OCI Global and X-Press Feeders Sign Green Methanol Offtake Agreement
OCI Global will supply X-Press Feeders with OCI HyFuels green methanol for their newbuild methanol dual-fueled common feeder ships from 2024.The green methanol will be used to fuel X-Press Feedersâ upcoming dual-fuel vessels servicing European ports and will be supplied in the Port of Rotterdam from 2024.X-Press Feeders says it will be the first common feeder operator with methanol fueled vessels on the water in Europe.Earlier this year OCI announced its partnership with Unibarge to retrofit the first methanol powered bunker barge which will be deployed at the Port of Rotterdam.
Subsea 7 Acquires Sealion Vessel
Offshore contractor Subsea 7 announced Wednesday it has finalized the acquisition of a 2009-built multipurpose offshore construction and dive support vessel.The vessel Toisa Pegasus, formerly owned by Sealion Shipping, is to be renamed Seven Pegasus and will primarily support Subsea 7âs operations in the North Sea and Asia Pacific, the company said.The 133-meter vessel will undergo a docking and crew familiarization program before commencing operations in quarter two 2019.Designed and built by IHCâŚ
Cachet Covers & a Boy's Fascination with Ships
Like many boys, Charles. F. âBudâ Kirby, Jr. loved ships. He had drawings, models, pictures, newspaper clippings, and scrapbooks. And, as his son, Don, recently learned, he had cachet covers of submarines.Bud would send stamped envelopes to the Electric Boat Company that he had addressed to himself in Watertown, Mass. These envelopes would be stamped with a commemorative cachet and then appropriately cancelled at Groton, Connecticut, where the EB shipyard was located, or on the ship if it had been commissioned.Each ship has its own post office, and its own cancellation stamp.
Vigor Begins Building NYPD Response Boat
U.S. shipbuilder Vigor said it has begun constructing a fifth 45â Response Boat - Medium C (RB-M C) for its long-time customer, the New York Police Department (NYPD) Harbor Unit. The vessel will be fabricated at Vigor Ballard (formerly Kvichak Marine) in the Seattle metro area with delivery expected in November. It will be the seventh RB-M C built for three different police departments. The RB-M C is the commercial variant of the Response Boat - Medium (RB-M) designed by Vigor in partnership with Camarc Design for high speed and high performanceâŚ
This Day In Naval History: September 15
1942 - USS Wasp (CV 7) is torpedoed by a Japanese submarine while operating in the Southwestern Pacific in support of forces on Guadalcanal. USS O'Brien (DD 415) and USS North Carolina (BB 55) are also struck by torpedoes from the same submarine. 1943 - USS Saufley (DD 465) and a Catalina Patrol Bomber piloted by Lt. W. J. Geritz from Patrol Squadron Twenty Three (VP 23) sinks the Japanese submarine RO-101 100 miles southeast of San Cristobal, Solomons. 1944 - USS Pampanito (SS 383) and USS Sealion (SS 315) rescue 73 British and 54 Australian POWs who survive the loss of Japanese freighterâŚ
This Day In Naval History: July 11
1798 - President John Adams signs an act that reestablishes the Marine Corps under the Constitution. The following day, Maj. William W. Burrows is appointed Commandant of the Marine Corps. 1918 - Henry Ford launches the first of the 100 intended Eagle boats. These boats have a solid cement bow, especially built for ramming and sinking submarines. Note, production is halted after (PE 60), though some of the boats continue to serve as training and transport vessels until 1947. 1943 - Gunfire from U.S.
This Day In Naval History: July 06
1747 - John Paul Jones is born in Arbigland, Scotland. Originally appointed to the Continental Navy in 1775, he is known for his quote, Ive not yet begun to fight! during the battle between Continental frigate, Bonhomme Richard, and HMS Serapis on Sept. 23, 1779. 1898 - During the Spanish-American War, the auxiliary-cruiser USS Dixie captures the Spanish vessels, Three Bells, Pilgrim, and Greeman Castle, off Cape Cruz, Cuba. 1943 - Following the Allied landing on New Georgia, the Japanese attempt to land reinforcements with 10 destroyers, resulting in the Battle of Kula Gulf. In the battle, USS Helena (CL 50) is hit by three torpedoes, breaks apart, and sinks, with nearly 170 of her crew lost.
