NRF: Imports Rising as Strike Looms
Retail Imports to Increase 2.3 Percent in January as Port Strike Threat Continues. Import cargo volume at the nationās major retail container ports is expected to increase 2.3 percent in January over the same month last year as retailers continue to urge labor and management to avoid a strike at East Coast and Gulf Coast docks, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
USS Jacksonville Strikes Vessel, No Injuries
No one was hurt when the periscope on USS Jacksonville (SSN 699), a Los Angeles-class submarine, struck a vessel while operating in the Arabian Gulf Jan. 10 at approximately 5 a.m. local time.
Update #38: Kulluk Anchor, Hull Inspected in ROV surveys
ā¢ Assessment of the Kulluk drilling vessel in Kiliuda Bay continues. Two remotely operated vehicle (ROV) surveys have been completed. The first was for the Kullukās anchor and chain.
Nordic American Tankers Acquires Scandic American Shares
Nordic American Tankers Ltd. ("NAT") Completes Acquisition of Scandic American Shipping Ltd., the Business Manager of NAT. On December 17, 2012 NAT (NYSE: NAT) announcedā¦
Greene's Energy Group Names Farnsworth CFO
Greeneās Energy Group (GEG), a provider of integrated testing, rentals and specialty services, has named Brad Farnsworth as Chief Financial Officer, announced Chief Executive Officer Bob Vilyus. Based in Houston, Farnsworth will report to the CEO and assume a strategic role in overall company management. He will take on the daily role of planning, implementing, managing and controlling all financial-related activities of the company.
Jet Edge Awarded U.S. Patent
Jet Edge, Inc. has announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued the waterjet manufacturer a patent for a high pressure fluid sealing mechanism designed by Jet Edge R&D Engineer Michael Wheeler. Jet Edgeās proprietary high pressure fluid sealing mechanism (U.S. Patent 8,333,387) improves waterjet seal life by providing robust Metal-on-Metal sealing without the use of conventional plastic seals.
IMS Saves Money
Following a record number of ASD Tug deliveries in 2012, accomplished Ship Delivery and Crew Training specialists, International Maritime Services (IMS) have handedā¦
New Fuels for the Maritime Sector in Sweden
The European Union will co-finance with over ā¬250,000 from the TEN-T Program a project to convert an existing vessel into a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunkeringā¦
ClassNK Receives Expanded Authorization from U.S. Coast Guard
The worldās largest classification society ClassNK announced that it was granted expanded authorization from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) on 25 December 2012, and will now be able to carry out a full range of surveys for the SOLAS, MARPOL and AFS conventions, as well as ISM Audits on behalf of the United States flag administration. The announcement was made following a visit by ClassNK Executive Vice President Dr. Takuya Yoneya to USCG Headquarters in Washington D.C. on 7 January 2013.
Subsea Construction Services Contract for 'Aker Wayfarer'
Aker Solutions subsidiary Aker Oilfield Services signs a contract to provide subsea construction services offshore Brazil. An undisclosed customer will utilise Aker Oilfield Services' subsea construction vessel Aker Wayfarer for a period of 230 days. Start-up of operations is likely to be in May/June 2013, with mobilisation and de-mobilisation taking place in north-east UK. Aker Wayfarer has previously been on a year-long campaign offshore Brazil during 2011 and 2012.
Hong Kong Ship Managers Wallem Set Up Singapore Unit
Growth in specialist ship management services leads HK-based Wallem Group to open its first ship management & broking operation in Singapore. The move into Singaporeā¦
Single-handed Yacht Race Leaders Soon in Tradewinds
The duel between leaders in the Vendee Globe round-the-world race, 'MACIF' and 'Banque Populaire' stalls in light airs. With the official abandonment of Bernard Stamm (ChemineĢes Poujoulat) there remain only 12 boats in the race. The skipper of ChemineĢes Poujoulat pitstopped last night on the island of Horn refuelled, charged his batteries, climbed the mast to change a halyard, and to eat some pork and lentils prepared by the girlfriend of UnaiĢ Bazurko.
Marine Debris Program Expanded by US Administration
New legislation expands scope of NOAA marine debris program to deal with natural disaster debris. President Obama has signed legislation reauthorizing the NOAA Marine Debris Program and its mission to address the harmful impacts of marine debris on the United States. The program, which is housed within NOAAās Office of Response and Restoration, was originally created in 2006 by the Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act.
Argentine Tall Ship Released, Welcomed Home
Argentine naval training ship, 'ARA Libertad' which was detained in Ghana for more than two months has arrived back home. The Libertad had been seized following legal action by an investment company trying to recover money still owed after Argentina's 2002 debt default. Thousands of people lined the shore as it arrived in Mar del Plata, three weeks after a United Nations court ordered its release from Ghana reports BBC News.
Piracy, Armed Robbery Update
To date, the following reports were noted by ICC Commercial Crime Services (CCS), the anti-crime arm of the International Chamber of Commerce. 09.01.2013: 0920 UTC: Guyana, South America.
BWTS Fitting on Japanese VLCC a First
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) plan to install a ballast water treatment system on an in-service very large crude oil carrier (VLCC). This will be the first such onboard system installed by any Japanese shipowner on an existing VLCC. The company chose the JFE Ballast Ace system developed by JFE Engineering Corporation. The installation will take place while the vessel is docked from March through April.
