Establishes New News

Ocean Network Express (ONE) has opened a West Asia Regional Headquarters in Dubai. The move aims to expand ONE's growth in the rapidly developing markets of the Indian Subcontinent, Middle East and East Africa.The West Asia Regional Headquarters office will serve as ONE’s central hub across the region, encompassing functions such as commercial activities, customer service, and digitization. It will also house a team dedicated to developing regional trade partnerships and exploring…

The Danish maritime service provider VMS Group establishes new test facilities to cover the need for independent testing of all engine types in Europe.The new test facilities located at the Port of Frederikshavn makes independent testing of all engine types possible.We have not encountered any other European facility that can offer these independent test runs. We offer test drives of engines, generators and other related equipment of all brands, explains CCO of VMS Group, Kim Rasmussen.New business areaThe test hall is crucial for VMS Group to utilize the full potential of a new business area.

The Standard Club is driving developments in offshore P&I with the launch of the Standard Club Offshore Advisory Committee (SCOAC). SCOAC aims to analyse offshore trends, assist the club in further understanding and disseminating industry best-practice and develop new strategies to provide a focused direction for the benefit of the club’s offshore membership. The committee consists of leading offshore players including Allseas Group, Bumi Armada, Floatel International, Nortrans Offshore, Saipem, SBM Offshore and Subsea 7 – all members of The Standard Club. The members of the committee are senior figures in the offshore industry with extensive experience and knowledge allowing them to provide invaluable insight to the committee which in turn will be shared with the wider membership.

Hong Kong is to establish a new government body - Hong Kong Port and Maritime Board - this year that oversees the local maritime sector, in a bid to enhance the city’s shipping sector. Hong Kong's chief executive Leung Chun-ying in his annual policy address for this year announced that the government will merge the existing Maritime Industry Council (MIC) and the Port Development Council (PDC) to form a new Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board. The board, to be chaired by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, will promote manpower development, marketing and research on all fronts to develop a high value-added maritime services sector, he said.

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has developed a new notation for low-flashpoint fuels (LFPF), allowing owners and shipyards to demonstrate that their design and construction meet requirements.The notation will come into effect as of January 1, 2016, as part of LR’s and Regulations. In the last 12 months, the industry experienced two major changes in legislation with the revised International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code) and the adoption of the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code). The codes have broadened the horizons for gas applications…

Clipper has established the Clipper Sapphire Pool, a new commercial pool for modern Supramax grab fitted bulk carriers between 52,000 and 58,000 deadweight. The new pool will commence operation immediately, with 16 vessels initially committed to join in early 2015, of which Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (Genco) has committed 50% of the ships and Clipper the balance. Clipper currently operates a fleet of approximately 100 modern dry-bulk vessels. With the commencement of this newly established Sapphire Pool…

Gallagher Marine Systems LLC (GMS) announced today that it has established a new headquarters in Moorestown, New Jersey for its North American operations in a move designed to better serve customers and position GMS for sustainable, long-term growth. According to GMS, the move to larger office space was needed to accommodate its growing staff and services to clients. Highlights of the new office include a larger and enhanced state of the art Incident Command Center and dedicated training center. gallaghermarine.com

Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) announced the establishment of the Acquisition and Commonality directorate April 14. The new directorate, led by Rear Adm. Thomas Kearney, focuses on lowering acquisition costs and reducing the number of unique components such as valves in the Navy's ships and systems. It also increases the sea service's ability to incorporate and update new capabilities when considered as part of an item's lifecycle strategy. "This directorate brings together billets and personnel dedicated to moving forward commonality of people, parts and processes through promoting and enabling exchange within government and between government and industry," said Kearney.

Ecuador's Foreign Trade Committee (COMEX) has issued a resolution which establishes new quality control measures for the importation of particular products into the country. The resolution covers items, including cosmetics (shampoo, soap, makeup and deodorants), ceramics, perfumes, toothpaste, processed fries, meat and cereals, among others. Compliance with these new requirements must be certified by accredited verification agencies at the country of origin. The importer has then to obtain a Certificate of Recognition from the National Institute of Standards (INEN) before the goods can be shipped. This procedure can become cumbersome or take very long to be completed which is expected to function as a barrier for a number of items to enter the country.

GAC Marine Logistics (GML) has established a new company in Hamburg as the latest addition to its growing network of offices coordinating ship spares logistics around the world. The new company GAC Marine Logistics GmbH, which starts trading on February 1, further develops GML’s door-to-deck delivery and warehousing products and builds on existing strong relationships in key markets such as West Africa, South America and the Middle East, the company said. Jan Kielmann, Director of Global Marine Logistics…

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (“BSEE”) issued three significant documents addressing response, enforcement, and safety issues related to offshore operations in August 2012. Specifically, BSEE issued (1) new guidance concerning regional Oil Spill Response Plans (“OSRPs”), (2) formalized policy addressing direct enforcement actions against contractors engaged in offshore activities, and (3) a Final Rule implementing new safety measures related to well control operations occurring on the outer continental shelf (“OCS”). The following is a summary of these new developments.

