The Maritime Executive - Latest News

Government to Spend Millions on Four New Royal Navy Tankers

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:26:27 -0500

A new generation of 37,000-tonne tankers have been ordered for the Royal Navy fleet, the MoD announced today.

The new Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability tankers will maintain the Royal Navy’s ability to refuel at sea and will provide fuel to warships and task groups.

They will support deployed amphibious, land and air forces close to the shore, will be able to operate helicopters and are pl...

First International Marine Forensics Symposium - Guidelines for Marine Forensic Investigations

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:44:38 -0500

The First International Marine Forensics Symposium
April 3 – 5, 2012, at the Gaylord National Hotel near Washington, DC

Join this event for the largest gathering of world renowned scientists, archaeologists, oceanographers, engineers and authors, led by ‘Titanic’ Director and Deep Sea Underwater Explorer and Inventor of Autonomous Underwater 3-D Cameras, James Cameron. Discover how underwater ex...

Beier Radio Expands with Addition of Sentinel Control Division

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:11:39 -0500

Beier Radio announces its acquisition of Sentinel Control, expanding and strengthening Beier’s marine electronics product line, engineering, and support services provided to commercial vessels around the globe.

Sentinel designs and manufactures high quality control and instrumentation products used for vessel management, steering, cargo loading and unloading, navigation light panels, shaft tacho...

Pentagon Claims No Iranian Ships Docked in Syria, Despite Alleged Reports

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:52:04 -0500

After a report from Iranian media, the Pentagon has responded with a claim that they had no indication that any Iranian ships had docked in Syria this past weekend.

According to Reuters, Iran’s Press TV reported that two Iranian warships dock at Syria’s Port of Tartous on Saturday, February 18th. The ships were believed to be providing training for Syrian naval forces. However, Pentagon official...

Environmentalists Threaten Another Lawsuit Over Stricter Ballast Rules

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:15:50 -0500

In their long-running battle with the federal government, environmentalists are threatening to file another lawsuit over ballast water discharges from cargo ships. The dumping from ships is blamed for spreading invasive species into the Great Lakes and other waters throughout the United States.

These groups believe that ships entering the Great Lakes should be forced to kill all creatures that a...

Divers Find More Bodies at Costa Concordia Wreck Site

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:19:07 -0500

Another alleged four bodies have been found at the wreck site of the semi-submerged Costa Concordia cruise ship, according to officials in charge of the clean-up of the January 13th accident. Operations to recover these bodies are currently underway. There are already 32 confirmed lost lives as a result of this disaster.

After over a month in the water, the located bodies are in a decomposing st...

NOL Group Reports US$478 Million Loss for 2011

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:31:00 -0500

NOL Group today reported a US$478 million net loss in 2011 following net earnings of US$461 million in 2010. The container shipping and logistics company said unsettled economic conditions, high fuel costs and lower freight rates impacted results.

“The performance of container shipping is disappointing.” said Group CEO Ng Yat Chung. “Over-capacity and higher fuel costs have negatively affected...

Greenhouse Gases on Agenda As IMO Marine Environmental Protection Committee Meets

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:09:56 -0500

Market-based measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping will be among the key items on the agenda of the Marine Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime Organization , when it meets for its 63rd session from February 27th to March 2nd 2012, at IMO Headquarters in London.

The MEPC will also discuss issues relating to the implementation of the shi...

PALFINGER WIND - Major Orders Ensure Excellent Prospects

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:28:29 -0500

• Market leadership in offshore wind cranes
• Systems supplier for complete outfitting of offshore wind farms
• Several major contracts signed in 2011

Based on the high level of orders received in 2011, PALFINGER WIND has further strengthened its position as market leader in offshore wind cranes. Thomas Nitsch, Head of PALFINGER WIND Cranes, says, “Our success in winning orders for several major...

U.S. Senators, Commerce Official Tour Port of Savannah

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:56:47 -0500

Isakson, Chambliss, Acting Deputy Commerce Secretary Blank discuss Port’s role in increasing U.S. exports, job creation

U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss met with Acting U.S. Deputy Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank for a briefing on the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project and a tour of the Port of Savannah.

"We’ve seen meaningful job growth over the last two years, but getting more ...

Indian Ships To Lose Insurance After EU Sanctions Against Iran

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:40:56 -0500

Sources report that Indian shipping firms will now have difficulty getting replacement insurance coverage to continue importing Iranian crude oil after the new European Union sanctions go into effect.

The Shipping Corporation of India is the country’s largest tanker owner. They will lose EU insurance for all of its oil tankers that operates in Iran after July 1st, when European insurers will be ...

U.S. - Mexican Agreement Provides Access to Nearly 1.5 Million Acres of the U.S. Continental Shelf

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:32:19 -0500

Sec. Salazar Joins Mexican President Calderon, Sec. Clinton, Mexican Officials to Announce Agreement Providing Access to Nearly 1.5 Million Acres of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf

Paves the Way for Development of Common Safety and Environmental Standards

LOS CABOS, MEXICO – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today joined Mexican President Felipe Calderon, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Cl...

Prospects for Marine Reciprocating Engines to Operate on Stored Heat

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:21:43 -0500

By Harry Valentine

An earlier article focused on the prospects of using stored heat to energize a closed air/gas turbine engine driving electrical generating equipment. Several sectors of the commercial marine transport industry prefer to use direct-drive between the engine and the propeller. Research undertaken by Quasiturbine Engines of Montreal revolved around a Brayton-cycle engine using a p...

