's carbon footprint, a UN spokeswoman said.Countries approved the additional regulations to reduce the carbon intensity of commercial ships at this week's virtual Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).Green groups opposed the approval…
Japan, Australia Reach Security Pact Amid Fears Over Disputed South China Sea
Japan and Australia agreed on a breakthrough defense pact on Tuesday allowing reciprocal visits for training and operations, and voiced concern over the disputed South China Sea, where China is extending its military influence.It is Japan's first agreement covering foreign military presence on its soil since a status of forces agreement in 1960 that allowed the United States to base warships, jets…
Elliott Bay Design Group Hires Cardella, Laduke
Naval architecture and marine engineering firm Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG) s aid it has hired two new employees to fill positions of retiring employees.Joseph Cardella joins the company as a project manager and is based out of the Covington, La. office. He will lead and manage diverse marine projects along the Gulf Coast, supporting clients with their engineering needs.Cardella has over 13 years of experience as a naval architect and project engineer within the maritime field.
Maersk Raises Full-year Earnings Guidance
Shipping group Maersk has raised its full-year earnings forecast, it said on Tuesday, citing increased momentum in fourth-quarter in global container volumes and freight rates.The company now expects earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) before restructuring costs at $8 billion to $8.5 billion, up from a previous forecast of $7.5 billion to $8 billion.(Reporting by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen; Editing by David Goodman)
Partially Sunken Tug Leaking Oil in St. Croix
An abandoned, partially sunken tugboat is actively discharging oil within Krause Lagoon in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, the U.S. Coast Guard said Tuesday.The amount of oil discharged from the tug Cape Lookout remains unknown, while the maximum potential discharge based on the size of the vessel fuel and lube oil tanks is approximately 48,000 gallons of fuel and 2,000 gallons of lube oil, the Coast Guard said…
World's Largest Ethane Carrier Delivered
MISC Berhad (MISC) has taken delivery of the world's largest very large ethane carrier (VLEC) at the Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) shipyard in Geoje, South Korea.The newbuild 98,000 cubic meter capacity Seri Everest, MISC's first VLEC, is the lead vessel in a series of six that the shipowner purchased from Zhejiang Satellite Petrochemical (STL) in July 2020. Concurrently, MISC had also entered into time charter parties (TCPs) with STL, for the six VLECs to operate in international waters.
SeaDream Cancels 2020 Sailings After Virus Outbreak
Norwegian-owned cruiseship operator SeaDream Yacht Club has cancelled all sailing for the remainder of 2020 after positive COVID-19 test results onboard one of its cruises…
ADNOC L&S Acquires Ultramax Bulk Carrier
ADNOC Logistics & Services (L&S), the maritime arm of Abu Dhabi's national oil firm ADNOC, has acquired an Ultramax bulk carrier Al Karama. The purchase follows the acquisition of two Ultramax carriers earlier this year.The Al Karama bulk carrier vessel was built in 2019 and has a deadweight of 64,000 metric tons, ADNOC said. According to data from VesselsValue, the vessel was previously known as Isabella Manx…
ABB Nets $150M Power and Propulsion Deal for Five Fincantieri Cruise Ships
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has awarded ABB a $150 million contract to equip five newbuild cruise ships with its Azipod electric propulsion and integrated electric power plant setup.Each cruise ship will be powered by twin Azipod units, bringing the total ordered propulsion power for the five newbuilds to 178 megawatts (238,700 horsepower)."Part of the order includes the largest and most powerful Azipod propulsion units ever to be installed at Fincantieri…
Fortescue Assessing Green Ammonia Plant in Australia's Tasmania
Fortescue Metals Group said on Tuesday it was assessing prospects to build an ammonia plant in the southern island state of Tasmania, as part of its push to become a major renewable energy producer.The project would include a 250-megawatt hydrogen plant at the Bell Bay Industrial Precinct with green ammonia production capacity of 250,000 tonnes per year for domestic and international export, Fortescue…
Tanker Captain Medevaced Off Texas
The U.S. Coast Guard medevaced an unresponsive tanker captain nine miles offshore Corpus Christi, Texas, Monday afternoon.Coast Guard Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi watchstanders received a call from a crewmember aboard the Norwegian-fagged liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier Hoegh Galleon stating that the captain of the vessel had collapsed and was unresponsive. Watchstanders consulted with the…
Russia Plans New Naval Facility in Sudan
President Vladimir Putin on Monday approved the creation of a Russian naval facility in Sudan capable of mooring nuclear-powered surface vessels, clearing the way for Moscow’s first substantial military foothold in Africa since the Soviet fall.The new facility, earmarked to be built in the vicinity of Port Sudan, will be capable of accommodating up to 300 military and civilian personnel and improve Russia’s ability to operate in the Indian Ocean…
Golden Ray Salvage: Cutting Operations Resume
The crew working to cut and lift sections of the capsized car carrier Golden Ray in Georgia's St. Simons Sound has resumed salvage efforts after suspending operations ahead of a tropical storm that traveled up the southern U.S. East Coast late last week.The team resumed operations to cut the first vessel section using the specialized heavy lift crane vessel VB 10,000 on Monday after the storm had passed…
Tanker Held Off Australia for COVID-19 Testing
An oil tanker is being held off the coast of Australia pending the results of crew COVID-19 tests.The Hong Kong-flagged Haruna Express was denied permission to enter…
Vane Brothers Takes Delivery of New Tug Cape Fear
Vane Brothers said it has taken delivery of the 3,000-horsepower Cape Fear, the 17th Maryland-built tugboat to join the Baltimore-based marine transportation provider’s fleet.Since 2008, 15 3,000-horsepower, model-bow tugboats have been delivered to Vane Brothers by Chesapeake Shipbuilding and Naval Architects of Salisbury, Md. Chesapeake has also constructed two 3,000-horsepower push boats for Vane.“The 3…
Marine Jet Power Hires Tegström as CEO
Swedish-based waterjet propulsion systems supplier Marine Jet Power (MJP) said it has appointed Jonas Tegström as chief executive officer to succeed interim CEO Claes Rudling, who will resume his position on the board of directors.Tegström brings more than 20 years of senior management experience, including strategic development, plan execution and manufacturing expertise. Most recently Tegström served as the CEO of Orio AB…
OTC 2021 Postponed
One of the world's largest conferences and exhibitions dedicated to the offshore energy industry will be postponed next year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.The Offshore Technology Conference, which attracts tens of thousands of visitors to Houston annually, will be postponed from May 3-6 to August 16-19, the event's board of directors announced Monday, citing continued challenges and health and safety concerns presented by the pandemic."By postponing OTC to the second half of 2021…
