Harding News

A Canadian-flagged ship on Wednesday brought ashore debris from the Titan submersible that imploded while on a voyage to the century-old wreck of the Titanic earlier this month, killing all five people on board.Video from the Canadian Broadcast Corporation showed what appeared to be the nose of the submersible and other shattered fragments wrapped in white tarp pulled up by a crane off the Horizon Arctic vessel at the St. John's harbor in Newfoundland on Wednesday morning.The debris is expected to shed more light on the cause of the catastrophic implosion that killed everyone on board - OceanGate Expeditions CEO Stockton Rush; British billionaire Hamish Harding…

Canadian safety officials on Friday opened an investigation into the undersea implosion of a tourist submersible that killed all five people aboard while diving to the century-old wreck of the Titanic, raising questions about the unregulated nature of such expeditions.A debris field from the submersible Titan was found at the bottom of the North Atlantic on Thursday by a robotic diving vehicle deployed from a Canadian search vessel, ending an intense five-day international rescue effort.Fragments of Titan…

The five people aboard a missing submersible are thought to be dead, according to the company that owns the vessel, bringing a grim end on Thursday to the massive search for the vessel that was lost during a voyage to the Titanic."These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the world’s oceans," OceanGate Expeditions said in a statement. "Our hearts are with these five souls and every member of their families…

The desperate search for a missing submersible near the wreck of the Titanic entered a critical juncture on Thursday when air was expected to run out for the five people aboard, but officials vowed to continue scouring the remote North Atlantic.A remotely operated vehicle deployed from a Canadian vessel to the ocean floor discovered a "debris field" near the Titanic, the U.S. Coast Guard said on Thursday morning on Twitter, adding that experts were "evaluating the information."Another…

Rescuers searching for a missing submersible near the wreck of the Titanic on Wednesday concentrated their efforts on a remote area of the North Atlantic where a series of undersea noises have been detected, though officials cautioned the sounds may not have originated from the vessel.With estimates suggesting the air supply on board the submersible could run out by Thursday morning, an international coalition of rescue teams has swept a vast expanse of the ocean for signs of the Titan…

Search teams detected underwater sounds while scanning the North Atlantic for a tourist submersible that vanished with five people aboard during a deep-sea voyage to the century-old wreck of the Titanic, the U.S. Coast Guard said early on Wednesday.The detection of the sounds by Canadian aircraft on Tuesday, day three of the search, was reported by the Coast Guard as the clock ticked down to the last 24 hours of the missing craft's presumed oxygen supply.Robotic undersea search operations were diverted to the area where the sounds seemed to originate…

Rescuers were in a race against time to find a missing submersible on Tuesday, two days after it lost communication while taking wealthy tourists to see the wreckage of the Titanic in deep waters off Canada's coast.One pilot and four passengers were on board the submersible that disappeared on Sunday. The operating company said it had the capacity to stay underwater for up to 96 hours - giving those aboard until early on Thursday before air ran out.U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral…

A five-person submersible vessel taking wealthy adventurers on a $250,000 trip to see the wreckage of the 1912 Titanic disaster 12,500 feet (3,800m) undersea is missing in the Atlantic off Canada.Reuters is reporting the following individuals onboard:HAMISH HARDING. The British billionaire and chairman of aviation consultancy Action Aviation is among those missing, according to his stepson. Dubai-based Harding had posted on social media that he was proud to be heading to the Titanic as a "mission specialist"…

A submarine on a tourism expedition to explore the wreckage of the Titanic has gone missing off the coast of southeastern Canada, according to the private company that operates the vessel and the U.S. Coast Guard.OceanGate Expeditions said in a statement on Monday that it was "mobilizing all options" to rescue those on the underwater vessel, which typically has five people on board.British billionaire Hamish Harding is among the passengers, according to a social media post from a relative.The Coast Guard said on Twitter that a boat on the surface…

A grounding incident was avoided thanks to swift action by a team of harbor tugs and pilots aboard a Panamanian registered containership that lost power in Southampton, U.K., according to a local pilots group.At around 11 a.m. on January 26, the 20,000 TEU containership MOL Treasure departed the Port of Southampton bound for Le Harve, amid good, though gusty, weather conditions, with clear visibility and calm seas. But not more than an hour into the passage, the 400-meter-long MOL Treasure developed a significant reduction in engine power.An escort tug was already present…

Norway’s Island Offshore broke free from the enforced conservatism of the E&P sector, adding not just a new ship to its fleet, but one that re-writes the rulebook in capabilities, technology and despite its size and power, environmental credentials.Simply put, Island Offshore’s new deep water installation Vessel ‘Island Victory’ is the most powerful multi-purpose offshore vessel ever built; a point proven during bollard pull tests conducted by its builder VARD last November with a towing power of 477 tonnes recorded…

While facing the same challenging market conditions as offshore vessel owners and service companies worldwide, Norway’s Island Offshore recently broke free from the enforced conservatism of the E&P sector, by adding not just a new ship to its fleet, but one that re-writes the rulebook in capabilities, technology and despite its size and power, environmental credentials.Simply put, Island Offshore’s new deep water installation Vessel ‘Island Victory’ is the most powerful multi-purpose offshore vessel ever built…