Voith Opens Office in Port of Hamburg

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:14:59 -0500

Since January 2012, the Voith Turbo market division Marine has been present in the Port of Hamburg with its own office managed by naval architect Sigurd Hildebrandt.

In the new Große Elbstraße 42 offices, Voith not only supports customers with regard to all propulsion matters but will also establish a foothold for the sale of propulsion solutions for harbor tugs and offshore supply vessels close...

UAE Cargo Ship Hijacked Off Oman, Somali Pirates May Have Needed Ship Repair & Parts

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:08:51 -0500

Maritime security officials have confirmed that MV Leila, built in 1973, was hijacked by Somali pirates last week. The International Maritime Bureau reports that the vessel was captured off Oman. The roll on/roll off cargo ship is owned and operated by UAE shipping company, New Port Cargo & Shipping. The captured ship is believed to have anywhere from 15-24 crew members onboard.

Local pirates co...

New Management Appointments at Resource Power Group

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:08:44 -0500

Resource Power Group has appointed Sean Carey as the engine sales & service company’s General Manager of the MaK and large bore engine business for the southeast US and the Caribbean territories. Sean is a graduate of the US Merchant Marine Academy who previously was employed as a Service Sales Manager for Wartsila North America, Inc. “With Sean’s leadership, RPG will quickly become a preferred...

Former U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Operations, Gary Roughead, Joins Northrop Grumman Board of Directors

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:01:20 -0500

-- Northrop Grumman Corporation announced last week that it has elected retired U.S. Navy Admiral Gary Roughead to its board of directors. Roughead served as the 29th Chief of Naval Operations for the Navy prior to his retirement from the service in 2011. The addition of Roughead increases Northrop Grumman's board of directors to 13 members, 12 of whom are nonemployee directors.

"Gary Roughead ...

Damen Shipyards Awarded to Build Modular Dock for Port of Djibouti

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:55:42 -0500

Damen Shipyards takes great pleasure in the fact that a Damen Modular Dock 4020 is being constructed for - and will be delivered to - Djibouti. Djibouti’s busy port is one of the most important gateways to the African continent and is strategically located at the confluence of the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. Besides maintenance of the Port Authorities’ own fleet, the dock will be used for rep...

Grandweld Shipyards Delivers Dive and Maintenance Support Vessel to ADNOC

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:44:26 -0500

Grandweld Shipyards has completed delivery of “ARADAH”, a 55m Dive and Maintenance Support Vessel , especially built for ADNOC. The new state- of- the- art DMSV is the first from its class to be built by Grandweld Shipyards and will serve as the flagship to ADNOC offshore fleet operating in the region.

The vessel, equipped with 360 degree Schottel Rotatable Propulsion System, will serve dive and...

Huisman Successfully Delivers 600mt Crane GeoSea “Neptune”

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:27:12 -0500

Huisman, the specialist in lifting, drilling and subsea solutions, successfully delivered the 600mt Wind Turbine Installation Crane onboard GeoSea’s DP2 jack-up vessel “Neptune”. The crane was handed over to the builder of the vessel IHC Offshore and Marine BV, part of IHC Merwede, who subcontracted the crane to Huisman in 2010.

The 600mt Pedestal Crane is custom-designed for the installation of...

Hempel Opens New Factory in Argentina

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:20:28 -0500

With the opening of its 24th factory, the first in South America, Hempel will be better placed to serve the rapidly growing South American market. The new plant will mean shorter lead times for customers and will enable Hempel to develop and customise products to meet local environmental legislation and standards.

The new plant, located north of the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires, will manu...

Opinion: The MARAD Dust Bowl of 2013

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:35:25 -0500

The Grapes of Wrath

By Tony Munoz, Editor-in-chief, The Maritime Executive Magazine & the MarEx Newsletter

The 2013 Maritime Administration budget is a saga of the transformation of an entire nation and the hard realities of the “Haves and Have-Nots.” The once-proud Maritime Administration now dwells in cellar-status within the sixth largest agency of the federal government while its insufficien...

Chalos & Co, P.C.-International Law Firm to Expand and Lands Big Fish in Miami

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:46:53 -0500

Chalos & Co, P.C. - International Law Firm has expanded to Miami with the addition of maritime law veteran, Michelle Otero Valdes. Mrs. Otero Valdes joins the firm following distinguished service at the UK P&I Club and partnership at a leading Miami-based maritime defense firm. Speaking about the addition, Chalos & Co founder, George M. Chalos, commented: “We are extremely excited to have Mic...

Julia Clopton Joins EBDG

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:36:33 -0500

Elliott Bay Design Group is pleased to announce another addition to its staff. Julia Clopton has joined EBDG's Seattle office as a Marine Engineer. Julia brings over 7 years of marine engineering experience. She holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the California Maritime Academy and holds an EIT Certificate from Washington State.

Julia is a licensed Merchant Mariner with Unlimited 2n...

Harvey Gulf Signs Contracts to Build Two Additional U.S. Flagged LNG-Powered Vessels

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:32:59 -0500

Last week, Harvey Gulf International Marine ordered two additional 302’ X 64’, Dual Fuel Offshore Supply Vessels, bringing its total order to four. The contract signed today with Trinity Offshore is a follow on to the first two vessel order placed in October of 2011. Trinity will build all four vessels at their Gulfport, MS shipyard where the first Harvey Gulf LNG Powered Vessel hull fabricatio...

