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Important Tool News

05 Jan 2022

Seaspan's 70-ship Newbuild Program Fully Financed with $1.4 Billion Deal

© aerial-drone / Adobe Stock

Containership giant Seaspan Corporation announced on Wednesday that it now has financing lined up for its entire 70-vessel newbuild program.With the completion of the latest $1.4 billion deal in December, Seaspan said its financing proceeds are approximately $6.9 billion.Seaspan, a subsidiary of Atlas Corp, said the $1.4 billion will be used to finance ten 15,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel newbuilds, the last of its recent $7.6 billion containership ordering spree, including three ships that have already been delivered.

18 May 2021

Designated Risk Areas: Arbitrary Lines or Useful Tool for Illustrating Risk?

© Wojciech Wrzesień / Adobe Stock

The art of drawing lines on maps is fraught with contention. Sir Mark Sykes and François Georges-Picot are likely unfamiliar to many, but their names and actions live on. Their role in carving up the Ottoman Empire toward the end of the of World War I created artificial borders in the Middle East—determined arbitrarily with a ruler and with no regard to ethnic or sectarian characteristics—highlights the unintended cartographic consequences that can arise when applying rigid models of expression to inherently dynamic areas.Designated areas of maritime risk…

11 May 2021

Alfa Laval to Buy Weather Services Firm StormGeo

Credit: StormGeo

Swedish Alfa Laval has struck a deal to acquire weather intelligence and decision support services provider StormGeo.Alfa Lava, specializing in heat transfer, centrifugal separation, and fluid handling, said the acquisition would accelerate its digital services offering and to add an important tool to the decarbonizing toolbox offering. StormGeo provides weather-centric services to more than 2,200 customers globally in a variety of industries, including shipping, energy, and onshore industries such as healthcare…

29 Apr 2020

Marlink Unveils IT Networks Monitoring Tool

(Photo: Marlink)

Entry-level version of ITLINK management and monitoring software suite simplifies regulatory compliance for vessel and shore teamsMarlink has announced the release of a new stand-alone entry version of its ITLINK software, designed to improve transparency in monitoring and reporting of the status of IT networks onboard ships. The new monitoring tool enables shoreside teams or administrators to view the IT system status and availability, providing visibility on compliance with regulatory and charterer requirements.Starting in 2021…

20 Jan 2020

It’s Time to Upgrade to a Marine Evacuation System

First deployment for USCG approval Cape Henlopen at Cape May Terminal. (Photo: CMLF)

As domestic traffic from coast-to-coast continues to worsen, ferry operators are seeing a steady growth in passenger demand. As passenger demand grows, so does the demand for efficiency and hybrid technology to be incorporated into fleets. But what innovations support a fleet’s number one priority – safety? Will efficiency and the latest green technologies support these critically important vessels in an emergency situation? Is the crew aware of how much time they have to evacuate all passengers?Traditional ferry evacuation systems require passengers to be loaded onto lifeboats on deck…

07 Jan 2020

Norwegian PM Opens Johan Sverdrup Field

Norway's prime minister Erna Solberg has opened the Johan Sverdrup field center, and the Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Sylvi Listhaug, also attended the opening.Since Equinor and the Johan Sverdrup partners Lundin Norway, Petoro, Aker BP and Total started the field on 5 October last year, production has increased to a level well above 300,000 barrels per day.Johan Sverdrup is expected to yield a total production revenue exceeding NOK 1 400 billion and more than NOK 900 billion in revenue to the Norwegian state.Expected recoverable Johan Sverdrup reserves are 2.7 billion barrels of oil equivalent. Two thirds of the oil from Johan Sverdrup are expected to be produced before 2030.The field is setting a new standard for CO2 efficiency.

02 Dec 2019

Van Oord, Hendrik in Lifting Equipment Deal

Dutch maritime contracting company Van Oord is partnering with compatriot company Hendrik Veder Group for the management of heavy lifting equipment for offshore wind turbines.Rotterdam-based company active in steel wire and fibre rope products and services said that under the terms of the two-year agreement, Van Oord will outsource its hoisting and lifting equipment management to the Hendrik Veder Group, with a focus on sustainable lifting.According to Michiel Pieterman, Offshore Wind Operations Manager at Van Oord: "This partnership enables us to use lifting equipment in a sustainable way. The high-quality lifting equipment has a longer lifespan, because it is either reused or converted into new raw materials, while guaranteeing 100 percent compliance at all times.

