Commission New News

Months of EU deliberation to decide which business activities can be marketed as green investments have produced a set of draft standards some finance officials and NGOs say are lax for the polluting shipping sector and challenging for buildings.In other cases, they strike a fair balance, they say.As the European Union pursues regulation to try to deliver the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change, a powerful tool in channeling funding over the coming decades will be its financial taxonomy - in other words…

The European offshore wind industry needs an area equivalent to the size of Ireland to install enough turbines to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, a target for most EU members, a leading industry group said in a report.Fighting climate change is a top priority for the European Commission's new head Ursula von der Leyen, who has set out a "European Green Deal" intended to achieve "climate neutrality" - adding no greenhouse gases to the atmosphere beyond what can be absorbed - by 2050."Today we have 20 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind in Europe and the European Commission…

With the signature of INEA (Innovation & Networks Executive Agency of the European Commission) on the Grant Agreement of NAVAIS, the project officially started on June, 1 2018. NAVAIS is a multiannual research- and innovation program for the shipbuilding industry. The results of NAVAIS will increase efficiency in design and flexibility in production networks. In total, the European Commission will invest € 6.5 million Euros ($7.5 mln) over a period of four years, by means of the Horizon 2020 program, the research- and innovation program of the European Commission.

The Port of Long Beach’s Harbor Commission on Wednesday approved an agreement to replace the bankrupt operator of its largest cargo terminal. The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners greenlighted the move by a subsidiary of Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC) to take over sole control of the long-term lease of the port’s 381-acre Pier T container terminal from from Hanjin Shipping, a South Korean ocean carrier that declared bankruptcy on August 31. Previously, MSC held a minority stake in the lease for Pier T, where more than a quarter of the Port’s container cargo is moved. The Harbor Commission’s new agreement with MSC subsidiary Terminal Investment Limited (TIL) also guarantees the accelerated installation of ship-to-shore cranes capable of handling the world’s biggest container ships.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Fox today announced 40 awards totaling nearly $500 million in funding for the  FY 2016 Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants. Of the 585 applications submitted totaling $9.3 billion in requests, six awards totaling $61.8 million – or about 12.36 percent of the total funding – are going to commercial seaports or projects that directly aid the efficient movement of goods to and from America’s ports. Port applications totaled 9 percent, or 53, of the total 585 submitted. In his written statement, Sec. Foxx said, “For the eighth year running, TIGER will inject critical infrastructure dollars into communities across the country.

Some veteran Mississippi pushboats and barges have been transported to South America for second careers. However, conditions on a great river like the Paraguay-Paraná are different. It has sharp bends, shallow stretches, and includesremote reachestotally lacking in infrastructure. Building on extensive experience designing for the shallow rivers of Canada's frontiernorthland, Robert Allan Ltd., Naval Architects from Vancouver, BC have taken on the challenge of creating a new generation of specialized tug and barge systems to suit these demanding environments. A waterway logistics corporation, Hidrovias do Brasil, was the firm's first South American client to commission new purpose-built shallow draft vessels.

The Port of Pittsburgh Commission (PPC) announced today that Mr. Stephen Martinko will be the Commission's new executive director. Since January, 2013, Martinko has been the deputy staff director of the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and previously served as chief of staff for U.S. Congressman Bill Shuster (R-PA). Martinko was instrumental in the development of the Water Resources and Reform Development Act (WRRDA) that was signed into law by President Obama earlier this year.

A ceremony for the frigate "Meizhou" of the Navy of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLAN) has been held at a naval port in Sanya in south China's Hainan province, officially naming & commissioning her to the South China Sea Fleet of the PLAN. The "Meizhou" (584) is a new-generation light guided missile frigate independently developed by China. It integrates many types of weaponry and equipment, and features good stealth performance, great information integration, lower cost, easy operation and simple maintenance.

GE Marine, a unit of GE Transportation, and the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announced the start of the commissioning of 13 tugboats for use in the Panama Canal. The 26-engine order represents the largest in the history of GE Marine. The sale of the 12-cylinder V228 engines through GE's engine distributor Marinsa was finalized in October 2008. The vessels are being built by Cheoy Lee Shipyards of Hong Kong, the first of which arrived in Panama last week; all of the ships are scheduled to arrive by June 2012. In October, ACP celebrated the transit of the one millionth vessel through the Canal since its inauguration in 1914, and the new tugboats will be used to continue to transport tankers and barges through the Canal safely and efficiently.

The Navy took delivery of its newest attack submarine, Pre Commissioning Unit (PCU) New Hampshire (SSN 778), from General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) on Aug. 27, eight months early to its contract delivery date. New Hampshire is the fifth Virginia-Class submarine and the third delivered by GDEB. New Hampshire's early delivery is an important milestone for both the submarine force and the Virginia-Class Program. Rear Adm. (sel) Dave Johnson, Virginia-Class Program Manager commented, "Our shipbuilding partners have played an active role in reducing construction time and cost, both through the Capital Expenditures (CAPEX) incentive program that improves facilities and LEAN initiatives that make shipbuilding more efficient."  USS Hawaii (SSN 776) and USS North Carolina (SSN 777)…

The U.S. Coast Guard issued a Press Release stating that it will commission a new Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) in Boston on October 30. The MSST enforces security zones and provides a limited level of shoreside protection. Source: HK Law

The Commission has proposed a new package of measures to reinforce passenger safety on ships. Two proposals aim at preventing accidents such as the Express Samina’s in 2000 by increasing stability requirements for vessels and by reinforcing safety rules to cater for passengers with reduced mobility in general, and high-speed ships in particular. The Commission also presents its view on how passenger protection should be strengthened through stricter liability rules when accidents do occur. These new proposals already announced in the Commission’s new White Paper on Transport, complement a series of rules adopted in the late 1990’s following the Esotonia accident.

