Tbn News

The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) has recently announced an amendment to the Federal Ship Financing Program, commonly referred to as Title XI. The amendments have aligned the program’s financial requirements and tests with common current federal credit and maritime lending best practices. In particular, the amendments aim to move away from inflexible static metrics and Title XI’s limited amortization requirements. The amendments respond to concerns that previous terms acted as a barrier to some companies seeking to apply for Title XI support.

Offshore wind vessel firm Edda Wind said Wednesday it had won a contract to support the commissioning and construction of the first two phases of the giant Dogger Bank wind farm in the UK."Edda Wind and Dogger Bank Wind Farm have agreed on a new contract for the newbuild CSOV Edda TBN C490," Edda Wind said in a social media post.The new contract will begin shortly after delivery of the commissioning service operation vessel in Q2 2023, with a firm period of two years and an additional option of one year, said the company which is jointly owned by Johannes Østensjø dy AS and Wilh.

AAL Shipping has acquired two secondhand multipurpose heavy lift vessels, expanding its core fleet to 720,200 total deadweight (DWT).The 2010-built Pacific Action and 2009-built AAL Gladstone have both served in the AAL fleet in the past and are due to rejoin later this month – the former renamed this week, AAL Gibraltar. The G-Class vessels feature a total cargo intake of 35,705 cubic meters, four large cargo holds, three tweendecks and a maximum lift capacity of 240 tonnes.

A service operations vessel (SOV), owned and operated by Bernhard Schulte Offshore, is undergoing final tests at Ulstein Verft’s shipyard in Norway in preparation for sea trials."The Yard number 315 newbuild at Ulstein Verft, the Windea TBN for Bernhard Schulte, has been floated out from the outer dock and has now been positioned quayside. The vessel is now getting prepared for her first sea trial in early March," said a press release from the Norwegean shipbuilding company.Prior to the sea trial various tests will be carried out, including start-up of the propulsion system, testing of the tower and crane.The X-BOW and X-STERN offshore…

Norwegian shipbuilder and ship designer Ulstein is currently carrying out the paint work on Bernhard Schulte’s new service operation vessel (SOV), the 'Windea TBN'.The SOV, which was launched on 15 October 2016, for the offshore wind industry was docked into our dock hall on 8 December 2019.The hull of the vessel arrived Ulstein Verft in September 2019 and in the last few months the work has been focused on accommodation, electrical installations, painting of technical areas and outfitting.After the hull had been towed into the dock hall, the exterior paint work started, while the interior work continues.This will be Bernhard Schulte's third vessel which has been designed and constructed by Ulstein.

Navios Maritime Partners (NMP) s agreed to acquire eleven vessels and liquidate Navios Europe I.As of September 30, 2019, Navios Partners had a receivable of $48.2 million from Navios Europe I. On November 22, 2019, an agreement was reached to liquidate Navios Europe I. The agreement is subject to definitive documentation which is expected to be completed by the end of 2019.It is expected that Navios Partners will acquire the five containerships - Esperanza N, Protostar N, Harmony N, Castor N and Solar N - owned by Navios Europe I with a net equity value approximately equal to the receivable.Navios Partners entered into a share purchase agreement for the acquisition of four drybulk vessels - TBN 1…

Navios Maritime Acquisition Corporation, the provider of transportation of petroleum products (clean and dirty) and bulk liquid chemicals, announced that its fleet consisted of a total of 41 vessels as of November 7, 2019.The owner and operator of tanker vessels said that out of 41 vessels, 13 are very large crude carriers (VLCCs) (including three bareboat chartered-in VLCCs expected to be delivered in the third and fourth quarters of 2020 and the third quarter of 2021), 26 are product tankers, two are chemical tankers.Navios Acquisition sold the Nave Electron, a 2002-built VLCC vessel of 305,178 dwt to an unaffiliated third party for a sale price of $25.3 million on October 8…

China Merchants Heavy Industry has delivered an expedition cruise vessel to SunStone Ships, the first of its next-genn INFINITY-class vessel and perhaps more significantly China's firm entrance into the cruise ship building sector.The arrangement to bring this ship from drawing board to delivery slip is the culmination of marrying European cruise design and quality with Chinese ship-building efficiency. The vessel will be chartered out to Aurora Expeditions.https://www.marinelink.com/news/cruise-ship-construction-china-rising-438788The vessel has departed China Merchants Heavy Industry…

