Building Partnerships News

Engineering firm Waterford Energy Services Inc. (WESI) and vessel owner/operator LeeWay Marine are collaborating to bring hydrogen fuel supply to Atlantic Canada for marine applications.The two Canadian companies said early front-end engineering and design (E-FEED) has commenced for a Phase 1 Pilot. The collaboration has identified strategic locations for the provision of shore-based hydrogen fuel supplies. In addition, vessels of opportunity have been surveyed for fuel conversion feasibility.

Capt. Tony Russell (CG Ret.) has been named as the Executive Director for the Center for Arctic Study and Policy (CASP) at the Coast Guard Academy.CASP serves as a Coast Guard-focused academic think tank to promote research, broaden partnerships, and educate future leaders about the complexities of the Arctic region. Through interdisciplinary efforts across the Academy, and in collaboration with U.S. Coast Guard sponsors and external partners, the Center promotes effective solutions…

The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) confirmed the appointment of Marion Leslie as Non-Executive Chair. Leslie will chair the UKHO Board in this independent position after a year as interim Non-Executive Chair and six years as a Non-Executive Director at the UKHO.The Board supports, challenges and validates the UKHO business strategy and oversees the organization's performance. Leslie leads the Board as Chair, acting in the interests of the Ministry of Defense and key stakeholders…

It is often difficult to push through the federal government morass to focus on the issues that actually matter to the inland operator. While 2020 inevitably will be a contentious year in American politics, it is critical to stay focused on the items that will have direct impact on the U.S. maritime industry. From a potential new Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) bill to potential Jones Act challenges, 2020 will be an important year for inland operators to stay politically engaged.Work on WRDAJanuary marked the beginning of Congress’ work in earnest toward introducing a new WRDA bill.

Dennis Wilmsmeyer was appointed Executive Director at America’s Central Port on July 1, 2010, prior to which he served 11 years with the Port District, six as General Manager.With over 30 years of experience, Dennis brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table in the areas of transportation, planning, and economic development. His responsibilities include developing the Port’s 1,200-acre industrial park and business campus, redeveloping a former military logistics center…

AP Moller - Maersk has launched India-focused OceanPro, a 120-day accelerator program to give shipping and logistics startups an opportunity to partner with Maersk to bring innovative technology solutions to ease the global supply chain for customers and further accelerate global digital transformation.“We recognize the immense potential of India’s technology and digital talent and are looking to capitalize on these capabilities to help the logistics industry worldwide, to reinvent itself,” said Søren Skou, CEO, A.P.

Bourbon Corporation CEO Gael Bodénès & his team plot a bold new course for this offshore industry stalwart.Your career with Bourbon has traversed many industry fluctuations. Looking back to when you joined the company, how is Bourbon today most the same, and most different?Bourbon has transformed from a small regional company to a world recognized leader in offshore marine services. It has seen its teams grow from a 3,000 to more than 8,000 employees of 88 nationalities, the fleet has grown to more than 500 units…

Global Environment Facility (GEF) approves new project concept to address major aquatic invasive species vector. A new global project to help protect marine ecosystems from the negative effects of invasive aquatic species has been given the go-ahead for preparation. The GloFouling Partnerships project – a collaboration between the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) – will address the transfer of aquatic species through biofouling, in other words, the build-up of aquatic organisms on a ship’s underwater hull and structures. The project will focus on the implementation of the IMO Guidelines for the control and management of ships’ biofouling…

Opening the Ocean Conference, UN officials stressed the need to protect and conserve the world's oceans for future generations. Opening a “game-changing” international conference on the health of the world’s oceans and seas, top United Nations officials today urged coordinated global action to protect the planet. Speaking in the UN General Assembly Hall, Secretary-General António Guterres cautioned Governments that unless they overcome short-term territorial and resource interests, the state of the oceans will continue to deteriorate. “Improving the health of our oceans is a test for multilateralism, and we cannot afford to fail,” the Secretary-General said addressing his first major UN conference since taking on his post.

The entry into force of the Ballast Water Convention this September will not prevent the transfer of invasive aquatic species (IAS) unless there is mandatory legislation in place to prevent biofouling on ships’ hulls. Indeed, while there is ongoing evaluation of the Biofouling Guidelines set out in MEPC.1/Circ.811, there has been little support from IMO Member States for a new mandatory instrument to reduce the impact of bioufouling. Aside from the guidelines, the issue of biofouling is though not to be on the agenda of the MEPC or any other IMO body. There has been a number of studies comparing the transfer of IAS through ballast with that transferred by hull fouling…

The entry into force of the Ballast Water Convention this September will not prevent the transfer of invasive aquatic species (IAS) unless there is mandatory legislation in place to prevent biofouling on ships’ hulls. Indeed, while there is ongoing evaluation of the Biofouling Guidelines set out in MEPC.1/Circ.811, there has been little support from IMO Member States for a new mandatory instrument to reduce the impact of bioufouling. Aside from the guidelines, the issue of biofouling is though not to be on the agenda of the MEPC or any other IMO body.

Total SA has signed an agreement to supply liquefied natural gas to ENN Energy in China, according to a news release on the French energy company's website. The deal is for 0.5 million metric tons of LNG per year for a period of 10 years and will be delivered from the company's facilities. Total didn't specify which projects if would source the product from but it has offtake from Australia's Ichthys project, geographically close to China. The deliveries will be sourced from Total’s global LNG portfolio, and they are expected to begin in 2018 upon completion of ENN’s Zhoushan LNG receiving terminal. “Building partnerships with new LNG buyers, such as ENN in China, allows us to grow our presence in this key LNG market,” said Laurent Vivier, president of Total’s gas division.

