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Coastal Transportation News

12 Jul 2023

Mitsubishi Launches, Christens LNG Bunkering Vessel

Christening and Launch Ceremony of KEYS Azalea.  Image courtesy Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group company based in Yokohama, today held a christening and launch ceremony for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessel, the first to operate in western Japan, built under contract for KEYS Bunkering West Japan Co., Ltd. The ceremony was conducted at the Enoura Plant at MHI's Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The new vessel, christened KEYS Azalea, is scheduled for handover…

24 Nov 2022

Sail Freight: Fair Winds or Grassroot Sustainability?

(Photo: Hudson River Maritime Museum)

Climate change advocates and seafarers recently gathered for a small conference at the Hudson Valley Maritime Museum in Kingston, N.Y., to discuss the shipping industry’s struggle to achieve sustainability and environmental compliance.The setting, the hamlet of Rondout, N.Y. (within Kingston), holds significance as it was, ironically, a Hudson River port once considered the largest coal port in the world (yes, the world). In 1828, the opening of the Delaware and Hudson Canal enabled coal to be delivered from Pennsylvania to New York City.

31 Oct 2022

The Case for an Inland River Transportation Caucus Within US Congress

© doganmesut / Adobe Stock

An Inland River Transportation Caucus could help inland river transportation interests that are often misunderstood and greatly undervalued.For anyone doing business on the inland river transportation system, the goal is to keep the rivers open for business, the barges moving and the landside facilities efficient in order to keep America’s supply chain strong.To accomplish this, it takes the federal agencies that are charged with operating and maintaining inland rivers to have the support of congress, the funding congress allocates and legislation passed by congress.

16 Aug 2022

Robert Allan Ltd Designs ATB Convoys for Aliança Navegação e Logística

Canadian naval architecture and marine engineering firm Robert Allan Ltd. said it has been awarded a contract by Rio Maguari Shipyard (Estaleiro Rio Maguari – ERM), located in Belém, Brazil, to develop the design package for an innovative Articulated Tug and Barge (ATB) for shipping containers along the coast of Brazil. These two ATB convoys will be owned and operated by Aliança Navegação e Logística (ANL), a major logistics services provider in Latin America, and part of the Maersk Group.Robert Allan Ltd.’s engineering team…

17 Nov 2019

Essar Completes Ferry Terminal at Hazira

India's Essar Bulk Terminal Ltd (EBTL) said it has completed work on the Passenger Ferry Terminal that has paved the way for a cruise-based passenger ferry service, commencing 15 November 2019, between Hazira Port in Surat and Bandra-Worli Sea Link in Mumbai.The Essar Ports company said in a press note that Hazira-based terminal will also lead to ferry services being offered on other routes in the future, revolutionizing coastal transportation in India.Phase I of the terminal project will focus on the movement of passengers between Hazira in Surat to India’s financial capital, Mumbai.While the service is a significant addition to air-…

20 Oct 2016

Robert Alan Designed ATB Tugs for ITB Marine

The ITB Marine Group Ltd. (ITB) is currently well into construction of the first of two, twin Z-drive, ATB pusher tugs for service on the West Coast of North America. The tugs are being built at their Annacis Island Shipyard near Vancouver. The tugs will be connected by an articulating pin system to the existing double-hulled oil barges ITB Reliant and ITB Resolution which will receive retrofitted pin ladders and stern extensions for connecting to the new tugs. ITB had a well-defined statement of requirements for the tugs and a relatively clear vision of the desired layout. Accordingly, the general arrangement for the tug was developed in close collaboration with ITB Marine Group’s Chairman of the Board Captain Bob Shields.

27 Sep 2016

Cochin Port Begins Coastal Shipping of Cars

Cochin Port, one of the top 12 major ports in the country, has begun coastal transportation of cars, with carrier ship M V Dresden carrying 500 vehicles reached with first consignment. The first call of a Car Carrier ship, M. V. Dresden wad scheduled at Cochin Port  yesterday evening (September 26, 2016). The ship is a foreign carrier of Cyprus registration, which has obtained license for coastal run between the ports in India, and is of 177 m length and 7 m draft. The Car Carrier has the circuit of Ennore-Cochin-Kandla-Cochin-Ennore, connecting the automobile production hubs in Tamil Nadu in the East coast and Gujarat and Haryana in the West of India. The ship has 13 decks with the capacity to carry 4,300 cars. The Car Carrier will be landing 500 carsat Cochin.

