Meet New

Chinese Shipyards Wade In to Offshore Market

The recent Offshore Support Vessel World Forum meeting in Shanghai believes that optimism is returning to global offshore markets. The forum is a platform for oil and gas producers, designers, builders, OSV owners, operators, contractors, classification societies, equipment suppliers and legal/financial service units to discuss and address future opportunities and challenges. The theme of the conference was 'Maximizing commercial opportunities amid OSV market recovery by meeting new technical challenges and regulations'. In the panel discussions it was considered that optimism is returning to the global offshore markets, supported by the prompting of more shipyards to wade into the OSV market. China has emerged as largest contributor to the explosive growth in the world’s OSV market place and many Chinese shipyards are flocking to the OSV market. But challenges and uncertainties need to be addressed if they are to enhance their competitiveness. A networking platform for the OSV industry, the event was sponsored by Wartsila China, Havyard, Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Company Limited, LTI Steel Wire Rope (Shanghai) Co.,Ltd, Stonel(USA)/ Pt-BRIDGE(Shanghai,China) and GSHYDRO Piping System, with the supports of Shanghai International Shipping Institute, UCIBN, chinaoffshore.com.cn, The Shanghai Shipbrokers Association (SSA) and CNPI.

Rig Accommodation Below Par for New Danish Requirements

Northern Offshore receives Maersk Oil & Gas notification that rig 'Energy Endeavour' will be released from contract on May 1, 2013. The rig's accommodation unit does not meet new Danish Energy Authority requirements and its replacement is not commercially viable for either party. Gary W. Casswell, Northern Offshore's president and CEO, said, "We sincerely appreciate that Maersk have given us very early notice of release of the Energy Endeavour

CH-IV Prepares FEED for U.S. LNG Facility

Oregon LNG is developing a bii-directional LNG import/export project & CH-IV International has completed its Front End Engineering Design (FEED) The Oregon LNG Terminal will be located on the East Skipanon Peninsula near the confluence of the Skipanon and the Columbia Rivers in Warrenton, Clatsop County, Oregon. Jeffrey P. Beale, President of CH-IV International (CH-IV) has announced that CH-IV International has completed the preparation of FEED for the proposed 9 MTPA LNG liquefaction

IMO Approves Siemens’ Ballast Water Management System

The Maritime Environmental Protection Committee of the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO) has granted Siemens final approval for its Sicure ballast water management system. The Final Approval is based on a directive, issued by the IMO, a specialized agency of the United Nations, which requires all deep-sea vessels to operate IMO-approved ballast water management systems. The objective is to avoid the spread of alien aquatic organisms and pathogens carried in

Stolt-Nielsen to Buy 3 Ships

Chemical transportation company Stolt-Nielsen SA said it is buying three used tanker ships for about $40 million. The company said its wholly owned subsidiary, Stolt-Nielsen Transportation Group, has exercised an option to purchase the tankers, currently on charter, from Montana Ship Holding AS. According to Stolt-Nielsen, it chartered the ships in December 2001 with an option to buy at any time. The company said the three ships are to be converted at a cost of $7

Bollinger Repowers, Modifies 40-Year-Old Tug

Bollinger recently gave new life to an old boat, the 150-ft. Guardian, originally named Gale B., which was built by Southern Shipyard in 1963. It was owned by Midland Enterprises and was part of a tug/barge unit with the hopper barge Martha B. Midland sold the barge to Moran about three years ago and the tug was on the market when it was acquired by Velvet Maritime, LLC. "It was in good shape with a good purchase price," said Andre Ledoux, president of Velvet Maritime

WA Ferries Begins Workforce Scheduling Solution

The implementation of WINDS (Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Ferries Division (WSF) Integrated Dispatch System) is now underway. WINDS is a Quintiq workforce planning solution configured to provide core business functions that comprise the dispatch and staffing of up to 1,800 employees at WSF. These functions include planning, scheduling, dispatch and tracking of deck crews, engine room crews and terminal employees.

Washington State Ferry System Reform Action Plan

Washington State Ferries (WSF) said it will work to implement a majority of 36 recommendations made by an independent panel to improve ferry operations. Changes will come in ferry management, vessel and terminal maintenance, finance, scheduling, labor and customer service, according to an action plan the Ferries Division of the Washington State Department of Transportation submitted to Gov. Chris Gregoire. “We have a world-class ferry system that provides marine highways throughout

Guilbeau Marine Boats Complete Sea Trials

Seatrials have successfully been completed by Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., Lockport, La., on the first of four 145.5-ft. utility vessels under contract for Guilbeau Marine, Inc., Cut Off, La. Delivery of the Ms. Caroline was August 24, 2001, and the second boat, Mr. Chad is scheduled for delivery in late September 2001. The boats are named in honor of Caroline Guilbeau, granddaughter of owner Anthony "Noonie" Guilbeau, Jr. and Chad Guilbeau, office manager of the company.

Offshore Update: Waiting on Feds to Issue Permits

By Susan Buchanan, from the November 2010 edition of MarineNews Marine companies along the Gulf of Mexico have seen little new business since the offshore drilling moratorium was lifted in early October as oil producers apply for permits and decide how to navigate costly safety regulations. At Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., one of the top U.S. boat builders, Chief Executive Officer Boysie Bollinger, said “we're waiting for BOEM to start issuing offshore drilling permits