INTER

USCG: Old Ferry Removed for Inspection

Washington State Ferries (WSF) is performing additional hull inspections on the 80-year-old Steel Electric Class vessels, which will temporarily affect the San Juan inter-island run. The 59-car Illahee has temporarily been removed from service awaiting the additional inspection, so the 87-car Evergreen State has taken its place serving the San Juan inter-island route. Starting July 15, the 34-car Hiyu will operate on the inter-island route for 1 week while the Evergreen State is at the ferry system’s Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility for its required, annual inspection. Two Steel Electric Class vessels will continue to operate on the Port Townsend – Keystone route. “We recognize that a ferry with less auto capacity inconveniences our customers. Therefore, we are working very hard to make sure the Evergreen State and the Illahee return to service as soon as possible,” said WSF Executive Director Mike Anderson. The additional hull inspections were requested by the USCG following recent, unplanned maintenance of the Steel Electric Class vessels. WSF shares the USCG’s interest in the maintenance and safe operation of the vessels by requiring additional inspections and an augmented long-term repair and maintenance plan. “WSF’s aim is to provide consistent and safe service to our customers, and we look forward to working with the U.S

PCA Seeking Ways To Safeguard Water

The Panama Canal Authority (PCA) inaugurated an inter-institutional commission charged with safeguaring the trade route's vital supplies of fresh water into the future. The commission, made up of government and environmental groups under PCA stewardship, aims to establish mechanisms to protect the Canal's fragile rainforest watershed, while achieving long-term sustainable development for resident communities, the Authority said

SecurePort 2004 to be Held in Miami

SecurePort 2004, sponsored by the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Inter-American Committee on Ports (CIP), and chaired by the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD), will be held in Miami, Florida on February 25-27.

CMA CGM Improves US East Coast Port Coverage

CMA CGM improves the US East Coast port coverage of its CAGEMA service. The CMA CGM Group is pleased to announce the reshuffling of its CAGEMA Main Liner service, linking the United States East Coast and the Caribbean, effective 9th September 2011. The modifications will be as follows: *The addition of two direct calls to New York and Jacksonville, enhancing port coverage of the US East Coast. * The ports of Castries (Saint Lucia), Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago)

OMM Completes Cable Work at Greater Gabbard

Offshore Marine Management (OMM) has completed a contract with Fluor for the installation of 36 inter-array cables at the Greater Gabbard wind farm. Originally contracted to install 29 cables, the remit of OMM’s work was expanded during the course of the project to encompass provision of a full range of installation services for 36 inter-array cables, including front end pre-engineering support, installation and the delivery of a final report using in-house survey capabilities

ACP Chairman Addresses Executives

Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Board Chairman and Concurrent Minister of Canal Affairs Dr. Ricaurte Vásquez Morales spoke at a private-sector forum hosted by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) in Tokyo, Japan last Friday, September 22. Dr. Vásquez briefed forum participants on the Panama Canal expansion proposal, as well as highlighted investment and business opportunities in the areas of infrastructure, multi-modal transportation

Ferries Consider Sprinkler after Fire

Maritime industry regulators plan to require inter-island passenger vessels to install automated firefighting equipment to help fight fires at sea like the one that struck the SuperFerry 12 last week. Maritime Industry Authority proposes making sprinkler systems a requirement on domestic passenger liners, many of which are equipped only with manual water pumps and fire extinguishers. The fire on the SuperFerry 12 was placed under control within 30 minutes and completely put out three hours

New Broström Tanker Launched

At a ceremony on May 10 at the Shipyard Ferus Smit in Holland, the sixth vessel, in a series of eight 6,900/7,600 dwt double-hulled product tanker, was launched and named. The vessel was given the name Bro Genius by the godmother Maria Rasetorp. After the delivery in July this year Bro Genius will join the Broström fleet of modern product tankers serving under Broström's cargo contracts with major oil companies. Out of the total Broström commercial fleet exceeding 60 vessels some 35 are

Dryships, Covenant Waiver & Load Deferral

DryShips Inc. (NASDAQ: DRYS), a global provider of marine transportation services for drybulk cargoes and off-shore contract drilling oil services, announced on Feb. 3 that it has reached an in principle agreement with Piraeus Bank, to restructure its two loan facilities in the original aggregate principal amount of $220m with current outstanding $164.9m. As part of the restructuring, caused in large part by the failure of certain buyers to conclude the agreed purchase of three vessels

INTERTANKO Guide to Reducing Emissions

INTERTANKO is publishing this week its new Guide for a Tanker Energy Efficiency Management Plan (TEEMP). This moves forward in practical terms the IMO process to reduce actual GHG emissions from shipping by assisting operators to implement a Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan as recommended by IMO Circular MEPC.1/Circ.683. This Guide is based on INTERTANKO best practice, using information and experience from members with more than 700 tankers