Commercial Vessels
Austal Acquires Philippines Shipyard
Leading global shipbuilder and defence prime contractor Austal has acquired a shipyard in the Philippines as part of its strategy to regionalise its manufacturing base for commercial vessels. The $7 million acquisition of the former FBMA Marine shipyard enables Austal to establish shipbuilding operations at the West Cebu Industrial Park at Balamban, in the province of Cebu. Austal will invest a further $5 million to enhance the shipyard’s existing facilities. Austal plans to commence vessel construction in the first quarter of 2012, dependant on orders, and expects to employ about 30 workers during the start-up phase. Future workforce growth is expected in line with market demand, and the site allows for efficient expansion of the facility when future operational and market conditions require. Austal Chief Executive Officer Andrew Bellamy said the acquisition of the former FBMA shipyard is an important milestone in Austal’s corporate strategy to meet the requirements of key commercial vessel markets by further regionalising its shipbuilding operations. “Our strategic review earlier this year found that there is strong demand in specific segments of the international commercial vessel market, such as fast crew transfer boats, work boats and 30 metre to 50 metre ferries,” he said.
Japanese Yards Form Alliance
Three major Japanese shipbuilders are forming an alliance on commercial vessels and ocean engineering to survive competition with South Korean shipyards. The three firms -- Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd and Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co Ltd will cooperate on joint procurement of materials and design skills for building commercial vessels, aiming to cut production costs. They will decide in one or two years whether to spin off their divisions for
Mercury Marine Acquires Teignbridge Propellers
Mercury Marine announced today that it has acquired Teignbridge Propellers Ltd., headquartered in Newton Abbot, United Kingdom. Teignbridge Propellers produces bronze and Nibral (nickel, bronze, aluminum) propellers for yachts, patrol boats and commercial vessels. In addition to its line of standard and custom propellers, Teignbridge also produces a complete underwater package of stern gear for inboard-powered vessels, which includes rudders, shafts, struts, seals, logs and bearings.
Raytheon And Samsung Collaborate On Bridge System
Raytheon Marine and Samsung Industries have entered into a cooperative agreement to meld key components of Raytheon's Integrated Bridge System into Samsung's Naru 2000, which is an ECDIS-based Integrated Navigation System. The agreement is designed to further additional business in Asian markets - a large chunk of the industry's shipbuilding. The joint-venture with Samsung is expected to bring in an additional $10 million per year in new sales revenue.
PVA Manual on General Permit for Discharges
The Passenger Vessel Association (PVA), representative of owners and operators of U.S.-flagged passenger vessels of all types, has developed a manual to help its members comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-issued General Permit for wastewater discharges incidental to normal vessel operations. The PVA Manual for Compliance with the EPA Vessel General Permit (VGP) for Discharges Incidental to the Normal Operation of a Vessel is a service by PVA for its members
EPA Vessel General Permit Webcast: July 27
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will host a webcast on July 27 at 1:00 pm Eastern Daylight Savings Time for vessel operators required to comply with the Vessel General Permit (VGP). EPA will discuss the vessel Electronic-Notice of Intent (e-NOI) system to apply for coverage, as well as provide answers to a few key frequently asked questions about the permit. Finally, industry professionals who have direct experience implementing the VGP on various classes of vessels
NGA Issues Eastern Mediterranean Sea Warning
The US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) issued a Memorandum stating, among other things, that Israeli naval ships have established a closure area in the eastern Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Lebanon (between 34-05N and 33-06N and between 034-00E and the coastline). Ships will not be allowed to enter or exit this area. Note: Due to armed conflict in this area, it is recommended that all commercial vessels give this vicinity a wide berth. Source: HK Law
New Marine Hydrawrap Distributor
HydraTech Engineered Products of Cincinnati, Ohio has selected the Great Lakes Group and Puerto Rico Towing as exclusive distributors of Marine HydraWrap. The Great Lakes Group, located in Cleveland, Ohio, operates a full service shipyard and specializes in all types of marine repair services. Puerto Rico Towing and Barge Company located in San Juan, Puerto Rico provides towing services and vessel assistance to commercial vessels and barges throughout the Caribbean
Japan Shipyard Launches Ship, Shuts Shop
MHI Kobe shipyard delivers ship then bows out of commercial shipbuilding The christening and launch of a car carrier, named the EMERALD ACE, took place today at the Kobe Shipyard & Machinery Works of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), for delivery to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. The ship represents the last commercial vessel to be built at the Kobe Shipyard in consequence of ongoing reorganization of MHI's production structure
