Vickers News

2024 marks 50 years of ship design work for Kongsberg Maritime. From setting the benchmark that set the standard for offshore supply vessels in the 1970s, to advanced anchor handlers that transformed the oil and gas industry, and a growing reference list in fishery and merchant ships, Kongsberg Maritime’s range of ship designs has continued to evolve over the past five decades.The early 1970s, at the dawn of the offshore oil and gas industry, saw the very first vessels, designed…

Hydra Service, manufacturer of Dynapower pumps, motors and turbine starters, announced it has been purchased by a local manufacturing investment group led by Mick Webber. According to the company, the new ownership and existing management are committed to servicing and replacing old equipment, developing new products, opening channels to market, and attracting different customer segments.“When I started Hydra Service in 1981, we were a four-man shop that primarily serviced oilfield equipment,” said former owner Rick Bentley.

The blockage of the Suez Canal is likely to lead to large reinsurance claims, adding to upward pressure on marine reinsurance rates, James Vickers, chair of reinsurance broker Willis Re International, told Reuters.Formal investigations began this week into how the giant container ship Ever Given ran aground in the canal, shutting down shipping in the major global waterway for almost a week.The incident and its impact on hundreds of ships delayed in the canal would be a “large loss” for insurance market Lloyd’s of London…

Geraldton-based Dave Perham, an operator from Australia’s Western Rock Lobster fishery, has taken delivery of a new lobster boat from Dongara Marine designed to have much lower fuel consumption than comparable vessels.Completed in late April 2020, some 12 months after contracts were signed, Force of Nature is a 22.4-meter Southerly Designs monohull which, like other recent Dongara Marine fishing and pilot boat newbuilds, combines an aluminum hull with a composite superstructure.The new boat is an upgrade from Perham’s current vessel…

About one-third of the oil tankers owned by COSCO Shipping Tanker (Dalian) have shut off their ship-tracking transponders since the United States imposed sanctions on the company for allegedly shipping Iranian crude, shipping data showed.From Sept. 30 to Oct. 7, a total of 14 COSCO Dalian ships, six of which carry some oil, stopped sending location data from their automatic identification system (AIS), ship tracking data on Refinitiv Eikon showed. The U.S. imposed the sanctions on Sept.

SeaKing Electrical completed an upgrade project involving historic 142-ft., 251-ton Lake District steamer MV Teal, a Windermere Lake Cruises project that involved a range of repairs and upgrades to the three-deck passenger ferry during its winter layup period.SeaKing Electrical business development manager Neil Mellenchip said the 31-day project required careful planning around a broader asbestos removal process.MV Teal was built in 1936 by Vickers of Barrow. It carries up to…

International Maritime Organization (IMO) fuel rules entering force in 2020 mandate a drastic sulfur reduction. By 2050 the mandate is to cut greenhouse gas emissions of shipping by at least 50 percent.Marine fuels, lubricants and additives manufacturers play their part in establishing maritime’s green credentials by introducing new environmentally acceptable technologies and products.The shipping industry is more than ever portrayed in a bad light due to increasing awareness of its contribution to global climate change, according to Dirk Kronmeijer, CEO of GoodFuels Marine.

ExxonMobil said its new Mobil SHC Aware HS (Hydraulic System) Series hydraulic oils are specially formulated to offer excellent protection, even in marine operating environments. The oils meet the U.S. Vessel General Permit (VGP) requirements for Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants, making them suited for operators in U.S. inland and coastal waters.According to ExxonMobil , the new oils’ balanced formulation helps to offer a range of performance benefits, including protection across a wide temperature range…

Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation, delivered again for New York City-based Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, Inc., this the sixth 165-ft., 599-passenger sightseeing vessels. Designed by DeJong and Lebet, N.A. and builf from steel, the 165 x 34 x 12.8 ft. vessel has a top speed of 14 knots powered by twin Cummins QSK-38M1 diesel engines delivering a total of 2600 hp and connected to ZF W3355 gear boxes, spinning 60-inch, 5-bladed bronze propellers. For dockside maneuvering, the vessel is equipped with a 125 hp Wesmar bow thruster, powered by an electric motor.

