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Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Stainless Steel News

04 Mar 2024

Odfjell Completes Terminal Expansion in Houston

(Photo: Odfjell Terminals US)

Odfjell Terminals US (OTUS) reports it has completed the construction and commissioning of its Bay 13 at the Houston Terminal (OTH), adding nine new tanks, with a combined capacity of 204,000 barrels. The new tanks are a combination of stainless steel and carbon steel, and each tank has been engineered with positive pressure systems and full automation, Odfjell said. The newly commissioned bay is specifically designed for the storage needs of specialty chemical products, the company added."As we continue to invest in our assets…

04 Mar 2024

MOL Wraps Up Fairfield Chemical Carriers Acquisition

MOL Chemical Tankers-operated chemical tanker Ensemble (Credit: MOL)

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has, through its subsidiary MOL Chemical Tankers, completed the acquisition of Fairfield Chemical Carriers, creating one of the world’s largest multi-segregated chemical tanker fleets.The acquisition, valued at $400 million, is based on a share transfer agreement signed at the end of September 2023, which has been approved by the relevant authorities under competition law.The transaction is in line with MOL’s plan to proactively invest in chemical tanker business…

21 Feb 2024

Aussie Pumps Releases New Bronze Pump

Source: Aussie Pumps

Australian Pump Industries (Aussie Pumps) has launched a 4-inch NiAl bronze self-priming pump with hydraulic drive.The new pump, called the B4XRA/B HYD34, produces 2,200 lpm and can operate at up to 42psi. It can also lift water through a vertical suction lift of 6m.Aussie Pumps Chief Engineer John Hales said: “The pumps self-prime. You can see from the big tank that’s designed into the body. When the product is properly primed it will have no trouble fulfilling its suction responsibilities in any installation.”“Most vessels today have hydraulic capabilities.

19 Feb 2024

NYK and Stolt Tankers to Build Six Multi-Purpose Chemical Tankers

© EdVal / Adobe Stock

NYK Stolt Tankers, a joint venture between NYK and Dutch company Stolt Tankers, has signed a contract with Nantong Xiangyu Shipyard in China to build six parcel chemical tankers.The contract will strengthen NYK’s chemical tanker business, for which demand is expected to grow steadily, and deepen the partnership with Stolt Tankers, a leading player in the industry, the company said.Parel tankers are multi-purpose chemical tankers can carry various cargo, including chemical products…

07 Feb 2024

NYK Stolt Tankers Orders Six Chemical Tankers

(Photo: Stolt Tankers)

NYK Stolt Tankers, a joint venture between NYK Line and Stolt Tankers, has placed an order with Nantong Xiangyu Shipyard in China to build six 38,000 deadweight tonne stainless steel chemical tankers for delivery between late 2026 and 2029.The newbuilds will be sisters to a series of six vessels Stolt Tankers ordered at Wuhu Shipyard in November. The ships feature 30 cargo tanks, offering a range of cargo flexibility and are designed to maximize fuel efficiency using a wide range of energy savings devices and shore power connection, Stolt Tankers said.

05 Feb 2024

Bisso's New Tractor Tug to Enter Service This Spring

(Photo: Caterpillar Marine)

A new tugboat is slated to enter service for Bisso Towboat this Spring.The Luling, La. based marine towage provider has been working with Main Iron Works to update its fleet, replacing a conventional tug with a tractor tug about every 18 months. In late 2022, the Houma, La. shipbuilder began building a new tractor tug Mr. Brian—the sixth azimuth stern drive (ASD) tractor tug built by Main Iron Works for Bisso in the past eight years.Named after Bisso’s vice president of operations Brian Cyprowski…

23 Jan 2024

Advanced Polymer Coatings Starts Factory Expansion

Advanced Polymer Coatings President David Keehan. Image courtesy APC

Protective tank coatings manufacturer Advanced Polymer Coatings (APC) announced an expansion of its factory, an investment central to its plans to increase its market share of the chemical and product tanker markets.APC President David Keehan said the renovation of its Avon, Ohio factory will almost double its size to 42,000 sq. ft., and a new automated manufacturing system will start production later this year, quadrupling manufacturing capacity of its MarineLINE protective cargo…

21 Nov 2023

Stolt Tankers Orders Six Tankers from Wuhu Shipyard

Zhang Zhao, General Manager of Wuhu Shipyard Co., Ltd. (left) and Lucas Vos, President of Stolt Tankers (Photo: Stolt Tankers)

London-headquartered Stolt-Nielsen Limited announced its subsidiary Stolt Tankers B.V. has reached an agreement with Chinese shipbuilder  Wuhu Shipyard to construct six 38,000 deadweight tonne stainless steel parcel tankers for delivery between 2026 and 2028, with additional options for a further six newbuildings.The new ships will have 30 stainless steel cargo tank segregations offering a wide range of cargo flexibility, the shipowner said.Stolt-Nielsen CEO Udo Lange said, “Following our well-timed acquisitions of 10 secondhand ships since 2021…