Wireless Sensor Alerts Before Trouble Occurs

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:26:56 -0500

Predictive Sensor Technologies , introduces its Wireless Environmental Temperature, Humidity and Dew point Sensor/Transmitter, which, alerts the user via text or email when pre-set targets are reached. Operations which are sensitive to ambient conditions such as clean rooms, with sensitive electronics, commercial bakeries, food storage, transportation and processing and manufacturing of various...

RWO Offers - as the First Ballast Water Treatment Company - a 3D Scan Service

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:18:42 -0500

Modelling of the installation of a ballast water treatment system on board a ship

The Bremen-based water and wastewater treatment specialist RWO now offers its maritime customers - besides its efficient CleanBallast ballast water treatment system that has been tested under and designed for realistic conditions - an additional and essential service for retrofittings.

As one of the first ballast wa...

Amarcon Sees Increase in Demand for Hydrodynamic Analysis Software

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:00:17 -0500

This year Amarcon noticed an increase in orders for her hydrodynamic analysis software: OCTOPUS-Office. In the last few months major companies within the maritime industry like Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. , Mammoet and RWE Innogy placed an order for the software. Newcomer within the industry Hansa Heavy Lift GmbH and maritime consultants like Royal Roos and Temporary Works Design ...

Barge Collision Causes Oil Spill, Closes Stretch of Mississippi River

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 13:43:31 -0500

The U.S. Coast Guard is responding to an oil spill in the Mississippi River after two barges collided in the predawn hours of Friday morning.

Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector New Orleans say they received a call at 1:58 a.m. reporting that a construction barge being towed by the tug ALYDAR and a tank barge, towed by the motor vessel CLARENCE W. SETTOON collided approximately 50 miles upri...

Obama Administration Announces Major Steps toward Science-Based Energy Exploration in the Arctic

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:26:05 -0500

BSEE Issues Approval for Shell Chukchi Sea Oil Spill Response Plan

WASHINGTON – Building on the Obama Administration’s record of taking steps to expand safe and responsible development of our nation’s oil and gas resources, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced the next steps toward energy exploration activities in shallow waters in the Arctic during a limited period this summer....

Scalise RESTORE Act Amendment passes House of Representatives

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:11:11 -0500

The RESTORE Act Would Dedicate 80% of BP Fines to Restoring the Gulf Coast

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Steve Scalise today successfully passed a bi-partisan amendment modeled after the RESTORE Act to the energy section of the surface transportation bill, a major step forward in the fight to dedicate 80% of BP fines to the Gulf Coast region.

“This amendment is a crucial first step towards ensur...

Moex Offshore Agrees to $90 Million Partial Settlement of Liability in Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:04:39 -0500

$70 Million Penalty Is Largest Under the Clean Water Act; Moex Also to Perform Gulf Conservation Projects Worth at Least $20 Million

WASHINGTON – MOEX Offshore 2007 LLC has agreed to settle its liability in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in a settlement with the United States valued at $90 million, announced the Department of Justice, the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Environmental Protection A...

Safety at Sea Is What We Do

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 13:56:51 -0500

by Tony Munoz, Editor-in-chief, The Maritime Executive Magazine, The MarEx Newsletter

The Costa Concordia incident proved just one thing: Human beings are flawed no matter how much training is imposed on them. Captain Francesco Schettino fell into a lifeboat along with his first and second officers while mayhem crippled evacuation routes and frantic passengers and crew lingered too long waiting ...

China's Vice President Xi Jingping Visits Port of L.A.

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 13:34:22 -0500

On Thursday, China’s Vice President, Xi Jingping, toured the Port of Los Angeles. The presumptive heir to current General Secretary and President Hu Jintao is touring the United States to strengthen trade between the two countries.

Xi Jingping visited the Port of L.A. on Friday and said hearing that the port is environmentally friendly is a great thing and that he sees it as a good foundation fo...

Maersk Line Cuts Capacity on Asia - Europe Trade

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:51:01 -0500

Oversupply of container vessels operating on the Asia – Europe trade lane has pushed Maersk Line’s container freight rates to unsustainably low levels. In order to rationalise its service, Maersk Line is removing 9% of its vessel capacity currently operating on the Asia – Europe trade.

“With this adjustment we are able to reduce our Asia – Europe capacity and improve vessel utilisation without g...

Norwegian Shipping Billionaire Orders 10 Oil Tankers

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:51:09 -0500

John Fredriksen spends $610 Million on new ships and indicates that he may make more purchases this year.

Shipping tycoon, John Fredriksen, ordered six oil tankers from STX offshore & Shipbuilding Co. for $210 million. And as, Golar LNG’s chairman he placed $400 million worth of orders with Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co. for two ships to haul liquefied natural gas. The company says they’re i...

UPDATE: Italian Crew Questioned in Shooting Deaths of Two Indian Fishermen

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:54:42 -0500

Update: February 21, 2012

Today, the Italian navy guards of the Enrica Lexie filed a plea asking the Kerala High Court to reject the FIR against the two accused in the fishermen killing case. Reports state that a senior Supreme Court lawyer is ready to represent them.

The Italian and Indian governments are working closely together at both a federal and state level. The Italian Foreign Minister r...

Maritime Week In Washington D.C. – The Best Event Deal of 2012

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:56:57 -0500

Come to Washington D.C. from May 7th through the 9th for Maritime Week in Washington D.C.! Save money and preserve your travel budget.

