Pacific Marine News

HaiSea Marine, majority owned by Haisla Nation in partnership with Seaspan ULC, is celebrating the official naming and blessing of its new floating operations facility – which will be the home base for its fleet of three full-electric and two liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fueled tugboats.The new facility, named Zewén, is a floating operations and maintenance building purpose-built and designed to withstand the extreme tidal range in the Kitimat region. It features a large workshop…

The first US-built trawler-processor for Alaskan pollock in over three decades is now undergoing sea trials in the Northern Pacific, testing an integrated technology package from Kongsberg Discovery tailored to locate, inspect, and engage fish with unparalleled efficiency.The 100-meter-long Arctic Fjord, designed by Kongsberg Maritime and built by Louisiana’s Thoma-Sea Marine Constructor, will start full-time operations for 2024’s pollock A season in the Bering Sea.Speaking ahead of this week’s Pacific Marine Expo in Seattle…

On July 31, the coal carrier Ushio, which NYK had ordered from Honda Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. was delivered at the Saiki Shipyard. A naming ceremony was attended by Masato Mizutani, executive officer, head of fuel operation management group of JERA Co., Inc.; Nobuhiro Kashima, managing executive officer of NYK; and a number of related parties.This vessel is the NYK Group’s first coal carrier for domestic coastal transport by JERA. The ship will be operated by the NYK Group's Asia Pacific Marine Corporation based on a transportation contract between JERA and NYK.

Cummins Inc. announced the European launch of its new B4.5 marine generator set and propulsion engine, expanding the hybrid compatible packages beyond the current QSB6.7 and QSL9. The pairing was debut in late 2021 at the Pacific Marine Expo, a commercial fishing event in Washington U.S, with an anticipated mid-to-late 2022 production release.Available separately or as a hybrid package, the B4.5 engine and genset are two of Cummins’ smallest, but mightiest marine offerings. Based on the proven industrial engine…

In a typical year, the waters surrounding British Columbia’s Port of Vancouver host approximately 3,000 deep sea commercial vessels and 19 of the 35 ferries operated by BC Ferries, one of the largest ferry operators in the world. These waters are also home to a wide variety of aquatic wildlife, including the southern resident killer whales (SRKW), which have been listed as endangered in Canada since 2003.With vessel-generated acoustic disturbances identified by Fisheries and Oceans Canada as one of four key threats to the SRKW…

Saildrone Inc. and NOAA have released the first video footage gathered by an uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) from inside a major hurricane barreling across the Atlantic Ocean.The Saildrone Explorer SD 1045 was directed into the midst of Hurricane Sam, a category 4 hurricane. SD1045 is battling 50 ft. waves and winds of more than 120 mph to collect scientific data, while giving a new view of one of earth’s most destructive forces.Equipped with a specially designed “hurricane wing…

Wärtsilä’s will deliver its hybrid solution for a new RoRo ferry being built for the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure at the Western Pacific Marine shipyard. When delivered the ferry will serve the Balfour – Kootenay Bay route across Kootenay Lake. “Wärtsilä was selected based on their experience, reputation, and know-how in developing, delivering, and supporting complex hybrid propulsion systems. These capabilities are extremely important to us, and we very much appreciate and welcome Wärtsilä’s support throughout this project…

The MAN D2676 LE426 will be available in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. It fulfils the latest US EPA Tier 3 Commercial standard and comes with keel cooling.MAN Engines is expanding its range of engines for light-duty workboats in North America by introducing an 800 hp (588 kW) inline-six engine. The D2676 LE426 will be available from the second quarter of 2020. It satisfies the EPA Commercial emissions standards and offers 70 hp greater output than the well-established, 730 hp D2676 model.

