Redefined News

Boatbuilder Armstrong Marine USA said it has changed its name to BRIX Marine as the company looks to broaden and diversify its portfolio of welded aluminum boats.Since 1991, Armstrong Marine has crafting rugged aluminum catamarans and workboats. The company was founded in Canada and moved to Port Angeles, Wash. in 2001 before joining Bryton Marine Group in 2017.“Our team has developed strong momentum with our boat portfolios and customers. As we look to the future, Brix Marine will honor the legacy we have built and move beyond to deliver exceptional custom boats…

ABS chairman, president and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki outlined the absolute value of talent in the new normal in a cross-industry lecture on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and digitalization.Wiernicki addressed fellow global business executives spanning multiple industries and top-ranked academia as part of George Washington University’s Frank Howard Distinguished Lecture Series.Wiernicki, who holds a Master of Science in Structural Engineering from George Washington University and was elected to the school’s Engineering Hall of Fame…

It is “pre-COVID ” April of 2018, and 174 member states of IMO adopt a new strategy to reduce greenhouse gases from shipping. The meetings are considered “urgent” and the target is to reduce carbon emissions in half by 2050. Prior to those “targets” shipping dealt with regulations to address SOx and NOx reductions. Most of which have resulted in limited success due to infrastructure problems and a consideration as a temporary fix.The technical world has responded with low sulfur fuels, LNG, and methanol to work towards the target.

What might not be so obvious in this COVID-19 environment, which we have grown to associate with shortages, is that counterintuitively there are issues beginning to appear dealing with the opposite situation. The Journal of Commerce has reported that “[t]he container shipping industry is marshaling a response to signs of a building import backlog as some retailers and manufacturers fail to pick up containers because warehouses are full or closed due to not being deemed essential…

Interferry CEO Mike Corrigan describes a distinctly upbeat period in the worldwide ferry community – and explains how the global trade association plans to take its support to far-reaching new levels.There are times when the phrase “there are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics” seems all too true, but here’s an honest number for you – ferries carry a global total of more than 2 billion passengers a year, which is almost on a par with airlines.Hard to believe? Not for those of us in the industry, but almost certainly for many citizens and politicians.

Norwegian seismic player Petroleum Geo-Services ASA (PGS) updated on changes of the contract for the 3D survey in South America announced November 14, 2018.The vessels Ramform Atlas and Ramform Tethys mobilized early December 2018 for this survey. The contract had an estimated total duration of approximately 13 vessel months and an estimated value in excess of $75 million, the marine geophysical company said.Due to unresolved issues affecting the survey, both vessels have been on paid standby from December 23, 2018.The client, ExxonMobil, has notified PGS that the Ramform Atlas is no longer required. PGS will receive payment for mobilization, work performed, standby and demobilization.

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has released a new study conducted by the Hamburg School of Business Administration (HSBA) on behalf of ICS, regarding the potential effects of autonomous ships on the role of seafarers and the global shipping industry.In light of growing media interest and the diversity of expert opinions on the subject, the study seeks to separate fact from fiction.Commenting on its release, ICS Secretary General, Guy Platten said: “The two-year IMO regulatory scoping exercise for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships is now well underway to determine how existing IMO instruments can be leveraged to ensure that autonomous ships are safe…

It is not business as usual in the world where we do business. Things are changing. Even regulations themselves are changing from less prescriptive in nature to more performance-based. As Chairman, President and CEO of a global classification and technology-centric company that operates in 70 countries with 5,000 employees, I am continually assessing the impact of these changes on the capabilities ABS needs to fulfill its mission and maintain its leadership position in the maritime, offshore and government industries it serves. To know where we are heading, we have to know where we began.

In order to support the Indian shipping industry, the Government of India has exempted Customs and Excise Duty leviable on bunker fuels used in Indian flag vessels for transportation of mix of EXIM, domestic and empty containers between two or more ports in India. Government has brought in a uniform abatement of service tax for transportation of goods by rail, road and sea vessels. Indian shipping industry has been provided cargo support through Right of First Refusal (RoFR). Government has taken policy decision to allow shipping enterprises based in India to acquire ships abroad and also flag them in the country of their convenience. As a step towards promoting “Ease of Doing Business” methodology for computation of period of stay of seafarers in India has been redefined.

The Union Cabinet of India, chaired by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has approved  the Major Port Authorities Bill, 2016, a move aimed at bringing greater efficiency and professionalism in governance of ports through full autonomy in decision making and by modernizing the Institutional structure of Major Ports. It will replace the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963. The Union Cabinet "has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Shipping to replace the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963 by the Major Port Authorities Bill, 2016," an official statement said. The new Major Ports Authority Bill, 2016 would help to impart faster and transparent decision making benefiting the stakeholders and better project execution capability.

Gangavaram Port, the deepest and the most modern port in the country, has created yet another historical milestone record by discharging 1,56,339 metric tons of Non-Coking Coal from the vessel M.V. Cape Asia in 24 hours. This achievement stands out as the fastest discharge rate in the history of any port in India & possibly in the world. The vessel M.V. Cape Asia carrying 1,59,966 metric tons non-coking coal for Hindalco Industries called at  Gangavaram Port on 27th April , 2016. The entire vessel discharge was completed within just 27 hours. Mr. Raj Dandu, Managing Director, Gangavaram Port Limited, stated that this record discharge rate yet again reaffirms the superior port infrastructure and operational efficiency at Gangavaram Port.

Marine geophysical company Polarcus announced it will implement further measures to cut costs, including additional headcount reductions and changes to the executive management team. The expanded cost reductions are part of a longer term plan that aims to help Polarcus withstand a prolonged difficult market as well as to take advantage of opportunities in this volatile environment, the company explained. As part of the cost management program implemented at the end of 2014, personnel reductions now total 26 percent.

US Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Scott Swift  has fired a broadside at China and other regional nations who are flouting international law in the South China Sea. Admiral Scott has warned that if bullying behaviour at sea of the kind shown by China is not confronted, it will spread to land and become a "friction point" there. His remarks are part of an escalating US campaign directed against Chinese land reclamation on reefs under Beijing’s administration. Swift’s speech came just a day after the Obama administration finalised the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP)—a trade and investment bloc aimed at strengthening US economic dominance in Asia and undermining China’s economic clout.

New Orleans builds enviable cruise traffic on top of a carefully crafted business plan. It may surprise you to learn that, on the lower Mississippi River, cruise traffic now accounts for over one fifth of all revenue at the Port of New Orleans, a major cargo hub. With recently modernized terminals, able to handle big ships, the Crescent City last year accommodated over a million cruise passengers, setting its fourth straight record. How they did it is perhaps more impressive than what they have created…

MSHIPCO has engaged Global Capital Markets Inc. (GCMI), a middle market M&A investment bank with global reach to advise on corporate strategic options including sale, licensing or other transactions. As creator of the M80 Stiletto, which employs MSHIPCO’s proprietary M-hull technology, MSHIPCO’s designs have redefined naval military movement on the water, the company said. By applying creative design to physical science, its Rapid Empirical Innovation (REI) platform abbreviates…

After all, the industry was created in America ... it is only appropriate that the United States dominate it again. Offshore supply vessels (OSVs), also known as platform supply vessels (PSVs), have been a distinct vessel type since 1956, when the MV Ebb Tide was placed into service in the Gulf of Mexico. Ebb Tide was designed by Alden J. “Doc” Laborde to meet the growing demand for vessels to service the increasing number of offshore oil drilling rigs in those waters. Previously, this new industry had been served, albeit inadequately, by existing vessels, particularly surplus amphibious assault barges. Ebb Tide was designed with the pilot house at the bow and with an open deck from there aft to the stern.

Specialty workboats redefined: versatility, value and multi-mission capabilities, all rolled into one affordable hull. In a world where small to medium sized municipalities and port authorities have to make every dollar go a long, long way, any opportunity to leverage just one hull over multiple mission sets grabs a lot of attention. Nevertheless, Job 1 on that set of requirements is arguably the need to provide robust firefighting capabilities. Sure, everyone would like to have the ability to pump 15,000 gallons per minute (gpm), but at the same time, not everyone can afford it. Nor does everyone have the available draft to support such a (larger) platform.

Recent meetings between U.S. oil producers and Commerce Department officials have fueled industry hopes that the Obama administration may soon begin to ease a longstanding ban on oil exports. Although it would require an act of Congress to end the four-decade export ban, some analysts and executives believe the White House may be getting ready to open up the taps a bit, allowing some export of a super-light form of oil known as condensate, which falls into a regulatory gray area. Executives and sources said a number of major shale oil producers have quietly stepped up lobbying efforts over the contentious energy issue in recent weeks, meeting with officials from the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), which oversees exports.

With PureBallast 3.0, Alfa Laval redefined its chemical-free ballast water treatment system, producing major advances in flexibility and energy efficiency. Now a 600 m3/h reactor has been added to the system portfolio, enabling new configurations with fewer components and considerable energy savings. In addition, the system has formally received IMO type approval from Det Norske Veritas. Since its launch in April 2013, Alfa Laval’s PureBallast 3.0 has enjoyed tremendous success.

Building patrol boats is big business, especially for foreign defense needs. U.S. yards compete on a global stage in the all-important maritime security workboat arena. Patrol boats have continued to enhance bottom lines at many U.S. vessel builders this year through sales that are usually government directed or assisted. Budget cuts are a concern, but the sector’s federal funding remains high. Patrol boats are sold to other nations under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales or FMS program, authorized by the Arms Export Control Act to provide defense items.

KND Naval Design of Cape Town, South Africa successfully completed its first in class 10M Advanced Life Support Ambulance and Rescue vessel for Africa. This vessel was designed and built entirely in Cape Town. This project used HydroComp propulsion software to analyze and examine sea trial performance. Naval architect Kobus Potgieter captured a USA styled 1960’s retro ambulance look-and-feel for the boat. He also used “Batmobile” oversized fenders and flowing lines which can be seen in the vessel’s coach and shape of the hull.

Veson Nautical, developer of commercial maritime software, formally announced major Veslink enhancements to a crowd of over 150 maritime leaders at its annual ONCOURSE User Conference in Boston, Mass. Powerful new tools make it easier than ever to collect and act on voyage reports and other mission-critical voyage data. “The focus of Veslink has always been optimizing ship to shore data collection,” said Per Ostman, Product Manager for Veslink. “Nearly 1,500 vessels already use Veslink on a daily basis. Building on this success, the latest version represents a significant investment in the data transfer infrastructure as well as the user interface. -New user interface (UI). A massive UI overhaul introduces user-specific dashboards and work lists. -The fleet map, redefined.

W&O Supply, a global supplier of marine and upstream oil and gas, pipe, valves and fittings, valve automation and engineered solutions, has redefined the roles of a few members of its senior leadership team as it continues to pursue new opportunities in the domestic and international marine markets. By continually identifying specific needs in the industry and by realigning the strengths of its leadership team, W&O is better poised to bring even more cost-saving and regulation-compliant solutions to the marine industry, specifically within the growing commercial sector where it is involved in a number of design, new-build, and retrofit projects.