The Navy will commission the newest Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer, James E. Williams, Saturday, Dec. 11, 2004, during a ceremony at the Naval Weapons Station, Charleston, S.C. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina will deliver the principal address. Elaine Weaver Williams, widow of the ship’s namesake, is the ship’s sponsor. In the time-honored Navy tradition of commissioning U.S. naval ships, Mrs. The ship is named to honor Petty Officer 1st Class James Elliott Williams (1930-1999) of Darlington, S.C., one of the most highly decorated enlisted sailors in the history of the U.S. Navy. On Oct. 31, 1966, Williams was boat captain of river patrol boat (PBR) 105 when his boat and another PBR…

The Navy will commission the newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, Halsey (DDG 97), July 30 during an 11 a.m. PDT ceremony at Pier J, Naval Air Station Coronado, Calif. Sen. John McCain of Arizona will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Heidi Cooke Halsey, Anne Halsey-Smith, and Alice “Missy” Spruance Talbot will serve as sponsors of the ship named for their grandfather. Halsey honors U.S. Naval Academy graduate Fleet Adm. William F. Halsey Jr. (1882-1959). During World War I, Cmdr. Halsey was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions while in command of USS Benham and USS Shaw during convoy escort duties. Designated a naval aviator in 1935 at the age of 52, he took command of USS Saratoga (CV 3) from 1935 until 1937. In February 1942, then Vice Adm.

The Navy will commission the newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, the USS Kidd (DDG 100), June 9 in Galveston, Texas. Designated hull number DDG 100, the new destroyer honors Medal of Honor recipient Rear Adm. Isaac Campbell Kidd Sr. On Dec. 7, 1941, Kidd was commander of Battleship Division 1 and the senior officer present afloat during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. From the bridge of his flagship, the USS Arizona, Kidd directed the counterattack against enemy aircraft until the magazine of Arizona exploded by enemy ordnance, eventually sinking the ship. Kidd was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas will deliver the ceremony's principal address.

The Navy accepted delivery of the second in the LPD 17 class of amphibious transport dock ship on Dec. 22. The acceptance of the future USS New Orleans, marks the culmination of millions of hours in conceptual planning, design, construction, and testing of this advanced amphibious warship. New Orleans recently completed Builder's and Acceptance Trials during which the shipbuilder, Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, successfully demonstrated this new warship's tremendous range of capability. Main propulsion, engineering and ship control systems, mission and combat systems, damage control, food service and crew support systems were exercised.

The newest Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer, Bainbridge (DDG 96), will be commissioned Saturday, Nov. 12, 2005, in an 11 a.m. EST ceremony at Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Rep. E. Clay Shaw, 22nd District, State of Florida, will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Susan Bainbridge Hay will serve as sponsor of the ship named for her great-great-great-grandfather. The new guided missile destroyer honors the outstanding and heroic service of Commodore William Bainbridge who served in the Navy from 1789-1833. Four previous ships have been named in honor of Bainbridge, including a 259-ton brig (1842-1863), two destroyers (1902-1920 and 1921-1945), and a nuclear-powered cruiser (1962-1997). Cmdr. John M.

The newest Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer, Bainbridge (DDG 96), will be commissioned Saturday, Nov. 12, 2005, in an 11 a.m. EST ceremony at Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Rep. E. Clay Shaw, 22nd District, State of Florida, will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Susan Bainbridge Hay will serve as sponsor of the ship named for her great-great-great-grandfather. The new guided missile destroyer honors the outstanding and heroic service of Commodore William Bainbridge who served in the Navy from 1789-1833. Four previous ships have been named in honor of Bainbridge, including a 259-ton brig (1842-1863), two destroyers (1902-1920 and 1921-1945), and a nuclear-powered cruiser (1962-1997). Cmdr. John M.

The book cover of “Farragut, America’s First Admiral” by Naval Historical Center historian Robert J. Schneller, Jr. Adm. Farragut was appointed the U.S. Navy’s first four-star Admiral in 1866, but is most famous for his cry at the Battle of Mobile Bay on August 1864: “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!” U.S. Navy photo. The Navy will commission the newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, Farragut (DDG 99), June 10, during a ceremony in Mayport, Fla. Sen. Mel Martinez will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Sen. Susan Collins will serve as the ship’s sponsor. The ship’s name honors Adm. David Glasgow Farragut (1801-1870). One of the Union's great heroes, Farragut gained fame for his exploits while in command of the West Gulf Blockading Squadron during the Civil War.

As a Crown corporation, BC Ferries has been subjected to years of political interference in everything from rate setting to vessel construction and spending priorities. seriously inhibited the corporation’s ability to operate in a businesslike manner. however, the ferry corporation’s current structure inhibits access to the outside capital needed to make these investments. The new Coastal Ferry Act is designed to address these problems. Authority. A new, nine-member board with professional and business expertise will be established with representation from B.C.’s coastal regions in order to support the mandate of the new company. will be transformed into an independent, regulated company under the BC Company Act and renamed BC Ferry Services.