Campbell Acquires NGL's Towboat and Barge Fleet
Houston, Penn.-based Campbell Transportation Company, Inc. (CTC) on Monday announced it has signed a definitive purchase agreement to acquire the majority of the marine assets owned by NGL Marine, LLC, a subsidiary of Tulsa, Okla.-based NGL Energy Partners LP.The $111.65 million cash deal, which is expected to be finalized by the end of March, includes a fleet of 13 towboats and 25 tank barges that provide waterborne transportation of refined products and crude oil for customers on the Gulf Coast, NGL said. A majority of the fleet will go to Campbell, and another portion will go to an unnamed buyer.For Campbell, the acquisition marks another step forward in its strategic plan to diversify its marine business line, the company said in a statement.
Victaulic Promotes Moore to Chief Revenue Officer
Easton, Penn. based Victaulic, a producer of mechanical pipe joining solutions, announced it has promoted Gary Moore to executive vice president and chief revenue officer.Moore began his Victaulic career 35 years ago in sales for Canada and progressed to the role of president of Victaulic Company of Canada, Limited. Later he joined the executive team at Victaulic’s U.S. corporate headquarters and served as the executive vice president responsible for building and driving the global sales team.As CRO…
Interview: Chris Deegan, President & Chief Executive, Gibbs & Cox
In 1985, Chris Deegan was hired out of Penn State as a nuclear submarine cost estimator by the Naval Sea Systems Command and retired nearly 28 years later as the Executive Director of PEO Integrated Warfare Systems, with the last 10 as a member of the Senior Executive Service. He’s been with Gibbs & Cox since 2013, first as the Vice President of Engineering, and as President and Chief Executive since 2016.Please give a “by the numbers” look at Gibbs & Cox today.Since our founding in 1929…
Shipbuilders Council Announces Shipyard Safety Awards
The Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA), the national association representing the U.S. shipyard industry, today announced the 2020 annual shipyard safety awards. SCA honors shipbuilding and repair organizations with the “Excellence in Safety” Award and “Improvement in Safety” Award each year for enhancement of operations and promotion of safety and accident prevention.Over the past several years, the industry has seen the total recordable incident rate steadily decline, with the most significant decline seen in 2019.
By the Numbers: Small Shipyard Grants
Small shipyards in the U.S. are critical to the nation’s maritime operations and economic security. Typically family-owned and employing less than 1,200 workers, America’s small shipyards support more than 400,000 jobs, employ more than 100,000 Americans directly and contribute tens of billions in gross domestic product, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD).In an effort to help support these vital assets, MARAD’s Small Shipyard Grant Program provides funds to help drive efficiency…
Winter Work on the Great Lakes
Along the 1,600-mile, ice gray arch of the St Lawrence Seaway, the 2020 Great Lakes commercial shipping season will lurch back to life on March 25 when the Soo Locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. reopen.The ceremonial opening signals a passage with passable ice and the 114th Great Lakes season for its fleet of 45 venerable lakers. Most of these huge self-loading freight haulers are at least 50 years old, rust free, and fit; American steel sailing on a freshwater sea.To handle Great Lakes cargo…
PSA International Acquires Penn Terminals
Marking its first foray into the US, Singapore-based port operator PSA International has completed the acquisition of Penn Terminals located on the Delaware River in the U.S. from Macquarie Infrastructure Partners, a fund managed by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets.Penn is a privately owned multipurpose marine terminal on the Eastern Coast of the USA. Penn’s terminal, warehousing and stevedoring services have enabled it to handle its clients’ cargo since 1986.“This acquisition represents PSA’s very first foray into the USA. We are delighted to embrace Penn as the newest member of the global PSA family and to be able to participate in its continued growth and expansion.
Kirby’s Secret Sauce
Another year; another major fleet takeover by Kirby Corporation. But the leader of the inland tank-barge sector is not growing for growth’s sake: a deeper look at the numbers shows a disciplined strategy at work.“Kirby is definitely the big gorilla in the inland barge market,” affirmed Jefferies analyst Randy Giveans. Indeed, Houston-headquartered Kirby Corp has been extremely active buying fleets over the past few years, most recently acquiring the 63 tank barges of Cenac Marine in March for $244 million.
