Protection Services News

GSP Holding company GSP Offshore SRL is the preferred drilling and engineering services provider of Trident Black Sea, in its bid for the right to negotiate a production sharing agreement (PSA) with the Ukrainian government for the offshore Dolphin block in the northwestern part of the Black Sea.According to a press release from the Romanian company providing offshore integrated services for oil and gas industry said that Trident Black Sea will be the operator of the project, in the event of a winning bid.Other partners of Trident for this project are San Leon Energy for non-operating technical assistance, and Lamor AB, as environmental protection services provider.

Spanopoulos group provides a variety of services, from commercial shipbuilding & yacht repair, marine & civil constructions, towage & salvage, environmental protection services, as well as underwater services.Spanopoulos Shipyard in Perama of Piraeus, occupies an area of 16,500 sq. m. capable of accommodating more than 30 yachts from 25m up to 65m. It consists of 2500 sq. m. housing offices, workshops, storage areas, cafe, gym, roof garden as well as apartments for crew and visitors.

The first vessel in the series will be the 20 meter RALamander 2000, featuring FiFi1 capability, pumping capacity of 2400 m3/hour and with optional foam capabilities. Vancouver based naval architects and marine engineers Robert Allan Ltd., and international marine technology specialist Kongsberg Maritime are collaborating on the development of a radically new remotely-operated fireboat that will allow first responders to attack dangerous port fires more aggressively and safer than ever before. Like other autonomous efforts underway on the waterfront, this concept tackles and solves the so-called “3D’s” – dull, dirty and dangerous – of workboat drudgery.

Kongsberg, Robert Allan drive the future of marine fighting. The first vessel in the series will be the 20 meter RALamander 2000, featuring FiFi1 capability, pumping capacity of 2400 m3/hour and with optional foam capabilities. Vancouver based naval architects and marine engineers Robert Allan Ltd., and international marine technology specialist Kongsberg Maritime are collaborating on the development of a radically new remotely-operated fireboat that will allow first responders to attack dangerous port fires more aggressively and safer than ever before. Like other autonomous efforts underway on the waterfront, this concept tackles and solves the so-called “3D’s” – dull, dirty and dangerous – of workboat drudgery.

U.K. based marine services contractor Inchcape Shipping Services Holdings Limited and several of its subsidiaries have agreed to pay $20 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by knowingly overbilling the U.S. Navy under contracts for ship husbanding services, the U.S. Department of Justice announced.Inchcape provided goods and services, including food and other subsistence items, waste removal, telephone services, ship-to-shore transportation, force protection services and local transportation…

Robert Allan Ltd. and Kongsberg Maritime announced a collaboration to develop a new remotely-operated fireboat that will allow first responders to attack dangerous port fires more aggressively and safer than ever before. The un-crewed RALamander fireboat will offer in-close firefighting and ‘eye in the fire’ capability that keeps marine firefighting professionals out of harm's way. Fires involving containers, petrochemicals, shore-side structures or vessels can be attacked more…

Maritime operations in West Africa are affected by threats from piracy and other maritime crime. It is very complex to get an overview of the different types of maritime security provisions that are legal in the countries throughout the region. Risk Intelligence now provides this insight with a new service, including reports with an overview of the use of private and government security in 18 countries in the region. Risk Intelligence CEO, Hans Tino Hansen, said, “We have provided security analysis for West Africa for more than 10 years. It has always been a complex area with many different types of threats and many different types of security risk mitigation and legal frameworks.

The government has announced  that it has joined a lawsuit alleging that Inchcape Shipping Services Holdings Limited and certain of its subsidiaries (collectively, Inchcape) violated the False Claims Act by knowingly overbilling the U.S. Navy for ship husbanding services from years 2005 to 2014. Inchcape is a marine services contractor headquartered in the United Kingdom. As a ship husbanding services provider, Inchcape arranged for the provision of goods and services to Navy ships at ports in several regions throughout the world, including southwest Asia, Africa, Panama, North America, South America and Mexico. Inchcape’s services typically included the provision of food and other subsistence items…

CWind, a provider of integrated services to the wind industry, announced today that it is providing corrosion protection services to Ballast Nedam at Butendiek Offshore Wind Farm (OWF). The service, which extends to all WTG foundations, commenced in May and is expected to complete in August.   Butendiek OWF, located 35 nautical miles west of the island of Sylt in the North Sea, comprises 80 turbines with 3.6 MW capacity each, resulting in a total capacity of 288 MW once fully operational. Butendiek OWF owner, WPD, awarded Ballast Nedam the contract to supply, transport and install monopiles and transition pieces in 2013.

New Hazards, New Regulatory Concerns and New Solutions. According to global classification society DNV, as much as 50 percent of the world’s maritime fleet could be duel fuel-powered, as early as 2020. The lure of LNG is understandable – cleaner burning fuels, potentially lower maintenance costs, better efficiencies and lower fuel cost all can counted amongst the growing reasons to take the leap. But, owner/operators considering LNG to power vessels must understand the fire hazards present, the various fire protection solutions and the codes that regulate them. In the rapidly emerging LNG market, it’s important for ship owners and builders to understand just how different fire safety standards are for LNG ships versus diesel.

