SKANSI MARINE

CH3OH: Make Room for Methanol

The newest buzz among offshore operators serving the oil and gas rigs in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) is the increased use of methanol (CH3OH) by oil companies and contract drillers. This has meant more work for supply boats carrying this alcohol product to rigs along with rig water, fuel oil and liquid and bulk mud. Methanol is used to keep the flow lines from the wellhead to the surface of the water from becoming restricted or blocked. Restricted flow from wells is becoming an increasing problem for oil companies and drilling contractors whose bottom line depends on getting every drop of oil from a well. Flow assurance is a critical issue, especially with longer tiebacks in deepwater drilling operations. The problem is that tiebacks and other extended subsea completions tend to cool the oil and gas over the longer distances associated with deepwater wells. This can cause paraffin wax buildup and the formation of hydrates on the flow lines, restricting the flow of the hydrocarbons to the surface. Paraffin wax is a natural component of oil as it flows from a well and hydrates form when methane (natural gas) mixes with water in the production line forming ice-like crystals. In some cases, the combination of cooled wax coating the flow lines plus the formation of hydrates can complete block the flow lines.

Harley Marine was Pivotal Private Equity Speaker at Marine Money

Harley Franco, Founder and Chairman of Pacific Coast operator Harley Marine Services, Inc., was a pivotal private equity speaker at a recent Marine Money conference held in New York City. Mr. Franco represented the private equity position on a finance panel consisting of public maritime companies including Overseas Shipholding Group and Horizon Line. In his presentation, Mr. Franco outlined the various finance structures utilized which enabled him to remain private

Marine Software Ltd Delivers Marine Planned Maintenance

U.K.-based software house Marine Software Ltd has successfully delivered its DNV type approved Marine Planned Maintenance system on QinetiQ’s Trimaran demonstrator vessel R.V. Triton . This innovative test vessel comes after ten years of research and is the largest motor powered trimaran demonstrator ever built, also being the worlds first of class ship based on this new concept triple-hull design. QinetiQ, formerly known as the Defense Evaluation and Research Agency ( DERA )

Drew Marine Acquires Chemring Marine

Affiliates of Drew Marine (“Drew Marine”) have reached a definitive agreement with Chemring Group PLC (“Chemring”) to acquire Chemring’s maritime interests (“Chemring Marine” or the “Company”) for a cash consideration of £32 million, subject to standard closing adjustments.  Under Drew Marine’s ownership, the business will be named Drew Marine Signal and Safety (“DMSS”).   

Yank Marine Upgrades Marine Travelift Hoist at Tuckahoe Yard

A new 300 mt marine lift for Yank Marine is being installed at its Tuckahoe, NJ shipyard. This new 300 metric ton marine lift was transported from Marine Travelift in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin on ten trucks and is currently being erected on site. It was purchased using a $961,676.00  grant from the Maritime Administration under the Assistance to Small Shipyards Grant Program, and will replace Yank Marine Inc.’s  existing 200 metric ton Marine Travelift.

Wisdom Marine Takes Loan for Japanese Orders

Wisdom Marine Group signed a two-tranche syndicated loan agreement for $5.92 million (USD) and ￥11.88 billion ($119.43 million, USD) with six domestic banks to finance its orders with three Japanese shipbuilders, Taipei Times reported. The syndicated loan was co-led by First Commercial Bank and Bank of Taiwan, with participating loans from Taiwan Cooperative Bank, Hua Nan Commercial Bank, Bank SinoPac and Bank of Kaohsiung.

Marine Warranty Surveyors Association Launched

On Thursday 25 April 2013, at Lloyd’s of London, a new professional body, the International Association of Marine Warranty Surveyors (IAMWS), was formally launched. Approximately 120 representatives from the energy insurance market together with brokers and oil company representatives attended a seminar to announce the aims and objectives of the new association. This new body will assess and provide accreditation to practicing marine warranty surveyors from across the world to ensure

Dual-fuel MAN Marine Engine Excites Japanese Interest

One of MAN Diesel & Turbo’s oldest licensees, Mitsui, hosts a demonstration of the ME-GI marine diesel engine at its Tamono works. A large assembly of guests attended the demonstration and the following reception where, among others, MAN Diesel & Turbo’s Dr. René Umlauft, CEO, and Thomas Knudsen, Head of the Low Speed business unit, gave commemorative speeches.
 In his speech, MAN Diesel & Turbo’s Dr

Strategic Marine Moves into Alternative Energy

Strategic Marine, a specialist shipbuilder operating in Singapore and Vietnam, has delivered the Njord Curlew, a high-grade crew transfer and service vessel for Njord Offshore, the UK fleet operator specialising in supply services for the growing offshore windfarm sector.    Today’s delivery is the third in a series of eight vessels for Njord Offshore, underscoring Strategic’s recent move into a new market sector, one in which it sees significant growth opportunity

Marine Firm ‘Insures’ Bright Future for Sail Training Charity

The North of England P&I Association (North P&I Club), a leading marine insurance association, has donated £3,000 to fund life changing sailing expeditions for young people in Northern England. Staff at the Newcastle based insurers chose to donate the funds to Ocean Youth Trust North, the North of England’s leading sail training and youth development charity, for its work providing personal development opportunities, for people aged 12-25, through adventure under sail