Optimarin is growing its staff to effectively handle the growing wave of ballast water management system refit activity.The company, which expects to double its turnover this year, has employed Leiv Kallestad as its new CEO, allowing Tore Andersen, the incumbent, to spend his time enhancing market focus and customer service. In order to handle the expected surge in retrofit installations, expected to peak in 2022-23, Optimarin will now make plans for additional expansion, with growth in the technical and sales departments.Optimarin has now sold 750 of its simple…

Container shipping lines are increasing their share of the seaborne reefer market and are forecast to accelerate their assault over the coming years, according to the latest edition of the Reefer Shipping Market Review and Forecast 2017/18 published by global shipping consultancy Drewry. In 2016, the estimated perishable reefer cargo split was 79% in reefer containerships and 21% in specialised reefers. By 2021 this modal split is forecast to have changed to nearer 85% and 15% in reefer containerships and specialised reefers respectively. One interesting development in 2017 saw specialised reefer operator Seatrade team-up with CMA CGM to provide a 13-vessel reefer container service offering a weekly sailing between Europe and Australasia.

Throwing their hats in the air today marked not only the end of their time at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), but also the start of a new phase in the military careers of 224 officer cadets and midshipmen. The Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, His Excellency, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK, MC, was joined by the Minister for Defence Personnel, the Hon Dan Tehan MP, the Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin, AC, and other distinguished guests and families at the 2016 Graduation Parade. The achievement was extra special for ADFA as it marked the graduation of ADFA’s 30th class. Graduates from ADFA’s first class, who graduated in 1986, were also invited to attend the celebration.

As maritime markets continue to struggle, merger and acquisition activity should heat up. Today, Austria's Palfinger Group announced that it intends to acquire 100% of the shares in Herkules Harding Holding AS and thus, the globally operating Harding Group. The seller is the Norwegian private equity fund Herkules. Harding is a leading suppliers of lifesaving equipment and lifecycle services for maritime installations and ships. Through this acquisition, PALFINGER will add new products and an international service network to its marine business.

The PALFINGER Group has signed today the acquisition of 100 per cent of the shares in Herkules Harding Holding AS and thus, the globally operating Harding Group. The seller is the Norwegian private equity fund Herkules. Harding is one of the leading suppliers of lifesaving equipment and lifecycle services for maritime installations and ships. Through this acquisition, PALFINGER will add new products and an international service network to its marine business. The final closing of this acquisition of Harding by PALFINGER is contingent on the approval of the authorities. Both parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price. Styrk Bekkenes, CEO of Harding, is very enthusiastic about the acquisition. “PALFINGER is a perfect match for Harding.

Styrk Bekkenes, President of Palfinger Marine, has stepped down from his position. “With the strengths that lie within the company, both in terms of personnel and products, Palfinger Marine is very well positioned to be the preferred supplier of cranes, lifesaving equipment and winches for vessels and installations worldwide. I feel that the time is right for me to step down and seek new challenges,” said Bekkenes. Coming from the role of CEO of Harding Safety, Styrk has been the President of Palfinger Marine since January of this year.

The PALFINGER Group closed the acquisition of 100 percent of the shares in Herkules Harding Holding AS, i.e. the globally operating Harding Group, supplier of lifesaving equipment and lifecycle services for maritime installations and ships. The PALFINGER Group’s new member will be reported on as a fully consolidated company starting from the second quarter of 2016. As a consequence of the acquisition – the largest in the history of the PALFINGER Group – PALFINGER expands its marine business by adding new products and a global service network.

Palfinger Marine said its new generation FRSQ 630 fast rescue boat offers optimal working conditions in rough sea conditions – at competitive pricing. In 2016, Harding Safety and Palfinger Marine merged into one company. Now the first product combining the lifesaving systems expertise of former Harding and the boat expertise of Palfinger Marine's professional boats division is introduced to the market: The new generation FRSQ 630 fast rescue boat. “FRSQ 630 features the best of both our worlds.

Despite many adversities for the maritime sector over the last year, seaborne perishable reefer trade increased in 2015 – and is forecast to grow further still in 2016. By 2020, seaborne reefer cargo will reach a staggering 120 million tonnes – increasing by an average of 2.5% per annum, according to the latest edition of the Reefer Shipping Market Review and Forecast 2016/17, published by global shipping consultancy Drewry. While future seaborne cargo growth levels are lower than those of the last decade (3.1%), such increases will have a direct effect on both container lines with reefer capacity and specialised reefer operators. With over 400 containerships with reefer capacity yet to be delivered…

Virtual Marine Technology said it has delivered a second lifeboat simulator system to Prosafe. The simulator was custom built for training lifeboat coxswains onboard the Safe Zephyrus, one of Prosafe’s newest accommodation rigs. The Safe Zephyrus was constructed at Jurong Shipyard Pte Ltd in Singapore. The vessel complies with Norwegian regulations and is capable of operating in the harshest environments and with the highest standards of safety. It can accommodate up to 450 people in single person cabins.

PALFINGER MARINE and Harding Safety recently signed a contract to provide lifesaving equipment and cranes for two fishing vessels being built in Tersan Shipyard. Each vessel will be equipped with two PALFINGER MARINE knuckle boom cranes, one A-frame fast rescue boat davit, and one fast rescue boat. Harding Safety, which was acquired by PALFINGER in June of this year, will be supplying the fast rescue boats. This contract represents the first results of the  Joining Forces strategy. The cranes were sold by Marsis, PALFINGER MARINE’s long-time partner in Turkey: “Tersan Shipyard has been a long-time customer for our cranes and davits.