Kvichak Delivers for the NYPD
Kvichak, a Vigor company, delivered a fourth, 45-foot Response Boat - Medium C (RB-M C) to its longtime customer, the New York Police Department Harbor Unit. The Kvichak RB-M C is the commercial variant of the Response Boat - Medium (RB-M), purpose built for the U.S. Coast Guard. To date, 174 RB-Ms have been delivered to the Coast Guard. The vessel was designed by Kvichak in partnership with Camarc Design for high speed and high performance, including tactical handling and specialized mission capabilities, the shipbuilder said.
Siemens Power and Drive Systems for New DSV
Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co. Ltd (ZPMC) has commissioned Siemens to equip the latest diving support vessel being built for Toisa Ltd. with complete drive and power systems. According to Siemens, the solution is designed to improve the vesselâs reliability and maneuverability, as well as reduce fuel consumption, so lowering overall operating costs. The integrated drive system (IDS) used in the vessel, with a length of approximately 146 meters, conforms with the international certification standards of DNV GL.
Another Newbuild Tanker Joins Ardmore Fleet
Tanker shipper Ardmore Shipping Corporationâs latest newbuild vessel, Ardmore Seawolf, was delivered by SPP Shipbuilding from the Sacheon shipyard in Korea on August 13, 2015. The addition of the 49,999 DWT IMO 3 product and chemical tanker increases the number of Ardmore vessels on the water to 22, joining sister ships, Ardmore Sealion and Ardmore Seafox. Technical management of the Ardmore Seawolf will be provided by Univan Ship Management. Commenting on Ardmore Seawolfâs deliveryâŚ
Specialty Motors Keep Shipping Afloat
Whether for sophisticated thrusters or naval weaponry, or equipment such as compressors, winches or pumps, large specialty motors are used throughout the marine industry. So when one of these motors fails at sea, the ramifications can range from minor annoyance to complete shutdown, which can prove costly in time and money. This was the scenario that Sealion Shipping Ltd. faced when its aft starboard azimuth thruster failed in the waters off Mexico, rendering the vesselâs dynamic positioning (DP) system inoperable.
Ardmore Shipping Takes Tanker Delivery
Ardmore Shipping Corporation took delivery of the newbuild product and chemical tanker vessel Ardmore Seafox on June 25, 2015, the company announced today. The 49,999 dwt, Eco-design IMO 3 tanker was built at Korea's SPP Shipbuilding Co., Ltd Sacheon Shipyard and is the second in a series of four SPP newbuilds scheduled to be delivered to Ardmore in 2015, following the delivery of sister ship Ardmore Sealion on May 26. The addition of Ardmore Seafox increases the number of Ardmore vessels on the water to 20 with a total tonnage of 819,519 DWT.
ZPMC Orders Romica Equipment for DSV
Romica Engineering Ltd (REL) has signed a contract with Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. (ZPMC) to provide a triple drum winch and tooling deployment A-Frame system. This will support the overboard deployment and recovery of diver tools supporting subsea work. The equipment will be fitted on the current diver support vessel in build for Sealion Shipping Ltd, on behalf of Toisa Ltd, this DP3 Multi-Purpose Saturation Diving Support/Offshore Construction Vessel (DSV/OCV) demonstrates Toisaâs continuing commitment to the future of front-rank Saturation Diving/Construction vessels.
ZPMC Orders MacGregor Subsea Cranes
MacGregor, part of Cargotec, has received a large order from Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Co Ltd (ZPMC). The contract is for four offshore cranes, including a 400-metric-ton SWL active heave-compensated crane capable of deploying 3,000-meter of wire rope. All four cranes will be fitted to a new 145-meter dive support vessel (DSV) under construction at the yard for U.K.-based operator Sealion Shipping. Delivery of the cranes to the Chinese shipyard is scheduled during third quarter of 2016. Sealion is an offshore support company that manages and operates offshore support vessels for Toisa. The DP3 vessel is equipped for worldwide operations in the oil and gas sector and on ultra-deepwater projects. Delivery is planned for early 2017.
