MAGNOLIA MARINE TRANSPORT

Barge Partially Sinks

The AP has reported that a barge hauling 800,000 gallons of liquid asphalt that strayed from its tow has partially sunk to the river bottom, according to the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard said the barge doesn't seem in danger of breaking. The river current has pushed the 80-foot barge sideways against a railroad bridge near downtown Louisville. Nauert said the barge is believed to be stable. The barge was one of three that got away from their tow Thursday when a connecting cable broke or separated. Two of the barges were caught, but the third went over the McAlpine Dam spillway and eventually wedged against the bridge. Officials can't tell how much has leaked from the barge, but Nauert said there was no evidence of significant leaking. Barge owner Magnolia Marine Transportation Co. of Vicksburg, Miss., has hired a Pennsylvania company, River Salvage Co., to bring in two crane barges to pump out the spilled asphalt and secure the broken barge before it is towed away. The cleanup could take up to three weeks or more, according to officials.

Gulf Companies Brace for Hurricane Dean

Oil and natural gas producers were evacuating offshore workers and shutting small amounts of production over the weekend as they watched powerful Hurricane Dean storm across the Caribbean Sea toward an entry into the Gulf next week. Forecasts and computer models point Dean away from the paths taken by 2005's devastating hurricanes Katrina and Rita through offshore oil production areas and onshore refining centers.

ZEG Begins Deepwater Operations Study

Ziff Energy Group (ZEG), a leading North American energy consulting firm, with offices in Houston and Calgary, announces the launch of the 6th edition of its Deepwater Reducing Field Operating Costs (RFOC) study, which will evaluate 2006 operating costs for more than 2 dozen Deepwater producing assets in the Gulf of Mexico. Participation will include 9 Deepwater operators, who collectively account for over 80% of the 1

Crowley's Green Initiatives Garner Attention

Crowley Maritime Corporation's continued focus on environmental preservation and protection was recently recognized by the Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) in Washington, DC, with environmental excellence awards for 26 ships, which are owned and/or operated by Crowley subsidiaries. The awards ceremony recognized companies with vessels that had achieved a record of two or more years of no recordable environmental incidents

Bush Budget Highlights Marine Transport

Released on February 7, President Bush's FY 2006 proposed budget requests the highest funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works program in many years. It demonstrates the Bush Administration's increasing understanding of the myriad benefits of the nation's inland waterways system and the need to nurture, not neglect, this critically important transportation system. The budget request underscores the President's goal to keep the Nation economically strong and competitive.

Canadian Tour Boat Sinks

Canadian Transport Minister David Collenette released the following statement concerning the sinking of the tour boat Lady Duck, which resulted in the deaths of four passengers. The accident happened in the late afternoon of June 23, 2002, on the Ottawa River. “I would like to convey my condolences to the families and friends of those who died in this tragic accident. “We are cooperating fully with the Transportation Safety Board’s (TSB) investigation

Marine Polluter Gets Fined

A Newfoundland and Labrador provincial court judge has ordered the Motor Vessel (MV) Project Europa to pay a $70,000 penalty for violations of the Canada Shipping Act associated with the unlawful discharge of an oily substance into Canadian waters. On August 23, 2003, a Government of Canada marine pollution surveillance flight detected a slick in the wake of MV Project Europa, a cargo ship registered in the Netherlands and owned by Biglift Goedkoop B.V.of Amsterdam

$70,000 Fine for Marine Polluter

A Newfoundland and Labrador provincial court judge has ordered the Motor Vessel (MV) Project Europa to pay a $70,000 penalty for violations of the Canada Shipping Act associated with the unlawful discharge of an oily substance into Canadian waters. On August 23, 2003, a Government of Canada marine pollution surveillance flight detected a slick in the wake of MV Project Europa, a cargo ship registered in the Netherlands and owned by Biglift Goedkoop B.V.of Amsterdam

Companies Align to Form Taipei Port Consortium

Taiwan's Evergreen Marine forged an alliance with three local counterparts on Friday to bid jointly for a container port project in Taipei Harbor. Evergreen Marine, Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp., Wan Hai Lines and Evergreen Transport said in a joint statement they would set up the Taipei Port Consortium to issue the bid. Evergreen Marine and Evergreen Transport, members of the giant Evergreen transportation conglomerate, would own a combined 50 percent of the new company

Transport Canada Confirms Chute Evac System

Transport Canada has assessed the safety of both types of vertical chute Marine Evacuation Systems used by BC Ferries and has confirmed that both systems are safe for use by all passengers, including infants (babies-in-arms). Extensive testing of BC Ferries’ chute systems was conducted following possible concerns raised by the Union about the suitability of the systems for infants, elderly and severely disabled passengers