Marine Link
Friday, March 29, 2024
SUBSCRIBE

Creative Solutions News

15 Feb 2024

For Ferries to Go Green, Governments Will Need to Provide the Green

© jjfarq / Adobe Stock

Whether it is from international organizations or state government agencies, there is growing pressure on ferry operators to meet stringent goals to reduce the environmental toll from their operations.The California Air Resource Board’s Commercial Harbor Craft Regulation issued the most stringent of these policies, which requires all short-run ferries to achieve zero emission by January 1, 2026. But it’s not just California that wants this industry to clean up its act. The United…

02 Nov 2023

NYC Exploring Ways to Move More Freight Via Waterways

© batman6794 / Adobe Stock

New York City is looking at ways to help shift freight transportation off of its busy roads and onto the waterways.The city's Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) and Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) on Wednesday jointly released a Request for Information and Expressions of Interest (RFEI) seeking private sector feedback to help it gauge industry challenges and opportunities, and explore ways to implement and support businesses to engage in waterfront freight operations.The initiative is part of NYC's "Blue Highways" program, launched under the city's previous mayor, Bill de Blasio.

26 Jul 2022

Cashman Equipment Corp Awarded ISO 9001:2015 Certification

(Photo: Cashman Equipment Corp.)

Cashman Equipment Corp. (CEC), global provider of ocean deck barges and marine equipment, has been awarded ISO Certification for its systems and processes under ISO 9001:2015. CEC’s ISO 9001:2015 certificate (#US017132) was issued by Bureau Veritas Certification (BV).ISO 9001:2015 is a globally recognized quality management standard developed and published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). This standard is based on several quality management principles including a strong customer focus…

31 Jan 2022

New Intermodal Facility Coming to Port of Mobile

© zhu difeng / Adobe Stock

The Alabama Port Authority board of directors recently approved a $2.042 million purchase of 272 acres in Montgomery, Ala., to construct an inland container intermodal transfer (ICTF) facility. The project will extend intermodal rail service from the Port Authority’s container intermodal terminal at the Port of Mobile in support of Alabama regional growth in manufacturing, retail, distribution, and agribusiness sectors.“This project will provide our shippers cost-competitive transportation services to and from one of the nation’s fastest growth containerized cargo gateways,” said John C.

23 Mar 2021

Seafarer Vaccination Conundrum a 'Legal Minefield', ICS Says

© tirachard / Adobe Stock

Seafarers' lack of access to vaccinations is placing shipping in a "legal minefield", while leaving global supply chains vulnerable, warns the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS).The organization is planning to circulate a legal document to the global shipping community later this week highlighting its concerns following reports that some states may require crews to be vaccinated in order to enter their portsComplicating matters even further, it's expected developing nations will not achieve mass immunization until 2024…

23 Oct 2020

NYK Acquires Gazocean

On October 22, NYK signed a sales and purchase agreement with France's Total acquiring all of the company’s shares in the ship management company, Gazocean. Based in Marseille, France, and responsible for the management of six LNG carriers, Gazocean is now a wholly owned subsidiary of NYK. The move is designed to strengthen NYK’s ship-management system and expand the company’s LNG transportation business in France. Before the purchase, NYK held 20% of Gazocean shares and Total held 80%.In accordance with its medium-term management plan “Staying Ahead 2022 with Digitalization and Green,” the NYK Group is seeking to secure stable freight rates through long-term contracts…

23 Apr 2020

Report Examines Maritime Digitalization in Japan

Image: Imarsat

A new study, ‘A quiet revolution - the maritime innovation ecosystem in Japan’, explores the commitments to Internet of Things (IoT)-based ship and crew management already made by corporate Japan, then goes on to offer unique insights into the country’s emerging start-up culture.The report, sponsored by Inmarsat is the first in a series of in-depth profiles into maritime technology and start-ups in specific countries. It builds on ‘Trade 2.0: How start-ups are driving the next generation of maritime trade’…

13 Apr 2020

Safeguarding the Maritime Transportation System During the COVID-19 Pandemic

(U.S. Coast Guard photo by Sherri Eng)

The marine transportation system (MTS) is critical to both our national security and economic prosperity. The U.S. Coast Guard has an enduring responsibility to safeguard the MTS and enable the uninterrupted flow of maritime commerce. While Coast Guard Prevention missions normally address the systemic risks to the MTS through a variety of regulatory and compliance activities on a day-to-day basis, the COVID-19 response demands a flexible approach to prevent an undue backlog from causing MTS delays today and in the near term.