The Maritime Executive is hosting “Revitalizing the Maritime Industry: A Maritime Forum" on May 7th and 8th at the Conference Center at the Maritime Institute . The two-day conference is only $575.00. CCMIT room rates are $139+ tax for a single-bed room and $184 ...

Navy Names Five New Ships

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:09:57 -0500

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced the next five Navy ships; three Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyers, the USS John Finn, the USS Ralph Johnson, and the USS Rafael Peralta, and two littoral combat ships , the USS Sioux City and the USS Omaha.

Mabus named the three destroyers after Navy and Marine Corps heroes whose actions occurred during different conflicts which spanned sever...

Additional Costa Concordia Survivors Sue Carnival Corp. for $528 Million

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:58:48 -0500

Dozens of additional survivors from the Costa Concordia shipwreck have joined in the Florida lawsuit against the ship’s owners accusing them of gross negligence and fraud. The price tag for these accusations is $528 million in damages. The amended lawsuit against Carnival Corp. was filed in a Miami state circuit court.

33 more passengers were added to the original 6 that filed back in January, f...

Minister Presents the Maritime Prize 2011 to the Executive MBA in Shipping & Logistics

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:28:31 -0500

A prestigious prize in the maritime sector has been awarded to the renowned Blue MBA - the Executive MBA in Shipping & Logistics at Copenhagen Business School .

The Maritime Prize 2011 was formally presented to the MBA program by Denmark’s Minister for Business and Growth, Mr Ole Sohn, in a ceremony on February 10 2012 at the Danish Design House, Copenhagen.

The minister presented the award to th...

Elliott Bay Designs New Beaver Island Ferry

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:06:41 -0500

EBDG wins contract to design 150-passenger ferry for service to Beaver Island, Mich.

Elliott Bay Design Group won a contract to design a new 150 ft. steel ferry for the Beaver Island Transportation Authority. The 150-passenger, 24-vehicle ferry will be operated by the Beaver Island Boat Company and will replace a 50-year-old vessel serving the small Island in Northern Lake Michigan. The new fer...

Reminder: SNAME SE Section Meeting @ Cyclone Power Technologies - February 22, 2012

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:52:31 -0500

A friendly reminder for another exciting SNAME event at Cyclone Power Technologies.

• Paypal in advance: http://www.sname.org/sname/southeastsection/home/

• Or RSVP to Frankie Fruge, frankie@cyclonepower.com

50+ member and non-members made it to our January event. Google “Harry Schoell” or “Cyclone Power Technologies”.

Update: Despite Sanctions, Iran Cargo Ships Still Operating in EU

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:38:31 -0500

As stricter sanctions from the European Union are pressuring Tehran to abandon its nuclear program, they also threaten to force Iran’s flagship cargo shipping line out of Europe. Past efforts have failed to accomplish this task.

The Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines carry about one third of the nation’s dry bulk and container seaborne trade. They are also no stranger to EU sanctions, as th...

Two Tankers and Crew Detained Following Illegal Oil Transfer in Malaysia

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:29:29 -0500

Two vessels have been seized by the Southern Region of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency . The ships are believed by authorities to have been attempting to transfer 130,000 liters of illegal fuel in the waters near Pengerang. The Malaysian government has been trying to crack down on this issue for some time.

Officials said that during operations carried out in early morning hours, an MME...

Mica: Obama Transportation Budget Follows Road to Financial Ruin

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:21:58 -0500

The following is the statement of U.S. Rep. John L. Mica in response to the Obama Administration’s fiscal year 2013 budget:

“The Obama Administration today released its transportation budget which follows the same old pattern of spending more and getting less for hard-earned taxpayer dollars.

“The President needs to get behind the Republican transportation bill that accomplishes more with less th...

President's FY 2013 Budget Includes $164.1 Million for BOEM to Advance Exploration and Development of the Nation's Offshore Resources

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:59:58 -0500

FY 2013 Represents First Budget Request for Independent Bureau

President Obama’s fiscal year 2013 budget request includes $164.1 million to fund the recently established Bureau of Ocean Energy Management , which oversees the environmentally responsible development of vital conventional and renewable energy resources in Federal waters offshore of the United States.

FY 2013 funding will be critical...

28 Pounds of Cocaine Found on Cruise Ship Docked in San Francisco, 3 Passengers Arrested

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:46:34 -0500

After finding 28 pounds of cocaine in their cruise ship cabins, a New Zealand couple and an Australian man have been arrested on arrival in San Francisco. The drugs were seized by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.

Customs officials report that the ship docked at Pier 35 in late January after returning from a Caribbean cruise. U.S. Customs agents checked the cabins as a routine procedure at San Fra...

Crowley Names Roger King New Senior Corporate Safety Director

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:46:40 -0500

Addition Will Help Support and Promote the Company’s Continued Commitment to Safety

Crowley Maritime Corporation announced that Roger King has joined the company’s safety and learning group as senior corporate safety director. King will work out of the company’s Jacksonville, Fla. headquarters and report to Suz Michel, vice president, safety and learning.

In his role, King will oversee marine and...

Focus on Propulsion: NOx rules put an end to decades of complaceny

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:09:47 -0500

Shipowners are confronted with emissions technology choices for newbuilds that will force them to consider propulsion designs more carefully than ever before.

By Wendy Laursen

Gone are the days when the choice of propulsion was largely a matter of taking the safe option offered by the shipyard. A fundamental design shift is underway, says John Bradshaw, Lead Technical Specialist for Machinery at ...

