T4 News

The November edition of Marine News magazine highlighted a selection of the most notable American newbuilds delivered of 2023—from a first-of-its-kind green towboat, to the lead vessel in a series of game-changing ships to train U.S. mariners.Empire StateAs the lead vessel in a series of five new training ships being constructed to serve America's state maritime academies, Empire State is easily one of the most important U.S.-built vessels delivered in recent memory.Built by Philly Shipyard for the U.S.

Captain Morgan McManus will serve as the Ship’s Master on the Empire State VII, the first in a series of five National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV), which at press time was getting its post-sea trial finishing touches at Philly Shipyard. The project to design, build and deliver the NSMV series is one of the most exciting shipbuilding programs in the U.S. – a government shipbuilding project leveraging commercial shipbuilding efficiencies. For insights, we visited with Captain McManus to discuss the ship, it’s technology suite and its role in helping to educate a new generation of U.S.

Robert (Bob) Hill of Ocean Tug & Barge Engineering Corp., of Milford, MA has specialized in the design of AT/B’s for many years. As probably the world's most experienced designer of large articulated tug/barge (AT/B) systems, Hill’s success comes, in part, from a willingness to innovate. Ocean Tug & Barge Engineering Corporation and Robert Hill are the co-inventors of the Intercon Connection System. In a nutshell, his firm has had a hand in over 70% of the operational AT/B’s in service in America – including, 80% of those built or converted since 1994.

Imagine a settlement over falsifying emission levels in another transportation sector dropping money onto your deck. Who knew? But it’s true. The $2.9 billion settlement fund Volkswagen agreed to capitalize for distribution across all 50 states, tribal lands and Puerto Rico, as a result of “dieselgate,” its criminal dodging of required auto emission levels, presents an unparalleled opportunity to maritime companies that want to move their noxious diesel engines up a couple of EPA notches, and stick someone else with close to half the bill or more.

The shipping market recovery is underway, says Golar LNG. Shipping demand has exceeded supply growth for the first time since 2013. "The shipping market is showing strong signs of improving. As of today, the effective time charter rates being achieved in 4Q are more than twice that recorded in 3Q. An improving trend is expected to continue into 2018-2019 when shipping supply should lag demand created by increased production. At full utilization, every $10,000 increase in shipping rates equates to approximately $40 million additional annual operating cash flows across the entire fleet," says a statement from the company. Demand growth has been supported by a combination of additional liquefaction volumes and rising ton miles.

Direct services between Asia and the East Coast of South America will begin port calls at APM Terminals Buenos Aires, Argentina, and APM Terminals Itajaí, Brazil. The joint service deployed by Hapag-Lloyd, NYK, ZIM, Hyundai and Hamburg Sud prefers their vessels call APM Terminals' facilities in Itajai (Brazil) and T4 in Buenos Aires (Argentina). The weekly Asian service, operated jointly with 13 vessels from Hapag-Lloyd, NYK, Zim, Hamburg Süd and Hyundai, will call the Asian ports of Kelang, Singapore, Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo, Hong Kong, Shekou and Busan. The service will begin August 25th with the arrival of the first vessel into Terminal 4 Buenos Aires.

Rexroth’s controller is now certified for use on ships, offshore installations and in explosive atmospheres. Six European and American certification boards have approved the IndraControl XM22 control hardware for use on ships and offshore installations even under extreme ambient conditions. The certifications include the control hardware, extension modules for the expansion of the communication interfaces as well as application-specific modules of the fast IndraControl S20 I/O portfolio. IndraControl XM is the latest powerful controller with IP20 protection.