Ross E. Roeder Shipmate Fund Improves Morale and Welfare for Active Duty Coast Guard Members. The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education, welfare and morale of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced the launch of the Ross E. Roeder Shipmate Fund. Established to benefit the morale, education and wellness of Coast Guard units and their families in Northern Michigan, the fund also thanks and honors the Foundation’s retiring board chairman, Ross E. Roeder. Chairman of the Board for the Coast Guard Foundation since 2005, Mr. Roeder retired at the end of 2011. "On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the staff of the Coast Guard Foundation…

Crowley Maritime Corporation announced today the establishment of a new Project Solutions group that bundles company-wide capabilities and assets with world-class project management skills to provide complete turnkey marine solutions. This specialized team, which now has a Project Management Office (PMO) in Houston, Texas, allows Crowley to provide greater value to customers with multifaceted marine and offshore construction-related projects. Crowley's Project Solutions group…

ULSTEIN has recently established a new company, Ulstein IDEA Equipment Solutions. This company will take over the activities of former IDEA Heavy Equipment b.v, a Dutch company that ULSTEIN has cooperated with in recent years. Ulstein IDEA Equipment Solutions will be engaged in the development and manufacturing of mission and interface equipment on board vessels, mainly working in the offshore and dredging markets. ULSTEIN holds a majority interest in the new company and COO Tore Ulstein in Design & Solutions says that this establishment is part of ULSTEIN’s long-term strategy.

ClassNK released its new Noise and Vibration Guideline for measuring and evaluating the noise and vibration on ships. The new Guideline address the growing demand for new standards for noise and vibration on commercial vessels and provides detailed requirements for measuring and evaluating noise and vibrations in crew accommodations and machinery rooms, as well as establishes new notations for ships that comply with the new requirements. The new guideline is divided into two parts: Part A, which covers noise and vibration measurement criteria for accommodation spaces in line with IMO Resolution A.468 (XII), ISO 2923:1996 and ISO 6954:2000; and Part B, which covers vibration measurement criteria for rotating machinery and reciprocating machinery in line with ISO 10816.

April 28 (Tokyo) - Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) is pleased to announce the publication of its new Guidelines for Floating Offshore Facilities for LNG/LPG Production, Storage and Offloading. The new guidelines address the wide variety of construction and survey requirements for FLNG and FLPG facilities including LNG/LPG Floating Production, Storage and Offloading facilities (FPSO), Floating Production and Offloading facilities (FPO), and Floating Storage and Offloading facilities (FSO).

31 March 2011 – ClassNK officially announced the opening of a new exclusive surveyor office in Shenzen today. The ClassNK Shenzhen Office becomes the 11th office the society has opened in China, marking the continued growth of ClassNK’s presence in the Chinese market. Located between Hong Kong and Guangzhou, the Shenzhen region is one of the fastest growing maritime hubs in Southern China, serving as both an important shipping hub, and an increasingly popular stopover for maintenance and ship repair.

Aker Solutions opened a new operation center in . The new operation center, which is located within state-owned base of Petroleum Technical Services Corp (PTSC), will provide strategic and effective support services for Aker Solutions' onshore and offshore oil and gas customers in the country. The opening ceremony, held at the new office at Vung Tau, was jointly officiated by Egil Martinussen, president - Asia Pacific for Aker Solutions' subsea business area, and Mr Khanh, director, Petro , branch. Aker Solutions' general manager Surface Products and Services, Crawford Tennant, said the new operation base demonstrated the company's commitment to provide unparalleled services to its customers, while acting as a nucleus in to capture other potential clients.

The amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) deployed Aug. 28 as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG), marking the first deployment of a ship in the technologically advanced class of warships. The deployment introduces new technology and capabilities never before seen in any ESG. One example of this technology is the shipwide area network (SWAN). Communications with other ships has always been key to the Navy's success. has taken communications to the next level. Targeting surface threats with weapons has also benefited from the new technology.

Japanese ship classification society NIPPON KAIJI KYOKAI (ClassNK) announced the establishment of its new NK Tianjin Office on April 1. The NK Tianjin Office reinforces ClassNK’s service network by becoming the 101st exclusive survey site of the NK global network and the ninth office in .  The new office will also further enhance the Society’s ability to better meet the needs its clients in and around the world.

MOL hosted a party to celebrate the grand opening of its new Panama Vessel Operation Center in Panama City, Panama on December 9, 2003. Some of the guests in attendance included: Mr. Joaquin Jacome, Minister of Commerce; Mr. Jerry Salazar, Minister of Canal Affairs; and Mr. Shuji Shimokoji, Ambassador of Japan. Considering Panama to be one of the world’s key maritime centers, the company established MOL (Panama) Inc. in May 2003, which is responsible for handling all commercial activities for MOL’s liner division in Panama. The responsibilities of MOL (Panama) Inc. were increased last month when it was named a regional office in charge of managing the activities of MOL’s Caribbean and Central America shipping agents.

Columbia Coastal Transport, LLC,has announced the formation of a new government/military and project division to assist companies with their cargo needs in these specialized areas. Donovan Murray will head up the newly established government/military division, and Joseph Villa will serve as general manager operations overseeing the project division. Murray has been with Columbia Coastal since August of 1993, and was named as port manager in Baltimore in August of 1995. Most recently, he has served as regional manager for the company’s Chesapeake services. In his new post, Murray will oversee the company’s government/military division which handles all manner of U.S. government and military cargoes aboard its U.S. flag barges.

The Norwegian Hydrographic Service (NHS) and the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) have decided to establish two Regional ENC Coordinating Centres (RENCs) to meet the requirements of all Cooperating Hydrographic Offices (CHOs). The Norwegian Hydrographic Service will operate the RENC using current infrastructure and services in Stavanger, Norway - operative from 1 April 2002. “The NHS RENC is based on close cooperation between European HOs (CHOs), ensuring the HOs full control and continual access to their national RENC ENC product database,” said Kjell Birkevold, department director, Norwegian Mapping Authority. The fit-for-purpose and cost effective service by the NHS in Norway will be operated with established proven technology and infrastructure already used by Primar.