Tropical Shipping News

Seattle-headquartered Saltchuk Holdings has renewed its bid to take over Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG), a New York-listed marine transportation company based in Tampa, Fla.Privately-held Saltchuk—OSG’s largest shareholder—had previously offered to acquire OSG in June 2021 but suspended those discussions several months later, citing pandemic-related market uncertainties.OSG, which operates U.S.-flag tankers and articulated tug barges (ATB), on Monday confirmed its board of directors…

Seattle-headquartered Saltchuk Holdings informed the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that it has proposed to buy the Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG) shares it doesn't already own for $3 each, lifting shares of the Tampa, Fla.-based marine transportation company on Friday.As of June 29, Saltchuk beneficially owned 15.2 million (17.5%) of OSG's outstanding shares, Saltchuk said in the SEC filing. The unsolicited bid reflects a premium of 43% to OSG's closing price of $2.10 on June 29.

Broward County’s Port Everglades has appointed Ricardo D. Charlton, BSME, FSO, as its new Director of Operations.Port Everglades is a self-supporting enterprise fund of Broward County, Fla., generating more than $170 million in revenues in fiscal year 2019 (October 1, 2018 – September 1, 2019) and is ranked among the nation’s leading container ports and a world leader in the cruise industry.As Director of Operations, Charlton will oversee a workforce of 95 encompassing the Division’s Harbormaster Office…

Testing, inspection and verification services firm Bureau Veritas (BV) said it has taken a number of steps to broaden and deepen its marine and offshore services in North America.The opening of a new remote survey center in Miami is the latest step in the delivery of digital services across the Bureau Veritas network, providing yet further global coverage for remote surveys.Florida-based Tropical Shipping’s fleet has now benefited from remote survey services on three of its vessels sailing in the Caribbean trades.

Tropical Shipping announced it will serve the Port of Paramaribo with once-weekly sailings beginning May 14.The carrier will ship everything from small packages to refrigerated cargo, dry goods, building supplies and vehicles via its new eight-day transit between Florida and Suriname.Southbound service to Suriname will depart the Port of Palm Beach every Thursday and arrive in Paramaribo each Friday of the following week. The northbound 11-day service will depart Suriname on Friday and arrive in the U.S. on a Tuesday.

Thordon Bearings has advised its customers with newbuilds under construction to make sure they have the necessary documentation in place permitting operations in U.S. waters prior to 18th December 2018.The advice follows the October 10 announcement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that the 2013 Vessel General Permit, due to expire in December 2018, will now be administratively continued till at least March 2019, when an updated version, VGP 3.0, will be introduced.“The delay in introducing VGP 3.0 means that operators of existing vessels looking to operate in U.S.

The American Caribbean Maritime Foundation (ACMF) announced it received a contribution of $150,000 from Mr. and Mrs. Roland Malins-Smith. Mr. Malins-Smith, now retired, is founder of SeaFreight Line Ltd. which was acquired by Crowley in 2015.The ACMF funds scholarships and provides grants for classrooms and other facilities at the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU).Malins-Smith, born in Grenada, began his career in 1970 researching shipping and transportation issues for the then Caribbean Free Trade Area (Carifta) Secretariat based in Georgetown Guyana.

The containership segment’s commitment to ocean sustainability has been underscored with another order for Thordon Bearings’ COMPAC water lubricated propeller shaft bearing concept. The decision by Brazil-based cabotage carrier Log-In Logística to select the Thordon solution for a 2700TEU newbuild Log-In Polaris, is indicative of a trend in the sector for mitigating against the risk of oil pollution by adopting the simpler, environmentally-safer water-lubricated propel shaft concept. Extensive in scope, Thordon will supply a complete COMPAC water lubricated propeller shaft system that entails: fwd and aft COMPAC bearings, its proprietary water quality package (WQP)…

Foss Maritime Company said it has contracted with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support the relief and rebuilding efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands following Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria. Three accommodation vessels are being utilized and will serve as floating hotels, providing safe housing and warm meals for responders. With these vessels, Foss will be able to help feed and temporarily house 729 people.

Thordon Bearings’ Jacksonville-based distributor Coppedge Marine has secured an order with Tropical Shipping for the COMPAC seawater lubricated propeller shaft bearing system. The COMPAC systems destined for two 300TEU box ships under construction in China, at the Guangzhou Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard, will represent a first reference for COMPAC with this ship owner. “Tropical Shipping is a long-standing customer to whom we have supplied various Thordon equipment over the years,” said Ed Coppedge, Vice-President, Coppedge Marine.

