SUN SHIP

Matson Completes the Sale of Two Ships

Matson Navigation Company, Inc. has completed the sale of two combination Ro/Ro /lift-on, lift-off containerships to Sea Star Line, LLC (Sea Star) in Jacksonville, Fla. The vessels, which have been bareboat chartered to Sea Star since the company was formed in 1998, will continue to be deployed in the Puerto Rico trade. The sale to Sea Star, which is owned jointly by SaltChuk Resources, Inc., Matson and Taino Star Investment, Inc., underscores the investors' long term commitment to the line's Puerto Rico service. Matson is a wholly owned subsidiary of Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. of Honolulu (Nasdaq:ALEX). The two ships, the SSs El Yunque and El Morro, were both built by Sun Ship Building and Dry Dock Company and initially placed in the U.S. Atlantic Coast-Puerto Rico trade. Matson purchased the vessels in 1989 and 1990, respectively. Following the purchase, Matson modified both ships from strictly roll-on, roll-off vessels to combination ro-ro/lift-on, lift-off containerships. When the vessels were chartered to Sea Star, further modifications were made to increase their "big box" container capacity. As part owner of the Puerto Rico venture, Matson is confident that the two ships are well suited for Sea Star's service and will prove to be a good long term investment in the liner's operations. Mike Shea, president of Sea Star said, "These two vessels have contributed significantly to Sea Star's success in delivering superior service to our customers

Shipping Company Banned from U.S. for 3 Years

The Sun Ace Shipping Company, based in Seoul, South Korea, has pleaded guilty to a one-count information for violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, in relation to the operation of a bulk carrier vessel the M/V Sun New, the Justice Department announced today. Sun Ace, which was the operator and manager of a fleet of five ships, is charged with failing to maintain an accurate Oil Record Book that fully recorded the disposal of oil residue and bilge into the ocean and then

Midnight Sun

Type Commercial Dry Cargo Vessel Owner Totem Ocean Trailer Express Builder NASSCO National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) and Totem Ocean Trailer Express, Inc. (TOTE) christened M.V. Midnight Sun, the first commercial dry cargo vessel to be built in the U.S. in 10 years. The Midnight Sun is the first of two new Orca-class trailerships being built by NASSCO for TOTE's service from Tacoma, Wash., to Anchorage, Alaska.

Navy Secretary Confirmed; Can’t Take Office

According to a recent Chicago Sun story, the Senate confirmed the appointment of Donald Winter as Navy secretary, but he won't formally take over until the current secretary's stalled promotion is cleared in an expected recess appointment by President Bush. Two senators have blocked Navy Secretary Gordon England's confirmation as deputy defense secretary, the Pentagon's second-highest position, creating a logjam in the department's hierarchy

NASSCO and TOTE Christen the M. V. Midnight Sun

National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) has joined with Totem Ocean Trailer Express, Inc. (TOTE) to christen the M. V. Midnight Sun, the first commercial dry cargo vessel to be built in the United States in 10 years. The Midnight Sun is the first of two new Orca-class trailerships being built by NASSCO for TOTE's service from Tacoma, Washington, to Anchorage, Alaska. Lynn Garvey, wife of Mike Garvey, Chairman of the Board of TOTE's parent company, Saltchuk Resources, Inc

Bridge Collapsed By Chain of Barges

According to a report from the Sun Herald, on March 22, salvage crews removed debris from the Back Bay two days after a chain of eight barges crashed into the Popp’s Ferry Bridge in Biloxi, MS. The collapsed spans were lifted from atop one of the barges. Two cranes, tugboats and other heavy equipment were moved in to do the work. (Source: Sun Herald)

A&P Southhampton to Repair Sundream

A&P Group has won the contract to carry out repairs to the 22,945grt Cruise Liner Sundream at its Southampton dry dock facility. The ship, which is operated by Sun Cruises (part of the MyTravel Group), will arrive at A&P Southampton on 26th October for a scheduled 21 day dry dock and refit period. Work will include extensive tank repairs, blasting and painting of the hull and davits, shell door inspections, various steel and pipe work renewals

Canadian Shipbuilding: East against West

According to a May 16 report from the Vancouver Sun, the Harper government is expected to release its long-term shipbuilding strategy in the coming weeks, creating two national centers to handle billions of dollars worth of contracts. The strategy could spark a high-stakes game pitting West Coast firms against East Coast companies in a winner-take-all contest. Vancouver-based Washington Marine Group and J.D. Irving on the East Coast will be asked to submit proposals to become the “center

China Operating Region Set Up by Integraph

Greater China becomes separate operating region for Intergraph® Process, Power & Marine Division with new executive management Intergraph® Process, Power & Marine (PP&M) has created a new world industry region: Greater China. It will be the division’s fourth region because of its size, success and strategic business potential and comprises China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Greater China joins the Americas, EMIA (Europe, Middle East

Grassy Point Favoured as NW Canada LNG Terminal

Grassy Point terminal project, north of Prince Rupert, gains ground as it would steer shipping traffic away from sheltered coastal waters. The Coast Tsimshian village of Lax Kw'alaams north of Prince Rupert could be poised to become a liquefied natural gas centre with significant advantages over Prince Rupert and Kitimat after the province announced it has received four new LNG proposals. All four identify Grassy Point, across the harbour from Lax Kw'alaams, formerly Port Simpson