04 Sep 2019

NYK Celebrates O3 Challenge

The “Ocean of Opportunities Challenge”  (O3 Challenge), a worldwide contest aimed at creating new value through open innovation in the maritime industry, has been successfully celebrated by NYK Group.This was the second consecutive year for the challenge, which is planned and conducted by NYK Group companies Symphony Creative Solutions Pte. Ltd. (SCS) and Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd. (ONE), together with NUS Enterprise.The contest began in February with ONE issuing six challenges related to its work processes. Over 50 startups from 14 countries subsequently submitted solution proposals, and the top-three were selected on June 27 at Innovfest Unbound…

30 Nov 2018

WinGD Elected Joins LNG Marine Fuel Institute

Switzerland-based low-speed gas and diesel marine engines marine manufacturer Winterthur Gas & Diesel (WinGD) has become a member of the LNG Marine Fuel Institute.WinGD, the company involved in the design and development of the two-stroke X-DF LNG engines,  is highly invested in the advancement of the shipping industry through LNG as fuel.More than 150 engines of the new WinGD X-DF type are ordered, under construction or in operations, said a press release from the company.WinGD’s engine design history dates back to the late 1800s when they were founded as the Sulzer Diesel Engine business. Their recent success in the LNG market is evidence of their commitment to looking ahead to the future.

21 Nov 2018

NYK Testing Cashless Ships

Japan's Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) is currently considering the establishment of a new network that will enable onboard financial settlements through the remittance of electronic money (e-money).The the shipping and logistics company said it is as a part of the NYK Group’s medium-term management plan “Staying Ahead 2022 with Digitalization and Green”.Onboard tests have been conducted to examine the potential to reduce administrative work and the risk of cash loss, and thus foster an employee-friendly workplace where crews can work comfortably and concentrate on ship operations.Today, onboard payments are made in cash. Crew members are given a part of their salaries in cash, and daily goods are paid for in cash.

19 Sep 2018

Kwispaa LNG Signs FEED Contract of Two At-Shore LNG Hulls

Representatives from Steelhead LNG, Huu-ay-aht First Nations, Hyundai Heavy Industries and the B.C. Provincial government at Gastech 2018 in Barcelona, Spain.  (Photo: Steelhead LNG)

The Kwispaa LNG Project achieved a significant milestone in its development this week as Kwispaa LNG signed a contract with Hyundai Heavy Industries for the Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) of two At-Shore LNG hulls.This follows the recent Invitation to Tender to shortlisted EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) contractors for the FEED work on the At-Shore LNG topsides, marine facilities, pre-treatment, and balance of onshore plant facilities. EPC contractor tenderers include Black & Veatch / Samsung Heavy Industries / PCL Industrial Management Inc.…

24 Jul 2018

NYK Group Celebrates Successful O3 Challenge

Symphony Creative Solutions (SCS) an NYK Group company, held a thank you party with Ocean Network Express (ONE) at ONE’s head office to celebrate a successful Ocean of Opportunities Challenge (O3 Challenge), a contest for startups that was conducted from April to June 2018.Partners including NUS Enterprise and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) were in attendance, and the solutions of the three O3 Challenge winners were introduced.The O3 Challenge, a worldwide contest aimed at creating new value through open innovation in the maritime industry, was planned and conducted by SCS and ONE, and jointly organized with NUS Enterprise, from April 2018.

22 Jun 2018

DFDS Is Recruiting IT Developers

(Photo: DFDS)

Danish shipping and logistics firm DFDS says it is working on a campaign to attract more IT developers.“We employ 250 people in our IT department and have many digital experts, but the world may still anticipate that shipping companies are only for shipping experts and seafarers,” said Henrik Holck, the company’s EVP, People and Ships.“We need all categories of competencies and our future success very much depends on our ability to create digital and IT solutions. Creative solutions make life easier for our customers and enable us to move people and goods ever more efficiently…

23 Jun 2017

Transas CEO Coles Speaks on the Future for Seafarers

Frank Coles, CEO, Transas  (Photo: Transas)

A message from Frank Coles, CEO of Transas on the International Day of the Seafarer. On this day of recognition, I would like to celebrate the women and men who commit their careers and their lives to being at sea for extended periods of time. The future facing the maritime industry today is a very different one from when I first went to sea in 1977. Back then the sextant was King. Today the people working at sea are aided by countless new technologies and digital innovations which have had a huge impact, improving both operations and safety.

07 Jun 2017

Singapore Inspires Start-ups in Maritime Sector

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has launched the first Smart Port Challenge 2017 (SPC 2017) welcoming close to 190 registered participants from the technology, start-up and the venture capital (VC) community as part of MPA’s wider effort to develop innovation. The event was officiated by Dr Lam Pin Min, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Health. Building upon the last two Smart Port Hackathons driven by MPA in 2014 and 2015, SPC 2017 was conceived to encourage further collaboration between organisations and start-ups to push digital transformation in the maritime industry. The six-month…

21 Dec 2016

NYK Holds 10th Environmental Management Conference

On November 30 at NYK’s 10th annual Environmental Management Conference in Tokyo, Asahi Unyu Kaisha Ltd. (head office: Aichi; president and CEO: Toshiya Kozawa) and the GENEQ Corporation (head office: Fukuoka; president: Keiji Ushiyama) were selected from among 33 domestic NYK Group companies for recognition of environmental activities that resulted in the improvement of company value. NYK holds this conference once a year with NYK Group companies to share information on environmental practices and strengthen environmental management. The two recognized group companies were highly commended for their rooted activities within their communities and creative solutions. Details are provided below.