11 Nov 2019

IMO Launches Compendium

Streamlining the many administrative procedures necessary when ships enter or leave port is an important element of International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s work.And now, an important tool used by software developers to create systems for exchanging the relevant data electronically has been made available by the Organization online and free of charge.The IMO Compendium is a reference manual containing data sets and the structure and relationships between them, that will enable the IMO Member States to fulfill a mandatory obligation (in place since April 2019) for the reporting formalities for ships, cargo and people on board international…

10 Oct 2019

New Online Marine License Insurance Program

Mariners looking for insurance have a new option that is touted as being fast and affordable, cared for immediately in an online format that is designed to be more expedient than ever.360 Coverage Pros launched a new Marine License Insurance Program for mariners that offers an entirely online buying experience combined with low monthly payment options and instant proof of coverage.Until now, the process of securing a marine license insurance policy involved requesting quotes,…

10 May 2019

AIS Data: History & Future

The Automatic Identification System (AIS) was developed with the sole goal of improving maritime safety by allowing ships in proximity to one another to automatically exchange information regarding their name, course, speed, type, cargo, etc. The exchange of this information would allow conning officers on each ship to make better decisions regarding the possibility of close encounters and the need to change course and/or speed. It would also make it easier for one ship to contact the other by radio-telephone to hopefully remove any doubt. To that extent, AIS has largely worked as intended, although collisions continue to occur.It did not take long, though, for governments to get involved.

24 Apr 2019

EMGS Wins Survey Contract

Norwegian geophysical services company Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA (EMGS) is participating in a sole-sourced tender process for a multi-year acquisition contract.EMGS has now received a letter of award for the contract. The multi-year call-off acquisition contract, awarded by one of the world’s largest national oil companies, has a minimum value of approx. USD 29.3 million, and a maximum value of approx. USD 73.3 million, over a two-year period.Based on current acquisition estimates, the marine EM market leader expects that all or a substantial part of the minimum contract value will be recognised in 2019.EMGS expects that final contract execution will take place within approx. three weeks.

19 Sep 2018

Portugal Joins WISTA International

The Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA) has welcome Portugal to the global network of executive women in shipping.The launch of WISTA Portugal was announced today by Ana Paula Vitorino, Portugal’s Minister of the Sea at Portugal Shipping. WISTA Portugal joins 44 other National WISTA Associations (NWAs).“WISTA International has had a strong relationship with Portugal’s women in shipping,” said WISTA International President Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou. “We are proud to formally include Portugal in the WISTA family. Portugal’s significance among maritime countries, especially in Europe, brings new avenues for business to WISTA…

27 Aug 2018

MTU Engines for Fred. Olsen’s New Fast Ferries

Two new high-speed ferries to be run by Spanish ferry operator Fred. Olsen are each to be powered by four MTU 20-cylinder 8000 M71L engines from Rolls-Royce. The ferries will be 117m trimarans, designed by Austal Australia, and are to ply the waters around the Canary Islands from 2020. (Image: Rolls-Royce Power Systems)

Two new high-speed ferries to be run by Spanish ferry operator Fred. Olsen, S.A. are each to be powered by four MTU 20-cylinder 8000 M71L engines and by Kamewa waterjets from Rolls-Royce. The ferries will be 117m trimarans, designed by Austal Australia, and are to ply the waters around the Canary Islands along with the world’s largest aluminum fast ferry in operation, the Benchijigua Express. It is also planned to sign a maintenance agreement for both new ferries for a period of up to 8 years and a maximum of 24,000 hours of operation.

24 Aug 2018

Alcatel Submarine Networks Bags Contract from Equinor

Digital technology developed in Norway will help improve recovery from the Johan Castberg field in the Barents Sea.Equinor has awarded Alcatel Submarine Networks a contract for permanent reservoir monitoring (PRM), which in turn has signed a letter of intent with Nexans Norway AS for delivery of subsea cable.“PRM is a central element of the digital strategy for Johan Castberg and will be an important tool in improving the Johan Castberg recovery rate,” says Johan Castberg project director Knut Gjertsen.The technology is developed in Norway, and the contract is awarded by exercising an option in the framework agreement on PRM that we…

11 May 2018

Kongsberg Norcontrol Pact with Norwegian Coastal Administration

Kongsberg Norcontrol has signed a framework agreement with the Norwegian Coastal Administration for delivery, operations and maintenance of radars to the maritime traffic service. The agreement has a potential total value of up to NOK 250 million and a duration of up to eleven years. This is amongst the largest framework agreements the Norwegian Coastal Administration has entered into with a single supplier. "The Ministry of Transport and Communications has assigned us to expand the service area for our maritime traffic service, and this framework agreement is an important step in achieving this. The agreement gives us access to modern radars with good performance," says Arve Dimmen, Director of Maritime Safety at the Norwegian Coastal Administration.