Demonstrating the rapid progress of the Cape Class Patrol Boat Program, Austal today hosted the keel-laying ceremony for the third vessel, Cape Nelson, one of eight 56-meter patrol boats that Austal is designing, building and supporting for the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service. Keel-laying traditionally marks the first significant milestone in a ship’s construction. Historically this was the “laying down” of the main timber making up the backbone of a vessel. Austal’s advanced shipbuilding techniques means fabrication of ship modules begins well before they are actually joined.

Demonstrating the rapid progress of the Cape-class Patrol Boat Program, Austal has hosted the keel-laying ceremony for the third vessel, 'Cape Nelson', one of eight 56-metre patrol boats that Austal is designing, building and supporting for the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service. The three coins were placed under the keel block by Michael Pezzullo, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Customs and Border Protection Services; David Brekenridge, Chief Engineer Australian Customs and Border Protection Services; and Graham Backhouse, President and General Manager Austal.

Recent Navy contracts include awards to General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, and to BAE Systems. General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, is being awarded a $9,011,625 cost-plus-award-fee order to previously awarded basic ordering agreement (N00024-13-G-2316) to provide material and labor in support of the post-shakedown availability (PSA) for USS Independence (LCS 2). This order is for the execution of LCS 2's PSA phase two, and will provide labor and material support services for the vessel.

MAST launches new perimeter defense for super-yachts. MAST Technololgy, part of MAST group (‘Maritime Asset Security and Training’), a maritime security and piracy protection specialist, says that super yacht owners are turning to close protection amid fears of an escalation in maritime crime due to growing instability in North Africa due to the implications of the Arab Spring. The company, which deliveries both commercial and private maritime security, provides a range of technological and physical protection services to owners of super yachts around the world. However, already this year MAST has seen a marked increase in calls from owners, captains and managers about the security of yachts sailing near the African Continent, particularly those transiting through the Suez Canal.

BAE Systems joined with Mid Ocean Tanker Company (MOTC), Mid Ocean Marine and Alterna Captial Partners earlier this year to commission the American Phoenix, a U.S. Flag/Jones Act-qualified product-chemical tanker. Measuring 616 x 105 ft. with a laden draft of 36 ft. and a cargo capacity of 49,000 dwt, American Phoenix is the largest vessel ever built and launched in the State of Alabama. BAE Systems was contracted to complete construction of the American Phoenix and prepare it for use. The vessel is owned by MOTC, a joint venture between Mid Ocean Marine and private equity firm Alterna Capital Partners. The vessel will conduct trade initially in the Gulf of Mexico.

Nine new vessels designed by race boat driver and designer Fabio Buzzi and fully equipped with Raymarine electronics, have been delivered to the Guardia di Finanza, the militarized customs and border patrol service responsible for preventing financial crime and smuggling in Italy. The nine boats were officially handed over to the Guardia di Finanza at a ceremony attended by the Italian Minister of the Interior Roberto Maroni. FB Design utilises Fabio Buzzi’s expertise to create high speed patrol boats.

Nine new vessels designed by world famous racing boat driver and designer Fabio Buzzi and fully equipped with Raymarine electronics, have been delivered to the Guardia di Finanza, the militarized customs and border patrol service responsible for preventing financial crime and smuggling in Italy. The nine boats were officially handed over to the Guardia di Finanza at a ceremony attended by the Italian Minister of the Interior Roberto Maroni. FB Design utilises Fabio Buzzi’s expertise to create high speed patrol boats.

Tropical Storm Chantal slowed to a stop and dumped torrential rain on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula on Tuesday after leaving two fishermen missing at sea and forcing 2,500 evacuations from the low-lying coastline. "At 5 a.m. EDT, Chantal was in a near stationary position 15 miles south of Chetumal," said Stacy Stewart of the U.S. National Hurricane Center. "The storm is carrying torrential rains, up to 15 to 20 in.," Stewart, a hurricane specialist, said. Winds remained at 65 miles per hour (104 kph). Chantal made landfall with winds of 70 miles per hour, around 8 p.m. High winds churned up Caribbean waters and left two fishermen missing. The men ignored warnings to avoid open seas during the storm, said Jose Nemesio Medina, director of the state's civil protection services.

Canyon Offshore has announced the appointment of Doug Stroud to the position of vice president sales and marketing. In this newly created position, Stroud will be responsible for overseeing Canyon’s international marketing program, developing new markets and identifying new business opportunities for the company. Doug Stroud has an impressive track record marketing remotely operated vehicles and ROV services on an international basis, and has held senior positions with both ROV manufacturers and service providers. In addition, he is a Fellow of the Marine Technology Society and has served on a number of professional committees. In his new position with Canyon…

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) announced at the U.S. Coast Guard Innovation Expo in New Orleans its intent to lead a team that will compete to design, integrate, install and test the Coast Guard's Nationwide Automatic Identification System (NAIS). NAIS will be a two-way maritime digital communication system, which will continually transmit and receive voiceless exchange of vessel data, including vessel identity, position, speed, course, destination and other data of critical interest for navigation safety, marine mobility and maritime security. The program will focus on improving maritime security, marine and navigational safety, search and rescue, and environmental protection services.

Espada Logistics and Security-MENA has acquired five additional armed, fast-patrol vessels for use in the Gulf of Aden due to increased piracy and the growing demand for protection services. “Our customers have demanded a higher level of predictability when it comes to costs and scheduling, and it became clear that the only way to meet those demands was to acquire additional vessels,” Jim Jorrie, president of Espada Logistics and Security-MENA, said.