The marine coatings market demand by 2024 will rise exponentially driven by rapid surge in trade activities worldwide has led to increase demand from the shipbuilding sector.APAC marine coatings market valuation to hit $12Billion by 2024. According to International Marine Organization (IMO), over 90% of global trades are conducted via ships.Meanwhile, the International Transport Forum (ITF) Outlook 2019 estimates that the global freight volumes are likely to increase by 11% by 2050 owing to rapid growth in e-commerce activities.Asia Pacific marine coatings market is expected to witness commendable growth on account of presence of leading shipbuilding industries as well as increasing freight demands from e-commerce giants.China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation…

Marine lubricants market, which was above $4 billion in 2016, is expected to surpass consumption of 3.5 million tons, to exceed $5.9 billion by 2024.Asia Pacific marine lubricants market will record an annual growth rate of 4% over the 2016-2023, according to a new research report by Global Market Insights.Surging development in marine infrastructure across this region will augment the product demand. China, Japan, and South Korea are the prominent revenue contributors of the APAC region. Europe marine lubricants market, having had a revenue of $3 billion in 2015, will record considerable annual growth rate over the coming time frame.Compliance with the bilateral trading agreements signed among the nations will lead to increased foreign trade demand, thereby augmenting the industry growth.

Marine geophysical company Polarcus Limited said it has received a letter of award for a 4D marine seismic acquisition project in the Asia Pacific region.  The project is due to commence in the first quarter of 2018 and will run for approximately one month. A Polarcus spokesperson said the company could not share further information around the project. Following this award the Polarcus’ active fleet is 100 percent booked for the first quarter.

Approximately 200 guests celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Marine Training Center (MTC) on the Kiribati island of Tarawa in the South Pacific. Although some 13,700 kilometers lie between Hamburg and the school in Tarawa, these places are closely connected. Hamburg Süd cofounded the school for training seafarers 50 years ago. The company is also the managing partner of the joint venture SPMS (South Pacific Marine Services GbR), which brokers the placement of trained seafarers with the partner shipping companies. In addition to Hamburg Süd, the sponsors of training, and Kiribati’s largest employers, include the shipping companies Aug. Bolten, F. Laeisz, Fisser & van Doornum, Leonhardt & Blumberg, and Reederei Nord.

The marine propulsion engine market was valued at $9 billion in 2015 and is projected to reach $12 billion by 2022, growing at a CAGR of 4.1 percent from 2016 to 2022, according to a new report published by Allied Market Research. Diesel propulsion system segment is expected to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period. Asia-Pacific accounted for the highest share of 51 percent in 2015, and is anticipated to maintain this trend. Increase in production and sales of ships globally and rise in international seaborne trade drives the market growth.

Thordon Bearings’ US West Coast Distributor, Pacific Marine Equipment has successfully completed the installation of a pair of TG100 mechanical propeller shaft seals to Hornblower Cruises & Events’ 1000-passenger capacity twin screw flagship, Inspiration Hornblower. Hornblower, one of the leading river cruise operators in the U.S., operates a fleet of 70 sightseeing and dinner cruise vessels in several cities across the Golden State, the United States and Canada. Todd Terry, President, Pacific Marine Equipment, Thordon Bearings’ U.S.

Vigor will unveil its new 142’ Freezer Longliner designed specifically for North Pacific fishing at this year's Pacific Marine Expo in Seattle, Wash. Based on an existing design by Marco Marine, the 142’ x 33.6’ x 14’ vessel has a fish hold capacity of 14,070 cu ft and a bait hold capacity of 1,900 cu ft. “A new class of longliners is a central need for the recapitalization of the North Pacific fishing fleet, but to get these vessels built fishermen need to know they can depend on the design—and it better be affordable,” explained Keith Whittemore, Vigor Executive VP of Business Development.

