Gulf Coast
Obama to Reopen Oil Drilling
According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, the Obama administration, facing rising anger on the Gulf Coast over the loss of jobs and income from a drilling moratorium, said on June 7 that it would move quickly to release new safety requirements that would allow the reopening of offshore oil and gas exploration in shallow waters. Gulf Coast residents, political leaders and industry officials said delays in releasing the new rules, along with the administration's six-month halt on deepwater drilling—both issued amid public pressure—threatened thousands of jobs. (Source: The Wall Street Journal)
Senesco Christens Double-Hulled Liquid Fuel Barge
The Southeastern New England Shipbuilding Corporation (SENESCO) has christened another 80,000-barrel, double-hulled liquid fuel barge. After a ceremony last week at SENESCO’s Quonset Point, RI headquarters, the Leo was ready to set sail for its Gulf Coast destination. The Leo was built for the Hawaiian Inter Island Towing company, which will lease the vessel to Sirrius Maritime of Seattle, Wash. Sirrius will then use the barge to carry fuel oil and other liquid cargo in the Gulf Coast.
SUPSHIP Gulf Coast Change of Command
In a traditional Navy change of command ceremony Capt. Mary E. Dexterrelieved Capt. David W. Bellaas the Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair (SUPSHIP) Gulf Coast on Feb. 24. Bella was the first SUPSHIP Gulf Coast, which resulted from the summer 2003 merger of SUPSHIPs New Orleans, LA and Pascagoula, MS. Rear Adm. Mark A. Hugel, deputy commander for Logistics, Maintenance and Industrial Operations, Naval Sea Systems Command (SEA 04)
Fabrication Begins on Final Gulf
Fabrication of the 28th and last Arleigh Burke Class Aegis Destroyer contracted for Gulf Coast construction began on Oct. 18 at Northrop Grumman Ship Systems - Ingalls Operations shipyard, Pascagoula, Miss. Named for the late Vice Adm. William P. Lawrence, DDG 110 is scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2010. Lawrence's widow, Diane Wilcox Lawrence, is the ship's sponsor. DDG 110 will be assigned to the Pacific Fleet.
Vessels: GCI Completes Sun Towing Tugs
Voyager and Quest could not be two more apt names for Sun Towings pair of new tugboats, as it was precisely this that was required to complete the vessel's construction. The two hulls were started nearly 10 years ago, and had more than 2,000 miles experience before the first main engines were installed. The hulls were originally built by Marine Power and Equipment in Seattle in 1990, and moved three different times, from Washington State through the Panama Canal to Texas
NSRP Portable Automated Bulkhead and Hull
The National Shipbuilding Research Program (NSRP) Portable Automated Bulkhead and Hull Straightener project has been completed with a final demonstration conducted at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding – Gulf Coast in September 2009. This project expanded upon a previous project, which focused on the plates. This effort broadened that concept by developing a straightening process for bulkheads and hull plates.
Pascagoula Yards Starts to Regroup
On Sept. 5, employees at Northrop Grumman Corporation's Ship Systems sector worked to restore operations in the Gulf Coast region in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. In this photo, employees stack scaffold timbers along the dock at the Pascagoula, Miss. shipyard. U.S. Navy ships under construction are in the background; at left is the Aegis guided missile destroyer Truxtun (DDG 103), and at right is the amphibious assault ship Makin Island (LHD 8).
Seakeeper New Rep Firm Commar Sales
Seakeeper has brought on ComMar Sales to handle the East Coast, South, Gulf Coast and Florida distribution of its line of Gyro Stabilization Systems. ComMar will represent Seakeeper in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont and Washington DC.
GEA Westfalia Separator Signs With Separator Spares & Equipment, LLC
Separator Spares & Equipment, LLC announced an authorized distributor agreement with GEA Mechanical Equipment US, Inc. (GEA Westfalia Separator Division) for the Gulf Coast region. Effective immediately, Separator Spares & Equipment, LLC will be providing GEA Westfalia high-speed separator equipment, spare parts, and support throughout the Gulf Coast region. This strategic alliance will provide GEA Westfalia Separator’s customers a local representative on the Gulf Coast.