US Coast Guard Fishing Vessel Safety Examinations Now in Force
USCG's mandatory commercial fishing vessel safety examinations for those operating more than three miles from the territorial sea baseline take effect. This requirement, which affects commercial fishing fleets nationwide, comes as a result of Congress' passing of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010. To help fishermen come into compliance with the regulations that apply to their vessel, the Coast Guard has built an on-line commercial fishing vessel "checklist generator"
Order Book Opens on New Sailor Black Box
Launched at SMM 2012, Cobham SATCOM made its new standalone Sailor Class A AIS available to order in April 2013. The Sailor 6280/81 AIS System is a black box solution with flexible installation possibilities and features contemporary touch screen operation through the new Sailor 6004
Austal Forges Links with Thai, Vietnam Shipyards
Austal announce new strategic partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region to enhance its support to the US Navy & others in the region. Following on from the strategic partnership with Singapore’s Sembawang Shipyard Pte Ltd announced in January 2013
Conrad Shipyards Earn Two Safety Awards
Conrad Shipyard, L.L.C. has received the 2012 Award for Excellence in Safety as well as the Award for improvement in Safety by the Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA). Conrad was one of only five member organizations to receive both awards
Rebuilding the Presumption of Preemption
I propose that the Legislative, Executive, Judicial Branches of the federal government should cooperatively work toward the rebuilding of the presumption in favor of federal preemption with respect to all matters related to maritime commerce
Portable Diver Detection Sonar Order for DSIT
DSIT, an Acorn Energy Company, secures order for its PointShield™ sonar that provides ship underwater security protection. Israel-based DSIT's PointShield™ PDDS is specifically designed to provide underwater protection for navy ships, private yachts and commercial vessels
Maritime Labor Convention 2006 and the U.S.
The Maritime Labor Convention 2006, sponsored by the International Labor Organization (ILO) and better known as MLC 2006, will enter into force on August 20, 2013. It has been ratified by 35 nations as of the date of the preparation of this article, including Australia, Canada, Denmark
Report Highlights Rise of Maritime Crime in Southeast Asia
U.K. maritime intelligence provider Dryad Maritime are to release a specialist report, ‘Special Advisory Southeast Asia: Disorganized theft to organized crime,’ which will focus on the rise of targeted hijackings in Southeast Asia.
BC Ferries Order WESMAR Thruster
WESMAR to supply BC Ferries, with a dual prop, counter-rotating, bow thruster for the T-Class Passenger/Car ferry 'M/V Tachek'. M/V Tachek transports cars and passengers among the popular Gulf Islands and the WESMAR Model V2-24, 150 HP AC system will enhance the 162-foot ferry’s
Next Generation OWSV
Essex-based CTruk boats began the build of a new wind farm support vessel. As offshore wind farms move further out to sea, demands made on support vessels are changing. CTruk Boats recently initiated the build of a 50-ton payload support vessel designed to meet the tougher requirements of the
EPA' Issue Final Draft Ballast Water VGP
The US EPA release the Final Draft of the Vessel General Permit (VGP) which comes in to force 19 December 2013. The aim of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System's (NPDES) 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP) is to protect the nation's waters from ship-borne pollutants and reduce
Maltese Freighter Captain Pleads Guilty in U.S. Federal Court
The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Oregon, announced that the Vessel Master of the Adfines East plead guilty to operating a commercial vessel under the influence of alcohol in the Port of Portland. Valeriy Sharykin, 62, a Russian citizen
U.K.'s Liverpool Bay Dredging Secret Discovered
New research tracking the movement of dredged sediment around Liverpool Bay could save millions of pounds in dredging costs. Each year, sediment must be dredged from the port and deposited elsewhere to maintain access for commercial vessels
GeoVS Installs Vessel Management System in Poole Harbor
GeoVS was awarded a contract to supply and install its system in Poole Harbor, Dorset. The system brings a step change in monitoring and managing ship movements in ports and restricted waterways. Dr. Rafal Goralski, Technical Director of GeoVS, a University of Glamorgan spin off company
Bulk Carrier Wind Project Concluded
Zodiac’s bulk carrier Cape Flamingo was the focus of a wind energy monitoring project, as the project partners investigated the potential to improve fuel efficiency. In 2012 Lloyd’s Register’s Strategic Research Group joined forces with Totempower Energy Systems to support
Raytheon IBNS for New Italian Coast Guard Ships
Germany-based Raytheon Anschuetz with Italian provider Seastema, to deliver Integrated Bridge & Navigation Systems (IBNS) for two Italian Coast Guard military patrol vessels. The vessels are currently being built at Fincantieri's Castellammare di Stabia (Naples) shipyard.