European Operations News

Attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea have delayed cargo and sent shipping costs higher, but soft demand and ample ship availability are muting the impact on inflation, analysts from Moody's Investor Service said on Thursday.Ships carrying everything from furniture and apparel to food and fuel are being diverted away from the nearby Suez Canal trade shortcut to the longer and more expensive route around Africa. Rerouting takes vessels and crew out of danger from drone and…

As Europe turns to renewable sources to diversify energy supplies away from Russian oil and gas, a peaceful marine scene conceals a billion-dollar security headache.Rising above the Baltic Sea less than 10 km (6 miles) off the coast of Denmark, 161 wind turbines spin slowly. They supply around 4% of the country's power, sent to shore through two cable connections.The turbines have no barriers or surveillance."Our technicians are only here until five o'clock in the afternoon, then they go home…

A.P. Moller - Maersk's container terminal operating arm APM Terminals announced the expansion of its Maasvlakte II terminal in Rotterdam, increasing the terminal's capacity by approx. 2 million TEU The project involves a site of approximately 47.5 hectares with 1,000 meters of deep-sea quay. The Port of Rotterdam Authority is now constructing the new quay walls, which will be completed by mid-2024. The new section is expected to be operational in the second half of 2026.APM Terminals opened at Maasvlakte II in 2015 as a fully automated facility with zero carbon emissions.

With travel and tourism nearing pre-2020 levels, and transit systems benefiting from a return to work, passenger vessels have seen renewed activity. In its year-end review, John Groundwater, Executive Director of the Passenger Vessel Association (PVA), which advocates for the sector in Washington, D.C. wrote: “As we are nearing the end of the calendar year, we are delighted to report that our industry, and our members, are reporting far and wide that they have experienced very…

Maritime classification society ABS has granted its Approval in Principle for Damen Shipyard's Fast Crew Supplier 2710 crew transfer vessel aimed for deployment in the U.S. offshore wind industry.To achieve approval, Damen has modified the design of its standard FCS 2710 to meet the US requirements. Waterjets are now incorporated, driven by engines that are compliant with US Environmental Protection Agency regulations. According to Damen, the FCS 2710, over 65ft in length, is suited for operating conditions on the US Atlantic coast.

Kasper Karlsen, Senior Director at Maersk Drilling, will join Svitzer Europe as Chief Operating Officer from 1 July 2020, the company has announced today.Karlsen joins Svitzer Europe as COO after nearly 13 years with Maersk Drilling, where he has held a variety of leadership roles spanning the organization’s operational, technical and support functions. He was recently Head of Transformation Office and Customer Solutions at Maersk Drilling. Karlsen holds a Master's Degree from the Technical University of Denmark in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering…

The wreck of one of the U.S. Navy's longest serving battleships has been found 15,400 feet beneath the surface about 65 nautical miles southwest of Pearl Harbor, researchers said Monday.The USS Nevada (BB-36), which served in two world wars over the course of a career that spanned more than three and a half decades, was discovered by underwater and terrestrial archaeology firm SEARCH, Inc. and marine robotics company Ocean Infinity at the bottom of the Pacific.The mission was jointly coordinated between SEARCH's operations center and one of Ocean Infinity's vessels, Pacific Constructor.

High Speed Transfers goes global with BareFLEET, as the firm commits to monitoring and reporting best practice proven across European operations.High Speed Transfers (HST), a Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV) operator supporting the offshore wind energy and oil and gas industries, is adopting BareFLEET, Reygar’s advanced remote monitoring system, across the entirety of its fleet as the business looks to replicate its European successes in the U.S. and Taiwanese markets.Offshore energy is an increasingly global sector…

Cargo container shipping line Hapag-Lloyd has is to split its European operations into northern and southern regions. The company said the move was part of its strategy to remain closely connected with international clients. After the reorganization, Hapag-Lloyd will serve its customers from a total of six regions.The new Region South Europe will be headquartered in Genoa, Italy to reinforce the company’s activities in the Mediterranean region. Juan Pablo Richards, previously manager of the company’s operations in Area Brazil…

Twin Disc, Inc. broke ground recently on its new operations facility in Lufkin, Texas, scheduled to open in January 2020.The new 50,000-square-foot manufacturing facility will focus on producing power take-offs and clutches for heavy duty industrial equipment. The main purpose of the facility is to assemble the company's complete industrial product line and to be a distribution center for all new products coming from European operations to the United States."We've seen tremendous growth in our business across all markets…

CMA CGM will retain the only Containerships brand for its intra-European operations, giving up MacAndrews, which had already erased OPDR."Containerships: from April 1st, 2019 a single brand resulting from the union of two experts of intra-European transport CMA CGM reinforces its strategy aimed at densifying its regional coverage to the benefit of its clients," said a press release from MacAndrews.According to the French container transportation and shipping company, by joining the forces of two recognized experts of intra-European multimodal transport, the CMA CGM Group will create and develop an Intra-European leading brand, combining unique maritime and inland solutions with complementary regional footprints.Acquired by the CMA CGM Group in 2018…

Kotug Smit Towage has taken four newly-built Damen tugs into service for its European harbour towage activities, in 2017 and 2018. One of this quartet, the Southampton is currently operating in the Port of Zeebrugge.The Southampton is an ASD Tug 2913 and has a bollard pull in excess of 80 tonnes. The tug is renowned for its manoeuvrability and environmentally efficient performance. The naming ceremony of the tug Southampton was performed by Lady Sponsor Mrs. Ariane Labargue, the spouse of Mr. Rik Goetinck, Vice President of the Port of Zeebrugge (MBZ).Kotug Smit’s General Manager Scheldt Area, Geert Vandecappelle: “As a token of our appreciation for the many years of cooperation between MBZ and Kotug Smit Towage…

Vryhof, a provider of anchoring and mooring solutions, said it is expanding its global footprint with its companies Deep Sea Mooring (DSM) opening a new office in Aberdeen and Vryhof Anchors appointing Singapore-based Franklin Offshore as its exclusive representative for selling Vryhof solutions in a number of Asia Pacific countries. “In an industry that has seen considerable negativity over the past year, this is a real statement of intent by Vryhof on our ambitions to expand our products and services in new markets and meet increased demand,” said Wolfgang Wandl, CEO of Vryhof.