26 Feb 2016

The New Standard in Transportation and Propulsion

Cargo vessel Coastal Standard (Photo: Coastal Transportation)

The latest addition to the Coastal Transportation fleet, MV Coastal Standard, was built at Dakota Creek Industries Shipyard in Anacortes, Wash. with a design developed to maximize cargo carrying capacity while minimizing construction and operating costs, according to the shipbuilder. With help from its SCHOTTEL propulsion system, the vessel also scores high marks in safety, maneuverability and operability. The vessel’s owner, Seattle-based Coastal Transportation, owns and operates a fleet of cargo vessels sailing from Seattle to ports throughout Western Alaska and the Aleutian Islands…

16 Feb 2016

APM Terminals Pipavav Receives First Domestic Ro/Ro Service Call

APM Terminals Pipavav welcomed the IDM Symex, which arrived with a cargo of 800 Hyundai cars loaded at the Port of Chennai on February 5th, in a pioneering use of economical and environmentally-friendly coastal transportation of Indian-manufactured automobiles. APM Terminals Pipavav, part of the APM Terminals Global Terminal Network, commenced export Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro/Ro) services in August 2015, after NYK Auto Logistics India (NALI) invested in a state of the art stock yard and PDI [pre delivery inspection] facilities. The new cars destined for Western India dealerships originated at Hyundai Motor India Limited’s (HMIL) automotive manufacturing facility near Chennai, in Tamil Nadu State.

31 Dec 2015

India: New Opportunities Unveiled in Shipping Sector

The Ministry of Shipping has taken many proactive and progressive interventions in the areas of shipbuilding, port development, inland waterways and coastal shipping this year for the development of the maritime sector in the country. The key initiatives includes  Sagarmala Project, Special Purpose Vehicle to provide efficient last mile rail connectivity to Major Ports, Incentive for Shipbuilding and ship-repair Industry,  Jal Marg Vikas Project, Customs and Excise Duty Exempted on the Use of Bunker Fuels for coastal transportation of EXIM and empty container and for domestic containers transported alongwith EXIM and empty containers, Cabotage Relaxed for Special Vessels and Developing 78 lighthouses as tourism centers.

11 Jun 2015

China to be the Top Shipping Nation by 2030

China’s total international shipping volume will reach 6.2bn tons, which will account for 17% of the world’s shipping volume, says 2030 China Shipping Development Outlook report published by the Shanghai International Shipping Institute. Container throughput in China will reach 505 million 20-foot-equivalent units by 2030, three super container hub ports will be formed in Shanghai, Qingdao and Hong Kong, and Chinese firms will become global container terminal operators. In 2030, China’s coastal shipping volume is projected to reach well over 3.3 billion tonnes, and its coastal container shipping volume around 116 million TEU, taking up nearly half of China’s total coastal transportation. China’s ship financing will also account for 30 percent of the world’s volume.

17 Apr 2015

Vigor’s Tacoma Yard Delivers Breasting Barges to Foss

Photo courtesy of Vigor Industrial

Fabrication teams at Vigor Industrial’s Tacoma, Wash. shipyard have delivered three 60’ x 24’ x 15.5’ breasting barges to Foss Maritime. The barge system will be used to moor Shell’s drill rigs at Terminal 5 in Seattle, Wash. where the company is scheduled to ready its fleet for Arctic drilling this summer. The project was completed in less than two months and created 60 family wage jobs for the Tacoma yard and its subcontractors. “We are so pleased that our Tacoma shipyard is now building new vessels,” said Bryan Nichols, Vigor Fab sales manager.

29 Jan 2015

Kirby Reports Record Earnings

Kirby CEO Joe Pyne (Photo: Greg Trauthwein)

Kirby Corporation announced record net earnings of $68.1 million, or $1.19 per share, for the fourth quarter 2014 (ended December 31). The results bested 2013’s fourth quarter figures of $64.3 million, $1.13 per share. Consolidated revenues for the 2014 Q4 increased 18% to $668.3 million compared with $568.4 million for Q4 2013. Kirby also reported record net earnings for the 2014 year of $282 million, $4.93 per share, compared with $253.1 million, $4.44 per share, for 2013 which included a $0.20 per share benefit due to the reduction of the United earnout liability.

30 Oct 2014

Kirby Corp. Announces Record 3Q Results

Kirby CEO Joe Pyne (Photo: Greg Trauthwein)

Record 2014 third quarter earnings per share of $1.34 compared with $1.21 in the 2013 third quarter, which included a $0.08 benefit due to the reduction of the United earnout liability. Kirby Corporation announced record net earnings attributable to Kirby for the third quarter ended September 30, 2014 of $76.7 million, or $1.34 per share, compared with $69.1 million, or $1.21 per share, for the 2013 third quarter, which included a $0.08 per share benefit due to the reduction of the United earnout liability.

26 Mar 2014

Epic Gas Secures Tankship Fleet Expansion Credit

Image courtesy of Epic Gas

CITIC Maritime Finance says it has provided a $46.4 million senior secured credit facility to Epic Gas Ltd. headquartered in Singapore, which operates a fleet of  40 LPG and petrochemicals tankships. CITIC add that the facility was used to partially finance the acquisition of a fleet of five LPG tankers that includes three newbuildings and two modern gas carriers acquired in the secondary market. Financing from CIT was provided by CIT Bank, the U.S. commercial bank subsidiary of CIT. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

31 Jan 2013

Kirby Announces 4Q & 2012 Year Financials

Kirby Corporation today announced net earnings attributable to Kirby for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2012 of $57.9 million, or $1.03 per share, compared with $56.2 million, or $1.00 per share, for the 2011 fourth quarter. Revenues for the 2012 fourth quarter were $512.6 million compared with $550.1 million for the 2011 fourth quarter. Joe Pyne, Kirby's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Our fourth quarter results benefited from higher demand and favorable pricing in our coastal marine transportation markets, as well as a contribution from our two fourth quarter coastal acquisitions. We were also able to manage through the Mississippi River System's low water issues and Hurricane Sandy with only an estimated $.02 to $.03 per share negative impact.

