Nwc News

The deep-water port of Nansha in Guangzhou, a city of 15 million people in the vicinity of Hong Kong, has doubled the number of direct connections with North Europe and West Africa, following the arrival of the Elly Maersk.The Elly Maersk departed from Nansha for Rotterdam on 28 July; the first departure of the new 2M service, doubling the number of direct departures from Nansha to Rotterdam. The Ocean Alliance also already has direct connections with this fastest growing port in the south of China.Nansha port started international departures ten years ago, quickly becoming the most important port for ‘Africa Trades’ from the south of China.Direct departures to and from Europe (NWC and MED) and the west coast of North America were only added in recent years.

Swiss-based shipping line MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company is improving trade links between Costa Rica and northern Europe by adding a new direct call from the Port of Moin.The container shipping that operates in all major ports of the world said in a press release that MSC Katya R. has become the largest vessel to call Moin Terminal in Costa Rica, launching a new era in cargo shipping for the port and for exporters using its facilities.MSC’s service will bring larger container ships with more capacity to carry refrigerated produce on transatlantic routes to European and Asian markets.MSC Katya R. will operate on the company’s Ecuador Service…

Less than nine months after the historic inauguration of the Expanded Canal, the Panama Canal has announced that it has welcomed its 1,000th Neopanamax vessel through the waterway, highlighting the importance of the route and customers’ continued faith in the safe, reliable and efficient service the Canal provides. On Sunday, March 19, the containership Mediterranean Shipping Company's MSC Anzu made the historic 1,000th transit through the Expanded Canal, heading northbound from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.

Maritime forces from East Africa, West Indian Ocean nations, Europe and the United States, as well as several international organizations, will begin the sixth iteration of the annual multinational maritime exercise Cutlass Express, Jan. 31. Cutlass Express 2017, sponsored by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF), is designed to assess and improve combined maritime law enforcement capacity and promote national and regional security in East Africa, inform planning and operations. • Cutlass Express 2017 (CE17) will test participating nations’ ability to respond to illicit trafficking, piracy, illegal fishing, and search and rescue situations.

The House Armed Services Committee (HASC) invited two U.S. Naval War College (NWC) faculty members to testify in Washington, D.C. on understanding and countering China's growing maritime concerns. Erickson's testimony centered on China's growing involvement of their Maritime Militia, which he describes as the third maritime force in addition to the nation's navy and coast guard. The Maritime Militia is a civilian force posing as fishing boats and other noncombatants but is clearly under the operational control of the government, according to Erickson.

Marine-based commissioning work is now underway at Liverpool2, with Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) committing vessel support to Peel Ports to help make the trial a success. Berthing and marine trials began last week with MV MSC Nederland and will be followed by a variety of cargo handling tests throughout July and August. As well as 3,007 TEU MV MSC Nederland, four other MSC vessels will be used during the trials – 2,668 TEU MV MSC Santhya, 2,768 TEU MV MSC Koroni, 4,340 TEU MV MSC Sandra and 4,355 TEU MV MSC Alyssa. The five vessels operate on the two MSC services currently calling at Liverpool – the North West Continent feeder service…

U.S. Naval War College (NWC) leaders and alumni received a warm welcome on Capitol Hill, Oct. 7 during a congressional breakfast organized by Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed. The event offered a chance for members of Congress and their staff to hear details of how NWC educates and develops leaders, strengthens global maritime partnerships and supports Navy missions and combat readiness. "The war college is an extraordinary asset to the nation and the Navy," Reed noted. "[The value] is not just the instruction in the classroom, it's the war gaming and bringing together individuals from across the government and the nation to talk about critical issues. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John M.

