Transport Chemicals News

Norwegian shipbuilding firm Vard said Friday it had delivered the Yara Birkeland - the vessel that will be the world’s first all-electric autonomous container ship - to its owners Yara International.Vard was tasked with building a vessel prepared for autonomous operations which Yara will further develop.The hull was built by Vard Braila in Romania, and initially, the plan was for Vard Brevik to outfit and deliver the vessel, however, this was then transferred to Vard Brattvaag…

Plans to launch the world’s first all-electric autonomous container vessel Yara Birkeland have been shelved due to the coronavirus pandemic and uncertain market conditions, said Yara International, the Norwegian company behind the project."Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the changed global outlook, Yara has decided to pause further development of the vessel and will assess next steps together with its partners," the company said.In 2017, Yara partnered with technology company Kongsberg to build the fully battery-powered container vessel…

Nduna Maritime, a subsidiary of the Mnambithi Group, and the integrated chemicals and energy company Sasol have invested in South Africa's first locally-owned chemical tanker with a funding agreement made through the Sasol Siyakha Trust.The Bow Cecil is claimed to be the first South Africa flagged vessel to transport chemicals to international markets. "We are particularly proud of this landmark agreement, as it is a significant investment into localizing and diversifying our supply chain. As a global producer of a number of chemical products, we supply numerous markets around the world with products made in South Africa. Through Nduna Maritime…

The American Waterways Operators (AWO) and The American Chemistry Council (ACC) have renewed for three years a Memorandum of Agreement to promote environmental, health, safety and security performance through ACC's Responsible Care and AWO's Responsible Carrier Program. This agreement was originally executed in 2006, and subsequently renewed in 2010 and 2013. The MOA extends cooperation and collaboration between chemical shippers and carriers and provides ACC's Responsible Care Partner companies in the marine sector the option of using AWO's Responsible Carrier Program audit system to meet ACC's Responsible Care certification requirements. Chemicals account for roughly 10 percent of total barge traffic, with 70 million tons moved by barge in 2014.

Statoil has found a way to make tank cleaning on supply vessels safer and more effective. M-I SWACO developed a new solution, and was awarded a contract with Statoil that is valued at around $55.7 million. This is the first time that M-I SWACO has commercialized the technology. It is an automatic system, which means that personnel avoid having to enter the tanks to clean them. Wash water and soap are also recycled so that it is only the actual waste washed out of the tank that has to be delivered for further processing.

Statoil has long been looking for a way to make tank cleaning on supply vessels safer and more effective, and at the same time reduce its environmental footprint. In a new technology just made commercial, it believes it has found a viable solution to one of the maritime industry's age-old problems: Tank Cleaning. M-I SWACO has developed a new technological solution and has now been awarded a contract with Statoil that is valued at around 55.7 million, including options. Statoil…

Tank, Fluid Solutions and Bunded Storage for Dangerous Goods and Chemicals Introduced at Gap Ridge, Karratha. Ferguson Group Australia, global specialist in offshore DNV 2.7-1/EN12079 containers, tanks, refrigerated modules, engineering workspace and accommodation modules, has introduced a range of chemical services from its new base in Gap Ridge, Karratha WA. The purpose built base in Gap Ridge, Karratha was designed with integral chemical storage and handling facilities. Gap Ridge is within easy reach of ports, reducing the time taken to transport chemicals offshore.

Stena Bulk/Stena Weco and Golden Agri (GAR) have invested in a further six chemical tankers. Golden Stena Weco, which is a joint venture between Stena Weco and Golden Agri-Resources (GAR), will be responsible for the commercial management. The main aim of the investment is to ensure that Golden Stena Weco has the necessary resources to meet its own transport needs and, by means of efficient commercial and operational management, to make shipments profitable despite the current relatively low market levels. The total investment is in the region of $100 million.