Offshore Supply
Strachans Launches Alternative to Refrigerated Containers
Strachans, a specialist distributor of food and chandlery supplies to the offshore and marine industry, announced the pilot of a new container capable of maintaining product integrity for up to four days. The Strachans icebox uses a eutectic system, whereby eutectic beams full of gel are connected to a power supply that charges them down to temperatures far lower than the product prior to leaving the ship supplier’s warehouse. The eutectic beams release their energy over a long period of time in turn maintaining the integrity of the product. Twelve units have been in and performed without incident in the North Sea since October 2012. Difficult weather conditions and their influence on the risk of delay to offshore supplies combined with complex vessel schedules are factors that have driven Strachans to explore alternative container refrigeration methods for temperature-sensitive products. Another factor is the inconsistency of power supplies to charge refrigerated containers. As more operators rely on spot hire platform supply vessels with shorter charter times, a uniform power supply may not always be available to operate this option. The Strachans icebox negates the need for a power supply on board. Ensuring product integrity standards and elevating them throughout the offshore supply chain is an ongoing issue for the industry. To ensure full traceability of temperature-controlled transport of supplies, Strachans is working to innovate its container options
ABB Wins Orders Worth $30m
ABB, a power and automation technology group, has won orders worth $30m for electric propulsion, power generation and power distribution systems that maximize the fuel efficiency of offshore supply vessels to be built in China. ABB will provide an integrated electric propulsion solution for each of the vessels. The equipment, including generators, switchgear, transformers, drives and motors, will be delivered to the Fujian Mawei Shipyard on the southeast coast in 2010 and 2011
Aker Yards to build AHTS for NorSkan Offshore
Aker Yards has been awarded a contract worth approximately $47.5 million by NorSkan Offshore Ltda., Brazil, to build an Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) vessel. Delivery is scheduled for April 2007. NorSkan Offshore is an offshore supply vessel company owned by Solstad Offshore ASA and DOF ASA in Norway on a 50/50 basis, and is focusing on the strong Brazilian offshore vessel market.
Edison Chouest Buys Florida Shipbuilder
According to the Daily Comet, Edison Chouest Offshore has confirmed that it is starting a new shipbuilding operation in Tampa. The Galliano-based ship builder will take over a lease formerly held by the Tampa Shipbuilding and Repair Company. The property is owned by the Bender Group of Mobile, Ala. Chouest plans to build offshore supply boats and other vessels, but terms of the deal were not disclosed. (Source: Daily
USCG Publishes Notice on Alternate Hull Examination Program
The U.S. Coast Guard has published a notice stating that, effective August 28, 2002, the information collection requirements of the agency's recent regulation relating to the alternate hull examination program for certain U.S. passenger vessels and underwater surveys for nautical school, offshore supply, passenger, and sailing school vessels came into effect.
Alternative Hull Examination for Certain Vessels
The U.S. Coast Guard has issued an interim rule establishing an alternative hull examination program for certain passenger vessels. Nautical school, offshore supply, passenger, and sailing school vessels will have the option of alternating drydock examinations with underwater surveys. These vessels will also have additional latitude in scheduling inspections. The interim rule comes into effect on June 28, 2002
ABG Shipyard Delivers Two Vessels
ABG Shipyard Ltd has announced that the company has delivered two vessels. The 173 ft. long, 90 Ton Bollard Pull Azimuth Drive Propulsion AHTS is able to carry out Anchor handling Towing Rescue, Offshore Supply, Transport Pipes, fresh water, diesel oil, Stores, Materials and equipment, move men and materials between platforms and shore, external fire fighting and other related duties. The vessel is to supply, support the Floating Production Offloading Storage (FPSO) vessels
DG Shipping Recalls 27 ONGC Supply Vessels
The Directorate General of Shipping (DG, Shipping) has asked India’s biggest oil explorer Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) to recall 27 of its 46 supply ships for undergoing safety audits immediately. The DG Shipping directive, which could lead to the disruption in oil production, has come within days after an ONGC-chartered ship, Samudrika-10, sunk off the Mumbai coast, killing five people on board. In a notice dated July 11 to ONGC
A&P Group Reports Positive Outlook
"Ship repair in the U.K. is looking positive for 2003" say the A&P Group, who has confirmed that all 14 of their dry docks are full with various vessels under repair, refit and conversion. A&P Tyne is currently hosting a number of ships including Stirling Shipmanagement's 2,270dwt offshore supply vessel Putford Enterprise, the 2,067dwt offshore supply vessel Pacific Banner owned by Swire Pacific Offshore, Boyd Line's 1,621grt Arctic Warrior and P&O Ferries' 20,446grt PO Kent.
