PD Ports Orders New Hopper Dredge from Neptune
PD Ports in the U.K. has ordered a new dredging vessel from Dutch shipbuilder Neptune Marine.The 71-meter-long hopper dredge, which has already been named the Emerald Duchess following a competition among PD Ports employees, was ordered for £23 million and will arrive at Teesport next summer.Currently under construction at a shipyard in Poland for commissioning, ahead of trials in the Netherlands in 2024, the Emerald Duchess will replace the Cleveland County, which had servedâŚ
PD Ports Warns UK Against 'Brexit Blinkers'
In the week that global maritime leaders gave the UK a vote of confidence, naming it one of the worldâs leading maritime centres, PD Ports is urging UK businesses not to develop âBrexit blinkersâ but instead to explore significant new global opportunities as the UK negotiates its exit from the EU. Industry data shows UK export performance as a whole has been stronger outside the Single Market than within the EU over the last decade according to PwCâs UK Economic Outlook report. Although Brexit will bring challenges to the UK export market, there are equal opportunities to increase their focus on key emerging markets such as Asia in the medium and long-term, allowing businesses to take a truly global approach rather than limiting themselves to trade within the Union.
Fugro Bags Surveying Contract
Dutch geo-consultancy Fugroâs integrated capabilities clinch further work for Sirius at the worldâs largest high grade polyhalite deposit. The award of two major new contracts integrating geotechnical and geophysical investigations sees Fugro continue its site characterisation services at Sirius Mineralsâ North Yorkshire polyhalite project. A new geotechnical package comprises seven deep boreholes in shaft and tunnel locations at the new UK mine, located 3.5 kilometres south of Whitby in North Yorkshire. Fugro is undertaking strength tests of the rock formation, drilling to depths in excess of 420 metres. The project is developing the worldâs largest known high grade polyhalite deposit, a highly effective organic agricultural fertiliser.
Kotug Aids Allseas in Topsides Transport
Kotug Internationalâs offshore division has assisted Allseas with the transfer and transport of Shellâs Brent Delta topsides after the record-setting removal of the structure by Pioneering Spirit. Kotug was mainly involved in the assistance of the cargo barge Iron Lady during the transfer of the topsides from the Pioneering Spirit to the Iron Lady and the ensuing tow of the barge to the Able UK decommissioning yard in Teesside, Northeast England. After the Pioneering Spirit lifted the Brent Delta platformâŚ
Teesport Upgrades to C-Scope
Teesport, recognized as the first port in the world to be fitted with a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) system, will upgrade to C-Scope, the next generation maritime surveillance system from Kongsberg Norcontrol IT. âThe relationship between Kongsberg Norcontrol IT and Teesport is the longest running technology partnership in our history,â said Steve Guest, General Manager for Kongsberg Norcontrol ITâs UK office. Located five kilometers east of Middlesbrough on the River Tees, Teesport is one of the United Kingdomâs major ports and one of the largest ports in Western Europe. Owned by PD Ports, it handles both international and domestic cargo in excess of 38 million tons per year.
Shipyards in NE England Buzzing with Activity
The month of January 2013 was again a very busy month for A&P Shipyards in the northeast of England. Longstone (Andrew Weir Shipping) - undocked early January after an intensive 12 day programme overhauling the stern ramp, vent fans and sea valves. The ship sailed away on time on 4th January. Pride of York (P&O) - docked on 22nd January where she underwent her annual refit. She sailed on the 10th February. The Tyne saw a couple of demobilisation projects for Technip Offshore Wind Limited in January on UR101 and AMT Discoverer. Both projects involved removal of cable carousels and associated equipment. They both successfully completed on time. The same owners have now just stemmed another mobilisation on the Normand Progress.
UK Offshore Wind Substations â Tag Ready
Tag Energy Solutions has finished work on increasing the size of its load-out and assembly area for the fabrication of substation topsides and jackets in anticipation of an expected increase in demand for offshore wind substations, reports the 'Northern Echo' newspaper. The latest phase of the development involved extending the assembly area by levelling what were previously among the longest slip ways in Europe. It is the latest development at the site following the creation of the multi-million pound production facility in 2011. The expansion will allow Tag to deliver a wider range of offshore wind turbine project management and fabrication services to include engineering, procurement and construction of offshore wind substation topsides.
Visit A&P Group at Norshipping
A&P Group is one of the largest ship repair and conversion companies in the UK with an annual turnover of approximately £96 million. The company is 100 per cent privately owned, employs 600 people across the UK and uses a network of worldwide agents. A&P Group is continually investing in all of its yards and facilities to ensure the ability to offer extensive marine services. A&P Group has developed internationally from its traditional business of ship repair, ship conversion and fabrication to providing offshore and renewable marine services. The company now operates across a number of sectors offering a broad range of services associated with marine engineering and fabrication and is setting global standards for competitive pricesâŚ
A&P Tees Goes from Strength to Strength
A&P Groupâs Teesside facility, located near Middlesborough, has made a successful start since re-opening for business earlier this year, success in both use of the shipyard and offering users of the River Tees, and surrounding areas, an effective and efficient âShipcareâ service. The first vessel drydocked at the shipyard was the 3,086 dwt dredger Heortnesse, which is owned by Tees & Hartlepool Port Authority. This vessel underwent thruster repairs. The largest contract since then has been a two week drydocking of Farstad Shippingâs 4,680 dwt offshore supply vessel Far Service, which was in for a two week drydocking operation during late July/early August. Other drydocking contracts have included dredgers and tugs operating in the Tees region.
Ayton Cross Arrival Boosts Wijsmuller Fleet
Wijsmuller Marine has accepted the first of two azimuthing stern drive (ASD) tractor tugs from the Spanish shipbuilder Astilleros Zamacona. Following a crew familiarization period, the Ayton Cross is expected to be in full service by the middle of the month. The second tug, Ormesby Cross, is to be delivered by Zamacona before the end of the year. Both tugs will be based on the River Tees from where the Wijsmuller tug fleet covers both the Tees and the port of Hartlepool. With a bollard pull of 60 tons each, the two new tugs will be the most powerful units in the fleet and will allow Wijsmuller to transfer one of its existing Tees tractor tugs, Yarm Cross, to its Tyne operation.