PSA to Acquire Halterm, Penn Terminals
Singapore-headquartered port operator PSA International is all set to take over the Halterm Container Terminal in the Port of Halifax, Canada, and multipurpose Penn Terminals in Pennsylvania, USA.Both Halterm and Penn terminals are 100% owned by Macquarie Infrastructure Partner funds, a fund managed by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA). The price was not disclosed.Halterm terminal at the Port of Halifax is the largest container terminal in Eastern Canada. Penn Terminals located in Philadelphia, USA offers steverdoring, marine terminal and cargo entry for ports in the United States.PSA, which is owned by Temasek, the sovereign wealth fund of Singapore, said it is in the process of securing regulatory approvals from U.S. and Canadian authorities.
Five (More) New Products to Find @ SMM 2018
The SMM 2018 scheduled to take place September 4-7, 2018, in Hamburg, Germany, is held every two years and is the traditional launching platform for a variety of commercial shipping and shipbuilding technologies. Five new marine technologies to look for in Hamburg include:Company: CM Technologies GmbHBooth: A3.204Product: New Performance Indicator to save fuelThe PREMET X measuring device presented by CM Technologies GmbH makes it possible to precisely determine the cylinder pressure at every cylinder position…
US Navy Sailor Killed in Training
A U.S. Navy Sailor assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) died from injuries sustained while conducting small boat training July 8.Ensign Sarah Mitchell, 23, of Feasterville, Penn., was medically evacuated to a hospital in Aqaba, Jordan, and was pronounced dead at 12:45 p.m., local time.No other Sailors were injured and an investigation is ongoing.
New Fireboat Delivered in Pittsburgh
Lake Assault Boats said it has delivered a 34-foot fireboat to the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire in Pittsburgh, Penn. The vessel is the department’s first new dedicated fireboat since 1974. The new fireboat, named after Pittsburgh’s first female mayor, Sophie Masloff, who passed away in 2014, was dedicated on October 27. In a formal ceremony, the former mayor’s eldest granddaughter broke a bottle of champagne on the boat’s gunnel as it was launched into the Ohio River. The Lake Assault deep V-hull fireboat respond to emergencies and help manage fires on the waterways…
RSC Bio Solutions Expands
RSC Bio Solutions recently announced the addition of several key team members in the business development and sales departments in a continuing drive to support its growing client base. The company also announced a new market-oriented organizational structure with two focused teams around the marine and land markets. “Deeper segment experience and knowledge will support our growth objectives and our goal to be recognized as the go-to resource for biochemical solutions in markets where protecting equipment and protecting the environment are both essential…
Countdown to London International Shipping Week
The countdown to London International Shipping Week 2017 (LISW17) officially began last night with an exclusive launch reception held at the iconic Norton Rose Fulbright building on London’s South Bank. The launch reception brought together representatives from many of the maritime world’s leading organisations and figures from UK Government to learn of the aspirations, plans and exciting opportunities that LISW17 will deliver between September 11-15, next year. Addressing the 130 invited guests, Jeremy Penn, Chief Executive at the Baltic Exchange and Chairman of the LISW17 Steering Group, proudly acknowledged that London International Shipping Week had firmly established itself as a major event in the world’s maritime calendar.
Freight Futures Market Avoids Tougher EU Information Disclosures
The European Union's securities markets regulator has dropped proposals to make participants in the multi-billion dollar commodity derivatives market for freight rates disclose knowledge of loading conditions, the Baltic Exchange said. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) published its report on Sept. 30 on its proposals for more disclosure of inside knowledge about commodity derivatives trading to prevent market abuse. ESMA's initial proposals could have meant that a Freight Forward Agreements (FFA) trader with private information related to a commodity to be shipped could have been found to be in breach of disclosure regulations.
Navy to Commission Amphibious Transport Dock John P. Murtha
The Navy will commission the amphibious transport dock ship John P. Murtha (LPD 26), Saturday, Oct. 8, during a 10 a.m. EDT ceremony at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia. The ship is named in honor of John P. Murtha, who served his country both as a Marine and in the halls of congress. Murtha served in the Marine Corps for 37 years and saw service in the Korean War and in Vietnam, a tour that earned him the Bronze Star with Valor device, two Purple Hearts and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Murtha represented Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District from 1974 until his death in 2010. The Honorable Nancy Pelosi will deliver the ceremony’s principal address.