The seaborne shipping and logistics company Navios Maritime Holdings agreed to acquire a former chartered-in vessel, the Sea Victory (TBN Navios Victory), a 2014-built Panamax vessel of 77,095 dwt, for a purchase price of $14.5 million.The acquisition is expected to be completed in Q3 2019, said the shipping firm focused on the transport and transshipment of drybulk commodities including iron ore, coal and grain.Navios sold to an unrelated third party the Navios Equator Prosper, a 2000-built Capesize vessel of 171,191 dwt, for a total net sale price of $11.5 million, paid in cash early this month.In April and May 2019, Navios agreed to sell to unrelated third parties the Navios Mercator…

Offshore marine logistics company, Topaz Energy and Marine has entered into a long-term agreement with the GE company Baker Hughes (BHGE) for its proprietary lubricant condition monitoring system, VitalyX.The two firms will collaborate on boosting the maintenance and upkeep of Topaz’s fleet of vessels and increase the field time for each vessel.VitalyX is expected to be deployed on the entire module carrying vessel (MCV) fleet for Topaz in late 2019 and is the largest single collaboration with the technology since being first unveiled at BHGE’s Annual Meeting in January.Utilising the Internet of Things (IoT) by combining the latest sensor hardware with condition monitoring software…

With a motto of Always Ready, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) has 11 missions specified by law including drug and migrant interdiction; ports, waterways and coastal security; fishery patrols; search and rescue; and national defense. The USCG’s newest ships including 22 Fast Response Cutters (FRCs) recently entered service with 36 more on order and six new National Security Cutters (NSCs) with two more in the process of being built. Oil analysis plays a critical role in the…

Oslo-based boxship owner MPC Container Ships has agreed two more secondhand purchases. "MPC Container Ships ASis pleased to announce that it has entered into agreements to acquire “Annika” and “Antigoni”, two 987 and 1,049 TEU vessels built in 2008 at Daesun Shipbuilding, South Korea," said a press statement from the company. The total purchase price for the two vessels is USD 16.1m. Physical takeover of the vessels is expected to take place in January 2018, lifting the fleet of the Company to 41 vessels. Ten days ago, MPC entered into agreements to acquire “Vilana” (tbn “AS Cleopatra”), “Cap Pasado” (tbn “AS Christiania”) and “Cap Blanche” (tbn “AS Carlotta”), three 2,742 TEU vessels built in 2006 at Aker MTW Werft, Germany. The total purchase price for the three vessels is USD 31.9m.

Oslo-based shipping company MPC Container Ships has continued its fleet expansion with the addition of two more container vessels; to take delivery of the vessels next month.   The expanding start-up company purchased a 2,564 TEU vessel, which will be named AS Petulia, and a 1,200 TEU ship, to be named AS Frida. The two container ships were built in 2008 and 2003, respectively.   "MPC Container Ships AS is pleased to announce that it has acquired a 2,564 TEU vessel (tbn AS Petulia) built in 2008, and a 1,200 TEU vessel (tbn AS Frida) built in 2003. Physical takeover of the vessels is expected in November 2017," said a press release from the company.   The total investment volume for the two vessels is USD 18.4m.    This brings the fleet of the Company to 25 vessels.

Swiss headquartered Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has announced two new services alled the ‘Lone Star Express’ which will operate between Asia and the US Gulf. This new service will become a new Gateway to/from the US Gulf in anticipation of increased demand. At the same time, MSC’s Everglades service will be renamed ‘Amberjack’ and restructured to include a call to New York, this change ensures both services will operate at optimum efficiency. All changes will be in effect from the first week of May 2016 (departing Asia). The Lone Star Express and Amberjack will continue to be supported by the America and Empire services currently in operation. MSC now provides four weekly services between Asia and the East Coast of the United States.

At high tide today at Gondan Shipyard in Figueras, the New PSV (TBN) for the Norwegian Ship-Owner, Simon Møkster Shipping, was launched. Different personalities related to the sector have attended the ceremony as well as authorities from the Ministry of Industry. In addition, the event was attended by the CEO of the Owner, Anne Jorunn Møkster, accompanied by other members of the Management of the Ship-Owner company. For his part, the Director of the Shipyard, Alvaro Platero, thanked the Owner’s confidence in the firm, while he highlighted the fact that this construction shows, once again, the Shipyard’s high technical capability of being eligible for building ships of extreme complexity.