Representatives from all aspects of the maritime shipping industry met in Cocoa Beach, Fla., May 16-18 for the Caribbean Shipping Associations’ (CSA) Shipping Executives Conference. Attendees include shippers, ship owners, port authorities and terminal operators, and non-vessel owners, such as brokers. A major theme of the conference was the close relationship between Florida ports and the Caribbean markets. “Florida ports have had a long relationship of trade with the Caribbean nations, and are proud to count them as some of our most valuable partners,” said Doug Wheeler, president and CEO of the Florida Ports Council. The CSA conference focused on the emerging market opportunities represented by the opening of Cuba to commerce, as well as the widening of the Panama Canal.

In 2015, the number of Liebherr mobile harbour cranes (LHM) in the Americas continues to rise. Models from across the range have been delivered to various countries. The most sought-after LHM model in Latin America over the past five years, type LHM 600, is still in high demand. In Buenos Aires, Terminal 4 S.A. invested in an LHM 600. This new machine is based on a special design. An elongated tower extension ensures that the position of the tower cabin is higher than 37 metres. Besides better sight into the ship for the crane driver, one striking benefit is a higher fulcrum point which eases the handling of bigger vessels. All advantages come without any influence on safety or operational parameters like lifting capacity and travelling speed.

Scandinavian Shipping & Logistics (SSL) and Kestrel Liner Agencies / Tropical Shipping have agreed to extend their cooperation to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. SSL will add these countries to Sweden, Norway and Finland where it already acts as representative agent for Kestrel and Tropical. Kestrel and Tropical Shipping specialize in services to and from the Americas, with offices throughout both North and Latin America. Kestrel manages the full range of services, including container (both fcl and lcl), breakbulk and ro-ro cargo. Scandinavian Shipping & Logistics, a privately owned company, offers many services including liner agency, port agency, freight forwarding and project logistics.

A subsidiary of Saltchuk Resources, a transportation and petroleum distribution company, has entered into a binding purchase and sale agreement to acquire Tropical Shipping and its related companies. The acquisition includes the premier shipping and logistics company for the Bahamas and Caribbean, Tropical Shipping and all of its related transportation, consolidation and cargo insurance companies. As an international foreign flagged shipping and logistics operation, Tropical and its related companies will become Saltchuk’s sixth line of business.

A subsidiary of Saltchuk Resources, one of the nation’s leading transportation and petroleum distribution companies, has entered into a binding purchase & sale agreement to acquire Tropical Shipping and its related companies. The acquisition includes the premier shipping and logistics company for the Bahamas and Caribbean, Tropical Shipping and all of its related transportation, consolidation and cargo insurance companies. As an international foreign flagged shipping and logistics operation, Tropical and its related companies will become Saltchuk’s sixth line of business. Tropical will continue to operate as a standalone operation. The addition of Tropical Shipping to the Saltchuk family of companies furthers the company’s commitment to the Caribbean market.

Sea Star Line, LLC announced today that Bill Taylor will assume leadership of Sea Star’s United States sales team as Vice President, US Sales. Eduardo Pagan, who held the position of Vice President, Commercial Services will now hold the position of Vice President and General Manager, Puerto Rico and Caribbean. “We are extremely pleased to have Bill on board as he brings 30 years of sales experience in the ocean transportation industry.” said Peter Keller, Sea Star Line President. Prior to joining Sea Star Line, Taylor held sales and leadership positions with international carriers, CAST, Lykes Lines and CP Ships. Taylor most recently was responsible for managing Tropical Shipping’s Eastern Caribbean service. Mr.

Globe Wireless announced that Thomas M. Black has been appointed CFO of the company. Black owned a successful consulting practice, providing financial and strategic guidance to maritime companies. He was a financial partner in Tatum, LLC, and also held multiple positions with Tropical Shipping, including Senior VP of Foreign Operations and CFO. He also served General Manager of Thompson Shipping and Director of Finance for International Shipping Partners. Black holds a Masters degree in Accounting from the University of Illinois and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Miami.

Hyde Marine, Inc., a leading marine environmental equipment supplier has won a contract for a Hyde Guardian ballast water treatment system from the CSC Chongqing Dongfeng Shipbuilding Corporation. The system will be delivered to the shipyard in early 2010 and installed on a 368 TEU Container ship for US owner, Tropical Shipping with ship delivery scheduled for early 2011. The 250 m3/hr Hyde Guardian system was chosen by the shipyard based on its IMO type approval, competitive pricing, compact and modular design, low power demand, and its demonstrated effectiveness and reliability. The system is fully automatic and will be integrated into the ship’s ballast control system.