Banda Sea News

More than 10 percent of Wallem’ Ship Managements fleet was presented with Amver (Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System) Awards by Captain Michael H. Sim, United States Coast Guard Liaison Officer to China, in Hong Kong today. Simon Doughty, Wallem Group CEO, received the Awards on behalf of the crew on board each of the vessels recognised for their involvement. “Assistance at sea is the oldest maritime obligations, and I am proud to be associated with the Wallem seafarers who uphold this worthy tradition,” Doughty said.

Measuring 585-ft., the self-propelled RoRo sister vessels Bali Sea and Banda Sea completed shipyard conversion work in January for operation out of Mobile, Ala. by CG Railway. The vessels will be used for CG's new four-day interline rail-ferry service to transport freight in railcars between Mobile and Coatzacoalos, Mexico. Terminal facilities for this operation are in the final stages of completion. Each vessel has the capacity to hold 60 railcars, and each has unique 30-ft. high sidewalls to protect the railcars from sea water. Developed to provide another entry/exit system for the Canadian -Eastern U.S.-Mexico trade that will give railroads predominantly operating east of the Mississippi River direct and fast access to southeast and central Mexico.

International Shipholding Corp. is set to receive a 580-ft. vessel that sails between Mobile and Mexico loaded with 115 rail cars, according to AP. International Shipholding moved its corporate headquarters to Mobile from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. The rail ferry shipments began in May with the Bali Sea. A second ship, the Banda Sea, is set to arrive Monday to expand the service. The rail cars at the terminal are filled with products, such as wood, chemicals and metals, bound for the Port of Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz in Mexico.