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BHP Billiton Sets Gulf Drilling Record

Houston-based BHP Billiton Petroleum reported two company-operated drilling vessels set new benchmarks for deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico recently. While working on a development well on the Shenzi oil and gas field, the GSF C.R. Luigs achieved a record low average of 1.52 days per 1,000 feet from spud to total depth. The well was drilled to a total depth of about 29,600 feet in only 33 days, while operating in water depths of nearly 4,300 feet in Green Canyon Block 654. The achievement matches a similar milestone earlier in the year in the Neptune development, when the GSF Development Driller I averaged 1.5 days per 1,000 feet for a new hole drilled. “These successes can be celebrated only if we achieve them while protecting the health, safety and environment of the crews and other workers associated with these operations,” said Nigel Smith, president of development for BHP Billiton. “Careful planning and operation by all members of the team is necessary to achieve record performances such as these.”

Tri-fuel LNG Carrier Delivered to GasLog

GasLog Ltd. announced the delivery of a new LNG carrier GasLog Santiago, from Samsung Heavy Industries. Immediately on delivery, which was on budget and ahead of schedule, she commenced a medium-term charter to Methane Services Ltd. (BG Group). The vessel is a 155,000 cubic meter tri-fuel Diesel Electric LNG carrier that sets new standards for efficient performance and environmental protection. The vessel is classified to the ABS ENVIRO+ notation

Newbuilding Named at Odense Steel Shipyard

Odense Steel Shipyard presented its latest newbuilding, an 11,000 TEU container vessel, for the A.P. Moller – Maersk Group. Bernadette Brabeck-Letmathe, accompanied by her husband, Mr Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Chairman & CEO, Nestlé SA, honoured A.P. Moller – Maersk and the Yard by naming the newbuilding ELEONORA MÆRSK. Like her predecessors, EMMA MÆRSK and ESTELLE MÆRSK, ELEONORA MÆRSK will be part of the series of the world’s largest container vessels

Second Acquisition for Triton Group Underlines Growth Strategy

Triton Group announced has acquired Sub-Atlantic Limited. Triton Group is backed by Houston-based private equity company, SCF Partners and supported by Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS). Formed earlier this year, Triton Group aims to create a group of companies focused on providing state-of-the-art remote intervention and control technologies and services. This deal comes hot on the heels of the group’s acquisition of Perry Slingsby Systems (PSS).

PMA Posts Freight and Passenger Records

The Port of Marseilles Authority (PMA) has briefed unions and staff on government plans for the ‘re-launch’ of French ports - as required by a timetable for local consultations at each port before parliament considers the legal framework this spring. PMA director-general Guy Janin outlined the aims and procedure this week at press conferences in Marseilles and Paris detailing the port’s 2007 results, which set new records for general cargo – including containers – and passenger

SMM 2010

Some 2000 exhibitors and more than 50,000 trade visitors are expected to attend the 24th shipbuilding, machinery & marine technology, international trade fair hamburg (SMM 2010), from 7 to 10 September 2010. This event will attract exhibitors from 50 nations, including the major yards from the leading shipbuilding nations, representatives of the marine equipment industry, and a whole range of small and medium-sized companies.

MAN B&W Diesel Combines Strengths

MAN B&W Diesel, a designer of two-stroke diesel engines and producer of turbochargers, has combined the two into an engine room package. The TCA (TurboCharger Axial) is the newest turbocharger from MAN B&W Diesel. The first production turbocharger in this series is the TCA77, but additional frame sizes are also available from the TCA33 to the TCA99. This turbocharger series will replace the well known NA series and combines a higher power output with lower production and running costs

Schiffko to Design Research Icebreaker

Wärtsilä's ship design and marine consultancy subsidiary, Schiffko, based in Hamburg, has been awarded a contract from the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research of Bremerhaven, Germany, to design the revolutionary new European research icebreaker Aurora Borealis, which will have a deep-sea drilling capability. The contract, which was won in a public tender comprises the initial design concept, general arrangement planning, and full tender documentation

Pilot Trial of New Class Survey Reports

SpecTec announced a pilot scheme for an innovative take on traditional Classification Survey Reports in association with Lloyd's Register, Carnival UK and James Fisher Mimic. SpecTec worked alongside industry members Lloyd's Register, Carnival UK and James Fisher Mimic to produce a breaking report to substantially increase the efficiency of class surveys by presenting machinery information required in a simple, quick and cost effective manner

Horizon Lines Ends Perquisites for Execs

Horizon Lines, Inc. (NYSE: HRZ) announced that it is eliminating all perquisites for its four named executive officers, effective at the end of the year. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved the decision after a comprehensive review in conjunction with a company-wide effort to eliminate perquisites at all levels of the organization as part of a broader, ongoing cost-reduction initiative.