Drewry’s Z-score carrier financial stress index sunk to its lowest ever point following the first-half 2016 results. After Hanjin’s bankruptcy shippers are demanding more financial transparency from carriers. There is still much work to be done to clean up the logistical chaos created by Hanjin’s bankruptcy, but even so there are lessons from the sorry mess that need to be learned to avoid a repeat occurring. Firstly, all stakeholders must understand that no carrier is too big to fail. The hitherto expectation that some white knight would rescue an ailing carrier has been erased forever. Secondly, while Hanjin’s financial position was at the extreme edges and its demise is not expected to create a domino effect…

On June 9, 2016 DEKRA EXAM GmbH issued ATEX certificate for DESMI’s RayClean-EX ballast water treatment system. The certificate covers both the RayClean UV unit and the UV control panel powering the UV unit, and enables both these components to be installed in hazardous areas onboard tanker vessels like e.g. oil tankers, chemical tankers and gas carriers. The filter, valves and sensors in the RayClean system can also be delivered in ATEX certified version meaning that all components of the RayClean system except the main control panel can be installed directly in hazardous areas.

Ship operators must combine vigilance, structure and care with the new SOLAS X1-1/7 - MSC.1/Circ.1477 & MSC.1/Circ.1485 regulations to safeguard crews from the dangers of gas when entering enclosed spaces, warns Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS), stressing that just supplying vessels with one portable four-gas detection unit, as stipulated by the IMO, simply isn’t sufficient. The new regulation, coming into force on July 1, 2016, requires all ships engaged in international voyages to have at least one unit capable of detecting the presence of oxygen, flammable gases or vapors, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide. This is an important step forward, acknowledges WSS, global provider of maritime products and services, but not the end of the road when it comes to safety.

The Gerritsen On- & Offshore Services BV company have handled a routine turbine maintenance procedure being undertaken on an offshore location in the Southern North Sea. This involved four of their personnel, utilizing an air operated hoist unit manufactured by the J D Neuhaus company for the safe and effective lift and maneuver procedures for a turbine lift load of 26,500lbs. The turbine was responsible for supplying power to a gas-compressor utilized for power, steam and other general services.

SignalFire Wireless Telemetry has expanded the capabilities of its Multi Input/Output (MIO) Module to connect directly (Modbus) with programmable logic controllers (PLCs) or be configured to perform autonomous local control where an input can trigger a relay output when a set threshold is met. In its standard configuration, the MIO Module provides wireless I/O capability as part of Signal Fire’s Remote Sensing System, sending data from attached sensors to a SignalFire Gateway that can report inputs and write outputs via its wireless network. Now, when operating in non-wireless Modbus mode, the SignalFire Multi I/O Module can be connected directly to a user’s controller via Modbus RS-485 or operate independently without any outside device controlling it.

DP World Chairman Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem announced the start of construction work on a brand new container terminal at Jebel Ali Port, Dubai. Phase 1 of the Container Terminal 4 (T4) project will deliver new capacity of 3.1 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) by 2018, taking Jebel Ali Port’s total capacity to 22.1 million TEU. The port complex will be equipped with at least 110 cranes with a total quay length of around 11,000 meters by that time. T4 will be located on…

More and more companies are turning to air-operated hoists for effective ways to clean storage tanks, manufacturer J D Neuhaus (JDN) reports. Typically, injector heads with nozzles are used to clean inside these inherently dirty vessels by dispensing hot/cold water or steam at high pressures. If required, solvents are sometimes included in the cleaning solution. JDN hoists lift, support and accurately position the injector heads to ensure a thorough clean. For ease of traversing…

When the diesel engine of a deck crane failed, it caused major handling problems for an offshore platform operating in the Dutch sector of the southern North Sea, problems that were solved with the use of J D Neuhaus air operated hoists. The crane was operating at 40 meters above sea level and provided a lift capacity of 20 metric tons. Replacing the broken engine, which itself weighed-in at approximately 2750lbs, presented some logistic problems. The diesel engine replacement…

Safely, efficiently lifting and handling increasingly heavy loads takes a hefty dose of the latest heavy lift products and systems. Rolls-Royce is a ubiquitous and growing force in all matters maritime, inching toward the one-stop-shop premise. It is particularly well known in the deck machinery sector, and it recently signed a deal with Detroit Chile SA to supply offshore cranes to nine PSVs under construction at Detroit Brasil Ltda. shipyard, in Itajaì, Brazil. The order includes nine ship sets of the dual draglink crane, making 18 cranes in total.