ExxonMobil introduced its second independently accredited mass flow metering system (MFMS) in Hong Kong onboard the bunker vessel, Anelly. It follows the introduction of the first independently accredited MFMS in Hong Kong fitted on the barge, Anshing. The expansion will help to meet increased customer demand for fuel deliveries via an accredited MFMS, due to the cost and efficiency benefits. Both metering systems are fully accredited by Lloyd’s Register, in partnership with A*STAR’s National Metrology Center…

The Worldwide Ferry Safety Association’s conference on Ferry Safety and Technology, underway today, has featured sessions on Vessels & Landings, Marine Weather, and Training Challenges and Innovative Solutions. The panel on Training, moderated by Captain Jim DeSimone from the New York City Department of Transportation, included talks by Murray Goldberg (Marine Learning Systems) and Bill Anderson, Jr. from the Seattle-based Pacific Marine Institute (PMI). Goldberg spoke about success at BC Ferries in implementing an e-Learning program. According to Goldberg, research across many industries has shown that a combination of e-Learning, combined with a personal touch, is a far superior mode of training.

After nine years of operation in the harsh, abrasive waters of Alaska’s Yukon River, aboard Inland Barge Service’s push boat Ramona, Thordon Bearings’ RiverTough water-lubricated tail-shaft bearing system has emerged completely free of wear and tear, according tot the manufacturer. The performance of the RiverTough bearings in waters renowned for their high content of gritty glacial silt came to light when the 16-meter workboat’s cracked struts underwent repair in dry-dock. Charles Hnilicka…

Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research vessel Falkor returns from the first ever expedition to systematically characterize the rarely explored Mariana Back-Arc. HAGANTA, GUAM – A diverse team of scientists are returning from a 28-day expedition onboard R/V Falkor that has more than doubled the number of known hydrothermal vent sites in the Mariana Back-arc region. This area, west of the Mariana Trench, is where plate spreading and submarine volcanism are concentrated. Several momentous findings were made, including the discovery of one of the deepest vents ever found. Another important outcome was the discovery of an extremely rare recently-erupted underwater lava field that is likely only a few months old.

Increased demand for marine lubricants in the Asia-Pacific region has underpinned the growth of Total Lubmarine’s Hong Kong office which this year celebrates 25 years of service to ship operators across the region. Today, Asia represents more than 50% of Total’s lubricants sales across all segments. Total Lubmarine’s Hong Kong office is a key part of the company’s Asian infrastructure. The company’s Hong Kong story began in 1990 when Elf Lubricant Hong Kong Ltd was established as Lubmarine’s head office for the Asia-Pacific region with four staff providing marine lubricants and services to customers in Hong Kong and China. 25 years later the company…

China will actively promote maritime scientific research and innovation as well as international cooperation to advance sustainable marine development, according to the State Oceanic Administration (SOA), reports Xinhua. Chen Lianzeng, deputy director of the SOA, made the remarks at an annual meeting of the North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES) in Qingdao, a coastal city in East China's Shandong Province, on Monday. Chen pointed out that global research in ocean science and technology has entered a new stage involving cross-disciplinary studies and international collaboration, adding that all countries should work together to protect the marine environment and combat climate change.

Marine engineering company Atlantic Pacific Marine (APM) informs it has opened a new site in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. to meet an increasing workload and customer base following another year of success and growth. APM is headquartered in Cardiff, U.K., but operates globally, in the past year completing dry dock projects and refits in the Grand Bahamas, Australia, Germany, the U.K, Singapore, Italy and Miami for clients including Carnival Australia, Carnival UK, Princess Cruises, P&O, Wärtsilä, Crystal Cruises and Disney Cruise Line.

Arctic Ocean is facing a dilemma today and that is acidification. Ocean acidification is a result or a chemical reaction which happens when seawater absorbs too much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere—reducing its acidity, carbon ion concentration and saturation. The Arctic marine species stand endangered amidst the alarming rise in ocean acidification. A new research by the NOAA's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory claims the disastrous effects of the drastically rising acidity levels of Arctic Ocean on the marine species. The research has revealed that the surface waters of three seas under study, could reach such levels of acidity that would threaten the ability of animals to build and maintain their shells…