Ship Operations

Germanischer Lloyd Opens Lab in Hamburg

The examination of metallic materials and failure analysis for the sectors of ship operation systems, civil engineering, plant technology and machinery will now also be offered in Hamburg by GLP, the testing laboratory of Germanischer Lloyd. To complement the branches in Mülheim, Herne and Stuttgart, the operating area of materials testing and failure analysis is being expanded into the North German region. The service spectrum of routine materials testing includes destructive and non-destructive tests, metallography, corrosion examinations, chemical analyses as well as investigations employing light-optical and scanning electron microscopy. In the failure analysis of components, the laboratory's offering is directed at the steel trade, materials manufacturers, engineering firms, suppliers of ship operation technology, and steel construction companies. With a comprehensive array of equipment and a databank-based laboratory software environment, routine tests and testing orders are processed speedily, from the preparation of samples to the issuing of certificates. Germanischer Lloyd Prüflabor will be commencing its operations in Hamburg with a staff of four in addition to the management. For the planned expansion of the laboratory, material engineers, material testers and milling machinists are being sought in particular.

MarAd Appoints new Associate Administrator for National Security

The Maritime Administration (MarAd) has appointed Kevin M. Tokarski its new Associate Administrator for National Security.  In his new role as associate administrator, Tokarski will provide leadership and oversight to the Office of Emergency Preparedness, the Office of Sealift Support, the Office of Ship Disposal, and the Office of Ship Operations and its three divisions: Atlantic Operations, Gulf Operations and Pacific Operations. 

Goal-based Standards Top IMO's Agenda

The development of goal-based standards for new ship construction will be high on the agenda when IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) meets at the Organization's London Headquarters for its 80th session from 11 to 20 May 2005. Other important issues on the MSC agenda include the adoption of revised provisions for subdivision and stability in SOLAS chapter II-1 Construction - Structure, subdivision and stability, machinery and electrical installations

Sea-Land Deal Boosts Moeller Shares

A.P. Moeller’s acquisition of CSX Corp.’s Sea-Land’s international shipping operations is reportedly positive for the group’s shares and future position in world shipping.

Wärtsilä, IHI Marine Propulsion System Agreement

Wärtsilä, ship power system integrator, and IHI Marine United Inc. (IHIMU) of Japan, have concluded a co-operation agreement. Under the agreement, Contra-Rotating Propeller (CRP) systems developed by IHIMU will be incorporated into Wärtsilä's propulsion solutions used on board diesel-electric driven ships.   The co-operation agreement mainly covers the European market, where the environmental demands on shipping operations are becoming increasingly stringent.

Hybrid-manned USS Ponce Arrives Bahrain

A mixed crew of civilian mariners & naval personnel man 'USS Ponce', the Navy's first dedicated forward staging-base ship The U.S. Navy's first afloat forward staging base-interim, USS Ponce (AFSB-I), has arrived in Bahrain for duty in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR). USS Ponce's primary mission is to support mine countermeasures (MCM) operations and other missions, such as the ability to provide repair service to other deployed units, including electrical, diesel engine

Curriculum Restructured

The president of SUNY Maritime College stated that the institution is redesigning its curriculum and refocusing its mission to meet the needs of students and the maritime industry as we move toward the millennium. In a speech given during the school's recent homecoming ceremonies, Rear Admiral David C. Brown detailed a restructuring plan that would gradually transform the college from a focus on ship operation to the business of shipping.

LR Classed Ships Head USCG Qualship List

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) initiated the Qualship program on January 1, 2001 to reward quality owners. Lloyd's Register classed ships dominate the latest USCG list, with more quality ratings than any other classification society. These ships will all benefit from less frequent USCG inspections. Among the 41% of ships that are classed by Lloyd's Register are those owned by AP Moller, P & O Nedlloyd, Overseas Shipholding Group, Shell International and BP Amoco.

SOCP Meeting Scheduled For June

MarAd and the Ship Operations Cooperative Program (SOCP), will host a meeting on June 12-13 at Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay, MA to consider issues relating to the maritime industry such as alternative fuels, fishing issues, ferry operations and air emissions. Bernardo Obando-Rojas of the Seafarers International Research Center, Cardiff University will discuss Fraudulent Practices for Certificates and Endorsements

SAM Electronics to Provide Turnkey for Project America

Hamburg-based STN ATLAS Marine Electronics has been awarded a major turnkey contract for provision of electrical and bridge equipment aboard Pride of America, the new 922-ft. (281-m), 81,000-gt cruiseliner presently being constructed by Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven for Norwegian Cruise Line as part of its Project America 1 undertaking following NCL's acquisition last year of the vessel's partially completed hull built by Ingalls Shipyard in the U.S.