Launches New

Marshall Islands Launches New Pricing Scheme for Big Ships

The Marshall Islands register has introduced a new pricing scheme to increase its competitiveness in big ships types such as Capesizes and VLCCs. The scheme came into effect on September 1, 2002. "We reduced annual tonnage tax three years ago from .25 a gross ton to .20 a net ton, and now we have launched an alternative scheme that is more favourable for the big ships", said Bill Gallagher, president of International Registries, Inc., which runs the register. He said the register would reach 15 million gross tons and 500 vessels by the end of 2001, and 20 million tons gross by 2004. He said electronic recording of mortgages, the absence of hidden costs like consular fees and low cost seafarers documentation were aiding the rapid growth. "The register is dominant in the U.S. market, but fast growth is coming from Greece and Germany, with over a hundred vessels", he said.

Beijing Office Opened by OW Bunker

Launch of OW Bunker's new Beijing office is in response to market demand for bunker supplies across China OW Bunker, a leading suppliers and traders of marine fuel, has announced the opening of a second office in China. The move supports its growing customer base in the region, and is designed to capitalise on opportunities presented by the strong growth in the Asian markets. OW Bunker has had a presence in China since 2006 with an office in Shanghai.

Inmarsat Launch New Fleet Services

Inmarsat Limited have launched the commercial availability of the Fleet F55 and Fleet F33. The new Fleet services incorporate global voice and a range of fax and data services. According to the manufacturers, Inmarsat Fleet F55 and F33 bring the benefits of satellite communications to vessels which were previously restricted by size and cost of terminal hardware. Maritime information, such as sea and weather charts, can now be accessed online and updated in real-time

Blount/Barker Launches New 55-ft. Harbor Tug

Blount/Barker Shipbuilding launched a 55-ft. twin screw harbor tug on March 8 at the company’s shipyard in Warren, R.I. Special features ordered by the purchaser, Tutor-Saliba/Koch/Tidewater JV of Sylmar, Calif., include push knee for towing jumbo barges. The vessel will be used in the seismic retrofit of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge in northern California, which was damaged in a recent earthquake. The twin screw tug is powered by two Caterpillar 3412C diesel engines producing 615 hp

Dubai Drydocks to Unveil $60M Project

According to reports, Dubai Drydocks will launch its $60 million newbuilding panel line and steel structure assembly facility in July. The yard, whose current shipbuilding facility has a monthly turnover of 2,800 tonnes of steel, plans turning over similar volumes of steel per month for the newbuilding. It is already building the gravity base structure for a 10,000 steel construction with an extensive piping arrangement and four 6,200 dwt bunker tankers due to be delivered in March.

Yacht Sales – Broker Launches New Website for Luxury Craft

Worldwide luxury yacht brokers, '26 North Yachts' launches new website with reviews, information on over 80 yacht manufacturers Fort Lauderdale-based luxury yacht brokerage firm 26 North Yachts recently launched an upgraded website that the company beliieves sets a higher standard for luxury yacht sales and purchase. Stated to be comprehensive in its scope and coverage, 26NorthYachts.com provides extensive information and reviews on over 80 luxury yacht manufacturers

Norcontrol IT Launches New System for Training

Norcontrol IT has launched a new system designed for training new Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Operators and providing refresher training. Developed by the NCIT Academy the VTS Operator Console (VOC) eLearning course is an interactive, web-based eLearning system for training operators of the Norcontrol IT VTS Operator Workstation and next generation VTS Database application (VDB). With many VTS operations relying on relatively few workstations – that

Comrod Launches New Multi-Band Cellular Phone Antenna

Norway-based Comrod A/S has launched a new marine Multi-Band Cellular Phone Antenna. The new AC15-BI Antenna is designed for nearly all US and European cellular frequencies, including GSM, covering 825-895 MHz, 880-960 MHz, 1710-1880 MHz, 1850-1990 MHz. This makes it unnecessary to change the antenna when alternating between European and American mobile phone frequencies. Despite its compact design with a height of just 10 in. (250 mm) it does not require any ground plane

ISS Launches Joint Venture Ops in Saudi Arabia

Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) launched new operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, providing ISS with a presence in one of the largest industrial and project-orientated economies within the Middle East.  In creating the new entity, ISS has signed a joint venture agreement (JV) with Al Bakri Group of Saudi Arabia.  The JV, known as ISS Saudi Arabia will provide customers with marine, cargo and government services as well as survey and liner agency; all specifically tailored to

Hempel Launches New Cargo Hold Coating

Hempel launches new cargo hold coating offering best-in-class performance and value Leading coatings manufacturer Hempel announced today the launch of Hempadur Impact 47800, a new dedicated coating for bulk carrier cargo holds. Hempadur Impact offers high-end abrasion, impact and corrosion resistance, and completes Hempel’s range of cargo hold coatings. Hempadur Impact is a new dedicated cargo hold coating for shipowners who want a high-performance cargo hold coating with a very