M OPERATING
HAL Ships Celebrate Historic Meeting
The meeting in Dubrovnik of the ms Amsterdam and the ms Prinsendam marked the first time in Holland America Line's 134-year history that two ships on simultaneous Grand Voyages met at a port of call. When Holland America Line's flagship the ms Amsterdam and the Elegant Explorer ms Prinsendam met today in Dubrovnik, Croatia, the combined 2,000 guests were treated to a special event commemorating the first time in the company's 134-year history that two ships on simultaneous Grand Voyages met at a port of call. Presented on the ms Amsterdam, the event featured performances by the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra and a Dubrovnik children's choir. Special guests included His Excellency Robert A. Bradtke, United States ambassador to the Republic of Croatia; Her Excellency Catharina Maria Trooster, ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Republic of Croatia; and Dubravka Suica, mayor of Dubrovnik.
BC Ferries Fights Transsexual’s Claims
Once, he was John Marshall Magnone, a West Coast mariner who worked for the ferry division of a British Columbia government ministry. Then John became Deborah and got a job as a deckhand for BC Ferries. Now she claims her gender switch cost her a job with the province's main ferry company, according to a report on the Globeandmail.com. Ms. Magnone claims she was fired last year because she is a transsexual. She has filed a complaint with the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal
U.S. Lines' M.S. Patriot Is Christened In Hawaii
United States Lines' premiere vessel, the 1,212-passenger MS Patriot arrived on Thursday at its homeport of Honululu, Oahu as the newest and largest cruise vessel serving the Hawaiian Islands year-round. The vessel, which breaks a 40-year stagnation within the U.S. cruise ship industry, is scheduled to be christened today by Maggie Inouye, wife of Senator Daniel Inouye, who will perform the official dedication. Formerly known as Holland America's MS Nieuw Amsterdam
Oversight Hearing on TWIC Implementation
The House Committee on Homeland Security conducted an oversight hearing on the Implementation of the TWIC Program. In his prepared remarks, Committee Chair Bennie Thompson (D-MS) expressed his concern that the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program is far behind schedule and that the estimates of the number of workers affected are much understated. Testimony was for the record, as the hearing was interrupted by a floor vote
Holland America Bids Farewell to ms Westerdam
Holland America Line will bid a fond farewell to the ms Westerdam on March 10 as the ship leaves its fleet after 643 voyages during a career spanning more than 13 years with the company. "The departure of a ship from our fleet is always a poignant occasion. The Westerdam is a wonderful cruise ship. She has provided more than a million guests with many happy memories and it is bitterwseet to bid her farewell," said A. Kirk Lanterman, Holland America Line chairman and CEO
New & Notable:Bollinger Delivers Ms. Sara Jane
Bollinger Shipyards, Inc. last month delivered the latest in a line of innovative vessels — and the first of Bollinger's new 220 'super shelf' series. Ms. Sara Jane is the first of two new 207 x 53 x 19-ft. (63 x 16.1 x 5.7 m) supply boats to MNM Boats, a subsidiary of C&G Boats, Golden Meadow, La. The boat is impressive foremost because it has a cargo capacity exceeding that of a 220-ft. (67-m) vessel. The boat was designed via a joint effort of Bollinger
Cruise Ships Smarten Up in Bremerhaven
Three big cruise ships visit Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven AG in the coming days and weeks to be spruced up for the 2013 cruise season. The ships are the MS "Braemar" and the MS "Balmoral", belonging to new customer Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, and Saga Shipping Corporation’s MS "Saga Ruby", better known previously to the yard as Cunard’s "Caronia". In the meantime Cunard’s 294 m long, 90
KMY Delivers Carnival Pride
MS Carnival Pride, newbuilding no. 500, was delivered to Carnival Corporation at the Kaverner Masa-Yards’ Helsinki shipyard. Carnival Pride is the third cruise ship in a series of new Panama-Max size cruise ships under construction for Carnival Corporation and operated by Carnival Cruise Lines and Costa Crociere. The first ship in the series, MS Costa Atlantica was delivered in June 2000 and the second ship, MS Carnival Spirit, in April this year.