Baltic Exchange Succumbs to Singapore as Shipping Turmoil Deepens
The crisis in global shipping and a tax exodus by big Greek vessel owners have helped finally seal the fate of London's Baltic Exchange after at least three approaches to buy it over the last six years of its near-three centuries history. Some 95 percent of shareholders voted on Monday in favour of a takeover deal from Singapore Exchange, valued at 87 million pounds ($112.87 million), trumping more than one effort from the London Metal Exchange to snap it up. "For Baltic shareholders it does release value…
Baltic Exchange Names Jackson as CEO
Baltic Exchange on Monday named Mark Jackson, a former Chairman and Director, to replace Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Penn. Baltic Exchange shareholders earlier approved an 87 million pound ($112 million) takeover by Singapore Exchange for one of London's oldest institutions, in a deal that will give SGX access to the multi-billion-dollar freight derivatives market. Jackson, Chief Commercial Officer of AM Nomikos Group, is expected to take up his appointment early in 2017. Penn announced his intention to stand down last year, the Exchange said in a statement.
Retlif Promotes Reitz to Director of Engineering
Independent EMC and environmental testing organization Retlif Testing Laboratories has promoted Richard Reitz to the position of Director of Engineering. Reitz has been with Retlif since 1985, serving in several capacities. As Director of Engineering, he will now oversee testing and staff engineers at all the Retlif testing facilities including Ronkonkoma, N.Y. headquarters and Plainview, N.Y. composite laboratory, as well as the Harleysville, Penn., Charlotte, N.C. and Goffstown, N.H. laboratories. Reitz will be based in Harleysville, Penn.
Deegan Named President of Gibbs & Cox
Gibbs & Cox, Inc. (G&C) Chairman Ned Daffan announced today the appointment of Chris Deegan as President and Chief Executive, effective immediately. Deegan, previously Vice President of G&C's Engineering Group, will replace Rick Biben, who is retiring but will remain on the G&C Board of Directors. Deegan spent nearly 28 years in the Navy's acquisition and cost engineering communities, leading nuclear submarine, ship and combat systems programs prior to joining Gibbs & Cox in 2013.
Inmarsat Global Sponsors LISW 2017
London International Shipping Week (LISW) is proud to announce Inmarsat Global Ltd as Lead Diamond Sponsor for LISW 2017. Inmarsat is a British satellite telecommunications company which provides mobile communication services to the maritime industry worldwide. Inmarsat continues to be highly supportive of LISW, choosing to renew their prestigious diamond sponsorship positioning, which the company held in both 2015 and 2013. “London International Shipping Week is a highlight in the global maritime calendar,” says Ronald Spithout, Inmarsat Maritime President. “The UK has been a driving force in the maritime industry from the beginning.
NTSB Determines Faults Leading to Fatal Collision
In examining the deadly collision of tugboat/barge Caribbean Sea/The Resource with Amphibious Passenger Vehicle DUKW 34, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has determined that several faults played a part in the collision. On Wednesday, July 7, 2010, the empty 250-foot-long sludge barge The Resource, being towed alongside the 78.9-foot-long tugboat Caribbean Sea, collided with the anchored 33-foot-long amphibious passenger vehicle DUKW 34 in the Delaware River at Philadelphia, Penn. On board the DUKW 34 were 35 passengers and two crewmembers, while on board the Caribbean Sea were five crewmembers. As a result of the collision…
This Day In Naval History: April 21
1861 - Sloop-of-War Saratoga, commanded by Alfred Taylor, captures Nightingale, a clipper slaver, at the mouth of the Congo River at Cabinda, Angola, with 961 slaves on board. 1898 - President William McKinley orders the Navy to begin a blockade of Cuba and Spain, the beginning of the Spanish-American War. Congress responds with a formal declaration of war April 25, made retroactive to the start of the blockade. 1914 - President Woodrow Wilson orders intervention at Vera Cruz, Mexico, after the Tampico Affair where Sailors from USS Dolphin were detained. The U.S.