Unique Marine News

Matt Hart, Manager & Platform Leader, Marine & Stationary Power Systems, Wabtec, offers insights on how the megatrends of decarbonization, energy transition and autonomy all inspire and impact the marine power solutions from Wabtec.Matt, to start us off, can you provide insight on the journey to your present position?I graduated from the University of Notre Dame with an undergraduate in Mechanical Engineering and started with General Electric in the Edison Engineering Development rotational program at the Erie…

Finland oil refining and marketing company Neste Corporation and Swedish bunker and marine fuels provider ScanOcean AB enter into cooperation in delivering Neste’s low-sulfur marine fuel. ScanOcean AB is now an official reseller for Neste’s 0.1% marine fuel products on the East Coast of Sweden. The low-sulfur marine fuel is one of Neste’s high quality products."The re-seller partnership with ScanOcean is part of our marine fuel strategy as it is our aim to continually offer customers better services both locally and globally. Neste’s low-sulfur marine fuel is an excellent example of our capability to meet the tight environmental requirements”…

In the era where information is central to helping vessel operators save money, FuelNet is designed to be is the most powerful fuel data processing network in the industry. Operating hand-in-hand with FuelTrax, using extensive real-time data stored in its fully secure web portal, FuelNet enables vessel owners to customize their reporting data and make fleet-wide efficiency savings.Since its launch 13 years ago, FuelNet has evolved to become a mission-critical operating tool for…

Marine lubricant choices to address International Maritime Organization (IMO) restrictions on the fuels used by ships from 2020 must be based on verifiable cylinder oil performance data and engine testing to cover all operating conditions, according to the new General Manager of Shell Marine, Joris Van Brussel.Based in Singapore, Joris has gained experience across Shell’s fuels, lubricants and renewables businesses worldwide, with roles in licensing, branding and retail activities…

The production of Viking Line’s new passenger cruise ship started at the Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry (XSI) shipyard in China.The first steel plates are being cut in the traditional Steel Cutting ceremony. The new vessel will be one of the most climate-smart ships in the world. The project has involved extensive engineering and development work with the intention to create a unique new-generation passenger ship.The collaborative project has engaged several suppliers in Finland and Europe. The vessel will be launched for operation in early 2021 on the Turku–Åland–Stockholm route.The new vessel is designed with a focus on providing open and unobstructed views of the unique archipelago.

Global maritime contractor Van Oord has signed a five-year partnership agreement with Shell Marine covering the lubrication needs for its entire fleet of vessels.The all-inclusive agreement was acknowledged in a special ceremony, staged at the Van Oord headquarters in Rotterdam, where Jaap de Jong signed on behalf of Van Oord and Inbar van de Burg reciprocated on behalf of Shell Marine. The final deal evolved to reflect Shell Marine’s commitments to time-critical delivery of lubricants for use on Van Oord vessels worldwide…

I-Tech AB has been recognized as the technology innovation leader in the European marine biocides market, resulting in the company receiving the 2017 Technology Innovation Award from Frost & Sullivan. Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has developed a product with innovative features and functionality that is gaining rapid market acceptance. Based on its recent analysis of the European biocides market, Frost & Sullivan found that the long-term environmental and economic benefits of using I-Tech’s unique bio-repellent antifouling ingredient…

Maritime Administration Executive Director Joel Szabat joined federal, state and local officials and environmental groups to mark the completion of an agreement to remove 57 non-retention vessels from the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet (SBRF) by September 30, 2017. The departure of the Cape Borda for recycling reaches the milestone two months ahead of schedule. “Our progress in Suisun Bay is the result of hard work and smart collaboration,” said the Maritime Administration’s Executive Director Joel Szabat. “There is perhaps no greater symbol of the maritime industry’s environmental progress than what has been accomplished here. In 2009, MARAD entered an agreement with local officials and environmental groups to expedite disposal of 57 non-retention SBRF vessels…

Netherlands-based Sea Trucks Group (STG) said it has secured a contract award from an oil major in West Africa. STG was awarded an inspection, maintenance and repair contract for anoil major in West Africa with commencement during Q4 2016. Graeme Pennycook, Sea Trucks Group’s Managing Director, commented, “We are delighted that, in the present difficult market, Sea Trucks has been awarded this significant contract. This award demonstrates our ability to offer clients a tailored project solution based around the client’s requirement and utilization of our unique marine assets.

The Next Generation Marine Power & Propulsion event was held in the Grand Harbour conference venue looking out over the Port of Southampton where cruise ships, oil tankers and the world's largest container vessels ply their global trade. The event brought together a broad and unique marine industry group from the UK, EU and US. A dynamic program, including three keynote speakers and 20 presenters, highlighted the latest technology and opportunities for the maritime sector worldwide – and the future for next generation marine power certainly looks bright.

US Hoists Corporation of Calverton, New York has teamed up with Boat Lift SRL of La Morra, Italy to provide the marine industry with marine hoists and shuttle machines. As the North American representative, US Hoists will provide parts and service domestically for Boat Lift customers. Boat Lift’s standard design includes 90-degree steering system with electronically synchronized winches; sliding lifting points and remote control equipped with display and remote assistance service.

With many ship owners switching to marine gas oil (MGO) inside designated Emission Control Areas (ECAs) as of January 1, 2015, the cost of fuel could rise by up to 50%, so all measures to reduce fuel consumption are vital. Research and field testing has shown that the latest developments in engine lubrication and unique marine energy management systems can add more than a 15% improvement in fuel efficiency, proving that even the smallest modification at the right time can add up to big savings.

