Moves Ahead

NCL Halves Cruise Ship Order

According to a Reuters report, Star Cruises unit Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has cancelled its order for a second F3 cruise ship from shipbuilding group STX Europe, but will move ahead with the first order, STX said on Dec. 18. This 150,000 ton F3 cruise ship, which will be built by STX Europe's French shipyard, will carry a total of 4,200 passenger. Delivery is expected in late May 2010, as originally scheduled. (Source: Reuters)

When It Comes to Shipping, Norway Forks in the Road

Representing the new owners of Norwegian shipping company Bergesen, Andreas Sohmen-Pao delivered a clear message in his well received speech at the Annual Meeting of the NSA Tank and Bulkship Group last week. Sohmen-Pao told industry members, which had turned out in record numbers, that he thought Norway was at a crossroads when it came to shipping. Politicians had to decide whether to give the shipping industry equal treatment with that enjoyed by competitors internationally

MOL to Scrap 5 Double Hull Tankers

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. has decided to scrap five double-hull tankers (four VLCCs, one Suezmax) by the end of March 2012. Scrapping of two vessels is already completed, and preparations are under way to start dismantling the other three. All five tankers were crude carriers launched before 1998. MOL, as one of the world’s leading crude oil transport operators, is moving ahead to rejuvenate its fleet, upgrade the quality of its services, and solidify its position in the market

Aker Arctic Brings Oblique Ice Breaker to Market

With construction underway on the first ever Oblique Icebreaker, research specialist Aker Arctic Technology  has unveiled a new version of the vessel type that will bring ice management and pollution control in thick first year ice to a new level.   The first ARC 100  is due delivery to the Russian Ministry of Transport in early 2014, after a collaborative build involving Kaliningrad’s OJSC Yantar and Helsinki’s Arctech yards

Rochford Lauds Decision to Move Ahead on Channel Deepening Project

Governors Ed Rendell and Jon Corzine are to be commended for reaching an agreement to move forward on the Delaware River Main Channel (45-ft.) Deepening Project. This accomplishment is expected to propel regional port development and allow all Delaware River port facilities to competitively attract the emerging class of larger cargo vessels. Because of growing congestion problems experienced by West Coast ports, the reality today is that ocean carriers operating in the trans-pacific route

A New Look in Marine Patrol Craft

Following the success of Naval Sea Systems Command Littoral and Mine Warfare Office funded tests, Art Anderson Associates is moving ahead to design what may be the most mission-effective police and security vessel to date. Under our SBIR Phase I research project for U.S. Military insertion craft, its patented STOLKRAFT hull-form set new standards for rough water rides in five and six foot seas at full-speed. Law enforcement and security agencies, like the U.S

UK – Brownout Leads to Allision

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) issued the summary of its preliminary examination of the allision of a ro-ro passenger ferry with a linkspan in the Port of Calais on 29 August 2008. While leaving port, the ferry suffered a brownout (a partial loss of electrical power).  This resulted in the loss of the starboard main engines and the momentary disconnection of the bridge control system.  Power was quickly restored and the maneuvering controls were reset to zero

Maritime Workforce Dev Act Passes House

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings praised the passage of the Maritime Workforce Development Act, H.R. 2651. The bill passed on a voice vote, with more than two-thirds of the House voting in favor. Congressman Cummings wrote this legislation to address the education and training needs of our nation’s merchant mariners. H.R. 2651 amends Title 46 of the United States Code, directing the Secretary of Transportation to establish a student loan program to attract the next generation of workers

Global Marine Sold to Bridgehouse Marine Ltd.

Global Marine Systems Limited (Global Marine), a subsidiary of Global Crossing Inc, and a provider of subsea engineering solutions, has been sold to Bridgehouse Marine Ltd. Bridgehouse Marine is a specialised business that acquires and manages companies providing marine services to the telecommunications and energy industries. Andy Ruhan, Bridgehouse Capital's Managing Director and an investor in Bridgehouse Marine, will become the Chairman of Global Marine

Bureau Veritas, Maritime Labor Convention

International classification society Bureau Veritas has moved ahead of the Maritime Labor Convention 2006 and set up a system to audit and certify manning agencies for seafarers. "Shipowners and managers need to be able to demonstrate they are working with properly run seafarer recruitment and manning offices," explained Claude Maillot, director, ships in service, Bureau Veritas. "When the Maritime Labour Convention comes into force it will be a requirement for organizations