As part of our objective to continually improve our services to customers, MSC is delighted to announce an upgrade to its Angola Express service with a first sailing of the MV Nikolas from Rotterdam on 18th September 2015. MSC will deploy six vessels with a nominal capacity of 2,000TEU on its new look service, which includes new ports in NWC, namely Rotterdam, Antwerp and Bassens. The new service now also includes a direct call from Casablanca to destinations in West Africa. Port Rotation: Rotterdam-Antwerp-Bassens (Bordeaux)-Sines-Casablanca-Las Palmas/Las Palmas-Conakry-Luanda-Dakar-Rotterdam

With the release of ShipConstructor 2016 R1.1, SSI said it provides additional enhancement for the offshore rig construction market, particularly with regards to weld management. These new features will benefit all shipbuilders, the developer noted, but said it especially benefits those wishing to expand into the offshore sector. ShipConstructor 2016 R1.1 is particularly geared toward early adopters of ShipConstructor's latest productivity-enhancing capabilities; the predominant portion of new features are focused on ShipConstructor Subscription Advantage Pack clients. According to SSI, clients are increasingly wishing to diversify into oil rig construction. To remain competitive they require constant innovation and embrace early adoption of software advancements.

The 21st edition of the International Seapower Symposium (ISS) began Sept. 16 at the U.S. Naval War College (NWC) in Newport, R.I., with more than 170 representatives from 113 nations attending. Throughout the three-day symposium, naval leaders from around the world will attend presentations and take part in panel discussions relating to current, vital maritime topics such as enhancing coalition operations, future trends in maritime security, and implications of climate change on maritime security. There are also sessions scheduled to address specific geographic challenges navies face. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus addressed the group with opening remarks and stressed the importance of the conference's theme: Global Solutions to Common Maritime Challenges.

Rear Adm. P. Gardner Howe III relieved Rear Adm. Walter E. "Ted" Carter Jr., as the 55th president and first Navy SEAL in command of the U.S. Naval War College (NWC) in Newport, Rhode Island, during a change of command ceremony with the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert, informs  U.S. Naval War College Public Affairs. Rear Adm. Howe, a U.S. Naval Academy, Naval Postgraduate School and National War College graduate, holds dual Master of Arts degrees in national security and reports from his most recent assignment as commander of Special Operations Command, Pacific. "For the first time in the 130 year history of the NWC, this institution will be led by a member of the naval special warfare community, better known as the SEALs.

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced the new President of the Naval Postgraduate School July 16. Vice Adm. (retired) Ronald A. Route will replace NPS Interim President Rear Adm. Jan E. Tighe on a date to be determined later this year. Tighe will return to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington D.C. "Admiral Route is the right leader for the job. His exemplary naval service of 36 years is invaluable to the position and I trust him to expertly guide this institution as they continue to provide the high-quality, relevant and unique advanced education and research opportunities that make our Naval forces the best in the world," said Mabus. Route goes to NPS with more than 20 years of leadership at the executive and operational levels.

U.S. Naval War College (NWC) students participate in a presentation & discussion of unmanned robotic systems with ReconRobotics, Inc. & Hydroid, Inc. This event was part of the "Unmanned Systems and Conflict in the 21st Century" course at NWC, serving as an opportunity for future decision makers to gain exposure and expand their knowledge of unmanned technologies. "It's important to be aware of advancements we're making now because they will change the strategic and operational environment of which our warfighters will be engaged in…

To date, more than 200 industry stakeholders including national organizations, state, regional and local organizations, and companies have endorsed the new comprehensive, consensus-based package of recommendations formulated by an industry and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers working group to improve the reliability of the U.S. inland navigation system over the next 20 years, known as the Inland Waterways Capital Development Plan. Among the supporters are the United States Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, American Land Conservancy, National Corn Growers Association, National Grain & Feed Association, Steel Manufacturers Association, National Mining Association, National Council of Farm Cooperatives, and many others from diverse segments of the American economy.

The Inland Waterways Users Board adopted a final report that accompanies a new comprehensive, consensus-based package of recommendations formulated by an industry and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers working group to improve the continued vitality of the U.S. inland navigation system over the next 20 years. The report and recommendations are being sent to Congress and if adopted, will better address the needs of the entire system and provide more dollars for greatly needed infrastructure improvements. The Users Board is a federal advisory committee that provides advice to Congress and the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works). This…

The Board of Directors of the National Waterways Conference voted to support the draft Inland Marine Transportation System Capital Investment Strategy endorsed by the Inland Waterways Users Board at its meeting in New Orleans on December 15, 2009. The unanimous vote signals the Board’s recognition of the urgent need for adequate funding for our nation’s water resources infrastructure. Developed over the course of the past year under the auspices of the Inland Waterways Users Board, the Strategy is the culmination of a collaborative effort by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and industry representatives to develop a comprehensive funding and investment plan for construction and major rehabilitation projects along the 12,000 mile system of inland waterways.