As operators ponder the thorny question of dual fuel, LNG or SCR Treatment, GE Transportation’s new medium speed marine diesel engine seemingly simplifies the playing field. The October 2014 news that global oilfield giant Oceaneering had committed to building a ship designed with GE Transportation marine diesel engines was ordinary enough, but the recent keel laying ceremony held at the BAE Systems Shipyard in Mobile, AL held special significance for not only Oceaneeering, but for GE as well. That’s because the first ship to be outfitted with GE Transportation’s newest marine engine offering – ones which meet EPA Tier 4i and IMO Tier III Emissions standards – all without the need for a Selective Catalytic Reduction system (SCR) exhaust gas after-treatment…

American Sensor Technologies, Inc. (AST) has achieved ATEX certification of its Explosion Proof Pressure Transmitters for Class I Zone 0 Exd hazardous locations. The added approvals enhance the ability for equipment manufacturers to specify AST pressure transducers as the sensors can now operate in both North America and Europe. AST Explosion Proof Pressure Transducers are commonly used in upstream and offshore applications where safety, reliability and performance are crucial. Additionally, the AST4300 Non-Incendive Rugged Pressure Transmitter Series is qualified as ATEX Class I Zone 0 Exd and the AST43LP Low Presssure Non-Incendive Pressure Sensor Series holds a ATEX Class I Zone 2 Ex nA rating. Each are also certified by Sira for Class I Zone 2 Ex nA IIC T4 Gc.

Port Waratah Coal Services (PWCS) has commenced the evaluation of an extension to its Kooragang coal terminal at the Port of Newcastle. The proposed Terminal 4 (T4) Project expansion has reached Feasibility Study level and environmental approval is expected within 2014. It seeks to meet the increasing overseas demand for energy, ongoing expansion of the coal industry in the Hunter Valley, and PWCS obligation to clients. The project is a critical element of the long term export plan signed by the Hunter Coal industry and the New South Wales Government in late 2009. * construct coal stockyards, rail facilities, marine side infrastructure (e.g. * ensure sufficient terminal capacity to meet long term needs of coal producers.

Injuries within workplace environments can occur when personnel are lifting or moving inappropriately heavy loads. The use of mechanical lifting equipment helps but can also be time consuming, particularly where rope or chain wheel manual operations are associated with raising loads to above head height. Air powered lifting has been proved to be safe, effective, economical and time saving, particularly where there is an existing compressed-air power source available. The J D Neuhaus supplies supply air operated handling equipment for individual loads up to 100 tons…

The range of handling and lifting equipment supplied by the J D Neuhaus company is currently in use around the world on Jack-up rigs, Semi-submersibles, Drill ships and FPSO vessels. Their product range incorporates both air and hydraulically powered hoists, with individual lifting capacities ranging from 550lbs to 100 metric tons. These products can also be incorporated into single or double girder overhead travelling cranes, underslung cranes with special low headroom trolley designs, together with purpose designed slewing jib cranes.

Hoists incorporating the latest generation of super silent hydraulics have now been added to the J D Neuhaus range of high performance lifting and handling equipment. In both their Profi and EH monorail hoist ranges, units providing 75 and 100 metric ton lift capacities have been added. Where heavy loads are lifted and transported in highly restricted spaces with only minimum headroom, then a JDN ultra-low monorail hydraulic hoist range has been introduced, initially available with 50 and 100 metric ton lift capacities and designated as JDN UH 50-H and JDN UH 100-H.

Crane systems manufactured by the J D Neuhaus company can be supplied with Atex classifications EX II 2 GD IIA T4 / EX II 3 GD IIB T4, with increased spark protection also available for explosion level II C. The company said its products are currently used worldwide, operating in some of the most dangerous dust laden conditions as well as hazardous, toxic and potentially explosive atmospheres, where typical applications include mining, tunneling, foundries and cement plants, with toxic and hazardous locations including chemical processing…