Record High

U.S. Oil Imports Up

U.S. crude oil imports January to June 2001 were above the 2000 level in each month. However, crude oil imports during 3rd quarter were below the 2000-year level for each month. Crude oil imports in August 2001 were about 1.0 mbd below the August 2000 level and the September 2001 level was 0.3 mbd below that of September 2000. Crude oil imports Jan-Sept. 2001 were record high, 0.10 mbd above the Jan-Sep. 2000 level. The highest U.S crude oil imports ever - 9.484 mbd - were recorded in August 2000. U.S. product imports declined dramatically from 3.33 mbd in January 2001 to 2.12 mbd in August, increasing slightly to 2.24 mbd in September 2001. Products imports Jan-Sept. 2001 were also record high, 0.21 mbd above the Jan-Sep. 2000 level. (Source: INTERTANKO News)

GOM Oil Production to Reach Record High

According to a report from the Offshore Magazine, Gulf of Mexico oil production is forecast to increase substantially over the next few years, possibly reaching 1.9 MMb/d in 2013 which would be a record high. This is MMS’ best-case scenario, which factors in industry-announced discoveries and undiscovered resources. (Source: Offshore Magazine)

Boskalis Conclude Good Quarter, Raise Earnings Outlook

Dutch dredging & marine specialists, Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. (Boskalis) report revenue & profit  higher than in the first half of 2012. The order book increased in recent months and stood at a new record high of EUR 4 billion at the end of the third quarter. Based on current insights, the second half of the year is expected to be strong with a high workload and good results anticipated on a number of dredging projects in progress and close-out results

Oil Industry: EPA Going “Too Far, Too Fast” On Diesel

The U.S. oil industry locked horns with environmental regulators last week over a new proposal to make diesel burn cleaner. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed this spring to reduce the sulfur content in diesel by 97 percent, starting in 2007, as a way of cutting back on toxic emissions. But at a hearing on the green diesel proposal, oil industry representatives said the EPA was going "too far too fast" and that the rule could cause fuel shortages and surging prices similar to

China Overtakes Korean Shipbuilding

South Korean shipbuilders were overtaken by their Chinese rivals in new orders acquired in the first four months of the year, a London-based market researcher said on Wednesday. South Korean shipbuilders such as Hyundai Heavy Industries Co and Samsung Heavy Industries Co received a combined 6.9 million compensated gross tons (CGTs) in new orders in the January-April period, up 6.9% from a year ago, Clarkson Research Studies said.

WSS Expands Network in China

Wilhelmsen Ships Service has opened a new full service office in Ningbo, providing a comprehensive range of ships agency and maritime logistics services. The company now has five offices in mainland China. “Our strategy has been to strengthen our network across China in order to be present where our customers are operating,” said Captain Bi Yuping – General Manager of WSS Ships Agency & Maritime Logistics China.

ConocoPhillips to Acquire Burlington Resources

Already one of the most aggressive spenders on future supplies, ConocoPhillips CEO James J. Mulva is now poised to make another huge deal: a $30-billion plus acquisition of Burlington Resources (BR), according to a Business Week report. Buying BR would be a giant bet on a red-hot U.S. natural gas market. While Burlington has international operations in Algeria, China, and Latin America, 84% of its reserves are in North America. With U.S

Freight Rates to Fall?

While the international ferver for all things maritime continues to sweep the globe, with record high markets in the construction of ships, boats, and offshore structures, a recent report could serve as the proverbial “shot across the bow” that the market could be starting to cool. With a record number of ships set to enter the market, a recent Bloomberg report said that he cost of shipping coal and iron ore is about to decline as the supply of cargo vessels overwhelms demand.

Mitsui-MAN B&W Diesel Engine Achieves World Record

This world record is established when MES completes the construction of Mitsui-MAN B&W 6S50MC-C Mark 7 at its Tamano Works (Tamano City, Okayama Prefecture) for Sanoyasu Hishino Meisho Corporation (with president Mr. Shinich Kimura), who will install such engine to a chip carrier of 4.35 million cubic feet (shipyard No. 1260) to her owner, Mitsui OSK Lines. In the wake of growing demand for new shipbuilding boosted by active ocean cargo transport

Shipbuilders Cash In on Special Vessels

According to reports, South Korean shipbuilders are profiting more from selling high-value units such as offshore plants and liquid gas carriers than ever. Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering, already has won a record-high $7 billion in building orders this year, which exceeds last year's record of $6.6 billion. Such high performance was largely affected by the sales of four offshore oilrig units, which amounted to $1.9 billion in total.