The more than 25,000 miles of navigable Great Lakes, rivers, and waterways that make up America’s Marine Highway System are – and will remain – a key economic asset. Our nation’s marine highway routes and the tugs and barges that ply those marine highways help alleviate land-side congestion; accommodate future freight growth; and provide reliable, competitive alternatives for freight shippers. However, smooth sailing is not always guaranteed. For example, winter weather can cause the waters off the coasts of New England states – part of M-95…

Marine and coastal environment specialist, BMT Oceanica (BMT), a subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd, is delighted to announce that it has won the bid to provide Ocean Outlet Monitoring services for Western Australia’s Water Corporation. BMT works with the Water Corporation to ensure ocean monitoring methods adopted are up to date and consistent with best-practice as global environmental standards have progressed. This collaborative approach has resulted in improvements to the program, without increasing costs. BMT’s staff has been specifically recruited and trained to manage ocean discharge programs and consistently produce technical work of the highest quality.

AkzoNobel’s Marine Coatings business, supplier of International advanced hull coatings and The Gold Standard Foundation draw attention to a new and unique marine-based methodology to reward the improved fuel efficiency of ships within the international maritime industry. Certification by The Gold Standard for the first of its kind, peer-reviewed methodology will allow ships to generate carbon credits, thus income, for the CO2 emission reductions they achieve. The methodology is based on ship owners and operators converting existing vessels from a biocidal antifouling system to a premium, biocide-free advanced hull coating such as Intersleek.

Shell Australia has awarded a major contract for the design, construction and operation of three Infield Support Vessels (ISVs), which will create approximately 80 local jobs and support its Prelude FLNG Project, located 475km north-north east of Broome, in Western Australia. Perth-based KT Maritime Services Australia Pty Ltd, a joint venture partnership with KOTUG International B.V and Teekay Shipping Australia Pty Ltd, will supply three 42-meter, 100-metric-ton bollard-pull vessels to assist in product offloading during the operations phase of the project.

IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu departs later this week (Thursday, August 15) on a five-day Arctic sea voyage as part of a fact-finding mission to the region. Mr. Sekimizu will be the guest of the government of the Russia aboard the nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy as she voyages on the Northern Sea Route that links Europe and northern Russia. Mr. Sekimizu will commence his voyage from the port of Dikson, in the Kara Sea, before undertaking a 1,680 nm trip to Pevek, in the East Siberian Sea.

David Liles was appointed U.S. sales director for the new division, bringing more than 30 years of marina experience in the timber dock market. Structurmarine recently announced its newest product line, Timber Dock Systems, geared to marina and harbor owners and operators. Timber Dock Systems use materials and hardware specifically selected to withstand a location's unique marine conditions, including saltwater installations. The heavy lateral laminated beams are sized and tailored for each site.

Connectivity and Communications Complete the Package. The complex task of operating any marine enterprise isn’t getting any easier. Financial, regulatory, operational, environmental and human resource pressures all increase over time. In the brown water, workboat world, these problems are exacerbated by the sheer number of smaller operators struggling to catch up with business requirements that have become increasingly sophisticated, and over a very short period of time. Keeping track of the new subchapter “M” rules…

SEATTLE – The new class of 144-car Washington state ferries currently under construction will be named after a beloved Washington landmark, the Olympics. The winning name, Olympic, was selected by Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond after a contest among Washington State Department of Transportation employees resulted in more than 130 submissions. “I loved the mountain range theme,” said Hammond. “You can see the Olympic mountains from any ferry route in our system,” said Assistant Secretary David Moseley.

Feds Approve California Sewage Ban and Create Largest Coastal No-Discharge Zone in the Nation. Federal action is unprecedented in geographical scope, will prohibit the discharge of more than 22 million gallons of treated vessel sewage to shorelines and shallow waters in Calif. each year. U.S. EPA’s Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Jared Blumenfeld will today sign a rule that will finalize EPA’s decision and approve a state proposal to ban all sewage discharges from large cruise ships and most other large ocean-going ships to state marine waters along California’s 1,624 mile coast from Mexico to Oregon and surrounding major islands. Today’s action establishes a new federal regulation banning even treated sewage from being discharged in California’s marine waters.

Offshore Solutions BV (OSBV) has been providing 24/7 personnel access for Pearl 1 Platform – one of two platforms providing offshore gas to Pearl Gas to Liquids (GTL) project in Qatar - since the completion of sea trials in December 2010. Using the 20-metre Offshore Access System (OAS), mounted on the Bourbon Gulf Star vessel, the Qatar Shell operations, project and maintenance personnel have been able to access the platform 24 hours a day. The unique continuous connection capability of the OAS has been a key element of the marine access success story.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration announced that it has awarded two contracts for a total of $3.1m to Allied Defense Recycling of Petaluma, Calif., to clean and recycle two Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet ships, the SS Solon Turman and the SS President. The two ships are scheduled to be towed from Suisun Bay to the former Mare Island Naval Shipyard facility in for recycling in December. “The Obama Administration is running full-speed ahead in its commitment to cleaning up the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. In October 2009, the Obama Administration called for expedited cleanup of the fleet site and improved protection of the unique marine environment and surrounding bayside communities…