Vice Adm. Nora Tyson relieved Vice Adm. Kenny Floyd as commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet during a change of command and retirement ceremony held on Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) while pierside at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego July 24. During the ceremony, Floyd retired from active duty after 35 years of honorable naval service. He assumed command of U.S. 3rd Fleet in May 2013. Under Floyd's strategic vision, 3rd Fleet expanded its influence and contributions across all maritime lines of operations, theater security cooperation, experimentation, disaster relief, and joint operations. At sea, Floyd served in several F-14 Tomcat fighter aircraft squadrons…

If and when Brazil gets its maritime act together, oh what a shipbuilding market force it could be. The modern Brazilian shipbuilding industry was established in the 1960s, induced by a broad and effective governmental policy. The 1960s and 1970s saw the rise of the merchant marine and shipbuilding industry in Brazil. The creation of the “Merchant Marine Fund” and the “Tax for the Merchant Marine Renewal,” in 1958, together with other specific targets set by the government at that time, made investments available to the shipbuilding industry and for the development of the merchant marine in general. Counting on such incentives, new shipyards such as Ishibras and Verolme were built…

Traveling to both Brisbane and the Australian capital Canberra, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus met with U.S. and Australian government and military officials to reinforce the alliance between the two countries. Mabus' visit represents a continuation of the Department of the Navy's focus on building partnerships designed to help distribute the burden of securing the global maritime domain based on alliances, shared values and mutual trust. "The United States and Australia have an historic and extensive relationship…

The U.S. Coast Guard hosted the 2013 Spill of National Significance Executive Seminar at its headquarters Monday. As a follow up and identified best practice to the 2012 Spill of National Significance (SONS) Executive Seminar, the Coast Guard hosted the 2013 Executive Seminar to explore national level policy issues associated with Arctic spill response and to exercise national-level coordination of Senior Officials during an Arctic SONS. Over 75 senior government officials and advisors representing over 20 federal agencies and departments participated in this year’s SONS capstone event.

The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, spoke of the important role played by ports in the economic well-being of Canadians in a speech to the 55th annual general meeting and conference of the Association of Canadian Port Authorities, hosted by the Nanaimo Port Authority. Speaking to this year's conference theme of "Building partnerships," Minister Raitt said that the marine transportation system creates jobs and supports growth and prosperity for all Canadians while highlighting the importance of trade and collaboration with the United States on initiatives such as the Beyond the Border Action Plan. “Our government is convinced that by working together…

IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu welcomed his counterparts, Raymond Benjamin, Secretary-General, ICAO, and Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary-General, WCO, to IMO Headquarters on Monday, July 8, where the three considered the further enhancement of collaboration between the Organizations in the fields of aviation, border and maritime security and facilitation. ICAO and the IMO perform their roles as specialized agencies of the United Nations, while the WCO is an independent intergovernmental body.

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus has announced the names of the next 3 joint high speed vessels, & 2 littoral combat ships. The next three joint high speed vessels (JHSV) will be named USNS Yuma, USNS Bismarck and USNS Burlington, and two littoral combat ships (LCS) will be named USS Billings and USS Tulsa. "It is my privilege as Secretary of the Navy to name these ships after five great American cities," said Mabus. "Several cities will be represented for the first time in the Navy fleet…

The commitment of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia through boosting capacity building in the region has been underlined with the signing of five strategic partnerships with a number of UN agencies and the EU, following a Conference on Capacity Building to Counter Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, held at IMO Headquarters in London on 15 May 2012. The Conference was attended by some 300 delegates from member States as well as a number of organizations.

HRH The Duke of Rothesay addressed global fisheries leaders on sustainability. The world’s fisheries community gathered in Edinburgh today (Tuesday, 8 May) to discuss the future of sustainable fishing at the 6th World Fisheries Congress. Organised by The World Council of Fisheries Societies, the congress is being held at Edinburgh International Conference Centre and will address “Sustainable Fisheries in a Changing World”. The event draws leading international figures influential in driving debate and shaping global policy on fishing.

Defining priorities, building partnerships, and modernizing capabilities have recently been at the forefront of the Maritime Community’s agenda. The U.S. Coast Guard’s leadership vision for the 21st Century and the Department of Homeland Security’s release of the Implementation Plan for the Small Vessel Security Strategy are two focal points being addressed to enhance the national capacity for maritime homeland Sscurity. In keeping with theses current matters of the maritime community, IDGA’s 9th Annual Maritime Homeland Security Summit will bring together departmental policy makers, uniformed service leaders, law enforcement, and industry partners to exchange and share best practices and opportunities to improve the security of our Nation's maritime borders.

More than 200 delegates representing 100 countries attended the largest The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Adm. Gary Roughead, participated in the 7th Regional Seapower Symposium for the Mediterranean and Black Sea Countries Oct. 15-17 in . The symposium's theme of "Navies Promoting Dialogue & Cooperation in a Comprehensive Perspective," is similar to the maritime strategy with its emphasis on the importance of enhancing cooperation and building partnerships with maritime partners.