Fda News

Newly designed pillow blocks and flange blocks from LM76 feature a lubrication fitting and an alignment set screw. The Stainless Steel and self-aligning linear bearings are modified with an alignment flat ground on the bearings' outer shell and drilling a hole through the outer shell. Lubricants can then be pumped directly inside of linear ball bearing races without having to remove the bearing from the shaft. The pillow and flange blocks also have been designed to accommodate…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced that its group company MOL Techno-Trade will exhibit BARI-SHIP 2017 which is held at Imabari, Ehime from May 25th - 27th, 2017 with Satake Corporation. Satake Corporation designed and developed "Viable Organism Analyzer (VOA1000)" which can detect number of viable organisms in the ballast water, based on ballast water discharge standard (D-2) of the Ballast Water Management Convention which will enter into force in Sep 8th, 2017. Satake's test method "Pulse counting FDA" has been approved the guidance on ballast water sampling and analysis for trial use in accordance with the BWM Convention and Guidelines (G2) by IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), 68th session in May 2015.

On 23 December, Alfa Laval received U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) type approval for the third generation of its ballast water treatment system, PureBallast. The approval allows ship owners who deballast in United States waters to make a confident choice of treatment technology. The USCG based its type approval of PureBallast on CMFDA/FDA testing conducted at DHI in Denmark. This testing was performed using the same hardware, power consumption and flow as the already market-leading IMO-certified version of the PureBallast 3 family. Outside the United States, where PureBallast has been type approved using the MPN method, the USCG-certified system will operate in IMO mode and be able to treat water with UV transmittance as low as 42%.

After completion of land-based tests with marine, brackish and fresh water – all using the current ballast water treatment system design – a test report package for PureBallast has now been finalized by the independent lab DNV GL. Consequently, Alfa Laval has filed its type approval application with the US Coast Guard for the PureBallast 3 family. Alfa Laval is headed for US Coast Guard type approval in ballast water treatment. As expected, the company completed all tests of PureBallast during the summer of this year.

The U.S. Coast Guard has denied ballast water treatment systems manufacturer DESMI Ocean Guard’s appeal regarding the USCG’s initial decision to reject the use of the MPN test method in type approval testing of ballast water treatment systems. Even though DESMI is considering all options, a test program for the RayClean system has already been launched in order to demonstrate compliance with the FDA test method accepted by the USCG. On July 13, 2016, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)…

Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) is moving to ensure that its customers’ vessels pass through the new Panama and Suez Canals with the optimum efficiency, speed and safety thanks to a fresh Ships Agency ‘canal transit’ solution. The service, which will be run by dedicated local teams, has already picked up its first contract, securing an agreement with leading very large gas carrier (VLGC) owner and operator Avance Gas for the Panama Canal transit of its neo-panamax ships Passat and Breeze. WSS, the leading global provider of products and services to the shipping industry, has created 24/7 Transit Desks in both Panama and Egypt. These combine local knowledge with global support and service standards…

Alfa Laval remains on track to submit a US Coast Guard (USCG) type approval application for Alfa Laval PureBallast 3.1 in the coming weeks. The company has successfully completed all required land-based tests using the current system design. Alfa Laval is maintaining its ambitious timetable for USCG type approval in ballast water treatment. As anticipated, the company completed the requisite tests of PureBallast in Q2, which were performed using the USCG-approved CMFDA/FDA (staining) method. All testing was conducted at DHI in Denmark using the same hardware, power consumption and flow as the already market-leading IMO-approved version of the system.

Alfa Laval saiys it continues to move swiftly towards the submission of a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) type approval application for Alfa Laval PureBallast 3.1. The company has performed half of the required land-based tests and is set to conclude the remainder of these within Q2. Alfa Laval remains on track to submit its application for USCG type approval after requisite tests of PureBallast are finished in Q2 of 2016. Half of the required land-based procedures have now been completed using the USCG-approved CMFDA/FDA (staining) method.

OceanSaver informs it has finalized all testing required for the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) type approval application of ballast water management systems. OceanSaver concluded testing along the Pacific coast of North America in close cooperation with ship owner CSL, and all tests have met the USCG’s requirements. “We successfully completed shipboard tests as scheduled on May 5. Component testing was finalized shortly afterwards – and all tests have been confirmed to meet all USCG requirements,” said Helle Hundseid, CEO at OceanSaver. “We expect to finalize the formal application within beginning of June, thus being among the very first BWTS vendors to submit an official application to the U.S.

With its latest succession of contracts won, ballast water treatment (BWT) specialist Optimarin reports it has now sold more than 400 of its environmentally friendly UV-based systems. Optimarin said 2016 has been a boom year for a company that installed the first ever commercial BWT system back in 2000. Optimarin Ballast System (OBS) orders have been confirmed with Atlantis Tankers (10 units) and Sinopacific Shipbuilding Group (nine), while the firm also made its first foray into fishing, with a contract for the Fisherman’s Finest vessel America’s Finest.

Ballast water treatment (BWT) specialist Optimarin has landed its first ever contract in the fishing segment. The Norwegian firm will now supply its soon to be USCG approved Optimarin Ballast System (OBS) for the Skipsteknisk-designed America’s Finest. Seattle-based Fisherman’s Finest will own and operate the 80-meter-long stern trawler, which is currently being completed at Washington’s Dakota Creek Industries yard. America’s Finest, a ST-116XL design, has been hailed as Skipsteknisk’s most environmentally friendly vessel to date.