Eidesvik Offshore has taken delivery of Viking Neptun, an offshore construction vessel from Kleven Verft AS. According to Eidesvik Offshore, TBN Viking Neptun is represents its largest ever investment in the subsea segment. A long-term loan facility of $124 million has been drawn with Nordea and Eksportkreditt Norway/GIEK to finance the vessel. The vessel, equipped with Reach ROVs and manned by Eidesvik marine personnel and Reach ROV personnel and engineers, will begin a contract with Technip in March 2015.

P&O Ferries and MTN Communications (MTN) announce the delivery of high-performance Internet connectivity and access to online content through the first Wi-Fi hot spot on the English Channel. This service is now live on the English Channel on ferries serving the P&O Ferries Dover-Calais route. These vessels are reportedly the first ferries in the world connected to the MTN Terrestrial Broadband Network (TBN), in addition to having back-up satellite connectivity, as many cruise ships do today.

Privately held, American-based On-Site Analysis, Inc. (OSA), a manufacturer of high-tech, on-premise, automated fluids analysis equipment, has now expanded into the maritime industry with the introduction of the OBA ShipCheck, an on-board analyzer. With a physical footprint of just four square feet and weighing only 95 pounds, and using the same ASTM methods as outside labs, the OBA ShipCheck conducts diagnostic fluids analysis for marine engine lubricants, marine grease and gear lubricants, generators, hydraulics, air compressors, scrape down oils and many more fluids.

This week, find out why and how choosing ExxonMobil Marine Fuels & Lubricants Mobilgard 410 NC can help optimize the performance of engines that meet Tier IV emission requirements, which continue to be phased in from Jan. 1, 2015, depending on vessel and engine type. Optimize the performance of engines that meet Tier IV emission requirements. The EPA requires that new and medium and high-speed engines must significantly reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) and diesel particulate matter (PM) emissions within US Caribbean Emission Control Areas (ECAs). In response, ExxonMobil has developed an advanced lubricant that can help optimize the performance of engines and aftermarket treatment devices (ATDs) that meet these requirements.

Reach Subsea has secured a deal worth up to $10.3 million with Technip to provide remote-operated vehicle services on a newbuild subsea construction vessel to be supplied by Eidesvik Offshore. Eidesvik Offshore and Reach Subsea have in partnership entered into a firm contract with Technip in Norway. Reach will execute the contract using Eidesvik Offshore's newbuild TBN Viking Neptun, equipped with Reach ROVs and manned by Eidesvik marine personnel and Reach ROV personnel and engineers. TBN Viking Neptun is a state of the art vessel, and represents the largest investment Eidesvik has done in the subsea segment. The vessel is well positioned for future environmental requirements in vulnerable areas like the Arctic…

After launching its Terrestrial Broadband Network (TBN) just more than one year ago, MTN Communications (MTN) announces the number of TBN-connected cruise ships has doubled and covered regions have tripled. Since the MTN TBN kick-off in Alaska in the Summer 2013 cruise season, several MTN partners, including Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises, are leveraging this new technology to enrich their passenger and crew communications experience. Thanks in part to this new technology, the MTN hybrid network now delivers approximately 10 Terabytes of data daily.

The recent trend in favoring newer generation engines which offer improved fuel consumption by using a longer stroke reflects the marine industry’s focus on energy efficiency. While this design does aid operators in reducing fuel consumption, it has also created the new issue of cold corrosion. The longer stroke allows the cylinder walls to cool more than with older engine designs, allowing water condensation to form on the surface which then reacts with the sulphur dioxide in the combustion gases to form sulphuric acid, a corrosive element which damages the liner surface.

Parker Kittiwake, the global provider of asset control and protection technology, has launched its newly updated DIGI TBN test kit. The digital, used-oil analysis kit now gives a rapid indication of total base number (TBN) depletion in scrape down cylinder lubricants with a BN range up to 100. Recent guidance from engine manufacturers (OEMs) recommends the use of higher BN lubricants in newer engines to help prevent the damaging effects of corrosive wear. Therefore, major oil companies are now adding higher BN lubricants to their product portfolios. “With the latest Parker Kittiwake DIGI TBN test kit, ship operators using high BN lubes now have the ability to test residual TBN levels in their oil.