Proposes New
Canadian Shipbuilding: East against West
According to a May 16 report from the Vancouver Sun, the Harper government is expected to release its long-term shipbuilding strategy in the coming weeks, creating two national centers to handle billions of dollars worth of contracts. The strategy could spark a high-stakes game pitting West Coast firms against East Coast companies in a winner-take-all contest. Vancouver-based Washington Marine Group and J.D. Irving on the East Coast will be asked to submit proposals to become the “center of excellence” for building combat ships such as the Arctic patrol vessels and the fleet of vessels that will eventually replace the navy’s Halifax-class frigates. Victoria Shipyards is owned by Washington Marine Group, as are Vancouver Drydock and Vancouver Shipyards. Another center for larger non-combat ships — including the navy’s proposed new supply vessels, the Joint Support Ships, as well as the coast guard’s polar icebreaker — is also in the works. (Source: The Vancouver Sun)
CMC Joins Legal Action, NY Ballast Regs
The Chamber of Marine Commerce, along with a number of other industry stakeholders, are joining forces to take legal action against the state of New York's proposed new ballast water regulations. The other parties joining in the lawsuit include American Great Lakes Ports Association, Canadian Shipowners Association, Federal Marine Terminals, Canfornav, Polska Zegluga Morska, Port of Oswego and Port of Albany Commission.
U.K. Government revises Finance Bill 2012 to favor UK Shipowning Companies
International accountant and shipping adviser Moore Stephens has welcomed the UK government’s decision to minimize the effect of new rules in Finance Bill 2012 which resulted in a potentially serious trap for existing UK shipowners entering tonnage tax. Finance Bill 2012 originally extended some anti-avoidance rules relating to leasing companies, so that they applied to existing UK shipowning companies chartering out ships which enter UK tonnage tax
Aker Proposes New Kvaerner Board
Aker Maritime, which wants wide-ranging link-ups with Kvaerner, proposed a new board for Kvaerner before a corporate showdown on Friday. Aker, the top shareholder in Kvaerner with 17.8 percent, put forward Pehr Gyllenhammar, chairman of Britain's biggest insurance group CGNU, as chairman of its proposed board. Kvaerner has said it opposes Aker's plans for link-ups. Gyllenhammar said he hoped he could help resolve the clash between the two Norwegian industrial groups but stressed he would be
Siemens to Decide on Hull, UK, Wind Turbine Factory
A final decision by Siemens on its proposed new wind turbine factory in Hull, North-east England, is expected by the end of the year Planning consent for the ambitious £210-million redevelopment of Alexandra Dock where the factory will be based was granted in May. Already huge jack-up cranes are now regularly shipping turbine components from a riverside quay off Albert Dock to offshore wind farm sites off the Norfolk coast.
Panama Canal Authority Holds Public Hearing
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) held a public hearing giving Canal customers and other interested parties the opportunity to comment on the modified pricing structure proposed by the ACP in early June of this year. Nearly fifty interested persons presented comments, with many expressing their appreciation for the recent improvements in safety and efficiency of Canal operations, but also saying that the percentage increase is too high and poorly timed.
