First International

Stelmar To Resume Discussions With First International

Tanker operator Stelmar Shipping said it was ready to revive talks with Bermuda-based First International to buy six petroleum tankers once the latter is free of an ownership dispute. "Yes, we're there to talk again, and would be interested in talking again for sure," a top Stelmar official said. Stelmar and First International reached a $140 million deal for the ships last year but it fell through in October when First International became embroiled in a bitter legal dispute with a minor lender. The tanker fleet has since become ensnared in a fresh dispute, this time between First International and bondholders, which provided most of the $257 million to build the fleet. Stelmar listed in New York in February, with the purpose of raising funds to buy 10 products tankers from Osprey Maritime; a deal with First International would swell the fleet to 28. "It's no secret that Stelmar's in the business of growing its product tanker fleet, and assets like that are not always on the market," the official said. "We're going to have to start again, because we're a different company. We've moved on since then (the first deal)." Both First International and investment fund bond holders have asked a New York court to decide in coming weeks which of them controls the future employment of the six tankers.

Xtreme Delivers Fire-Rescue Boat to Taiwan

Xtreme Companies, Inc. manufacturer of mission-specific Fire-Rescue and Patrol boats, announced the delivery of its subsidiary 'First Responders Inc.'s' first ever international sale. The XFR.F.12 fire-rescue boat was delivered to Xtreme's Taiwanese distributor Shuanyi Industry Company LTDC two weeks ahead of schedule. Xtreme CEO Kevin Ryan stated, "It was extremely important for us to deliver our first international boat sale ahead of schedule. Shuanyi has

New ClassNK Surveyor Office in Cardiff

Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) announced the official opening of a new surveyor office in Cardiff, U.K. The new office becomes the fourth new office to be opened by the Society this year, following the establishment of new offices in Malaysia, Syria, and Peru earlier this month. The new Cardiff Office is also the Society’s fourth office to be opened in the United Kingdom joining offices in London, Newcastle, and Milford Haven

Conference on Light Weight Marine Structures

The first international Conference on Light Weight Structures will occur September seven through 8, 2009, in Glasgow, UK. Cost savings is one of the criteria for successful structural engineering and transport application. The use of strong but light-weight members helps to achieve this in that the overall stress levels in a construction are reduced together with handling, manipulation and pay-load cost. These factors are important in such applications as ships

Conference on Light Weight Marine Structures

The first International Conference on Light Weight Marine Structures will occur September 7-8 2009, in Glasgow, UK. Cost savings is one of the criteria for successful structural engineering and transport application. The use of strong but light-weight members helps to achieve this in that the overall stress levels in a construction are reduced together with handling, manipulation and pay-load cost. These factors are important in such applications as ships

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

Northwest America Ports Release (Draft) 2013 Clean Air Strategy

The Port of Seattle, along with the Port of Tacoma and Port Metro Vancouver, implemented the first international ports clean air program in 2008, & now releases their DRAFT 2013 strategy. Agency partners include U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA), Washington Department of Ecology, and Environment Canada. Named the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, this collaborative program seeks to:

ACP Hosts International Maintenance Congress

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) hosts the first International Maintenance Congress, focused on developing a business culture of profitability, maintenance & sustainability. Experts from United States, Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay and Panama participate in the 16, January 2013 congress held in the Ascanio Arosemena Training Center through January 18, 2013. The congress will develop three main topics: reliability and maintenance

ILO Protocol on Seafarers' Conditions Sets International Legal Precedent

The International Labor Organization (ILO) campaign for minimum standards at work for seafarers has received an important boost with the forthcoming entry into force of two key international labor standards governing hours of work and the right to inspect ships. The 1996 Protocol to Convention No. 147* is set to make an international legal precedent as the first international instrument to allow countries to inspect ships purely because of concerns over seafarers' hours of work

BC Port Vaunted as Future LNG Terminal

Kitsault Energy names Kitsault as an ideal location for a deep-water LNG terminal north of Prince Rupert, British Columbia. Located 800 km (500 miles) north of Vancouver, British Columbia and 140 km (85 miles) north of Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada, Kitsault is a purpose-built resource community with complete community infrastructure and housing for more than 1000 residents. With nearly 350 acres of industrial and residential land, full BC Hydro service, and a deep water port