The National Waterways Conference decried the inadequate funding for the Army Corps of Engineers civil works program in the Administration’s budget for fiscal year 2011. The $4.9b proposal, a 10% cut compared to FY2010 funding levels, fails to recognize the Corps’ critical role as stewards of our nation’s water resources, and the vital importance of our water resources infrastructure to our economic and environmental well-being. We had hoped that last year’s budget signified the new Administration’s understanding of and commitment to the importance of our nation’s water resources to our national prosperity. Our water resources infrastructure provides life-saving flood control…

5.5 In. ’05, 6.6 In ’06 will be the theme of the National Waterways Conference’s 2004 Budget Summit to be held at the Holiday Inn, Capitol on Tuesday, March 9 and Wednesday, March 10. The title refers to the billions of dollars it will take for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to function at a program funding level that allows projects to go forward, minimizing the current undue project delays and terminations. IF the Army corps of Engineers were to have a full capability funding for all of their projects, NWC estimates the price tag would easily exceed $8 billion. President Bush’s recent FY 2005 Budget request for the Army Corps of Engineers totals $4.215 billion.

U.S. Navy and Republic of Singapore navy (RSN) sailors and officers shared their views on terrorism and maritime security during a seminar on the subjects May 31 at the RSN’s Changi Naval Base. The seminar included a presentation on the U.S. Navy’s 21st century maritime strategy by a visiting U.S. Naval War College (NWC) professor here in support of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT), a series of bilateral exercises held annually throughout Southeast Asia. “My visit is twofold. I hope we can have a dialogue so I learn from the experts who live in this region of the world,” said Jeffrey Norwitz, professor, National Security Decision Making at the NWC.

The National Waterways Conference has called for “common sense and balance” regarding the latest report issued by the National Wildlife Federation and Taxpayers for Common Sense. "I'm sure this is just the 'first salvo' in the annual charge by the extremist activists to discredit the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and waterway stakeholders by discrediting the Corps' primary missions--navigation and flood control," said Worth Hager, president of National Waterways Conference (NWC). "I've seen the new 'Crossroads' report. It appears to be a rehash of previous claims and innuendoes, and is a testament to the willingness of these groups to…

The National Waterways Conference will hold its annual meeting in New Orleans at the Hilton Riverside Hotel on September 4-6 where some 350 business, civic and waterways leaders are expected to attend. Donald T. (Boysie) Bollinger, chairman and chief executive officer of Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., and Richard R. Calhoun, vice president of Cargill, Inc., and chairman of the National Grain and Feed Assn., will be the main speakers at the event. According to conference chairman, J. Ron Brinson of the Port of New Orleans, Bollinger of Lockport La., will address the opening luncheon. Bollinger Shipyards, one of the nation's largest builders of boats and barges, operates 20 shipyards from Mississippi to Texas. Calhoun, of Minneapolis, will speak at the closing luncheon.

The National Waterways Conference, Inc. will hold its 2006 Annual Meeting in Portland, Oregon on September 6-8. The NWC has not convened its Annual Meeting on the west coast since the organization was founded in 1960. This year’s Annual Meeting, with the theme, Prepare Today for the Needs of Tomorrow, is bringing together key government and industry decision makers from throughout the nation to address current and emerging issues that potentially affect the future viability of the nation’s ports and waterways. The two-day program will include presentations by regional leaders concerning opportunities and challenges faced by navigation and flood control interests, such as endangered species compliance, levee protection and transportation congestion.

In the past, deck drains on all Navy surface ships and non-nuclear carriers were giving Sailors maintenance nightmares-repairs took too long , and were costly to replace. More importantly, the deck drains posed a potential safety hazard if a chemical/biological/radiological (CBR) attack occurred on the ship. However, through the Naval Sea Systems Command's (NAVSEA's) Cumbersome Work Practices (CWP) process, a solution has been developed that will save numerous man-hours of labor, save the fleet over $620,000, and allow for a watertight/airtight closure of the deck drains in the event of a CBR attack. Commander, NAVSEA Warfare Center…