SPECIAL REPORT: State of the Offshore Market

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:10:23 -0500

Specialized vessels, enhanced fuel efficiency and a reduced environmental footprint are keys to success.

By Kathy A. Smith

Increasing capital investments in offshore vessels indicate the market is steadily on the rise. The annual spend on OSVs has boomed from almost $500 million to nearly $1.4 billion during the last five years, says a report by Douglas-Westwood Associates. And according to a lat...

Fifty Years of Dynamic Positioning

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:59:00 -0500

Despite current weakness, the outlook for DP providers is strong, and the technology just keeps getting better – and cheaper.

By Art Garcia

Hard to believe, but dynamic positioning marks its 50th anniversary this year. According to industry insiders, the global market is slowly improving with heavy competition that’s leading to lower prices and a likely industry shakeout. At the same time, shipow...

OP-ED: A Need for Changes in Cruise Vessel Laws in Light of the Costa Concordia Disaster

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:05:07 -0500

By Captain Bill Doherty, Director of Maritime Relations, Nexus Consulting

On January 13, 2012 the Italian-flag cruise ship MV Costa Concordia stranded and capsized off the Italian island of Giglio. At least thirty-two lives were lost. None of the lives appear to have been lost during the stranding but occurred at least one hour later when the ship capsized.

Almost no communication or distress sig...

Presidential Budget Gives Additional Boost to Savannah Deepening

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:34:23 -0500

Final Approval is Expected in Coming Months

The President’s fiscal year 2013 Civil Works budget released included $2.8 million for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project .

“The funding announced today, along with more than $180 million in state funds that have either been committed or budgeted, will allow this project to stay on track,” said Georgia Governor Nathan Deal. “We plan to work closely w...

US Relies on Russian Icebreakers to Create Shipping Channels in Antarctica

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:24:14 -0500

With few available U.S. cutters, ships supplying the U.S. base in Antarctica are depending on Russian icebreakers to provide shipping channels.

Last month, Russian icebreaker Vladimir Ignatyuk was used to open a shipping lane to McMurdo Station, the main American base on Antarctica. It was necessary to do so in order for a U.S. Military Sealift Command tanker could deliver millions of gallons of...

Harvey Gulf International Marine Signs Two More Dual Fuel LNG Vessels

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:49:50 -0500

STX Marine would like to congratulate Harvey Gulf International Marine on the signing of a new contract to build an additional two STX Marine SV310DF dual fuel Offshore Support Vessels in the Gulf of Mexico to be constructed by Trinity Offshore. The new order brings the total number of Liquefied Natural Gas powered vessels on order from Harvey Gulf to four. As with the first two vessels, these...

American Salvage Association Member Salvages Hydrogen Reactor Outside Seattle

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:40:33 -0500

A member of the American Salvage Association responded to a call on December 9 to salvage a 485-ton, 140-foot long stainless steel reactor vessel that rolled off a barge, landing into approximately 60 feet of water near Cherry Point, WA. The reactor is an integral piece in the manufacture of low sulfur diesel fuel. The reactor was filled with nitrogen to prevent corrosion during transportation ...

Alfa Laval Signs Contract with Spliethoff for Largest Fully Integrated Scrubber System

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:27:02 -0500

Alfa Laval, a major equipment supplier to the marine industry, has signed a contract with Spliethoff, a leading player in the transport market. It covers the retrofit of a multiple inlet PureSOx exhaust gas cleaning system on board one of Spliethoff’s vessels which operates mainly in the North European ECA area. It is the first order received by Alfa Laval for such a multiple inlet system. Sinc...

Onboard Whistle-blowers Aid in the Fight Against Ocean Dumping

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:56:20 -0500

Last month, two companies that owned and operated the MV Aquarosa plead guilty to obstruction of justice and other charges, and were ordered to pay over $1 million in penalties and fines. This occurred after a crew member informed Coast Guard officials of illegal ocean dumping taking place onboard the ship and he now stands to collect up to $925,000 in rewards, although the judge has no yet rul...

Exxon Mobil May Be Barred from Iraq's Energy Exploration Auction

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:41:07 -0500

Bloomberg reports that Iraq may prevent Exxon Mobil Corp. from bidding in a new energy exploration auction if the company refuses to withdraw agreements with the country’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region. The oil-and-gas licensing auction is scheduled for May.

Although Iraqi authorities have not yet made a final decision on the matter, officials have made it clear that they will ban Exxon Mobil f...

Hempel USA Hires Jennifer Johnson for Marine Sales Team

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:39:06 -0500

Johnson joins Hempel USA

Hempel USA, the global supplier of Marine and Protective coatings has recently hired Jennifer Johnson as a Sales Representative in the US Gulf.

Ms. Johnson will be responsible for Marine sales of Hempel’s extensive product line in the territory. A graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy with extensive industry experience, she will be located in Hempel’s he...

Executive Profile: Tim Clarke, Director/Owner, PMAX Filters

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:31:31 -0500

Executive Profile
Tim Clarke, Director/Owner, PMAX Filters

Fueled by frustration with the poor performance of engines at sea, Tim Clarke looked for an answer. Using his years of experience and knowledge as an engineer, he found a solution. Today Clarke is the Director and Owner of PMAX Filters, which manufactures air filters for engine air inlets to keep out dirt that can cause poor engine perfor...

2 Killed Onboard Cargo Ship During Pirate Attack Off Nigeria

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:54:34 -0500

Pirates off the coast of Nigeria have attacked a cargo ship and have killed its captain and chief engineer during the assault. Officials and the maritime community have a growing concern that these waters are becoming increasingly dangerous for shippers. The International Maritime Bureau also reports another ship attack and a tanker hijacking in the area within the last four days.