02 Aug 2016

NYK Hosts Fleet Safety Promotion Conference

Over three times in July, NYK hosted safety promotion conferences for shipowners and ship-management companies at the NYK head office in Tokyo and at Imabari city in Ehime prefecture. These conferences are held every year in two months from July, as part of the “Remember Naka-no- Se” safety campaign, which draws on the lessons learnt by the Diamond Grace oil spill in July 1997 to encourage all NYK Group employees to bear in mind the importance of safe operations. This year, a total of 177 participants from 82 companies gathered at the conferences. Under the slogan "Brush Up on Safety Awareness,” participants reconsidered how to improve safety by enhancing crew member awareness of onboard dangers, and exchanged ideas to prevent the recurrence of accidents and troubles.

29 Sep 2016

NYK Buys Stake in EMAS Chiyoda Subsea

NYK has acquired a 25 percent share of EMAS Chiyoda Subsea Limited (ECS), based on an agreement signed on June 10 with Ezra Holdings Limited (Ezra) and the Chiyoda Corporation (Chiyoda). ECS is a global player in the engineering, procurement, construction, and installation (EPCI) of subsea facilities — essential components in offshore oil and gas field development. After this acquisition, ECS’s shareholding structure will shift to Ezra 40 percent, Chiyoda 35 percent, and NYK 25 percent. Based on its medium-term management plan emphasizing differentiation through the use of creative solutions, NYK has been expanding its business in offshore oil and gas exploration/development, such as seismic, drilling, production, and shuttle transportation services.

03 Oct 2016

NYK Steams Ahead

(Photo: NYK)

Tokyo-based Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) Group is not only one of the world’s largest ship owners with a diverse fleet of more than 800 ships, it is a growing global maritime logistics powerhouse. Maritime Reporter & Engineering News visited with Yasuo Tanaka, Senior Managing Corporate Officer, Naval Architect, in Tokyo for his insights on the company’s continued efforts to invest in operational efficiency. The story of NYK cannot start without a look at the numbers, because the numbers tell the story in a most impressive fashion.

12 Oct 2016

NYK Jointly Develops Innovative Anti-rust Agent

NYK and Agua Japan Co. Ltd. have jointly developed an innovative anti-rust agent to prevent iron and steel rust on vessels. The new agent, Marine Guard 100 (MG 100), has rust conversion properties, and paint containing the agent can be applied to metal surfaces. The anti-rust efficacy of MG 100 was verified during two and half years of testing on the deck, ballast tank,* piping, and other metal surfaces of an oceangoing coal carrier. The coal carrier used for the test is owned by NYK and its ship manager is Hachiuma Steamship Co. Ltd. Conventionally, when crew members engage in paint maintenance on board, rust removal and cleaning is first required before anti-rust paint can be applied.

24 Oct 2016

NYK Conduct Annual Safety Campaign

n August 24, NYK president Tadaaki Naito, NYK executive officers, and a group of six vessel captains and chief engineers held a meeting at NYK headquarters in Tokyo to openly exchange opinions about the safe operation of vessels that NYK is managing and operating. This meeting is part of NYK’s two-month Remember Naka-no-Se safety campaign,* which is implemented annually from July 1 of each year. The meeting is chaired by President Naito, who oversees NYK’s Safety and Environmental Management Committee,** so that top management can exchange direct opinions with captains and chief engineers to develop further practical measures with respect to safe operation of our vessels.

05 Nov 2016

Long Beach Port Leads Way to Clear Backlog of Containers Due to Hanjin Bankruptcy

The Port of Long Beach is helping to clear a significant backlog of empty cargo containers from Southern California and free up the chassis they sit on, as part of an agreement with terminal operator Total Terminals International (TTI) to bring in a container ship to remove up to 4,300 empty containers. The bankruptcy of Hanjin Shipping declared on Aug. 31 resulted in a significant buildup of empty containers across Southern California, tying up the chassis they rest on. “The Port of Long Beach recognized the urgency to alleviate the shortage created by the estimated 6,000 Hanjin-leased containers sitting on chassis which are needed throughout Southern California to move goods in and out of the region,” said Lori Ann Guzmán, President of the Board of Harbor Commissioners.