Zeus News

On a windswept island 50 miles north of Seattle sits a U.S. Navy monitoring station. For years, it was kept busy tracking whale movements and measuring rising sea temperatures. Last October, the Navy gave the unit a new name that better reflects its current mission: Theater Undersea Surveillance Command.The renaming of the spy station at the Whidbey Island naval base is a nod to a much larger U.S. military project, according to three people with direct knowledge of the plans:…

On Feb. 10 last year, the cable ship CS Dependable appeared off the coast of the island of Diego Garcia, an Indian Ocean atoll that’s home to a discreet U.S. naval base.Over the next month, the ship’s crew covertly laid an underwater fiber-optic cable to the military base, an operation code-named “Big Wave,” according to four people with direct knowledge of the mission, as well as a Reuters analysis of satellite imagery and ship tracking data.The new super-fast internet link to Diego Garcia, which has not previously been reported, will boost U.S. military readiness in the Indian Ocean, a region where China has expanded its naval influence over the last decade.The CS Dependable is owned by SubCom…

As the world continues to scramble for renewable energy, floating offshore wind has emerged as a key capacity enabler in the coming decades. With no major commercial scale projects currently in operations, the segment is largely based on governments and developers ambitious project plans for the future. Nonetheless, this market segment can offer vast opportunities to the world of offshore support vessels in both near- and long-term prospects.In this piece, we will discuss the key opportunities and challenges related to offshore floating wind…

Detyens Shipyards Inc. has been awarded an $8,991,045 firm-fixed-price contract for the overhaul of U.S. Navy cable layer USNS Zeus (T-ARC 7), the Pentagon announced Friday.Work to be performed under the 90-calendar day shipyard availability includes services for the regular overhaul and dry-docking availability of the 513.5-foot vessel. The contract also contains 11 unexercised options, which if exercised, would increase cumulative contract value to $9,975,203.Work at the North Charleston, S.C.

The market for marine services in support of the installation and maintenance of undersea telecommunications cables has matured over a period of more than 100 years to reach its present state of development. The largest providers of marine services (companies such as the Global Marine Group, SubCom, Alcatel Submarine Networks and Orange Marine) take different approaches to operations, but provide a mature and assured set of services that play a critical role in the industry. Marine services support the suppliers of undersea cable systems (delivering 50…

Marine engineering firm BMT has been awarded a prime contract to conduct industry studies for the U.S. Navy’s T-ARC(X) cable ship replacement program.The Navy’s only operational cable ship, the nearly 40-year-old USNS Zeus (T-ARC 7), is approaching the end of its service life, and the Navy is interested in recapitalizing its undersea cable installation and repair capabilities, as well as adding the new mission sets of acoustic, hydrographic, and bathymetric survey; and deploying and recovering unmanned underwater vessels.

Icebreaking operations have commenced in Finland, with two icebreakers presently deployed in the Bay of Bothnia, where ice has begun to form at the head end and along shipping lanes.On December 25, by decision of the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, the icebreaker Kontio was deployed, followed by icebreaker Otso on January 8. First assistance restrictions for sea areas entered into force on December 27.“Based on long-term forecasts, we would seem to have a mild winter ahead of us…

Scorpio Bulkers announced it has sold another bulk carrier, marking its seventh ship sale since revealing plans to pivot away from dry bulk shipping toward offshore wind services.The Monoco-based shipowner said on Thursday it reached a deal with an unnamed, unaffiliated third party to sell the 2016-built Ultramax SBI Zeus for approximately $18.5 million.Since September 28, Scorpio Bulkers has also sold SBI Hera, SBI Phoenix, SBI Samson, SBI Conga, SBI Sousta and SBI Rock. Upon delivery of the four Ultramax and three Kamsarmax bulkers to their respective owners in the fourth quarter of 2020, Scorpio Bulkers will have an operating fleet of 47 vessels consisting of 42 wholly-owned or finance leased drybulk vessels (including 13 Kamsarmax vessels and 29 Ultramax vessels)…