As of January 1, 2016, vessels are no longer able to discharge ballast in U.S. waters unless their BWT systems are compliant with stringent demands from the USCG. Experts believe that now, more than ever, it is imperative that shipowners make the right BWT choice. “There’s so much confusion surrounding the issue of ballast water treatment now,” says Optimarin CEO Tore Andersen, the head of a firm that brought the first ever commercial BWT system to market back in 2000. “The IMO Ballast Water Management (BWM) convention is close to ratification…

Marine paints manufacturer Hempel announced the launch of a new pure epoxy tank coating, Hempadur 15460, to replace its Hempadur 15400 tank coating. Hempadur 15460 is designed specifically as a tank coating for chemical vessels and is based on amine adduct cured epoxy technology, which the manufacturer says delivers resistance to continuous immersion in a range of chemicals, including crude oil up to temperatures of 80ºC/176ºF. The coating uses no toxic products and can be used to coat all liquid cargo tanks. It is also suitable for grey and black water tanks, mud and brine tanks, refrigerated seawater fish tanks and other vessel tanks.

Turner Designs, along with scientists from around the world participated in a research cruise aboard the RV Meteor, a vessel owned by the Federal Republic of Germany through the Ministry of Research and Technology (BMFT) and funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). The goal of this cruise was focused on ballast water sampling techniques and protocols. Various instruments were used to test collected ballast water enabling researchers to determine efficiency for the various sampling techniques employed.

Ballast water treatment (BWT) specialist Optimarin said it has become the first UV system supplier to meet USCG marine water requirements, positioning the Norwegian company for full USCG approval in 2016. In a series of land-based tests, both the standard MPN (regrowth) method and the more exacting FDA/CMFDA, or ‘instant kill’, benchmark were successfully assessed, the company said. Optimarin’s system utilizes UV irradiation and back-flushing filters to wipe out invasive organisms that stow away in ballast.

Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) unveiled an upgraded cargo hold cleaning solution, combining cleaning agents and mobile equipment to help shipowners, operators and crews stay safe and compliant on a global basis. The kit includes everything the crew needs, it is easy to assemble and ready to use, WSS said. The improved design makes it easier to maneuver and operate, resulting in safer operations in accordance with MLC regulations. In addition, the equipment is combined with chemicals, all supported by clear documentation and literature, e-learning and demonstration videos. Jan Fredrik Bjorge, Product Manager at Wilhelmsen Ships Service, said, “With Unitor's standardized hold cleaning solution, owners and operators know exactly what to expect when it comes to costs.

Decade long, and ongoing, research program has developed a clearer understanding of the forces imposed on ship structures. Lloyd’s Register’s updated Containership Rules came into effect in July 2014 and these new rules are supported by Lloyd’s Register ShipRight Procedures covering whipping and springing analysis. Following the ShipRight Procedure will enable the granting of new Lloyd’s Register class notations ShipRight WDA – Whipping design assessment procedure, and ShipRight FDA (SPR) – Springing fatigue design assessment procedure, to enhance the response of ships’ structures that are subject to springing and whipping at sea. While the basic rules that underpin containership structural strength are well established…

Located in the Southwest corner of Iceland beside the Atlantic Ocean is one of Stofnfiskur’s salmon broodstockfarms. This farm located in a place called Vogar was originally established in 1986 produces Salmon Ova which are sold to domestic and International hatcheries for fish farming. The facility houses 25,000m3 tanks in 10 massive sheds used for the breeding of salmon and production of salmon ova. Each tank holds tens of thousands of liters of water delivered constantly by an army of centrifugal pumps.

Dynagas, the liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipping arm of the George Prokopiou shipping enterprises, has taken delivery of Arctic Aurora, the second of two ice-class membrane LNG tankers, during a ceremony at Hyundai Heavy Industry (HHI) Ulsan shipyard, Korea. The first, Yenisei River, was delivered yesterday. The 155,000 cbm (cubic meters) ships are fitted with GTT Mk III containment systems. Propulsion for the ships is provided by a duel fuel diesel generator engine system. Four Wartsila-Hyundai diesel engines in each ship…

Leading coatings manufacturer Hempel announced today the launch of Hempadur Impact 47800, a new dedicated coating for bulk carrier cargo holds. Hempadur Impact offers high-end abrasion, impact and corrosion resistance, and completes Hempel’s range of cargo hold coatings. Hempadur Impact is a new dedicated cargo hold coating for shipowners who want a high-performance cargo hold coating with a very attractive price/performance ratio. The coating protects ship cargo holds from both mechanical damage and the severe abrasion caused when loading hard angular cargoes. With a 7½ year major repair interval, it enables shipowners to extend drydocking periods between major cargo hold coating repairs and so reduce maintenance costs.

Christopher Ryan Joins Customized Brokers as Perishables Logistics Specialist. Customized Brokers, the Miami-based customs brokerage specializing in the clearance of fresh produce into the United States, has named Christopher Ryan as perishables logistics specialist for the Northeast. He is based in Pennsauken, N.J., and reports to Customized Brokers General Manager Nelly Yunta. In this position, Ryan is responsible for business development, customer service, and maintaining relationships with terminals, government agencies and industry associations in the Northeast, including those in Delaware, Pennsylvania and parts of New York. "We are very pleased to have Christopher join us at Customized Brokers," said Yunta.

Lloyd's Register (LR) gives shipowners and operators a new tool to help assess designs and reduce the risk of fatigue damage in the hull structures of their ice-strengthened vessels. The development of new procedures under the notation, ShipRight FDA ICE, comes as changes in the exploitation of natural resources, the climate, world trade and marine infrastructure are increasing marine activity in cold-climate areas. Greater trade through the Arctic is driving demand for larger ice-class vessels, particularly oil tankers and LNG carriers.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final rule amending its current regulations relating to submission to the FDA of prior notice of food, including animal feed, that is imported or offered for import into the United States.  The reporting requirement falls generally on the shipper/importer.  The carrier is only required to submit the report in cases where the food is being transshipped through the United States.  The rule comes into effect on May 6, 2009. (Source: Holland & Knight)