Agreement Signed

BIMCO Signs New Agreement with Coast Guard

BIMCO’s President Knud Pontoppidan and U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Craig Bone signed a new partnership agreement at U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters in September 7. The agreement is aimed at enhancing the communication and working relationship between the Coast Guard and the shipping industry. The establishment of the partnership coincides with the development of BIMCO’s guide for seafarers on US Port State Control inspections. Developed in cooperation with the Coast Guard, the guide is aimed at raising awareness amongst seafarers regarding measures implemented on board ships to ensure compliance with MARPOL and SOLAS requirements. The agreement signed represents an expansion of a previous agreement signed in 1998. Subsequent developments since then, including the initiatives and regulations relating to maritime security and BIMCO’s renewed focus on the fair treatment of seafarers warranted the establishment of a more encompassing agreement that covers these matters. BIMCO’s continuing work with the USCG in respect of the global implementation of the SOLAS ISPS Code at port facilities and more recent work relating to concerns surrounding the operation of oily water separators illustrated the need to establish a broadened partnership agreement. It is hoped that the new agreement will strengthen the dialogue between BIMCO and the US Coast Guard as long term strategies are developed to address the future challenges relating to safe

U.S. Coast Guard Commissions RINA

Genoa-based classification society RINA has been authorized by the U.S. Coast Guard to conduct plan review and approval and initial and subsequent surveys for U.S.-flagged cargo and passenger vessels. Under the agreement signed yesterday, RINA has received delegation for Load Line, SOLAS, MARPOL, ISM, and Tonnage survey and certification services. The MOA delegating authority and establishing guidelines for co-operation between the USCG and RINA was signed at Coast Guard Headquarters in

Coast 2050 Study Agreement Signed

The New Orleans District, USACE and the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources held an historic signing ceremony to launch a major coastal wetlands study. With the signing of the Coast 2050 Feasability Cost Share, the agencies will initiate a $6 million feasibility study of the Barataria Basin. The study will be completed in September 2001. "This is more than just another study," sais Congressman Billy Tauzin of Chackbay, who headed the effort to secure federal funding

Tanker Delivered to KOTC

KOTC received its fourth giant oil tanker of a capacity of around 2.1 million barrels, from South Korea's Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co. Al-Rigga, the last of a total of four tankers ordered from the South Korean firm carries 320,000 tons, and comes amid KOTC's (Kuwait Oil Tankers Company) second phase of plans to renew its fleet according to an agreement signed with the South Koreans in August 2008. The signing ceremony of the tanker delivery was conducted in Kuwait by KOTC's

Eni CEO Meets Rosneft CEO

Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin and Eni CEO Paolo Scaroni have met to discuss the progress of joint projects between the two companies offshore Russia in the Black Sea and Barents Sea, sanctioned in the strategic cooperation agreement signed on 25 April 2012.   The executives in charge of the two companies’ upstream, downstream and offshore projects and the CEO of Saipem were also present at the meeting. As part of the agreement, Eni and Rosneft will form joint ventures (Eni 33

Oil Majors Expand Far North Exploration Projects

Rosneft and ExxonMobil agree to collaborate in the search for offshore energy in the Russian Arctic & Far East,  and Alaska. The two companies have agreed to expand their cooperation under their 2011 Strategic Cooperation Agreement to include an additional approximately 600,000 square kilometers (150 million acres) of exploration acreage in the Russian Arctic and potential participation by Rosneft (or its affiliate) in the Point Thomson project in Alaska

Wärtsilä, Mitsubishi to Design New Marine Engine

Wärtsilä Corporation and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., of Japan have made a joint development agreement to design and develop a new low-speed marine diesel engine. The two companies see a potential in pooling their resources and experience to produce a new engine of 500-600 mm cylinder bore. Such engines are suitable for a wide variety of ship types, including bulk carriers in the Handymax and Panamax sizes, large product tankers,

Savi to Deploy Security and Tracking Network at VPA Terminals

Savi Networks announced that it is installing Radio Frequency Identification-based (RFID) technology information services at Virginia Port Authority terminals to further enhance the security and efficiency of cargo container shipments. Under an agreement signed August 22, with the VPA, Savi Networks will deploy a system compatible with international standards (ISO18000-7) at Norfolk International Terminal, Newport News Marine Terminal and Portsmouth

Northrop Grumman Takes Litton for $3.8 Billion

Northrop Grumman Corp., the number five U.S. defense contractor, said on Tuesday that it has completed its $3.8 billion purchase of warship and defense electronics maker Litton Industries Inc. Los Angeles-based Northrop, which makes high-tech weapons systems, said the purchase will solidify its defense electronics segment while adding shipbuilding and commercial electronics capabilities. The deal cleared required U.S. and European Commission reviews late last month.

Oil Companies to Establish Arctic R&D Center

Rosneft and ExxonMobil jointly agree to develop tight oil reserves in Western Siberia & establish a joint 'Arctic Research Center for Offshore Developments' Rosneft and ExxonMobil agreed to expand and expedite joint efforts to develop oil reserves in tight low-permeability formations in Western Siberia using advanced technologies that ExxonMobil has successfully employed in North America. The other agreement signed will enable ExxonMobil to join the new Arctic Research Center