Potential US East and Gulf Coasts Port Labor Strike: New Report
A US East & Gulf Coasts port labor strike could further destabilize international trade says a new report. A potential labor strike by longshoremen along the US East and Gulf Coasts at the end of the year could have devastating economic consequences as inventory depletion, rerouting, hoarding, and price speculation ripple through supply chains of global companies, Marsh warns in a new report. The longshoremen’s labor contract with port operators along the East and Gulf Coasts
Tank Barge Delivered to Progressive Barge Line
PBL 3421 was delivered by Raymond & Associates, LLC, Bayou La Batre, AL, to Progressive Barge Line, Inc., New Orleans. PBL 3421 is the first of two barges, both 297.5 x 54 x 12 ft. inland service double skin tank barges, each witha cargo capacity of about 4700 short tons at 11.5 ft
Megan Bel Joins National Ocean Industries Association Staff
Megan Bel joined the staff of the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) as Senior Director, Government and Political Affairs. She comes to NOIA from the Office of Congressman Steve Scalise (R-LA) where she served as Legislative Director since 2008
Maris Enhances U.S. ECDIS Expertise
Marine electronics specialist Maris AS has completed an ECDIS (electronic chart data information systems) technical training program to enhance support services covering North America and the Caribbean. The initiative is part of its commitment to the global distribution and service agreement with
VT Halter Marine’s Dry Dock Arrives in Pascagoula
VT Halter Marine Inc, a subsidiary of VT Systems Inc., announced the arrival of a 12,000 MT Floating Dry Dock transported by a heavy lift vessel from the Philippines. The dock dimensions are LOA- 546 FT x B 128.5 FT x D 46 FT. The dry dock is part of an overall expansion plan to the south yard in
Harley Tractor Tug 'Robert Franco' Launched
Nichols Brothers Boat Builders has launched the first of two tractor tugs they have contracted with Harley Marine Services. The new tugboat will be delivered to Harley Marine Services in mid April 2013. The Tractor Tug, a Jensen Maritime of Seattle, Washington design
Oceanographic Survey Ship Christened at VT Halter Marine
VT Halter Marine’s Halter Moss Point facility was the scene of the christening of T-AGS 66’, USNS Maury’. Construction began in September 2010, the keel laying ceremony was held in February 2011, and delivery is expected in January 2014.
Strategy Engineering Wins O&G Company Award
Strategy Engineering & Consulting, LLC announce that it was named the winner of the Oil and Gas Awards Engineering Company of the Year for the Gulf Coast Region in 2012, announced Strategy President Chris Morris. “The Engineering Company of the Year award recognizes engineering
Retail Industry Applauds ILA Labor Agreements
The National Retail Federation issued the following statement from Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold on the International Longshoreman’s Association (ILA) vote approving a new, long-term master labor contract covering port terminal operations along the East and
RADM Pickavance on College Maritime Program
Rear Adm. William W. Pickavance, Jr. has joined San Jacinto College as a consultant to the maritime program. Pickavance, who served as an officer in the U.S. Merchant Marine, spent 32 years on active duty as a commissioned officer with the U.S. Navy
BP's Commitment to GoM Reparation Confirmed
BP says it is supporting economic and environmental efforts in the Gulf of Mexico and is committing huge funding. To date, BP has spent over $14 billion in response and clean-up costs and have paid $9.9 billion in claims, advances and settlements to individuals, businesses and governments
Shell Developing U.S. LNG Fueling Network
Shell and TravelCenters of America LLC (TA) to develop network of (LNG) fueling centers for road users; alongside that Shell is developing a marine bunkering infrastructure. Shell has been working to develop the LNG for Transport market globally
Exxon Books Tankers to U.S. at Lowest Rates of 2013
Exxon Mobil Corp. booked two tankers to haul oil to the U.S. Gulf Coast via the Suez Canal in May at what may be this year’s lowest rates, a shipbroker told Bloomberg.com. “The very large crude carriers, each able to haul 2 million barrels of oil
Greene’s Energy Promotes Regional Manager
Greene’s Energy Group (GEG) promoted Stuart LeBlanc to Northern Regional Manager for the Testing and Services business unit locations in Imperial and Towanda, Pa., said President Eric Langlinais. LeBlanc will oversee the day-to-day operations for Imperial and Towanda as well as the
Mississippi Port Names New Executive Director
Following a national search, the Board of Commissioners of the Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport selected Jonathan Daniels as the port’s new executive director. Daniels comes to the Port of Gulfport from the Port of Oswego in upstate New York where he served as executive
U.S. DOJ: Pollution Settlement Nets $1 Million
$1 Million Settlement Enhances Land and Sea in the Eastern District of Texas. BEAUMONT, Texas — U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced a settlement reached with a European shipping corporation has resulted in significant enhancements to nature conservation groups in the Eastern