The most recen...

Bank Financing Poses Biggest Threat to Shipping Companies

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:48:43 -0500

Shipping companies are now facing tighter bank financing as their biggest threat. Many are looking at alternative funding sources like private equity to fill the voids among a worsening credit crush.

A transport survey done by international law firm, Norton Rose, shows that 42 percent of the respondents said that a lack of finance was the greatest threat to their shipping businesses. Most banks ...

Piracy Advisory Notice: MV FREE GODDESS

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:49:09 -0500

Neptune Maritime Security has received information via credible channels that the vessel, MV FREE GODDESS , has been successfully hijacked by Somali pirates, but, for unknown reasons, has only now been confirmed as pirated. According to the report received, the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier came under attack on Feb 7th in position 16.03N 062.26E at around 1500 UTC from an unknown number of pira...

American Salvage Association Members Invited to Bid on Removal of Costa Concordia

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:15:37 -0500

Seven members of the American Salvage Association have been invited to submit competitive bids to remove the capsized cruise ship Costa Concordia, which ran aground off the Italian island of Giglio in late January. According to Lloyds List, "The company , owned by Miami-based Carnival, said in a statement that it would select a salvage firm based on tenders" by the end of March.

One ASA member h...

Sean Connaughton: Keynote Speaker at CCMIT - May 8th, 2012

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:33:09 -0500

Maritime Week in Washington D.C., May 7-9, 2012

Sean Connaughton, Secretary of Transportation for the Commonwealth of Virginia, will be the luncheon speaker on May 8th at “Revitalizing the Maritime Industry: A Maritime Forum” – hosted by the Maritime Executive at CCMIT.

Join the Maritime Executive Magazine’s two- day conference on May 7th and 8th, 2012.

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Sean T. Connaughton

Sean T. Connaughton is...

Cruise Industry Introduces New Mandatory Pre-Departure Safety Drills Following Concordia Incident

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:15:25 -0500

After a review of effective safety measures prompted by the grounding of the Costa Concordia, cruise passengers will now be obligated to attend a pre-departure safety drill before leaving the port. The industry’s governing bodies including the Cruise Lines International Association, the European Cruise Council and the Passenger Shipping Association announced the new policy.

Officials state that ...

EPA Finalizes Ban on Ships Dumping Waste Off California's Coast

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:34:18 -0500

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has mandated a federal rule that will ban ships from flushing their sewage into the sea within 3 miles of California’s coast. This regulation was approved on Thursday, February 9, but will not go into effect until next month.

This new prohibition means that cargo and cruise ships may not release treated or untreated waste or gray water anywhere along the ...

Repeat Austal Customer Orders Efficient Medium Speed Ferry

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:37:45 -0500

Austal has secured an order for a highly efficient medium speed ferry with leading French Polynesian operator and existing customer, SNC Aremiti Ferry. The 80 metre vehicle-passenger catamaran is scheduled for delivery in October 2013.

This is the fourth vessel Austal has sold to Aremiti and its associated companies. The new ferry is expected to operate alongside an existing Austal catamaran bet...

Harbor Project Receives Additional $2.5 Million

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:01:57 -0500

Federal funds to assist design of mitigation efforts

The Savannah Harbor Expansion Project received an additional $2.5 million in construction funding.

In the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ work plan released for the remainder of fiscal year 2012, the USACE allocated a total of $3,088,000 to the work. That includes the $588,000 originally budgeted, with the additional amount coming from a fund cre...

Horizon Lines Vessel Stages Predawn Rescue of Sailboat Passengers Adrift in Pacific Storm

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:46:03 -0500

Horizon Lines, Inc. the nation's leading domestic ocean shipping and integrated logistics company, announced that one of its vessels enroute to Hawaii from the U.S. West Coast rescued three sailboat passengers, including a nine-year-old boy, adrift in stormy seas in the predawn hours of February 8, 2012.

Captain James Kelleher and the crew of the 893-ft. Horizon Reliance containership were direc...

IMO Secretary-General Pledges Support for Philippines Maritime Development

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:15:21 -0500

IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu has pledged IMO’s support for the Philippines in all facets of the country’s maritime development.

In wide-ranging talks in Manila with Philippines’ President Benigno S. Aquino III, as well as the country’s Secretaries for Foreign Affairs, Transport and Communication, and Labour and Employment, Mr Sekimizu expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by th...

SEACOR Holdings Announces Sale of National Response Corporation, NRCES and SEACOR Response

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:50:49 -0500

SEACOR Holdings Inc. announced that it reached an agreement to sell a portion of its environmental business to J.F. Lehman & Company, a leading middle-market private equity firm focused on the defense, aerospace and maritime sectors. The businesses to be sold include National Response Corporation , one of the largest providers of oil spill response services in the United States; NRC Environment...

Marorka and FutureShip Enter Into Alliance

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:38:43 -0500

Superior technology and reliable customer support through a solid alliance

Marorka and FutureShip, a GL company specializing in consulting services to the maritime industry, have entered into a strategic alliance to further strengthen their performance solutions offering. The alliance has been announced on the occasion of FutureShip's new Singapore office opening.

“At a point in time when most of...

PetroChina Taizhou Marine Company to Implement AMOS

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:27:12 -0500

China-based SpecTec Asia Pacific East Ltd has recently signed a contract with PetroChina Taizhou Marine Company Ltd, in Zhejiang province, the People’s Republic of China.