Ulstein, now a century old, has spent the last 100 years looking to the future. Since its formation on August 9, 1917 in Ulsteinvik, Norway, the family-owned shipbuilder, designer and systems supplier said it has focused on tomorrow’s opportunities today. Over the years, Ulstein has evolved through innovation and pioneered trailblazing solutions, driven by its desire to meet shifting customer demands, commercial openings and market challenges head-on. There isn’t much that remains the same in a century of operation…

Canadian shipyard Davie said it has secured a contract for the upgrade and refit of Canada’s heaviest icebreaker, 50-year-old CCGS Louis St Laurent. The $14 million program, part of the Canadian Coast Guard’s multi-year maintenance plan, will mark the return of the CCGS Louis St Laurent to Davie in February 2017. According to a representative of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, CCGS Louis St Laurent and its hull are in good condition, and the refit work set to take place from February 16 to June 23 has been commissioned to extend the life of the vessel and maintain its reliability.

Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation, said it has delivered Circle Line Bronx, the first of three new sightseeing vessels for Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, Inc., in New York City. “The new vessels will offer guests an enhanced sightseeing experience on every level,” according to Costas Markou, president and chief operating officer of New York Cruise Lines. Gladding-Hearn previously delivery three sister ships to Circle Line in 2009. Like the earlier vessels, the new 600-passenger all-steel vessel Circle Line Bronx…

Andrew Shaw has taken up his new position as chief executive at ASRY,  ship and rig repair yard in the Arabian Gulf. Effective January 4,  Shaw will lead the firm as it enters its 40th year of operation. He re-joins the company after previously holding the position of general manager of the ASRY Offshore Services division from 2009 to 2014. Shaw has more than 25 years experience in the global maritime industry. He was most recently group managing director for 2.5 years at a U.K. ship repair and conversion company.

ASRY, the leading ship and rig repair yard in the Arabian Gulf, has announced that Andrew Shaw will be the new Chief Executive of the shipyard, effective early January 2017. He re-joins the company after previously holding the position ofGeneral Manager of the ASRY Offshore Services division from 2009 to 2014. ASRY Chairman, Shaikh Daij Bin Salman Al Khalifa, confirmed the selection: “With the current challenges facing the Middle East ship repair market, we were looking for a candidate that would bring not only relevant industry experience, but also a proven track record of good leadership, as well as a dynamic hands-on approach to facing the challenges in our future. Shaw has more than 25 years experience in the global maritime industry.

RSC Bio Solutions announced that its EnviroLogic 3068 and EnviroLogic 3100 high performance hydraulic fluids have been approved for use in MAN Diesel & Turbo systems. This approval allows RSC Bio Solutions to serve customers who have MAN stern tubes and propellers, primarily in the marine transport, ferry and fishing industries. The EnviroLogic 3000 Series consists of readily biodegradable synthetic hydraulic fluids designed for extreme operating temperatures and pressures. Because they are formulated to provide exceptional oxidation and thermal properties, these products are ideal for mobile or marine hydraulic and propulsion systems operating in environmentally sensitive areas, RSC Bio Solutions siad.

RSC Bio Solutions exanded its EnviroLogic 800 series of biodegradable greases. The EnviroLogic 800 series are VGP compliant, biodegradable Lithium Complex greases designed to operate in severe outdoor environments and withstand corrosion. RSC Bio Solutions is introducing EnviroLogic 800 and EnviroLogic 801 greases to further compliment the already established EnviroLogic 802, allowing the company to offer solutions for additional applications when specifications call for NLGI grades #0 and #1.

