John Gray News

An oil tanker missing for a week off the coast of West Africa was attacked by pirates who stole its cargo, the company that managed the ship said on Thursday after speaking with its captain. The Liberia-flagged MT Fair Artemis had last made contact with its manager, Fairdeal Group SA, on June 4 when it was off the coast of Ghana. "The ship was boarded by a number of pirates who have stolen the cargo and other items on the vessel," Fairdeal fleet director John Gray said in a statement, adding that all on board were safe. The statement gave no further details. Pirate attacks jumped by a third off the coast of West Africa last year, pushing up insurance costs for shipping firms operating in a key commodities export hub.

A Liberia-flagged oil tanker has gone missing off the coast of Ghana and a senior port official told Reuters on Saturday the captain sent a distress call to say the vessel was attacked by pirates. The Liberia-flagged MT Fair Artemis last made contact with its manager, Fairdeal Group S.A., at 6 p.m. (1800 GMT) on Wednesday when it was operating off the coast of Ghana, the company said. The ship failed to make contact the next day. Pirate attacks jumped by a third off the coast of West Africa last year, pushing up insurance costs for shipping firms operating in a key commodities export hub. "Our primary concern ... is for the safety of those on board the vessel.

Conrad Shipyards announced today the delivery od a 200’ x 100’ x 19’10” ABS-classed ocean deck barge to Gray Offshore. The barge, Julius, is the first project delivered from Conrad Shipyard’s newest facility, Deepwater South, in Amelia, La. John Gray, president of Gray Offshore and its affiliated Gray Barge Companies, who provides a fleet of over 90 inland, spud, waste, rock and deck barges for charter, said, “This addition to our fleet, with its 6,000 lbs/ft, heavy-duty deck configuration and radial “spoon bow offers customers optimal solutions for their heavy lift needs.

Victor Technologies has announced it has acquired Gas-Arc Group Ltd, a privately held manufacturer of gas control equipment based in the United Kingdom, for approximately $40 million in cash, subject to post-closing adjustments. Gas-Arc's portfolio includes branded gas control products that meet specialty gas application requirements as well as cutting and welding equipment for the industrial, laboratory and medical gas control markets. Gas-Arc will continue to operate under its own name. “Gas-Arc has shown an ability to anticipate changes in the market and innovate quickly, allowing customers to capitalize on the latest industrial, laboratory and medical opportunities,” said Martin Quinn, CEO of Victor Technologies.