The contract is for the supply of AMOS Maintenance and Purchase, database and associated consultancy services for 5 ships. A further installation will be set in the Company Head office.

The requested module is a Window applicati...

MARIS and Seagull in Product Specific ECDIS Training Link

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:12:02 -0500

Maritime Information Systems AS has signed an important agreement with Seagull AS covering cooperation on product specific ECDIS training at Seagull’s shore-based training centre in Norway.

The agreement between the two Norwegian maritime industry specialists marks the latest initiative by MARIS to develop a standard training package by assimilating information on leading training centres and ap...

GE LM500 Gas Turbine-Powered PK(X) Patrol Boats Successfully Complete Sea Trials

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:10:13 -0500

GE Marine reports successful performance of its LM500 aeroderivative gas turbines during sea trials on the eighth and ninth PK patrol boats in the Republic of Korea Navy’s fleet.

Each of the PK patrol boats use LM500 gas turbines, rated at approximately 5,600 shaft horsepower, in a combined diesel and gas turbine arrangement, with diesel engines. The first PK Yoon Young-ha was launched at Hanjin...

Maersk Suspends Oil Tanker Trade Deals with Iran After EU Sanctions

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:56:12 -0500

Shipping and oil company, A.P. Moller-Maersk, has suspended new oil tanker deals with Iran because of the European Union sanctions which will embargo imports of oil from the Islamic Republic into the bloc, according to Maersk representatives.

Other international shipping companies are becoming cautious of the growing sanctions and complications now involved in trading with Iran. Maersk has suspe...

Markey Wins Render/Recover® Trademark Dispute

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:22:01 -0500

Markey Machinery is pleased to announce that it has prevailed in a dispute over its’ longtime trademark, Render/Recover®, which was initiated by another winch manufacturer. On February 6, 2012 the United States Trademark Trial and Appeal Board did “dismiss with prejudice Petition for Cancellation of the trademark Render/Recover, Serial Number 3,545,593.”

“The court decision recognized our origin...

SUNY Maritime College 7th Annual Groundhog Day

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:52:12 -0500

Global Business and Transportation Department’s Cutting Edge Issues in Shipping Conference

It was a good day for New York City’s most famous groundhog, Staten Island Chuck. Groundhog Day, 2012 proved to be an even better day for the more than 150 men and women from the international shipping community, along with hundreds of SUNY Maritime College students, who attended the 2012 SUNY Maritime C...

Extreme Freezing Conditions Halt Shipping Along the Danube

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:31:10 -0500

At least four Balkan nations along the Danube River have suspended shipping due to severe frost and massive ice that is blocking the popular waterway. Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Serbia have come to this decision based on the fact that 90 percent of the river’s surface is consumed by floating ice. These conditions have made any travelling on Europe’s main commercial waterway almost impossibl...

BSEE and NOAA to Complete Arctic Oil Spill Response Mapping Tool

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:54:41 -0500

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced they are partnering to enhance the Environmental Response Management Application for the Arctic region by summer 2012. ERMA® is the same interactive online mapping tool used by federal responders during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. This effort will help address numerous chall...

Russian Cargo Ship Sinks Off Japan Following Collision

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:03:31 -0500

A Russian dry cargo ship has sunk off Japan’s coast after colliding with another ship earlier in the week, according to the Russian Transportation Ministry.

The Tanya Karpinskaya sank just 30 minutes after its collision with a Singapore-flagged cargo ship near the port of Niigata. All 17 members of the Russian crew onboard the vessel have been rescued, even one member who was initially considere...

Keppel and ConocoPhillips to Design First Ice-Worthy Jackup Rig for the Arctic Offshore

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:45:53 -0500

Joint project will yield breakthroughs in offshore Arctic drilling

Keppel Offshore & Marine Technology Centre , a design and engineering arm of Keppel Offshore & Marine , and ConocoPhillips are jointly designing a first-of-its-kind ice-worthy jackup rig to operate in one of the harshest marine frontiers, the Arctic Seas.

This jackup rig will have dual cantilevers to optimise drilling operations w...

Tripartite Maritime Security/Anti-Piracy Pact Signed by African Countries

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:26:55 -0500

A new multilateral pact has been signed by the governments of Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa in an effort to reinforce maritime security in the Indian Ocean and battle piracy.

The agreement was signed by each country’s respective Defense ministers and was witnessed by President Jakaya Kikwete. The President has also promised to assist the Defense Forces by taking part in the joint effort ...

World Wide Supply Orders 2 More Damen Platform Supply Vessels

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:19:36 -0500

Norwegian shipowner World Wide Supply has ordered another two PSV 3300 CD’s with Damen Shipyards. The two platform suppliers are added to the four that WWS announced to be built in December 2011. The extra vessels will be delivered end of 2013 and operated by Remøy Management AS.

Mr. Ståle Remøy, Managing Director of Remøy, says: “We are glad we have been able to achieve another two ships from D...

Amphibious Construction Battalion 2 Supports Bold Alligator Water, Fuel Needs

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:47:12 -0500

Amphibious Construction Battalion 2 deployed Jan. 31 to support Exercise Bold Alligator units with vital water and fuel transfers.

Exercise Bold Alligator 2012, the largest naval amphibious exercise in the past 10 years, represents the Navy and Marine Corps' revitalization of the full range of amphibious operations. The exercise focuses on today's fight with today's forces, while showcasing the ...