RSC Bio Solutions announced that its EnviroLogic 210EP readily biodegradable gear oil has been approved for use in Thrustmaster gearboxes and thrusters. With this approval, Thrustmaster has extended its existing relationship with RSC Bio Solutions, whose sustainable technologies are approved for use by Thrustmaster in oil and gas, workboat, deep water, marine and wind construction applications. RSC Bio Solutions describes EnviroLogic 210EP as a non-sheening, readily biodegradable synthetic ISO 100 grade gear oil that offers anti-wear and extreme-pressure properties, corrosion and rust protection and system cleanliness characteristics. It is approved for use in a variety of industrial applications where incidental exposure of oil to the environment is of concern.

BHP Billiton Chairman, Jac Nasser, today announced a number of changes to the BHP Billiton Board of Directors. Anita Frew has been appointed to the BHP Billiton Board as an independent Non-executive Director, effective as of 15 September 2015. Ms Frew has over 18 years’ experience as a director and chairman on public company boards across a range of global sectors, including chemicals, engineering and finance. She is currently Chairman Designate of Croda International Plc, the speciality chemicals group and Deputy Chairman of Lloyds Banking Group Plc. Mr Nasser said Ms Frew’s appointment reflected the structured and rigorous approach taken by BHP Billiton to Board succession planning…

Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering) today announced the appointment of Mr Lim Sim Seng as an independent non-executive Director of the Company with effect from 15 May 2015. Mr Lim, 56, is currently the Country Head, DBS Singapore and Chairman of DBS Vickers Securities Holdings Pte Ltd.  He was a senior banker for 26 years with Citibank before joining DBS in 2010 as Country Head, DBS Singapore. With Citigroup/Citibank, Mr Lim served Citigroup in various senior appointments in Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, New York, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Hong Kong. He was a Japanese Government Monbusho scholar and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Yokohama National University, Japan.

Technology and dynamic mission profiles have driven change in the defense industry, Hydro Group Plc Managing Director Doug Whyte, explores the changing paradigm of submarine programs, an evolving market he has experienced first-hand, with over 30 years at the helm of his own innovative subsea design and manufacturing group. My original business partner, Mike Redstone, previously worked for Vickers Slingsby which was involved quite extensively with the Ministry of Defense (M.O.D.). At that time, in the late seventies, close involvement with the M.O.D. was commonplace.

Chevron Products Company, a Chevron U.S.A. Inc. division, unveiled a new line of Clarity Synthetic EA Hydraulic and Gear Oils for the marine industry and other applications where leaks or accidental discharge are a concern. These products meet the new EPA Vessel General Permit (VGP) requirements for environmentally acceptable lubricants (EALs). Clarity Synthetic EA Hydraulic and Gear Oils are designed to give maximum protection and provide seal compatibility in hydraulic equipment and industrial gear applications on vessels and equipment where performance is critical. This includes marine applications such as: stern tubes, thrusters, controllable pitch propellers, stabilizers, rudder bearings and other mechanical equipment subject to immersion.

Nothing stirs the maritime pot like new regulation, and coming soon to you (in less than a month) is the new iteration of the Vessel General Permit (VGP). The VGP applies to vessels operating in a capacity as a means of transportation, that have discharges incidental to their normal operations into waters subject to this permit, except recreational vessels. Unless otherwise excluded from coverage, the waters subject to this permit means “territorial seas” of the U.S. The Clean Water Act (CWA) does not require NPDES permits for vessels or other floating craft operating as a means of transportation beyond the territorial seas, such as in the contiguous zone or ocean. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a replacement VGP permit under its authority from the CWA.

The 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP) published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will apply to all vessels entering U.S. waters from December 19, 2013. The VGP requires that “All vessels must use an Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs) in all oil-to-sea interfaces, unless technically infeasible”. Vickers said its HYDROX BIO, ECOSURE HSE and BIOGREASE EP2 ranges of Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs) meet the detailed ecological definitions and requirements laid down in the 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP). Vickers Oils has approvals for its EALs from many of the relevant equipment manufacturers. Stocks are carried in ports around the world. vickers-oil.com