17 Nov 2023

NYK Group, Stolt Tankers, and ENEOS Ocean Unveil Chemical Ship Pool Business

Credit: Stolt Tankers (File image)

The NYK Group, Stolt Tankers, and ENEOS Ocean launched a chemical ship pool business in the Asia-Pacific region in October.Shipowners and operators pool their vessels and undertake transportation services at the request of shippers. The pool business allows more flexible transportation services that utilize economies of scale, NYK said.The project started with 13 vessels, comprising two chemical tankers owned by ENEOS Ocean and 11 chemical tankers owned by a joint venture between…

13 Nov 2023

Odfjell Announces Deals to Add Six Newbuilds

(File photo: Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard)

Norwegian shipping company Odfjell SE announced it is expanding its fleet with six newbuildings through a combination of long-term time charter and pool agreements with Japanese shipowners and shipyards.This increases the total to twelve 25,000 - 40,000 dwt stainless steel vessels to be delivered on long-term time charters and pool agreements between 2024 and 2027.The series of newbuildings will be built at multiple shipyards in Japan and are scheduled to be delivered from 1H2026 to 1H2027.

08 Nov 2023

3D Printed Spare Part Cuts Downtime for Wallenius Wilhelmsen's RoRo Vessel

CAPTION Pelagus 3D delivered a Return Oil Standpipe at Kobe, Japan, to be installed on vessel TYSLA - Credit: Pelagus

Pelagus 3D said Wednesday it had delivered a Return Oil Standpipe at Kobe, Japan, to be installed on Wallenius Wilhelmsen's RoRo vessel TYSLA. The collaboration involved Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Wilhelmsen Ship Management.Traditionally, the procurement, fabrication, and delivery of specific spare parts has been a time-consuming process, often leading to costly downtime for the maritime and offshore industries. However, with the advent of Additive Manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D Printing…

06 Nov 2023

MAN Energy Solutions and Doen WaterJets Partner for Australian Military Tender

MAN 175D engine (source MAN)

MAN Energy Solutions and Doen WaterJets (DOEN) have agreed to join forces to offer a fully integrated propulsion system solution to the Australian Army’s LAND 8710 Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel Phase 1A (LMV-M) program.The program aims to acquire a medium landing craft suitable for a range of missions in Australia’s northern waters and beyond.The cooperation spans the full product lifecycle including propulsion system design, integrated logistics support and commissioning, through…

12 Sep 2023

MOL Chemical Tankers to Acquire Fairfield Chemical Carriers

(Photo: MOL Chemical Tankers)

MOL Chemical Tankers has reached a deal to acquire the business of Fairfield-Maxwells' Fairfield Chemical Carriers in an all-cash transaction.Under the agreement, MOL Chemical Tankers would obtain 100% of the shares in Fairfield Chemical Carriers for about $400 million, subject to change depending on the price adjustment under the share purchase agreement.Fairfield Chemical Carriers’ fleet of 36 chemical tankers would dovetail with MOL Chemical Tankers’ fleet of 85 chemical tankers.

17 Aug 2023

China Demand Drives 7% Jump in Minor Ore Exports

Copyright nordroden/AdobeStock

“Driven by continued growth in minor ore demand in China, global seaborne minor ore exports rose 7% y/y in the first seven months of 2023, vastly outpacing the 2% y/y growth in overall dry bulk exports,” says Filipe Gouveia, Shipping Analyst at BIMCO.Accounting for 51% of seaborne minor ore exports, bauxite exports also led year to date growth with a 9% y/y increase. Bauxite is refined into alumina, the primary ingredient in aluminium production.Chinese aluminium production has rapidly increased since the start of the Ukraine war.

26 Feb 2024

Crossing Death's Door Daily

© Derek Victor / Adobe Stock

Washington Island Ferry Line (WIFL) has been the essential link between the residents, business and visitors of Washington Island and Wisconsin's Door Peninsula for more than eight decades.Picturesque and peaceful Door County isn't named for some intrepid settlers named Door. The name has a more ominous meaning. It's derived from the treacherous passage between the peninsula and Washington Island that mariners called Porte des Mortes, or Death's Door.A unique combination of environmental…

19 Jul 2023

Markey Winches Chosen for Moran Towing’s New Escort Tugs

Two views of a Markey DEPCF-52 escort winch, 75-HP model (Photos courtesy of Markey Machine)

