CONNOLLY-PACIFIC

Reducing Emissions in Southern California

The classic Four Preps song says that it is 26 miles or 40 kilometers to Santa Catalina from the California mainland. Others say it is only 20 or 22 miles but regardless of the distance the tugs of the Connolly-Pacific Company, a Subsidiary of Knife River Corp., make regular crossings of the channel with barge loads of aggregate from a quarry on the island to construction firms on the mainland. They supply their own marine construction requirements as well as marketing rock products in the Los Angeles to San Diego area.  In addition to barges, a water taxi and a survey boat, the firm operates three tugs.   Recently, in keeping with US and California emission regulations, they repowered their 65 by 24-ft tug Durango with a pair of Cummins engines. Built at Main Iron Works in Louisiana the boat is a typical Gulf-style model-bow tug with a modified wheelhouse for improved visibility. With the addition of push knees and a pair of Nabrisco winches for the face wires, it mostly pushes the big aggregate barge in the more sheltered inside waters while a pair of larger boats tow the barges across the channel, but if the weather dictates the Durango can also tow.   The new 6-cylinder Cummins QSK19 M engines replace a pair of 360-HP two-stroke diesels and deliver 500 hp each into Twin Disc MG516 gears with 6:1 ratios. They swing 62 by 50-inch propellers on five-inch shafts.

Barge Business Is Booming At Bollinger

Well-known in the shipbuilding industry as a quality builder of various vessels and as a specialist in ship and barge repair, conversions and barge flaring, Lockport, La.-based Bollinger Shipyards has made a name for itself as a major builder of barges used on inland waterways and ocean-going uses. Stemming from the shipyard's growth are five contracts for 17 specialized large barges ranging in sizes from 240 to 365 ft. (73.1 x 111

SS&Y's Pacific Capesize Index Unchanged

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Pacific Capesize Index was unchanged at 3,287 in the week ending Oct. 4. "The Pacific is not matching the rapid progress seen in the Atlantic and was even showing signs of weakening," SS&Y reported. "Fresh firm inquiry will be needed if the Pacific sector is going to move up another level," SS&Y added.

Royal Caribbean Anchors In Asia

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. announced the opening in Singapore of its Asia-Pacific headquarters - Royal Caribbean Cruises (Asia) Pte. Ltd. The regional headquarters, which is located in Singapore's central business district, will support the marketing efforts in the Asia-Pacific region for three of the company's cruise brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises. Headed by Rama Rebbapragada, managing director for Asia Pacific

Key Australia Appointment for Wilhelmsen Ships Service

”We have a great opportunity for developing and growing the Wilhelmsen Ships Service business in Western Australia,” commented Michael Connolly as he took up the post of General Manager for Western Australia this month. He added, ”Business in the State continues to expand rapidly based on the ever growing resource industries, especially those within the energy and minerals sectors.” Wilhelmsen Ships Service made the new appointment at one of its key strategic

Pacific Drilling Charters Out 'Pacific Khamsin'

Pacific Drilling's ultra-deepwater drillship the 'Pacific Khamsin' contracted by a subsidiary of Chevron Corporation for operations in West Africa. The minimum duration of the contract is for an initial two-year term, with contract commencement expected by end of the third quarter of 2013. The contract provides for an option, to be exercised at the client’s discretion prior to shipyard delivery of the drillship, which could result in an additional year of contract term.

Oversupply Leads Pacific Panamax Rates Tumble

Panamax owners in the Atlantic have fought off charterers' attempts to push freight rates lower, but panamaxes in the Pacific are weaker due to oversupply, brokers said on Wednesday. "The Atlantic looks to have reached a level, but the Pacific has some way to go yet," one said. The Baltic Panamax Index has eased this week, standing 13 points lower at 922 on Wednesday. Brokers said the increase in the panamax fleet this year was behind the decline in freight rates.

Tanker Pacific Establishes North & Latin American Headquarters In Miami-Dade County

The Beacon Council announced that Tanker Pacific Management from Singapore has established its North and Latin American headquarters in Miami. Tanker Pacific is the largest privately owned tanker operator in Singapore. Founded in 1990, Tanker Pacific specializes in maritime transportation of petroleum, as well as management of offshore storage terminals. The focus of the Miami office is mainly on expanding the company's commercial reach and providing better service to its customers in

Pacific Fibre to Build Undersea Cable System

Pacific Fibre and TE SubCom, a TE Connectivity Ltd. company, announced the signing of a supply contract for the Pacific Fibre undersea cable system. The exceptionally long system will stretch 12,750km and boast a high cross sectional capacity. Intended to meet the increasing demand for international bandwidth in Australia and New Zealand, which has been growing at a rate of 55 percent per year, the Pacific Fibre system is planned for completion in 2014

About Australia's ETV in Rescue of Disabled Bulker 'ID Integrity'

Australian Maritime Safety Authority' Emergency Towing Vessel, 'ETV Pacific Responder' rescued the disabled 'ID Integrity' AMSA’s Thursday Island officer Adrian Davidson was on board ETV Pacific Responder when it was tasked to assist in the stabilisation and subsequent tow of the ID Integrity after it suffered engine failure in the Coral Sea on Friday 18 May. The Pacific Responder is the only designated emergency towage vessel is Australia and is located in the Great Barrier Reef