Sustainable Shipping Initiative Launched in Singapore
Focus on sustainable shipping at Singapore event – Wärtsilä participates The Sustainable Shipping Initiative (SSI) launched in Singapore recently is a series of practical, collaborative action plans aimed at developing a sustainable shipping industry for the future. Wärtsilä and other members have committed to deliver first results before the end of 2013. Presented as part of Singapore Maritime Week
Ship Emissions Tops IMO Agenda
Work on reviewing regulations to reduce emissions of air pollutants from ships was high on the agenda when the IMO Sub-Committee on Bulk Liquids and Gases (BLG) met for its 11th session from 16-20 April 2007. It followed on from an intersessional meeting of the BLG Working Group on Air Pollution, which took place from 13 to 17 November 2006, in Oslo, Norway, to develop the necessary MARPOL amendments. The Working Group on Air Pollution was reconvened during the current session, chaired by Mr
High Tech Service Initiatives From Deltamarin
Finnish technical consultancy Deltamarin, in characteristically innovative style, is breaking new ground with the development of new computer-based services encompassing safety simulation and risk assessment, knowledge management and life-cycle support. Its latest endeavors form the basis of what it describes as contemporary configuration engineering and management, and extend the role and business scope of a practitioner of the latest technology tools in marine design
Investment in Design: Oil Tankers The Rules are About to Change
A seminal approach to class following the landmark decision by three of the classification societies two years ago to develop common edicts governing oil tanker hull structures, a complete draft set of new, unified rules is to be circulated for industry comment in June 2004. Drawn up by American Bureau of Shipping, Det Norske Veritas, and Lloyds Register, the new rulebook is expected to be published next January, and to be brought to bear on all oil tankers of 150-m length and over ordered
NOAA Proposal Aims to Extend Reduced Whale Ship Strikes
NOAA Fisheries is seeking comments on its proposal to make permanent the rules it implemented five years ago to reduce the number of collisions between ships and North Atlantic right whales. Right whales are among the most endangered species in the world
MARAD Seeks Input on Cruise Security and Safety Training Certification
The Maritime Administration is proposing that organizations seeking to have their cruise vessel security and safety training programs certified by MARAD may voluntarily submit their programs for review and approval by the MARAD Administrator
PVA Make Alaskan Harbor Seal Protest
The Passenger Vessel Association (PVA) says existing voluntary Code of Conduct sufficient to protect Alaskan Harbor Seals. PVA has submitted written comments to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) urging that the agency defer implementing broader restrictions on vessels
Otto Marine Sell ROV Support Ship
The company's subsidiary Otto Shipyard has sold ROV Support Vessel 'Otto Explorer 3' for US$50-million. The Board of Directors of Otto Marine Limited announce that the earlier proposed sale of the Multi-purpose Field Support and ROV Support Vessel, “Otto Explorer 3”
Subchapter M Looms Operators and Suppliers Respond
Amelia Island, Florida: At the second annual Workboat Exchange, held in April at the Ritz Carlton Hotel on beautiful Amelia Island, Florida, about 160 marine buyers and sellers alike got a full taste of the best food, weather and accommodations that the Sunshine state has to offer
By the Numbers: Subchapter M Statistics
The Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2004 (Aug. 9, 2004), established new authorities for towing vessels. Out of that came a proposed regulatory scheme requiring towing vessels to become inspected vessels and obtain a Certificate of Inspection (COI)
U.S. National Ocean Service 2014 Budget Request
The FY 2014 President's Budget Request for the National Ocean Service (NOS) amounts to $529.2M. The National Ocean Service (NOS) observes, measures, assesses and manages coastal, ocean and Great Lakes areas and provides science-based services to inform decision making
Gateway Technology for Ocean Measurements
Scientists at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, in collaboration with two private industry firms, are developing potentially breakthrough technologies to capture vital information from the world’s oceans. Scripps researchers John Orcutt and Jon Berger developed a
Obama Admin. Announce 21 Million Acre Oil and Gas Lease Sale
August Auction to offer all Unleased Acreage in Western Gulf of Mexico As part of President Obama’s all-of-the-above energy strategy to continue to expand domestic energy production, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals
Final Consultation for Dogger Bank Creyke Beck Begins
Offshore wind consortium, Forewind’s second and final stage of consultation for its first offshore wind energy development, Dogger Bank Creyke Beck begins Friday, April 19. The consultation, which starts with the publication of documents, plans and maps about the proposed development
Australian Coal Port Expansion Contract
BMT & Adani Mining Pty Ltd (Adani) to design expansion at the Adani Abbot Point Coal Terminal at Abbot Point, north of Mackay, Queensland. The collaboration will involve BMT engineers from Australia (BMT WBM) and India (BMT Consultants (India)) working closely together with Adani at its
AAPA Judge the FY 2014 Budget a Support 'Potpouri'
The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) consider the FY 2014 Administration Budget contains mixed blessings for the industry. With the release today of President Obama’s fiscal 2014 budget, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)—representing seaports in the
Neighboring California Ports at Loggerheads
The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners to support the city’s appeal against a proposed Port of Los Angeles rail yard project. The city’s appeal is of the Southern California International Gateway rail yard project approved recently by the Port of Los Angeles
US Coast Guard Schedule TWIC Public Meetings
The U.S. Coast Guard public meetings concern the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) proposal. The meetings are scheduled in accordance with the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Reader Requirements Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Background:
Intelsat Proposes Public Offering of Common Shares
Intelsat Global Holdings S.A. announced that it has commenced the distribution of preliminary prospectuses in anticipation of its proposed initial public offering of 21,739,130 common shares and proposed concurrent public offering of 3,000,000 Series A mandatory convertible junior non-voting