MS&D 2009 Hamburg
The latest surveillance, defence and security equipment is presented by the 60 exhibitors at MS&D 2009, the international conference and exhibition on Maritime Security & Defence (MS&D), to be held at the Hamburg Fair site from 30 September to 2 October 2009. The exhibits include sophisticated optical and acoustic sensors, which have substantially improved the automated monitoring and control technology of security and defence equipment and systems
Ms Prinsendam Arrives in NY
The ms Prinsendam, newest vessel in Holland America Line's fleet of 11 premium cruise ships, arrived in New York accompanied by the retired New York City fireboat John J. Harvey. Holland America has nicknamed the 794-passenger, 38,000-ton Prinsendam the "Elegant Explorer" and has refitted the former Seabourn Sun to match the rest of the HAL fleet. Registered in The Netherlands, the 673-foot-long Prinsendam has 344 staterooms, including one penthouse suite, 18 suites
Royal Caribbean Names New Senior Vice President
Royal Caribbean International announced the appointment of Carol Schuster to Senior Vice President of Marketing. Ms. Schuster joins the global cruise line with a proven track record and extensive background in building global brands, as well as new market entry
Florida Transporters Orders Four Additional Eastern Towboats
Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. is announced that Florida Marine Transporters, Inc. of Mandeville, La. exercised an additional four 90’x32’x10’ Canal Class Inland Towboats. On January 23, 2013, Florida Marine Transporters, Inc
IMUA Names Award-winning Marine Underwriter
Gina Domitrovich, AMIM, Senior Marine Underwriter, AIG Global Marine & Energy, is the first recipient of the new American Marine Claims Award, by Inland Marine Underwriters Associations (IMUA). The award presentation was made closing ceremonies during IMUA"s 83rd Annual Meeting held
HiPer Craft Forum 2013: New Speakers Announced
The American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) will host the High Performance Craft (HiPer Craft) Forum on June 19-20, 2013 at the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center in Norfolk, Va. Government and Industry Speakers Include: • CAPT Dan Shultz
China Shipbuilding News
Afai Southern shipyard visited by Dutch diplomat, and elsewhere, Chengxi Shipyard gets order for 2 bulk carriers. Mr. Karel Hartogh, Director of Department of Asia and Oceania at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Netherlands and Ms. Anne Luwema, Consul General of Netherlands Consulate in Guangzhou
IMUA Honors Three at 83rd Annual Meeting
Grace D. Thomas, Senior Vice President at Great American Insurance Company and a former Chairperson of the Inland Marine Underwriters Association (IMUA), was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the association’s Annual Meeting held mid-May. Ms
Harvey Gulf to Build America’s First LNG Bunkering Facilities
Harvey Gulf International Marine CEO, Shane Guidry, announced that Harvey Gulf has secured plans to construct and operate the first LNG marine fueling facility in the United States, to be located at its vessel facility in Port Fourchon, La. The fueling facility will be a vital addition to the
Cooperation Behind High Voltage Shore Connection
The new High Voltage Shore Connection (HVSC), recently installed in the Port of Ystad, Sweden, has rendered a significant interest in shipping circles over the last couple of months. Recently, over 70 participants from all Nordic countries and the Baltic States gathered for a special seminar
Gulf Coast Shipyard Group Investment by Littlejohn
Littlejohn & Co., LLC, a private investment firm based in Greenwich, CT, has made an equity investment in Gulf Coast Shipyard Group, Inc. Gulf Coast Shipyard Group, is a manufacturer of a variety of ocean-going and inland marine vessels for commercial and military markets under the brand name
Begich, Wicker, Schatz Introduce NOAA Corps Amendments Act
U.S. Senators Mark Begich, Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced legislation to strengthen the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Commissioned Officer Corps as a national asset and improve its ability to recruit and retain talented candidates like other
PlanetSolar Betters its Own Transatlantic Record
The solar-powered vessel has recently sailed the 2,867 miles from Las Palmas to St. Martin, French WI, at an average 5.3 knots to break the earlier record. During the trip around the world (2010-2012), the MS Tûranor PlanetSolar sailed for 26 days from one side of the Atlantic to the other
IEA Pushes for Renewables and Nuclear Power
In a review of Finnish energy policies launched, the International Energy Agency praised Finland for its commitment to a sustainable energy future. With its energy-intensive industries and its cold climate, Finland’s energy consumption per capita is the highest in the IEA
Marinette Marine to Build More Coast Guard RB-M's
Marinette Marine Corporation a Fincantieri Company contracted to build an additional 4 Response Boats – Medium (RB-Ms) by the U.S. Coast Guard. With an approximate value of $9,400,000, the new boats are part of a multi-year, Coast Guard contract requiring the construction and delivery of up
Port of Montreal Open to post-Panamax Ships
The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) authorizes the passage of vessels up to 44 metres wide in the Quebec-Montreal section of the St. Lawrence navigation channel. The previous authorized width was 32.1 metres without restrictions. The CCG has made the provisions following a study commissioned by
E.N. Bisso Selects MarineCFO Software
MarineCFO, a provider of software solutions to the marine transportation industry and a division of Verticalive Inc., announced that E.N. Bisso & Son, Inc., has chosen to implement the full MarineCFO Enterprise software suite, including personnel, pperations, maintenance, and vessel live.