11 May 2018

New Radar Agreement Strengthens Safe Sailing

Photo courtesy of Kongsberg

Kongsberg Norcontrol has signed a framework agreement with the Norwegian Coastal Administration for delivery, operations and maintenance of radars to the maritime traffic service.The agreement has a potential total value of up to NOK 250 million ($31 million) and a duration of up to eleven years.This is amongst the largest framework agreements the Norwegian Coastal Administration has entered into with a single supplier."The Ministry of Transport and Communications has assigned us to expand the service area for our maritime traffic service…

14 Dec 2017

Donnelly Elected as FFABA Tanker Chairman

Pat Donnelly (Photo: The Baltic Exchange)

Pat Donnelly, of Braemar ACM-GFI, has been elected as Chairman of the Tanker FFA Brokers Association. He replaces Ben Courtney of ICAP Energy who has chaired the group, which represents the worldwide community of tanker Forward Freight Agreement (FFA) brokers, since 2016. Founded in 1997, the FFABA is the worldwide association for Forward Freight Agreement broking firms. Working with the Baltic Exchange, the FFABA organises educational workshops and industry forums in major shipping centres, with the aim of promoting FFAs as an important tool for managing exposure to freight rates.

06 Feb 2017

Mass Flow Metering Now Mandatory in Singapore

In a move which has been hailed as a landmark moment for the bunker industry, the use of mass flow metering (MFM) for heavy fuel oil bunker deliveries in Singapore became mandatory on January 1, 2017. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s (MPA) efforts have been applauded by many in the industry – including World Fuel Services – who see MFM as an important tool for developing more transparency and accountability for the bunker supply chain. So how does MFM work, and why is it so important to the bunkering industry? When a mass of liquid passes through an oscillating tube, the inertia effect of the moving liquid will cause the tube to twist – and the twisting will be in direct proportion to the liquid‘s mass flow.

16 Dec 2016

Southern Exposure: Wilson Sons' Sergio Guedes Talks Towage

The influx of ships and rigs sailing into and out of Brazilian ports since the discovery of large pre-salt plays off Brazil in 2007, and the opening of new ports and shipyards during the past decade has led to a sharp increase in towing operations in Brazil. MR spoke to Sergio Guedes, Director of Operations at Wilson Sons Towage, about the towage and salvage markets in Brazil. Wilson Sons Group is one of the largest integrated operators in port and maritime logistics in Brazil. The company has more than a century of experience and is also present in shipbuilding and offshore support services. Its towage fleet is present in ports all along Brazil’s lengthy coast.

23 Nov 2016

BIMCO Adopts Ship Financing Term Sheet

In a landmark decision, BIMCO cemented its move into the domain of ship financing with the Documentary Committee’s approval of a standard term sheet for use in ship financing transactions on 17 November 2016. The term sheet has been drafted as a short and simple standard for use in bilateral ship financing transactions concerning term loan facilities. It has been prepared in the well-known BIMCO format and is indicative/non-binding, as this is considered to be the market standard. BIMCO President Philippe Louis-Dreyfus said: "I am particularly pleased to see BIMCO taking this important step. BIMCO is the world leader in the production of standard contracts and clauses for the maritime industry.

04 Aug 2016

DNV GL’s Synergi Water with four Core Modules

The new release of DNV GL’s Synergi Water includes four modules that have previously been separately licensed. The addition of these modules – Unidirectional Flushing, Pipe Design, Calibration and Pump Scheduling – supports Synergi Water’s position as a uniquely comprehensive, efficient and data smart water modelling solution. “With this release, Synergi Water is taking yet another step toward helping our users improve and maintain water quality standards,” says Kyle Williams, Product Manager, Software, DNV GL. Today, many water utilities are using various tools from different software vendors, in addition to their own in-house tools. Now all existing and new users of Synergi Water can use one application for many different needs, adding significant value.

15 Sep 2015

SHIPPINGInsight to Focus on Ship Telematics

The directors of SHIPPINGInsight today announced that U.S. Merchant Marine Academy professor Capt. David Moskoff has agreed to be a special guest speaker at the 2015 Fleet Optimization Conference & Exhibition. The annual event takes place Oct. 13-14, at the Marriott Hotel & Spa in Stamford, Conn. A special area of focus for this year’s SHIPPINGInsight event is ship telematics, and Capt. Moskoff, an acclaimed expert on cyber security in the maritime industry, will kick-off a roundtable Oct. Capt. Moskoff is a professor in the Marine Transportation Department - Nautical Sciences at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. A recognized expert in maritime cyber security…

14 Nov 2016

A Definitive Guide to AIS

Image: BigOceanData

The world of AIS can be confusing to newcomers and experienced professionals alike. What is AIS? What data does it gather? How can it help my business? Do I need AIS if I don’t have a business? Class A or Class B transponders? Do I actually need it? There’s a plethora of questions from those looking to get the most out of their tracking tools, or from those looking into entering the maritime industry. The following is a comprehensive guide to AIS that covers a wide range of topics from specific AIS units to getting the most out of the data gathered.