Sea Asia News

It might be easy to blame EALs, but the ongoing causes of stern tube damage are varied, and possibly declining.Environmentally Acceptable lubricants (EALs) gained market traction with the introduction of US VGP regulations in 2013. Since then, DNV has observed two major trends. The first, starting in 2013 was early life damage, either during sea trials or within the first five years of operation, where aft stern tube bearings typically failed under extreme load conditions. Then from around 2018…

Marine diesel power specialist Royston reports that it is working with a number of international oil companies (IOCs) operating in Malaysia to equip oilfield supply contract vessels (OSVs) with specialist electronic fuel management systems.In recent months, the installation of nine enginei EFMS have been completed on Malaysian OSVs for three different IOCs and this number will continue to rise with the advanced system being included in the vessel contracting requirements for a number of other oilfield majors.As part of the installations…

IEC Telecom will launch its Orion Edge+ satellite voice and data communication solution during this week’s Sea Asia (April 9 to 11).Orion Edge+ provides high quality, reliable broadband with the ultimate cost effective operational benefits. It also provides flexible data plans with no long-term commitment. This flexibility makes Orion Edge+ ideal for busy offshore support vessels, tugs, and oil and gas contractors.Powered by Thuraya’s Orion IP broadband and Thuraya’s Seastar circuit switched voice terminal…

ABS executives informed the industry conversation at Singapore Maritime Week, with presentations on the growing cyber security threat to maritime, new opportunities to take advantage of data, and the huge potential of LNG shipping for the region. Speaking at the Singapore Maritime Cyber Security Seminar, ABS Chief Digital Officer, Howard Fireman highlighted the opportunities and challenges presented by the ever-increasing connectivity of maritime assets. “The cyber threat is real to maritime safety, making it a relevant issue that ABS must address.

The MPA Academy – the training arm of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) – in partnership with the Singapore Management University (SMU) and Human Capital Leadership Institute, has officially launched its 2nd Advanced Maritime Leaders’ Programme (AMLP). Taking place from 20 to 25 April 2017, the six-day programme will gather 19 senior maritime and port officials from all regions including, Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and Oceania. The Advanced Maritime Leaders’ Programme (AMLP) focuses on leadership development and is uniquely designed for senior maritime officers heading maritime and port administrations in their respective countries.

Amid structural and cyclical changes brought about by over-capacity, mega-alliances, increasing digitisation, as well as economic and geopolitical uncertainties, Singapore remains a premier global hub port and leading international maritime centre that held steady growth in 2016. In the face of headwinds, Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) 2017 – organised by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) – will rally the global maritime industry for a week of discussions and networking to address critical issues impacting the regional and international maritime scene today. Into its 12th year, SMW will feature a record number of 34 events, including 20 business forums, eight networking receptions and six community outreach events.

CMA CGM, a leading worldwide shipping group, launches Saturday April 1st the 40 new maritime services of its new operational alliance OCEAN Alliance. Combining this new offer of maritime services with a global intermodal and logistics offer, CMA CGM Group and its subsidiaries supply its customers with tailored solutions, even more competitive on the routes Asia-Europe, Asia-Mediterranean, Asia-Red Sea, Asia–Middle East, Trans-Pacific, Asia-East Coast of North America trades and Transatlantic. CMA CGM Group is the major player in this operational alliance, as it brings 119 of the 323 ships to OCEAN Alliance. With its 650 offices in more than 160 countries…

France's CMA CGM and China's COSCO Container Lines are to form a four-way vessel-sharing alliance with Evergreen Line and Orient Overseas Container Line focused on Asia routes, CMA CGM said on Wednesday. Container shipping has seen route-sharing develop in response to a severe downturn in the market, and a rejigging of alliances had been expected in recent months after COSCO merged with China Shipping Group and CMA CGM agreed to acquire Singapore's Neptune Orient Lines (NOL).

Authorities at the Danish ports of Copenhagen, Kalundborg and Fredricia have granted permission for GAC EnvironHull’s pioneering, diver-free, underwater HullWiper solution to be used within their ports and outside of holding areas. These approvals represent the latest expansion of the service into the Scandinavian region, following the approval of the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to clean hulls at Gothenburg, Sweden in 2014. “The granting of permission to use HullWiper in these three Danish ports represents the latest in our growing list of approvals around the world…

Allied eParts Pte. Ltd. (AEP) with its premises in Ubi Avenue, Singapore joins the Hatteland Display service network after signing a contract with the marine display and computer manufacturer during Sea Asia in April 2015. Following the full training of AEP's Service engineers at the Norway premises of Hatteland Display and the set-up of the Service location including a variety of spare parts, AEP will be ready to perform warranty and non-warranty workshop repairs on behalf of Hatteland Display.

Meridian’s counter-piracy teams may now operate aboard vessels flying the Panama flag, following a vetting process that validated the quality of the US-based private maritime security company. The final decision was made this week by the Panama Maritime Authority, which administers the world’s largest flag State. The vetting process included scrutiny of Meridian’s reputation, financial stability, training standards, firearms handling accountability, corporate structure and proof of ISO 9001:2008 certification.

Koji Sekimizu, secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) said that number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean could surge to 500,000 this year with thousands of deaths at sea if no action is taken against the people who traffic them, says a report by AFP. "If we do nothing, we will see half a million of migrants crossing over the Mediterranean and we will see probably 10,000 of deaths if that is the case," Sekimizu warned. More than 170,000 migrants crossed the Mediterranean into Europe last year, with 3,000 of them perishing at sea, according to Sekimizu. He said his office was working with other UN agencies to establish a database of the people smugglers as an initial step to target them, but would not give any more details.

