Marine Transportation Sector News

In late November 2021, CSL successfully completed the world’s longest-running trials of B100 biodiesel on marine engines, accumulating nearly 30,000 running hours. Conducted on half of CSL’s Canadian fleet, the tests resulted in a 23% total fleet life cycle reduction of CO2 as compared to marine gas oil (MGO).During the trials, conducted in partnership with Canada Clean Fuels and with the collaboration of Sterling Fuels, 14,000 tonnes of MGO, a fossil fuel, was substituted for 100% bio-content second-generation biofuel…

State-owned Qatar Petroleum and the Netherlands-based oil and gas company Shell signed a shareholder agreement to establish a joint venture for global LNG bunkering services.The agreement signed by Qatar Petroleum’s Wave LNG Solutions and Shell Gas & Power Developments B.V. paves the way for the establishment of a joint venture company owned equally by both parties, subject to customary regulatory approvals.The new company’s principal business activities will include the procurement of LNG, setting up LNG bunkering infrastructure (storage and bunker vessels) at various strategic locations around the world, and facilitating the sale of LNG as a marine fuel to end customers around the world.Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi…

In 2012, U.S. The U.S. ocean economy outpaced the domestic economy between 2011 and 2012, with an increase of $22 billion in gross domestic product, from $321 billion to $343 billion, according to a new National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) analysis. Adjusting the figures to remove the effects of inflation, this increase equates to a 10.5 percent rate of growth—more than four times as fast as the U.S. economy as a whole. The report is based on 2012 U.S. national economic statistics released in August 2014.

Bollinger Shipyards has taken delivery of two drydocks with a total lifting capacity of 12,000 tons. Terms and conditions of the purchase were not made available. One of the docks, a 10,500 ton dry-dock will be located at the Bollinger Port Fourchon facility, and measures 320-ft. x 100-ft. between the wing walls. Bollinger now has three commercial drydocks located in Fourchon with a combined lifting capacity of over 22,000 tons. The second dock, a 1,500 ton drydock will be located at the Bollinger Quick Repair (BQR) facility in Harvey…

Those MarineNews readers who are not familiar with Bob Kunkel probably should be. That’s because Kunkel, President of Alternative Marine Technologies, previously served as the Federal Chairman of the Short Sea Shipping Cooperative Program under the Maritime Administration and Department of Transportation from 2003 until 2008. He is a past Vice President of the Connecticut Maritime Association, a contributing writer for many maritime and technical trades publications, including Maritime Professional Magazine and MarineNews.

Over the past couple of decades, natural gas (NG) has become a fuel of choice for power generation. One way of increasing the availability of NG is through the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Global LNG trade is expected to grow by 30% in the coming few years. In connection to LNG production growth, receiving and re-gasification capacity must grow as well. A substantial part of this growth will come from the development of small-mid scale LNG receiving and re-gas terminals.

On December 19, 2013 the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will implement its new Vessel General Permit (VGP), which the Canadian Shipowners Association (CSA) said will demand a technical solution that is currently unavailable to the marine industry. However, there is little flexibility in the VGP to accommodate this delay, leaving shipowners with an impossible requirement, the CSA said. This untenable situation could lead to significant impacts for Canadian shipowners if left unresolved. Given the dependence of American and Canadian industry on the marine transportation sector, finding a short-term solution to facilitate commerce is imperative. The CSA has been working on multiple fronts to find relief from this situation of inflexibility.

Continuity is a valuable asset in the marine field, especially so in relation to the most essential products pivotal to vessel design and operation. The diesel engine producers' adeptness at enhancing existing, successful designs at intervals through power and performance upgradings is a prime example of the development potential built into ships' machinery, making for longevity of the series involved. The ensuing continuity of the product line offers practical benefits to the client market and also to the licensors and manufacturers, given the huge investment costs entailed in developing entirely new engines and putting the requisite tooling in place.

Transport Minister David Collenette announced the appointment of an expert panel to assist him in conducting a review of the Canada Marine Act (CMA). Richard Gaudreau will serve as Chair, and Allan Donaldson, David Gardiner, and Frank Metcalf will serve as panellists. The announcement was made at the National Marine Conference in Toronto, which is being hosted by Collenette. "This expert panel will consult with stakeholders across the country in order to identify ways to streamline and enhance the Canada Marine Act," said Collenette. The CMA established the first single, comprehensive piece of legislation to govern many aspects of Canada's marine sector.

Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre announced that amendments to the Canada Marine Act have been introduced in Parliament. These amendments would provide Canada Port Authorities (CPA) with access to federal contribution programs for key infrastructure improvements. They would also enhance the safety and efficiency of Canadian waterways by reforming the enforcement regime. "It is important that Canada’s ports be modern, efficient, competitive and able to respond quickly to emerging global opportunities and growing business volumes with China and other markets," said Mr. Lapierre. The Canada Marine Act governs the marine sector in Canada.

The Egyptian Marine Transportation Sector and Suez Canal Company reportedly signed a contract to establish a container station in East Port Said harbor.

Hvide Marine Incorporated reported a net loss of $20.1 million or on revenues of $86 million for the quarter ended September 30, 1999. In the year-earlier period, the company had net income of $3.9 million on revenues of $100.1 million. Results in the current quarter and year-to-date have been adjusted to reflect the consolidation, as of September 30, 1999, of Lightship Tankers, LLC, a 50.75 percent-owned subsidiary, which was previously accounted for under the equity method. On an operating basis (results from operations before interest and taxes), the company had an operating loss of $6.2 million during the 1999 quarter versus operating income of $19.0 million in the 1998 quarter.