21 Dec 2012

Changes to Kirby Corp. Board

C. Berdon Lawrence retires from Board after 13 years of service, William M. Waterman, former President of Penn Maritime, elected to Board. Kirby Corporation, based in Houston, Texas, is the nation's largest domestic tank barge operator, transporting bulk liquid products throughout the Mississippi River System, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, coastwise along all three United States coasts and in Alaska and Hawaii. Mr. Lawrence is retiring to devote more time to family and other business interests, having served as Chairman of the Board of Kirby from October 1999 to April 2010 and has served as Chairman Emeritus of the Kirby Board since April 2010. Mr. Lawrence was the founder and former President of Hollywood Marine, Inc. an inland tank barge company acquired by Kirby in October 1999.

28 Nov 2012

Kirby to Acquire Barge & Tankship Operator Penn Maritime

Kirby Corporation (Kirby) has signed an agreement to acquire Penn Maritime Inc. (Penn) and Maritime Investments LLC. Penn Maritime is an operator of tank barges and tugboats participating in the coastal transportation of primarily black oil products in the United States. The total value of the transaction is approximately $295 million (before post-closing adjustments and transaction fees) and will consist of cash, Kirby common stock and the retirement of Penn's debt. Penn operates a fleet of 18 heated, double-hulled tank barges, with a capacity of 1.9 million barrels, and 16 tugboats along the East Coast and Gulf Coast of the United States.

05 Nov 2012

US Ocean & Coastal Shipping Market Report

A decline in demand for freight transportation leads IBISWorld to update its market report on US Ocean & Coastal Transportation. The transportation sector provides deep-sea, coastal, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway water transportation. The deep-sea shipping activity includes US flagged vessels and non-US flagged vessels. Marine transportation establishments using the facilities of the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority Commission are considered to use the Great Lakes water transportation system. This industry also includes deep-sea passenger transportation such as cruise ships. The updated report indicates that an overall decline in demand for freight transportation caused nearly all operators to struggle during the recession.

04 Sep 2012

Kirby Corp. to Acquire Allied Transportation

Kirby Corporation agrees to purchase assets of Allied Transportation Company, a subsidiary of Allied Marine Industries, & two affiliated companies. Kirby Corporation, based in Houston, Texas, is the nation's largest domestic tank barge operator, transporting bulk liquid products throughout the Mississippi River System, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, coastwise along all three United States coasts and in Alaska and Hawaii. Allied is an operator of offshore barges and tugboats participating in the coastal transportation of petrochemicals, as well as dry sugar products, in the Northeast, Atlantic and Gulf Coast regions of the United States. Customers include major petrochemical companies, most of which are current Kirby customers for inland tank barge services.

26 Jul 2012

U.S. Based Kirby Corp. Announce Q12 2012 Results

Kirby Corp. reports continued overall inland tank barge utilization & improved rates as US petrochemical production remained strong. Joe Pyne, Kirby's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Our second quarter earnings of $.85 per share came in at the high end of our revised $.80 to $.85 per share guidance range. During the second quarter, we experienced overall continued strong inland tank barge utilization and improved rates as United States petrochemical production remained strong. Our coastal transportation results were hindered by higher than anticipated maintenance related costs and further deterioration in the Northeast market.

08 Mar 2011

BOEMRE Awards $1.3M in Grants for Louisiana

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) has awarded four Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) grants totaling $1,309,365.91 to Louisiana coastal communities for projects that prevent coastal erosion, develop conservation education opportunities and improve coastal transportation infrastructure. Created by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, CIAP provides funding to the six Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and gas producing states to conserve and protect the coastal environment. CIAP is an ongoing program with grant funding that is allocated based on the offshore energy revenues collected by the United States. “CIAP is a valuable program that continues to provide assistance to states and coastal communities,” said BOEMRE Director Michael R. Bromwich.

02 May 2006

ACL Announces $30m Barge Order

American Commercial Lines Inc. announced it has secured a $30 million multi-year contract with Statia Terminals New Jersey, Inc., a division of Valero, LP to build ABS certified ocean tank barges. Construction at Jeffboat LLC, a division of ACL, will start in the fourth quarter of 2006 for deliveries in 2007 and 2008. Commenting on the order, Jerry Linzey, SVP Manufacturing stated, "The addition of Valero, the largest refiner in North America, as a customer is a significant accomplishment. We continue to diversify our business with the increased presence in the coastal transportation equipment market which not only broadens our product offering but also begins to insulate the shipyard from the cyclicality of the inland barge construction market.