GAC EnvironHull’s eco-friendly, diver-free hull cleaning technology makes its Asian debut at this year’s Sea Asia exhibition, marking its introduction at one of the world’s busiest ports, Singapore. The HullWiper Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) system was launched in late 2013 in the United Arab Emirates and has since been rolled out to other countries in the Middle East and in Sweden. It is now being offered to vessels in Singapore, through GAC EnvironHull’s local partner, T&T Salvage Asia Pte Ltd (T&T).

Wärtsilä launched a new anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessel design at this year's Sea Asia exhibition held in Singapore from April 21-23. According to the designer, the focus of the new design is on simplicity, efficiency, low fuel consumption, and a reduced environmental impact. The equipment solutions are suitable for medium to large size AHTS vessels, where one of the key components is a two-speed gearbox system selected to meet the design targets of reduced costs and less complexity without compromising operational safety.

Royal IHC has announced an extension to its innovative range of vessels with the introduction of the IHC Workhorse. This new design for a hybrid anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessel has been developed specifically for the offshore sector. It follows the IHC Packhorse platform supply vessels (PSV), which was launched in 2014. • Ease of operation: the IHC Workhorse introduces an intelligent touchscreen concept that offers operators an effortless, user-friendly interface – even when using the most sophisticated hybrid power configurations. • Significant fuel savings: the advanced hybrid system is configured to manage all power requirements consistently at the most efficient fuel saving level.

ABS Executive Vice President of Corporate Energy Development Ken Richardson says managing Big Data is critical to the future of offshore. (Singapore) ABS, the leading provider of classification services to the global marine and offshore industries, is participating in the Sea Asia conference 21-23 April 2015 in Singapore, where ABS Executive Vice President of Corporate Energy Development Ken Richardson is moderating the offshore marine forum. While there are many challenges being faced by the offshore sector, Richardson says, one of the most interesting is how the industry will address the challenge of Big Data. “Big data has the potential to be transformational, which means it has to be a priority,” he says.

Thome Group is giving its full support to Singapore Maritime Week with several senior executives speaking at key events during the packed programme. Michael Elwert, Director of Group Strategy, HR & Support, will chair a session at the Sea Asia conference on Thurs April 23 to discuss Navigating Challenges: The Way Forward. He will also discuss 21st Century Ship Supply at the celebratory 60th annual Convention of the International Ship Suppliers and Services Association on April 26 and is a panel member at the 2nd Offshore Marine Crewing & Manning Conference on April 21 where he will debate Compensation, Welfare and Retention. Phillip Chamberlain…

Singapore is gearing up to host more than 14,000 participants from over 60 countries, this month, at Sea Asia 2015 — one of the region’s largest maritime conferences and leading forum for analysis and debate on the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. Singapore Maritime Foundation chairman, Michael Chia, said this year’s Sea Asia recognizes Singapore’s position as an international maritime centre and highlight the role the industry has played in the country’s growth. “The maritime industry, which employs some 170,000 people in Singapore and contributes around 7% of Singapore’s GDP, has played a key role in driving Singapore’s development and this trend is set to continue,” he said in a press release.

Pole Star Space Applications, a provider of realtime asset tracking and monitoring systems, has announced the launch of Marine Asset Tracker (MAT) 2.0, the first product released on its next generation Purplefinder Pro software platform. MAT 2.0 is targeted at owners and operators of coastal and inland workboats, tugs and barges and the offshore oil and gas market. It allows users to monitor mixed fleets of tugs, barges, rigs and other assets to manage fleet-wide operations and regulatory requirements.

The Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) to boost maritime research & development,
 productivity and manpower development. The new initiatives were announced by Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, at the recent opening of the Sea Asia Exhibition and Conference, held in conjunction with the concurrant Singapore Maritime Week 2013. "Maritime is an important part of Singapore and contributes some 7% of Singapore's GDP. MPA is committed to working in partnership with the industry and institutes of higher learning (IHLs) in developing Maritime Singapore and are pleased to work with the industry and IHLs on the new initiatives and investments in maritime R&D, productivity and manpower development," said Mr Lam Yi Young, Chief Executive of MPA.

Harkand, the international subsea inspection, repair, maintenance and light construction group, announced an agreement to acquire the main assets and business of Veolia Marine Services (VMS). The acquisition will add 150 onshore and offshore staff, three dynamically-positioned multi-purpose vessels (MSV), and six work-class remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to Harkand’s growing workforce and fleet. With Harkand already active in the North Sea, Asia Pacific and Africa, this acquisition will expand its international reach by adding a Houston operation with a track-record in deepwater inspection…

Building on their rapid growth and to support its international fleet activity, Calecore will be adding Singapore to its UK, Norway and Russian bases. Launching to coincide with a corporate event later this month for the Singapore F1 Grand Prix, the South East Asian hub will be actively promoting and servicing our ‘total’ Geophysical and Geotechnical Offshore Site Survey solutions from October. Logan will be drawing on his in depth knowledge gained during his  impressive career in the industry to date.

Maritime industry leaders have called for greater collaboration and consolidation in Asia to tackle challenges such as the rise over capacity, talent shortages and environmental sustainability, which are impacting the potential of the industry. Speaking at an industry insights briefing today ahead of the launch of Sea Asia 2015, the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore Assistant Chief Executive (Development) Tan Beng Tee; PIL Managing Director and Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) Chairman S.S.