Police and Dive Teams Rely on Underwater Search Equipment
Many government agencies and public safety dive teams are adding underwater search equipment to help make their operations easier, safer, and faster. Maricopa Sheriffs Department in Arizona, Downe Township Fire Rescue in New Jersey, the Fairhaven Massachusetts Harbor Master and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division are a few of the diverse group of agencies using metal detectors, video cameras and sonars in their underwater search operations. Deputy Jeff Hanson, leader of the Maricopa County Sheriffs Department dive teamâŚ
Cargotec Wins âŹ22 Million Order
Cargotec's MacGregor received âŹ22 million order to deliver a 900-ton active heave-compensated (AHC) MacGregor subsea crane to the South Korean shipyard, Hyundai Heavy Industries Co Ltd. The crane will be installed on a 150m multi-purpose offshore construction vessel (MOCV) ordered by Sealion Shipping, on behalf of Toisa Ltd. "This is the largest active heave-compensated MacGregor offshore crane that has been ordered," said Frode Grøvan, Director, Sales and Marketing for Advanced Load Handling. Sealion Shipping, a U.K.-based offshore support company that manages and operates offshore support vessels for Toisa, describes the MOCV as a customised version of an Ulstein Deepwater Enabler design.
Jotun Introduces the Worldâs First Resilient Antifouling
Jotun has announced the launch of SeaLion Resilient, a high performance marine coating based on epoxy-polysiloxane technology. Following extensive research and testing, Jotun has introduced the industryâs first anti-fouling coating that includes epoxy-polysiloxane, a compound of resins and hardeners that provides highly resilient hull protection. When combined with Jotunâs proven Fouling Release Coatings (FRC) technology, the epoxy-polysiloxane in SeaLion Resilient prevents settling of organisms on the hull and produces a glossy, smooth surface optimised for owners seeking to reduce costs related to dry-docking and maintenance. SeaLion Resilient has been specifically formulated for owners and managers seeking improved maintenance and docking efficiency.
Rolls-Royce Delivers Waterjets for US Navy LCS
Rolls-Royce delivered the Axial Mk1 waterjet for the latest Freedom-variant of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) class, currently under construction for the U.S. Navy. This delivery marks the successful completion of the Office of Naval Researchâs (ONR) Future Naval Capabilities (FNC) program for âCompact, High Power Density Waterjetsâ. This new waterjet will now be standard equipment for all future Freedom variants of the Littoral Combat Ships supplied to the U.S. Navy by Lockheed Martin.
Rolls-Royce Waterjets Delivered to New U.S. LCS
Rolls-Royce delivers advanced new Axial Mk1 waterjets for the latest US Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). Rolls-Royce Axial Mk1 waterjets are very power dense, delivering more cavitation-free performance for their size and power than any other waterjet. At 22MW of power, a single waterjet of this scale can move almost half a million gallons of seawater per minute. Four of these waterjets will propel the LCS at speeds in excess of 40 knots. This delivery marks the successful completion of the Office of Naval Research's (ONR) Future Naval Capabilities (FNC) program for âCompactâŚ
JW Fishersâ ROVâs âIn Depthâ Solutions
US-based supplier JW Fishers reminds that ROV deployment may prove safer & cheaper than diving. The company quote many examples to back up their statement, including one where the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) use a Fishers SeaLion-2 to help in underwater maintenance of Ice Harbor Lock and Dam in Washington State.The dam is more than 2,800 feet long and 100 feet high and provides hydroelectric generation, recreation, and irrigation for the areaâs residents and businesses. One of the tools helping the Corps in its inspection and maintenance operations is Fishers SeaLion ROV.
JW Fishers ROV's Provide 'In Depth' Solutions
US-based ROV provider, JW Fishers, report its Sea Otter ROV's go deep for government & industry. The company report that many and varied organizations are acquiring ROVs to assist in their underwater operations. These highly maneuverable remote operated vehicles perform a variety of tasks at depths of 1,000 feet or more. Deploying an ROV instead of a diver can reduce the cost and increase the safety of any search or inspection operation. One of the tools helping the US Army Corps of Engineers in its inspection and maintenance operations is Fishers SeaLion ROV.
Universities, Environmentalists get Help From Underwater Cameras
More universities and environmental groups are using underwater video systems to assist in their research and monitoring operations. These cameras can be very useful tools in studying benthic habitats and marine organisms, and to monitor the impact of pollution on the environment. Darling Marine Center is the marine laboratory at the University of Maine. Home to world renown research and education, the facility is situated on the shores of the Gulf of Maine with its diverse intertidal habitats.
Expanding Underwater Search Capabilities
Over the past year a number of Asian companies and government agencies have acquired underwater search equipment to aid in the location of lost objects and assist in performing survey operations. In China, Guangzhou Advanced Maritime Academy has added a remote operated underwater vehicle (ROV) to their program. Reforms and opening to the outside world have paved the way for development of the countryâs shipping industry. The throughput of cargo and containers at Chinaâs ports has been the largest in the world for the past five years with an annual growth rate of 35%.