South Korean container shipper Hanjin Shipping said on Monday that it would close all 10 of its European businesses operations, reports the Wall Street Journal. Hanjin has applied for court approval to close all 10 of its business operations in Europe, including its regional headquarters in Germany, according to a company spokeswoman. The decision to shut down its European business is part of a breakup process for Hanjin, which began earlier this month. A judge had said the court, which is handling Hanjin’s insolvency proceedings, would consider selling the company entirely. The company expects to start the process as early as this week after obtaining approval from the Seoul Central District Court.

Eniram Limited, a  provider of fuel-saving technology and data analytics to the shipping industry, has announced that it is expanding its European operations by opening a new office in Central London. "Our new office is located in the heart of the London shipping community at 4 Lombard Street adjacent to Bank Underground at Bank Interchange, with easy access to many of our present and future customers,” said Captain Jan Wilhelmsson, Vice-President Commercial Shipping, Eniram.

France is an attractive investment location for DP World’s projects related to infrastructure development, port centric development, distribution and export hubs, rail freight, customs, and other logistics topics, said DP World Group Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem. He has recently met the President of France, Francois Hollande and senior government and business leaders at a major investment summit at the Élysée Palace in Paris. Bin Sulayem outlined DP World's contribution to global trade, investment opportunities in France and the potential for further collaboration in the trade, transport and logistics sector. He said: "France is an important partner in DP World's European operations.

DP World Group Chairman and CEO HE Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem recently met the President of France, Francois Hollande and senior government and business leaders at a major investment summit at the Élysée Palace in Paris. France’s attractiveness as an investment location and DP World’s projects in the country were highlights of the discussions which also covered infrastructure development, port centric development, distribution and export hubs, rail freight, customs, and other logistics topics. HE Bin Sulayem outlined DP World’s contribution to global trade, investment opportunities in France and the potential for further collaboration in the trade, transport and logistics sector.

LOC, a leading global marine and engineering consultancy for the shipping and offshore energy industry announces the expansion of its European operations with the opening of its Paris office today (4 August 2015). The office is the first LOC operation based in France and is accessibly located in the Tour de l’Horloge at the Gare de Lyon, one of two main Paris train stations. Established to manage both global and local projects for French clients, the office will be supported by LOC London as it initially focuses on offshore projects and seeks to develop links with the French shipping sector and insurance firms. The office will be led by Hugues Delanoue…

Evergas has reached an agreement with INEOS to expand its new-building series of ethane/multigas vessels from six to eight units. In January 2013, Evergas announced for the first time that it had secured shipping agreements of up to 15 years with INEOS for the worlds’ first transatlantic shipments of ethane with commencement in 2015. The fleet of eight vessels will bring US ethane from shale gas to INEOS’ manufacturing sites in Grangemouth, Scotland and Rafnes, Norway. This advantageously priced feedstock will have a highly positive impact for the company’s European operations that so far have relied on declining and expensive volumes from the North Sea. Furthermore it will support the company’s longevity of being a leading and cost-efficient petrochemical producer.

W&O Europe, a global supplier to the marine and marine offshore markets for pipe, valves and fittings, valve automation and engineered solutions, has entered into a new partnership with original equipment manufacturer Tube-Mac Piping Technologies. The distribution agreement names W&O Europe as the official distributor of Tube-Mac’s PYPLOK product in Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg (also known as Benelux) and Turkey for the marine industries. “The agreement with Tube-Mac is…

W&O, a global supplier to the marine and marine offshore markets for pipe, valves and fittings, valve automation and engineered solutions, announced the expansion of its European operations into Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar through a strategic partnership with Puerto y Bahía, a marine supply company headquartered in Cadiz, Spain. Together, W&O Europe and Puerto y Bahia will be providing customers a number of products, with a focus on DIN and JIS valves. “Establishing operations in Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar through our partnership with Puerto y Bahía is a key component in cultivating a network of distribution points throughout southern Europe,” said Kristof Adam, managing director of W&O’s European operations.

Offshore accommodation and workspace specialists HB Rentals, part of Superior Energy Services has made two key appointments to its business operations as it continues to grow in the eastern hemisphere. Brad Hirst and Mike Christie have been appointed sales and marketing manager and technical manager respectively and will operate out of the company’s new purpose built U.K. facility. Mr. Hirst joins HB Rentals with five years experience in the offshore module business holding various commercial positions with the majority of that time spent working in the Middle East.

Produced Water Absorbents, Inc., (PWA) of Ohio, U.S., expanded its global footprint, choosing Aberdeen to locate its first international entity, PWA Europe Ltd. The environmental oilfield service provider was incorporated in June 2011 and has its global headquarters in Wooster, Ohio, USA. Its European hub will be located in Buchan House, in the Northfield area of Aberdeen. The company provides revolutionary waste water treatment solutions and services to the oil and gas industry. The firm has developed a regenerable absorption media used for the treatment of oil and gas waste water streams.