Oilrigs News

While nothing lasts forever, the cruise industry – and particularly the ‘expedition’ cruise sector – remain on a historic run with no indication of a near-term slowdown.The leisure travel sector, of which expedition cruising is a part, offers numerous possibilities for delivering new “experiences” unlike industrial shipping businesses (or even conventional ferry and passenger transport), which can only grow as fast as the demand in a particular sector.Though there is no precise definition of “expedition”…

The right insurance policy could help you stay above water after a workplace incident. The day-to-day job of marine construction workers has many potential hazards. While restoring shorelines, dredging harbors, repairing bridges and building docks, they often operate heavy machinery. Manning cranes, forklifts and excavators day or night, it is not uncommon to work in sweltering heat, freezing cold temperatures and an array of other challenging weather conditions. With all of this in mind…

When Dachser, the German multinational corporation and international logistics operator, announced the opening of its newest office in Brazil at Rio de Janeiro in June, the company did so with great optimism about the future of its market. The Brazilian market is experiencing a time of significant visibility, which has been enhanced by the upcoming world sporting events to be held in the country--the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympics. Collectively, the events have begun to lead to both investments, which may come to reach 30 billion dollars and business opportunities in different fields. The state of Rio de Janeiro, where the new Dachser branch is situated…

Two oceangoing tugboats were recently delivered in Brazil, each fitted with three 49-liter propulsion engines from Volvo Penta. Normal duties for these vessels will include traditional tugboat operations in the Rio de Janeiro harbor area, the towing of oilrigs between different sites, or into port, cargo-barge towing and supply services for customers in the substantial Brazilian offshore industry. Both of the vessels are fitted with three Volvo Penta 12-cylinder V-engines, each with 1,197 hp, direct fuel injection, turbo and charge-air cooling. The D49MS propulsion engines are rated for heavy, continuous operation. The vessels were built by Estaleiro Ilha S.A. in Rio de Janeiro.

The picturesque town of Bayou La Batre, Ala. has long been known for its production of shrimp trawlers. Normally, about 150 of these 90-105 ft. vessels come out of 8-10 yards set up specifically to produce these boats. Increasingly, however, large deepwater offshore service vessels are taking their place along side of the trawlers as the Bayou La Batre boat builders join with their Louisiana cousins in producing vessels for the oil patch. Interestingly, it is many of the same builders who construct dozens of trawlers a year that are in the forefront of OSV production. One of the prime examples is Master Boat Builders, Coden, Ala., about three miles south of Bayou La Batre.

In today's fast moving offshore service industry with vessels venturing deeper and deeper into the Gulf of Mexico and to far off oilrigs around the world, communications is more important than ever. Today's offshore service vessels need far more ship-to-ship, ship to shore and even internal ship communications than ever before. "System redundancy is the key to today's state-of-the-art marine communications system", said Karl Beier, president of Beier Radio, Harvey, La. one of the leading suppliers of maritime communications equipment. "Communications backups not only make good sense but SOLAS rules mandate separate communications systems be in place to meet the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)", Beier added.

Fincantieri has gained an order from Hartmann Logistik GmbH to build two multipurpose Anchor Handling, Tug & Supply Vessels (AHTS) with delivery scheduled for December 2008 and February 2009, respectively, plus an option for further two. Hartmann Logistik GmbH is the Hartmann Group company active in the Offshore Industry, which is headed by Dr. Niels Hartmann, son of the founder of the Group. Founded in 1981, Hartmann Reederei is a leading global player, a first class shipping and logistic company with a fleet of over 100 vessels including container ships, gas tankers and product tankers as well as bulk carriers, multipurpose vessels and special carriers and has a substantial newbuilding program currently going on with yards in Europe and the Far East.

IBM and Dassault Systèmes have signed a contract with Yantai Raffles Shipyard (YRS) for product development and data management software. YRS has acquired IBM’s Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Shipbuilding Solutions with software developed by Dassault Systèmes in its aim to become one of the most efficient and low cost shipyards in the world. The PLM Solution fulfills YRS’ critical need for web-based product development collaboration to link its shipyard in Yantai, China with its headquarters in Singapore and its offices in Houston, Texas, USA. With the integrated IBM PLM platform, comprised of CATIA V5 for collaborative virtual product development and ENOVIA LCA and ENOVIA Portal 3d com for real-time product data management developed by Dassault Systèmes…