Norwegean shipping company Grieg Star has taken the 64,000 DWT Star Gaia on a long term tariff contract (lTTC) deal for seven years.Star Gaia is a part of the G2 Ocean bulk pool. G2 Ocean is a joint venture of two of the breakbulk and bulk shipping companies: Gearbulk and Grieg Star.Star Gaia is a newbuild conventional bulk vessel, built at Mitsui Chiba Shipyard in Japan. She was named and delivered to us on the 27th of November, with our Head of Finance, Nicolai Hafeld Grieg, present.“We are happy to strengthen our conventional bulk position with this LTTC vessel. Our customers require safe, reliable and efficient services and I am…

Scorpio Bulkers announced that it has received a commitment from Nordea AB (publ), acting through its New York branch, and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) for a loan facility of up to $184.0 million.The loan facility will be used to finance up to 60% of the fair market value of six Ultramax dry bulk vessels (SBI Athena, SBI Thalia, SBI Zeus, SBI Hera, SBI Poseidon and SBI Apollo) and six Kamsarmax dry bulk vessels (SBI Conga, SBI Bolero, SBI Sousta, SBI Rock, SBI Reggae and SBI Mazurka).The loan facility, which is expected to close within the third quarter of 2018, will be comprised of a term loan up to $104.0 million and a revolver…

The New York-based Gener8 Maritime Inc. (GNRT) reported a loss of $45.4 million for the fourth-quarter ended December 31, 2017, after reporting a profit of $5.8 million in the same period a year earlier. The crude oil transportation services provider reported a loss of $168.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. Gener8 Maritime has increased full fleet "ECO" operating days to 65.1% in the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to 43.4% in the same period in the prior year. The company sold a 2003-built Aframax (Gener8 Pericles), a 2000-built Suezmax (Gener8 Argus), a 2002-built VLCC (Gener8 Poseidon), and a 2010-built VLCC (Gener8 Zeus) for net cash proceeds of $33.2 million after debt repayment of $63.8 million and release of working capital from the Navig8 pools.

Vessel sales for October 2017 (as of November 1) as prepared by Shipping Intelligence, Inc., New York. 10/29 - COASTAL NO.

nv charts announces the release of its newly updated chart set for Region 9.1, Bahamas Northwest, including Bimini and Berry Islands, Nassau to Abaco, and Grand Bahama, for 2015/2016 in paper and digital format. The chart set includes a CD of digital charts, including free navigation software, plus the free nv charts Mobile App for iOS and Android mobile devices, for real-time navigation with tablet devices. The App includes free digital updates for this chart set for 2015/2016. Nv charts are relied on for accuracy and dependability by recreational boaters, professional mariners, and the U.S.

Detyens Shipyards, Inc.,* Charleston, South Carolina, is being awarded a $14,737,872 firm-fixed-price contract for a 170-day dry-docking and overhaul of USNS Zeus (T-ARC 7). This contract includes nine options, which, if exercised, would bring the total contract value to $17,199,024. Work will be performed in Charleston, South Carolina, and is expected to be completed by April 2015. Working capital contract funds in the amount of $14,737,872 are being obligated at the time of award, and will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was procured as a 100 percent small business set-aside via the Federal Business Opportunities website and three offers were received. Military Sealift Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N62387-15-C-7505).

Insight Genesis™,the custom map-generation tool for Lowrance, Simrad NS and B&G Zeus series chartplotters,announced today the latest update to its premium map-making service— Apple Mac and mobile device compatibility. Significantly expanding access to Insight Genesis, the service’s new HTML5 architecture creates exciting ways for boaters and anglers around the world to access and enjoy the map-making experience. The online serviceleverages the multi-platform capabilities of HTML5 to offer compatibility with Microsoft™ Windows®, Apple OSX and iOS, Android and Windows Mobile devices.Sonar logs can now be analyzed and reviewed on PC or Mac computers, as well as Apple, Windows and Android mobile phones and tablets*.

