Norac News

Canada's Island Tug and Barge (ITB) christened the second of two new ATB tugs, the Island Regent, at its headquarters in Burnaby.The Island Regent was designed by acclaimed Robert Allan Ltd. naval architects and marine engineers of Vancouver, B.C. to be paired with ITB’s double-hulled oil tank barge, the ITB Reliant, as an articulated tug and barge (ATB), said a press release from the subsidiary of Tidewater Canada.Bob Curcio, Tidewater President and CEO said: “The first ATB, the Island Raider and ITB Resolution, has performed exceptionally well in its first year of service. We are excited to have the Island Regent and ITB Reliant joining it soon.

Island Raider, the newest articulating tug in Island Tug and Barge’s (ITB) fleet, was christened September 28, during an afternoon ceremony at ITB’s headquarters in Burnaby, B.C.The new vessel is first of two in a series built by on-site at ITB’s Annacis Island facility along the Fraser River. The Island Raider, along with its sister the Island Regent (delivery February, 2019), was designed by renown Robert Allan Limited naval architects and marine engineers of Vancouver, B.C. to be paired with ITB’s double-hulled oil tank barge, the ITB Resolution, as an articulated tug and barge (ATB).

Seattle-based naval architecture and marine engineering firm, Jensen Maritime, announce delivery of the 'Hawaii', the first of two 120’ x 35’ x 19’ Jensen-designed ABS machinery class ocean-going tugboats, to Hyak Maritime, a marine equipment and vessel owner based in Dover, Delaware. The Hawaii was built by JT Marine of Vancouver, Wash. Hyak’s second tug, the Washington, is scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2013. The Hawaii and Washington are based on the successful Titan-class tugboats, which Jensen developed alongside Western Towboat, a Seattle-based tug and barge company.

Maritime Services Corporation (MSC), a marine interior company specializing in turnkey installations, reports that it has a backlog of contracts exceeding $10.5m in value for assignments to be completed this November through March. A $6 million contract with Princess Cruise Lines is now in fabrication at the company headquarters in Hood River, Oregon for the Sapphire Princess. Installation will take place in Victoria, B.C. in January. In addition, MSC will begin modifications on two dinner vessels next month for Portland Spirit in Portland, Oregon. Those jobs will also be complete in January. MSC’s Southampton, U.K. office will begin in November a $1.4 million refurbishment contract in Hamburg, Germany for Carnival, U.K. on the Oriana. Also next month, MSC U.K.

NORAC, a supplier of marine interior systems, has decided to expand its offerings into marine furniture by securing a majority stake in Nordic Marine Furniture, a quality furniture and fittings company dedicated to merchant shipping and offshore installations. Nordic Marine Furniture (NMF) has signed an agreement with Philippine-based furniture and interior company, T&H Furnishing Industries, owned by the Japanese corporation, Tsuneishi Heavy Industries, for the supply of standard and customised products. Additionally, NMF has established NORAC as the global, exclusive distributor of its product line. NMFs product line includes mess tables…

To better address the seating needs of today's fast ferry and passenger ship industry, Modell-Møbler is evolving into a more focused manufacturer, targeting tailor-made solutions rather than standard products. "Receiving up to three or more requests for seating projects each day, we see an increasing market trend for ship-specific seating solutions, demanding high engineering and design standards," said Jan Carsten Thomassen, managing director, Modell-Møbler. During the past 24 months, Modell-Møbler has delivered over 20,000 products including a wide variety of passenger seats, pullmans, combi sofas and beds to the fast ferry, passenger and cruise ship markets.

Seven cabin products delivered by NORAC have completed rigorous high-level shock and vibration testing. The company says that the shock and vibration tests were necessary to qualify its range of cabin products for the demanding naval market. “Shock and vibrating testing creates an environment that will show in a short period of time how products stand under adverse field conditions and through out years of change. Though not that common when delivering to merchant and cruise vessels, this type of testing is very necessary to NORAC’s new business area: naval ships and frigates, says Frank Robertsen, director of marketing, NORAC. Electro…

Norac AS is forging ahead as one of the leading manufacturers of marine accommodation systems by joining ADAX Industrier, which will further boost its growth and development. "This acqusition represents substantial growth for the Adax Group, giving both key geographical and manufacturing synergies," says corporate head Lars G. Otterlei. "Norac's strong brand and international experience fits well with our strategic plans for development and global expansion. Together with Norac, the Adax Group will have 700 employees, 500 of which are outside Norway," he said. Otterlei anticipates annual ADAX turnovers to reach NOK 500 million in 2006.