Plans New News

Installed offshore wind capacity in the U.S. grew to 242MW in the first quarter of the year from 42MW in the previous quarter, the Oceantic Network said in its report, showcasing a recovery in a previously volatile industry.The offshore wind industry is expected to play a major role in helping several states and, the Biden administration meet goals to decarbonize the power grid and combat climate change.The industry had a tough 2023 after developers wrote off billions of dollars in impairment charges due to high-interest rates…

New York State on Friday stalled three major offshore wind-energy projects after General Electric Vernova GE.N changed the turbine design, which the state said "materially altered" the plans.New York provisionally approved the projects in October 2023. They are Attentive Energy One being developed by TotalEnergies, Rise Light & Power and Corio Generation; Community Offshore Wind, which is backed by RWE and National Grid Ventures; and Vineyard Offshore's Excelsior Wind.But since then…

Shipbuilder Austal USA announced it is planning to boost capacity at its Mobile, Ala. shipyard with the addition of a new manufacturing facility.The infrastructure expansion, which will be to the south of Austal USA’s current waterfront facility, will include a new assembly building, waterfront improvements, and a new Pearlson-designed shiplift system. Start of construction on the project is planned for summer 2024.The construction of this new building and waterfront support area continues the expansion Austal USA began in March 2021 with the groundbreaking of the steel panel line.

Dutch energy company VTTI said on Monday it plans to build a new floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in the Netherlands with capacity to import 5 billion cubic meters of gas annually. On Friday the Dutch government said it was in talks with two different groups over new LNG terminals to increase Dutch import capacity by 5-8 billion cubic meters (bcm) annually as it seeks to ensure the country's energy security. Rotterdam-based VTTI said in a statement it was "striving"…

President Vladimir Putin on Monday approved the creation of a Russian naval facility in Sudan capable of mooring nuclear-powered surface vessels, clearing the way for Moscow’s first substantial military foothold in Africa since the Soviet fall.The new facility, earmarked to be built in the vicinity of Port Sudan, will be capable of accommodating up to 300 military and civilian personnel and improve Russia’s ability to operate in the Indian Ocean, expanding its influence in Africa.Putin presided over a flagship Russia-Africa summit last year…

MSC Cruises is eyeing further growth in the North American with a new expansion project in Miami, the cruise line’s exclusive homeport in the U.S. The company announced it has signed an agreement for extended preferential berthing rights as well as of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the construction of a new Cruise Terminal AAA at PortMiami.“The new agreement and expanded partnership with PortMiami and Miami-Dade County is another key step forward in the business growth of MSC Cruises…

Russia's gas production and sales company PAO Novatek has created a transportation unit called Maritime Arctic Transport. "The Board of Directors of PAO Novatek  resolved on creating a transportation subsidiary called Maritime Arctic Transport LLC to manage and optimize transportation costs, build up the unique competencies of Arctic navigation and ensure centralized management of the Arctic fleet," said a press release from company. Novatek’s Chairman of the Management Board Leonid Mikhelson noted: “Novatek’s long-term development strategy envisages a significant growth in LNG production from the Company’s vast hydrocarbon resource base located on the Yamal and Gydan peninsulas in the Arctic zone of more than 55 million tons per annum by 2030.

United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) announced the opening of a new joint-venture agency in Uruguay and participation in this year’s Intermodal South America exhibition, opening today in São Paulo and running until 7th April. These initiatives are part of the carrier’s ambitious growth plans and customer-focused strategy, and highlight the importance of the South American market for UASC. Following several initiatives including significant investment in new reefer units and a cooperation agreement with Hamburg Süd opening up new services to East Coast South America, UASC aims to highlight its expanded service during Intermodal South America 2016, the international exhibition for logistics, cargo transportation and international trade.

Chile president Michelle Bachelet said on Friday her center-left government was planning the development of a "big scale" port in the center of the copper-exporting country. Bachelet also estimated about $1 billion would be allocated to foster innovation in the Andean country over the next four years as she presented a batch of pro-growth plans on Friday. Previously red-hot economic growth in world No.1 copper producer Chile is slowing on the back of softer investment and domestic demand, creating a headache for the new president. "We have a major challenge, the challenge of growing at a good rhythm while at the same time increasing our productivity, being more competitive, diversifying our economy and becoming less vulnerable to global volatility," she said.

BMT JFA Consultants, a subsidiary of international maritime design, engineering and risk management consultancy, BMT Group, says it plans new offices in both Perth, Western Australia and Brisbane, Queensland in order to better support its clients’ requirements and provide space for expansion. The new Perth office will combine BMT’s strategic ports and harbours and machinery consultancy expertise into a single location in Perth by bringing BMT JFA Consultants and BMT WBM into the one office. This will improve its overall service offerings to local government, mining and private sector clients in Western Australia. BebbCart, a specialist ports and harbours cartographic consultancy, will also be co-located with BMT JFA Consultants in its new offices.

Russia will begin building new aircraft carriers after 2020 in a major boost to Moscow's ability to deploy air power abroad. If the plans reach fruition, it would be a major boon to the Russian navy, which currently fields only one aging aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov. The Kuznetsov, part of the navy’s Northern Fleet, was built in 1985 and has been scheduled to undergo a major overhaul. Another former Russian carrier, the Admiral Gorshkov, was sold to India in 2005, refitted and renamed the Vikramaditya and is currently undergoing sea trials in the Barents Sea.

ABBRA, the American Boat Builders & Repairers Association announces its 2013 Annual Conference the “International Boatyard Business Conference”. This boatyard and related services industry event will be held January 19-20, 2013 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It will cater to boatyard owners, operators, and managers, boat builders, and boat repair businesses and will focus on the most current topics of interest with presentations by some of the marine industry’s most influential business leaders both nationally and internationally.

Congress is preparing legislation to improve U.S. national standards on cargo security. The two bills in Congress gaining the most support are the "Greenlane Maritime Cargo Security bill" in the Senate and the "Security and Accountability For Every Port bill" in the House of Representatives. The bills would not mandate specific actions that must be taken with regard to screening abroad or container seals. Instead, the bills would require the Department of Homeland Security to develop a comprehensive strategic plan within six months "to enhance international supply chain security for all modes of transportation by which containers arrive in…

Tidewater Inc. is preparing to embark on a modest new-build program, estimated to cost in the range of $300 million. William C. O'Malley added, "These new vessels will be designed to cover operational capabilities the company does not presently possess. The company expects to fund this program from its current cash balances which exceed $150 million, its projected cash flow and its existing $200 million line of credit. Currently, the company is debt-free. "We believe the timing of this program is advantageous in that we anticipate shipyard prices, delivery schedules and the quality of craftsmanship will be better than what we have witnessed over the past few years," O'Malley said.