Seattle-based Markey Machine said it has received an order to supply Markey DEPCF-52 hawser winches and separate CEW-60 capstans for two new escort tugs being built for Moran Towing at Master Boat Builders in Coden, Ala.“As we proudly unveil our newly announced tug builds, we entrust the power and efficiency of Markey winches as our chosen partner,” said Sean Perrault, Moran Towing's VP of engineering services. “Moran Towing and Markey Machine LLC have forged a long-standing relationship built on trust…

11 Jul 2023

Odfjell Promotes First Female Captain

Lise Henriksen (Photo: Odfjell)

Odfjell announced it has promoted its first female captain in the history of the 109-year-old company. The Norwegian chemical tanker company said Lise Henriksen has been named captain of the Bow Sky."On behalf of Odfjell, I congratulate Lise on her well-deserved promotion and thank her for paving the way for women in the maritime industry,” said Odfjell  CEO Harald Fotland. "Her expertise and leadership abilities have led her to this prestigious role – a historic appointment at Odfjell and in an international maritime field currently dominated by men.

26 Jun 2023

Uzmar Delivers New Tug to Svitzer

(Photo: Uzmar)

Uzmar’s shipyard in Turkey has delivered a new tug to Svitzer, the towage arm of Danish shipping group A.P. Moller-Maersk.The newly completed RAstar 3200-W, named Svitzer Elizabeth, was designed by Robert Allan Ltd. and will be the first Uzmar tug to be part of Svitzer’s European fleet, operating in the Port of Liverpool, England.The combination of 80+ tonnes bollard pull, escort, Fi-Fi 1, exceptional seakeeping and < 500 GT of this design has proven successful for Uzmar and Robert Allan Ltd., the designer said.

13 Jun 2023

Uni-Tankers Reports Record Results

Source: Uni-Tankers

Danish family-owned company Uni-Tankers has achieved record financial results for the financial year 2022-23 which it attributes to being a “streamlined organisation ready to seize each opportunity.”Earning after tax were USD 61.0 million, an increase of USD 66.1 million from last year’s result despite constrained availability, higher cost of charter tonnage and higher interest rates.Uni-Tankers' fleet is one of the youngest in its core markets, comprising approximately 40 owned and chartered modern and flexible product and chemical tankers.

10 Apr 2023

LNG Dual-fuel Chemical Tanker Launched for Fairfield

(Photo: Fairfield Chemical Carriers)

Japan's Fukuoka Shipbuilding has launched a new chemical tanker for U.S. based shipping company Fairfield Chemical Carriers (FCC).The newly built Fairchem Pioneer is FCC's first liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel stainless steel chemical tanker. According to FCC, the vessel's LNG propulsion technology reduces carbon dioxide emissions by up to 25% compared to traditional marine fuels.The ship is the first of two 26,300-dwt chemical tankers FCC ordered from Fukuoka Shipbuilding, with options for four additional vessels.

21 Mar 2023

Crowley ATB Equipped with Markey Mooring Winches

Photo courtesy of Jonathan Smith, Crowley Maritime

Markey Machine said it recently won an order for a set of split mooring winches and an anchor windlass to be installed on board one of Crowley’s ATB barges Oliver Leavitt. The winches replaced a set of electric mooring winches.The ATB, including tug Aveogan, was constructed at the Bollinger Marine Fabricators facility in Amelia, La., and delivered to Crowley in 2020. Crowley operates the ATB under a long-term charter for Alaska-based Petro Star Inc.The decision in Markey’s favor was “operations-based: tied to historic performance,” Crowley reported.

21 Mar 2023

Stolt Tankers Buys Tanker Pair for Caribbean Trade

Image courtesy Stolt Tankers

Stolt Tankers acquired two 15,000 dwt stainless steel chemical tankers built in 2018 and 2019 respectively. The ships will be named Stolt Condor and Stolt Tucan, joining Stolt Tankers’ Inter-Caribbean service (SNICS) improving Stolt Tankers’ service offering and capability for customers in the US Gulf and Caribbean markets. Stolt Tankers expects to take delivery of the vessels in Q2 2023.While the price was not revealed, Lucas Vos, President, Stolt Tankers, said, “This acquisition…

27 Mar 2023

Russia-bound Containers Stuck at Antwerp Port for Year

© chandlervid85 / Adobe Stock

Five Russia-bound containers from India's Jindal Stainless Ltd (JSL) have been stuck at the Belgian port of Antwerp for around a year, unable to enter the European Union, the company said on Friday."The containers are carrying around 100 metric tonnes of stainless steel," a company spokesperson said.The containers were sent in February 2022 for shipment via Antwerp, but were held up because of EU sanctions imposed on Russia after it invaded Ukraine the same month.JSL's spokesperson said the stainless steel was not among the goods on the EU's sanctions list, and should be cleared for onward tra