Fugawi Aboard, a newly launched product from Northport Systems Inc., combines U.S. and Canadian raster charts, based on National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) nautical charts, into quilted regions for use on compatible chartplotters. Fugawi Aboard combines more than 2,000 NOAA and 600 CHS raster navigation charts on one quilted product. Packed with coastline detail for the entire United States and Canada, Fugawi Aboard delivers the look and feel of vector charts with the unmatched detail and familiarity of paper charts.

Global shipping management company, PV Enterprises International, Inc. "We realized people are the most profitable cargo," said Mr. Peter Villiotis, CEO of PVEC. "We are very excited about our focus on tourism in undeveloped areas, a much larger market where my unique experience as Chief of Technical Operations for two major Cruise lines for 25 years can be effectively utilized. "PVEC has recognized the huge potential in specialty cruises coupled with ecotourism. This relatively new, immature and inefficient segment of this $36 billion market presents enormous potential. "Consistent with our firm commitment to build a global integrated maritime services company, we have accomplished much this year to develop this plan.

In his speech at the LNG Export & Export & Infrastructure Conference Federal Maritime Commissioner Doyle gives insights on the consequences of the adoption of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as a marine fuel in the United States. I am a Commissioner with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission. The Federal Maritime Commission is an independent regulatory agency responsible for regulating the nation’s international ocean transportation for the benefit of exporters, importers, and the American consumer. I should emphasize that my thoughts and comments here are mine and mine alone – they do not reflect the position of the Commission, and they should not be construed to represent the positions of any of my fellow Commissioners.

Designers, Robert Allan, inform that Leevac Shipyards has completed the construction of the second of their  Z-Tech designed 2400 tugs. The latest, 'Zeus', has been delivered to its owners Suderman & Young Towing Company of Houston, Texas following the earlier delivery of her sister 'Chloe K' to her owners: Bay-Houston Towing Co. of Houston, Texas. Both tugs are operated by G&H Towing of Galveston, Texas on behalf of their owners. The Z-Tech Class tugs from Robert Allan Ltd. are designed primarily for operation in major ports and marine terminals.

nv charts announced the release of their new chart set for Region 10.3 Cuba Southwest, covering the southwestern coast of Cuba. This new, updated, meticulously surveyed chart set has been much anticipated by sailors in the Caribbean who have wanted to visit the southwestern coastal area but have been reluctant due to the unavailability of reliable charts. Region 10.3 sets, as well as nv charts’ new 2014 edition of Reg. 11.1, Puerto Rico, will be available at the nv charts booth at the U.S. Powerboat Show in Annapolis, MD., October 3 – 6, in Tent C, booth C31; and at the U.S.

One of the most popular boating and cruising areas on the U.S. East Coast, the region from Long Island, New York to Nantucket, is now available in improved format and readability from NV Charts. Region 3.1: Rhode Island to Nantucket Sound, including the waters from Watch Hill, R.I. to Chatham, Mass., on the lower end of Cape Cod, includes Nantucket, the Elizabeth Islands and Buzzard’s Bay, Block Island, Block Island Sound and all of Narragansett Bay. The nv charts Region 3.1 set is provided in paper and digital format for sailors…

Jeppesen’s new C-MAP MAX-N Wide cartography, designed for popular navigation systems from global marine electronics leader Navico, is now available to boaters worldwide through the Navico Insight Store and Jeppesen authorized dealers. MAX-N Wide is compatible with Lowrance Elite 7 and HDS Gen1, Gen2 and Gen2Touch; Simrad NSS, NSE and NSO and B&G Zeus Touch Multifunction Navigators. These navigation systems have are used across a spectrum of boaters, including fishermen, cruisers and sailors…

While much of the focus on Ballast Water Management issues is on the big ship, blue water fleet, there is a growing large need for BWMS on large modern offshore vessels, too. Hyde Marine has long been active in the worldwide effort to control the spread of aquatic invasive species in ballast water. Early on, Hyde supplied the first fully operational shipboard Ballast Water Treatment system. In 2003, after requirements were better defined, Hyde installed a state-of-the-art filtration and UV disinfection system aboard the Coral Princess.