Harvey Gulf Buys 9 Bee Mar OSV's & to Stretch 5
Harvey Gulf International Marine closes its asset purchase purchase deal with Bee Mar LLC. The purchase price for the all-cash sale of Bee Mar's nine Offshore Supply Vessels was US$243-million. Harvey Gulf immediately renamed the vessels consistent with other Harvey Gulf vessels and began seeking bids to stretch 5 of the new vessels to meet 250’ OSV class specifications. Harvey Gulf also announced that it has exercised 2 of its 4 options to construct additional LNG OSV's at TY
Wärtsilä to Provide Harvey Gulf Vessels Integrated Package
Wärtsilä has been awarded a contract by Eastern Shipbuilding Group, of Panama City, Florida to supply an integrated solution for a new multipurpose support vessel (MPSV) for Harvey Gulf International Marine of New Orleans. This offshore vessel is the first in a series of three MPSVs
Seatronics Relocates to Larger Facility
Seatronics Pte Ltd, an Acteon company, has moved its Singapore operations to a facility with triple the capacity of the previous within the recently upgraded Toll Offshore Supply Base. The new location offers nearly 1,000 square meters of specialist engineering and electronic preparation workshops
Harvey Gulf Options for Sixth TY Offshore Dual Fuel Vessel
TY Offshore announced that Harvey Gulf International Marine has ordered the construction of an additional TY Offshore built 302’ x 64’ Dual Fuel Offshore Supply Vessel, bringing its total order to six. The order, and subsequent delivery
DNV Urges Increased Safety Focus in Shipping
Increased focus on ship safety is DNV’s main priority when identifying critical issues in shipping. An extended focus on risk-based rules, safety barriers and identifying high-risk areas are means to enhance safer shipping. “Together with GL
Ultrapetrol Details its Mortgage Note Offering
Following on from an earlier announcement of the US$200-million offering, Ultrapetrol now give provide greater detail. The company has priced the offering of $200 million in aggregate principal amount of its 8.875% First Preferred Ship Mortgage Notes due 2021 (the "Notes").
Ultrapetrol to Refinance, Sells 7 Barges
In related recent announcements Ultrapetrol (Bahamas) says it intends to offer secured Notes, & has completed the sale of 7 barges. Ultrapetrol (Bahamas) an industrial transportation company serving marine transportation needs in three markets (River Business, Offshore Supply
Gulf Coast Shipyard Group Investment by Littlejohn
Littlejohn & Co., LLC, a private investment firm based in Greenwich, CT, has made an equity investment in Gulf Coast Shipyard Group, Inc. Gulf Coast Shipyard Group, is a manufacturer of a variety of ocean-going and inland marine vessels for commercial and military markets under the brand name
SFL Order Four 8,700 TEU Container Ships
Ship Finance International (SFI) has agreed to build four 8,700 TEU newbuilding container vessels at a major shipyard in Korea. The company says that the contract price is attractive and the vessels are scheduled to be delivered in 4Q 2014 and 1Q 2015.
Conrad Industries Report Smooth Sailing in Q1 2013
US shipbuilder & repairer Conrad Industries, announces its first quarter 2013 results and backlog. For the quarter ended March 31, 2013, Conrad achieved net income of $5.9 million and earnings per diluted share of $0.99 compared to net income of $3
Steam Beats Hot Water to Keep Heavy Oil Viscous
Tests by Parat Halvorsen on oil spill response equipment (OSR) for offshore supply vessels reveal significant deficiencies with systems using hot water coils. Norway's Parat Halvorsen undertook a series of trials after a number of lower cost hot water coil alternatives came on the market the
Eastern Shipbuilding Launches the M/V Bravante V for Boldini, S.A.
Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. christened and launched the M/V Bravante V for Boldini S.A. of Brazil. The event was held on March 21, 2013 at Eastern’s Nelson Street facility with hundreds of Eastern employees and guests. Attending were Renato and Regina Nascimento
Harvey Gulf Invests $540 Million in LNG Vessels
Chief Executive Officer of Harvey Gulf International Marine, Shane Guidry announced the execution of three agreements for vessels totaling $540 million. These purchases will raise the total capital expenditures of Harvey Gulf to $1.7 billion since August of 2008.
Bordelon Chooses Helm Operations Software
Edoc Systems Group, developers of Helm Marine Operations Software (Helm), confirmed that Offshore Supply Vessel provider, Bordelon Marine, has chosen Helm HSQE Manager and Helm Onboard to manage their vessel maintenance, safety and compliance
Ultrapetrol Appoints New CFO
Ultrapetrol (Bahamas) Limited, an industrial transportation company serving marine transportation needs in three markets (river business, offshore supply business and ocean business), announced the appointment of Ms. Cecilia Yad as the Company's Chief Financial Officer, succeeding Leonard J
Latest World-wide Piracy Review Released
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) advises vigilance though attacks decline. IMB's latest quarterly report on 'Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships' recorded a total of 66 incidents worldwide in the first three months of 2013