LA CARRIERS

Bulk Carriers Collide

U.S Coast Guard photograph courtesy of Air Station New Orleans The U.S. Coast Guard responded to a collision between two bulk carrier vessels, the 712-ft. Panamanian-flagged Zagora and the 737-ft. Greek-flagged Torm Anholt, on the Mississippi River in the Kenner, La., bend. The Coast Guard was notified of the incident on Monday afternoon, and dispatched two HH-65 Dolphin helicopter rescue crews from Air Station New Orleans, a 41-ft. rescue boatcrew from Station New Orleans and personnel from Sector New Orleans to investigate. The Torm Anholt has a gash on its right side approximately 10-12 x 6 ft. forward of the superstructure and approximately six to nine feet above the waterline. A one-way traffic safety zone is in effect from mile marker 111 to 115. There are no reports of injuries or pollution. The Coast Guard will conduct an investigation into the incident.

Massive Oil Spill Clean Up Underway

Despite initial contentions that there were only two major oil spills in the wake of Katrina, details released by the U.S. Coast Guard indicate that the problem is much larger. According to the USCG, oil pollution containment and recovery operations continue in Southeast Louisiana resulting from the destructive force of Hurricane Katrina. The following information on each spill is current as of 5 p.m., September 15.

Seafuture Sponsored by Italian Trade Commission

The Italian Trade Commission and the Liguria Region are sponsoring an event in La Spezia to facilitate and create collaborations and partnerships between universities, companies, research centers, and other stakeholders in the maritime field. Seafuture will host engineers, designers, manufacturers and distributors of sea-related equipment and technology. The event will feature a number of thematic and technical seminars, forums

Hapag-Lloyd is Restructuring Service

Starting end of April, Hapag-Lloyd will operate their own independent service from Northern Europe via Suez direct to Australia/New Zealand that it used to provide with a partner. “We will be introducing two additional units and continuing to operate the service with twelve ships. With this direct service, we offer the best transit times on this route,” states Anthony Firmin, Managing Director Ship and Container Management of Hapag-Lloyd AG.

Bachrach & Wood Celebrates 50 Years

Bachrach & Wood was formed 1953 to provide marine surveying and consultant services to the shipping industry in New Orleans. This year marks its 50th year of service. Over the years, Bachrach & Wood has changed its focus from bluewater shipping to the offshore oilfield, now providing builder’s risk surveys for heavy lifts and pipeline construction, warranty surveys for trips-in-to, vessel safety and security audits, and on/off charter surveys for barges and boats

Textron Receives LCAC Extension

Textron Marine and Land Systems, New Orleans, La., is being awarded a $30,301,153 firm-fixed-price modification under previously awarded contract (N00024-03-C-2200) for the service life extension of four landing craft air cushion craft. Work will be performed in New Orleans, La., and is expected to be completed in November 2006. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity

Innovative Tugboat Delivered to Columbia

Tugboat 'Cabo de la Vela' an AVT 3000-Class Voith Schneider vessel designed by Robert Allan Ltd. for Carbones del Cerrejón delivered by Uzmar Shipyard, Turkey. This is the second of a two boat order from Carbones del Cerrejón for the AVT 3000 Class Tugs designed by Robert Allan Ltd., Naval Architects of Vancouver, B.C., Canada.  Cabo de la Vela will join her sister vessel, the Media Luna, in Puerto de Bolivar.

Seafuture Sponsored by Italian Trade Commission

The Italian Trade Commission and the Liguria Region are sponsoring an event in La Spezia to facilitate and create collaborations and partnerships between universities, companies, research centers, and other stakeholders in the maritime field. Seafuture, occurring June 11 through 14, is the first exhibition in the Mediterranean area, open both to companies and research centres. It will host engineers, designers, manufacturers and distributors of sea-related equipment and technology

MEMCO Christens Joy Anne Keller

MEMCO Barge Line, the inland barging subsidiary of Electric Fuels Corp. (EFC), christened a new towboat in New Orleans. M/V Joy Anne Keller, named after the wife of EFC President and CEO Richard D. Keller is the 22nd towboat in MEMCO's fleet. Built by Quality Shipyards, of Houma, La., the 8,000 hp twin-screw towboat measures 180 x 48 x 11.5 ft., and is designed to operate on the Lower Mississippi River between Cairo and New Orleans. MEMCO Christens Joy Anne Keller

Changing Climate and Its Impact on Ship Routing

The warming planet and more predictable El Niño and La Niña cycles are presenting challenges and opportunities to shipping companies in ways that were not realized in the past. With each passing year we are seeing more transits along the Northern Sea Route (north of Russia) and through the NW Passage Route (through the Canadian Arctic). In addition to these climatic changes in the far northern latitudes, we are seeing short term pattern changes that are altering the face of how