Ocean Access News

A five-person submersible vessel taking wealthy adventurers on a $250,000 trip to see the wreckage of the 1912 Titanic disaster 12,500 feet (3,800m) undersea is missing in the Atlantic off Canada.Reuters is reporting the following individuals onboard:HAMISH HARDING. The British billionaire and chairman of aviation consultancy Action Aviation is among those missing, according to his stepson. Dubai-based Harding had posted on social media that he was proud to be heading to the Titanic as a "mission specialist"…

On September 26, the State University of New York Maritime College hosted a conference on the emerging east coast offshore wind industry. “Offshore Wind Power, Planning for America’s Ocean Energy” focused on four fundamental topics:• East Coast Wind Farm Overview – Status of the Industry.• Jobs and Supply Chain Technical Working Group.• Wind Farm Port Development.• Offshore Wind Maritime Operations.In some ways, actually clocking in for a day’s work on an offshore wind turbine is tantalizingly close. Ditto for power flowing from an offshore substation to a mainland interconnection.

VIKING has secured a contract from Kværner AS to deliver three VIKING Norsafe E-GES 52 electric free-fall lifeboats and compatible davits, in a significant advance for electric propulsion. The contract, part of the upgrade of Equinor’s Njord A platform in the Norwegian Sea, initially called for diesel-powered lifeboats but has been amended to specify VIKING Norsafe E-GES 52 units based on performance, assured availability and lower maintenance requirements.The electric lifeboat is powered by 3x25kWh batteries contained in robust…

For the first time in its nearly 50-year history, Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor welcomed general cargo vessel HC Melina carrying a unique shipment of two, large rubber-tire gantry (RTG) cranes destined for the CSX Intermodal Terminals’ facility in Chicago.Once the 68-piece shipment is fully assembled, the RTG cranes will have a span of eight containers wide and with a hoisting height of one over four containers high. The high-performance equipment will replace two older units at the CSX Intermodal Terminals’ Bedford Park facility…

Kingston District Council, in partnership with the Cape Jaffa Development Group, has recently taken delivery of a Cutter Suction Dredger (CSD) from Damen Shipyards Group. The CSD350 will be used to dredge along the breakwater at Cape Jaffa, the Cape Jaffa marina and within Maria Creek Boat Launch Facility in Kingston. This is the only dredger owned by a South Australian council, and has been the most significant purchase Kingston District Council has undertaken in terms of the logistics involved in an overseas purchase, transportation and assembly.

A newly built 60-meter trailing suction hopper dredger Tommy Norton started work to deliver safe and reliable ocean access for the commercial vessels, oil and gas suppliers and commercial fishing fleet that cross the entrance bar to the Gippsland Lakes area. The dredger is the first built by Damen Shipyards Group for Australia, and features propulsion is provided by two SCHOTTEL Rudderpropellers type SRP 330 fixed pitch. Capable of dredging to depths of 15 meters, the dredger…

The Tommy Norton, a Damen Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD) 650 built at Damen Shipyards Yichang has been officially delivered to her proud owner, Gippsland Ports. The first dredger to be built by Damen Shipyards Group for Australia, the 60-meter Tommy Norton has now started work to deliver safe and reliable ocean access for the commercial vessels, oil & gas suppliers and commercial fishing fleet that cross the entrance bar to the Gippsland Lakes area. The maintenance dredging also helps reduce the risk of flooding to local communities.

Newport Exhibition Group, owners and producers of the Newport International Boat Show, announced today that Clean Ocean Access is its Official Charitable Partner for the 45th Annual Newport International Boat Show. A 501(C)3non-profit organization, Clean Ocean Accessconducts island-wide marine debris removal efforts, water quality monitoring, and protecting public access, all with a focus on restoring and protecting our natural resources, increasing recreational opportunities, and developing community responsibility by increasing awareness of the impact humans have on the environment. As the show’s charitable partner, Clean Ocean Access will receive a portion of Sunday’sticket sales…

Jones Lang LaSalle is to market Macalloy Port Terminal in Charleston, SC for private investors and operators. The privately-owned, 115-acre Macalloy Intermodal Terminal in North Charleston is being developed to complement South Carolina’s port system, including the adjacent future Navy Base terminal currently being developed and operated by the SCSPA. Macalloy Terminal offers bulk material maritime solutions and is designed for mixed-use purposes, including break-bulk, RO/RO, manufacturing, general cargo and raw material handling.

The Global Ocean Commission name chairs of a special plenary Sustainable Ocean Summit session to be held in Washington DC, in April 2013. Global Ocean Commission names Costa Rican President José María Figueres and South African cabinet minister Trevor Manuel, to chair Special SOS Session for business input to the Commission. This new ‘Global Ocean Commission - Ocean Industry Forum’ session at SOS 2013 on 24 April will provide a key opportunity for the ocean business community to engage directly with the Commissioners and provide industry input. “As the Commission embarks on its journey, it is essential that we gain input and expertise from all sectors involved with the global ocean,” said President Figueres.

Trawlercat Marine Designs (TMD) a power catamaran design company in New Westminster, BC Canada has announced that they are interested in exploring a Joint Venture Partnership with an established East Coast USA Fiberglass Boat Builder and a Financial Investor(s) to jointly build their MKlll Hull Carbon-Cat catamaran work-boats. TMD has been approached by US and UK Maritime Security Companies with an urgent need to provide up to nine of their purpose designed armed and armored Anti-Piracy Personal Escort Vessels (PEVs).

PARTNERSHIP FORMS AN ALLIANCE OF COOPERATION TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC GROWTH. In what is touted to be another one of a series of new agreements with U.S. ports, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) and Port Freeport in Texas established a strategic alliance today with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The partnership aims to increase international trade and create new business by promoting the all-water-route between Asia and the Gulf of Mexico of the United States through Port Freeport via the Panama Canal. Intended to last for one year, the partnership is renewable upon request of both parties. Under the conditions of the MOU, the parties have agreed to undertake joint initiatives to stimulate economic growth.