Op-Ed: “Captain Schettino, How Could You Let That Happen to Your Ship?”

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:16:38 -0500

By Captain Peter Squicciarini, U.S. Navy
Master Merchant Mariner

“Captain Schettino, what were you thinking?” the world wonders. This should be the question at the core of any investigation conducted on the Costa Concordia tragedy off Isola del Giglio the night of Friday the 13th. Captain, I ask you the same question as one seagoing captain to supposedly another, imposter though you may be.

There...

CrystalCoat - Good News for Engines Running on Heavy Fuel and Gas

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:58:23 -0500

Simplex-Turbulo, agents for Märkisches Werk , are now able to actively promote a very interesting new product which extends the life of cylinder head valves.

High combustion temperatures in engines operating on HFO combined with fuel impurities are well known to limit the service life of cylinder head valves. Even valves made of expensive nickel-based super-alloys suffer from hot-gas corrosion ...

LEEVAC Partners with AET Lightering Services for New Lightering Support Vessels

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:02:12 -0500

LEEVAC Shipyards, LLC and LEEVAC Shipyards Jennings, LLC are proud to announce the launching of the AET “Partnership”. LEEVAC recently partnered with AET Lightering Services, LLC., Houston, TX, to build two 187 x 46 x 15 Lightering Support Vessels with a series of options for up to six additional vessels. These vessels will primarily service the lightering activity of AET in the Gulf of Mexico,...

2011: Record Year for PALFINGER

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:30:41 -0500

• Further 30-per cent increase in revenue – historic record

• Exceptionally strong increase in earnings: EBIT + 83 per cent

• Internationalization and flexibility boost growth

• Revenue expected to remain at same high level in 2012

• Dividend of EUR 0.38 per share proposed

In the 2011 financial year, the PALFINGER Group continued the clear upward trend of the previous year. “We look ba...

CBP Denies Escopeta's Petition for Relief of $15 Million Jones Act Fine

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:11:10 -0500

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has denied Escopeta’s petition for relief of the $15 million fine they face for violating the Jones Act last year. CBP says the full amount of the fine will be upheld with payment due at the end of March.

Last March, despite being denied a new Jones Act waiver and after being told by DHS Secretary Napolitano that they’re 2006 waiver was invalid, Escopeta set ou...

Sand Carrier Sinks in China, 9 Dead and 2 Missing

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:32:45 -0500

The capsizing of a 1,500-ton sand carrier has left 9 dead and 2 missing on a tributary of Dongting Lake in China. The shipwreck occurred during high intensity winds in the Hunan province, according to authorities in the neighboring province of Hubei.

There were reportedly a total of 17 people aboard the ship as it sank. Nine people have been confirmed dead including the ship’s captain, his wife ...

TradeWinds to Host Keynote Forum at Posidonia

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:22:37 -0500

TradeWinds / NHST Events is to host the TradeWinds Shipowners Forum as the opening keynote of Posidonia 2012, in the Metropolitan Expo Centre on 5 June 2012.

The Forum organisers have announced they are to canvass the views of TradeWinds readers via a poll as to the most pressing issues in shipping. Leading industry voices will then be invited to outline the challenges and present opportunities ...

Supreme Rudder Protection Given to Container Vessels in China and Poland

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:11:57 -0500

Satisfied with the result of the Ecospeed applications on the rudders of several of their other vessels, a United Kingdom based company has ordered the application of Ecospeed on the rudder of another of its existing vessels. The rudder was painted with Ecospeed in Gdansk where several of the previous applications have also been carried out. In the same period the rudder of another customer’s 2...

Crowley Promotes Jose “Pache” Ayala to Vice President, Puerto Rico

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:58:30 -0500

Crowley Maritime Corporation announced that Jose “Pache” Ayala has been promoted to vice president, Puerto Rico. Ayala will remain in San Juan, and will now report to John Douglass, senior vice president and general manager of Puerto Rico and Caribbean services.

In his new role, Ayala will oversee all liner operations on the island, provide support for local sales management, and work to enhance...

Greek Frigate HS HYDRA Joins EU NAVFOR

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:48:56 -0500

Following passage south through the Red Sea, the HS HYDRA will join the multi-national EU NAVFOR off the Horn of Africa on 4 February 2012.

HS HYDRA is a MEKO 200HN type multiple role frigate which has been in the service of the Hellenic Navy since March 1992. She has a displacement of 3,350 tons, a crew of 189 and carries an SH-70 Sea Hawk helicopter.

The Greek ship joins EU NAVFOR to protect me...

Costa Concordia's Captain Enters Hearing for House Arrest Sentence

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:42:38 -0500

A closed-door hearing is set for today, February 6, 2012, to determine whether Francesco Schettino, captain of the Costa Concordia cruise ship, should remain under house arrest or not. He faces possible charges of manslaughter, shipwreck, and abandoning ship after his vessel struck rocks and capsized off Italy’s coast. 16 bodies have been found; 16 more remain missing.

Law states that the three-...

Multi-mission Coast Guard Icebreaker Assists Distressed 558-Foot Freighter

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:09:35 -0500

While transiting to their homeport here following a 254-day patrol, the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Healy diverted to assist a distressed vessel approximately 520 miles northwest of Puget Sound, Wash.

Healy received notification from 13th Coast Guard District watchstanders, Friday, that the motor vessel Dry Beam, a 558-foot Singapore-flagged freighter with 23 persons aboard, lost a partial lo...