NORTHLAND SERVICES

MARAD: U.S. Vessels Can Clear West Coast Backlog

Maritime Administrator Captain William G. Schubert highlighted the capabilities of the U.S.-Flag fleet in an effort to respond to allegations that U.S.-flag vessels are not available to ease present cargo congestion in West Coast ports. "Qualified Jones Act vessels are standing by with available tonnage on the West Coast to assist any shipper or carrier in moving cargo forward as necessary," Schubert stated. Schubert added, "The Maritime Administration is carefully evaluating all potential alternatives that would alleviate congestion in the ports, and expedite the delivery of cargo to its final destination. We would strongly encourage all non Jones Act qualified carriers to consider utilizing the available domestic carriers for this purpose." According to the U.S. Maritime Administration’s Office of Ports and Domestic Shipping, U.S.-flag coastwise qualified companies available for carriage of West Coast cargo are as follows: CSX-LINES - will divert a ship if necessary to pick up cargo in LA to ease port congestion for Oakland or provide other lifts to ease congestion. Chuck Raymond (CEO) specifically cites the CSX ENTERPRISE (1,000 FEU) as ready for service. For service Raymond can be reached at 704-973-7006. NAKNEK Marine of Seattle - has tugs and barges available to reposition containers. For service, Jim Harper can be reached at 206-658-0222. NAKNEK's services may also be arranged through Northland Services: www.northlandservices.com .

Bulker Being Towed Away from New Zealand

The New Zealand Maritime Safety Authority (MSA) has stated that the bulker Taharoa Express is being towed away from the Northland coastline, after being at anchor off the coast of Dargaville for the past two days as a result of engine problems. The towage passage plan calls for the ship to be towed 200 miles offshore where it will be met by a larger tug for towage to Japan.

Sea-Tow and Bechtel Partner Up

Sea-Tow Limited has won a tender with Bechtel Australia Pty Limited to barge large fabricated modules from Brisbane to Gladstone for the construction of Comalco’s new alumina refinery. The 13-month contract will involve at least 30 voyages consisting of assemblies weighing between 50 and 380 tonnes. The assemblies will be rolled on and off the barge using a heavy lift platform trailer provided and operated by Mammoet.

Stork Technical Services Wins ‘Ideas in Safety Prize’

Stork Technical Services has won the first ever ‘Ideas in Safety’ prize at this year’s UK Oil and Gas Industry Safety Awards. Stork’s on-site machining & bolting team received the award for its innovative hot bolt clamp system, which enables the safe removal and replacement of corroded bolts on live flanged connections which have eight bolts or less. The award recognizes an individual or team working on a UKCS offshore facility who have developed an original

Lloyd's Register acquires WEST Engineering Services

Lloyd's Register acquires WEST Engineering Services to become the top independent provider of technical services to the offshore drilling sector.     Acquisition of WEST, subsea systems specialists, builds support for exploration and production activities. Lloyd’s Register has acquired Houston-based WEST Engineering Services in a move that secures the Group's position as the premier independent risk-management organisation supporting the global offshore drilling industry

Specialist Service Announces Growth Plans

Specialist Services, manufacturer of living quarters, office and technical modular buildings for the oil and gas industry, is to re-establish a hire fleet at recently acquired Labtech Services to meet growing North Sea and international demand.   Offshore modular enclosure firm Labtech, which employs 90 staff across two sites in Aberdeen, was acquired by Specialist Services at the end of last year. Until three years ago

Container Shipping Line Wins Service & Reliability Award

Horizon Lines recieves '2011 Platinum Carrier Award' for the 6th time in succession from Lowe's Company Horizon Lines, Inc., one of the nation's leading domestic ocean shipping companies, has been awarded the "2011 Platinum Carrier Award" by home improvement retailer Lowe's Companies Inc. Horizon Lines is the only Jones Act ocean carrier to receive a 2011 award from Lowe's for domestic ocean transportation service. 

New Intermodal Service by Brazil's Maestra Corp

Maestra to regionalize operations, offer cabotage, intermodal transport solutions in Brazil ports Real Fernando, president of ship and logistics company Maestra, has drawn attention to his company's regionalization of freight operations in Brazil, so that teams at the port terminals are able to meet the demands of the country's regions locally. The new model, permits greater proximity to customers in each region and increases decision-making flexibility

Carnival Azipod Service Contract for ABB

ABB wins long-term service contract from Carnival to improve energy efficiency ABB has won a long-term service contract from Carnival Corporation to maintain and upgrade ABB’s Azipod equipment over the next 15 years for 20 ships in their fleet, cutting costs by as much as $1 million a year per ship. Carnival is the world’s largest cruise ship operator and has 20 cruise vessels with Azipod propulsion systems

Aker Solutions to Provide Services to Statoil

Aker Solutions has entered a long-term agreement with Statoil to provide a full range of heavy well intervention and light-drilling services on the Norwegian continental shelf. The contract period is for eight years with options for three further two-year periods (2+2+2). The contract’s value for the initial eight-year period is approximately USD 1.9 billion. Work will be performed from a new build Category B well intervention rig